A/N: Enormous shout out to LovelyAmberLight for helping and brainstorming with me on this chapter. I hope you guys like it! Here's the explanation I spoke about before!

Disclaimer: I don't own Labyrinth.


A Writer Required

Chapter Twenty-Nine


Returning Above was not what I had intended to do this day. I had intended to speak to Amelia in the safety of the castle, where I knew she would be safe.

Instead I was flying down to the entrance to her home, feathers bristled in disappointment and frustrated anger.

She had disobeyed me.

After giving me her word she would not use magic without me present, she had disobeyed me, and used her magic to return here.

I was nearly to the door, when I felt a sudden and urgent wish being made by Sarah, and after a moment's hesitation, I willed myself to the wish. Amelia could wait. I let the magic of the wish transport me to where Sarah was.

It was a startlingly short trip.

I arrived, my eyes focused on her. "Sarah? What is it?" I stopped short as the familiar jasmine and strawberry scent-not unlike that of Amelia's home-caught my attention, and I processed where I was standing at the same time I spoke to her, only to find myself in Amelia's kitchen. "Are you alright?" Utterly bewildered and growing cross, I faced Sarah again. "What are you doing here?"

Sarah shook her head hurriedly, and pointed past me in fright. "I think maybe we should be asking him that!"

Him? Could it be a djinn?

Brow darkening, I turned quickly, my hand moving to conjure a crystal. But upon see the man before me, I froze, and all thought stopped.

A fae man stood at the kitchen doorway, his hand down at his side where a long sword was held, and at his knees stood two pitbull terriers, currently growling warily at me. The man wore a dark blue tunic, brown trousers and boots, all designed in such a way that marked him a fae of high rank. His long black hair was windswept, but it did not obscure his blue and green mismatched eyes.

"Marcurrelious!" I stared. "How are you here?" I rephrased the question upon remembering where, exactly, we all stood. "Why are you here?"

Sarah echoed me, a frown in her voice. "Marcurrelious?"

Marcurrelious sheathed his drawn sword, "I'm looking for Amelia." he turned his attention to the dogs at his feet. "Leona, Alto, sit."

The dogs looked up at him, then obediently settled down to sit, their tongues lolling out. They were more like massive pups.

"I came here hoping to find her." Marcurrelious explained.

I looked to Sarah, who was scowling at him before relaxing her gaze to look at me. "I had a strange feeling to come check on Amelia. But when I arrived, I realized Amelia wasn't here, and then he showed up."

I faced Marcurrelious again with a thin frown. "I think perhaps you ought to explain yourself, brother."

Sarah gaped. "Brother?"

Marcurrelious explained to us both. "I work-or, rather, worked-with Amelia." He looked to Sarah with an apologetic smile. "My name here has been Marcus." The fae man's smile thinned as he spoke more to Sarah. "My sister couldn't pronounce my name properly growing up, so I shortened it for her. It is a common enough name in this world, so I used it."

"You're Marcus? Amelia's coworker?" Sarah questioned, and Marcus nodded.

"Yes. I was not able to take my true form until recently-I'm actually of the Fae. I'm sorry I did not tell you sooner, but I didn't think I would ever change back. I thought I would die as a mortal, as Marcus." Marcus then went on, look between us. "I've been here in the Above, protecting my sister."

I stared hard at Marcurrelious, and suddenly I felt I could not breath.

His...sister?

Tasha.

The name hit me soundly.

My wife-was alive?

Hope and guilt both came suddenly upon me. Had she been alive, all this time? All this time I had believed her to be dead, could I have been out, searching? How could I possibly have known? I had seen her and Teren both dead with my own eyes! How was it possible she was alive now? What of Teren? Was he alive, as well? If so, where was he? Where was our child?

"...My father Severino placed a spell on me, suppressing my immortality and turning me mortal. I would die as mortals do, and be as vulnerable as mortals are..." Marcus went on, though I was only half heeding him now.

Who would dare take them? And how had they managed to do it?

My anger surged. She had been taken from me once, and now taken from Marcus as well.

"...I had discovered my father and his sorcerers enacting their plan. I overheard them speaking of how they would do it. I stepped in to stop them, when they caught me..."

The anger I felt for this treachery was met by confusion. I loved Tasha-I could never stop loving her. But what of Amelia? I had fallen in love her, with a mortal, only now to discover my wife was still alive. I loved them both. I loved them both so much, that the idea of losing either of them again made me feel physically ill.

"So..." Sarah held up her hand to stop Marcurrelious, bringing my attention back to them, and she pointed at him. "You're fae."

Marcus nodded. "Yes."

She went on. "Your father turned you mortal, assuming you would die a mortal death. Only, he didn't think you'd find Amelia." Sarah confirmed, and when Marcus nodded once again, she slowly placed a hand at her temple. "This is so confusing." She winced. "I might need an aspirin..."

"Just a moment." I entered the conversation, looking between them briefly before focusing on Marcurrelious. "Amelia, is your sister?"

The deserted prince grimaced in disbelief at me. "Have you really forgotten your own wife's name so quickly, Goblin King?" His jaw clenched on the title in his anger.

"No-I-" I laughed in shock, and at the same time tears welled in my eyes.

I could see his dangerous anger-but I could not withhold the sudden relief, joy, hope and elation I felt, in discovering that my wife was alive-that Amelia was alive.

"Amelia-all this time-my sweet, human Amelia…" I laughed again, and the tears fell.

Tasha-no, Amelia was alive! I had held her in my arms, I had kissed her again after years spent in mourning her death.

All along, she had been alive. These past few months, I had fallen in love with her again, spent time with her, and not even known whom she truly was!

I laughed again, shaking my head at the terrible irony, at the happiness overflowing within me.

I looked to Marcus with a joyous heart, and saw his hand had inched its way toward his sword in its sheath. He appeared at that moment to be judging the distance between myself and Sarah with distaste, as though planning to shortly expand it.

I chuckled, too overjoyed to properly reassure him. "Rest your sword arm, brother." I wiped away the tears that had spilled upon my face. "I have not lost my wits, I have found my joy." I continued. "I had not realized that Amelia and Tasha are one and the same person. All these years I had thought her dead. You've given this old fae hope again."

As my laughter faded, I thought of Amelia. About who her captors could possibly be. I could name two individuals without trouble, but to accuse them without evidence of the deed was foolish and dangerous.

Marcus's expression changed abruptly to shock. "You...how long have you known Amelia?"

"For some time now. I asked her to write my story."

Marcus stared at me. "What are the chances?..." He paused thoughtfully. "How did you come to meet her? Why ask her to write your story?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, but answered. "There were things she had written that affected the Underground. That affected me. I followed her magic, initially quite upset. But I soon discovered she had not meant to do magic. Indeed, she was quite unaware she had any such power. That's why I asked her to write my story. That I might use her magic to solve Tasha and Teren's murders, to add power to my own that I might give them justice. I had not planned to come to care for her, to fall in love with her. That happened quite unexpectedly." I thought of her previous suitor. "The prat Andrew, I think, pushed me further into a relationship with her. I did not care for him, nor did I think he deserved her."

Marcus scowled. "I felt the same. I tried to convince her to leave him, but she didn't until recently. I was so relieved, but she seemed so despondent. I don't think it had to do with Andrew, though. She became uncomfortable when he was mentioned, but when I mentioned that she seemed depressed, she'd nearly start to cry. Were her tears meant for you?"

His words fell upon me like a blow. "I...I was aware of her sorrow, as my courier mentioned she seemed unwell, but I had not believed her tears were for me. I had believed them to be for Andrew." My stomach sank. I had thought she had chosen Andrew when she went after him. Were her actions for another reason? Had she been going after him to end their courtship?

"Amelia mentioned a friend had taught her to fight. Was that you?" Marcus questioned.

I remembered the reason for her training, and replied curtly. "There was an incident-long since dealt with-and she requested that I teach her how to defend herself. She has knowledge of the sword and staff, as well as hand to hand combat."

My brother by marriage chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I noticed that, when she clobbered a djinn in the face with a window scraper." His humor faded. "It makes sense now. It was impressive but also alarming. I had no idea she had been learning. I could swear she was using magic as well..?"

"She wasn't using magic; magic was defending her. I gave her a ring that would improve our communication; but it also protected and defended her against those that meant her harm."

Marcus raised an eyebrow at me. "A ring?"

My face felt momentarily warmer, and I scowled at him in reproval. "It is a long story. One we do not have time for now."

He looked as though he wished to pursue the topic, but with the current situation, did not. "Right. So after we were attacked, the djinn vanished. I went after them but they eluded me. I returned to Amelia to find her talking to a djinn in disguise. I tried to warn her, but they grabbed her, and the two djinn from before returned and pinned me down. They realized I was cloaked in a spell, and they began draining the magic. They may have weakened it prior to it being broken." He made a face. "I would be more grateful, if they hadn't been trying to kill us. They only stopped draining me, to make me a witness to her death."

My stomach twisted. Baard had said they'd only just arrived in time.

His tone lightened again as he continued. "An army appeared, but some elf tossed me like a down pillow into the field, moving me clear of the danger." He gestured vaguely. "I missed most of what happened after. I think the elf used some magic to keep me away, because it wasn't until after the portal closed, that I was able to approach."

His mention of the portal reminded me of the crystal I had used to gather the remnants of the second portal's magic, and I questioned him. "The spell cast upon you, how exactly was it broken?"

Marcus met my eyes in question, but answered regardless. "It was broken by the remnant magic from the portal that took Amelia from our workplace."

I gave a faint chuckle at the irony, amused despite the situation.

Marcus mistook my amusement and frowned. "Did you open the portal?"

I gave him a sharp look. "Hardly. You know me better than that. I would not create such a thing. Your sister, however, without her full knowledge of magic, had managed to do it under Baard's instruction."

The fae man before me shrugged his shoulders in discomfort. "It's been a long time. We've not seen each other in years." He went on, giving me a thoughtful glance. "So that's why I could absorb the magic so easily. Family magic."

I nodded my agreement, then explained. "She came to the goblin kingdom through that portal. No one took her. She took herself. And several hundred magical creatures, as well." I added dryly, still quite displeased with her over exerting herself in such a dangerous manner.

Marcus was momentarily lost to his thoughts. "But where did she go after?"

I frowned, gesturing at the house. "I had assumed here, based on the portal magic I discovered outside my chamber doors. I had been waiting to speak to her, when I sensed the magic. I went to it, finding only her ring, and what was left of a second portal."

Sarah spoke, looking bewildered. "But if Amelia's ring was defending and protecting her-why leave it behind?"

I shifted on my feet, folding my arms in discomfort. "I had thought she was angry with me. I should have explained things sooner to her, and avoided this mess entirely."

Marcus and Sarah both exchanged a look, the latter speaking. "But she apparently isn't here-where else would she go? It seems a bit odd."

Marcus's eyes flashed with sudden urgency, and he looked to me. "What was the magic like? The magic at the second portal."

"It was similar to her own." I said. "The crystal is stored in my study, but I remember that the magic itself in form was like Amelia's, but the color was different. Her magic was white, while the other magic was black. I hadn't thought much of it at the time…" I trailed off when Marcus's face markedly paled.

Expression terribly grim and growing angry fast, Marcus met my eyes. "Severino."

I had felt anger before, but what I felt now was far stronger. "The old goat. I had thought he had given up."

"No." Marcus replied. "Not given up. When father sets his sights on something, he does not so easily give it up. He'll reorder his plan. He will likely attempt to have her married off, as he had intended to do before." Marcus scowled. "We need to move with haste before that happens. Her suitor will wish to make sure she is in good health before then, likely testing her abilities, which will give us a few days."

The room grew a little colder as my anger grew. "Then we will move with haste." I frowned severely at my wife's brother. "You have given me hope, Marcurrelious, and with it a strong desire for vengeance. Severino will pay dearly."

Despite the chill, Marcus looked relieved. "My father has need of justice, Your Majesty. Are you ready for war?"

Sarah gaped at us with wide eyes. "War? But..." She trailed off as we faced her.

Marcus spoke with reassurance. "It is our way."

Sarah's brow furrowed, and she firmly objected. "But Amelia wouldn't want that."

"Fae warfare is greatly different from that of humans." I explained, and my expression softened slightly as I faced her fully. "Gentle Sarah, I assure you, that only the guilty will suffer my wrath."

Marcus grinned, though it was more of a snarl, his eyes sparkling. "The wrath of a Goblin King will mingle with the wrath of a Deserted Prince, and shake the foundations of our world. Our enemies will know Hell, and our great tale will be told for all of eternity."

"Indeed." I replied, and with a wave of my hand, altered the portal within the kitchen doorway. It would send us to the Underground, and remain accessible to us should it need to be used again to return.

Now we would find my wife. Now, at long last, we would bring justice.

Sarah hesitated, uneasy, and I realized the thought of returning to the Underground a second time might seem frightening to her. She did not know if she would come back.

"You needn't come with us, Sarah." Marcus saw her expression as well, and he spoke gently, his eyes restraining the emotion behind them.

I raised an eyebrow at Marcus, and looked between the two. Sarah had acknowledged Marcus being Amelia's coworker, and they seemed familiar with each other. Although, Marcus's true appearance seemed to still be processing for Sarah. But the way they behaved, made me wonder. "The two of you...are you...together…?" My eyebrows raised high when both the prince and the champion gained a redder hue to their cheeks, and adopted a sudden aversion for eye contact. I found my question answered for me.

But the matter of Amelia pressed me, and I spoke on. "Perhaps the two of you should sort this out here. If you so choose, meet me beyond the portal in my study." I looked to Sarah specifically. "If you should choose to come with us, I can guarantee your safe return here to the Above, whenever you wish."

She still appeared uncertain. "And if you can't? What if something happens?"

I thought on it. "Perhaps I can give you a talisman for transportation. I believe I have one at the castle. You are welcome to have it."

Appearing more at ease, Sarah nodded.

I left the two behind to converse, and arrived alone in my study in the goblin castle. I promptly went to my desk and retrieved the two crystals of magic for comparison for Marcus.

Knowing it might be some time before one or both of them arrived, I gathered a map and the tools necessary to begin planning. Once completed, I turned my attention to Sarah's earlier concern. Giving her a talisman of transportation would be best, and something she could count on and use as needed.

I found such a talisman in my study, and tested its capabilities myself to be certain it would work as it was meant to. When I finished with it, Sarah and Marcus came into the study with the two dogs in tow through the portal. The champion and prince appeared far more at ease with one another.

The dogs seemed to have discovered that they quite liked Sarah, for they flanked her and begged for head scratches.

Their master approached me with a grim expression. "Any thoughts?"

I straightened up with the green pendant talisman in hand. "Several. But first," I caught Sarah's eye, and she came to join us. "this is for you. A transportation talisman in the form of a pendant. Should you wish to travel between our worlds at any time, simply hold the pendant in your fist, imagine where you want to go, and the pendant will take you there. It will work with more accuracy if you think of a specific person or place."

Sarah received the pendant with amazement and relief, and she put it carefully on.

I suggested she try using it to return Above to Amelia's home, and then to return here in the same manner. She did so, appearing next to Marcus when she returned.

That settled, I looked again to Marcus as he spoke. "We'll need a plan before going in, of course. I know several routes that we can use, but it's been so long…" He shook his head with a grimace. "...The routes could be closed or otherwise no longer available."

I hummed in acknowledgement, and pointed out the two crystals on the desk to him. "Have a look at those, and confirm to me which is which. As far as routes go, I intend to have Baard go in to investigate the situation as much as possible. He is well for it." I added at the end when Marcurrelious showed uncertainty. "He is the best spy I have, and a good friend. I trust him with my life."

Sarah frowned. "But what about the pendant? Couldn't we use it to find Amelia?"

I was grateful to Sarah for the thought, but had to dismiss the suggestion. "No. Unfortunately, Severino has put a barrier around his borders that keeps others from using magical forms of transportation to get in and out. Most kingdoms have similar defensive measures in place." I cast them both a steady look of determination. "We will need to find another way in."


A/N: The wrath of a Goblin King and a Deserted Prince is what this chapter would be titled. What did you guys think of the twist?