*CW: Mature Content (Sexual)
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Sarah asked Jareth as they walked through Rhihart's castle. It had been a few hours since they had bid farewell to Toby and Inara as they set off for Inara's home of Lefalin in the Sylvan Forest.
"I'm sure of it, Cariad," Jareth reassured. "They took a portal to minimize travel time, and they have Palath as well as a few of Palath's regiment with them. They will be fine. In fact, they're probably having tea with Queen Ioelena as we speak."
Sarah sighed. "You're probably right. I just worry. You know I don't have very good memories of that place."
"I know," he stopped them in the middle of the hallway and turned to face her, holding both her hands in his. "But it is safer now. Ronsyth has been imprisoned and stripped of his titles. He can't hurt your brother. That and Toby is traveling with the second highest ranking noble of the Sylvan Forest. If that does not afford him some small measure of protection, then I do not know what will. Besides, can you imagine anyone trying to go against the Lady of the Labyrinth after what happened last time?"
"Okay, you don't have to get snarky with me."
"Moi? Would I do that?" He asked with wide eyes and a gloved hand pressed to his chest in shock.
She punched his upper arm lightly. "Yes, you would."
He grabbed his arm where she had punched and his eyes rolled back in his head as he swayed slightly. "Oh! My Lady wounds me!"
She laughed and leaned over to press a kiss to his arm. "There, all better?"
He dropped his wounded act and cast her a side eye. "I can think of someplace else you can kiss to make it all better," he grinned and waggled his eyebrows.
"Jareth! Not in public!"
"You ruin my fun," he pouted.
She giggled and pulled on his hand, leading him down the hallway and into a small supply room. She quickly locked the door and pulled the Goblin King close, fisting her hands into his jacket, before pressing her lips to his. He moaned and pressed back, trying to take the lead in the kiss, but she wouldn't let him. After a minute, they broke apart to gasp in air. "Am I ruining your fun now?" she asked in a cocky tone.
"Depends on what you do next," he smirked.
Sarah grinned back and leaned into him again, pressing him back against a sturdy table holding a few odds and ends. She made sure every inch of her was pressed against him before slowly sliding down his body and landing on her knees in front of him. "Will this do, your Majesty?" Jareth groaned, unable to speak, his head falling back.
Thirty minutes later, the two stumbled from the closet hand in hand, clothes rumpled and silly grins on their faces. In the corridor, a fae manservant with rosy red cheeks stood waiting. "Pardon your Majesties, but King Rhihart requested your presence in his study." He bowed and quickly walked away.
Sarah giggled and turned bright red. "How long do you think he was standing there."
"Long enough to know exactly what we were doing, I would guess," he replied. His normally pale features were also tinged pink. "Come, I imagine my brother has something important to share, else he would've waited till dinner in a couple of hours." Sarah nodded and followed him through the halls and towards Rhihart's study.
When they arrived, it was to find Rhihart sitting behind his desk and reading one of the books they had brought back from Cathair na Solais. "There you are! I sent a messenger to fetch you ages ago!"
Both Sarah and Jareth blushed, but did not elaborate on why it took so long. "What have you found out, Rhihart?" Jareth asked.
"This, right here," he pointed at a passage in the book.
Jareth and Sarah walked over and looked at the passage. It was written in an older Aos Si dialect that Sarah couldn't understand, but the two brothers could. "Does this say what I think it says?" Jareth asked after a minute.
"Someone want to enlighten me?" Sarah crossed her arms over her chest.
"Sorry, dear," Jareth apologized. He picked up the book to better read it. "According to this, there is, or was, a temple dedicated to the Labyrinth along the western edge of the Ruanaidh Sea. It was run by a group of devotees to the Labyrinth from a mixture of races and kingdoms. They celebrated the Labyrinth's power and offered prayers to her. The Lady of the Labyrinth was essentially the head of their order and the first Lady of the Labyrinth is supposedly buried there. She used to be one of the novices at the temple, but then was chosen by the Labyrinth and the Keeper of the Gate."
"This definitely sounds like something we should check out. There could be more information about her and other former Ladies of the Labyrinth. Where is the Ruanaidh Sea?"
"It's east of the Goblin Kingdom forming the eastern boarder," Jareth answered as he set the book down. "We could investigate the temple while we wait for the reconnaissance team?"
Sarah nodded. "Do you know where the temple is? Is it still occupied?"
"I have never been there," he admitted. "In fact, I did not know of its existence until just now. The order that lived in it is no longer active, or at least I have never heard of them. Have you?" he turned to ask his brother.
Rhihart shook his head. "No, I haven't."
"Then I guess we'll have to explore a bit," Jareth smiled at Sarah.
"We'd better get moving then," Sarah replied. "I'd like to be back before the reconnaissance team returns."
"I'll send word to have horses and supplies readied for you," Rhihart offered. "They should be available within the hour."
"Thank you, Rhihart," Sarah smiled at her brother-in-law. With that, she and Jareth hurried back to their rooms to change into clothing more appropriate for travel. Jareth also took the chance to send a message off to Freyr, asking him to look into the records in the Goblin Kingdom for mention of the temple dedicated to the Labyrinth. Surely if they worshiped the Labyrinth, there would be something written of them somewhere? By the time they were finished, horses with loaded saddlebags stood waiting for them. They wished goodbye to Rhihart and then led their mounts through the portal Jareth had made.
They stepped through the portal to be greeted by gently rolling waves and a soft wind blowing through dune grass. As far as they could see in one direction was wide open water. Expansive prairie with tall grass and the occasional tree was behind them. "Where are we?" Sarah asked.
"This is the beach that my parents would take us to occasionally for a short holiday," he replied, a nostalgic faraway look in his eyes. He shook his head then and focused back on Sarah. "The Ruaniadh Sea is rather large and all we know for certain is that the temple was on the western shore. We are currently on the southwestern shore."
"So we need to work our way north," Sarah looked around, noting the position of the sun and determined that north was to their left. "Come on then, we'd better get started."
"Actually," Jareth called her back. "I was thinking that I would fly ahead. I can cover more ground flying and my eyes are much sharper as an owl."
"Oh! Yeah, that would speed things up a bit."
"You don't mind riding alone for a time?"
"No, of course not. I'll be fine."
He smiled and reached over to grab her hand. He pressed a kiss to the back of it. "For luck," he said, then he dismounted. However before he could turn into an owl, Sarah pulled him back and leaned down in her saddle, pressing her lips firmly against his, her fingers tangled in his long hair. He let out a soft surprised moan before she pulled away with a smirk.
"That is how you give a lucky goodbye kiss," she said before letting go of his hair.
"Remind me to ravage you completely when I get back," he replied, his pupils wide and his voice slightly deeper.
She laughed and pushed at his shoulder. "Get going. We need to find this place before it gets dark." Jareth smirked, but did as she said and transformed into an owl. He leaped into the air, powerful wings flapping to gain altitude. Soon, he was a small speck in the sky. Sarah sighed and took a drink of water to calm herself. The lustful feelings Jareth had felt with her kiss had easily traversed the bond between them and made her feel the same. She was going to have to remember that for next time. Gathering up the reins of Jareth's horse, she turned the horses left to follow the shoreline.
She rode alone for a couple of hours, remaining vigilant the entire time. She wasn't too worried about the sea, but one never knew in a magical world, so she glanced out over it occasionally. Mostly she kept an eye on the prairie to her left and on the direction Jareth had gone. He'd disappeared from view shortly after flying off. To pass the time, Sarah sang to herself. There were a few 80s pop songs that she knew all the words to, but even still there was only so many times you could sing Pat Benetar's Hit Me With Your Best Shot before you got bored. She was about half way through mentally decorating a hypothetical beach house along the Ruanaidh Sea room by room when she spotted a large bird up ahead. Nudging the horses to go a bit faster, she was able to confirm it was Jareth as he swooped closer.
He circled down and finally landed on the ground before transforming back. "It's about another twenty kilometers ahead," he reported once he had a mouth again. He mounted up and took the reins from Sarah.
"What did it look like? Was there anyone there?" she asked as they started forward again.
He shook his head. "No, it looked like it had been long abandoned. Parts of it were breaking down and I could see holes in the roof. I didn't explore too far, just enough to confirm that it was the temple the book spoke of before coming back."
Sarah nodded. "Could you do a portal to get us there? Otherwise it will take another couple hours of riding at least."
"Yes, I have physically been there now, so it should be no problem. Though I am going to open the portal a few hundred feet away from the temple just in case. We don't know what or who might be living there now that it's abandoned."
"Wise precaution," Sarah nodded and waited for him to create the portal. A moment later, they were looking up a gentle slope filled with tall grass towards a huge temple complex. A crumbling stone wall surrounded the grounds with a large open gate area to allow people in and out. Sarah and Jareth cautiously approached the broken gate and passed through. Inside the grounds, there were several smaller buildings that may have served as storage. However the main building was gigantic! It was made of large stone blocks that almost had a reddish hue to them and vines with blooming flowers covered the southern and western walls. Some of the windows were broken and the roof was caving in in spots, but otherwise it looked sound.
The royal couple dismounted their horses once they got to the front doors and left the animals tied loosely to a nearby tree. A large wooden door with metal in the shape of vines and filigree bound the wood together. Jareth pushed it open, having to put his whole body weight into it. It groaned and creaked loudly. "So much for stealth," Sarah muttered.
"I doubt anyone is here, but best be ready," Jareth replied, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Sarah nodded and gripped the staff she'd brought with tighter. They advanced farther into the temple past the grand entrance hall and into the smaller hallways and rooms. They found a cavernous feasting hall and kitchens on the main floor along with a sanctuary where the order must have prayed. On the upper floor, they found smaller individual rooms for sleeping and offices. They also found a decent sized library. Nothing like the grand one back in Cathair na Solais, but still impressive. Dust covered every surface and it looked like some of the shelves had been emptied when the order left or dissolved. However there was still plenty to look through. "Here," Jareth said reaching out to hand her something. Sarah looked down to see a flat rectangular prism held in the palm of his gloved hand.
"What's this?" she asked, taking the item.
"I cast a translation spell on it so you can read whatever you find."
"Thank you," she smiled at him. "I suppose we should get started then?"
He sighed and nodded. "I much prefer leaving research to those more suited for it, but needs must."
"Oh how noble of you, Sire," she mocked, rolling her eyes.
"Are you making fun of me?" he turned to face her.
"I would never," she feigned shock.
He smirked and stalked towards her. "I should show you what happens to those who mock the king," he said in a low voice. Sarah scurried backwards until the backs of her thighs hit a table. Jareth kept advancing on her with a smirk and a gleam in his eye.
However just as he was reaching out to pull her towards him they heard a crash nearby! A large dust cloud flew up into the air behind a nearby bookshelf and both Sarah and Jareth jumped. They stared at the spot the crash had come from for a moment, waiting to see if anything else would happen. They could hear rustling come from behind the tall shelf and slowly, they began to move towards it. Jareth drew his sword and Sarah held her staff at the ready. Upon peeking around the corner they saw only a pile of books that had fallen from one of the upper shelves. Jareth motioned for Sarah to wait for him, she nodded and kept an eye on their surroundings. The rustling sound was coming from beneath the large pile of books. Jareth approached it with caution. He used his sword to push aside a few books.
Just as he reached back to move more books, a small humanoid creature that appeared to be made of twigs burst out from the pile and leapt toward him! He staggered back as the small creature climbed up his front and over his shoulder to leap for the bookcase behind him. Once there, the creature threw several books at Jareth. It then climbed to the top of the bookshelf and began shaking it's little twig fist at them and chittering like a squirrel. Twigs sticking out of the top of its head gave it the appearance of having antlers, and there was what looked like moss on it in places.
Sarah rushed forward and pulled Jareth away. "What in the world is that?!" she exclaimed.
Jareth, rubbing his sore head where a thick tome had caught him, looked up and frowned. "That is a spriggan, my dear. They usually hang around old ruins, cairns, and barrows guarding buried treasure."
The spriggan was still chittering at them and looked like it might start throwing books at them again. "Can they understand us?" she asked quietly.
"They might. Spriggans have a language all their own, but many learn other languages too." He shrugged.
Sarah cautiously stepped forward holding up her hands peacefully. "We're not here to hurt you," she said calmly. "And we don't want your treasure. We're just here to look, okay?"
The spriggan grumbled, but stopped chittering. They move closer to her, eyeing her suspiciously. "Whatchoo want 'ere?" they said in a high pitched voice that had almost a Cornish accent. "This is my 'ome! Mine!"
"We didn't know," Sarah replied. "And we apologize for entering without permission. We thought no one lived here anymore."
They eyed her for a second before moving forward a little more. "You leave? Now?" they asked.
Sarah nodded. "We will leave as soon as we find what we came for."
"MINE! ALL MINE!" They jumped up and down as they said this and reached for another book to throw.
"Wait! We don't want your things. We just want to look at it! Would that be okay?"
They calmed and finally nodded after a few tense seconds. "You tell me whatchoo lookin' for an' I 'elp. Then you leave!"
Sarah nodded and lowered her hands to her sides. "Deal. Now, we're looking for information on the Lady of the Labyrinth. Would you happen to know where it might be? We know the First Lady was from here."
"Lady o' the Labyrinth?" Their green eyes widened and they jumped up and down again. "I knows where she is! Follow! Follow Pip!" With that, the spriggan leaped off of the tall bookshelf onto Sarah's shoulder then scurried down her side until they reached the book strewn floor. They ran down the isle and disappeared.
"Quick!" Sarah gave chase, trying to keep up, and Jareth followed after her. They raced off after the spriggan, dodging around corners and leaping over fallen rubble!
"COME! COME! FOLLOW!" Pip shouted out as they ran, their voice echoing down the deserted corridors.
Eventually they reached a large chamber with tombs. Most were in the walls with marble plaques denoting who rested there, but there were also several large above ground tombs in the room. One in the middle stood out from the others. It was carved entirely from white marble and had the most magnificent tomb effigy that Sarah had ever seen. It was the body of a woman lying in repose. She was dressed in magnificent long robes with her hands resting on her stomach holding a single marble rose. Long hair framed her face and a simple circlet denoted a position of some rank. Aside from the magnificently carved figure, vines with leaves and roses had been added so she looked to be resting on top of them.
Pip had jumped up on top of the tomb and was jumping up and down on the woman's legs. "You search 'ere! This is Lady!" they said.
Sarah's eyes widened as she moved closer. "This is the first Lady of the Labyrinth?"
"Yep yep!"
Jareth moved up beside her and rested a hand on her waist. "The inscription below her says her name was Ríoghnach den Ghleann. It also has an epitaph that translates as From Above she came, gentle as a summer breeze, to become one with the Spirit and humbly rule beside her beloved, Arawn, bringing tranquility and prosperity. May she ever rest in peace."
Sarah's brow furrowed in thought. "From Above she came?" she quoted the first part of the epitaph. "What does that mean?"
Jareth looked at the inscription again. "Above is capitalized, so I would assume it means she was from the Aboveworld."
"The first Lady was from the Aboveworld?" her eyes widened and she looked down at the first Lady's marble face. "But I swear the Labyrinth told me she had never had a mortal Lady before?"
"Perhaps she hasn't?" Jareth stroked his chin as he thought. "Humans who stay in the Underground tend to soak up magic like a sponge. That includes a longer lifespan."
Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense."
"Yes, I would expect you to continue to change the longer you stay in the Underground as well," he remarked.
"What do you mean? What kind of changes?"
"Well, I would expect you to become more fae like, given that we've soul bonded. As I said before, we each take on something from the other."
"What have you taken on from me, then?" she smiled.
He shrugged. "I am not entirely certain yet. It could be that it has not manifested yet because we've only been bonded for a short time."
Sarah nodded, trying to figure out what qualities she may have taken on from her new husband. "So the first Lady of the Labyrinth was brought to the Underground and then lived here? Was there a Goblin King at the time? Would she have been a wished away?" she finally asked, getting back on topic after a moment.
"No, there was no Goblin King at the time. However the goblins still stole children, as did pixies, spriggans, fae, elves…" he trailed off with a frown. "Let's just say it was a common occurrence at the time."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. "I wonder why she was chosen? And was her beloved, Arawn, the first Goblin King? Or the first Keeper of the Gate?"
"The name Arawan does ring a bell," he replied. "Actually, I believe that is the name the Welsh in your world used for their God of the Underworld."
"Huh… A possible King of the Underground having the same name as an Aboveworld God of the Underworld? That can't be a coincidence!"
"I agree. It does seem likely that the two are connected."
At this point, Pip let out a long sigh and called their attention. "You two dummies! Lookie 'ere!" at this, they walked to the feet of the statue and pointed to a section of marble. They leaned over and pressed their small hand to a small section of stone resulting in a soft click. There was suddenly a line in the stone indicating a hidden door at the feet of the effigy. "Lookie in 'ere! You find what you need an' go away!"
Sarah pulled the small door open to find a leatherbound book. She pulled it out carefully. The cover was decorated in vines along the edges and a single rose in bloom in the middle, a sign she was quickly coming to realize may be the insignia of the first Lady. Setting the book on the legs of the effigy, she opened it to see the pages were filled in with a delicate script. However it didn't look like Aos Si. "What language is this?" she asked Jareth.
He leaned closer to examine the writing. "Looks like an old dialect of Gaeilge. The first page says that it is the personal journal of Lady Ríoghnach den Ghleann."
"Personal journal?" she looked up at the spriggan then who looked proud to have shown them the secret of the effigy. "Um, I know we promised not to take anything, but would you mind terribly if we borrowed this?" she asked.
"MINE!" they shouted and tried to leap at her. However Jareth moved quickly to form a crystal sphere around the creature. "MINE! MINE!" They kept shouting as they pounded their fists against the sphere.
"I'm sorry, Pip!" Sarah apologized. "But I need to understand the first Lady. I need to understand why she was so important and how my role works here in the Underground!"
The little spriggan suddenly stopped shouting and pounding against the crystal, staring at her. "You new Lady?" they asked.
Sarah nodded after a second. "Yes? I'm the new Lady of the Labyrinth."
"Why you dunnae say so!?" Pip crossed their arms over their chest. "Let me out of 'ere, fae man," they grumbled at Jareth.
"You won't attack us?"
They rolled their little eyes and sighed. "No. I no' attack."
Jareth studied them for a second then nodded and dissolved the crystal. "That's Goblin King to you," he grumbled.
Pip ignored him though. "Come, come! I need show you." They said as they hopped down from the tomb effigy and raced for the door.
Once again, Sarah and Jareth chased after them. They ran through the corridors taking several turns and going up a set of narrow stairs before finding themselves in front of a plain wooden door. Pip slipped through the crack under the door. Sarah tried to turn the handle, but it was locked. However a moment later, a heavy brass key came sliding out from under the door. "COME, COME!" Pip shouted from the other side.
She crouched down and picked up the key before inserting it into the lock. A loud click could be heard as she turned it. Upon opening the door, Sarah and Jareth found a large circular room with tall narrow grottos carved into the walls. Marble statues filled each grotto. The room stretched up nearly twenty feet all the way to the huge glass dome that they had seen from the outside. Several glass panes had fallen over the years leaving holes for rain and things to get in. However there were no glass shards on the stone floor. There were vines and plants that had managed to get in and take root though. The vines were well cared for and arched up and over each opening in the wall, framing the statues.
Pip was standing beside one statue in particular. They had crawled up to sit on her shoulder, and once Sarah looked, the face was very familiar. It was a statue of the first Lady of the Labyrinth. "Are these… all Ladies of the Labyrinth?" she asked in awe, turning slowly to look at all of the grottos stretching up to the glass dome. There were some that were not filled yet towards the top.
"Yep yep! All Ladies in 'ere!" Pip nodded. "You be in 'ere someday too!" They pointed up towards one of the empty grottos.
"But, who does this? Who takes care of it?"
"Labyrinth do it. Pip takes care!" they exclaimed proudly.
"Even though no one lives here? When was the last time someone came here, Pip?"
"Long time ago. Last Lady came 'ere lots, but not for long time now."
At this, Jareth's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open a little. "My mother came here?" he asked quietly. "She never mentioned this place."
"All Ladies come 'ere sometime," Pip shrugged as if this answered him. He climbed over to another statue and rested on her shoulder. "Some come lots, some come little. This is 'er. This is last Lady."
Jareth moved closer and stared with wide eyes at the figure. She had sharp cheekbones and a narrow face. However her eyes were soft and very familiar. Sarah moved to stand behind Jareth and rested a hand on his shoulder. "This is your mother?"
He nodded as he reached out to touch the statue's hands that were clasped together in front of her, holding a stone rose. "Yes," he said quietly. "It has been many long years since I have seen her."
They were quiet for a moment longer as Jareth simply stared at his mother's face. He murmured something in Gaeilge, a soft chant of some kind that sounded like a prayer. When he was done, he turned back to face Sarah. He took in a deep breath then let it back out. "You okay?" she asked, rubbing his arms.
"Yes," he nodded, giving her a small smile.
She returned the smile before turning back to Pip. "How long have you been taking care of this place?" Sarah asked.
"Oh long long time! Pip been 'ere since she was Lady," they pointed at the first Lady.
"What?! How old to spriggans get?" Sarah asked incredulously.
"Very old," Jareth replied. "From what I remember, they can spend long periods of time in a hibernation state. They are almost pure magical creatures, Sarah. Though I am surprised that Pip has been here since the first Lady of the Labyrinth. That's quite a lengthy time."
"Fae man right. Spriggans live long time. All magic!"
Jareth frowned and muttered, "Goblin King."
Pip ignored him again and continued on, "Ladies come 'ere for learnin'. Come 'ere for peace. Pip 'elp them all!" They eyed Jareth for a couple seconds then muttered, "Not usually bringin' fae mans though."
Sarah snickered at Jareth's annoyed expression. "Thank you, Pip. I really appreciate you showing us this. Would it be alright if I borrow this and bring it back?" She held up the journal.
"Lady can borrow, but needa bring back to Pip!"
"Of course! I will do that as soon as I am able." With that, they began making their way back down to the main floor. Now that they knew where this place was, they could come back any time for more information. Sarah certainly planned on visiting as soon as possible. For now though, the journal of the first Lady of the Labyrinth would do.
They had made it out to their horses and were about to climb on when a crystal sparrow landed on the pommel of Jareth's saddle. Sarah stared at it with wide eyes, especially when Rhihart's voice came out of it. "Jareth, Sarah, you must return as soon as you receive this message! I have urgent news! Come at once!" The little crystal bird burst into a million little pieces once it had finished its message, the crystal turning into dust.
Jareth quickly mounted up and turned his horse towards the road. "Come, we must move quickly," he said as he began the spell to create a portal.
"Do you think it has to do with Toby? Or the reconnaissance team?" Sarah asked as she too mounted her horse.
"I don't know, but I suspect the later. If it had to do with Toby, he probably would have mentioned the lad."
Sarah nodded, feeling slightly relieved. Once the portal was created, they urged their horses through and stepped out into the central gardens of Rhihart's castle. A passing servant ogled them, surprised at their sudden appearance. "Have someone fetch these horses and return them to the stable," Jareth ordered. "And have the items in the saddle bags put in my private rooms."
"At once, your Majesty," she curtsied then rushed off to do as bid.
Sarah and Jareth wasted no time as they hurried through the halls towards Rhihart's study. They hoped nothing bad had happened, but given their track record so far, they didn't hold out much hope.