A Syncopated Groove

Chapter 13 –

"You think your life is over now

It's nothing but a bad, bad dream
Afraid to lose it all somehow
And you don't know what it means
There's no telling how it all will end up now
But you can't quit now
When you gonna feel it, don't hold it back inside

If you wanna take it higher
You will set your mind on fire
When the heart is burning and you feel like turning, light up, light it up
And take it higher"

- "Higher" - Smash Into Pieces

Madison sat with her head in her hands for a few minutes, pondering how her life had ended this way. Jareth and Sir Didymus had vacated the throne room to allow her some time alone. This world was in her incapable hands and while she knew what the right thing was to do, she didn't want to give up her life for a place she hadn't even heard of until that day. Had it really just been earlier that day she had seen the movie? It felt like a year.

Before they left she had found out Sir Didymus was a part of the spirit of the Labyrinth, most of the creatures here were. If you came here from other places, most likely you would be integrated into it as well. Slightly feeling the vibration of the Labyrinth would become second nature. Didymus however, was a bigger part and such an ancient creature, that he had become more. He was able to speak for it, becoming its proxy.

She had also had a conversation about Jareth's actions.

"I don't understand the point of making me think I was going to die in that circus room? That just made me hate you and this place!" she said as she had paced back and forth in front of the lounge.

Before Jareth could reply, the knight explained, "You must try to understand that Jareth is not mortal and therefore his way of thinking spans beyond a mere moment. To a human it was uncalled for, yes, but he was trying to show you the seriousness of these circumstances."

"Do immortal creatures think talking and just explaining things outright are below them?" Madison had stopped in front of the small dog and crossed her arms in annoyance.

Didymus glanced up at Jareth then back at her, "His former Majesty is not used to conferring with anyone else on most matters. Not being human, he doesn't have the normal emotions and empathy at times. It was as if he had made a decree and expected everything to be followed. No one talks back to him unless they would like a trip to the Bog of Eternal Stench or something even more dire. You challenged him on everything he knows in one form or another, so he was simultaneously punishing you and imposing his will."

Madison scoffed, "I don't give him a get out of jail free card for being King or inhuman. He needs to learn respect for everyone. It would make him a better ruler."

"I concur to a certain extent. A good King who has the Kingdom's best interests as priority, does have to impress upon his subjects the importance of following him and his word. But things can be taken too far and he has always been obstinate when he has decided on a course of action. It was one reason he needed a Queen, to balance and challenge him. He may be older than countless human lifetimes, but he still has lessons to learn. This is why it was his destiny to have a human Queen turned immortal. You could have taught him that which he is missing and by besting the Labyrinth, he could never have any power over you."

Jareth, who had been looking out the window while tapping a riding crop against a gloved hand absently, scoffed at this last sentence but said nothing further.

Madison raised an eyebrow at him, "You disagree oh dethroned King?"

"Yes I disagree. A Queen is only for begetting heirs and being an escort for her King to royal functions. She is to be seen as a steadfast companion supporting her Sovereign Lord, nothing more."

"Oh wow, I am really regretting not having to marry you, I swear," she said sarcastically. "All the benefits of being shackled to an emotionless cretin is just so appealing."

"You will cease with the insults, little girl," he stalked towards her.

"Or what? You'll throw a bubble at me? Have you forgotten that your interference in fate cost you your damn throne?! You may want to take a step back from your asshole way of thinking. You're not King anymore. You need to start learning those lessons Sir Didymus mentioned, not strut around thinking you know everything. Look where it's gotten you!"

He stopped in front of her and opened his thin lips to reply, but Madison had had enough and continued, "Oh be quiet, spare me more of your misogynistic views!"

Jareth tried again to speak but nothing would come forth. He clutched his throat and glared at her.

Sir Didymus covered a laugh with a weak cough, "It seems My Lady, that your magic is starting to manifest. Until you renounce the crown, you are seen as Goblin Queen. You have silenced our former King."

Madison's mouth dropped open, "Say what? I didn't even do anything. I didn't aim to cast a spell!"

"A Monarch's word is law and if it is delivered enhanced with magic or in your case with the force of a command, then it must be followed."*

"But I wasn't intending to actually shut him up. I doubt anyone could."

"That is true, very few can. Only those of higher rank even have a chance and then it depends on their magic level as well. But you are Goblin Queen and as he is no longer the King, you outrank him. While you didn't have the intent to compel him to silence, the way you subconsciously delivered your words had the effect of bending your subject to your will. If you do not renounce your crown, it will be one of the lessons you shall have to learn, when and how to use that compulsion."

Madison plopped down on the lounge, trying to process this new bout of information, "I need to start making a pro and con list of being Queen here." She ticked off reason on her fingers as she continued, "Pro: I can literally make people do things. Con: I assume I have to exert effort to make sure I'm not making them actually do things I don't mean." She happened to glance at Jareth after this sentence and he had an eyebrow raised, their first meeting echoed in her mind.

'He crossed his arms, his cape hanging from them, "What's said is said. "

"But... I didn't mean it."

"Oh didn't you, now?" '

A tap on her shoulder brought her out of the memory. Jareth was standing above her and when he saw he had her attention, he pointed a gloved hand to his mouth impatiently.

She looked over to Sir Didymus, "I guess I need a quick lesson in how to actually insert physical command in my words."

"In due time, My Lady. For now, I believe I can be of some assistance," he waved his paw at Jareth, "Speak something."

The former Fae cleared his throat, which he found emitted sound now, then glared at Madison, "How dare you?"

She scoffed, "You know very well I didn't do it on purpose, but I can't say I'm not glad I did it. You are less annoying with your mouth shut." Before he could reply, she shifted her attention to Didymus, "So are a Queen's commands that easily undone?"

"Not once you have control of your magic. I was able to override it only because you are not crowned and didn't intentionally issue a true order."

She nodded to acknowledge the reply, but then fell silent. Jareth tried again to speak after a moment and was waved to silence by Sir Didymus this time, which caused him to conjure a second chaise lounge for him to drop gracefully onto and glare at them both.

'So apparently all of his magic isn't tied to his being King,' she thought to herself.

Madison finally looked up at Didymus, "And there is absolutely no way whatsoever that he can stay King?"

He stared at her for a moment, his eye not covered by the patch boring into her. "There is one way, My Lady. But not one to be taken lightly."

Jareth became alert at this realization and waved a gloved hand impatiently for him to continue. But only once Madison gave the indication she wanted more information did Sir Didymus explain. "Because fate was for you both to be wedded and rule as Goblin King and Queen, there is still the option of you being crowned Queen first. Once done, you would have to marry his former Majesty, which would make him the King once again. However, he would have no power over you and would yield to your wishes and decisions in all matters that you deem are important for you to have final say in."

Jareth started to say something petulant, she was sure, but then huffed and closed his mouth when he realized he was still muted, "But there is no way for him to be King without me marrying him and being Queen?"

Didymus shook his furry head sadly, "Unfortunately not, My Lady."

She slumped further down onto the lounge and put her head in her hands, letting a deep breath out in defeat.

"There may be a possible way around some of this.." Didymus ventured after a moment.

Both Jareth and Madison's eyes flashed to the knight's.

"What is it?" she had shot up from the lounge and grasped his paws in her hands with hope.

He retracted one of them from her grip and patted both her hands with it. "You would still have to be crowned Queen, of that I have no way out for you if you do no wish this world to crumble and fade. However, you could leave the Kingdom in Jareth's hands and you could resume your Aboveground life. You would need to meet with him through the mirror at least once every thirteen days, for him to confer with you on serious matters that aren't part of the day to day goings on, as well as anything that may affect you. You also would need to come back here to rule in person once every thirteen months for no less than thirteen days."

Madison was slowly pacing in front of him as he explained, her lips pursed in thought as she listened. "Is that necessary, the timeframes?"

"Regrettably, it is indeed so. It allows you to maintain your monarchical magic which is necessary to keep your crown. It also allows you not to age in the time that you are Aboveground. If you do not replenish, you would eventually grow old and pass."

"Oh, so I wouldn't get older then? What happens if I would die?"

"If you should pass without an heir, the Labyrinth would have the same fate as if you do not choose to be crowned at all, it will wither and fade."

"But.. I won't have an heir regardless?"

"I know this is unwelcome news to you, My Lady, but at some juncture you would have to produce at least one heir with Jareth if you choose to marry him. Or with someone else, if you prefer that path. But more would be preferable."

She glanced at the Fae involuntarily, who was still reclined on his lounge, showing no reaction on his set in stone features. Then she looked back to Didymus, "Wouldn't the Kingdom be left in Jareth's hands if I died? He would be King once again, right?"

"He would only be King as long as you are Queen. By choosing the path he did with your run, he chose to bind his fate with yours in one form or another. While he would not be mortal and would indeed continue to live, if you should die leaving an heir, that child would become the new ruler. If they were under the age of maturity, Jareth would be able to be their proxy until they were grown, which at that point the throne would be relinquished to them. Without an heir to survive you, the true ruling monarch, at the time of your death it would be as if he was never reinstated as King. With no sovereign ruler for this world, it would slowly cease to exist."

Madison had stopped pacing and was standing still while absorbing this influx of information, "What would have happened if he hadn't interfered in my run?"

"If you would have won, you could have chosen to renounce the crown and Jareth would have remained King as he wouldn't have made the decision to put himself first. He would have shown he was still a just ruler."

"And if I had lost without his interference?"

"Fate would not have had it so, but to be transparent as to all options, you would have been sent home as you would have been found unworthy to rule. Jareth would have remained King."

"So, this is pretty much his fault I am now stuck with no way out of being Queen of some sort if I don't wish to see this world die?"

Jareth jumped to his feet at her words, but thankfully he still couldn't speak.

The little dog inclined his furry head in the affirmative, the plume on his cap swaying.

'Wise of Sir Didymus, otherwise this conversation would take a hell of a lot longer,' she thought.

Madison took several deep breaths, as she had a sudden urge to pop Mister High and Mighty Arrogant in his aristocratic nose.

Once she had herself reasonably under control, she asked, "Is there anything else I should know if I would decide to accept the crown?"

"You would need to stay in the Underground until you have control of your powers as they start manifesting."

"And how long would that be?"

"That is an answer I do not have to give, my Lady. It is unique to your abilities and aptitude to learn."

"So I could possibly miss years out of my life Above?"

Didymus nodded, "Regretfully yes."

"What would happen if I tried to leave before then?"

"You would not be able to pass through the veil between worlds, except in the case of a wished away. But within thirteen hours you would be pulled back if you did not come of your own accord. It is your mastery of magic that allows you to control leaving here and remaining away."

"Lovely. I really am not seeing any pros of accepting the crown, except this world not ending. Which if I was more hard-hearted, this wouldn't even be up for debate which choice I would pick."

"There is a reason you were fated to be Goblin Queen, my Lady. Having a just heart is but one of them."

Madison let that sink in for a moment, then, "How about clothing? Would I be required to always dress up?"

"On a normal basis, you can choose what you would like to wear while you are here. Only when you are formally receiving emissaries from other Kingdoms would you need to, as you say, dress up."

"Does that mean those big poufy dresses?"

"Not necessarily. You can choose slimmer styles as long as they are more formal."

Madison nodded and started slowly pacing the room.

After a few moments, Sir Didymus added, "Do not forget my lady, you do have the option of ruling without Jareth. You could find someone else in the future to marry and produce heirs. He left that open for you by choosing the path he did in regards to your run."

"Yeah.. that's definitely true. For all his faults though, he does have a lot of experience ruling this Kingdom already and if he could learn to be less of an ass, I'm sure his knowledge would help me a lot. Until I can be a competent ruler on my own, what would happen with this place without him?"

"A valid point. It is rather a unique situation. You could also choose not to marry him but keep him on as an advisor to the throne. He would still be mortal, but would age quite slower Underground."

"Could he come with me on wished away calls?"

"He could, though he would be very limited Above. But he could guide you as needed."

She glanced at the former Fae to see how he took this new information. He had his eyes narrowed at Didymus, but turned his stare on her and raised an eyebrow.

"If we unmute you, can you be civilized?" she addressed him.

He continued glaring for a moment, then reluctantly nodded his head.

"Sir Didymus, if you please?"

"Of course, my Lady," he slightly bowed, then waved a paw.

"Thank you. Now Jareth, you've heard my options. Obviously you would want to marry me so you could be King and immortal again?"

He cleared his throat, massaging it with a gloved hand, "Ideally, yes."

"Didymus, what if I chose not to marry him and keep him as an advisor, could I change my mind later if I decided he was marriage material?"

"Possibly. You would be on more of a restricted timeline as with him being mortal, he would eventually die. So you would need to make that decision sooner rather than later."

"I figured as much," she paused, then looked to the slender male, "Would you accept the position as my advisor if that's what I choose?"

"While this is not agreeable to me, I can't see this Kingdom be run into the ground by an inept Queen. So yes, I would suffer no longer being King but still able to make sure this Labyrinth is ruled correctly."

Madison almost said something about his promise to act civil, but she figured that was as close as he could come to that. He didn't exactly insult her. She would be an incompetent Queen without guidance from someone who already had the experience of ruling this Kingdom.

"Ok then... I think I need some time alone. This is a lot to take in."

"Indeed, I am sure it is a great shock. We shall take our leave for a short while and allow you to collect your thoughts. This decision isn't one to be made in haste."

Jareth looked like he was going to object, but in the end he allowed Didymus to urge him from the room.

Madison paced the room, finally realizing her bag had been lost a long time ago when she had reached for it, wanting something to occupy her hands while her mind was in a whirlwind. She had been a bit distracted as of late. Though perhaps she could ask Didymus to find it since it was probably at that bar where Hoggle was coerced into helping drug her by the cheating former King. She couldn't blame him too much. He said himself he was a coward and now that she knew a subject could be forced to do something if the King or Queen issued it with the force of a command, or in Jareth's case he probably infused his demand with magic. Hoggle didn't stand a chance.

She had been slowly working through the memories of her first run. She had pushed them aside earlier during her conversation with Didymus and Jareth, it was all too overwhelming. She was also left with even more questions and in need of more answers.

A/N - Tada! Another update only a week later, what sorcery is this? I also have the next chapter 3/4 or so done. I am on a roll. Not sure how much longer this will last. I suspect once my work picks back up, I won't have much time like I do now.

*Special shout out to LFFL, they really helped me with a certain phrase that I spent days agonizing over. I couldn't think of just the right wording. Everything was just slightly off. But with LFFL hivemind throwing me suggestions, I was able to piece together the correct sentence I was looking for.