Disclaimer: I can honestly say that after looking at my poor bank balance I do not own any of the characters that you see and recognise here from either Harry Potter or The Labyrinth, I am just having a little fun with them all

Chapter Twenty-Six – Christmas Celebrations Pt1 - Christmas

When they got to the castle Jared stood for a moments and closing his eyes he took a deep breath and savoured the taste of the hot dusty air. He immediately felt the welcome buzz on the edge of his senses that he knew was the presence of the Labyrinth. Opening his eyes he saw his father watching him in amusement, Jared just smiled up at him not caring what he looked like.

He had missed the Kingdom and its hot smell of dust and metal tang from the silly goblin army that lived in the city.

He had missed the tingle at the edge of his sense that was the presence of the Labyrinth tempting and teasing him to come run within it, he missed the constant buzz and hum that permeated the air from the hustle and bustle of the hopeless goblins as they rushed about trying to do their best on whatever chore they had.

These were the few goblins that were either too dumb to be trusted to work in the bank or had failed to be deemed competent enough for true goblin warrior training, but mostly they were the children that had been turned into goblins and so didn't have the natural-born sharp mind most members of the warrior race had.

Most of all he had missed the smiling face of not just his father but of the beautiful dark haired woman that stood at the doorway to the room they were in, "Sarah" he shouted before launching himself across and into her open waiting arms. She pulled him into a tight hug and murmured into his hair, "Welcome home Jared." They stayed like that for several moments.

As much as he enjoyed standing there watching them, Jareth finally had to break them apart by saying, "As lovely as this is I do believe there are others waiting for you."

Jared pulled back from Sarah and smiled at him with a nod but before moving out of her arms but he didn't leave the room, instead he faced his father again and with a serious face he asked, "Father before we do go meet the other can I ask, there was a wish recently wasn't there?" Jareth frowned at him but before he could say anything Jared carried on "It's just I can tell something has happened, it's in your eyes but you don't seem really angry just grumpy so it can't be something to do with running the Kingdom and the only thing it could be is a wish, you had to change them didn't you?"

Jareth gave a small sigh before stepping closer and resting a shoulder on his shoulder, "I forgot how perceptive you can be at times. Yes there was a wish and yes I had to change the child. Yesterday the wisher, a young boy declined the opportunity to run the Labyrinth as such I had to change his baby sister. This time it was to a creature of the Labyrinth, there is now a new member of the Fireys clan."

Jared gave him a sad smile now, "Then at least you know she will always be happy and have lots of fun playing games all day and that it is likely to be better than the life she would have had."

Jareth returned the sad smile with one of his own but it was Sarah that said, "That is very true Jared but as you know it still does not mean it is an easy duty for your father to fulfill and we just have to give him a couple of days as always."

"I know but asked because I wanted you to know that I understand why you may be grumpy and you don't have to hide it and try to force being happy all the time just because I've come home." Jared told them before moving to give them both a brief hug.

Jareth gave him a small genuine smile at his words, "Thank you Jared but I assure you I do not need to force being happy at you coming home no matter what duties I have had to perform."

"Come," Sarah said with her own smile in place "Your sisters and brother are waiting." She put her arm around Jared's shoulders as she guided him out of the room.

Every year the corridors and lesser rooms of the castle were decorated by the silly goblins, Jareth allowed them to do it mainly to keep them out of the way but this meant that the decorations were mostly dried out vines with bits of dirty dishes or pieces of metal tied up in to them.

The throne room, along with the more important rooms and the royal family quarters they had strict orders to leave alone and the family, or more accurately Sarah with some help from the children would decorate them. This year in honour of Jared becoming a Hufflepuff and after his brief descriptions in his letters home about his dorm, they had decided to use golds and yellows with black to highlight them and bring out the shine of the bright colours, along with soft green in the background thanks to the boughs and from the main tree.

In the throne room all the dirty rugs and covers had been removed and soft satin black pillows with stars in gold lined all of the benches and chairs, boughs twined around the high beams with globes of yellow and gold hung on them, a light in the centre of each glowing softly.

The throne itself was no longer draped in furs but now had a large gold seat cushion and a black with gold stars back cushion, just behind the throne is where the main tree sat.

It towered over them, not quite reaching the ceiling, leaving just enough room for the star that topped it. Tinsel wrapped around in, deep yellow with the occasional orange and red one mixed in, soft golden candlelight spread over it from the numerous lit candles attached to the branches and reflected off both the tinsel and the baubles which were in a range of yellows and golds.

Jared looked around at it all in awe, it was like walking into a warm bubble of light, and standing next to the throne hardly able to stand still they were so excited stood his two sisters and brother. They gave him a moment to take it all in before giving shrieks of delight and launching themselves across the room at him. They all went down together in a big tumble of arms, legs and laughter. It was exactly the kind of reunion Jared had been expecting, loud and boisterous.

Jared promptly initiated a tickle war with them and it was some time before it subsided, by then Jareth and Sarah had taken a seat with Jareth naturally on his throne, and watched the four of them with large smiles and amusement shining clear from their eyes.

After they had finally collapsed through exhaustion at laughing so much Jareth spoke, "Well now you terrors have worn each other out perhaps you will leave us alone with your brother so that we may tell him of the plans for this Christmas holiday."

They each gave him a cheeky grin before scampering off to find more mischief. Jared sat up and moved to a seat next to Sarah, straightening his clothing a little and running a hand through his messy hair in an attempt to tame it, his grin didn't falter as he turned curious eyes to his father.

"The council gathered two weeks ago to determine among other things where the annual Yule-tide ball will be held." Jareth began "I requested that we be the hosts this year and they accepted. As such the High Council, members of each of the royal families for all of the Kingdoms and many other important guests will come here on the evening of the 25th, I expect you to attend in your position as my Son and Heir."

Jared have a single nod at this having expected it as the ball happened every year, it was the location that changed every time and the only time he was ever excused attending was when it was held in the Dark Fae kingdom, his father claimed he was still too young in both age and power to travel there.

"Sarah will be organising the ball, as such while she will be around I ask that you try not to bother her too much as she will have a great deal to do, I am not sure if you remember what it was like the last time she organised the Yule-tide Ball as you were only seven at the time."

Jared again gave a nod and said, "I remember that there was a lot going on and I did my best to stay out of the way and concentrate on my studies, it was also the first one you let me attend although it was only for an hour or two." He finished with a cheeky smile.

"That was my decision" Sarah added, "your father wanted you to attend all night but I put my foot down and said that you were still too young, as it happened I was right, half an hour after you were sent to bed I slipped out to check on you and Lu in her crib to make sure the noise wasn't disturbing her. Like Lu you were fast asleep, the only difference being you were on top of your covers and still fully dressed."

Jared laughed having heard the story before.

"Yes well," Jareth said burying his irritation at being interrupted knowing he only felt that way due to still being unsettled from having to change a child. "In the mean time you have been invited to a quite a few balls and dinner parties by all of the wealthier wizarding families and even a few of the poorer ones. It was expected and after reading your letters I have declined on your behalf for all but the ones that came from those that shared a surname with your friends."

"Thank you father, I have to admit I'm tempted to say no to the ones from my friend's families as well. I just want to stay here and spend as much time as I have with all of you." Jared said as his smile dimmed a little at the thought about having to reject his friends, even if he knew they would all understand.

Sarah placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and with a gentle smile said, "We anticipated you would say that which is why your father has thought of a compromise."

Jareth gave him smile, "If you are truly sure you wish to say no and remain Underground for all of the holiday then I thought you might like to hold a party of your own. Of course it will have to be after the Yule-tide ball, due to the nature of the guest we will have that night I am sure you understand why we cannot invite them to it, but it does not mean we cannot have a second smaller party, perhaps to celebrate the Aboveground celebration known as New Year."

Jared didn't know what to say, he launched himself at his father and gave him a tight hug while repeating, "Thank you, thank you so much" over and over.

Jareth looked at Sarah over Jared's head and with suppressed laughter colouring his tone said, "I think he approves of the idea."

Jared pulled back and with a sheepish grin moved back to his seat, "Now" Jareth said, "As Sarah will have a great deal to do with the Yule-tide ball we will not be able to begin planning the one for you until that has been done, but you can make a list of all those you would like to attend."

"And" Sarah added, "If you can get the list to me by tomorrow night then I can included it in with the invites for the Yule-tide ball and have them made at the same time, just with a different date on them."

Jared immediately agreed that he could have the list ready by then for her, "Excellent," Jareth said, "other than the Yule-tide ball and your New Year party we are not planning on any other visits so you will have plenty of time to play with your sisters and brother, and I am sure some of your tutors would like to see you as well. In the meantime why don't you get changed and go for a run about in the Labyrinth, its call for you is starting become more than a little irritating." This last was said with an exasperated sigh.

Jared flashed another cheeky grin before thanking them both one last time and dashing off to his room to put on some clothes that would be more appropriate for a run around the Labyrinth, ones that it didn't matter if they got dirty or torn by some of the hazards or citizens of the great maze.

xx

The time seemed to fly past in a sense of never ending fun and games for Jared, it was broken by a few serious moments but these were only when he visited his old training masters and they each wanted to test him on his skills to make sure he wasn't forgetting what he had learned before leaving for Aboveground, as well as get a sense of what he would be ready for when he returned for the summer holidays and would once more become their student.

He also made sure to have a small presentation, with his father watching on in amusement from his throne, to his sister Luigsech. He apologised for it being a little delayed but he wanted to congratulate her on making Dame of Deception and to commemorate it by giving her a gift.

After the King and Queen of the Black Lake Mer-clan had given their approval for him to continue having contact with them he had made a request for a single black pearl, a gem he knew his sister did not have in her jewellery box but that they would have a far easier method of getting one then he could ever hope to have.

In exchange for it he would give them all his knowledge that he had of the news from the Underground Mer-clans, something he knew would be welcomed as the Mer-clans didn't tend to have good communication channels with the Underground clans, he had always wondered why but so far had yet to find an answer.

The deal also included a single goblin-made dagger with special underwater enchantments on it that he had had sent to him by his father, obviously he had told his father who it was for and vaguely why, the King had approved his request on the condition he be given a better explanation when Jared got home which he had since done.

The Mer King and Queen had granted him the request and once he had the pearl he had then used some seaweed and coral from the surrounding area to make a beautiful necklace with the pearl hanging from it as the pendant in its own little twist of coral. With the necklace in hand he had gone to Flitwick and the charms professor had then helped him to cast preservation and anti-dirt charms on it.

This ensured the seaweed and coral would never dry out and crumble and that it would always remain clean no matter how much dust and dirt it was exposed to if it was worn while running around the Labyrinth.

As soon as she saw the necklace, Luigsech had shrieked and thrown herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug and screamed down his ear how much she loved it. Jared had winced and simply requested that she not try and make him deaf or strangle him to death, after all she was a Princess and should maintain sense of decorum. She had laughed and after a smack to his arm for being silly run off to show her new necklace to Sarah.

Jareth had stepped down from his throne and resting his hand on Jared's shoulder simply said, "Well done, a perfect gift." He then left and headed back to his study and his own work.

Jared had been pleased not only at his sister's reaction but to his father's as well, he had as instructed given a better explanation as to why he wanted the dagger, but he had not told him exactly what the gift looked like and so to hear he approved of it meant the world to Jared.

Finally it was Christmas morning. As he did every year, Jared woke up early and crept out of his room, there he stopped and waited, soon he was joined by his siblings, including his little brother for the first time who had a determined look on his little face to make his big brother and sisters proud by being as quite as possible to prove they were right to let him join them this year.

Together they made sure to be as silent as they could be and approached their parent's room. Jared put his hand on the door handle and with his free hands began the count down from five. As soon as he hit zero he twisted the handle they all ran in and immediately jumped up onto the bed from all angles, letting out shrieks of joy and 'Merry Christmas' at the top of their voices.

Every year their parents were waiting for them, this year they were across the room Jareth lounging against the balcony wall while Sarah stood next to him her head resting on his shoulder, her soft smile off setting his smug smirk.

When they realised that they had failed in waking their parents, the four of them soon settled down and as he was the oldest it was always Jared that declared, "Next year you will be ours." Then they all got down and with their noses pointed in the air with an exaggerated look of being put out they trooped back out of the room and went to get dressed, although little Ikaros ruined it by running over and giving Sarah a quick hug and huge smile, before he re-joined the others with his own little put up act.

Soon they had reassembled in the family dining room for the traditional Christmas breakfast, unlike all the other mornings the children were allowed one small cup of warm mild cider with their food, again another first for Ikaros this year although he only had a half-cup of mild cider. After they had all eaten they moved to the throne room and the main tree where all the presents were put.

They moved behind the throne, and sat down around the tree, even Jareth didn't sit on his throne but on the floor with them, it was for this reason that during this time all of the Goblins were banned from entering the throne room on pain of being thrown in the Bog, after all it wouldn't do for them to see their ruler in such a vulnerable and compromising position.

As always Jareth would open the first present and without fail he would chose to open his beloved Queen's first. She had gotten him a new pair of gloves; these were in deep red leather with the image of an owl in flight embroidered on the back of the hands in black and white silk thread and very thin gold wire used to highlight the feathers around the head making it look exactly like Jareth in his owl form. The cuffs reached up to just beyond the wrist ending about halfway up the forearms and here in thin silver wire threads the royal crest of the Goblin King had been embroidered.

"They are beautiful Sarah." He murmured before leaving over and giving her a short kiss, she smiled back at him pleased; she always found it so difficult to get something for Jareth even after all these years.

With the first present opened the children knew they could now start tearing into all of the others and soon wrapping paper laid strewn all around, new clothes were being admired by the girls, as were the new earrings Jareth had gotten for Sarah.

Jared and his little brother were playing with the miniature toy goblin army that Ikaros had received from Jareth, a little war had broken out between them and they were fighting furiously for domination of the area surrounding the throne. Jareth had now moved to sit on his throne and watched the mini war develop, occasionally flicking miniature crystal bombs down at both sides.

Eventually it was decided that they had all played with their presents enough and it was time to visit the Labyrinth and its denizens. Presents were gathered up and taken back to their rooms where they all changed.

Jareth into a white shirt, dark blue waistcoat and pale grey leggings with soft black leather boots and a short red leather jacket and his new gloves, while Sarah put on a loose gown of pale green, that gathered just under her bust, where a band of gold thread had been woven into high band before it fell straight down in soft folds to the top of her ankles and soft dark green leather slippers, that were edged with matching god thread.

When they re-joined the children they saw they wore clothing similar to their own but with small differences.

Jared had chosen a dark purple waistcoat and black leggings with soft lilac coloured leather boots and a black leather coat.

Ikaros was in a cream shirt but being the youngest didn't have a waistcoat on, he did match his father in the colour of leggings but only had black pumps on instead of boots, he also only had a little black Jacket made of soft material instead of a leather one.

Luigsech, the eldest daughter was in a pale rose pink dress with slightly deeper pink leather slippers and finally Ethnah had chosen a dress in pale blue with deep blue leather slippers. They two girls wore dresses that were in the same style as Sarah's but had silver thread highlights instead of gold.

Normally the girls would never have worn such formal dresses when going into the Labyrinth, they were just too hard to run around in, but at Christmas they had too as this was a formal visit from the rulers to their subjects and so nothing less than regal dignity could be seen by all.

Looking over them all Jareth gave a nod of approval and they headed out, a goblin guard in full armour rushing before them waving banners and blowing trumpets to announce their arrival, the better trained Goblin Warriors were hidden from view making sure nothing threatened the royal family and would only be seen if anything did.

All throughout the Labyrinth parties were being held and they slowly made their way around them, Jareth always did his best to remain aloof at them and gave a couple of comments to the hosts, but otherwise he just watched as Sarah, in her sweet and gentle way would speak to the party-goers and accept the small gifts they would be given, nothing fancy usually just a few flowers or pieces of fruit in little baskets with ribbons, though no one ever dared gave them peaches as it was well known it was the one fruit neither would touch after what had happened during Sarah's own run.

Once accepted these would then be handed to one of the small group of Fae servants that followed them from the castle. Sarah had hired them from her blood-sister Valentia not long after becoming Queen claiming that she wanted some competent servants to help her run the castle and not have to do it all herself while chasing the useless goblins away from her efforts.

Jared's sisters and brother would run off and play games with some of the younger members of the parties for as long as they were there, but since the previous year Jared recognised that he was starting to get too old to do that now and had to begin separating himself a little more like his father, they may have been his friends any other day but on formal visits like this they were his future subjects.

He was still polite and far more talkative than his father, but it was with regret that he couldn't run away with the younger children to play games but remained with the older ones now, he was still younger than most of them but he had the status of his rank to mark him as one of them and not a little child.

Traveling the Labyrinth took them most of the afternoon and when they returned to the castle they all sat down in the family dining room for a short meal together before they all went to their own rooms, in the case of Jareth, Sarah, and Jared it was to prepare for the Yule-tide ball as the guests were soon due to arrive.

xxxx

A/N Eeep sorry everyone things have been a bit all over the place for me at the moment and it has resulted in me missing the last few updates, unfortunately it doesn't look like things are going to settle down for me for a few weeks so I am going to hold off updating for the next three weeks. Hopefully I will be able to get back to the Monday and Friday updates again by that point.

And so we have now met the whole family, just so you all know I have worked them out to be:

Jareth – King and Father age unknown

Sarah – Queen and mother (Twenty something but now Full Fae so an age difference is no longer considered strange and she has a maturity to her now as a result of being a Queen for several years now that makes her seem older)

Harry/Jared –Crown Prince and Heir aged eleven

Luigsech – Eldest sister aged Six

Ethnah – Second sister aged Four

Ikaros – Younger brother aged Three

Thank you to everyone that is still reading, reviewing, favouriting and following this it really means a lot to me.

Keep writing and have fun

V.