"I'm sorry, Lady, but His Majesty was very specific. Only people who he has approved in writing and in person can be admitted to see the prisoner. I have neither of these permissions for you. You could try to get an audience with him and then get him to give you permission? With your position, Lady, it shouldn't be hard to get to—Your Majesty!"
"Kel'fiec, Hel'fa, as you were. I'm here to check on the prisoner. Ursa, join me." Jareth stepped forward and the guards moved out of his way, giving him access to the heavy wooden door that led to the scum's cell. He pushed it open and the shape on the floor flinched at the sudden light. His cell was normally kept completely dark. Jareth gestured Ursa in ahead of him and closed the door firmly behind him. He knew no sound of their conversation would escape the cell, not if screams didn't. He conjured a crystal to illuminate both their conversation and the state the boy was in. It hung in the air between them.
Ursa eyed the man on the floor and her hand slipped under her cloak.
"I can't let you kill him, you know, so you may as well let go of the dagger," he said, almost offhandedly, leaning casually against the door. His eyes were sharp.
Ursa froze in place, hand still under her cloak. "He tried to kill my son."
"Technically, he tried to kill your son's friend and my Sarah." He held back his rage. He could come visit this pitiful excuse for a human again later. After he'd had Her'ta heal some of the damage from his last session. After all, he couldn't risk death. But even so, he could be incredibly sure that this boy would never be able to hurt Sarah ever again. He would also make a fine example to anyone who dared think of doing so. "Your son just got in the way." Ursa's shoulder tensed and he prepared his magic, but before she did anything rash, she took a deep breath, turned around and smiled at him with a soft, concerned look. Jareth could feel the rage boiling just below the surface.
"Exactly, Your Majesty. He nearly killed your beloved. Doesn't someone who would commit so awful a crime deserve death?"
Jareth snorted. "I am not your husband, Ursa, and I have played this game for much, much longer than you have been alive. Don't think I'll be so easily played."
Ursa's calm facade slipped and she looked about ready to spit poison. She tightened her grip on her dagger. Jareth conjured a crystal and let it dance across his fingers as he continued to speak. "You see, I would normally agree with you. Were it my decision alone he would be dead. It would have been a long and painful death, a death that would make it very clear what would happen to anyone who even tried to hurt my Sarah, but he would be dead. However, this decision is not mine. Sarah, She Who Was Wronged, my beloved, has asked that he be kept alive." He dropped the crystal and it rolled across the slightly slanted ground and into the body that lay curled there.
Jet's screams were horrible, soul-wrenching screams of pure agony. Jareth smiled grimly. The spell he'd chosen to inflict would be especially painful with all the bones he'd broken. Jareth thought of the terror on Sarah's face as she used far too much magic to drive the memory of the knife and all its associated memories away from her. He would not flinch from this task.
After some time, he let the spell fade and the screams turned to choked whimpers.
"The only reason I agreed not to execute him is that his life was the only thing she requested. There are many things I can do to him that leave him alive." His expression was granite. "If barely."
Ursa turned and looked at the shuddering mess on the floor. If looks could kill then Jareth rather thought he'd have a lot of explaining to do to Sarah.
"For what he did, for what he tried to do, he deserves death, Your Majesty. Not this." Jareth cocked his head and considered her.
"You were the wife of a Sozin, Madam Ursa, surely you of all people know that there are fates worse than death. And in any case, he must stay alive. My Lady does not trust me, despite the fact I cannot lie. If he were to die while in my care, I doubt she would ever come to believe it wasn't by my order, in some way. And there are ways I could arrange for him to die, if I so wished it. However, I will respect her wishes, and so will you."
Ursa's hand tightened on the dagger. Jareth began to grow tired of not getting through to her. When it came to her children, the woman could be rather… focused. "Madam Ursa, if you force my hand, I will kill you before I let you kill this boy. Sarah is too valuable to the Kingdom, to the Labyrinth, to myself to allow you to drive her away. You would have given your life in service to the Goblin Kingdom, your son will remain protected by the agreement we struck, but you will be dead and he will still be alive. If you ask me, it does seem like rather a needless waste." He let his tone soften.
"I would rather you stay alive, Madam. You've been a wonderful resource, helping the Wished Away get settled, and all those children look to you for guidance, no matter how old they eventually grow. Finding someone new to do this job, someone who would do it as well, who would love them as you do, someone who makes them feel safe in this new and strange land they will call home, someone whom they will love and respect as they do you... well, it would be difficult and time consuming and such a waste.
"However, he does need to be punished for his crime. I return to check on him regularly, as he is, after all, my prisoner. I have had centuries to come up with tortures to administer and hundreds of examples to make. It is not a part of my job that I take much joy in, but it is one I have become quite good at. However, even with all of my years of experience, you were once Ursa Sozin, and the wife of Ozai. It is possible you know of things I have not imagined. I could add you to the list of his care-givers, under supervision, of course, as well as a spell to ensure that you would die before you could kill him. Nevertheless, you would be able to repay him for the harm he did your son and his friends." He cocked his head to the side, considering her as her eyes flicked between him and the boy and her hand tightened and relaxed on the dagger. Almost.
"Well, Ursa Sozin, will you use what your husband taught you, finally find something—good—to make it into? Your response?"
She shot the boy one last poisonous look and let go of the hilt of her dagger. "Very well, Your Majesty. I leave him to you and your centuries of experience." The corner of Jareth's lips quirked up.
"In that case, let us get out of this pit. I would have as little contact possible with... this while Sarah is in my kingdom. She doesn't need to be exposed to any more reminders." He reached out and plucked the crystal from the air and pressed it into door, which swung open. Once again, he gestured Ursa ahead of him, followed her out and shut the door behind him, cutting off the continued sounds of whimpers.
"Kel'fiec, Hel'fa, keep up the good work," Jareth said, turning to his guards. "Madam Ursa will not be returning." Ursa nodded and smiled at the guards, no trace of her murderous intent left.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go bathe and change before returning to my Lady. No part of this should come near her. Carry on."
He started to picture his library, ready to transport himself to his waiting lady.
"Your Majesty?" Ursa said, stopping Jareth where he stood. "Thank you."
"You know," Jareth replied, smirking, "I believe I once heard someone say 'never forget who you are'. It struck me as good advice," and with that, he transported himself to his room, to get all traces of her attacker away from him before returning to his lady's side.
"How the hell was there a flood of Apples?" Sarah asked, when Jareth appeared behind her. How she'd known he was there, she wasn't sure, but when she turned around and looked, there he was, frowning down at her.
"Flood of apples?" he asked, as Ludo sat up and dislodged Sarah from the couch.
"King!" Ludo cried, looking at Jareth with a huge smile, his tail starting to wag and threaten Sarah's hair.
"Ludo!" Sarah cried, giving him a shove. He lumbered to the side and turned back to look at her.
"Sowwy Sawah," he said, helping to pull her up. Sarah brushed her skirts back down as Jareth gave her a look showing he was clearly wondering why on earth she insisted on counting Ludo as one of her friends.
"It's alright, Ludo, don't worry about it. I had a lot of fun cuddling, seriously, but I need to talk to Jareth now, so maybe we can hang out more some other time. Alright?"
"Yeah Sawah. Bye." He pulled her in for another hug.
"Ludo," Jareth called when he let Sarah go.
"Yes, King?" Ludo asked, turning to face him. He would have knocked Sarah down again if she hadn't taken a practiced step back.
"Catch," Jareth replied, throwing him a crystal. Ludo caught it with a happy, curious expression, and promptly vanished. "I merely saved him the walk back to the Labyrinth and all of us dealing with the screaming terror of my subjects," he reassured her before she could even open her mouth to ask. She was glad for the reassurance, even if she was more curious than worried. Spending time with Ludo had been nice. He felt safe and he didn't ask any questions she didn't want to answer and he was more than happy to be a great big pillow for her if that was what she wanted.
"Sarah." Jareth frowned at her and she tried not to flinch. Of course good things couldn't last and he was using her name and she didn't want to deal with this. "About what happened at—"
"You still owe me an explanation about a flood of apples. And why twelve crystals were needed. This book," she picked up the book that had fallen with her when Ludo moved and held it out. "Made very little sense. Your librarian recommended it when I wanted a book on the subject, nice guy, by the way, but seriously, it was like a drunk guy wrote it in between vomiting bouts," not that Sarah, the college student, had any idea what a paper written by someone in that state looked like, of course not...
Jareth frowned and took the book from her, scanning through it.
"Really? I've always found Katheniel to be an eloquent and succinct writer. If you want something truly complex you should have seen the books on the subject my tutors made me read. Thank the God and Goddess for father slipping me this for bedtime reading, the other texts made no sense whatsoever..." He flipped through a few more pages before seeming to find the passage he was looking for.
"The rains had not let up for two weeks and the canals that the kingdom had built were not strong enough to contain and divert the deluge. The spirits of the Apple trees had claimed the hill Cnoc na Ulla as their own, and they had begun to grow there; but on the fourteenth day of heavy rain the canal at the top of Cnoc na Ulla was beginning to collapse and wash the hill away. The waters began to work away at the roots of the—"
"That's so not what it says, how is that what it says?" Sarah interrupted him and took back the book and scanned where he'd been reading.
"The vertical river went sploosh lots and the veins could not contain the life blood given to it," she read aloud, incredibly confused. Jareth frowned at her and looked over her shoulder. She suppressed a flinch and tried to subtly move so that he wasn't at her back. She suspected he noticed anyway, given the way he moved to the side, so that he was no longer behind her.
"I can assure you, Sarah, that nowhere on this page was anything you just said." He frowned in thought and Sarah took a moment to admire him as she watched the wheels of his mind turn. Deep in thought was a good look on him, she decided. Her life might feel like it was going to hell in a very lively hand basket these days but at least her... um... yeah... was attractive.
"Sarah, what alphabet does this seem to be written in for you?"
"The English one?" she asked, the 'duh' obvious in her voice. Saying it aloud made her realize the problem with that statement. "So, what language is it actually written in?"
"Fae," Jareth replied, amusement colouring his tone. "It would seem that the Labyrinth's skills in translation mostly apply to only spoken languages. Should you decide to stay, we'll have to work on your reading of the language. That or we could assign you a reader, someone to read you documents in languages you can't yet read. However, I know you well enough to know that you'd prefer to be able to do it yourself. Perhaps a combination of both to begin with, and then you could transfer to reading more on your own as you get better at it. We can discuss it more should you decide to stay." He smiled softly at her and took a step away giving her some space. Giving her space? Remembering it was her choice and that she hadn't said yes? Who was this guy and what had he done with Jareth?
"So, the great Apple flood?" Sarah asked.
"The short version?" Jareth asked, taking a seat on the couch. Sarah nodded as she took a seat herself. Not next to him, but not away from him either. A careful balancing act, much like the rest of their relationship. "Well, the Dryad Kingdom suffered much more severe rains than was expected one hear. Their complex and well-maintained irrigation and flood control system—they are, after all, a kingdom of trees—could not handle these rains. One key canal overflowed and risked wiping out an entire hillside of apple trees. Nearly a hundred lives would have been lost, and the death of a dryad who has been separated from their tree is not a pretty one. The King and Queen of the realm had several crystals waiting in case of just such an emergency and managed to act quickly enough to save the trees and divert the flood."
"This is known as a great work? It's something you study?"
"It's an excellent example of careful planning and monitoring of one's Kingdom going well, as well as emphasizing the importance of resource management and being prepared for emergencies. The Flood of Ùll is something most monarchs in training will study. Perhaps some time when you aren't here to retreat from school work, we can go over its implications. Your summer vacation begins soon, correct?"
"Exams should be over in about a month, yeah," Sarah replied. "And then I'm heading home for the summer. You know, away from school?"
The corner of Jareth's mouth quirked up. "Then perhaps after you've had a chance to unwind from school. Although, should you take his course, I understand it's a topic Professor Rincewind covers every semester. And, of course, you could always do—" he paused mid-phrase, head cocked to the side. He quickly conjured a crystal and stared into its depths before looking up at Sarah in a way that reminded her of Toby on Christmas.
"Another unexplained emergency?" she asked, feeling confused.
"The exact opposite, precious, and I am sorry that I had to run off earlier. My kingdom does seem to enjoy throwing me emergencies at inopportune times, especially when I'm trying to spend time with you. If the Labyrinth hadn't been quite so... Explicit in how much she wanted you as her Queen and my bride, I might accuse her of interfering." He glanced at the crystal again and, if anything, his smile grew. "This is a rather pleasant surprise I was hoping would happen while you were here."
"What is it?"
"Now now Precious, that would spoil the surprise. Can you trust me?"
He held out the hand with the crystal on it.
"If so, you need only touch the crystal and remain quiet, for it is important we stay unobserved, and I can keep us invisible but sound is harder to do. Well?"
Sarah looked at him, at the crystal, and back at him. He'd been respecting her need for space, he'd been respectful, really, he'd been pretty wonderful since she got here. She decided she could trust him for this. And if she was wrong then by now she knew she was more than capable of transporting herself away and all the way to the Aboveground if need be. She reached out and placed her hand on the crystal.
She found herself in a clearing in the Labyrinth. Jareth placed a single long finger over his lips and gestured towards the center of the clearing.
There stood Hoggle and Am'ya. Hoggle was looking very nervous and speaking.
"-it's been some time, now, Am'ya, that we've been courting, and I know I'm asking for a lot, but, well, you're the most beautiful, wonderful woman I know, and," he reached into an inner pocket of his vest with a trembling hand and pulled out the necklace that the Labyrinth had created for him with Sarah's plastic gem the night before. "Am'ya, will you marry me?"
Sarah had to suppress a squeal and smiled hugely at Jareth. He wasn't paying any attention to the scene in front of them. He looked only at her.
Sarah didn't have time to waste looking at attractive fae men, she had a friend to silently root for.
Am'ya reached out reverently for the necklace.
"Hoggle, this is plastic... How did you manage to get..." She looked at him with wide eyes.
"Oh, I have my ways," he replied smiling at her, nervousness emanating from his whole body. Her dear friend had come a long way over the years, but this had to be at least as scary as going against Jareth, even if Sarah could see that Am'ya was clearly going to say—
"Oh, of course I'll marry you Hoggle!" said Am'ya, throwing herself into his arms and knocking them both to the floor. Sarah felt like her smile was going to split her face. She was so happy for her friend, so happy that at least one of her friends had something so good, so wonderful, so pure happening in their life. It was so good to see something that was just purely good. She felt the magic shoot out of her feet and into her Labyrinth. All over the clearing, vines sprung to life and the most incredible flowers burst out and covered all the walls. Jareth's eyes shot up, but he smiled at her, and flicked his wrist in a familiar gesture. A cloud of glitter appeared and fell softly over the couple.
"Hoggle! Look!" Am'ya said, sitting up and cupping her hands, letting the glitter gather in it. "The Labyrinth has blessed our marriage!"
"I know," Hoggle said distractedly as he looked around suspiciously.
"You know?" Am'ya replied, rounding on him. "Just what do you mean, you know?"
"Well, you see, last night I was called to the throne room," Hoggle started to explain to his curious fiancée. Jareth stepped into her field of vision, careful to make no sound, and offered her his hand. Smiling, and glad to have seen it, she took it.
She blinked and found herself back in the library. Throwing herself forward, she wrapped a surprised Jareth in a hug. The surprise didn't stop him from quickly returning the hug, though.
"Thank you," she said, leaning back and smiling up at him. "Thank you for letting me see that."
"Of course, precious. It is lovely to see you smile." He smiled down at her with such warmth and an expression she didn't care to name. She wasn't ready to face that yet. "Now," he continued, letting her pull out of the hug. "Would you care to join me for an early supper? It would be nice to share a meal with you that was actually—" There was a knock at the door. Jareth glared before finishing, "Uninterrupted. Come in," he called.
A servant stepped into the room and bowed.
"Sire, Lord Klibdus is here to see you on most urgent business. He awaits you in the throne room."
"Did he say what this business was?" Jareth asked, keeping his voice fairly level. Sarah was impressed.
"No, sire, only that you would want to know immediately, and that he has found something that he thinks will be of great use to you."
"Very well, thank you, that will be all," he waved the servant away before turning back to Sarah. "Sarah, precious, it seems that I must deal with this. Hopefully it will not take long. I'll rejoin you here, once this is dealt with? You can ask the librarian to direct you to our selection of English books. I know we have at least a small collection."
"And then we can do dinner," Sarah reassured him. "Go on, I'll find someway to entertain myself."
With a final nod at her he was gone and Sarah wondered off to track down the librarian.
Klibdus stood tall and proud in the throne room, hands clasped behind his back and refusing to give into his urge to pace. He was running a risk doing this, but for his friend and especially for his sister, it was worth it.
Jareth appeared in his throne and gave Klibdus a rather irritated, if curious, look.
"Klidbus, what urgent matter demands my immediate attention. I am entertaining a guest..."
"Would that guest be your mortal Champion?"
"Sarah does not belong to me, Klidbus. She belongs to no one but herself." The impressed and nearly reverent tone his old friend used to speak of the mortal bemused Klibdus, but his friend had always been strange.
"And you have no power over her, I am aware," Klibdus continued, not wanting to put off the reason for his visit any longer than he had to. "But what if I told you you could? What if I told you I have a solution to all your dilemmas. Something that would solve the situation you find yourself in with my sister. A way for you to keep the mortal forever."
"What in all the worlds are you talking about?" Jareth asked, leaning forward, eyebrows drawn down.
With one last deep breath Klibdus reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a vial full of potion. He watched his friend's eyes zero in on it and smirked. This would work, all the preparations, all the risks, it would all be worth it.
"Klibdus, what is that?"
"Champion, there is something you must see," the Labyrinth spoke in Sarah's mind, interrupting her reading. Trust Jareth to have a copy of Rosetti.
"Where do you need me to transport myself?" she asked.
"Allow me, and remain absolutely silent, Champion. They cannot know you are there. You need to see the outcome of this." Carefully Sarah put the book on the table.
"Alright, let's go."
Sarah found herself in the throne room. Jareth was sitting in his throne, leaning forward, an expression of interest on his face. He was looking at another man in the room—'must be Klibdus'—who was holding a bottle filled with a strange red and black liquid aloft between them. The bottle was obviously the focus of the conversation. Klidbus opened his mouth to answer a question Sarah had missed.
"My dear friend, it's a love potion."
A/N: About the beginning. Sarah and Jareth are experiencing culture clash. Remember, when Sarah asked that Jet be kept alive, Jareth was surprised at her cruelty. To Jareth, what he's doing might be regrettable, but it is also completely justified. He doesn't feel guilt about this at all. He isn't human, and this creature hurt something that was his. There's a reason that scene is disturbing.
Sarah, on the other hand *would never allow this to happen*. This is not what she wanted at all. The idea that it would be done for her, in her name, would horrify her beyond belief.
This will cause tensions later on...
Also, in slightly worse news. I have recently developped a temporary syndrome that requires me to wear a wrist and thumb brace 90% of the time. The other 10% the night a week I wash it and the times I'm doing exams. Unfortunately, it makes typing awkward and painful, so I'm really not sure how long till the next chapter. It's about a third done, but since I got the brace, I've barely written anything. Sorry guys, I'll have it to you as soon as I can!