Ariana watched the scene between Jareth and Sarah unfold as the Council regarded her silently. If what they were watching was correct, Jareth had been shielding Valeria from Council law regarding the deaths of the High King and Queen. It was a serious crime with a severe punishment if Valeria had helped destroy her parents. Through her bond with her twin, she was sensing a wall around Jareth's memories of that night, as though he was blocking anyone from accessing them. Ariana had never had a problem reading her brother's memories, he'd always been open with her in that regard. And she was the only one who could read him, so that meant he was deliberately blocking her from learning more. What exactly had happened that night? Her
thoughts were cut off by Darien's deep voice.
"What knowledge do you have of these events?" The Lord of Justice asked. She glared at him through the slightest misting of unshed tears. How he could think Valeria had any part of her parents deaths was ridiculous. There had to be logical answers to what they'd just witnessed.
"I know not of what you speak," she said formally. If she was to be interrogated, she would not give him the satisfaction of watching her panic. How many times had the two of them discussed justice versus compassion, law versus understanding? Not everything was black and white, right or wrong. It was a lesson she'd wished Darien would admit he'd learned.
"I did sense surprise from the princess," Geradine mentioned casually. "I do not believe there was an attempt to hide this from us - at least not from Arina. We will have to question the Goblin King at once."
A wave of her hand and Jareth was before them, still kneeling as he was in his chambers. As he saw where he now was, he stood quickly and bowed to the Council.
"Good evening," he said slowly as he noticed his twin's stressed face staring back at him. What had been going on here? Did they deny the protections?
"King Jareth," Darien said, sitting up straight. "Tell us of Valeria's part in your parent's deaths."
Jareth's eyes grew wide and he glared from Ariana to the Council in shock.
"Explain."
"The child Sarah Williams is under the impression that Princess Valeria had a part in the death of the High King and Queen. If correct, this would be high treason and the punishment is death. What say you before we bring Valeria herself before us?"
"She had nothing to do with their deaths. Destroy me if you will, but she is blameless." Jareth knelt again on the cold stone floor and met Darien's gaze boldly. "I will gladly take any punishment you deem worthy as long as you leave Valeria be - she has suffered enough."
"How has she suffered?" Allana asked. The Lady of Space twirled a tiny galaxy between her hands, creating new worlds as she spoke. Multi tasking was one of her strong points and she saw no reason a little work could not be accomplished while at a meeting. "Guilt is a crushing force but I see none in her mind."
"Not while awake, no," Jareth said dully. He sighed and held the bridge of his nose. He had worked so hard to protect his sister and now it was all unravelling before him. "She has had her memories wiped of that night. While the Dark King was still human, he made a deal with forces beyond our realms."
"We are aware of this," Byron nodded. "It has been duly noted in our ledger." Everything that the Council was aware of was instantly recorded, but there were some things they did not know. No one being was all powerful in the UnderGround and there was always free will. It made the Council's job - challenging - at times. Jareth was usually the greatest challenge of all with his trickery and word play. Still, he was a fair and just king so they let him rule as he saw fit.
"Valeria never wanted to know of the Above Ground," Jareth explained. "She thought humans were child like at best. But I enjoyed going above to watch the interactions of humans. It fascinated me, even before I knew of Sarah. I'd go above and simply watch. Valeria decided to come with me and saw a human male. Ryan," he spat out the name with disgust. "He was dabbling in sorcery and somehow did a spell that called to her. She was amazed that a human could do magic. I tried to tell her it was not his magic, but borrowed powers from the Dark Side - she would not listen. She fell in love, or so she thought."
"She married him," Geradine said softly. "And together they killed your parents?"
"No! Ryan sensed magic in Valeria and convinced her to marry him. He tricked her into thinking he loved her when all he desired was my father's throne. He waited until I was out patrolling the far borders and did a spell on my sister. The only way to get into my parents chambers was to have permission. He did not have it - but - Valeria did. My crystals warned me that dark magic was being used."
"And you did not inform the Council?" Byron asked shrewdly.
"There was no time. I had to act - I came upon my parents almost instantly but it was too late. Valeria was sitting in a corner, not seeing, not hearing. Orion laughed and told me how he'd used her to gain access to my parent's rooms. They were dead and Valeria was in shock, it was killing her. I wiped her memories and while doing so did not notice Orion's escape. So I am truly to blame in this. Please punish me and not my sister."
Darien glanced up at the ceiling and shook his head. The king was a strong man, but he must learn that even strong men need others. He stood up and walked over to the Goblin King, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Did you really not think that the Council was aware of every moment? That we did not grieve that we could not save your parents? We are bound by the same laws as those we enforce for all who dwell here. When Orion escaped, he apparently bound his magic to your sister. Sarah said there was a ribbon of power from Valeria to the Dark Lands. Nightmares. He seems to have a hold on her that must be broken."
Jareth's face turned cold in understanding. "He is draining her magic and learning the ways to come across our borders. That is why the wraiths can come during the day."
"Yes," Byron said, agreeing. "Soon they will be able to come at night, once they have access to the spells in Valeria's head that would allow it. We must not let that happen, Goblin King. Your Sarah was obviously given some way of learning the truth - you must go to her and learn how she knows of the events of that night. You must not fear for her safety, but help her use her gifts wisely if she is to be your queen. You must allow her to grow up, Jareth."
Jareth mulled this over and realized how stubborn he had been. Sarah was strong, he knew that. But she was so dear to him, he wished only to shield her from everything that might harm her. But they were all correct - if he trusted her to be his queen, he must trust her enough to let her grow into her powers. A thought struck him - how exactly did she know about his parents and the Dreamscape? He closed his eyes and remembered he had not taken off his original protection spell from her time in the Labyrinth. Of course - that magic was competing with her newly formed Fae powers. He had to get to her and help her.
"I must apologize to Sarah. My fear for Valeria clouded my common sense," he whispered, almost to himself. Geradine smirked.
"You pushed your Sarah away when she tried to explain. Why would she let you back into her life knowing that you do not trust her?"
"I - I do trust her," he said then stopped, dismayed. He hadn't trusted her. He'd looked upon her as a child that needed protecting, just as he'd looked at Valeria. Sarah was right, hiding from the truth did not make
things better. He had been a fool.
"We will call Valeria to us and do what we can to destroy the bond between herself and the Dark King. Sarah is unprotected in her world. Perhaps you should go to her - to make certain she is safe?" Geradine said lightly.
Jareth let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. They weresparing Valeria, they were helping make things right. They were telling him that Sarah was approved to be his queen and that he was free to protect her in any manner he saw fit. He hadn't trusted anyone but himself and look at the mess he'd made of things. He had no reason to believe that he'd done anything to deserve this mercy but he would take it and rush to Sarah's side.
He only prayed she would forgive him.
JSJSJS
William and Lydia transported back to his home once William had learned from a nosy goblin that the Lady Sarah had yelled at the king and gone away. They ran up to her room and knocked on the door. Muffled crying could be heard inside and it broke Lydia's heart.
"Let me go find out what happened. I'm sure Jareth will be showing up eventually. Maybe you could stall him?" she said, shrugging. He kissed her lightly and nodded.
"Find out what's wrong, my love and I shall be downstairs if you need me."
She smiled and kissed him properly this time, wrapping her arms around him in gratitude that she'd found someone like William. "I will, thanks." Turning towards the door, she opened it slowly. Sarah was lying in the
middle of her bed, crying as if her heart was crushed.
"Sarah? It's Lydia - I'm coming in now," Lydia said, closing the door behind her. Sarah did not look up.
"I'm not going back, Lydia. He doesn't trust me, doesn't try to understand me. I was stupid thinking he could love me enough to see me as an equal."
"Sarah, he's scared. He loves you so much that he doesn't think straight where you are concerned."
"You're defending him now? You're the one who said I shouldn't marry him." Sarah looked up and Lydia gasped. Her eyes were glowing a sharp green and she was somehow older yet so young. She remembered Williams told her that humans would not be able to see the changes happening. But Lydia saw them - what could that mean. She pushed the thought aside for now.
"I said that sixteen was too young to be married. But your situation is different. If you don't marry him then Orion can claim you."
"So you just think I should marry Jareth to be safe."
"No you little twit, I think you should marry him to be happy. And you are happy with him when you give yourself time to just relax and love him."
"He doesn't trust me."
"But I do," Jareth's voice floated around Sarah, pulling her in even as she resisted.
"Jareth," she whispered and he appeared through her mirror. Lydia smirked.
"I'll just leave the two of you alone to work things out."
Lydia left, sighing as she closed the door behind her.
"Good luck Jareth," she whispered to the door. "You're gonna need it."