Yes, I know that the Labyrinth / Harry Potter crossover is in full swing. I try to explain everything as much as I can (thanks HP book one!). If you still have questions, let me know, and I will try to fix it or e-mail you with answers. I'm trying to make it so people who had never read the Potter books will not get lost.
The sequel is being revised right now, to add some more Laby twists to it, and more explanations to people who had never read the Potter books. The third series (Yes, Peeps, this is going to be a trilogy, and I started in the middle ^_^ ), is in the planning stages right now... so look for it soon as well.
Very very special thanks go to three people: First to Melissa Davis and Kim, The Manipulative Little Monster, for being in my case since last month for me to finish this, and finally to Cat Foxglove, who decided to brave out being my Beta reader and fix my grammatical horrors... er, I mean, errors... yeah, that's it, errors! ^_^
And last but not least, Thanks to you, my readers, whose support is felt and needed. You guys are the ones who really make me want to do this. As always, special thanks to all of you who reviewed Part 9: Usagi Tsukino (hope you like this part), Mara Trinity Scully (I love that you are one of my regulars. Yeah, I know, but I figured that the first year experience is basically pretty similar to everyone who starts at Hogwarts, oh, and let me know what you think of this part...), Melissa Davis (I said it all above, Mel), Amber (Please do read the Potter books, you will not regret it), Sadie (another regular of mine ^_^, you read the second series, but I'm changing it a bit, so it will be new again!!!), sky dragon (thanks, glad you like the crossover), DemeterAKADemi (thanks!), Elle or known as ~*Sliver Wolf *~ (another regular! ^_^, I'm glad, hope you stay for the second and third series), JJ (thank you!), Sailor faerie Star (as I told Amber, read the Potter books, they are great for any age! - If you read my Bio, you understand, heh..), and Silver Space (glad you think so).
Also, I found out that The Searcher has been nominated for the Labyrinth Fanfiction.net Awards on the Best Sarah and Best Original Character (Caridwen) categories!!! I was speechless when I found out! Thanks again to you all!!!!!
If you want to cast your vote, go to http://www.321website.com/members/home/data/laby_vote/homepage.html
Thanks, Gripweed!
OK, enough shameless self promotion... ^_^ Sooo, without further ado,
DISCLAIMER: Sarah, Jareth, and everything Labyrinth belong to Jim Henson Productions. Oberon, Titania and Puck belong to William Shakespeare. Anything Potterverse belongs to the magnificent JK Rowling. I only own Jay, Caridwen and any other characters that you do not recognize.
And now, the story.
The Searcher
Part 10
Caridwen fell asleep immediately, and the dreams that had visited her so many times, came back once again.
She did not know where she was, only that everything around her was dark, and she could hear a woman scream. Then she heard a man say "Take him and go."
She could hear the woman respond "No, I won't leave you."
She heard the man again "There is no time, go!"
She heard a thump and the woman screamed again "Take me instead, but spare him, please!"
She heard another thump and some words she could not recognize, and suddenly she saw a bright green light.
Afterwards, she heard the voice of the Labyrinth say "Don't despair, my child. You will find him soon, but not as you expect."
She woke up again, like so many other times before. She had gotten so used to the nightmare that she did not even scream. Not giving it a second thought, she turned around and fell asleep again, thankfully into a sleepless slumber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Caridwen smiled at the sight of the painting she just finished. It was hard to believe that at the end of this summer she would be entering her fifth year at Hogwarts. Last summer she had convinced her father to make a portrait of herself in front of the castle and had given it to Valkor as a present.
She was feeling guilty because she could not see her fiancé as much as she wanted, and Matthew kept insisting that he wanted to be more than just friends.
And she wasn't sure if it was her, but since her first year at Hogwarts, Valkor kept growing increasingly distant, colder. The smile in his eyes had long gone, and she was not sure if she liked this new Valkor or not. She couldn't help but wonder if it was partly her fault.
This past year she had learned to paint the wizard way, to make the pictures move. She decided to try it, painting a small portrait of her parents, so she could keep it with her in her dormitory. She was just putting the finishing brushstrokes when an owl had just come in with a letter attached to its leg.
Leaving the painting to dry, she sat in a chair on the makeshift studio/study, and opened the letter. The letter was from Sylvia, making her smile. She missed her friends from school. She opened the letter, eager to read the contents. It started with the how are you's, missing you's, and finally, the good part, gossip. Elena was still dating the Potter boy. They had been an item since last year. The twins were still kings of mischief, and Matthew said hi.
Sylvia wanted to know when she would give her cousin a chance, he was driving her nuts with all his brooding. She smiled, until she saw that there were more somber news ahead. Her father told them that the Ministry finally had an identity on the Dark Lord that had been rising to power over the years since they started on Hogwarts.
Caridwen's eyes opened in shock, she could not believe what she was reading. It couldn't be. But again, she knew deep inside that it was true. She always knew. Her senses told her that he would help her find the one she was looking for, but he would be extremely dangerous as well.
His attitude and demeanor had changed over the years, starting as soon as she entered Hogwarts. She dismissed it first as being that he was disappointed that she was a Griffindor instead of a Slytherin, then as part of that she was growing up, and having a different perspective, but even in the few weeks they had together she had noticed. Valkor was the Dark Lord.
A pang of pain went through her heart, mourning the person that Valkor once was. She would have to tell her father, and have the engagement canceled. The ball! She had completely forgot all about it. They were going to have an engagement party just before the commencement of the new school term, which would be the next month. She had too many things to do.
She ran out of the study and into the throne room, where she knew she would find her parents. With tears in her eyes, and clutching the letter in her hand, she said "The engagement is off. Cancel the engagement party."
Confusion flashed through the monarchs' faces looking at their daughter, and they expressed the same thought at the same time, "WHAT?"
Tears were still flowing through her face, and she did not bothered to wipe them off. She just got a hard look in her eyes and said "I will not marry a Dark Lord. I refuse.", closing her eyes, and looking away from her parents.
Sarah left with their daughter to Caridwen's bedchambers, trying to comfort her as much as she could, her arms around her, cooing soft and calming words to her. Before leaving the throne room, Sarah gave a significant look to her husband, which he acknowledged and nodded in silent agreement.
Jareth looked at the spot his daughter stood just minutes ago, still stunned with the news she brought. Since he had to deal with the wizarding world, he knew of the news of a dark wizard rising, killing several people with his group of followers. But the Ministry of Magic did know the identity of this dark wizard, what was his name, Voldemort?
He suddenly realized that Voldemort was not the only Dark Wizard to rise, sometimes it was difficult remembering that his daughter lived between the present and the 17th century. He tried to remember as much as he could about the wizarding world history, and then he remembered.
How could he have forgotten? He remembered now hearing about Valkor the Dark. How that did not clicked before? He made a promise to himself, he would go to the High Council itself and defy them, but his daughter will not fall in the hands of that evil man.
Conjuring a crystal ball, he directed his thoughts towards his brother. An image of Oberon, King of the Fae appeared suddenly in the crystal.
Smiling, Oberon looked at a mirror located next to his throne, "Jareth, what a surprise! What can I do for you, baby brother?"
With a somber tone, Jareth said "I'm afraid is not good news. I need you to contact Seana and Poe and bring them here as soon as you can. The engagement is off."
Oberon arched an eyebrow, and said "Off? But you can't go against the wishes of the High Council!"
Jareth sighed and said "That's why I need to talk to the three of you, as representatives of the High Council. There have been some new developments that I think will annul this engagement once and for all."
Caridwen was resting on her bed, after crying her heart out to her mother. Her eyes had been dry for a while now, no more tears left to shed. "I feel so tired.", was her last thought before darkness claimed her.
Darkness was all around her. The now familiar voices could be heard again, but this time, there was something different.
Her eyes adjusted to her surroundings, and she looked to be inside a house, a living room to be more exact. She saw a tall man with black hair and a woman with dark red hair pass in front of her leaving the room she was standing in. She saw the woman glance nervously to the window before leaving.
"He's here!"
"Lily, you have to leave now! Take Harry and go!"
She heard the woman, Lily? say "No, James, I won't leave you."
The man named James responded "There is no time, go!"
She heard a thump and then she saw Lily coming back to the room she was in, to a crib that was standing in a corner. A shadowed figure entered right after her, and she turned around, her body shielding the crib and screamed "Take me instead, but spare Harry, please!"
She heard "Ah, such a pity, but I'm afraid you will have to die as well. Avada Kedavra!" a bright green light coming from his raised wand being the only thing she could see.
Usually her dream ends here, but to her surprise, her dream continued.
Her eyes adjusted to the room again, and she saw with horror the woman falling on the floor as soon as the light touched her, the tall figure laughing evilly, stepping on top of her to get to the crib.
"And this little thing was supposed to be my worst nightmare? What a joke, but I guess you will have to die as well. Avada Kedavra!"
After the burst of light, she heard the man that killed James and Lily scream in horror. Her eyes adjusting to the darkness again, saw a shadow scurry outside the house, and the sounds of a baby crying.
She hurried to the sound of the baby, who was lying in his crib. What she saw surprised her. A baby around a year old, eyes green as emeralds, and unruly hair, black as midnight. But what surprised her was the glowing blood red lightning scar in the middle of his forehead.
The baby, sensing that there was someone near him, calmed down and turned his green eyes towards her. She stared at those emerald eyes for a long time, the baby equally transfixed as her, when suddenly she heard a very familiar voice, the voice of Labyrinth.
"Well done, my child. You have found him. Now you know what you must do to get to him."
She woke up suddenly, feeling very confused, one thought plaguing her mind, "What is it that I need to do in order to get to him?"
Jareth was sitting in the throne room talking to Sarah, who was very concerned "Now she wants to call the engagement off, but who is going to tell him?"
A grin formed in his mouth, when he said "Don't worry, I will. You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this. I only accepted Valkor because Cari seemed so taken with him. It will be my pleasure to give him the bad news."
Suddenly, a flash of light invaded the throne room, and three figures were standing were the light was moments before. King Oberon, Queen Seana and King Poe looked expectant at the Goblin King and Queen.
Jareth looked at their direction, and standing up he said, "Ah, I'm glad you are here. There are some matters we need to discuss. My daughter has called off the engagement."
Seana looked at the Goblin King and said "But she cannot do that, as you well know. Why does she want to call off the engagement?"
Motioning for them to follow him, he said "I think is best if we discuss this in a more private atmosphere. Let's move this conversation to my private study.", and taking Sarah by the hand he lead the other royals to the private quarters.
Once his guests were sitting down, Jareth explained, "Lord Valkor is not what he appears to be. He was very smart in his web of deception. It never occured to me before, but my daughter just learned that Valkor is a Dark Lord. When she said that I remembered hearing about Valkor the Dark, and evil wizard that with his followers killed many wizards and regular people, muggles, I think they call them, as well. I'm afraid that if this union is to be allowed, the Underground will be next."
A thick silence followed his words. No one spoke or moved until Oberon sighed, and said "Has Valkor agreed to call the engagement off?"
Jareth narrowed his eyes at his older brother and said "No, he doesn't even know about it. I just talked to you as soon as Cari announced that she was calling it off. Why you ask?"
Poe, being always the mediator, decided to step in, "You see Jareth, the engagement can only be called off if both parties agree. I think is best to let Valkor know and then see what happens. He might not even want to marry her anymore."
Jareth's eyebrow raised as he felt a familiar presence appear in the throne room, "Speaking of the devil, he's here."
Jareth stood up, and walked out of his study into the throne room, where Valkor was expecting him.
Valkor turned around, to see the Goblin King entering the room, "Ah, Your Majesty. Good day. I was wondering where everybody was."
Not showing any signs of emotion, Jareth simply sat on his throne, and regarding his former future son-in-law with a cold stare, said icily "I'm afraid that there is a slight problem. My daughter wants to call off the engagement."
Valkor's face just showed pure shock, then anger. Only one word escaped his lips, making sure anybody that was in a mile radius heard it, "WHAT?"
His shout traveled through the whole castle, Caridwen winced as she heard it, and transported herself to the entrance of the throne room, where she saw her mother, her uncle, the Queen of the Merpeople, and the King of the Centaurs, looking in to whatever was happening inside the room.
Caridwen whispered softly to the group, "What is going on?"
Oberon turned around, and looking at his niece, he simply said with an amused face, "Your father is giving your fiancé the bad news."
Widening her eyes, she just simply said "Oh."
Talking to the rest of the group, Oberon said, "Excuse me, but I think this young lady needs to see what is going on."
Everybody turned to look at Caridwen, and giving her a sympathetic smile, made room for her so she could see first hand what was happening between her father and Valkor.
Jareth gave him a cruel smirk, oh he was really enjoying this, and said "Seems that Caridwen just found out what kind of man you really are, Valkor. You should know by now that engaging in the dark arts is a big no-no in this family. It has been brought to our attention that the identity of the Dark Lord that has been terrorizing the wizarding world has finally come to surface. You could imagine our surprise when the name that came up was yours."
Valkor's face now showed pure hatred and anger. His once blue eyes were glowing a bright red, his face turning the same color as well.
"YOU CANNOT CALL OFF THE ENGAGEMENT! I REFUSE!"
Very calmly, the Goblin King stood up and paced around the dark wizard, while saying, "I understand your position, but I am generous, so I'll offer you a deal."
Half closing his eyes, Valkor crossed his arms in front of him, never letting the fae King out of his sight. Curiosity took over him and he asked, "Go on, I'm listening."
A malicious grin was crossing Jareth's face when his mismatched gaze froze on the wizard, while he said, "You will have thirteen hours to traverse my labyrinth and get to Caridwen. If you win, I'll agree to you marrying my daughter."
With a death glare, Valkor asked the King, his voice as cold as his stare, "And what if I lose?"
With a triumphant look on his face, Jareth finished his offer, "If you lose, the engagement is off and you are banished from the Underground forever. Oh, and one more thing, no magic. As soon as you use magic, you forfeit the game. Do you accept?"
Pride overriding reason, he smiled smugly and said "You have a deal, but before we start, can I speak to Caridwen?"
Before Jareth could respond, he saw that his daughter was observing everything from the entrance, and nodded at him.
"What do you want, Valkor?", said Caridwen, who silently crept behind him.
Turning around, startled, he saw the girl he was supposed to marry and smiled at her. He stepped closer, and saw that she did not move an inch. This girl was not afraid of him. He liked that, she will make an excellent wife.
Taking her hand in his, he just said "I just wanted something to look forward to when I claim you, and believe me, I will."
He kissed the back of her hand very gently, and then, pulled her very close to him, giving her a very deep, passionate kiss. He gave her an amused grin as he saw the confusion in her face when he pulled back from the kiss.
Smiling smugly, he then turned around to the furious face of the Goblin King and said, "I'm ready, let's go."
With a flick of his wrist, Jareth and Valkor started vanishing from the throne room, leaving a very pissed off Caridwen behind.
As soon as she saw them start to vanish, Caridwen screamed, "I swear, Valkor, if my father doesn't kill you I will!"
Valkor just gave a chuckle, and threw a kiss at her before disappearing completely, knowing that gesture will infuriate her even more.
As soon as the two figures left, the silent spectators went into the room, observing the furious princess, who turned to her mother and said, "How dared he kiss me! He is deader than dead. Wait until I get my hands on him."
Her uncle, trying to get her calmed down and out of her angry state, put his arms around her, and asked conspiratorially, "So, was he any good?"
That must have done the trick, because she just flustered, and said to him "Uncle Obi!"
Oberon just raised an eyebrow, amusement written all over his face, and said "Well?"
Caridwen just sighed, and said "He was good, no, better than good, no, scratch that. Oh, who am I kidding? He was fantastic!"
Putting her hands on her face, she continued, "Gods, how I hate him! Are you happy now?"
The King of the Fae just gave his niece a kiss on her forehead, and said "Yes, now that you stopped ranting like a lunatic.", making his niece smile.
Jareth and Valkor were on a sandy hill, a dried tree behind them. The sun was making everything turn into its orange colors, but giving an impressive view of the labyrinth.
Valkor could hear ticking behind him, and turning around, saw that Jareth was dressed now in all black, but instead of wearing the usual shirt and vest he was wearing a shirt with a breastplate and a black cape with midnight blue in the inside.
Pointing to the clock, Jareth gave the customary instructions, "You have thirteen hours in which to solve the labyrinth, before you are banished from the Underground forever."
Giving Valkor a mocking smile while he vanished slowly, he finished, "Such a pity… not!"
A mocking laugh was all that was left when the Goblin King could not be seen any longer.
Valkor turned to face the labyrinth, and muttering, "Show off!", proceeded to go downhill to the labyrinth.
He was trying to find his way in, when he saw one of Caridwen's "uncles".
The dwarf turned to face him, and rolling his eyes said "Great! What do you want?"
Still looking around for an entrance, he asked the dwarf, "Hoggle, how do I get in?"
The dwarf, who was told why Valkor was running the labyrinth, answered in an angry tone, "Cor! Let's get one thing straight. If this wasn't part of my job, I would help you nothing. You gets in there.", pointing to a set of doors opening in front of them.
Valkor looked impressed, this doors were not there before, and he could not even see it with his fae senses. He got through the doors, and jumped at the sound of the doors closing right behind him. He looked to both sides, left or right?
He had learned from walking through with Caridwen that things are not always what they seem in here, so he decided to go straight. As he thought, he was in another corridor, cleverly hidden as just wall. He then decided to go left, where he got to another corridor, all made out of stone.
He kept going through the stone maze, when he faced a dead end. Damn! He will have to go back and retrace his steps. He was clearly not seeing where he was going, because he just crashed into a wall.
Wait! Didn't he came in this way? He turned around to see two doors with some funny fellows guarding them. He remembered, Caridwen mentioning them once. Alph with Jim and Ralph with Tim. He sighed and went towards them.
Caridwen had also mentioned their riddle, and he thought he had figured it out, but to humor them, he let them go with their routine.
Jim started, "As you can see, you have to go through one of this doors."
Tim continued, "One of them leads to the castle, and the other one leads to…"
Ralph drum rolled "Ba ba ba bum!"
Tim followed, "certain death!"
All of them went, "Oooohh!"
Valkor decided that the sooner this charade finishes, the sooner he can go on his way, so he said "Which is which?"
Jim said "We can't tell you."
Tim replied "But they do.", looking up at Alph and Ralph.
Alph started, "You can only ask one of us."
Ralph interrupted "Is in the rules. One of us always tells the truth, and one of us always lies. He always lies."
Alph said undignified, "I do not! I tell the truth!"
Ralph said amused, "Oh, what a lie!"
Valkor smirked, and decided to prove his theory.
He walked to Alph, and asked, "Answer yes or no. Are you a donkey?"
Confusion was written all over Alph's face for the odd question and he said "Huh?", then remembering that Valkor was still waiting for the answer he said, "Yes."
Valkor was smiling now, "That means that you lie, so I can ask both of you. Besides, none of you said that I couldn't ask more than one question."
Disbelief could be seen now in Alph's face when he started "But, but…"
Valkor continued smugly towards Ralph, and said "Does this door lead to the castle?"
Ralph just gave a resigned sigh and shaking his head said "No."
Valkor went through the other door, and said before leaving "Thanks, boys."
The door closed behind him, and Alph said to Ralph, "That was a close one."
Ralph said "Yes, for a second I thought that he was going to ask me the same question and discover we all lie, and that none of the doors lead to the castle, or to certain death. He is going to be pretty mad when he ends at the beginning of the labyrinth, don't you think?"
At that point, all four of them erupted in laughter.
Valkor kept walking through the corridor, when he stopped in front of a set of doors. The doors looked very familiar. Looking around, he noticed that the corridor he was in disappeared, and looking left and right of the doors looked familiar.
He was back at the beginning, he was really furious now, four hours wasted, "Damn you, Jareth!"
His back facing the doors, he decided to turn left, and look for the next hidden entrance. He found one not far away, and turned right. He came back to the stone maze, but this time he advanced without any further problems until he arrived to the hedge maze.
As soon as he entered the hedge maze, he passed next to the stone chair where Morath and Pepe usually greet those traversing the labyrinth, but this time it was empty. Instead of having the different entrances to different corridors, he encountered one single exit, with something carved in a stone plaque next to the frame that said:
"Enter traveler, and take heed,
Nothing here is what it seems.
Sometimes forwards is the way back,
But one of your senses you need to lack."
Valkor stood looking at the plaque, trying to make sense of what it was saying.
Feeling that he was wasting precious time, he continued through the corridor, making sure he memorized that little poem first. He was sure there was some clue there as to how to pass this challenge. Now, if he could figure what the challenge was?
He continued through the corridor, seeing the castle in the distance. He continued walking, there were no turns or entrances, just the corridor. He kept walking on for 2 hours, and when he looked up, the castle seemed as far as when he entered that corridor in the first place.
Frowning, he turned around to see how far he had been going, when to his surprise, the entrance arch was about 100 feet from where he was standing. He couldn't understand it. He was sure that he was moving through the corridor. Well, he would have to go back and try something else.
He started walking towards the entrance, when he noticed that he was not making progress at all. He kept walking, but no matter how much he walked, the entrance was at the same distance as when he turned around.
Great! Now he was stuck in there. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and thought of the words at the entrance. With a hand on his chin, he frowned trying to remember the words, "Hmmmmm.... Sometimes forwards is the way back.... Let's try it." He then turned around to the corridor, with his back to the entrance, and started walking backwards.
By looking at the corridor, it seemed that he was making progress. He kept walking backwards, but then he frowned, he should've made it to the arch by now. Turning around again, he saw that the arch was still at the same distance. Damn it all! Now what?
He turned back again to remember the words in the plaque, "Sometimes forwards is the way back. Tried it, and it didn't work. What else it said? But one of your senses you need to lack. Is not like I can get rid of any of them, unless... That's it! I've only being doing it half right!"
Turning his back again to the arch entrance, he made sure he had his eyes closed this time, and started walking backwards, guiding himself with his hands at both ends of the corridor.
He kept walking like that for about half an hour, when he noticed that the walls felt different. The walls felt like stone, not plant life, and the floor felt softer, not hard as rock.
He ventured to open one eye, and noticed that he was in a different place altogether. The floor was made of grass, and the walls were made out of stone. And an exit could be seen not far away. He smiled. He would win this.
He had been held up for too long. He had less than three hours to make it to the castle. It was going to be close, but he was confident that he was going to make it. Valkor kept walking along the narrow corridor, when it opened up to open land. Not just any open land, farmland, non the less.
There were various trees with ripe fruit on them, ready to be picked up. And these were no ordinary trees, either. This was a plantation of peaches. Each luscious peach hanging precariously from their perch in waiting for someone to pick them and eat them.
At that moment, Valkor realized he was hungry, so with a shrug, he decided to eat some of the peaches. Is not like anyone will miss one or two peaches from thousands.
Meanwhile, in the castle, the Goblin Sovereigns were watching Valkor attentively through a crystal. They watched him as he approached the peach farm, and started picking up peaches. Sarah looked at her husband with an amused expression and said, "Why do I have a feeling that Valkor is not going to look good in a white dress?"
Arching an eyebrow, the Goblin King looked at his wife, a smirk spreading through thin lips, when he responded, "Ah, but I'm afraid is not me he will have to look for."
Caridwen looked at her parents, not liking the turn the conversation was taking. She immediately spoke, "Don't look at me. I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore."
Looking at his daughter, he said, "We are doing this for you, my dear. The least you could do is to cooperate."
Caridwen sighed and said, "Fine. Send me to the ballroom. I'll plan something while I'm waiting there."
With a fancy flick of his wrist, Jareth produced a crystal, and quickly turning to his daughter, said "Catch!"
Not giving her time to think, Caridwen just stood frozen while catching the crystal in her hands, the throne room dissipating and reforming itself into a white ballroom, with lots of dancers wearing ornately masks all around her. She also noticed that the walls were like mirrors, and she looked at herself.
She was wearing a deep purple dress made of silk, with puffy sleeves, but leaving her shoulders uncovered. Her hair was curled, being kept out of her face by a diamond and amethyst tiara, with matching earrings. Her amethyst pendant glowed brilliantly against her skin. Her make up was skillfully applied, in purple and pink. She looked absolutely gorgeous.
Arching an eyebrow, with a smile on her lips, she murmured, "Not a bad job, Dad."
Inside her mind, she heard a chuckle, and her father's voice saying "You're welcome. He is about to eat the peach, so I suggest you decide what you are going to do."
Her face turning a serious expression, she nodded, and proceeded to plan what would be her course of action once Valkor entered the ballroom.
After taking some peaches, Valkor looked around to see how far from the castle he was. Smiling, he noticed that the castle was closer than he thought. Great, this meant he could take time to rest, and move on. Back against the stone wall, he slumped into the floor, smoothing a peach against his sleeve.
Biting into it, he never noticed anything was amiss until he swallowed, a strange aftertaste lingering in his mouth. Looking at the peach, he realized he was looking at two peaches. He was seeing double. And everything was starting to spin out of control.
A drugged peach! This is just what he needed. It would be difficult to get to.... where did he needed to go? He shook his head , trying to remember. Nothing came to mind. It mustn't be important then, if he can't remember.
Looking up, he saw some transparent spheres floating above him, "Ooohhh, bubbles!" Lifting his hand to touch them, they disappeared as soon as they reached his fingers, making him disappear as well.
The next thing he knew, he was standing in the middle of a masquerade ball. People in ornate masks were dancing, or talking all around him. He started looking for someone, not sure who, but he knew that she would be there.
He frowned. How did he know he was looking for a female? "Nevermind that, just keep looking"., he ordered himself. The corner of his eye caught a glimpse of amethyst, and he turned to that place. The most breathtaking creature he has ever seen in his life was standing there.
Making his way towards her, she disappeared as soon as he took his eyes off here for a few seconds. Where did she go? He started searching for her all over, not being able to find her.
Turning around in disappointment, he suddenly saw her, looking at him. Her expression was cold, but there was something in her eyes, he could not tell what. He made his way towards her, not taking his eyes off her, in fear that she would disappear like so many times before.
Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of it, saying, "Milady, may I have this dance?"
She nodded, and he took her in his arms. He could not believe his luck. This vision was actually dancing with him. With him! Suddenly, he noticed the sad expression in her eyes, and frowning with concern, he asked, "Is there something troubling you, Milady?"
Caridwen turned her gaze to wards Valkor, thinking "Yeah, how can you be so evil, yet so tender like this? Is times like this that makes my decision so difficult.", but simply answered, "No, why you ask?"
He looked at her, "Is your eyes, Milady. They look so sad. I only wish to make them happy."
Giving him a smile as sad as her eyes, Caridwen said, "There is nothing you can do to make me happy again."
Suddenly, the clock struck twelve. Valkor's gaze went to the clock, then to the girl in his arms. Giving her a devilish grin, he said, "Not bad of a distracting job, but it wasn't good enough. I'll see you at the castle. You just let me get closer to the castle than I could have possibly done by myself. Good-bye, beloved."
He then took her in his arms, and gave her another searing kiss. Running towards one of the mirror walls, Valkor took a small table in his hands. Turning around he said, "You'll be mine in an hour, beloved. See you soon.", and he smashed the small table against the walls, making everything collapse in glitter and glass.
Caridwen re-appeared in the throne room, face flushed in a mixture of embarrassment and anger, "That bastard! He knew what he was doing when he ate the peach! He figured he could advance more doing the ballroom than having to walk! And why does he have to be such a damned good kisser? I hate him!"
Oberon just looked at his niece and rolled his eyes. Here we go again. Putting his arms around her, he said, "Come on, calm down. You need to get your wits together. He is coming to the castle, to you, and you know what that means."
Looking at her uncle, she took a deep breath and nodded. Still wearing her ballroom dress, she turned toward her parents, and said, 'I will go to the Escher room, but no way I'm going to be going around there in a dress. Sorry father, but I guess I need practicality if I want to win this."
Flipping her hands, her dress changed to a pair of black tights, mid-thigh black leather boots, and a deep purple poet's blouse. A wide black pirate's belt at her waist. Her amethyst pendant could be seen through her modestly open lace neckline.
Jareth nodded to his daughter in approval, and bowing, said, "I better get prepared for my confrontation. Hopefully, I'll see you later."
Going to the Escher room, she took her place lounging in some of the steps. Producing a crystal, she said, "Show me Valkor."
The crystal showed Valkor trying to get pass Humongous. She was sure that he could make it, but at least, it will kill time, and that was what counts. Less than an hour to go, and she could be free, or tied to one of the most evil wizards of all time.
The goblin army was standing ready throughout the Goblin City to ambush Valkor as soon as he stepped inside the city. She produced a clock, less than thirty minutes to go. Valkor just made it pass the robot guard, and was making his way through the city. Twenty minutes to go.
The goblins were not the best army in the world, but they were not that bad, once they set up their minds to their job. They kept Valkor distracted, but not for long. He was at the doors of the castle. Ten minutes to go.
He made his way to the throne room, everyone had left, leaving the place deserted. Valkor went through a corridor, not finding anything. Finally, he approached the entrance to the Escher room. Five minutes to go.
Caridwen smiled, she had done something his father wouldn't have thought of. She put a door in the entrance of the Escher room which could be open only if you solved a riddle. It wasn't too difficult, but it would take time enough to ensure that he could not get to her on time.
Valkor approached the entrance, and there was a sign in the door that said:
"In the other side awaits the prize you look for. But first, you must solve this for the door to open:
I am never quite what I appear to be.
Straight-forward I seem, but it's only skin deep,
for mystery most often lies beneath my simple speech.
Sharpen your wits, open your eyes,
look beyond my exteriors,
read me backwards, forwards, upside down.
Think critically and answer the question...
What am I?"
He looked at the riddle, trying to find what the answer would be. He tried thinking, but his mind was drawing a blank. Damn! He did not have time for this.
Softly, he held the wand that was hiding in his pocket, and whispered "Alohomora!", making the door open.
Caridwen was surprised when the door opened. She thought the riddle would have detained him for a little longer. She looked at the clock. Two minutes. With a hand gesture, she made the clock disappear.
She could hear Valkor saying, "Caridwen, I told you, you are going to be mine!"
Caridwen put a mocking smile on her face, making her look like her father at that moment, while saying, "You have to get to me first!"
Valkor was a bit dizzy, as he saw all seven perspectives of the room at the same time. He saw Caridwen turning a corner, so he followed as best as he could. Taking an exit, he found himself on the other side of his intended destination.
"Things are not what they seem here, alright!", murmured a now pissed Valkor.
The thirteen chimes started, music to Caridwen's ears. She kept walking with a smile on her face and mentally counting, "Five, six, seven..."
She felt something tugging her arm, and Valkor's voice behind her "I've got you!"
Caridwen turned around, her face in a horrified expression, while the thirteen hour clock gave its last two chimes, "No!"
Tears were now crossing her face, while Valkor held her arms in his hands, an evil smile on his face, "I told you. You are mine, my sweet."
She suddenly noticed that they were back in the throne room, along with her parents, Jay, King Oberon, Queen Seana and King Poe, all with furious expressions.
Jareth spoke, "And where do you think you are going?"
Valkor turned to the Goblin King, saying "I'm taking my bride with me, Your Majesty. I have decided not to wait, after all."
With a cold expression, and a colder voice, the Fae spoke, "Stop! You cannot take her, Valkor."
With a smug expression, the Goblin King continued, "Because you used magic, you just forfeit the game. The answer you gave to the door was not the right one. It opened because it did not had any choice, you just gave the opening spell."
Caridwen, who was listening intently to her father, looked back at Valkor, and said, "What?! Let me go, now!"
Valkor looked at her, Caridwen finally seeing him for what he truly was, his evil nature marring his features, eyes turning from blue to a glowing blood red, "No. You are mine, forever."
Before Valkor could make any movement, Jareth made him vanish, putting a repelling charm in the Underground. Now Valkor would never be able to get to the Underground again.
Collapsing to the floor, Caridwen sobbed, her hands hiding her face. Jareth and Sarah went to her, both of them holding her between them, trying to console her.
Jareth transported them to her bedroom, magically changing her clothes into a nightgown, and tucking her in bed. Caridwen sitting in between her parents.
Looking at her father, she said, "He is truly evil. He always was. How I could've been so blind to not see it before?"
Giving her a kiss to her forehead, Jareth answered, "He probably used his Fae charm on you since you were a baby, or it was meant to be. We'll never know."
Sarah gave a reassuring squeeze to her daughter's hand, and said, "Now you don't have to worry about him. You will not see him again."
Caridwen closed her eyes, and said, "But what about when school starts again? I can't stay in the Underground forever. I have to go back."
Jareth smiled, and said, "Don't worry. Hogwarts is the safest place to be once you are Aboveground. Now, go to sleep sweetheart."
Caridwen smiled, and kissing her parents goodnight, she felt herself slipping into blissful darkness.
Looking at his wife, Jareth said, "Come, love, she will be fine. She's under a sleeping spell. She will sleep dreamlessly until tomorrow."
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Caridwen took a deep breath. Another year at Hogwarts. She smiled, knowing that she would see the friends she missed so much during the two months vacation.
Feeling a pair of arms wrap behind her, she heard her father whisper, "Are you going to be alright, sweetheart?"
Caridwen turned around and looked at both her parents, which seemed worried for her. She gave them a reassuring smile and nodded.
Jareth felt better, this was the first smile she had in weeks, since the engagement was broken. Kings Oberon and Poe, along with Queen Seana, went before the High Council to report and testify of the events that occurred that day. The High Council had finally granted the absolution of the Goblin Princess' engagement.
His silent reverie was broken by the sound of a voice saying, "Caridwen! Over here!"
He turned to look with his daughter at the sound of the voice, recognizing his daughter's friends.
Caridwen turned to look at her parents, saying "I have to go. They are waiting for me to get into the carriage. I'll send you an owl as soon as I get there, promise."
Giving both her parents a kiss and a hug, she turned to walk towards her friends, trunk being levitated behind her.
Sarah, holding her husband by the waist, said, "I just hope she'll be alright." Jareth wrapped his arms around his wife, and said, "Caridwen is a stronger person than many people think. She'll be fine." Giving his wife a quick peck on the lips, both of them disappeared back into the Underground.
Caridwen smiled, her friends and fellow Griffindors were there. She hugged all of her friends, everyone expressing concern over her well being after the news of Valkor's identity.
"Cari! I've missed you! How are you doing?", asked a very concerned Sylvia.
Giving her friend a half-hearted smile, she said, "Fine, all things considered. I finally broke off the engagement."
Matthew perked as soon as he heard this, and half laughing, she said, "No, Matt. I'm not ready yet."
Giving her a smile, he said, "You can't blame a guy for trying, right?", making her smile in return.
The trip back to Hogwarts went without any incident. Caridwen smiled, things looked to be back to normal, for a change.
"Have you figured out this year how you are going to pass by your sister to brake the school rules?", Caridwen asked the Weasley twins.
The previous year, their older sister had been hired to be the new Charms Professor, after professor Stardust retired. Trish had been in her last year when they started in Hogwarts.
Last year was very difficult trying to think of Trish as a professor, and not as their friend. Now that they were in their fifth year, the only Weasleys left in Hogwarts as students were Susan, Paul and Robert. Even Peeves had been more sociable, been that Trish was the only person separate from the Bloody Baron that he listened to.
Because of her professor status, Trish was able to thwart some of the pranks the Weasley twins had planned, but not all of them. This only meant that this year they had to get more cunning than ever before.
The carriages finally made it to Hogwarts, where they went to the Great Hall and sat down at the Griffindor table, waiting for the new students to be sorted to come in. They spent their time greeting old faces from their house which they have not seen since the beginning of summer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Caridwen gave a sigh, while trying to finish her last sentence of her transfiguration report. Paul and Robert came into the common room, rambunctiously as always, each one stopping on either side of Caridwen.
"Are you finished? Come on, let's go. Is our first Hogsmeade weekend!", said a very excited Robert.
"Everybody's waiting!", said Paul.
Smiling, she closed her book, and put parchment and quill in her bag, "That's it. I'm done. Let's go, boys!"
Both twins grinned at the same time.
Paul put an arm around her, and said, "That's our girl! You are going to have a great time at Hogsmeade, you'll see!"
Caridwen smiled, encouraged by her friends.
All her friends were waiting for her downstairs. Caridwen noticed that some pairings had occured during the summer. John and Elena, Sylvia and Robert, and Jack & Susan.
Paul seemed to be looking around for someone, when he smiled, and screamed, "Oi, Patty!".
Turning to the friends, he said, "If you excuse me, I have a date with Miss O'Neil."
Glancing nervously, that left her and Matt. Both of them had decided to go stag, but she knew he liked her, and now that she was free, she was afraid that he would try to court her.
Matt smiled devilishly to her, "Your carriage awaits, Milady."
Caridwen smiled, "Thank you, noble sir."
That had been a joke of theirs since their first year. The trip to Hogsmeade went without incident. Caridwen was actually having a great time with her friends, forgetting her grief for Valkor.
Suddenly, clouds of smoke could be seen everywhere. People started to run frantically, and in all the confusion, their group dispersed.
Caridwen turned to Matt, "Matt, where are the others? What is going on?"
Matt simply said, "I don't know, but I think is best if we go back to Hogwarts."
Caridwen nodded, and made their way back to Hogwarts along with other students, looking for their friends along the way.
Caridwen finally saw one of the Prefects, and asked, "Do you know what is going on?"
The Prefect looked at her, and said, "The forces of Valkor the Dark are attacking Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. We need to go back to Hogwarts. Spread the word."
Caridwen nodded, and kept telling any other students they found on their way.
Caridwen could not help a feeling deep in her gut. Somehow, she knew this was her fault. If she would have accepted him, this would not have happened. Frowning, she came to a conclusion. She had to set things right, no matter at what cost to her.
Reaching the castle, the professors were directing the arriving students
where to go, "Fourth years and up, to the Great Hall! All others,
down to the dungeons. Move, now!"
Once the older students were in the Great Hall, the Headmistress spoke, "Because you are the older students, you are able to perform spells better than the younger ones. Our school is being attacked by the forces of Valkor the Dark, and we need everyone's help if we are going to defeat them. Go to your houses, you will receive further instructions there."
The battle had become fearsome. They had been fighting non stop for two weeks, but seemed that the Dark Lord's forces were dwindling. Caridwen and the other fifth year Griffindors were doing repelling charms when a shout broke out, "The Dark Lord himself in in the castle's grounds. Be prepared to be invaded!"
Looking at her friends, she said "I have to go."
Everyone nodded in agreement, not before telling her to be careful and to take care of herself. Caridwen went down the stairs, to the front doors, where she saw various professors defending the entrance of the school.
The battle was turning serious now, death curses flowing like water. Looking for Valkor, she saw a green light touch one of the professors, when she realized who it was.
Horrified, she screamed, "Trish, no!", and went hurriedly to her side.
Once she got there, it was too late. Her friend and later on professor was dead. How many more would have to die because of her? With determination, she looked for Valkor, not caring who she came upon to get to him. She finally found him, next to the Headmistress' lifeless body.
With courage and determination, she narrowed her eyes, and said to him out loud, "Valkor!"
The dark lord turned to the sound of the voice, and smiled, "Ah, beloved. We meet again. Are you ready to become mine once and for all?"
With a fire that came from within, she responded, "Never! Give up, Valkor. You are finished. Your forces are gone."
She saw that Valkor was preparing himself to attack, and with an energy she did not know she possessed, pointed her wand at him, and shouted, "Avada Kedavra!", a flash of green light coming out of her wand towards the Dark Lord.
Knowing that death was unavoidable now, he pointed his wand towards her, shouting, "You will not get away so easily! Absum Corpus!", a flash of red moving quickly to Caridwen's direction.
After saying this, Valkor was enveloped by the green light, feeling his life slipping away, not before hearing Caridwen's blood curling scream.
Caridwen was enveloped in a red light at the same time that Valkor had been hit with the death curse. She felt like her soul was being ripped away from her body, the pain unbearable, making her scream in agony until Darkness claimed her.
Caridwen awoke, feeling light headed, with fuzzy memories of the last hour. She shook her head, and saw that Valkor's body was still laying on the floor, his eyes still open.
Going to his side, she said, "I guess this is goodbye."
Turning around, she saw her friends gathered around Trish, no, Professor Weasley's body, being mourned by her three younger siblings.
She went to her friends, when she heard John say, "And there is no body? They say that there is a black spot on the ground where she stood last. I can't believe Cari is gone. She sacrificed herself to save all of us."
Caridwen frowned at John's words, "But I'm right here, John. Don't be silly."
When she lifted her hand to pat him on the shoulder, she noticed something strange. Her hand was grayish and transparent. Realization of what must have happened hit her suddenly. She tried to touch her friends to no avail, her hands passing right through them.
Feeling the urge to cry, but no tears coming out, she screamed to her friends, "But I'm right here! Right in front of you! Can you hear me? Can anyone see me? Silvia? Elena? Matt? Anyone?"
Despair filled her, as she realized none of her friends was able to see or hear her.
"Is no use. They will never be able to see or hear you, Cari.", a voice said right behind her.
Turning around, she said, "Nick? You can see me?"
Giving her a smile, he put his arms around her, comforting her, saying, "Of course I can see you. I also am a ghost. All the other ghosts can see you. The living, now that is a different story."
Looking back at Trish's body, she said "I could not save her. I was too late. This is all my fault."
Nearly headless Nick looked at the young ghost, and said knowingly, "I don't think she shares your same opinion, young Griffindor. Look.", pointing forwards.
She could not believe what she saw. There stood Peeves, with Trish next to him. Her expression was not sad, but loving, as she was looking at Peeves direction. Looked like Trish fancied the poltergeist after all, and now they were together for all eternity.
A sad chuckle came out of her, saying "Fancy that! Peeves and Trish were an item after all!"
Offering his arm, Nick said, "Come, there is much for you to learn. I believe this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendhip."
Smiling, Cari took the arm that Nick offered, and said, "I sure hope so, Nick."
As they floated together towards the castle, Cari had a growing sensation
that this would not be the end, but just the beginning of a new adventure.
Finis (for now)
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A/N: Ok, people, this is the moment of truth. What do you really think? Let me know with your reviews. It is your way of letting me know if I'm doing a good job or if this sucks. I guess I'll see you in the second series..... Oh, and if anyone wants to know, the answer to the riddle that Valkor never solved is... a riddle! Ironic, considering that Riddle is his last name.....
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