A/N: Thanks to Jane Owen and Tink of the Crystal Moon Labyrinth board for looking this monster over and making sure it was readable for the masses.
So as to defuse some confusion about this chapter and those surrounding (ch.28 & ch. 30), I have separated them by their respective character groups. Many of the events that happen between these groups are happening simultaneously in different areas of the Underground or with Sarah's family. Sarah and Jareth will not appear in this chapter as their timeline is in chapter 28 and 30. Well, I guess Jareth appears, sort of. But, now that I have thoroughly confused you, read on.
Chapter 29: Discoveries
"We're going to bed."
Irene startled awake upon hearing her husband's voice. She had fallen asleep listening to her son tell them what he was reading from the magical book about Sarah's journey. Hearing someone snoring, she tilted her head to find her brother asleep in the lounge chair.
On impulse her eyes focused on the clock on the VCR to see it was 3:36am. She sighed. Christmas was over and they hadn't even celebrated the day. Their attention had been so focused on following what was happening with Sarah that not one present had been opened, not one holiday special had been watched on television. What reason did they have to celebrate anyway?
A creak from the stairs drew her attention and she turned her head to find Joey heading up.
"Do you want me to read the book while you sleep?" she whispered to him.
"Nah, in the Underground it's nighttime and everyone's going to bed. I have to sleep when they do or I'll miss something." Joey said before he rounded the corner.
"It's a good thing it's winter break. Don't have to keep to any sort of schedule." Roy stated. "Do you need another blanket?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm ok."
"Sleep tight."
Irene was actually quite comfortable staying put on the couch. It was surprisingly well-cushioned. And at the moment she had no interest in sleeping in her own bed with a comforter being the only thing keeping the foul-smelling goblins from coming through her closet door. A few hours ago she had attempted to sleep in her own bed, but hearing the whispers and seeing impressions of small hands move along the cloth barrier had her out of the bed in seconds. Roy was fine with staying in the room, and as Linda insisted she have Joey's room, Joey had no choice but to share his parent's bed . He was rather excited about it. Irene was sure that if he were given the chance he would happily sneak through the door just to see what was on the other side. She and Roy had threatened to tan his hide if he even thought of peeking behind that comforter. For the moment, Joey was very content in letting the book be his view into that strange world and she hoped it stayed that way.
The Empress left the walls of the great palace, wanting to find solace walking amongst the green grasses of the valley as the colors of the setting sun faded into darkness behind the mountains. Malora was troubled. She hadn't thought that her daughter betraying her trust would affect her so deeply, but her heart ached. How could Gelyna believe it right to bring to the Underground the one person fate deemed would destroy the empire? She was certain that if she'd only given more time to guiding Gelyna during her adolescence instead of letting the girl spend those years with her father-if she would have spent quality time with Gelyna on occasion, then perhaps the girl wouldn't be such an embarrassment. Perhaps the princess wouldn't have made such a foolhardy decision as to prematurely bring the human Sarah to their world had Malora kept tighter reigns on her. Then again, Gelyna claimed she was only trying to please her. Perhaps she had been too harsh in punishing her daughter before discovering more details.
Guilt was also something the Empress didn't expect to feel; it rarely came to her. No one would ever know the shame she felt for what she was making the Troll Queen do to be able to locate this human who held the power of the Labyrinth. No one should ever be forced to put their life in danger, and no mother should ever be forced to separate from her child. But then again, hadn't she done the same thing with her own daughter, leaving her to be raised by others for the sake of the kingdoms? If it weren't an action Fate deemed necessary, wouldn't a way out of such a path would have presented itself by now?
Beyond the turmoil in her soul that daughter had stirred, a more prominent problem was on her mind. Why had so many seen the soon to occur human rebellion, yet none had seen where it was to happen or who would lead them. How was it possible that an event that would so drastically change the history of the Underground could have so little known about it? Logically, now that the human Sarah was in the Underground, there was no better candidate to head the rebellion. Her whereabouts must be discovered.
Malora's feelings shouldn't have surprised her. After all, her position as Empress was now threatened due to Gelyna's actions. Yet with all the things she had lived through in her life as leader of the Underground, she would have expected herself to be beyond such petty emotions. She couldn't allow herself to get disturbed by personal circumstance; to do so would be a weakness in not only the eyes of her subjects, but more importantly in the eyes of the spirits that had placed her in their charge. Having the souls of the queens ever present with her had at least taught her that it was better to move on and look for a solution than to wallow in her own pity.
Malora felt the air was stagnant and yet charged at the same time, like the powers that swayed all destinies were impatiently waiting. Waiting for her to fail. She felt like a slave who has seen that her chain has fallen from its ring and the gate is left wide open making it easy for her to leave, but she did not know what lay beyond the gate. The life of a slave was constant; certain. Fate had always been her master. If Fate had blessed her with the gift of foresight, Malora was sure half of the present events could have been prevented. Instead, the magic that coursed through her veins gifted her to see those who had lost their corporeal lives and now existed in spirit form. She had no choice in whether or not she saw and heard these spirits, as it wasn't an ability that could be severed or applied at will.
She had never been able to escape Fate because of this gift. At first she had been glad to have such an ability, for her beloved mother had been one of those assassinated by the human Rourke. But the spirit only remembered revenge, hate, and the worst of people. Her mother's soul displayed none of the affection she had given to her as a child in life; in fact, Malora was treated more as a servant who was to obey orders than as a daughter.
She wished her mother's and the other queen's spirits would have sailed away with their funeral pyres, but their wills were strong. They wanted to ensure that what happened to them would never happen again; with this, Malora did not disagree.
When she was a young woman, being ruler of all the Underground had not been an ambition she wanted to undertake. She inherited such a duty from her parents before her. When she went to her father to tell him of the torment her mother's soul was inflicting on her, he went mad. He couldn't take that his daughter could talk to his dearly loved wife every day but he could not. He killed himself in front of Malora, vowing to be with her mother for eternity. But he never was as her mother's unfeeling spirit cast him away for being so weak minded.
While she had been in turmoil from the death of both her parents, the spirits forced Malora to speak to the Elders on their behalf. She didn't want to be their voice, but they would not have it. Their screams and the splitting headaches they caused her were too much to ignore. When the spirits did her harm, which they did often to get her to bend to their will, she never said a word about her pain. She didn't know if she would be believed, for there was never any physical damage, no way to detect their attacks. She didn't want to give them cause to belittle her or lash at her further. But if one were to keep track of the numerous times Malora blacked out or locked herself away from a headache, it could be noticed. She had long stopped crying herself to sleep over them, even though at times she still felt the need.
Though her gift allowed her to see anyone who had died and yet had not moved on through the Etromorte Sea, the spirits of the queens chased all other souls away so that they were her only influence. Through their persistence and their knowledge of the past of the surviving rulers of the Underground, Malora persuaded the rulers to elect her as overseer of the Underground. She became Empress proxy, the voice of her ethereal mother until it was deemed she was mature enough to rule on her own and rightfully obtain her title.
Right or wrong to her moral base, she did what the spirits wanted, which included not marrying the man of her choosing. They did not want her to have someone equally rule with her, did not want someone they could not control having a say in the workings of the empire. So even though her heart had loved Orin, even though they shared a child together, she pushed him away. That's all she ever did, push away…
She closed her eyes to fight the feeling of comfort the royal specters were currently trying to give her. The feelings weren't her own; she didn't feel like forgiving herself for neglecting her daughter or the task she had just set before Cestral. Or did she? She barely knew what her own thoughts were anymore. She always had to think about duty or worry about how her spirit guides would react, so much so that she had lost the ability to have thoughts for herself. Just for once in her life, Malora wished to be alone with her own mind, but they were always in her head. They saw it all as an unfortunate necessity for the well being of the empire.
Yet, they also had their uses. They could go places at times she could not and tell her what others did in secret.
As she stood there watching the stars speckle the sky, the spirits whispered in her ear that they felt something in the air, something unnatural, something that needed investigation. She too caught on to the scent of magic and her senses led her to the side of a workhouse. There she discovered that a group of lesser Fae nobles were having some fun.
"My, my...a Sages Duel. And look! You've all deadened your magic," Malora said with mock sympathy as she approached them.
Most gasped and bowed immediately, not daring to even glance up at their Empress. One was foolish enough to run away. Insulted by his cowardice, Malora threw an orb of light, encasing him in an ethereal glow. She walked to him and looked him in the eye, though her chilling words were for all to hear.
"You dare degrade your race by dabbling in unnatural magic? Have you no decency, no respect for your elders? You offend Tsojin in his house during his celebration."
With her magic she made them all stand to their feet and face her. "You all know what the penalty is. If you want to be like humans, then so be it."
Seeing the red head of the King of Moiraech in their midst, she sent a private thought into his mind with enough fury to cause him pain, "Do not think that being on the Council will save you. Your punishment shall be like the rest."
Troy's eyes rose to challenge her. The muscles in his back tensed as he restrained himself from rising and putting his thoughts into action.
In the blink of an eye she sent the entire group to the dungeon in the palace of Sendai. Although she was Empress, it would be impolite of her to exact punishment in a kingdom not her own. She would have to impose upon Tsojin once more.
She found the Master of Sendai while he was in the main courtyard being served wine by one of his many wives while watching a play. The matter was too important to wait for the performance to finish. She did not acknowledge anyone in attendance as she walked straight to Tsojin. Seeing the look in her eyes, Tsojin knew the performance was over. He dismissed the crowd, telling them to leave the Empress and him in peace. Whispers and curious glances were given, but none hesitated in leaving.
"This cannot be tolerated," Tsojin spat as he began to walk the white pebbled path after being told of her discovery. "Some of them are my own children, you say. And Troy as well, the insolent fool. How dare they dishonor me!"
Malora was silent for a moment, letting him gather his thoughts, but this matter could not wait long. "What will you do?"
"What has always been done. They will be made example of."
Malora nodded, "Tomorrow?"
"No, now. I will not tolerate it to go unpunished. I shall…" Tsojin winced in pain and grasped for the nearest chair to steady himself. After a moment he stood, two clear orbs in his hands. He sighed as he stared into them, "Such stress is not good for me."
Malora moved closer to him to see if she could look into the orbs but couldn't with how he held them. "Yes, but it is often useful for strengthening your visions. What did you see?"
"Nothing unusual in Troy hunting some human, but my daughter…" Tsojin stood and again began walking the grounds, juggling the crystals in one hand as he contemplated their contents.
Rarely did Malora see her friend emotionally affected by a vision. "Which of your children did you see?"
He stopped before her, placed the orbs into her hands and looked her straight in the eye, "What we have asked of Cestral will kill her. Her Fate has been compromised. If she does as we have asked, her life will be lost and we may never find the answer we seek."
As he held out the orb so she could see, within Cestral's pale body lay limp in the arms of her husband, her eyes staring into nothing while blood streamed from her nostrils. Malora turned her head, not wanting to accept this twist in Fate. Very soon after Cestral's birth, a vision had been given that she would have the answer to what would save the Underground from the humans. To ask her to induce her visions now could well possibly destroy any hope of salvaging their future. And loathed as Malora was to admit it, she knew that just couldn't happen.
"Then she shall not do it."
Out of curiosity, she looked into the other orb Tsojin had produced. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was seeing and whispered. "It's her."
Tsojin looked to her for confirmation, "The one you feel is to lead the rebellion?"
Malora nodded, then stepped away, a grin beginning on her lips, "And you have seen what we must do to stop her. Since the Goblin King can't be found, Fate has shown us an alternative way of controlling her."
"Yes, but the vision does not show if Troy will succeed. If we send him, it might be to his death. Are you willing to sacrifice him?"
"For the good of the Underground worse things have been done," Malora reminded him. She stood upright again, "Besides, he has misused magic; I think he'll prefer this task to losing his magic forever."
Tsojin frowned, "If sparing him is the means to saving the Empire, so be it."
She nodded, "Then, back to the matter at hand. Should we be lenient with the others? Could we assume that they would not have been tempted to break the law had not the festivities taken place?"
"There is no excuse for breaking that law, at any time. Their punishment will be the same as it has always been."
"Then I will tell the Council we need their assistance." She moved to make a crystal.
The Master of Sendai shook his head. "That can wait until morning. Let those who failed to follow our rules wonder their fate. Let the Council rest and be refreshed to do this task. "
Malora gave a faint smile, knowing what he would never admit was that he himself needed rest after such visions. "As you see fit, old friend. I shall also retire for the night. There has been enough excitement for one day."
Corbin was having a dream. He knew he had to be. He hadn't been smaller than his brother for centuries, but there he was, looking up at an adolescent Jareth while his mother was overseeing the servants as they readied to greet their guests.
"If you aren't on your best behavior while the Council visits I will let them punish you any way they see fit. The Empress will be here. Think of that and what she does to those who displease her."
Corbin's tired mind was slowly accepting the concept of both seeing this memory through his childhood eyes and looking down on it as an adult from a bystander's view. It had been a good while since he had dreamed a memory. To do so wasn't uncommon for the long-lived Fae. Such memory dreams were good for the ancient mind, which would forget things of old if it weren't for such reminiscing. He allowed the dream to follow his child mind.
Hearing what his mother had just told him, his young eyes widened in understanding, remembering the stories he had heard of the Empress' temper and how she could do terrible things to those she was cross with. His brother, on the other hand, acted as though he hadn't heard a word. He played with a crystal, rolling it over in his hands as though it were much more interesting.
"Her daughter is with her. You will treat Princess Gelyna with respect. No pranks. I have her waiting in the menagerie for you. There may be other Council Member's children joining you later as not everyone has arrived yet. As there's no need for children to be in the meeting you two will be their hosts… Jareth, are you listening?" She knocked the crystal out of the teen's hands, her dark eyes blazing. "I will not have you disgracing this kingdom with your arrogance. You should be grateful the Empress is even letting a half-blood near her daughter. So help me, if you cause a disturbance…I don't care what your father says. You will be out of this castle…" She walked off in a huff, exhausted from trying to get through to him.
Young Corbin looked with wide eyes after his mother, not grasping why she was mad at Jareth. Why did she want him to go? Adult Corbin knew too well.
He heard his brother sigh and Jareth gave him a reassuring smile, "Come on, Corby. Let's go meet this princess."
They went to the menagerie, a place of color and peace. The stars could be seen through the glass ceiling, the crystal moon above a greenish hue. A dozen or so of Tsojin's sons and daughters, identified by the golden embroidery on their clothes, were roaming along the paths and foliage of the room. Some looked towards the princes as they entered but made no move to acknowledge them. The princess Cestral, whom Corbin knew to be a daughter of Tsojin and also the one person Jareth seemed comfortable confiding in, sat on a bench quietly gazing at the sky above. When she heard them come in, she rose and curtseyed. When Jareth bowed extremely formally to her, she cracked a smile. A tawny haired wisp of a girl came rushing from the opposite side of the fountain at the center of the room. She also curtseyed and the boys responded in kind.
Her blue eyes focused on Jareth in wonder, "Are you really a half blood?"
He grinned at her, "Why, haven't you seen one before?"
She frowned, "No. I didn't know there were any. I was only told about them today." Then she took a step back from him, "I'm not supposed to talk to you, you're magic isn't right."
Corbin saw a scowl appear on his brother's face, and it looked as though Jareth was about to say something when Cestral placed her hand on his arm, "Gelyna, there is nothing wrong with Jareth or his magic. He's just as strong with it as any of us, stronger even."
Even though Cestral was trying to liven the mood, Jareth's anger didn't change. His cold eyes landed on Cestral, "Have you seen why they are here?"
The Elvin girl bowed her head, as if in shame, "You know I have."
"And?" Jareth asked impatiently.
She looked him boldly in the eye and replied, "It's about you, so I can't tell you."
A growl escaped Jareth's throat as he stormed toward the fountain. "I will have someone else look at your vision for me and have them tell me."
Corbin moved to follow his brother, but Cestral put a hand to his shoulder.
"Let him alone with his thoughts. He knew this day would come."
"What's going on?" the Empress' daughter whispered.
Corbin looked into her blue eyes and saw genuine concern there, "I don't know, but it can't be good."
"Come on," Cestral said, offering a hand to each of them. She gently squeezed Corbin's hand,"Why don't you show us your favorite part of the gardens."
Corbin's adult mind had all but forgotten his beloved climbing tree, the biggest in the menagerie. It had peach blossoms with a sweet fragrance in the spring and the sweetest of fruits in the summer. But when in his dream he tried to get the princesses to follow him, they said they couldn't follow in their gowns.
"Besides," Princess Gelyna began, "it is not lady like to climb into trees like an animal."
"Well, that's good. Corbin is far from being a lady." They were all surprised to hear Jareth return to their small circle. "When we can't find him, the first place we check is this tree." He folded his arms over his chest and looked to Cestral. "Well, what do you purpose we do while our parents destroy my future?"
"Jareth…" Cestral approached her friend cautiously, wanting to comfort him but he ignored her.
"I have an idea."
Smirking in thought, Jareth formed a crystal and cast a glance at his brother before he tossed it to Corbin; it burst the moment it touched him and he was showered with water.
Corbin hated to be wet, and Jareth knew it. To get back at him, Corbin created a crystal of his own but threw it to the ground and pebbles scattered the ground when it burst. As soon as Jareth took a step, he slipped and his rump hit the ground. One sly look in Jareth's eye told Corbin the game was on. Cestral laughed joyfully at their game but did not join the fray. Young Corbin thought he could gain a few seconds to think of a strategy to get his brother back by running to the opposite side of the fountain, but that was no good as Jareth walked straight through it without getting wet. So not fair. As he walked through the water, the liquid gathered into a wall in front of him. Before Corbin could blink, he found himself slammed to the ground, soaking.
"Stop it. Stop!" Gelyna yelled, her hands raised in the air ready to use her magic.
Both boys froze, their eyes holding caution as they did not know what powers this girl had inherited from her mother, this being their first face-to-face meeting.
"Is there a problem?" Jareth asked, the same moment using his magic to instantaneously dry Corbin, who rose from the ground to stand with his brother.
She darted her blue eyes between the two of them, as if suddenly unsure of why she had stopped them, "I…it is improper for one of royal blood to play foolish games."
"Oh, and who came up with such a rule?" Jareth challenged further.
"It…it…it just is."
Grinning with mirth, Jareth tossed a crystal at her, "Catch."
Just as with himself, Corbin saw a burst of water splash over her as soon as she touched the crystal. Shock was the look in the princess' eyes, but a moment later revenge took its place. She formed a crystal of her own and hurled it at Jareth. Corbin held his breath, frightened by what she might try to use against his brother. But she only gave Jareth a taste of his own medicine and he became drenched as well. Soon crystals could be seen flying everywhere and laughter heard, the princess forgetting that playing wasn't proper.
In a matter of minutes they had exhausted themselves in their pranks on one another. It was Jareth who called for a truce and the three of them leaned on each other as they rested against the fountain, an occasional giggle escaping their lips. Cestral, who had removed herself from the area so as to not get wet in the crossfire, came over and sat on the edge of the fountain, looking down at them. She used her magic to dry them, as none of them seemed to think of doing it.
"Perhaps we wanted to remain sopping wet, Ces." Jareth teased.
She scrunched her nose. "Honestly, it's not your best look."
Gelyna giggled and rose. "That was fun. Is that what it's like to play?"
"You don't know how to play?"
Corbin's adult mind remembered, this was the day Gelyna learned that most people were allowed to choose their own activities. This was where she freed her mind . This is where she got the idea to live with her father. Was that what he was supposed to remember of this dream: who she used to be?
After a moment, Jareth stood and extended his hands to help the younger children rise, singing as he did so. Young Corbin merrily joined in the childhood tune and they danced around the fountain, acting out the words as they went along:
"The ferryman said children come, come away.
And off to the wild they did wander.
While the king of the land wanted all of them dead,
For they'd stolen his riches and wonders.
Magic he had, possessions and gold,
Which he kept for himself in his tower.
But the land was dying, the people were crying
for their lives to be saved by a warrior.
With a look in their eye, the children defied
The king and his men and his power.
And they each stole away with his loot and they prayed
That he soon wouldn't follow thereafter.
But oh, come he did, with his swords and his men,
To foil their hopes of elusion.
For they could not hide, the king did find
Fiercely taking back from them his fortune.
The children three, locked up did he
Cast in the highest tower.
Their spirits they kept but their mothers wept
For fear of the king's mighty power.
What miracle be that led them to see
The ferryman enter their cell.
I've magic, said he, and I want you all free
Come help bid the king our farewell.
With all in accord, they headed back toward
The tower the King did dwell.
And asleep was he, 'twas an easy thing
To kill him and send him to hell.
The king they did slay and ho, to this day
The children all govern the lands.
For now we are free in prosperity
Our rulers, our lives in their hands.
The ferryman said children come, come away.
And off to the wild they did go.
Govern them, three, this land we do see
To live in, to rule and to sow."
Tired from their merriment, they again reclined against the firm fountain.
With a gleam in his eye, Jareth placed a finger to his lips for the others to be quiet as he rose to lean over the edge of the fountain. He waved a hand over the water's glassy surface and in it appeared the image of their parents with the rest of the Council deep in discussion. Corbin saw Cestral's eyes go wide, silently pleading with the prince not to eavesdrop, but she did not voice it. The Empress' daughter seemed as eager as Jareth to see what went on during Council meetings. Within the water's depths was shown the image of the Empress addressing those who sat around a very large table.
"…believe that you should know these things despite the normal procedure of allowing each person to discover their own Fate. I have spoken to many present about the matter, so I shall put it to you. Those in favor of revealing this path that the Threotlne have seen to the rulers of Fen Lear, say so now."
A majority of the Council raised their hands; Corbin did not know who most of them were as many were not in the present day Council. He saw both his parents also raise their hands.
"And so it is agreed." The Empress said, lowering herself into her chair. A crystal formed in her hand, then rose and floated to the king of Denobrega. After watching a moment the contents within, he handed it off to his wife.
"Are you certain this is to be the path for my son?" Corbin saw the anguish in his father's eyes.
"Yes, Jareth will not inherit the throne. The Fate of a half-blood is never sure, but Corbin's future is secure. He will be your successor and my daughter his wife."
Corbin's adult mind tickled with the thought of Gelyna as his wife, but the thought wasn't allowed to develop as instead his child eyes looked to his brother, whom this prophecy was apparently about. It was bad luck to learn about ones future, and seeing Jareth's eyes turn cold as ice watching the scene unfold, Corbin knew no good would come of it.
"If you say Jareth doesn't die, how can we be sure Corbin will be king?" Corbin saw his mother move to the edge of her seat.
"That will set itself out in time," Malora answered.
"That means that Sabian will die." Corbin was appalled by the spark of hope he saw in his mother's eyes at that realization.
His father grabbed his mother's hand to comfort her, not seeing her true heart in the matter, "We can only delay fate for so long. Sometimes things are meant to be. I accept that."
"No!" Corbin's adult mind shouted out to the reflection of his father, "Don't give up. Don't give in. Live! Live for me. Live for Jareth. He needed you. I need you."
But his father could not hear him.
A booming voice interrupted the conversation going on between the Empress and his father, "The Council is no longer alone. Eyes are watching."
Corbin saw that it had been Aquinas, king of the Jovian Sea, who had discovered them. The man's green eyes searched the air until they finally fixed on one point, Jareth. Corbin watched as his brother slapped the image out of the water and strode a good distance away. He looked to Cestral to see if they should go after him, but she shook her head. Moments later a servant was with them, telling them that their presence was required with the Council. They went in silence; Corbin to his brother's left, Cestral shaking as she clung to Jareth's right arm, and Gelyna following closely at their heels.
When they finally found themselves in the meeting hall, the boys received a stern look from their father.
"Take a seat."
Corbin nodded obediently to his father. He and the girls quickly placed themselves in empty chairs at the far end of the table, feeling the eyes of the Council on them. But Jareth turned on his heel and moved to stand at a window and stare out into the blackness rather than face those who had just proclaimed his birthright forfeit. Their father went on to scold them for having meddled in things not meant for the ears of children and how what they have done could change the course of history.
Corbin glanced at his brother to see if he was listening and watched as Jareth lifted one finger to the pane and traced an outline on the glass. He could see that wherever his brother's finger directed, a tiny dot in the sky moved to a new place.
"Jareth!"
It was the Empress whose voice split the air. Corbin saw his brother jump for the first time in his life, but the teen quickly recovered and boldly took steps towards her.
"Do not move the stars. To do so is to change the fate of others. It is not your right to fool around with the natural order, no matter what your power. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Malora."
Corbin heard his mother gasp when Jareth showed no fear in calling the Empress by name. But the Empress let it slide.
"Sabian, I believe it is past our children's time for rest. Perhaps this is a matter best left for us alone. They need not know any more."
"You are to go to your chambers and remain there until you are told," their father commanded.
Cestral's father gave her a look that only she could interpret. She was swiftly and silently out the door the next instant.
"Gelyna, stay. You should pay attention and learn for you will one day be in Council." her mother instructed. The girl bowed her head and remained in her chair.
Though his youthful body left the hall with Jareth and Cestral, Corbin's adult mind stayed behind. to listen to the conversation between his father and the Council. His brain struggled with how this was possible since he physically hadn't stayed, but his heart told him that what he was dreaming was exactly what took place after he'd left the room that night.
"Now that the children know their fate, how can we be certain the future as it has been seen will stay the same?" his mother asked.
"We can only watch and wait." Tsojin spoke quietly, yet it caught the attention of all present as they turned to him, "The path of your pure blood son should be your concern. If something should prevent his claim to the throne, that is when we should intervene."
Sabian stood to make his point to the Council very clear, "I would hope that you all respect Fate enough to let things take their natural path. Whether or not things are changed by our knowledge of them has never been proven. Awareness is a gift, to be sure, but who among us has the power to change the course of Fate itself?"
"The one who tampered with the stars this very night: that is who." Midera, Corbin's mother, stood to face her husband, "He is of half-blood and reckless. He doesn't respect tradition. He's outspoken…"
"Such opinions are kept in private conversation and not during Council," Sabian interjected, taking hold of his wife's arm, "Jareth's power to rearrange the stars cannot detour Fate from its path. Again, more superstition…"
Aquinas stood as well, "We all remember when Jareth first found his talent and the difficulties it was to set things right again; change back the tides and seasons. That was a serious matter that occurred by accident. Imagine what he could do willingly if he isn't watched!"
The Empress took this moment to rise, and the others silenced themselves and took their seats.
"As you see, Sabian, an observation is not superstition," Malora stated. "Keep a watchful hand on your son, especially now that he knows he shall not be king. Is he a jealous boy?"
Sabian shook his head, "No. Cunning, but not jealous. He loves his brother."
"Then let's pray that remains."
Corbin awoke in a sweat, his heart beating fast. The dream gnawed at the back of his mind; seeing himself as a young boy through his adult eyes. Why had he dreamed a memory from his childhood? It wasn't the first time in his life he'd had a memory based dream, but it was the first having events of things in which he himself had not been present. He left the room as commanded; he shouldn't have dreamed of what happened in the moments after he left. But with all that was happening in his current life, he wasn't sure if the cause of the dream was from stress or if perhaps Fate was trying to tell him something. The dream reminded him of his parents, especially his father. He felt such sorrow thinking of his father, knowing the pain that showed in Sabian's eyes in learning the fate of his eldest son. Did the dream want him to remember that Jareth still lived and had a jealous heart? Should he be on his guard? He became king after Jareth's disappearance; would Jareth want the throne for himself?
And the dream also made Corbin remember it was foretold he was to wed Gelyna, something his adolescent mind had no concept, no reason to retain back then. Why now, centuries later, was her mother trying to encourage his decision to break apart if they were fated to be together? Maybe it was because Gelyna herself was nothing like the child she had been, that something in her path of life had changed. She had changed much after having spent time living with her father. What happened to the girl who wanted to follow the rules and do the proper thing?
Corbin felt he was almost about to grasp an epiphany when there was a disturbance in the air that could not be ignored. It was a summons.
Gelyna was still asleep; the stone in the necklace she wore stunted her magic, preventing her from hearing the summons. Corbin gently shook her, then rose from the bed to make himself presentable.
As she awoke, Gelyna groaned for the second time since her mother's visit, the first being when she had sent Tsojin's servants away hours ago as they'd come to say her own room was ready.
"I don't want to get up. I was having a perfectly good nightmare."
"What about this time?" Corbin casually sat on the bed at her side, "Still dreaming of how to save your palace?"
"No, strangely enough it's a new nightmare...or rather an old one. I was dreaming of the first time I was ever in Council. The first time I met you."
"And meeting me was a nightmare?" Corbin rose from the bed, trying to keep his voice from sounding surprised with her answer. How could they have shared the same dream?
"Not meeting you, don't be daft. I mean being in Council. I had no idea what a bane it would be in my life to be the daughter of the most powerful being in the Underground."
"Well, your bane must continue I'm afraid. There has been a summons. I say we have about twenty minutes before they notice our tardiness."
Gelyna bolted upright and jumped out of the bed. She realized she was in no condition to be seen publicly, She went straight to a mirror and started fussing with her hair, shouting out orders.
Corbin finished adjusting his garments and turned to her. "Gelyna, who are you talking to?"
She looked about the room. "The servants, of course. Where are they?"
"Just like at home, I do not use them. You didn't bring yours?"
"No, I…never mind. Could you please make me look decent?" Gelyna pointed to the stone at her throat, the vice preventing her from fixing her appearance herself.
Corbin grinned, "Alright, but you can't get mad at me if it isn't as you'd like. You yourself said I have no talent for fashion."
"Use athraigh powder. It'll save your magic."
"That's a bit risky isn't it? What if this summons is long and it wears off? We can't even be sure there is any powder here."
Gelyna walked to the place she thought the powder would be supplied, the vanity dresser. Sure enough, there was a pouch in the top drawer. She grinned in triumph as she dangled the pouch before him, "What type of host would Tsojin be if he didn't have any for us, especially at an event like this where we're expected to look different at each gathering? Now hurry. We don't want to be the last to arrive."
"I bet they don't know you're even here yet. We've only seen your mother…and Troy." Corbin said lowly before blowing a handful of dust over her.
He really didn't change much about what she had been wearing; he simply changed the colors of her garment to better match the orange ribbon around her throat she was so against others noticing.
She looked herself over and smiled, "I approve. I see my fashion sense is rubbing off on you after all. Like you keep saying, humans can't make all of our clothes. We have to do some work on our own."
"That's not what I meant," Corbin chided to her back as she was already headed out the door.
The ground of the courtyard could hardly be seen with the hundreds of guests gathered together. Because of the multitude, dozens of large mirrors had been positioned on the surrounding walls so that all could see what was to take place. The fire hanging in the air to light the ground reflected off the mirrors, making it seem brighter than it was;, bright enough to blot out the stars shining above. On the central stage stood a dozen Fae surrounded by guards, their hands bound, a few visibly trembling. Corbin recognized them to be the ones who he had seen mixing magic behind the stables. Not among them, however, was the king of Moiraech. Corbin wasn't surprised; Troy had probably ditched the game after he and Gelyna caught them in the act earlier that day.
Corbin spotted Cestral's dark brunette head through the crowd and called out to her. She looked relieved to see friendly company in the crowd. Without having to ask, she answered the question plaguing him with hushed tones.
"I only overheard so much when they called my husband to Council. A group of my kin and others were found dabbling in human magic by the Empress. They are to receive immediate exile."
Gelyna gasped at hearing this and grabbed Corbin's arm, "Troy was with them! They can't exile a king, can they? He is a member of the Council."
Corbin had no chance to answer her as Tsojin raised his arms to silence the crowd, his face grave. "A few in this gathering have decided to dishonor me by meddling in magic forbidden by our laws. They dared to defile themselves in my house. If they wish to be like the humans, let their wish be granted."
Corbin had seen this ritual only once before, when his mother was banished for conspiring in the death of his father. He remembered a substance being forced down her throat to dull the magic within her, but these offenders had already ingested it, willingly, without thinking of the consequences.
The guards who were surrounding the accused took a step back and like a whisper the solemn Council instantly appeared in their place; Troy among them. The Empress raised her hands and the arms of the accused rose with her. Once their arms were outstretched, it was Troy who stepped forward to each of them and slit their wrists, letting their blood spill to the ground. None made a sound or even flinched, an unnatural sight for something that should have been agonizing. An icicle of fear trembled in Corbin's mind at the power displayed. The ability to immobilize so many at one time was a feat only the Empress could achieve. This was a good reminder of how just she was when she could do so much to bend others to her will.
Soon it became evident that the lives of those being punished were in danger. A few lost consciousness. Another seizure attacked the one Corbin had healed before.
In his head, Corbin received a command from Malora, "Come. Do not let them die."
He rushed forward, seeing others with the gift of healing approach the platform as well. He took hold of the first body he came to, not even seeing who it was in his urgency to save him from death. He was relieved it was not difficult to heal the wounds and feel the heart strengthen. When he finally looked at his patient, terror filled eyes pleaded back at him. This was one of Tsojin's sons-a prince of Sendai-yet no one was exempt from this punishment. Corbin had no words, no want to comfort this man who had brought this punishment upon himself. His task done, Corbin rose and looked to see if anyone else needed reviving but there had been enough healers in the crowd for each.
The healers returned to the crowd but Corbin was bid to stay on the platform. Malora spoke to him again, "You may one day have to do this. Learn well."
The Council surrounded their victims and joined hands. The convicted braced themselves for their punishment, some by closing their eyes, some by saying any spell they could think of that would save them from losing everything. The Empress' voice was the first to begin the incantation that would keep magic from ever returning to the violators; literally killing the magic within them. Soon the voices of all the Council members could be heard speaking in unison. The affect of the chanting was soon evident as a bright glow began to surround the convicted. One by one their auras became hazy and dissipated, leaving their once glowing skin now pasty and dull. No longer were they beings of magic. Once their sentence was complete, a few of them fell to their knees in defeat while others stood weeping.
The Empress looked down upon them, "You are hence forth exiled from all courts of the Underground. No kin or acquaintance is to acknowledge you from this day on. If you desire family, look to those who shared your crime. If you need food or shelter, you must fend for yourself. This is the punishment set by our elders when we first came to this land for dabbling in unnatural magics, magics that were to be forgotten. May you be an example to all who might follow in your footsteps, for anyone who dares to disobey the laws shall be thusly treated."
Practice of this form of punishment was forbidden from being enacted by all but the Council; anyone caught attempting to take another's magic in this manner could expect a fate worse than death. It was impossible to perform this spell by oneself, but should three or more who were certain of their own magic agree to remove magic from an individual, they could do so. This was dangerously used in the early history of the Underground, but once the Council was formed, all agreed that such an act would only be used as a penalty for the worst of crimes.
Once the punishment was complete, the condemned were led away by the guards and the crowd dismissed.
Gelyna let out a relieved breath, "Troy escaped. He must have left after we saw him…"
Before Corbin could react to hearing the concern in her voice that her former lover had gone unpunished, someone approached with urgency in their voice, "Your majesty, may I have a word with you, in private?"
Corbin, Cestral, and Gelyna all turned, not knowing who was being addressed. They found a man with a very pale face staring intently at Corbin.
It took Corbin a moment to notice that the fragile man before him was of the Jovian court by the sash of blue on the arm of his coat. "Does your lord Aquainus seek me?"
"Though I am the seer to his majesty Aquainus, it is I who beseech you. I must tell you of my vision, but without present company." The man eyed Gelyna wearily, yet did not dare look her straight in the eye.
Gelyna scoffed at the lower Fae, "What can't I know? Corbin and I have no secrets."
Corbin knew that wasn't true but guessed she believed he was naive of her misgivings. To play along, he took Gelyna's hand and gently kissed it, "Come now, love, you know how these things work. It's probably about you."
"Whoever came up with that damnable rule…" the princess grumbled, then smiled, "Well, I guess now I can mingle and 'make my presence known'."
When she was out of earshot, Corbin returned his attention to the earnest man, "Do we need to move to a place of seclusion before you share with me your vision?"
"I would prefer so."
"Hmm, that might be difficult," Corbin turned to Cestral, knowing that she had been raised within the palace walls, "We require a place where we will be sure no one over hears us."
Curiosity was evident in Cestral's brown eyes—it was highly unusual for a seer to seek out a king other than his own—but she did not voice her confusion, "Of course. I suppose the gallery shouldn't be of interest to anyone during the festivities. I'll show you."
"Thank you." The seer bowed his head.
She led them to a part of the palace that Corbin had not yet seen. It had more colors and ornate architecture than the courtyard and common areas. This was the portion of the palace where the royal family lived.
"Cestral, are you certain we are allowed here?" Corbin asked, feeling like an intruder.
"This was my home, and still is when invited. And as I have been invited, I may go where I please."
Corbin narrowed his eyes in confusion of her answer; it was not like her to be rebellious. Something had changed in her…
"Here we are." Cestral stopped outside of elaborately decorated doors of coral red. Depicted in the carvings was the story of how the Underground came to be, the same story sung in his remembrance dream. "Call for me when you would like to go back."
"No, please, your highness," the seer placed his hand to her shoulder before he continued, "I would like to know if you have seen this as well. I have yet to find another seer who shares it with me, but I feel it is pertinent the king knows."
"Of course," Cestral said kindly.
Beyond the doors was a long hallway filled with portraits of every royal member of every kingdom for the past ten thousand years. Settees rested in odd places about the room, and Corbin motioned for them to sit on the first one they came to.
Lowering himself to the chair, the seer nodded that he was ready to reveal his vision, Within the crystal he procured was the image of the dying boy that had been plaguing Cestral the past day.
"Yes," the elf queen whispered, "I have had this same vision. But we don't know this boy."
"Gelyna does," Corbin voiced.
Cestral's brown eyes widened, "The princess knows of the child? How?"
"She confessed to me this very night that she has him in my castle. My healers have seen him, but still he does not get well. She was very urgent that I be the one to heal him..." He paused, having that tickling feeling as if an epiphany was about to strike him. "She thought he should look familiar to me…"
The seer looked at the king as though he were a fool, "You don't know your own kin?"
"Kin? Why do you assume he is my kin?"
"Corbin is the last of his line, save his brother." Cestral stressed to the seer.
"Only the blood of kin can save this boy," He waved his hand over the crystal and the vision jumped to another place and time. "Look."
Within the orb, Corbin saw himself at the ill boy's bedside, slitting his wrist to release some of his life's blood before the wound healed itself. He put the cup that had caught the liquid to the boy's mouth and willed him to drink. With what little strength he had, the boy did so and nearly immediately color and life returned to the child.
"That I have not seen," Cestral whispered, her eyes staring off at nothing as a tear fell to her cheek, "Such a simple cure. I wish it to be true with all my being."
"As do I," Corbin sighed, "but how could this child be my kin, he's not from the Underground?"
Cestral stood as her eyes seemed to land on something that made her breath catch in her throat. Corbin followed her eyes to a painting across from them, a painting he was not familiar with, even though most of those pictured within he knew.
"You've discovered him," the seer said happily, moving to stand with the queen, "That's the boy."
"Jareth." Cestral whispered, her hand reaching out to touch the painting, yet she pulled it away before she could do so.
Corbin corrected the seer, "That's my brother, and my father, and…"
The painting showed a woman he was not familiar with. The strikingly beatuiful woman had white blonde hair and cheerful blue eyes. His father's arm wrapped around her waist and his other had rested over her's which was on Jareth's shoulder. Her free hand grasped at her enlarged abdomen. In this painting, Sabian's eyes shown brightly in a way that Corbin never known.
"But your brother is grown, is he not?" the seer asked in confusion.
"Quite. He's my elder," Corbin answered, half-heartedly.
"Children look like their parents. Did your brother have a son before he died?"
Cestral turned to Corbin, "Remember what I told you yesterday, about the girl in Earth who has Jareth's magic confessing she knew where Jareth was?" When he nodded, she continued, "I've had visions, many of them, of this same girl bearing Jareth a son. What if…"
"Anything is possible, knowing Jareth," Corbin chided. "Regardless, if I am the cure for this child, so be it. Saving him will be a good excuse to leave this peacock show…No offense to your father."
Cestral smiled reassuringly, "I understand. I don't like these gatherings either."
Corbin turned to the seer, who had remained silent while the monarchs discussed the matter, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Was there anything else you wanted to show me?"
"No. That was all." The man smiled in embarrassment. "It is not often that my visions bring such quick actions to those I tell."
"Those who do not listen are foolish. I thank you for your warning, even if having a nephew is a surprise." Corbin smiled warmly.
"Then I shall escort you back," Cestral took one last sad glance at the painting before moving towards the doors.
As they journeyed back to the crowd, Corbin's mind wandered with the idea that he could be, or was, an uncle. However, his heart tore at the thought that there was still the possibility he would not find the boy in time to save him. Cestral's visions only saw the boy's death, but now there was hope.
As they reentered the courtyard, the sight of Gelyna laughing with Troy stirred Corbin's heart to anger. She had stolen this child, she had abused the magic of the Gudgels-the only possible explanation to why the creatures had disappeared- to bring him from Earth, and she continued to flirt with past lovers. He would be a fool no longer.
"Gelyna, we have to talk. Now." It took much effort to sound civil knowing of the dozens of eyes that looked his way.
"Now, Corbin, why so serious?" Troy started.
"You," Corbin's pointed finger almost touched Troy's nose, "you are a cad and braggart and have no right to have escaped the punishment for your crime. You will not set foot in my kingdom. You lost something that wasn't yours to keep; I give refuge to her freely."
The blue eyes of the king of Moiraech narrowed despite the knowing smile on his lips. "I knew it was you who told Malora where to find us."
"Don't be silly," Gelyna interjected, not liking the tension building between the two men, "Corbin didn't say anything. He was with me the whole time."
As if he didn't hear her, Troy took measured steps towards Corbin, "The orders of the Empress are to be obeyed, are they not? That's the only reason why I didn't share the same fate as the others. I have been given a task to complete, and should I fail, I will lose more than just my magic. And I will not fail. So it is to your lands I will go, as our lady commands."
"I know nothing of this; what has Malora ordered?"
"Perhaps you aren't to know," Troy jeered.
"Not know? It's my kingdom!"
"Corbin, dear, let's not make a scene..." Gelyna started, grasping his arm to calm him down.
She was right; as he glanced about, many heads were turned their way. He looked to her, not sure of what he wanted to say to her, but he was certain that whatever he would spout would not be kind.
"What I need to say to you should be done in private." He grabbed her arm to pull her to follow him, knowing she could do nothing to stop him, thanks to the necklace she wore, "As much as you might deserve it, I do not want to humiliate you in public."
"Corbin, let me go. Corbin…."
He ignored her plea and no one seemed to care enough to stop him, not even Troy.
He didn't slow down, not even when they reached his room. He flung her onto the bed with more fury than he knew he was capable of using. He paced along the bedside, "Do you think me a fool? Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
"Find out?" Her blue eyes stared at him in confusion.
"The boy, Gelyna, the one you took, the one you want me to heal. Is he my brother's son?"
The shock in her eyes spoke the truth of it before she took a breath to confess it. "Yes." She sat up quickly, "But I didn't know who he was until after I took him, I swear it."
He stopped and looked down upon her, "What difference does it make? You abused magic to take him. Why?"
She shrank back into the bed, "The Labyrinth has destroyed so much…I only wanted to set things right. Why doesn't anyone see that?"
"Let's see, could it be because you did it on your own, without consulting anyone? What you've done is criminal, no matter the intent."
"So what will you do?"
Corbin sighed, "You said your mother knows nothing about you taking this boy?"
"Yes, you and our servants are the only ones who know of him."
"And that's how it will remain. We wouldn't want to add kidnapping a child of a royal household to the grievances against you." Gelyna gasped and Corbin sneered at her, "What? Didn't think of it that way, did you? That I might not seek retribution? Get some sleep. We leave at sunrise."
"But I can't leave. My mother forbids it. That can't be broken without her consent."
"Then there is no point in me staying." He stormed towards the door, but a thought came to him and he abruptly turned on his heel to face her, "If I reach my nephew too late, I will make sure the Council knows everything you've done."
Just as he was to leave the room, she shouted to him, "Corbin, wait."
He paused but didn't turn around.
"Brendon. His name is Brendon."
