A/N: Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts! I am so happy that so many folks are enjoying this jaunt through the Labyrinth.
Hour 11 ==============================
The portal spit them out onto one of the paths leading into the Great Crossroads.
"I think we're on the wrong side," said Sarah, looking around. "Yes, there's the Jewel Box. I guess we'll have to go through it to get to the naiad's well."
When they entered the Crossroads, they found the ways blocked by the stone pillars as before.
"Jeez," sighed Sarah. "I didn't really plan on fighting another killer robot." She spent a little time getting her bearings, and finally spotted the water sprite's well through a gate behind a pillar marked with a mask. "Well, nothing for it I guess..." and she pressed the metal plate.
This time the floor didn't split open, and the arena remained deathly quiet. Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah saw a white shimmer, and she turned to face it, crystal in hand. The shimmer grew, coalescing finally into the slender, poised form of the Cait Sith.
"Well, if it isn't the Queen Bitch," she said, bowing with exaggerated formality.
"You..." said Sarah, her eyes kindling. "How did you get here?"
"Well, you sent me here, I would have thought that obvious. It's a bit ironic, really… I did everything in my power to clear out the Unseelie from the Labyrinth when this place was sitting here all along, waiting for them."
"Sucks to be you. How does it feel to be on the other side, where you're the one at a disadvantage?"
The Cait smiled. "Well, I don't know about disadvantage… being dead has some benefits." She lashed out an arc of purple fire at Sarah.
Sarah countered with a lance of ice which caught the woman in the shoulder. It staggered her a moment, but she merely grinned and kept coming, casting bolts of purple flame.
I take it back, I'd rather fight another killer robot than a zombie.
One of the purple bolts caught Sarah across the thigh, and for a moment a vision exploded before her eyes. Sorcha sat on Jareth's desk, a wine glass in her hand. She said something, and he laughed, lifting his own glass. Sorcha trailed a finger across his chest and…
Sarah found herself in the dark arena and the Cait Sith still advancing on her. She ducked and dodged through the arena avoiding the bolts, but every now and then one would strike home.
Sorcha and Jareth riding in armor under a great banner. Walking together through the Goblin City. Lying together in a gazebo of the pleasure gardens…
Sarah fled from the barrage, but more strikes hit her as she was blinded by the ice of her tears.
"Run from it all you like, little girl," laughed the Cait. I have centuries of memories to throw at you."
This could go on forever… but I don't have that kind of time. Gods, why do they hurt so much when I hate him? Don't I?
Sarah set her jaw and turned on her heel to face her foe. She began walking slowly forwards into the line of attack. The memories redoubled, each one reminding her how this woman had had everything she wanted.
"You may have been his past," said Sarah, "but I am his future." Even if I choose to end it all.
The Cait stopped short, narrowing her eyes. "It's disgusting how loyal you are to him."
Sarah shrugged. That remains to be seen. "You never were, were you? You wanted him dead."
"Why waste loyalty when it's not returned?" the Cait shrugged. "I knew he would cast me aside when you finally came back, but I intended to stab him in the back before then. Well, you can't say I didn't try… I hoped to goad you into finishing the job. It would have been nice to see you wipe that smug grin off his face, permanently."
"Who said I still won't?" whispered Sarah, meeting the Cait's gaze with ruthless determination.
"I like you, dark queen," the Cait laughed. "You've got more steel than I thought possible."
The door creaked open behind her. She bowed to Sarah once more, stepping aside. "On your way then, you've spent enough time playing with me. I daresay I'll be here when you return."
Hour 9 =========================================
"What happened back there?" asked Hoggle. "Everything went black fer a few moments, then the door jest swung open."
"That's… for another time," said Sarah, peering over the edge of the dark well. "Hello? Anyone there?"
A few long moments passed, and a luminous form rose through the water. The well sprite surfaced, fluorescent markings covering her body. "Come, dark queen," she said, "The Undine knows of your haste."
They swam through the waterways in a froth of bubbles, finally arriving in the great sunken palace as the moon sank and the darkness in the east began to lift. Sarah was taken to the Undine's grotto, where the mermaid bowed low to her.
"You found the thread at last, dark queen. I bow before you, and seek to aid your ascension to the throne."
"Do you know what I must do? Can you tell me this time, without fear of retribution?"
"Your beloved has stilled time for us, so I may speak with freedom as long as he holds the wrath of the Labyrinth at bay. I choose to risk death for your chance at victory and freedom for us all, much as he does."
"What?" said Sarah, incredulous. "He was an absolute ass when I released him, every inch the insufferable Goblin King. I was so disgusted with it I refused him and ended... up... here…" She blinked, her mind trying to turn itself over around her roiling hatred and confusion.
"I can well believe it, there has never been a more brilliant - or reckless- tactician," laughed the Undine, glowing stripes rippling across her skin. "You may be angry with him, but if you put your mind to it you will see he has done it all for you."
Sarah's mind raced back to their first kiss and the enchanted grove. To their fight over befriending Milla. To the desperate look on his face when she deserted him, the first and second time. Her heart ached with the confusion and hope and hurt warring there.
"Oh... gods…" she groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Then… you think he wants me to be here. But… why? Is…is there really a chance I can defeat the Labyrinth?"
"No one can defeat the Labyrinth," said the Undine with a grin. "But two? That is possible."
Why do I still feel like fighting, then?
Strange isn't it, when you will almost certainly lose.
Almost. Almost.
Sarah's head shot up. "He's been trying to tell me about this place. Without the Labyrinth knowing."
The Undine nodded. "He resolved to force you into the only path towards freedom. Even if you would hate him as a result, and possibly even destroy him for it. Tell me, dark queen, does that sound sane to you? Or like a man who is very possibly in love?"
Sarah's shook her head uncertainly. "Well, it certainly doesn't sound sane." This is too much, how can I trust what he's said? What he is?
"He has given you a precious gift, something he could not win for himself though he desires it more than his life: a chance at freedom. If you reach the end of the dark road, you will have a choice. You will be able to leave this place entirely, destroy the hold the Labyrinth has on its peoples, or even return to receive your share in its power. Each has a cost, but you must weigh it and make that choice for yourself, and for us all."
"And for him," Sarah faltered. How can I possibly make the right decision? For everyone?
"It is time you continued your journey," said the Undine. "I believe there is a grand welcome awaiting you in the drylands above."
Hour 6 ================================================
Sarah, Didymus and Hoggle surfaced in a shaded grove on the edge of the Ghost Marshes.
"Goodbye!" waved Wen enthusiastically. "I'm cheering for ya!"
Sarah smiled. I can see why Toby would like her.
They crossed the red-flowered fields to find a company of grim-faced horsemen before them. From their ranks cantered a pie-bald stallion carrying a young woman. She was sober and proud, and a jeweled circlet flashed upon her brow. The last time Sara had seen that face it had looked on her with dead eyes from under the marsh waters – the girl now fixed her with a clear amber gaze.
"Hail, dark queen," she called. "I am Marren, leader of this tribe. We have come to honor our pact with you. We recognize you as our liege and mistress, and we bow under your authority."
The entire company saluted her.
"I accept your pledge," said Sarah. "What would you have of me?"
"We have long desired our freedom from the Labyrinth, and we desire it even in death. We know that it is within your power to grant our request, so we ask boldly for you to consider it."
"I... I don't desire your bondage. Please believe me when I say that I feel in my heart that you should be freed, but before I act I must consider the cost to all."
Marren bowed. "That is acceptable, for I understand that the weight of a crown is no small thing. As a show of goodwill and our fealty, allow us to escort you to our festhall and raise a glass in your honor."
"I don't know," said Sarah uncertainly. "If I stay too long, then you may lose your chance at freedom."
"I am aware of the stakes at hand, dark queen. I have something else I would show you, which I believe will prove of value on your journey."
The warriors brought forward a sleek black horse for Sarah, and she climbed onto it and hoisted Hoggle up behind her. The company flew across beautiful fields in the pale light of dawn, frost sparkling on the grasses like diamonds. Didymus ran among them, and Hoggle clung tightly to Sarah muttering prayers into her back. She held tight to the horse's reins, but the wild freedom of it all sank into her soul and she crowed in the bliss of the ride. Shortly they arrived at a long, low hall lit by torches and a huge, blazing hearth. The horsemen dismounted and were greeted by their families running to greet them, bringing them platters of food and drink.
The young woman raised her hand and the crowd silenced. "We will raise a toast to our true queen, who has fought through the bonds of the Labyrinth to guide us. Let us follow where she leads, and let us give her our greatest blessings of fortune and wisdom as she journeys onward."
The crowd cheered, and Sarah waved back. I can't let these people down. How does Jareth bear it?
"Follow me," motioned Marren. "We must go to the grove of the Eye."
"Guys, stay here and enjoy the party," said Sarah. "I'll be back soon."
"We will look for your return," saluted Didymus.
Sarah followed Marren to a grove of ancient beeches, towering above them and creating a canopy over a large basin of still water. She stood before the water, hands outstretched. The water rippled slightly, and before her was a familiar fireplace, table, and bed. Jareth sat before his still fire, clothes ragged and pale, the very image of defeat and loss. Her heart spasmed painfully at the sight of him.
"He waits for you," Marren commented. "He waits for you to bring him death. Or life."
"I don't… I honestly don't know what he wants at this point." Or even what I want.
"I can see this. That is why I brought you here, so that you might have a chance to reach him before the end of your journey, when the die must be cast."
"I can speak to him here?"
"Not directly, but both sides of magic flow freely in these waters. The ancient secrets of my people have allowed us to weave our way through both sides freely. The wise women of this tribe have relied on this path through the dreamlands for guidance since ancient times."
"Dreamlands?"
"This is one of the very few portals between the two sides of the Labyrinth, though one may not cross it without great cost. We paid the price long ago, but so great was the Labyrinth's geas it was still short of freedom. But do not send yourself back here; I will show you how to send him a vision, visit his dreams one last time before you must decide on your path, if that is what you wish."
Jareth stared into the unmoving flames.
Over half the time gone. I wonder where she is. He ached from the loss of her presence in the back of his mind, but she was well and truly out of his reach.
He heard a soft thump, and turned to see what made so unexpected a noise. Rolling across the floor towards him was a glossy red pomegranate. With shaking hands he broke it open to reveal the jeweled interior: red as rubies, red as blood. He plucked six of the glistening arils and placed them in his mouth.
A/N: Well well, the Goblin King is putting himself into Sarah's clutches. There may be dancing in the next chapter, or retribution, or both...
