Fairy Dust: Journey to Heimdall
Chapter 25
Disclaimer: I own only the characters I make up in my sick little brain.
A/N: Okay so in between working overtime and cleaning my hell hole of a room, and dealing with my classes being completely cancelled off for this semester, I've managed to still type up the next chapter. Yay me! Boy do I need a drink….

The carriage ride to Heimdall couldn't have started off any worse. It was raining. It hardly ever rained in the Underground. Jareth had rushed out too meet the carriage, surprisingly enough being driven by Hoggle with Percy along to help with the horses. He climbed into the carriage and held open the door while Alden literally carried Sarah, who protested, to the carriage then passed her off to Jareth.

Within the first hour of the trip, the carriage got stuck in the mud, twice. Hoggle and Percy urged the horses forward but eventually Jareth had to teach Sarah another power she could use with her crystals that would get them out.

Once they got passed the muddy path and back onto the cobblestone road, the rain had stopped and no other problems arose. Jareth continued to teach Sarah simple tricks she could do with her powers that didn't require him to show her first.

"I feel like a Jedi." She giggled as she 'called' her crystal to jump from Jareth's hand and back in to her own.

"Yes I believe you've mentioned that before. What exactly is a Jedi?" Jareth asked somewhat boredly.

"They are a made up group of guardians who have extraordinary fighting skills and powers." She told him, making her crystal disappear.

"How do you know they are made up?"

Sarah pondered the question for a moment. The Labyrinth was real, Jareth was real…why not Jedi? "I guess I don't really know if it's real or not."

Jareth glanced at her, a mischievous smirk on his face, but said nothing.

Sarah rolled her eyes at his expression and returned her gaze out the window.

It had grown quite dark out already, and Sarah could see millions of stars in the night sky. The moon lit up the sky as if to lead them on their journey. It was absolutely beautiful. She yawned in spite of herself, then shivered. It had certainly grown dark…dark and cold.

"Are you alright, Sarah?"

Sarah glanced over at Jareth, giving him a tired smile. "I'm fine. Just very tired."

Jareth opened his arms invitingly. Sarah moved to sit beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. Jareth wrapped Sarah's cloak around her tighter. "Rest, love." He whispered. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

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If there was one thing Hoggle was grateful for, it was that dwarves need very little sleep, while goblins, if you get them bored enough, will sleep for days.

Percy had been talking his ear off for the first three hours of the trip. He just couldn't seem to shut the little goblin up. It wasn't until Hoggle had threatened to push Percy off the driver's seat that he had become silent, and now, thankfully, asleep. The little goblin had been asleep for most of the drive now, since the sun was just beginning to peek at the horizon.

Far off in the distance, Hoggle could see the city of Heimdall. It was the one place in the Underground that looked like something humans dreamed of. The entire city was made up of castles. Big or small, they were all magnificent.

Hoggle felt a slight twinge of fear. Fae were known for their love of puzzles and mischief. Many were cruel, but mostly because they were the heads of royal society. Hoggle knew it had taken Sarah to bring out the somewhat tamer side of the Goblin King, but the dwarf feard the mortal's charms would not work on others of this place.

As the sunlight in the horizon became brighter, Hoggle felt Percy twitching beside him. The little goblin would wake soon. So much for the peace and quiet, the dwarf thought.

Percy twitched again.

Hoggle rolled his eyes. "Fer cryin' out loud, Percy, just WAKE UP!"

Percy jumped up. "What? Who? Where?"

"Calm down, Percy." Hoggle told him exasperatedly "We're almost there."

"We ares?" Percy stood on the seat then climbed down the carriage and onto one of the horse's backs.

"Percy, I swear if you fall, I ain't stopping fer ya!" Hoggle shouted.

"We is almost there, Hoggle!" the little goblin shouted excitedly as he climbed back up onto the carriage and into his seat. "We's almost there."

"Yeah I know. I told ya!" Hoggle let out a deep breath, glaring at the little goblin.

Percy didn't seem to notice.

Hoggle grimaced. "Why don't ya go climb down into the carriage and let His Majesty know we is almost there?" the dwarf suggested.

Percy stood, saluted him, then climbed down the side of the carriage and in through it's side window.

"Majesty! Majesty!"

Jareth could vaguely hear someone, or something trying to get his attention. He hated being woken from a deep sleep, and was about ready to tell the voice so when Sarah's voice spoke.

"Percy, shhh! Keep it down." Sarah scolded. "Let His Majesty rest. What is it you need to tell him?"

"We is almost there, Lady Sarah! We is almost at Heimdall!" Percy bounced on the seat across from her.

"Alright, I'll tell His Majesty. Now you climb back up there with Hoggle, alright?"

"Course, Lady." Percy saluted and in a second was gone, climbing back up to his seat.

Sarah pushed her cloak back slightly and stretched out her arms. She had slept fairly comfortably, despite Percy's loud awakening.

Speaking of which, she thought turning to face the sleeping Goblin King.

"Jareth." She said quietly. "Jareth wake up." She shook him gently.

"That little goblin will be tossed straight into the bog the moment my powers return." Came the Goblin King's tired voice.

"You won't do that." Sarah said knowingly. "He's my friend."

Jareth opened his eyes and glared at her. "Everyone is your friend. By the time you're through, there will be no one left for me to threaten, because you will forbid it."

"Well you're certainly cheery this morning." Sarah admonished him.

"Only when woken by excessively loud goblins, pet." He told her.

"Well Percy wanted to let you know that we were almost there is all."

"Then I suppose I should begin to explain to you what will be happening." Jareth told her, once again becoming serious.

"What do you mean?"

"Well for starters, although we will be staying in Aldhelm's castle, many of the other fae will no doubt have heard of my visit. For your own safety, you must remain by my side at all times."

"What if I have to go to the bathroom?"

Jareth glared at her. "Do not be foolish."

"I was only teasing, Jareth."

"Do not defy me, Sarah. Your safety depends on it. I have been generous, others will not be."

Sarah grimaced, anger built up inside her. She closed her eyes, controlling it as best she could. It was heard, and she hated to admit it, but…sometimes she forgot he was still the Goblin King.

Jareth winched slightly. He knew Sarah didn't like what he had just said. It didn't matter though. What mattered was that she followed his lead.

"Although they will most likely give is separate rooms, you will ask Aldhelm's housekeeper to give us adjoining rooms."

It was now Sarah's turn to glare. "Wait just one minute! If you think -"

"Calm your anger, Sarah and hear what I said." Jareth told her pinching the bridge of his nose. Curse or no curse, he was still bound to have a headache due to this conversation. "I did no say you would have to share my room or my bed. Adjoining rooms, Sarah. You would have yours and I, mine. Should something happen to you during our visit, It would be far more convenient to simply open a door to get to you, rather than run down several halls."

Sarah did no answer him, only continued to gaze out the carriage window.

"Sarah, we do not have time for childish games."

She was silent a moment longer, then finally spoke in a small whisper. "That's how you plan to treat me through this entire trip isn't it? Like a child? One of those wished away to you?"

"Only if you act childish, love."

Sarah sighed heavily. He thought she wasn't going to act her age…not that her little comment moments ago had helped matters much. "Fine." She looked up at him defiantly. "What other rules will you be laying down for me, Goblin King?"

For a moment Jareth stared at her. His expression was unreadable. "Try to avoid becoming too angry with me, Sarah." He turned and stared out the window. "Oh and…you may not use you powers without my consent or my company."

"Why not?"

"It would be wise of you not to question me on this subject, Sarah."

"But that's not -" Sarah became silent as soon as Jareth's gaze came back on her. He hated those words, sometimes more than he should. One simple foolish comment from her and then several rules from him always led to 'it's not fair.'

"Do not forget, young one, that it was you who insisted on accompanying me to Heimdall. Question my judgment again, and we will return to the Labyrinth."

Jareth's anger and patronizing words stung. They sounded suspiciously like a 'don't make me turn this car around' comment. She wanted to yell and scream at him for treating her like such a child, but didn't. She was hungry and too tired to argue anymore.

As she gazed out the window, she could see they were in the city now. She could sort of guess why they called it a city. There was a marketplace, and a small village near the gates, but as the carriage traveled further into the city, Sarah could see castles everywhere. They were within walking distance from each other, yet still at least a mile or so apart.

All around in the castles' fields she saw people maintaining the gardens, the little lakes, the orchards, and the tournament grounds. Every castle they passed was as unique as the land it sat on. Some were amazingly tall, reaching heaven itself, while others were short but long and wide like an aboveground mall. The most amazing castle of all Sarah had seen, was the one they stopped at. It had to be Aldhelm's castle. It wasn't the largest castle but it was the most beautiful.

Elaborate designs were carved into the doors of the castle. Almost every window had a stain glass design. It looked almost like a cathedral. The eastern most tower had a rod at its top with a star sparkling in the sunlight. There was nothing princessy or childlike about the castle, but it was beautiful.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah saw Percy jump down and open the door of the carriage.

Jareth climbed out first then extended his hand. "Sarah?"

She stared out at the castle a moment longer then turned, taking Jareth's hand and climbed out of the carriage. She was still angry with him, but there was no need to make a scene.

A young man approached them. His curly blonde hair was trimmed short and his bright green eyes sparkled. He was quite handsome though not as tall as Jareth and strolled up to them with a smile.

"Welcome, King Jareth." He said bowing. "Welcome to Heimdall."

"Ivor." Jareth smiled. "You've grown quite a lot since I last saw you."

The young man grinned. "Yes, well it has been sometime since you visited last. My father is very glad you have come."

"I look forward to seeing your father." Jareth told him. "May I present Lady Sarah Williams. She defeated my labyrinth some years ago. Sarah this is Ivor, Aldhelm's son."

Sarah extended her hand. "It's good to meet you."

Ivor took her hand, bent down to kiss it, his eyes never leaving hers. "The pleasure is mine, my lady."

Sarah smiled. She'd wager a guess that Ivor was around her age (if she went by aboveground years and not underground years.) She glanced at Jareth. He did an amazing job at not looking jealous, and maybe he wasn't, but she could still see a hint of anger behind his blue mismatched eyes.

"Come," Ivor told them, offering Sarah his arm. "I shall have the servants take care of your carriage and horses. I'm sure you must be hungry and tired from your trip."

"Famished actually." Jareth said, clasping his hands together behind his back.

Ivor lead them into the castle, with Sarah on his arm, and Jareth carefully walking behind them. As they made their way to the dining hall, Ivor pointed out different oddities and historical facts about the castle to Sarah.

When they reached the dining hall, they were seated at a large round table. Jareth and Ivor talked while Sarah looked around the room animatedly.

The walls were a pale gold color with royal blue curtains hanging over the massive windows. Above the dining table was a large chandelier, reminding Sarah of The Phantom of the Opera. Everything about the room, right down to the vine carvings in the wooden table and chairs, suggested high status and wealth. Sarah found it amazing, and intimidating.

"Will your father be joining us?" Jareth asked as the servants brought in their lunch.

"Not till this evening. He is currently visiting Lady Hester and her daughter Jessamine." Ivor told him.

"That's too bad." Sarah said disappointedly. "I was looking forward to meeting him."

Jareth shot her a warning glance, but said nothing.

"And so you shall." Ivor smiled. He stood up from his seat. "I propose a toast. To King Jareth and Lady Sarah, may your visit to Heimdall be a memorable one."

A/N: oooh! I wonder what will happen next. Anybody here seen the old BBC Chronicles of Narnia? I based Ivor's looks on the adult Prince Caspian from the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. (I'd show you a picture but I can't seem to find any at the moment.) Anyway, tell me whatcha think or you never know, you may be Percy's next victim of annoyance! lol.