Chapter 25.

The chamber filled with rumbling and the entire mountain groaned in reaction to the entrance of the Mountain Goblin King Jak`ara. Sarah had expected some creature not unlike Dak`ar. She had expected to find herself in the presence of a rough and tumbled creature with rough features and coarse manners. She braced herself for the odor that seemed to follow these Mountain Goblins everywhere they went. Dak`ar gnashed his teeth and cursed the mortal witch with guttural sounds. Sarah looked down at him with impassive eyes.

The rumblings subsided and from somewhere deep in the mountain a form began to take shape. Height wise, the male figure was a bit taller than Jareth. His build was more muscular and his skin the same shade as that of the cowering Dak`ar. He was clad in armor and leathers and tanned skins. His garments resembled the tunics of ancient Rome, and even in their rawness they were magnificent. He was a powerful being, one who demanded and received respect. His arms were bare except for armored wristbands, his legs were also bare. His stance was that of a warrior, one who had fought hard to get to where he was, and who would fight harder to stay there.

It was the face of this King that caught Sarah's attention. She'd expected the same rough features as those on Dak`ar's face. It was here any similarity ended between father and son. Jak`ara's features were noble, and could have come from the valley of the Nile. His face could have belonged to a Pharaoh, or a desert tribal leader. A broad brow under which were well set, deep eyes, and a noble nose. His mouth was pursed in a grim line as he cast his eyes on his cowering son.

"I should have known," he muttered to himself as he moved forward on powerful legs. He took notice of Jareth and gave him a look of recognition. "You are the Goblin King of the Labyrinth, are you not?" he addressed Jareth with a show of consideration for the other's title and status.

"I am King Jareth," the Fae King gave a curt bow to his counterpart. "You are King Jak`ara?"

"I am," he acknowledged in a quiet but powerful manner. "And that sorry pile of cowardice is my…son." He pointed in the direction of the trouble maker. His eyes moved to the girl seated in the throne, "And you?"

"This is Sarah, my espoused wife to be," Jareth made the introduction. "The Goblin Queen."

As Jak`ara bowed showing regard for the woman Dak`ar jumped to his feet and howled. "She's not a queen; she's just a mortal witch… And that is my throne." With a sudden burst of bravado he snarled at Sarah and growled, "Get off my throne, bitch!"

"Your throne," his father questioned darkly. "How is it that you have a throne?"

Dak`ar faltered only for an instant. "I took it, like all real Goblins should." He glared at Sarah. "She's nothing."

"Dak`ar," the goblin glared harder at her use of his name in a casual manner. "Can you read?"

Jak`ara raised one brow, "Answer her," he commanded.

The son of the Mountain King looked taken aback at his father's direction. "Of course I can," he muttered.

Sarah nodded and pursing her lips pointed to the ruinistic symbols carved into the stone throne. "Did you bother to read that?"

"Those meaningless symbols?" Dak`ar huffed.

Jak`ara gave an exasperated release of breath before turning on his childe. "Those meaningless symbols are runes you fool." He walked closer to the throne, "Within this throne's heart lies a shard of one of the Lia Fáil a gift from the Tuatha Dé Danann to the Goblin races. Only a true Royal Ruler will be acknowledged when the stone sings out."

Sarah stood up and moved away from the throne, "Sit, Dak`ar, and if the stone cries out I will bow to you as a king." She waved a hand toward the throne.

Dak`ar hesitated, his father glowered, "Sit boy."

Fire entered the boy's eyes as he thrust himself into the throne. Nothing happened. Toby covered the snicker that threatened to escape his lips with a quick hand. He could not however cover the mirth in his eyes. Jareth scowled at him and he sobered up quickly.

Jak`ara motioned for his son to vacate the throne, when he had, the Mountain King turned to Sarah and extended her a hand. She declined but moved smoothly to the throne and took her seat. Once more the throne reacted to her presences; shafts of light filled the chamber, colored softly with hints of the rainbow. Music filled the air, and Sarah looked at the pretender with a triumphant gaze. "Only a true Royal Ruler will be acknowledged." She said with a coy smile.

"It's a Fae trick," decried the goblin stomping his feet, "A dirty Fae trick!" He pointed an accusing finger toward Jareth. "He somehow did that!"

"My lady, may I?" Jak`ara requested. Sarah vacated the throne, and the Mountain Goblin King took a turn, again lights filled the chamber. "You were saying, son."

The sputtering of protests stopped and hurt filled the eyes of the young heir to the Mountain. "But it does nothing when I sit…" he moaned.

"You are not a rule, not just yet," Jak`ara informed the young creature. "You are still only a prince." He sighed heavily as he rose from the seat. "With much to learn, I fear." He turned to Jareth and with grim resolve asked. "How much damage has this one and his cohorts done?"

"They did enough," Jareth informed the other king with equal grimace. "Your son ordered the capturing of my espoused wife. She was held and exposed to poisons that nearly destroyed her. They also poisoned the mind, heart and soul of my heir." He pointed to Toby. "Only now is he coming out of their influences."

"I am ashamed," Jak`ara lamented.

Dak`ar wailed, "Why lower yourself to him?" He moved forward and placed himself threateningly between the two kings. "He's nothing but a Dirty Fae."

Again Toby snickered, and Jareth shot him a warning glace that the boy all but ignored. "I'm sorry," he said in a most uncontrite manner. "But he does not even know who you are…" The golden haired Heir scoffed.

Both Jak`ara and Jareth turned to look at Dak`ar who was huffing at Toby the way most bullies did when confronted. "I know who he is," he argued coarsely. "He's Jareth, the Goblin King, Lord of the Labyrinth and Keeper of the unwanted…"

Jak`ara's face showed that he truly wanted his son to finish it all, but the words had ended and the child was still scowling and snarling at the other prince. He looked at Jareth.

"He's a dirty Fae, he's not even a goblin," accused the prince as his father prepared to speak. "None of them are goblins… they are trespassing on Goblin lands and should be destroyed." Dak`ar grabbed for his father's blade, "We must destroy them!"

Jak`ara reached down, disengaged his son's hand from the hilt and caused the boy to tumble down the dais. "You words echo the sentiments of that ignorant fool, Namua." His anger at the boy was obvious. "She is an old fool, and her people have no understanding, that is way they are slaves, Dak`ar… their ignorance enslaves them."

"Namua," Jareth muttered under his breath, "That's a Stoneoria name, is it not?"

"The Stoneorians are under my subjection," Jak`ara nodded, "His old nurse was Namua, and she filled his head with tales of the wars between the Fae and the Goblins, before the time of enlightenment. Some fools long for those days, for they don't study the histories." He looked over at Toby, "It would seem that your heir, new to this kingdom knows something of this."

Toby moved forward, pulling Kuri with him, "A bit," he admitted. He looked at Dak`ar who was seething with hate. "I know the full title of my King." He looked at Jareth, with a smile of confidence and pride he stated, "He is King Jareth Tuatha Dé Danann, Goblin King of the Labyrinth."

"He's not a goblin," roared Dak`ar now out of control.

Jak`ara cuffed the boy, and sent him flying across the cavern. "Of course he is fool boy," he barked. "He is more goblin than you in some ways." He pointed to the Labyrinth's king. "He has shown you far more leniency than you deserve."

"How," demanded the raging child.

"He allowed you to play King in this cavern," Jak`ara roared back. "If you had paid attention you'd have known where it was you were." He pointed to the markings on the walls of the cavern. "So much time in Namua's care did you spend, that you were lax in learning the languages of your forefathers." He looked at Toby, Jareth's heir. "Tell him what the symbols mean," he commanded with deference.

Toby pointed to a series of what looked like scratches to the unobservant. "Goblin Queen's Chamber." He moved to another series of marks on the stone wall. "Kingdom of Labyrinthia, court of honor, hall of the Queen." He moved closer to the throne and pointed to a few markings on the floor. "Gift of the Tuatha Dé Danann," he looked over at the face of his King. "Reading the histories and the goblin books was more interesting than reading about you and her…" he motioned toward his sister. "That's why when I saw the markings in here I knew he had no rights to be here."

Kuri blinked, "That's why you were so confident?"

Toby shrugged, "That and I know my sister," he snickered, "Oh she might skin me alive, but no one else will ever get near enough to." He looked at Dak`ar. "That includes other goblins."

"You're not goblin," Dak`ar declared rising from where he was crouched after his chastisement at his father's hand. "You are nothing but a mortal changeling… a play thing for the Fae."

"More of Namua's prattling," Jak`ara lamented. "Her tribe bears a grudge, and have a long memeory."

"Namua has just cause to hate the Fae," Jareth conceded. "All of the Stoneorians do, they suffered far more than any other Goblin tribe during the war. They lost more as well, lands, men, honor…" He looked at the Mountain King's heir. "However we cannot allow this to go further." Jareth crossed his arms, taking a firm stance. "He has committed crimes that must be addressed, as well as the crimes he sanctioned by his followers."

"Agreed," Jak`ara said over the protests of his son. "You've given him more consideration than he showed you or your wife to be. He placed her in danger, and that goes against the accord." His face showed anguish. "However he is my heir…"

"I've a suggestion," Sarah said having listened to the conversation. "He does not understand what it is he's done," she said thoughtfully. "Perhaps if he lived as a mortal child, and experienced it fully he would come to understand what it was he did. He should also live for a time in the Fae courts, as a guest, to understand the accord. If he is to be a king, he must first understand the responsibility he is accepting."

"You would show such compassion on one who wished you harm," questioned the Mountain Goblin with surprise. "Humanity," he breathed softly. "I doubt I will ever understand fully the complexity of this people."

"He is your heir," Sarah said with empathy. "Much as Toby is Jareth's… and we both have some house cleaning to do."

Jareth smiled at her, "You see Jak`ara," his voice resounded with smug satisfaction. "I have chosen a true Queen."

"I envy you your choice," Jak`ara bowed deeply toward the girl seated on the Goblin throne. "Queen Sarah, my complements."

Simon who'd been watching silently cleared his throat. "Might I interject here?" All eyes came to rest on the wizard. "The Queen's suggestion is wise," he agreed. "However, that one will need a keeper," he pointed to Dak`ar. "One who is versed in magic, and can keep him from doing harm to the mortal's world, or himself."

"Do you have a keeper in mind, Simon?" Jareth asked in an amused manner.

"Myself," he said calmly. "I have suffered more at his hands than any other." He indicated the amulet that bound him. "Barely allowed the use of my powers, and kept a prisoner…. I know this one's temper and his cunning. If you put him in my care, I will make sure he is safe from the world and from himself."

Jak`ara inspected the amulet, "More of Namua's mischief and misdeeds," with one yank the chain and amulet were taken off the wizard's neck. He dangled the evil object toward his son, "You stole this from my stores without thought of what you were doing! Did you not think that I would miss it?"

"You have others," his son accused.

"None of which are to be used…" Jak`ara bellowed. "These are evil objects that must be guarded, from a time before understanding." He looked over his shoulder at the wizard, "He's yours."

"No," screamed the goblin as he was suddenly bathed in light. "No!"

Simon's arms were spread wide, and then he brought together his hands. The Staff he'd held onto suddenly vibrated and a shaft of light came out of the hidden crystal in its head piece. The shaft of light hit the goblin heir in his chest above his heart. He began to writhe and scream, his form began to shift and he looked less and less goblin like. When the staff came down with a thud on the stone floor the appearance of a goblin was gone, and Dak`ar resembled a mortal boy of Toby's age. The rage had racked the goblin child, and he lay on the floor barely conscious.

Simon extended a hand, from the still air came an object, an amulet not unlike the one in Jak`ara's hand. He placed it over the boys head and shoulders. "It is far less harmful than that one," he said calmly. "It will however keep him in line…from this moment he will believe himself to be my son… and I will teach him the errors of his ways."

Jak`ara gave his concent and watched silently as the wizard lifted the boy off the floor. He turned to Sarah, "I'm informed that your family is in possession of one of my mirrors," Sarah nodded. "I would respectfully request access through that mirror to deposit us in the mortal realm."

"We can do you one better," Jareth said brightly. "You may use the Williams' home as your base. The entire family is now in my care, and I hate to waste their home."

"It does offer a good cover; I can be the brother of the owner." Simon agreed.

Sarah shrugged, "Seems logical to me,"

Kuri looked over at Toby, half expecting him to make some snide comment.

"You'll have to sweep away all the goblin gifts," Toby warned with a shy smile. "I'm afraid there's a ton of em." Jareth and Sarah looked at him, for the first time he looked like the peaceful happy child who had played with goblins in the castle so long ago. Even Kuri was surprised at his change of attitude. He ran a hand through his hair. "If you don't get rid of em, he'll still act like a jerk… I know."

Simon gave the golden haired boy a knowing nod before turning to the mirror on the wall across from the Queen's throne. "Portal, open." He commanded. The mirror shimmered and misty fog poured into the cavern. He held the goblin prince in his arms close. "Until we meet again, be at peace." He gave a look to the father of the child he held. "I shall restore to you your son when he has learned…." He strutted toward the mirror. "Fare thee well, Goblin Kings, and my lady Queen." A moment later he was gone.

Jak`ara winced slightly when the portal closed. "I too must take my leave… As Queen Sarah has said, there is some house cleaning to do… I must seek out those who have followed my son, and the source of the sourness… the nurse Namua."

Jareth offered his arm to the other Goblin King, "Peace Jak`ara."

Jak`ara accepted the arm, and gave the other a tempered smile. "Peace and good fortune, Jareth." He bowed once more toward Sarah then moved to the shadows and his own portal.

Sarah looked at Jareth, and then at Toby, her face turned grim. "I think it's time you and I had a long put off talk young man." Her tone was grimmer than her face.

Toby made a long face, "Awwwwwww Sarah, do we have to?"

"Yes," Jareth said firmly. "And after she finishes with you," he tugged at his glove cuffs. "You and I are going to have a little talk about accepting gifts from strange goblins…"

"Oh I've learned my lesson about that," Toby announced gaily.

Sarah stood up, "What the hell were you thinking leaving the castle without an escort?" she looked at Kuri who looked guiltily down at her feet. "And You! Following him," she scolded the pair.

Jareth schooled his features, not allowing the amusement to show.

Kuri whispered, "I was only trying to help…"

"By putting yourself in danger," Sarah inquired boldly. "I would think a Gwyllion healer would have more sense! Your grandfather must be frantic about you," she admonished the girl. Before turning to chew out her brother, "And daddy and Karen, have you any idea of what you've been putting them through… and don't you dare use the excuse that you were under a spell or I'll take you over my knee here and now Tobias Sebastian!" Sarah stood up, "I have half a mind to spank you both!"

Jareth cleared his throat, the Queen huffed and he said calmly. "Let's go home," he held out a hand to his wife to be. Looked at his heir and the Gwyllion girl, "The passages that belong to the castle will be open now as the Queen has taken her place," he motioned to a portal opening. "There will be time enough in the next few days to unravel all the tangled webs."

Sarah placed her hand without hesitation into the hand of the King. "I'm sure you're right." She gave a look about the empty hall. "It's sad though, to leave this place empty and unused, just collecting dust."

"Unused," Toby scoffed. "Sarah this is your court," he waved at the chamber. "It's the chamber of the Goblin Queen's court."

Sarah looked at her brother, "Say what?"

"I read it in one of the scrolls…" Toby said as he reached for Kuri's hand. He tugged her to walk with him as they followed behind the King and Queen. The portal accepted them and they moved through the kingdom arriving instantly at the throne room of the Goblin Castle.