Jamen sat listening to Sylvia and nodded. It had not been attempted before, but he had little choice. He had to find a way to get to Meredith.
"As King of dreams you are in a very dangerous position. Aed will try every trick he knows to distract you. You must open your mind and cast it into the space between the world of life and the Underworld."
"At the Cathedral of the Fae," he said, understanding. The Cathedral was built on the edge of light and dark, where all magic merged. Each of the four main walls housed a bridge to another dimension, one of them being the Underworld. Aed could conceivably travel there in spirit and weaken the minds of anyone he touched. He could control people to do his bidding while he sat safe in the darkness of his realm. He could destroy them if given enough power from weak minded people who turned to the dark for confidence.
"Yes, you will call to your Meredith, but once you make contact you only have a few moments before Aed senses it. You must only tell her that we will save her - do not linger or Aed will hear your thoughts. Are you ready?"
"No, but for her, I must." His eyes glowed like embers, and her heart ached. If the king could not be joined with his chosen mate soon, there would be no chance for him.
"Does the girl know of your Time?"
"No, and I have no assurance it will matter to her - but I must save her. I love her," he said wildly. The High Queen nodded her understanding.
"Then we will begin - remember, just long enough to tell her to be ready for us. Anything more risks discovery."
JSJSJSJS
The Court of the Underworld was a dark and dreary place. Storms of black mists surrounded the Castle of Death, screams of the dead echoed through each corridor. And from his throne, Aed watched the High Court of the Above Ground prepare for Sarah's birthday celebration. His crystals were like Jareth's but black with purple smoke inside that cleared when he wished to watch something. He twisted his wrist slightly until he found who he was searching for - Alyssa. She was just as beautiful as ever, but then she could never be less than beautiful. A fitting queen for his realm. Corbin had never been worthy of the blonde witch, she had power that rivaled Carman's.
At the thought of his wife, he frowned. She was still trapped in whatever hell Sarah and Jareth had condemned her to and that was fine with Aed. A wailing cry came through his world and he saw yet another human come to him. Magda, mother of Lithos, slave of Carman. He raised his hand to send her to the same place he'd sent Felecia and she called to him.
"Great and powerful Aed - husband of my queen, Carman - I ask for your mercy. I have done all your wife has asked of me."
"You did not give her your son's life years ago," he reminded her. She pouted.
"Jordana took him as a servant, but there is still time for my sacrifice. He will die today and my debt will be paid." The king regarded her solemnly.
"That debt was with Carman not with me. Your powers are gone, your life is gone. There is nothing more you can do for us." He started to raise his hand then stopped. "However, I will keep you near so that your son will see your face as he dies this day. Then you shall be rewarded in the way I see fit."
"Thank you," she sputtered, trusting him because she had no choice.
Elsewhere in the castle, Meredith was trying to escape Aed's chambers with no success. She sat on the bed, muttering to herself.
"Meredith," Jamen's voice came into her head. She looked around but saw no one.
"Great, now I'm hearing things," she sighed. She held her head in her hands until she heard his voice again. Jumping up she looked around in shock.
"Jamen? Where are you?"
"I only have time to tell you to be ready. We are coming for you. Please Meredith, be ready." His voice was filled with a deep longing and Meredith gasped. He sounded like he was in pain. An extreme pain that flooded her through their mind link. She gasped, trying to steady herself from the onslaught of emotion. And then she knew, part of her shocked speechless as she felt her eyes glow brightly. But part of her welcomed the knowledge of his deep emotion. She only hoped she could return to him before it was too late.
"Jamen?"
"I must go, but please - wait for me, my love." The connection was broken and Meredith sat back down in stunned silence. He loved her.
Elsewhere in the castle, Aed felt Talon use his newly found powers. The boy was strong, and just arrogant enough to mold in his image. He needed an heir and he'd be damned if he claimed any of Corbin's brats for the honor. Aed concentrated on the boy and sent a mental suggestion to him.
"Who are you?" Talon said to the air around him.
"The key to your ultimate power," the air hissed in his ear. Talon could not see anyone, but he liked what the voice was saying.
"What do I do and what will I receive?"
"The High Courts of the Above and Under Ground will be at the wedding ceremonies today. Kill them all - except for Alyssa," he said.
"And Sarah - the girl is mine," Talon grunted.
"Fine - bring the two women to my realm and you shall have your reward," the voice promised. "Everything that you deserve."
Liking the sound of that, Talon agreed and listened to the hissing voice tell him of their plans.
JSJSJSJSJS
Sarah showed her father and Karen how to wish Jareth would take them for a visit to the Above Ground High Court, and in a matter of seconds she was reunited with her family. Toby laughed when he saw Jareth and held out his little arms.
"Gobbin," he shrieked. "Magic gobbin!" Jareth laughed and took Toby into his arms, hugging the little boy close. Toby pulled Jareth's hair and giggled. Sarah was amazed at how gentle her husband was with the boy.
"You really do love children," she mused as she gave her father a big hug. Jareth looked at her with a surprised expression then grinned.
"Of course I do, they give their hearts so freely, once they know who to trust." He gave her a wink and she found herself blushing. Karen caught the look and smiled.
"The two of you are obviously in love. You'll have to tell me how you met - the real story this time." Robert coughed and Sarah looked at Jareth who looked at Toby. Toby giggled and pulled Jareth's hair some more. Karen sighed and sat down on Sarah's comfy bed. Yawning, she stretched and Sarah immediately told her to take a short nap.
"But I wanted to help you get ready," Karen protested. Sarah grinned.
"You are an honored guest and just having you here is all I need. Now, please rest and I'll call you when it's time to get ready."
Karen smiled her thanks and settled back into the mattress. "Just for a few minutes, I'll just close my eyes for a few..." her voice faded as she slipped into dreams.
Antoinette and Aberdon entered, chatting quietly. Sarah ran to her best friend and hugged her.
"I'm so glad you are here," she said happily. Glancing at Karen, Annie smiled.
"Maybe we should all get out of here and let Karen sleep for awhile. Come to my room," she suggested. Aberdon grabbed Jareth and Robert.
"Come along, men - let's let the women gush over their gowns and dreams of us while we go get some ale."
"I'm not sure who you are," Robert said smiling, "but I like the way you think." They made their way to the kitchen and grabbed some mugs. Jareth uncorked a large bottle of ale and poured freely. Aberdon introduced himself and took a mug, gulping most of his drink down immediately. Robert took a large gulp and almost choked.
"This is ale? It tastes like hellfire," Robert gasped. Jareth pounded him on the back approvingly as Robert shook his head and took another drink.
"Let us toast to new beginnings," Jareth suggested. The three mugs pounded together in brothership and the men had a mug of ale. Then two.
"Well, that bottle is empty," Jareth said, "Let's get another - this one is pumpkin ale, hmm sounds intriguing."
"Open 'er up and let's have a taste," Robert urged. Aberdon looked at him with respect.
"You're a good man, Robert Williams. It's a joy to drink with you." Robert bowed and the three men laughed.
Soon the kitchen was emptied of ale and Aberdon pouted.
"No more ale," he gushed. Jareth laughed and stood up, swaying slightly.
"I - I know there is more downstairs in the cellar. Come, gentle, um gentlemen and let us find the ale before the ladies come - come for us." He burped and Robert laughed.
"I'd forgotten how fun it is to drink with you," he said raising his empty mug. Then he frowned and looked down into the empty vessel, saddened.
"No more ale," he said. Aberdon smiled and snapped his fingers, thinking of something brilliant.
"I have an idea - let's go downstairs and find some more." Jareth glared at his brother but was not sure why - it seemed like a good idea.
"Splendid, let's go toast the ladies," he agreed. The three men laughed and made their way downstairs.
JSJSSJSJ
Talon knocked on the door to Alyssa's chamber. Not hearing anyone, he tried the door. Locked. Using his new powers he teleported into her room and looked around. Suddenly he was knocked to the ground by an energy bolt. Alyssa stood at her window watching him right himself.
"Talon, you dare enter the High Queen's room? After trying to kill my son and his wife?"
"Wife? They are not yet wed," he spat out. She laughed and the sound chilled him.
"They have mated in the tradition of our people. She is his Queen. You have lost."
"So you say. I come with a message from Aed, Lord of the Underworld. He has someone there you may wish news of - Meredith, Protector of Dreams is in his kingdom. He offers her back to you for a price."
"And that would be?" Her finely arched blonde brow mocked him in its casual lift.
"A fair trade - give yourself to Aed willingly and your son's soul mate can be returned to him. He will not have to die of grief. Deny Aed and your son dies from his Time being unfulfilled. And then the rest of your family will die a horrible slow death. Aed will use Meredith's soul as a way to return to this dimension. He will be able to return. However, Meredith's soul would not survive being used as a vessel for his return."
"You are a pompous ass," she said coldly.
"True, but you accept the terms?" he asked, polite and charming.
After a long silence, she nodded. "I accept."