Author's Note: Oofda... I sincerely apologize for not updating sooner. I had a lot going on this past week. HOWEVER! I am uploading the last three chapters for you all at once. Hope you enjoy!
Sarah and Jareth rushed towards King Rhihart's study where they thought he would be. They had just returned from the temple on the edge of the Ruanaidh Sea after being urgently summoned by Rhihart. Upon arriving at his study, they found him anxiously pacing the floor while General Ardal stood nearby. The General's face showed no emotion, but his tail flicked back and forth quickly. "Brother," Jareth announced their presence. "What news do you have?"
Rhihart stopped pacing and looked up. "Thank goodness you're here. We received word back from the reconnaissance team. They can confirm that Lady Keelin is responsible for the attacks against your family, Sarah."
Sarah's face turned white at the news. "All of the attacks? How can they be sure?"
"Because," General Ardal explained. "The reconnaissance team was able to infiltrate Lady Keelin's castle and found all of her plans and ravings written out, at times in something other than ink." He frowned as he spoke, a disturbed look crossing his face.
"That seems remarkably convenient," Sarah commented.
"It seems that she's been planning something like this for a while," he continued. "And your becoming Lady of the Labyrinth seemed to ignite her plans."
"It's my fault?" Sarah said quietly, staring with wide eyes. "It's my fault my father and Karen are dead?"
Jareth moved up behind her and tightly grasped her upper arms, anchoring her. "Of course not, Cariad!" he said quietly next to her ear. "You cannot be blamed for the mad ravings or actions of this wretched woman."
"Your Majesty," General Ardal said. "I did not mean to impart blame on you. I was merely stating facts. Judging from the reports my scouts sent me, this woman truly is mad, but her actions are her own. She would have acted against King Jareth eventually even without you in his life."
Sarah looked up at the centaur. Her face was pale and her eyes watery. Leaning back against Jareth, she took a deep breath and nodded. "Did your team find her in the castle?" she asked.
General Ardal studied her for a short moment before shaking his head. "No. It seems she vacated it recently. However the team did find evidence that she had been working on a spell of some sort. It appeared to be something to do with memory, judging by the incantations. However none of the team are spellcasters, so they couldn't be sure."
"Memory?" Jareth commented. "What will she do with that?"
"And where did she go?" Sarah added.
"We are uncertain where she went. However there were some crudely drawn diagrams of what appeared to be the Labyrinth," General Ardal replied.
Sarah's eyes widened as she looked at Jareth. "Is it possible to cast a memory spell on the Labyrinth?"
Jareth frowned in thought. "Anything is possible, I suppose. However the Labyrinth is an ancient being with powers very different from anything else in the Underground." He looked up at his brother. "This Lady Keelin, we believe her to be a half fae, half human daughter of our father. Is it even possible for her to have enough power to overcome the Labyrinth?"
Rhihart shook his head. "I don't know. The problem with hybrids of this nature is that their powers are unpredictable. They could have immense power on the same level as a full fae, or nothing at all."
Sarah nodded in agreement. "Yes, the man we met in Galway, Tadgh, was also a child of Bellanus. He had limited powers of persuasion, but little else."
"A good example," Rhihart nodded. "It is also entirely possible that she is receiving help with her powers in some way. There are potions and the like that can enhance powers, though they often come at a steep price."
"She could also have contacted the UnSeelie like Bronwyn," Jareth pointed out.
"This is all very interesting to speculate about," Sarah said. "But shouldn't we go to the Labyrinth? It seems to me that that's the most likely place she'd be going. Even if her memory spell fails, we might have a chance to catch her."
"Her Majesty is correct," General Ardal agreed. "We must leave for the Labyrinth as soon as we can."
Rhihart nodded. "Of course. Gather a contingent of your best soldiers, General. A dozen should do, I would think. And perhaps include some spellcasters just in case they are needed."
"Yes, your Majesty," General Ardal bowed then left to do as bid.
"I think we had best make preparations to leave too," Jareth said once the centaur had left.
"Agreed," Rhihart nodded. "I will stay here and await you. Send word once you have captured her. And don't hesitate to ask for additional reinforcements." He clapped his brother on the shoulder.
Jareth returned the gesture and nodded. "Thank you." He turned to Sarah and grabbed her hand, leading the way out of the King's study and towards their suite of rooms to gather what they would need for the journey.
An hour later, Sarah and Jareth had changed cleaned up from their earlier travels and were ready to leave again. They met General Ardal's contingent of fighters led by a centaur captain named Kapheus. There were an even amount of centaur fighters and fae spellcasters ready to go. Jareth briefly addressed them about what to expect before opening a portal with the help of one of the other spellcasters. Everyone marched through and found themselves outside the gates of the Labyrinth. As soon as Sarah walked through the portal, she sucked in a deep breath and gasped as pain lanced through her chest. It felt almost as though someone had stabbed her. She doubled over, clutching her arms tightly around her.
"Sarah!" Jareth rushed to her side. "What's wrong?" his eyes searched her for signs of a wound, but found nothing.
She sucked in several ragged breaths before straightening again. "It's the Labyrinth. Something is wrong. I think whatever Lady Keelin is doing, she's started it."
Jareth's eyes widened for a moment, but then his features hardened as he turned to the rest of the contingent. "We must make haste."
Despite the pain still radiating through her, Sarah led the way. As Lady of the Labyrinth, she was able to make the walls of the maze literally jump aside for her, making their journey significantly shorter. Jareth helped support her and Captain Kapheus kept the troops together. "This way," she said as they reached the inner hedge maze. "I can feel the Labyrinth pulling me in this direction."
Jareth nodded and signaled to the troops what direction they were going. Eventually, they found themselves in the courtyard that led to the heart of the Labyrinth. The gapping hole in the ground was just as intimidating as the first time Sarah visited it. "Perhaps she hasn't gotten to the heart yet?" Jareth suggested. "She's not keyed to any of the Labyrinth's defences."
Sarah shook her head. "No, I don't know how, but I can tell she's managed to break through."
Jareth turned to Captain Kapheus. "Captain, it appears that Lady Keelin has made it to the heart of the Labyrinth. I'm afraid your soldiers will not be able to follow very far."
"Perhaps the spellcasters could?" Kapheus asked.
"Perhaps? We don't know how she has broken through. Spellcasters might be able to follow."
"Then I shall send them with you. I will keep my centaur fighters aboveground to guard the opening and send word if needed."
"Thank you, Captain." Jareth nodded and returned to Sarah. The six spellcasters followed and, impressively, didn't even flinch when Sarah and Jareth jumped into the pit.
Just the same as last time, the magic of the Labyrinth slowed them once they reached the bottom. They landed gently on the grassy ground. However the lights that lined the tunnel were flickering and the grass looked wilted. "We need to hurry." Sarah said before stumbling down the grassy tunnel. The others followed with no resistance from the usual barriers that had hindered Sarah and Jareth before. As they ran, they could hear someone chanting ahead. The chanting grew louder as they drew closer and once they had rounded the last curve, they could see a woman standing before the double helix black and white stone towers of the heart of the Labyrinth. She continued to chant in an unknown language. Another surge of pain lanced through Sarah. She gasped, and suddenly rage filled her. "This is my Labyrinth!" she growled under her breath.
Faster than ever before, she gathered magic into a crystal sphere in her hands. It crackled and sparked ominously before she reared back and threw it at the woman's back. It hit dead center between her shoulders and the woman screamed as magical energy consumed her. She stopped chanting and spun around to glare at her attackers. "You," she growled, baring her teeth. Her contorted face was familiar. Sarah could see a slight resemblance to Jareth and Rhihart. However the evil glare in her eyes was nothing like the half brothers and sent chills down Sarah's spine.
"Step away," Sarah ordered.
Jareth stayed by her side, but the six spellcasters who had come with them slowly entered the chamber and spread out, all ready to fight the woman. She eyed them all before turning back to Sarah and Jareth. "Pathetic," she muttered before lifting both hands and shouting something in Gaeilge. All at once, vines burst from the ground towards each of the spellcasters and Jareth! They wrapped around each of them tightly, locking their hands together and pinning them against the walls of the chamber.
"Jareth!" Sarah rushed over to try and free him, first using strength and then when that didn't work, magic. However the vines refused to obey her. A soft chuckle from behind her made her spin around and glare at the woman. "What did you do?" she demanded.
"By the looks of things, I've weakened your connection to the Labyrinth, my Lady." She grinned as she slowly dropped her hands to her sides. The spellcasters and Jareth struggled to free themselves, but the vines only held them tighter, covering their mouths and trapping their hands completely.
Sarah felt a bust of panic in her chest and she searched for the Labyrinth inside her. She hid her sigh of relief when she found it though. The connection was weakened, but it was still there, and urging her to fight back. "You think you can win, Lady Keelin? You think you can defeat the Lady of the Labyrinth?"
Lady Keelin smirked. "If you are no longer the Lady of the Labyrinth, then yes. I think I stand a fair chance." As she spoke, she twirled a hand at the wrist and a long dark spear appeared.
Sarah, who only had a small knife in her belt, examined the situation. She had no idea of Lady Keelin's fighting ability, but she did have experience with staffs. She felt that she might be able to get the spear away from her, but she wasn't sure what the cost would be. If only she had something that would give her an advantage? Suddenly an idea came to her. She glared at her opponent and crouched into a fighting stance. "I don't think so, but you're welcome to try," she dared her.
Lady Keelin grinned and swiftly crossed the distance between them, her spear darting forward. Sarah, anticipating the attack, leapt to the side. She needed to know more about Lady Keelin's abilities. She needed to draw her out. Lady Keelin turned to face Sarah again, her spear held in both hands and her face had a manic grin. "Are you scared, Lady Sarah? Will you not face me? Or are you just going to jump around?"
Sarah ignored the taunts and focused on what was left of her connection to the Labyrinth. She could feel the magic flowing through her still and focused it into her hands. Looking up at Lady Keelin, she spoke just one word, "Fás".* Thick vines with sharp thorns burst out of the ground towards Keelin. The half fae jumped back, swinging her spear to fend them off, but several wrapped around her legs. She grimaced as blood was drawn, but did not lose her focus. She closed her eyes, planted the butt of the spear in the ground, and muttered a word in Gaeilge. A second later, a ripple of power expanded outward, blasting the thorny vines away and knocking Sarah back in the process.
Sarah hit the ground hard, her arm scraping against the rough rock wall of the chamber. She sucked in a breath as pain blossomed in her right arm. Looking down, she could see that it had been scraped raw and was bleeding. "We've both drawn blood," Lady Keelin said. "Perhaps I've underestimated you?" She sauntered closer as Sarah scrambled to her feet. "Make no mistake, it won't happen again," she growled before attacking again. A quick series of thrusts and jabs followed.
Sarah managed to dodge them and use her powers to make sharp thorny vines sprout forth from the earth. They shot towards Keelin and tried to wrap around her, but she sliced through them or dodged each time. She thrust again at Sarah, but the Lady of the Labyrinth spun to the side and reached out to grab the shaft of the spear with both hands. She couldn't pull it out of Keelin's grasp, but she now had some leverage over her. "First rule of fighting with a long weapon," Sarah said in the same kind of reprimanding tone her sensei had used on her. "Never let your opponent grab your weapon." With that, she used all of her strength to push the spear back at Keelin. The butt of it hit her abdomen, knocking her off balance and tip backwards. Sarah followed up with a swift kick to the other woman's chest, laying her prone.
She stood over her opponent waiting for her to get up. Keelin coughed as she fought to get her breath back. When she did, she glared up at Sarah and said, "First rule of fighting me, don't expect a fair fight." Before Sarah could react, Keelin swept the spear out in a wide arc and caught her in the leg. The sharp blade on the end sliced through her pant leg and into her skin causing her to gasp out in pain. It wasn't deep, but it was noticeable when she put weight on it and jumped back out of range of the spear.
Keelin regained her feet quickly, a grin back on her face. She didn't give Sarah any time to recover though and swung the spear again. This time, it caught just the edge of Sarah's shirt as she leapt backwards. Keelin kept advancing, driving Sarah back towards the wall. Once Sarah was against the wall, Keelin thrust forward with all her might! However the Lady of the Labyrinth lunged sideways at the last second and the spear skirted along the rock wall, making sparks jump and fly.
Sarah didn't stop moving after she lunged. She used her momentum to roll back to her feet and dodged around the double helix in the center of the chamber until there was plenty of space between her and Keelin. She sucked in a deep breath to calm herself and focused on the magic running through her again. She pictured the wolf in her mind and let the magic flow into that form. Her body tingled as it shifted into the shape in her mind. A moment later, she opened her eyes and saw through the wolf's. Keelin was stalking closer, eyeing her warily now. "Well, it seems that you've found the animal you share an affinity with," she said as she slowly lowered the spear head. "It won't save you though. I will have my birthright. I will be Lady of the Labyrinth."
Sarah growled and lowered her head, her ears flat against her skull. She and Keelin circled each other. The half fae seemed more hesitant of her opponent, and Sarah decided to use this to her advantage. She made a false lunge, making Keelin flinch back. Using that opening, Sarah lunged for real and caught Keelin's arm in her jaws. She clamped down and growled as she thrashed her head from side to side. Keelin screamed in pain and kicked at the wolf. It caught Sarah in the ribs causing her to loosen her grip. Another kick sent her sprawling to the side with a yip. Blood streamed down Keelin's arm, dripping from her fingers.
Keelin advanced on Sarah while she was still down and thrust the spear forward again. Sarah tried to roll away, but the spear caught her side and lodged in between her ribs. She let out a loud strangled howl and jerked away! The spear was pulled out with her sudden movement and blood rapidly stained her fur. A low manic laugh came from Keelin who was clutching the spear in one hand. Her bad arm dangled uselessly at her side continuing to drip blood. "Not as good as you thought you might be, are you?" she slowly moved toward the bleeding and growling wolf. "Are you feeling it yet?"
Sarah growled at her again and tried to move away from the mad woman, but stumbled. Her vision was becoming blurry and her balance was off. Something was wrong, something more than just blood loss. However she continued to growl and snap at Keelin.
The half fae just chuckled as she watched the wolf weave, trying to remain upright. "There it is. Do you know why I favor this spear in particular?" She lowered the spear head so that it was closer to Sarah's face. "It's because the head is pure iron. Do you know what iron does to a fae?"
Sarah felt her stomach drop. She most definitely knew what iron did to a fae. But she wasn't a fae. Why was she feeling this way? Keelin continued to advance. "I know what you're thinking. You're not a fae, how could the iron harm you?" She chuckled again as Sarah stumbled and sat on the ground. "Well, Lady of the Labyrinth, you've been changing. Or hasn't your husband told you that? You may have started as a human, but you are something else entirely now. The Labyrinth has seen to that."
Sarah thought back to what Jareth had said about their soul bond meaning they exchanged qualities with each other. Perhaps the fae weakness to iron was what she had gained from him? She struggled to stand again and growled.
Keelin walked slowly around her, her spear head lowered towards the ground. "You are weak and pathetic! You don't deserve to be the Lady. I was first born of Bellanus. I was supposed to be the Lady of the Labyrinth! But he mistakenly deemed me unworthy." She grimaced at the pain in her arm, but didn't show any other sign that the wound was affecting her. "Perhaps once I kill you and wipe the Labyrinth's memory of you and King Jareth, I will find your brother and kill him too? Or perhaps I will keep you around long enough so that you can see him screaming in pain as I slowly kill him?" She grinned.
Sarah let out a low dangerous growl. The wolf in her was rearing its head and taking over as rage filled her. She let out a loud growling bark and lunged at her opponent. Keelin jerked back and tried to bring her spear up. The head of the spear caught Sarah's side, but slid away without catching, leaving a thin slice on her shoulder. The wolf's jaws locked around Keelin's throat and held tight. She tried to scream, but only a gurgling sound came out. She jerked and thrashed, trying to escape, but only succeeded in tearing open her wounds further.
After a minute she stilled, a blank look glazing over her eyes. Sarah suddenly came back to herself and quickly released the half fae woman, backing away. She stumbled and fell to her side. Jareth and the other spellcasters watched as she slowly changed back to her human form. Blood covered her and she groaned in pain, unable to get back up. Jareth struggled against his bonds. Now that Keelin was dead, they had loosened and he could slip free after some effort. He dropped to the ground and stumbled over to Sarah. A low grade, but persistent pain was spreading through his ribs and leg. The pain didn't belong to him though, and he carefully lifted Sarah's shirt to see her wounds. He bit his lip and grimaced. This wasn't good.
"Quickly," he addressed the spellcasters. "I need at least one of you to send word to Rhihart. We need a healer immediately!"
Two of the spellcasters ran back down the tunnel towards the entrance. The other four moved forward to assist. "Your Majesty," one of them said. "I have some experience with the healing arts, if I may?"
Jareth was about to answer when he was startled by a sudden pain shooting through his head. It was his own pain, but was also magnified by Sarah. They were both experiencing it. He had an urge to move closer to the double helix stones in the middle of the chamber. "Help me," he grunted as the pain continued. "Help me move her closer to the stones."
Two of the spellcasters quickly helped to lift her, and one helped Jareth. Once they were close enough, Jareth grabbed Sarah's left hand and placed it on the black stone at the same time that he placed his right on the white stone. A jolt of energy flashed through them both, but Jareth kept their hands pressed against the stones. His headache slowly melted away and he could feel energy and vitality filling him. A minute or so later, another jolt of energy burst through them, this time throwing them back.
Jareth and Sarah lay sprawled on their backs near the stones while the spellcasters had been thrown back farther. He groaned as he raised his head to look over at his wife. Vines were emerging from the ground and slowly propping her up and wrapping around her. He watched in awe as they created a sort of bed for her. White flowers sprouted from the vines and a golden glow emerged from between them. He moved closer, one hand coming up to gently brush the dark hair away from her face.
One of the spellcasters also approached, but was stopped by a transparent barricade about three feet away. "Your Majesty," he called out.
Jareth looked back over his shoulder to see the fae. He frowned and rose to his feet. Approaching the barrier, he cautiously reached out a hand to touch it. It easily slid through and was able to be retracted back in. "I think the Labyrinth has erected barriers against anyone who is not me or the Lady of the Labyrinth," he stated.
The spellcaster nodded. "I had assumed so. What would you like us to do, your Majesty?"
"Has Rhihart responded yet?"
"Nay, without the Lady of the Labyrinth to help us get through the maze, it will take longer for reinforcements to come. If you would like, I will make sure provisions are brought to you and your lady. Given the nature of her wounds, I assume she will be healing under the Labyrinth's supervision for some time yet. Even with the power of the Labyrinth, iron poisoning is not easily overcome."
Jareth nodded. "I would appreciate that." He looked over to where Lady Keelin lay dead on the ground. Vines had started to cover her as well, but there was no familiar golden healing light coming from them. He moved closer to see what was happening. The spellcaster took notice too and followed. The vines were slowly covering her entire body and starting to pull it below ground. The entire process took about five minutes more, and when it was done, there was nothing left but fresh dirt. However that was covered up a moment later when grass sprouted and covered the patch.
The spellcaster looked over at Jareth with wide eyes. "I can not say I have ever witnessed such a thing," he said in a quite voice.
"Nor I," Jareth agreed. "Perhaps the Labyrinth is taking its own vengeance against her?"
"Remind me never to make her or your Lady angry."
"Agreed," Jareth looked back over to see that nothing had changed with Sarah. He sighed and conjured a cushioned armchair to sit beside her. "Tell Freyr that I would like to speak with him," he said as he sat. "And then please send a message to my brother that everything has been taken care of and I will be in contact with him once I am able to." He looked at Sarah again, taking in her pale sleeping face illuminated by the golden light coming from the vines. "I do not wish to leave her side until the Labyrinth has finished healing her," he said quietly.
"Yes, your Majesty," the spellcaster bowed. "I shall see to it immediately."
With that, Jareth was left alone. He reached out and grabbed Sarah's hand sticking out from between the vines. It was warmer than usual, but that most likely had to do with the healing magic the Labyrinth was using on her. He squeezed her hand and sighed, a low level ache in his ribs mirrored her injury, but he could already feel a difference and could tell that she was healing. "When you wake, my dear, we are going to have a long conversation about putting yourself in danger. I don't think I could bear even the thought of losing you." He bent over and kissed her forehead. "But for now, heal and rest."