Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing Labyrinth related. I do own a Labyrinth poster and I'm currently working on a modge podge Labyrinth lamp and I do own a 1974 live David Bowie record but other than that. Nothing.
Authors note: Thank you so much for all your kind words and reviews. It is your encouragement that keeps me going even in the worst of times. Without your words of encouragement I would not be able to finish this story. I read ALL of the reviews and messages sent to me and yes, I actually consider all of the suggestions that are made. If I can find a way to incorporate reviewers suggestion into the story than I do. I actually keep a notebook with all of your suggestions written down so I can reference them for later. I am just as dedicated to you as you are to me. We have a wonderful relationship don't we?
Chapter 21: The Jean Genie
Jareth appeared outside the William's residence in a flourish of black glitter. All the lights in the colonial style home were off causing Jareth to curse at humans need for sleep. Oh well, there were more important things at hand, like Sarah's health and the health of their child.
The travel between worlds had taken its toll on the Goblin King as well. He felt the drain of power that traveling the void had caused. He would have to do more research when he had time. So far he'd not been able to find anything about his condition. It puzzled him greatly. His body should not have reacted to the belladonna this way.
Pushing his own failing health to the back of his mind, Jareth raised his hand rapping quickly on the front door. He stepped back and looked towards the top floor windows waiting for a light to come on. After a few moments, nothing had changed. The house remained a black hole of sleeping mortals. Jareth sighed irritably and knocked again, this time louder and more forceful. He stepped back, his boots clicking on the wooden boards of the porch. Again, nothing.
"I don't have time for this," Jareth muttered irritably deciding that now was not the time for pleasantries. He passed through the door chuckling to himself at the ease of access, foolish mortals and their lack of security. He walked up the stairs until he came to Robert and Karen's bedroom. Pushing their door open, he illuminated the entire room with a wave of his hand.
The mortals stirred in their sleep but were otherwise unaffected by the now bright room. Jareth rolled his eyes. Had this been his home, he'd have noticed an intruder the moment the door opened, probably the moment someone had pushed against the wards of his castle. Then again, mortal's senses were very dull. Even though he loved his wife, he was eternally grateful that the child would not be mortal.
Hands firmly on his hips pushing back his black cloak, Jareth observed Sarah's sleeping parents. Robert shifted in his sleep allowing an escape of wind. Jareth threw his head back in disgust squeezing his eyes shut in irritation. Gods gives me strength. He thought bitterly to himself.
He pulled at the covers on the bed and still the Williams' did not stir. Jareth stared at them wide eyed and unblinking, his patience gone. Karen stirred in her sleep and snorted. Jareth turned and walked abruptly out of the room. "To hell with this," he said softly as he prepared himself to make the jump back to the Underground. He'd just find a way to heal Sarah using Underground methods.
Suddenly, Robert sat up in bed. "Who's there?" The man called out as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room. Karen sat up beside him peering around the room, pulling the covers up towards her chin.
Jareth sighed letting his shoulders slump. The Williams jumped, both of their heads snapped in the direction of their Goblin King son in law who looked thoroughly put out. "I am sorry for the intrusion at such a late hour," Jareth began, his accent slightly thicker than usual in his frustration.
"Jareth, what are you doing here? Where is Sarah?" Robert asked immediately as he reached for his house robe. His wife followed his actions feeling exposed under the watchful eye of the fae King.
"She is at home. Sarah is the reason I have come. She has fallen ill and we are unsure of how to treat her especially in her condition." Jareth replied appearing to be bored as he picked dust from his cloak. However, he was eager for their answers hoping that they could provide Sarah with a remedy to her cold.
"What do you mean she's fallen ill?" Karen asked, her voice instantly filling with concern for her stepdaughter.
"She said she has something called a cold."
Karen scoffed, the worry seeping from her, and stood from the bed walking towards the master bath. She turned in the doorway, "you mean to tell me you, with all of your magical powers, cannot treat a common cold?" She smiled wistfully and continued into the bathroom secretly feeling like she'd one upped the powerful fae.
"Regrettably, no. My healer has treated very few humans. I didn't want to give her any sort of herbal remedies. We're not sure how her body would react to fae medicine especially in her condition."
Robert turned towards the much older man with a scowl on his face. "That is the second time you've said that 'in her condition'" Robert mimicked Jareth's accent. "What does that mean? What condition?"
Jareth smirked, "she's pregnant." Both Robert and Karen's mouths dropped to the floor.
"You son of a bitch," Robert said as he moved a few steps towards Jareth whose brow was raised arrogantly, unaffected by the advancing human. Karen stepped in front of her husband putting her arms on his chest stopping him from pummeling the mythical creature that was their son in law.
"Now Robert, there is no need for that. She's a married woman. We talked about this. We knew this would happen eventually." Karen tried to soothe her husband who metaphorically had steam coming from his ears. She turned towards Jareth. "Well, I'm afraid this medicine may not do her any good then. It shouldn't be taken by women in their first trimester. How far along is she?"
"Five months," Jareth replied casually as he let his thoughts drift to the sleeping woman waiting for him at home. He suddenly felt anxious to get home.
"Five months?" Robert snorted. "She's been pregnant for five months and you two didn't think to come and tell us? We haven't even seen her in five months."
"Yes, I am aware of the time frame. I am pretty sure we conceived our child in her old bedroom," Jareth responded bluntly sending his wife's father into another spiraling rage, his hands clenched into fists and his face an unnatural shade of red. The thought of that make up wearing, long haired, 80's glam rocker fairy touching his sweet, innocent, precious baby girl made his blood boil. If Robert thought he could get in a good punch, just a whack hard enough to wipe that smug smile of his face, before Jareth turned him into a toad, he'd do it.
"Damn, fairies."
"I am not a fairy," Jareth bit out, glaring as he pushed his sleeves back irritably. Robert looked startled not realizing he'd said that out loud.
"Oh, well, she's in the second trimester. She'll be able to take this," Karen said handing the bottle of Robatussin to the fae, wanting to avoid a fight. She recognized the signs of wound up men. Jareth had more or less rolled up his sleeves, his hands gingerly twitching at his side. Robert had his chest puffed out, hands balled into fists, almost like they were waiting for someone to yell 'Draw!'. "Just give her a cap full of this every six hours or so and she'll be better in a few days."
Jareth looked at the back of the bottle and read the directions quickly. "You're sure this is safe for her?" he asked the woman still avoiding the angry father who grumbled to himself.
"Yes, yes. No need to worry. This will not harm the baby."
"Wonderful. I thank you for your help," Jareth turned away from them readying to leave. Robert and Karen just watched on then the Goblin King turned back towards them "Would you like accompany me to the Underground for a visit?"
The moment Jareth appeared in his bedroom in the castle beyond the Goblin City, pain erupted in his chest. The pain which felt like he'd been stabbed through the heart with a red hot blade radiated throughout his entire chest. Only his excellent self-control kept him from crying out or staggering. He quickly pulled his hands free of the three Williams's clasping them behind his back to hide the fact he was trembling.
He glanced to the bed to see Sarah was asleep, unmoving from where he'd left her. Her body curled into a ball around a pillow. Her hair tangled across her face.
The healer sat at the couch in front of the fireplace with a book in his hand. He jumped up startled when Jareth appeared.
"Your Majesty," he said quickly with a slight bow. The Williams watched on curiously as they had never been to the Underground before. Well, Toby was too young to remember. Jareth was the only fairytale creature they had ever seen.
"Has her condition changed at all?" Jareth asked, thankful that his voice sounded even as the pain continued to throb within his chest.
"No Sire, she's been resting ever since you left. No change in her temperature. The fever is still present."
Jareth nodded in understanding. He had expected as much, although he had hoped for a miraculous recovery. "She's running a fever. She told me, before I left, that her throat hurt and she had what was called a cold. We do not have any such medicine to treat her down here. We really don't have much experience in dealing with human patients and I fear giving her anything in her condition." He repeated to Sarah's family, more for peace of mind, as he motioned to the bed. Sarah shifted in her sleep.
Jareth sat down on the edge of the bed causing Sarah to slump towards him as the mattress sank to accommodate his weight. He removed the glove from his hand to stroke his wife's face. "Sarah, time to wake up."
Sarah shifted in her sleep and batted at his hand. "Leave me alone, Jareth," she croaked sleepily turning away from him. Jareth pushed her hair from her face and gently shook her shoulders.
"Sarah, get up," he replied more forcefully. He kept his eyes focused on his wife fully aware that the Williams looked on.
Karen smiled, "always so hard to wake up."
Sarah's eyes opened wide as she heard Karen's voice and she turned to face her family. Immediately, her eyes filled with tears. It had been five long months since she'd seen her family. However, she lacked the strength to get up to hug them so instead she settled for wiping her nose on the covers causing Jareth to sneer in disgust.
He helped her sit up, bunching the pillows behind her, thankful that she hadn't been sleeping naked. The bulge of her stomach became instantly obvious especially when Sarah rested her arms on top of her stomach. The three Williams' stared, unspoken questions forming all over their faces, at Sarah who was practically beaming at them.
"I'll leave you to catch up. Healer, if I may have a word with you," Jareth said before briskly walking out of the room pulling the door shut behind the healer.
The minute he was in the hallway and Williams' voices sounded murmured through the large wooden doors, Jareth sagged against the stone wall and let out a harsh gasp clutching his hand to his chest. The healer looked stricken and unsure of what to do. He'd never seen the King look so exposed before. Jareth even treated battle wounds as mere scrapes.
Jareth's breathing was labored for several minutes as he pressed hard against his chest with his hand trying to get the pain to subside. Taking a deep breath he gasped, "I need you to get me something for pain. Now."
"Sire? What is wrong? Have you been injured?" the healer asked nervously, his eyes scanning the King's body. There were no obvious signs of injury, no blood to be seen.
"I have not yet healed from the poisoning," Jareth grunted breathlessly. Now that they were alone in the hallway, he could finally show the amount of pain he was in. His face gleamed with sweat, his hands trembled and his knees felt weak.
"The belladonna?" the little healer asked incredulously. "Sire, you should have healed mere days after it was ingested."
"Yes, I am well aware of that. Never the less, the effects continue to get worse. Please, get me something for the pain," he asked again, the first trickling of pleading in his voice.
"Where does it hurt, Sire?"
"Chest," was all that Jareth could say as another wave of pain seared through him making him nauseous.
The healer disappeared and returned in moments with a small bottle of murky fluid. Jareth popped the cork letting the small knob roll to the floor as he tipped his head back downing the contents. He let out a few gasps then righted himself handing the bottle back to the healer.
"Thank you. I must stress your secrecy in this matter. Only Ardeth knows of my situation and now you. I do not want this spread around. Do you understand? No one is to know about this and I do NOT want Sarah to find out."
"Of course, Your Majesty. Do you have any ideas on why your health is failing? You are fae, Sire, the belladonna should not be ailing you as long as it has."
"The reason eludes me still. I have been doing a bit of research with no results. The pain is getting worse and it increases when I use magic. If I do not find a solution…" Jareth let the sentence trail off.
"Yes, I understand. I may know of someone who can help you. He lives within the mountains of Verine, a troll with healing powers far greater than my own."
Jareth considered the healer's suggestion. At this point, he was desperate. He truly did not want to leave Sarah alone in the castle but her family was here now to keep her occupied. Perhaps it would be alright to leave her here for a few days. Roman would be here to watch over her. "He is discreet?"
"Oh yes, Sire, he will not tell anyone of your visit."
"Very well, I will leave in a few hours. You may go. Send word to your friend that I shall arrive within three hours' time. Find Ardeth, tell him to prepare to leave then send him to me." Jareth said dismissing the healer who merely bowed and continued on his way. Jareth wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked back into the room where the Williams' now occupied his bed talking animatedly with each other. All four turned to look at him when he entered.
"I've had rooms arranged for you. Perhaps you'd like to retire for the evening and resume this reunion in the morning?"
"Of course," Karen replied first jumping up from the bed. Robert and Toby followed suit. "You take a cap full of that medicine now Sarah and get your rest. We'll see you in the morning, dear. Soon to be mommies need their rest." Karen finished by giving Sarah a hug. Robert frowned as he glanced at his daughter's stomach again then sent an angry scowl at the culprit standing by the door. Jareth returned the look.
"See you in the morning sis. I can't believe how huge you are!" Toby said as he gave his sister a hug.
"Toby!" Karen said outraged.
"Ardeth, my advisor, is waiting for you right outside the door. He'll show you to your rooms," Jareth told them. He opened the door where Ardeth stood waiting patiently. "Take them to guest rooms in the tower," Jareth replied before shutting the door. He turned back towards Sarah who'd settled into the bed getting ready to go back to bed.
"Thank you for bringing my family for a visit. I promise they won't cause you too much trouble," Sarah told him without looking up. She poured the cough medicine into the plastic cup and then drank it making a face at the foul liquid.
Jareth sat on the edge of the bed giving her a halfhearted smile which Sarah returned. His eyes searched her face and Sarah's smile fell. "What's wrong?"
"I have to leave for a few days," Jareth told her as he clasped her hand in his toying with the ring on her finger.
"What?! You're taking me with you, right?" Sarah asked as she watched his fingers.
"No. You stay here and have a good visit with your family," he replied as he pulled his hand back.
"Jareth, no. You can't leave me here alone. I don't know what to do when you're gone."
"You don't have to do anything, Sarah. Just enjoy your time with your family. Roman will be around if anything happens. Keep to your usual duties. I'll be back in a few days."
Sarah crossed her arms over her chest her bottom lip stuck out as she glowered. Jareth laughed bringing his hand up to cradle her face, his thumb brushing over her lip. "No pouting," he whispered before scooting up the bed to be closer to her. He brushed his lips over hers kissing her gently before pushing her back into the bed.
"I'll miss you," she whispered through his assault of kissing. Her eyes shining with the unshed tears that threatened to spill over at the thought of him leaving. No matter what differences or rough patches they went through, she sought out his company, needed his companionship.
Jareth sighed as he pressed his forehead against hers, "Don't look at me like that." He kissed both of her eyes, then trailed kisses down her neck before returning to her mouth pushing her hair back from her face as he did so.
"Jareth, please don't go," Sarah tried one more time in a soft voice in a final attempt to make him change his mind.
"I must," he said softly as he pushed up the hem of her nightgown finding the sweet spot and loosing themselves in the throes of passion.
A soft knock at the door woke Sarah from her dreamless sleep. She pushed the hair from her face, it was getting long perhaps she'd have Karen cut it while she was here, and cleared her throat glad when the scratchiness was no longer there.
"My Lady, are you ready to get up?" Odette called from the doorway as she entered carrying the usual silver breakfast tray covered with a cloth napkin.
"Yes, I think so," Sarah croaked then cleared her throat again. Perhaps she wasn't one hundred percent yet but she did feel better. "Is my family awake yet?"
"No, Your Highness, shall I set your breakfast tray over here? His Majesty informed me to bring you citrus fruits today. Are you unwell?"
"A little, Odette could you get my robe for me. I'm, well, that is to say before Jareth left, we…" Sarah rambled on as her face reddened, feeling silly for not dressing before going back to bed.
The little goblin maid just smiled and handed Sarah the robe slung over the chair before returning to setting out Sarah's breakfast. Sarah turned her nose up at the array of oranges and grapefruit that filled the tray sending Sarah's senses reeling in a citrus nightmare. Odette smirked at her lady's faces. Even the scones were orange flavored. The Queen's usual cinnamon tea and water had been replaced with orange juice and Earl Grey. Sarah picked up the only non-citrus item on the tray, a piece of bacon, and chewed smugly.
"Your Highness, you must eat some of the citrus fruit," Odette scolded, "His Majesty will be upset if you don't."
"Well, he's not here now is he?" Sarah replied in a huff but picked up an orange slice and ate it anyways.
Odette hovered in the room randomly tidying up while Sarah ate. Sarah had a sneaking suspicion, however, that Jareth had left precise instructions for the lady servant about Sarah's diet and to make sure she ate them. Sarah found comfort in that thought, knowing that he was still taking care of her even though he wasn't physically present but she was annoyed with his over protectiveness no matter how much she found it endearing.
"Odette," Sarah called gaining the goblin's attention, "Can you bring my family here while I get dressed?"
"Of course, Your Highness," Odette said glancing at the tray. Satisfied that Sarah had eaten enough of the fruit to make Jareth happy, she curtseyed before leaving the room leaving the tray for Sarah to continue nibbling.
Twenty minutes later, a knock on the door sounded just before three voices were heard in the main part of the room. Sarah walked out of the closet fully dressed in a green velvet gown with heavy embroidery and gold lace. Her family stared at her dumbfounded.
"What?" Sarah asked wringing the lace napkin she held in her hand, uncomfortable under their scrutiny.
"You look so different, Sarah," Toby said as he walked around her picking at different embellishments on her dress. Sarah slapped his hands away.
When he frowned at her, she replied gently, "Don't pick the stuff off my dress."
"Sweetheart, you look beautiful. You look just like a princess," Robert said happily.
"Queen," Sarah corrected him, "I look just like the Queen. Don't forget I am the Goblin Queen."
"Sarah, you snob," Karen said levelly and Sarah couldn't be sure if she was teasing or not.
"Well," Sarah said after a few tense moments, "Jareth had to leave for a few days so I guess you have me all to yourself. We'll need to get you guys into some proper Underground clothes. Jareth may not be here but I'm sure he'd have a right fit if he found out that you guys were walking around the castle in clothes from Above. Karen, I'm pretty sure one of my dresses will fit you, pre-pregnancy ones anyhow, and Dad, I'm sure we can find something of Jareth's for you to wear, maybe something demure. Jareth's clothing is a bit….well, you can dig through it. Toby, we might have to have yours made for you. I don't think there will be anything in my closet to fit you. Come on," Sarah said as she walked back into the closet, her family following her closely.
"Oh my Sarah, look at all these clothes," Karen replied as she looked around the room eagerly, her eyes wide like a kid in the candy store. No matter how level headed Karen appeared to be, the wall full of glittering poofy dresses excited her.
Sarah smiled, "Most of them are Jareth's, that man has more clothing… My stuff is over here, please help yourself. Pick out anything you want. There is a mirror over there," she said pointing to the large four panel mirror. As her family went about looking through the shelves of clothing, Sarah wrapped her arms around her body. She'd only been separated from Jareth for a few hours and already she missed him. How was she going to last a few days without her husband?
The Previous Night
The decision to leave Sarah alone in the castle had been a tough one for Jareth. He didn't like the idea of leaving her defenseless without him to protect her. In an ordinary situation, and by ordinary he meant a nonmagical, human, Aboveground sort of altercation, he had little doubt that she would be able to defend herself. She had, after all, beaten the Labyrinth.
Truth be told, though, he may have made it a little easier on her than a normal runner. After all, Jareth did respond well to a pretty face. But here in the Underground, with her in a very politically driven position of power as the High Princess and without any magical abilities, he feared for her safety which is why he was currently on his way to see Roman.
The fae historian, while abrasive in both personality and looks, would be the best candidate to look over his pregnant wife in his absence. He trusted Roman being as he was Valentine's best friend. Valentine would never do anything to cause Jareth harm. His lover may not like his wife but to harm Sarah would be to harm Jareth and he knew her incapable of such blind hatred.
The hour was late, the birds already beginning to sing their morning song, signaling the rise of the sun, but Jareth was determined to leave sooner rather than later if he were to make this journey a short one. No sense in prolonging the inevitable. Jareth was sick and he needed outside help.
Arriving at his destination; the very far end of the castle just before the servant quarters was a tiny little door with book carved into the wood, signifying Roman's room within the castle. Jareth hadn't been here in years. Actually, he hadn't been to this part of the castle in years. No matter, he was King, this was his home, his castle, and if he wanted to call on a resident within his walls at all hours of the morning, well then he was rightfully able to do so. After all, the servants and all other residents of the castle, besides Sarah and Valentine, lived here paying only a very small stipend each month.
Jareth lifted his hand and knocked three times on the door. Within moments, Roman answered the door. The fae historian was groggy, rubbing his eyes, grunting a greeting. When he realized his late hour visitor was the King, he looked momentarily horrified before schooling his face into a friendly smile. Jareth narrowed his eyes at the younger fae's expression but chose not to comment on it.
"Your Majesty," Roman stuttered as he opened his door wide to allow the King to enter his room. Jareth flopped down onto the little couch in the bedroom. "It is a rare honor to have you in my private quarters, Sire, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Roman asked with a small bow.
Jareth picked up a book on the broken coffee table making a mental note to have a new one sent to the historian. "I have to go away for a few days. Ardeth is going to accompany me. I want you to watch over Sarah and her family." At the questionable look on Roman's face, Jareth explained, "her family from the Aboveground is visiting for a few days until I return. They should keep her busy enough but we still haven't caught the person responsible for trying to poison her so I'm weary about leaving her alone." Jareth was silent for a few moments as he contemplated once again about cancelling his trip. "I'm sure she'll be fine," he said more to reassure himself as he threw down the book he'd been idly thumbing through. Holding out his hand, Jareth produced a crystal at the end of his fingertips. He stood handing it to Roman. "Here, use this to call me directly should there be any problem that isn't an emergency. You know how to summon me if there is an emergency?"
Roman shook his head even though he knew full well how to contact the King but he wanted to hear Jareth say it, to confirm it.
"Just say my name and I will be here immediately." Jareth said turning to leave. He stopped with his hand on the door turning back towards Roman. "You do know my name don't you?" It was a foolish question, Jareth knew, but better to be sure than to have Sarah in a dire emergency and Roman forgetting his name.
"Yes, Jareth," Roman replied indignantly, the King's name rolling off of his tongue in an awkward way. He didn't say it very often.
Jareth narrowed his eyes as he felt the magical pull of his name like an enchanted tick. How it annoyed him greatly. He felt the tingle on the back of his neck every time his name was spoken, like a million bees stinging all at once in the same spot right below his ears, whether he was present when it was spoken or not.
His head would cloud with a vision centering directly on the person who said it and all of their surroundings like a one way mirror. He felt a pull to go that person, almost like an unwanted summons. The Goblin King learned many years ago to control that certain bit of magic but once upon a time, he would have had to physically gone that person because the summoning was that strong almost like a blood summons, which is why his name had been forbidden to speak.
"I don't think I need to express how important the Queen's safety is. She carries my heir and your future ruler. If anything happens to her while I'm gone, I will hold you personally responsible," Jareth threatened without waiting for a rebuttal he opened the door and left Roman staring after him.
Roman shut the door and stood there listening to the sound of the Goblin King's boots as he retreated down the hallway. He put his head against the door using the coolness of the wood to dampen the seething rage he felt inside. Gods, how he hated that man. Spending even a few moments in the Goblin King's company was enough to make him nauseated for a year.
A wicked smile spread across Roman's features. How ironic that the Goblin King would leave the safety of his precious mortal wife in the hands of the very person who wished to destroy her. This was a window of opportunity. He knew he couldn't strike now, not while Jareth was gone, it would be too obvious, but he could learn, study and use this time to advantage. Only with the blood of the Goblin King on his hands and his body lying limp in front of him would Roman truly be happy.
Abandoning the rest of his night's sleep, Roman pulled on his clothing. There was much to be done.
"Long live the King," Roman said quietly before going into a fit of evil laughter.
Well, that's the end of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Jareth will be absent for at least the next chapter. I'm not sure exactly what is going to happen in the next chapter but I know that Jareth won't be there. Sorry to all my Jareth lovers out there. It upsets me as well! Look forward to seeing Valentine in the next chapter! Oh and coincidentally, or perhaps not, the title of this chapter is one of my favorite Bowie songs!
Let's do a Q & A shall we? What would you like to see happen in this story? Leave me a comment and let me know! Suggestions are always welcome!
Thank you for reading and please review!