AN: Sorry all that this took so long to get out. I kept going on the computer and saying "I'll do it tonight, I'll do it tonight." Alas, I did not. Instead I was busy piercing my tongue. Oh, and can I just say that Hot Topic is my favorite store. I got two Labyrinth tee's from there. One with Sarah, Hoggle and the Labyrinth, the other with Jareth holding one of his crystals. Gotta love it! Anyway, you've all been great reviewers and I thank you for that, but nobody told me their opinion on leaving D'Vinnian in the story, so I did. Now, without further ado, the next part of Cherish.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth or any of the characters or places that appeared in it. I DO, however, own D'Vinnian, Kajna, and Peake. Feel free to use them in any story you wish, just let me know first. Oh, and nothing from the Shining belongs to me either. Just had to add that because it's playing on TV and I keep hearing "Redrum, redrum…" in the background… Ok, I'll stop now….
Part eight: Discoveries
Even though it was mid-afternoon, the room was dark. Thick, deep red velvet curtains hung across the sole window of the room, shutting out all light save one beam. The dust from the room floated in the sliver of sun, giving it shape as it arched to the gray stone floor. Lord D'Vinnian paced the room, passing back and forth through the light, hands held behind his back, lost in deep thought. D'Vinnian was known for his skill in combat and planning and had served as an advisor to the Goblin King for centuries, though he did not look any older than twenty-five. Jareth was his cousin, and the resemblance was there. Lord D'Vinnian had the same blond hair as Jareth, but he kept it one length and tied back. His eyes were also mismatched, but, rather than two shades of blue, his were two shades of green. Jareth and he were the only two fae to have such eyes and it signaled great power for Jareth, great wisdom for D'Vinnian. D'Vinnian had the same tall, lean body as his cousin, but a fuller, kinder mouth, and a small scar across his right cheek from his first battle. D'Vinnian stopped his pacing in the light and looked at the curtains, sighing. He knew what awaited him below. He should feel honored to have the position he currently held….at least thankful. But he was neither. After the tragedy of the Labyrinth, the members of the court had scattered, making their homes elsewhere. For his part, D'Vinnian didn't know what to do with himself. He had spent three years traveling from kingdom to kingdom until Queen Titania had graciously offered a room in their castle. He had stayed with King Oberon and his queen for six years, until he felt he should find lands of his own. So, now he had his lands and his new home, but no sense of belonging, and no means of support. The only thing he knew how to do was advise. He had finally started to sell his advice to royals from throughout the Underground. It had seemed like such a good scheme, but, when King Drathsar had come seeking advice to overthrow Oberon…..it put D'Vinnian in the situation he was in now.
"Lord D'Vinnian," a voice shook him from his thoughts.
"Yes?" he questioned, focusing his eyes on the young page sent by Drathsar to fetch him.
"My king is anxious to hear your answer. He bids you see him immediately," the page said politely, although D'Vinnian knew the king's request had been anything but.
With nothing else to do, D'Vinnian nodded to the page and took a deep breath as he followed to the king's tent. The sun's light nearly blinded him as he stepped outside and his eyes took a moment to readjust. He wasn't too surprised to see Drathsar out of his tent and looking royal. 'Yeah,' D'Vinnian thought, 'royally pissed. Now what? You need the money or you forfeit your house. But, I can't betray Oberon like that. I won't.' He only hoped that Drathsar wouldn't sense his inner struggle as he approached. D'Vinnian certainly didn't need to give him any advantages.
"Ah, Lord D'Vinnian," King Drathsar said, attempting to sound jovial and not even coming close to succeeding, "Have you any plan to help on my quest?"
"I'm afraid, Your Majesty, I do not," D'Vinnian said solemnly.
"Say that again?" Drathsar said, his voice coming through clenched teeth.
"I believe he said he had no answer for you, Drathsar," a voice interrupted from D'Vinnian's left.
Surprised, the lord spun on his heel to face Oberon. He bowed shortly, "Sire."
Oberon acknowledged him with a nod, "Lord D'Vinnian, this is what comes of selling yourself to any royal who comes to call. Some would say it makes you no better than a harlot. I know you feel this is your only means of support, but I believe you now realize you must think of some other way. I am happy to see that you would not offer your help against me, though," Oberon finished his lecture, adding this last comment to soften the blow of the others. D'Vinnian nearly nodded mutely, feeling like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Oberon then turned his attention to Drathsar, "As for you, Drathsar, go back to your land and do not return or the price will be high." Knowing that he was technically still in Oberon's kingdom, Drathsar could do nothing but disappear, leaving a cold wind behind.
After a moment's silence, D'Vinnian decided to speak up. "Your Majesty, what has brought you today, for I know it wasn't King Drathsar," he asked, spitting out the title of king when applied to that man.
Oberon gave D'Vinnian a mysterious smile, "I had a visitor to my castle today looking for you. The poor little thing thought you still lived there and she spilled her message to me before fainting away. I have fed her and she has rested, after running the distance she has, so now, Lord D'Vinnian, I return her to you." Before D'Vinnian could question him further, Oberon disappeared, leaving a small goblin girl in his place.
"Kajna? You bring news from the Labyrinth?" D'Vinnian asked the creature, astonished to see it.
The little goblin nodded, "Aye. I bring an important message."
After waiting a moment and seeing that Kajna would say no more, D'Vinnian sighed, "Well? What is it?" he said impatiently.
"His Majesty, King Jareth, has returned," Kajna announced with a proud puff of her chest. She had had two weeks of running across the land by herself to think of just how she wanted to deliver that message for the greatest effect. And she wasn't disappointed. D'Vinnian's mouth fell open and for the first and only time in his existence, he fainted.
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Peake was so tired. Having one leg be two inches shorter than the other gave him a half-step half-hop sort of walk. And it was exhausting. He'd have certainly given up by now if there ahd been any place to do so. But, this whole place was empty and he'd gone to far to turn back. Normally, being out in the open of the Goblin King's realm would've scared the little goblin out of what few wits he had. Peake had spent the whole of his short, albeit priviledged, life living in Jareth's castle. He couldn't wait to get back to the camp and see he castle again. Funny that the magic hadn't reached out here yet. He shrugged, blindly trusting his king. Maybe the Goblin King wsn't the nicest fae. Maybe he did kick his goblins. But, the goblins and the rest of the kingdom's inhabitants found out the hard way that having Jareth was much much better than having no king…and no Labyrinth. Peake stopped to catch his breath. It would be night again soon and he'd have to find something to hid himself against and rest. Suddenly, his nose twitched as he caught a familiar scent. He pricked his furry ears and could hear the fain popping of logs as somebody started a fire. Peake smiled, his large yet not pointed canines showing. His odd gait picked up speed as he raced towards the fire. He did it! He found one of the other camps.! A few fireys sat by the fire, being unusually quiet. Some fairies floated nearby rather glumly. Some elves and dwarves played a card game. The goblins were mostly already asleep. Everyone woke and picked up their heads, watching as little Peake rushed into the camp, almost tripping. Seeing that he had the entire camp's attention, Peake held up one four-fingered furry hand, signaling them to wait while he caught his breath. Finally, he made his announcement, "King Jareth is alive! He has returned!"
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Jareth had been silent since his return from Aboveground. Even Sir Didymus couldn't get him to open up. He'd been over-seeing the goblins' task with a grim expression and the camp's positive feeling about the return of their king was fading.
Hoggle looked up from where he was helping Didymus, several other dwarves, and a few of the more intelligent goblins draw up plans for a new castle. He sighed seeing Jareth's face.
"He didn't tells ya nothing?"
Didymus glanced up at Hoggle, "Not one thing."
"Well, someone's gots ta see what's bothering 'im," Hoggle reasoned.
The fox knew that Hoggle meant himself. "Be careful, brother," he warned, "The king's patience is wearing thin."
Hoggle nodded before he got up and started to hobble his way to his king.
"What is it?" Jareth asked before Hoggle had the chance to get a word out.
"We're alls just worried about ya, Yer Highness," he said.
Jareth shot Hoggle a withering glance, "How touching."
Hoggle cleared his throat nervously, "Did ya see Sarah?" The dwarf noticed Jareth's slight wince. "What did she say?" he asked quietly.
Jareth began walking away, "Nothing important."
He was no more than five paces away before he felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Sire, sire!! Come quick! The Labyrinth!" the goblin chattered, his eyes lit with wonder.
Seeing that too many questions would get him nowhere, Jareth followed his subject silently away from the camp. The path they were on was a familiar one and the Goblin King grimaced as he realized they were headed to the spot where Sarah had been in her dream. The grimace completely disappeared when that spot came into view. Shock was showing in every feature of the king's face. His Labyrinth was growing.
