Just to restate what I have stated so many times before, I do not own anything related to Labyrinth.
Okay, so now it gets really good, which means it gets really challenging for me. I want to give you all I have, so let me know if I meet your expectations, because I am not exhausted from meeting them….yet.
Chapter 24
Sarah slowly awakened, snuggling closer to Jareth. She breathed in his scent and sighed audibly.
"Maidin mhaith*, my sweet. Are you feeling rested?"
Sarah reluctantly opened her eyes. "Yes, thankfully." She allowed her hand to slide down his stomach, dancing dangerous close to the waistband of his sleep pants.
"You are playing with fire, my love, unless of course, you wish to get burned." He flipped himself on top of her, kissing her fiercely.
She giggled and squirmed, which just made Jareth groan in her ear as he nibbled his way down her neck.
"You saucy little minx, you are determined to drive me out of my mind." He growled.
"We have a plane to catch, Jareth. And a ball to go to." She had gotten free of his grasp and was running into the bathroom, peals of laughter following her.
"Then I will join you and help you bathe and thereby hasten our departure." He sprinted into the bath after her, shedding his pants as he went. He pulled her into his arms as she slipped out if her nightgown. Together they stood under the warm water of the shower, suddenly the haste Sarah had wanted to inspire turning to leisure. His hands on her tingling flesh was all she could think of. And where his hands had been, his lips and tongue followed. He was kneeling before her, placing her leg over his shoulder as he ran his tongue along the inside of her thigh, causing her breathing to quicken and moans to escape her lips. And when his mouth found her core, she gasped. Jareth skillfully brought her to climax, greedily licking her nook. He stood up swiftly, pushing Sarah against the wall of the shower. Lifting her up by her thighs, he thrust inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, grabbing his shoulders and digging her nails in. He growled in pleasure, the pain her nails caused, driving him to quicken his pace. They came together and slid down the wall, panting. "Now, we will have to truly hurry." He chuckled.
"You could always just reorder time." She laughed so hard she snorted.
"You exhaust me with your expectations, precious." He grinned at her.
They made it to the airport and their flight, with time to spare. Once they were back in New York, Jareth transported them both to the Goblin castle, so they could prepare for the trip to the Unicorn realm.
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Preparations for the ball for Princess Orlagh had been under way for weeks. The Unicorn realm wanted to make sure that the event would outshine anything the Seelie court could possibly stage. King Tierney was going over the security schedules for his soldiers and guards. With so many regents and courtiers in attendance, everyone's safety would be absolutely essential. His Queen, the fair Finola, had been fretting that ballroom and feast would be grand enough. Her Orlagh, being the only daughter of the Unicorn kingdom, must be splendid and exquisite. No expensive would be spared.
"Mother, I am worried." Orlagh was pacing in her mother's sitting room. Her brows knitted in worry and her lips pinched in a pout.
"Why does my girl so uncertain." Finola came to stand by your daughter, placing a hand on her arm to give some reassurance.
"Prince Lorcan is very nice, but he doesn't love me. I am concerned that we will not be well suited and have a unhappy marriage." Orlagh shook her head, truly unhappy at the prospect of tying herself to a Fae who might not ever care for her.
"Orlagh, when your father and I were married, I had never even met him. Our parents arranged the marriage when I was born and your father was only four years old. It was considered an excellent match, since he was crown prince and my parents were duke and duchess of the Mystic Valley. We saw each other for the first time at the wedding. We have been together ever since and we have been very happy. We have grown together in friendship and mutual respect."
"But are you in love with Father?"
"We have grown to love each other, but it is not a romantic kind of love. We are comfortable. Romantic feelings do not always endure. Better to be compatible than watch love fade." Finola wanted her daughter to understand her fate and accept it. She knew that both King Tierney and herself had taken lovers over the years, but their commitment to their marriage had never wavered. "You are not afraid that Lorcan will be cruel or hurt you, are you?"
"No, Mother. He has been nothing but kind. I just wondered. I met King Jareth's intended at the last ball. They just act differently then Lorcan and I do. I guess I wish Lorcan looked at me the way the king looked at Lady Sarah."
"I see. Well, love among the Fae is rare, true enough. We have made a good arrangement with the Seelie King. Lorcan will do as his liege commands and he will be a good and kind husband to you. And with time, if gods willing, you will have his heir and be a content mother and queen." Finola smiled and nodded as her girl slowly came to realize this was not so bad a course to take. "Now, you best go to your chambers and get ready for the ball tonight. The guests will start arriving soon."
"Very well, Mother." She kissed Finola's cheek and traipsed off out the door.
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Cahal hated to leave the Raven court. Venturing beyond the Unseelie territory was always risky. His best opportunity to get this message to Queen Aislinn was the court healer, Quin. No one would question a one healer speaking to another, even if he was a hobgoblin. The biggest challenge would be not getting killed traveling towards the Unicorn Realm. Since the Royal carriages would be on the main road, all he could do was travel the same way, and hope he hadn't missed them. Quin, although an elf, was always open to consult with another healer, thanks to the healers oath. Now, to just ride his steed and trust the fates to work his way.
Cahal had already encountered the caravan of carriage from the Pixie kingdom and the Nymph kingdom. He was hoping to avoid the Goblin king's entourage. Since his queen was trying to get a war declared with Jareth, he doubted he could speak to Murtagh, even if he is the healer for the goblin kingdom. It just might not be worth the risk.
The Goblin King's reputation for having a volatile temper was well known throughout the Underground.
Cahal rubbed his eyes. He couldn't believe what was just behind him. King's guards from the Goblin King! Of all the bad luck. There was no avoiding it now.
"Hail to the Goblin King! Tell me, good soldiers, does the healer Murtagh travel with his majesty?"
"Why is it your concern, Unseelie scum!" Beothuk grunted. He was the Captain of the King's Guards.
"I am but the healer Cahal of the Ravens court, in search of counsel and advise from my fellow healers. I am on an errand of mercy."
"Stay there, I will fetch General Fergal, he will decide what to do with you." Beothuk stared him down and he trembled a little. He was not fond of confrontation.
Beothuk strode towards the carriage carrying his commander, General Fergal. "Begging your pardon, General, sir. We have intercepted Healer Cahal of the Unseelie court."
Fergal snapped to attention at the mention of the Unseelie. "What does he say to his being on the lands of the Unicorn realm?" Fergal was concerned that the healer was on some nefarious mission for Ravenna.
"Sir, he states he wishes to meet with Healer Murtagh to receive counsel and advise regarding healing, sir."
"Bring Cahal to me and send someone to fetch Healer Murtagh."
"Yes, sir."
"Caoilainn, I am going to report to Jareth. Will you be alright while I am gone, my love?"
"Yes, my dear. I feel safe knowing your soldiers are protecting us all." Caoilainn laid a hand over her not yet obvious tummy, and smiled.
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Sarah was leaning against Jareth's shoulder, slumbering. The long journey after their trip Above had worn her out. Jareth was holding her hand, softly stroking her knuckles with his thumb. The carriage stopped abruptly, shaking Sarah awake. "Wha, what's happening? Are we at the Unicorn castle?"
"No, precious, not likely." Jareth helped her straighten up in her seat, and stepped out of the carriage.
Fergal stepped up to his king. "My liege, we have intercepted the Unseelie healer, Cahal. He professes to wish to meet with Healer Murtagh for advise and counsel."
"Odd that this occurs during the ball in the Unicorn kingdom and while almost all Seelie nobility are traveling. However, it seems unlikely that this has anything to do with Ravenna warmongering. Let them meet, but watch them carefully to ensure that nothing untoward occurs."
"Yes, my King." Fergal bowed low and back away from Jareth and marched back to the head of the caravan.
Sarah had a concerned look on her face. "Is there trouble?"
"No. Cahal of the Unseelie court seeks a meeting with Healer Murtagh. Probably looking for treatments for illnesses or poisons."
"Oh, I see. I am so tired. Do you think Murtagh might have something so I don't fall asleep at the ball tonight?"
"Sarah," Jareth chuckled, rolling his eyes, "you will have time for a nap before tonight. I promise to let you sleep, unlike this morning." He grinned wickedly and kiss her passionately.
"I have heard that before." She giggled.
Cahal's eyes darted anxiously back and forth between the two goblin guards. Would the goblin king allow him to meet with Murtagh? Could he give the message to Queen Aislinn? Would the queen believe his majesty's story? And how would this impact the fates of all concerned?
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This was not what Murtagh had expected on this trip to the Unicorn realm. It was not unusual for royalty to bring their own healer with them on official visits. It actually made sense because attacks on the rulers on neighboring kingdoms and realms were easier to facilitate by poisonings through resident healers or beings posing as the healer. But they had not yet reached the Unicorn palace so it was out of the ordinary to stop on the open road for anything short of n emergency. The guard that had come for him did not indicate that this was an emergency, so he was just very puzzled.
"Cahal? What are you doing here, of all places.?" This was beyond unusual.
"Murtagh, my old colleague! I have not set eyes on you since the last Healers gathering some two hundred years ago. I am glad to see you look well." Cahal did actually like the nymph healer, even if he was Seelie.
"There must be something pressing for you to come to the Unicorn realm to seek out a healer. Were you looking for me specifically,or just any healer to,consult with?"
"You are wise as well as skilled. I was seeking out any healer of the Seelie court, my friend. Would we be able to meet alone?"
"That will not be possible. The guards have been order to watch you but we can step out of hearing range so that you may seek my guidance and knowledge."
"You are most accommodating." The two walked far enough out of the way of the guards that their hushes voices could not be detected.
"What do you ask of me, Cahal?"
"I bear a message for Queen Aislinn. I have a crystal with a message from my queen, Ravenna. She has information of a most sensitive and critical nature. Before I let you view the message I must make you sweat the healers sacred oath to not repeat this to another living creature save her majesty."
"I, Murtagh, healer to King Jareth of the Goblin kingdom, do hereby swear on pain of death that I shall not repeat this missive to anyone but her majesty, Queen Aislinn, High Queen of the Seelie."
Cahal removed the dark purple crystal from his cloak, and while shielding it from the others, allowed Murtagh to view the message contained within. As he listened, Murtagh's eyes grew larger and his mouth dropped open slightly. This was unbelievable. Queen Ravenna had enclosed in the crystal her actual memory of her meeting with King Alroy! The healer was stunned! Such a thing could not be forged!
"Cahal, I must tell my liege this treason intrigue!"
"NO!" He shouted so loudly that the guards came towards them. He smashed the crystal on the ground and it dissolved in a cloud of black smoke. "You swore the oath! Tell only her majesty. You must uphold the honor of the healers!"
"I must protect the king!" Murtagh swore fealty to Jareth and he must hold to that, but he had also sworn the oath. "Curse you, Cahal! I must now keep critical information from my liege lord! I must betray my sworn fealty. Would that you could have given this to her majesty herself."
"I would have preferred to speak to Healer Quin, but you were the first I encountered. I risk my life on this mission as it is. I must make haste to return to the Unseelie realm as quickly as possible before I am killed just for being a hobgoblin on Seelie lands."
"May you return to your own lands safely and may I not see you again. You are brought great danger here, Cahal. Farewell!"
Cahal did not wait for further instruction and immediately fled into the dense forests of the Unicorn lands, hoping to make it to Unseelie land without being detected by any patrols.
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*good morning