Towards Destiny We Trod;

Energy swirled around them curling like coils. Tightly it spun and wound gathering strength. Sarah could feel it as though these cords had been wrapped around her body, pressing forcefully into her flesh. At first the energy seemed to burn, small fires where ever it touched. The fires soon turned into a pleasurable pressure as Uland touched the bonding cord that tethered her to Jareth.

A small smile graced the Goblin King's face, he had read of the stone fires but had never dared to light them. They were the last connection to the old kingdom, the only surviving link from the time the Sisters had destroyed all others.

The feeling of the ancient magic as it touched and filled him was more than anything he had read. He could feel the ground beneath his feet as surely as he could his own flesh. Its pluse beating in time to his heart. The stones of the Labyrinth whispered faintly to him, he could hear their pleas. All around him he could sense his kingdom, what is and what will be, as though it were an extension of his body.

The land was giving them the power they would need to start and finish this war. He could see the look of contentment and wonder on his men, but it was the look of absolute pleasure from his wife that made his heart stop.

She looked up at him with a nervous smile, her hand squeezing his saying what she had not spoken aloud. Though outwardly she appeared calm and composed, ready to take on Gethin for their kingdom, he knew she was anything but.

Sarah was innocent in so many ways, today her hands which glistened like white rose petals would be tainted red with blood. She would have to kill, and he could not nor he would not save her from that fate. She would be his queen, she would stand beside him in the upcoming war. Today would not be the last day she would be forced to take a life. The war would rage on for many years to come and before the end her hands would be stained with the blood of a kingdom of men.

He nodded slightly to her, his own hand holding hers just a little bit tighter. Her eyes shifted from his to the path before them. The worn stones of the castle loomed just ahead, Gethin's presence within making the structure appear cold.


Toby leaned against the wall at his side, it was cold and hard but he couldn't feel it. The pulse of the Labyrinth was too loud in his veins. He couldn't even hear his own heart anymore.

Several mumbles came from before him as the little goblins began to worry. Speculations on what Gethin wanted with them ranged from execution to serving them up as that night's dinner. The latter theory gaining support as their captors began to direct them towards the kitchens.

"Y-you don'ts really think they will eats us do yous?" The little goblin ahead of him trembled as she looked back at him. He smiled at her and leaned in just enough so when he whispered she would be able to hear.

"What is your name?" The goblin seemed taken aback by the boy's voice, it was clear when he spoke he was anything but goblin.

"Frigg." Her own voice shook slightly unsure of who stood behind her.

"Frigg, you have no need to worry. I bet we are just being made to work, Gethin is a nasty piece of work but he would hardly eat a goblin." This seemed to settle well with the little creature as she nodded with a small smile.

The line of goblins finally made it to the kitchens, petite bodies filled in between the tables and chairs as the guards began to separate the chains from them. Toby leaned against the doorframe waiting for the last guard's eyes to turn away. He smirked slipping into the hall.

Frigg smiled despite the situation upon hearing their orders to start cooking. She turned her head to speak with the larger goblin only to find him gone. Strange as the guards had yet to remove their chains.


Gethin smiled, though this was a normal occurrence for the self-proclaimed leader of the Sisters it was not normal for the smile to hold no malice. This was the first true smile in a long time for the fae and it was due all to the small babe in his arms.

Sabia giggled as her captor tickled his fingers over her belly. Had anyone unknowing to the happenings of the Underground watched the scene they would have gushed over seeing a new father dote upon his newborn daughter. The scene was the perfect example of nothing is what it seems.

Monat sat at Gethin's feet ready to take the little princess when he grew tired of her. The young fae woman keep her eyes shielded from all those in the room as she watched the fae beside her. She wasn't a fool like the others who had grew uneasy with the idea of raising this child to their twisted ways. She wondered why they were part of the Sisters if such a thing bothered them.

No, Monat was far from those women. She had no qualms about using the child, she would kill the thing in its sleep if Gethin asked her. She would do anthing he asked of her, but there was one thing in particular she wanted and this child would help her do it.

She hated Cat with a passion, the fae had been weak and in the end her heart costed her her life. Monat had believed she should have been the one to marry the Goblin King and bear his child. She should have been the one to kill him, then she would have been by Gethin's side as mother of the royal heir. Though if she had her way, wife of the Regent and Guardian of the heir would be just as fine.

She held no affection for the fae, he was a means to power. And if after their marriage he suddenly was found dead, well all the better for her.

Gethin pressed Sabia closer to his chest, he could feel the young fae woman's eyes on him. She had a thirst for power so like himself.

So caught up in his own musings about his power, Gethin didn't noticed the change in the energy around him. He had ordered the stone fires to be lit, he never understood why Jareth had let his kingdom live in such darkness. Had he known what power he was releasing he would have made sure the stone bowls were shattered. Now his foolishness would cost him more than his power.


Sarah could feel the energy growing stronger by the minute, each step they took closer to the castle the more powerful it became. It wouldn't be long now. It was strange, when she had been there years before it had taken her hours to reach this point. And here she was over halfway to the Goblin City, she briefly wondered if the Stone Fires somehow allowed for a quickened pace.

"Your Majesty, wait!" Bric slipped silently up beside Jareth and Sarah, his eyes trained ahead of them. Movement caught the King's eye before he managed to speak and he allowed his knight to continue.

Bric motioned forward with his hand pointing and five of his men. The elven knights were swift and silent as they surrounded their target. Four figures were flushed out of the trees flanking the path.

"Hoggle!" The name was out of her mouth before Sarah realzed she had even spoken. At her voice the Dwarf's head shot up and around the barricade of knights. His boggle eyes opened even wider at the sight before him.

"Sarah! Yous alive! I thoughts…." He trailed off as his gaze traveled to the tall fae beside her. He had heard that they had both died, and yet here they were alive and well.

"Hogbrain, I see you and your friends seemed to have slipped past the Sisters unharmed." Jareth waved his hands at the knights standing guard over the little troup who quickly disbanded to take up their previous posts.

Hoggle rolled his eyes, Jareth would always refuse to call him by his name. He might be a king but he was a fae king and the fae couldn't resist their little games. And this one was one of his favorites. Hoggle would have gladly met his words with a sneer and corrected him if it had been any other day, but that day games had no place. War was beginning.

Sarah let go of her husband's hand running to greet her friends. It had been years since she had seen them and their presence was a welcome one.

Hoggle's little arms wound tightly around Sarah's neck. To feel her, hear her and hold her was all he could think of at the moment. He had missed her over the years, and the news that she was dead was enough to shatter his little heart. His relief though was short lived as she pulled back to look him in the eyes.

"H-how did you escape? We have been getting reports that the Sisters have been slaughtering all still loyal to Jareth and myself?" The dwarf pulled away his face turned down. How could he tell her that her brother was out there on his own and that it was his fault? Before he could speak though a high-pitched voice rang from behind him.

"The noble Hoggle, my Brother Ludo and myself have been keeping watch over Young Sir Toby, My Lady." Sir Didymus smiled briefly before the thundering voice of the beast roared through the clearing.

"Toby! Toby friend, Toby gone!" Sarah paled as the words filtered through her mind. She grabbed Hoggle's vest and pulled him to her so she could take his hands.

"Hoggle what is he talking about? Please do not tell me my brother is here, please tell me that this Toby is some goblin or other." He just shook his head. Before he could extract himself from her arms he found himself midair in Jareth's grasp.

"Listen to me you insignificant little twirp, if I find out you had anything to do with him coming here I will make sure the fairies outside the main walls are fed on dwarf for the next week. Do I make myself clear?" Hoggle swallowed hard and unable to speak just nodded. Sarah grabbed her husband's arm and pulled her friend from him giving him a scowl as well.

"Jareth really that is of no help. Now Hoggle, where is Toby?" The dwarf kicked his feet in the dirt but one stern look from the king helped him to find his voice.

"He left, he's probably in the castle. When he heard the news thats yous were dead he wanted revenge. We tried to stop him, we really did." Jareth wound his arm around his wife to keep her from falling to the ground.

"Fine, you three are coming with us. We keep to the plan, only I want all the men to keep a look out for young Toby. If you find him take him somewhere safe, Sol if you have to. But make sure he is not harmed." He wasn't sure what Gethin would do should he find the boy, but seeing as Toby was cared for by the king he was sure it wouldn't be any less than what his people have already been through.

"I shall infrom the men Your Majesty." Bric bowed sharply before moving back to give orders to the army.


Toby leaned against the wall, his head just slightly extended to look past into the throne room. He watched as the soldiers comfortably talked amongst themselves paying little to no heed to the man on the throne. Fragments of their conversations drifted up through the whispered voices just catching the young boy's ear.

"What do you think happened to the child's mother? I thought the plan was for her to take over as Regent."

"I heard Gethin killed her. I'm not sure if I really believe some of the stories, I mean come on just ripping the babe from her and leaving her to bleed to death?! Gethin is a nasty piece of work I don't deny, but that is just beyond evil."

"What about the king? I heard that Cat offed him. I can't believe that little mouse of a woman had the guts to actually do it."

"From what my brother told me she didn't."

"What do you mean? The Goblin King is dead, otherwise Gethin wouldn't be sitting in that throne as though he owned it."

"I don't know but Drac said when he searched the royal compartments it looked as though the place had been stripped. He says the king and his regent must have run off before we got here."

"Do you think they are still in the Labyrinth?"

"No, Jareth may have been an idiot but he was no fool."

"Chace that makes no sense."

"Shut up you know what I mean. No, Jareth and that mortal are gone somewhere. Maybe even Above for all we know."

"You don't believe they would come back do you?"

"Well what would you do? Your throne is stolen, your child held captive by your enemy. I sure as anything would be making sure the man who did that was hewn to pieces. I don't think we have heard the last of him."

Toby glared at the men. So Gethin's own soldiers didn't even think that highly of him. But it wasn't the tone of their voice or their thinly veiled dislike for the fae that had caught his attention. It was the mention of Jareth and his sister.

There was no proof of their death. He wondered if Gethin believed them to be actually dead or if he was just waiting. If they were alive this didn't bode well. The Sisters would be on the look out for them, no doubt ready to strike.

He stepped back to hide within the shadow of a corner, his mind awhirl with scenarios of battle. He picked through many of the images floating around his thoughts, most of them to inane to think Jareth would attempt.

One image though kept moving to the forefront of his mind. It was of his sister and Jareth marching down a path with an army in tow. He could see the swords which hung at their hips, the anger and determination in their eyes.

This one image was unlike the rest which appeared as nothing more then misty dreams. This one seemed real. As he searched the faces of those following the king Toby realized the image for what it was, the Labyrinth's own view of what was happening within it's walls.

Toby knew even with the army they had the Sisters' men were more in number. The guards at the door themselves equaled a good deal of Jareth's army. The power I his hands began to tingle. Ah so the Labyrinth had plans then?

Slowly he moved from the corner and down to the halls that lead to the entrance and waited. If he disposed of the guards to quickly Gethin would have time to replace them, not to mention he would be aware of his presence in the castle. No Toby would have to wait and bide his time till he was sure they were close.


The sound of grass being trampled echoed softly through the garden. Dainty feet wrapped in white silk moved swiftly along the ground as Leda paced. The day had finally come, after waiting for so long the Order would soon put into motion what was set out three thousand years ago.

When the Order was created the Sisters had yet to build their army, add to their numbers as they now had. She wondered how with such an advantage they were going to win. She should have trained him more, should have prepared him for war.

Jareth was a fine king, cruel of course, but he still was a fine king and loved enough by his people. But being simply a good ruler did not prepare one for battle. And what abut Sarah? She was a young woman, basically a child. She had no training growing up in politics or war, how was she to survive this? She knew she should have trained them both more.

"Your Majesty, you are going to wear a path in the dirt if you continue like that." Onora watched her queen from the edge of the fountain, her skirts spread out before her. She knew what thoughts were rushing through her head, the same as she had. Sarah and Jareth were green in the ways of war, if it wasn't for the prophecy she would be frightened that Gethin would win. As it was she aready feared that which was not stated. That the two could very well die before it is completely finished. They were to start the war and remove the Sisters, but nowhere had it stated they would survive.

"What would you have me do Lady? My nephew and his wife are off to war, am I to sit and pretend that they have simply gone on holiday?" Leda knew her words were harsh, but she was unaccustomed to such stress and worry.

"Of course not Your Majesty, but it will do you no good to wear yourself out with usless pacing. At least sit down and give your feet a rest." Leda nodded and joined the young changeling at the fountin.

"You know when Jareth was born I thought when this day came I would be able to handle it with a cool and detached manner? I had thought, 'It was his fate to fight this war.' How could I worry? I was suppose to be able to sit here like nothing mattered." Her voice had grown resentful. She was a queen and present leader of the Order, it was Jareth's duty to go and fight just like it was hers to carry on as though his wellbeing meant nothing to her. So why couldn't she?

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold? Such cold detachment would be easy for one who had not raised His Majesty. But he is like a son to you, I have seen it often enough. This is not a nephew heading into battle, it is your son. I would be frightened if you didn't worry.

"As I see it, your concern for him and Lady Sarah shows more strength of character and power than the cold aloofness most nobility wear as a mask." With this she tucked her hand into Leda's giving it a reassuring squeeze. Leda smiled and gave her hand a slight pat.

"Thank you Onora, I am an old fool I know." Onora shook her head.

"No, not a fool. Just a mother worrying for her son."


The constant stomping of booted feet was beginning to get on Jean's nerves. She couldn't believe she was actually heading into battle. Bric at her side slowed down till he was almost to a stop. He grabbed her arm pulling her against his chest.

"You need to calm down, I can smell your fear. Once we get to the castle you will need to be collected." Though his words were spoken harshly his maner in which he held her spoke volumes. His arms were securely wrapped around her, his hands running along her back. She was pressed to him so tightly it was hard for her to breathe, but not that she cared.

She reached a hand up to caress his cheek, her fingers cupping round till they jingled in the chains from his ears.

"I believe I'm not the only one Bric. Listen, this is not easy for me. It wasn't long ago I was just some lazy-ass slut who put her own needs before everyone elses. Hell before Sarah I never even knew magic existed, that elves existed let alone I would be fighting along side them…" Her other hand moved to rest atop his heart.

"That I would be falling for one. So please don't take out your frustrations on me. Lets just get back with the others and not think about anything else but winning this damned thing. Alright?" Bric captured her hand in his and brought it to his lips in a brief kiss.

"Just watch your back Lady, there are a few things I wish to talk with you about when this is over." He smirked as he pulled her into a heated kiss, both ignoring the cat calls and snickering from the men.

"If you two are done with trying to swallow the other I suggest you both get back to moving. It would be nice to have my Head Knight and my Wife's protector with us when we storm the castle." Jareth's voice rang loudly through the throng of men, slight humor in his words.

Jean slunk out of Bric's arms bright red with embarrassment. As she began to make her way back to the front she wondered when it became so easy to embarrass her, she wasn't like this before. She turned her head slightly catching her elf's eye. He smiled before looking ahead. Yes they had thing to talk about alright.


Author's Note: Hm, wow it sure took a long time for this one. Sorry about that, even though I have had the last chapters mapped out for some time getting this chapter where I wanted it was bothersome, besides of some real-life problems. Speaking of which will mean it will be awhile before the next chapter comes out. Have some things I have to do before I again have time to just sit and write, but with three chapters to go I hope it won't be long before this is finished.

Disclaimer: Oh come on is it that hard to figure out I don't own it? Well I don't, which sucks, royaly!