AN: Hay, it took a week and I did the whole chapter today, but its longer than average
so, enjoy. Maybe another two chapters to go... Keep encouraging me with all those wonderful
reviews... *hint hint* LOL...
If you want a disclaimer go read another chapter. One where I was inspired enough to
actually write one. I am pathetic aren't I? =)
************************ Sacrifices: Chapter Twenty Three ************************
"I refuse to accept that!"
"She's lying!"
Shouts and accusations echoed in the grand hall way as the Sidhe Court bickered like
children. Sarah was disgusted and ashamed at the pettiness that lived in such majesty
and grandeur. Jareth caught her look of distaste and slid closer to her.
"You've seen us unmasked, what do think of our world?" Our was the Royal Plural,
exclusive, and inclusive, all three at the same time. Sarah stared at the man beside
her for a heart beat, weighed him with suddenly grave amber eyes, judged him. The Goblin
King smiled and it held nothing but bitterness.
"I think... I think that I am very glad that I wished myself away to you and that, that of
all of the creatures here you are the most powerful." Jareth's breath caught in his throat
and his gloved hand came up and trailed through Sarah's free, very willing hair. It clung
to him and slid around his curled fingers like liquid silk, like burnished copper and
freshly turned earth.
His eyes darkened, closed, shuttered, until all that Sarah saw was what he allowed, seduction,
power, an intensity that held her spell bound, that always had. The way a moth was drawn to
the flame... Only she was drawn to his darkness.
Heaven help her, if it could.
The windows to his tortured soul were no longer open. The fires, the hell that seemed to
rage so close to the surface, the passion inside of Jareth that took her breath away and
frightened her all at the same time were contained. Never subdued, but hidden. She suddenly
was very aware of his hand wrapped in layers of her tresses.
"Why? Why do you believe me so kind hearted Sarah? Don't you believe that I'm dangerous?
Or have I suddenly lost my claws?" She returned his grim bitter smile and answered softly,
her own eyes empty of anything that could give her away.
"You'll always be dangerous Jareth. There'll always be some part of you that shuns the
light. Some part of you that embraces evil. Its your nature Jareth, and I will never, can
never forget that.
"But you are the Goblin King Jareth, you are my King. I can, will, never forget that
either." He growled.
"But will you ever forgive me for it?" And just for an instant the barriers fell and there
was such agony, such turmoil... Sarah stared at her King in puzzlement, bewilderment.
"What is there to forgive?" He leaned closer and they were oblivious to the screaming, the
pandemonium, the existence of the most powerful beings in the Underground. Searching,
searching, those pain filled eyes focused and latched onto her face, her lined but still
beautiful face.
"Do you truly believe that Sarah? No past transgressions to throw back in my face? No
accusations? No hate filled words? Where are your demands for fairness Sarah?" She closed
her eyes, unwilling to bear the weight in Jareth's gaze, not unable.
He had to lean closer to hear her whispered reply, so close his face, heated, nearly brushed
her own pale, cool features. "Lost to a world of black and white. Abandoned with childhood.
I'm not a child anymore Jareth, I do get tired of repeating myself." Her eyes snapped open
and an insolent look very similar to a certain Goblin King's expression passed over her
delicate face.
"There's no one to blame for what has happened between us Jareth. Me, you... Life played
out. I spoke the words; you stole the child. I ate the peach; we made a deal. You tried
to claim what was yours; I offered you something else. The Room of Fate named you my King,
could I do any less?"
At the last question her already quiet voice caught and was smaller, almost vulnerable.
Jareth saw the sudden weakness in Sarah and wondered at it.
"Why," he demanded, "does the Room of Fate have such power over those who enter it?" Sarah
turned away from him then, offered the bare line of her hunched shoulders, the gentle sweep
of a gracefully curved neck, the yearning hair. She answered then, because his question had
been an order, and because the Goblin King was her liege.
"I haven't heard my mother's voice for over thirty years. She walked out on my dad, on me,
but there's always... there's always a hole inside, a wound, a pain that can only be soothed
by her hand, her voice, and the Room spoke to me in her voice Jareth. It wasn't her, I know
that, knew it even as it spoke to me but... I couldn't, can't, ignore it, her. It's a
powerful thing, to be told who you are by the one person you long for, miss, need the most."
He started to reply to her, started to respond, either to her obvious pain or with, with her
startling revelations. That he wasn't a monster, that, even if he was a villain, he wasn't
hers. But the shouting, the yelling, had subsided. The Sidhe Court had thrown their
tantrums.
Cadreth, Phoenix King, Lord of the Court, called for order and they listened. He stood
before them all, before his peers and enemies, one in the same, and spoke, rolling voice
reaching throughout the crowded hall.
"The Room has spoken. The human immortal belongs here, in the Underground, at the Goblin
King's side. This Judgment Session is closed..."
Evirey strode forward angrily, her dress sliding to reveal pale skin, dark, strange eyes
furious, sharply defined face twisted with frustration. "She's lying Cadreth!" One blunted,
accusing finger pointed straight to Sarah's back. Those who wished for Jareth's down fall
watched with interest but did not attempt to aid the Unicorn Queen.
Many thirsted for revenge, but none would rather dine on failure. They would not stand beside
Evirey until she was winning and now, everything was far from certain. Even foolish Tortar
stood slightly apart from his proclaimed ally.
Draculo watched from the shadows, lost in the crowd, dangerous eyes narrowed at the Queen of
the Unicorns before concentrating on the human that had surprised them all so much. Jareth
was a solid, unmoving pillar at the immortal mortal's side. Draculo had misjudged the
situation badly, it was true.
The Vampire King had seen the human acquisition as a weakness. The wisest course would have
been to aid Evirey, to combine their political and magical strength to try to humble the
proud Goblin King. It had been their plan, had been what everyone, including Jareth, had
expected.
Draculo hated to be boring, mundane.
He had abandoned Evirey to whatever actions she wished to take. Had pursued the bizarre
human woman. Had named her Goblin Queen and negated any power against Jareth he might hold
in the Judgment Session. Had gambled, had almost lost, had almost won, and in reality had
done neither.
The image of a small, gold Dragon Queen flowered in his mind, a half memory stolen from
another. Jareth would walk away this day, the human at his side, just as powerful, more
powerful, than before, but Draculo had what he wanted.
The Dragon Queen had been born.
He knew nothing besides that. Didn't know her strength, where she was, or her name.
But she lived, for now. And what lived, could die. That was all the truth any of his
people needed to survive.
Draculo smiled, fangs white, even against the pale of his colorless lips. He watched with
interest as the fight continued before him but, he was neutral about the outcome. He was
Vampire King and he would be the one to see the Dragons die. It was enough to stir even his
cold heart, to make his stolen blood sing with fierce triumph at the thought of the golden
scaled Dragon Queen lying broken somewhere, emerald eyes closed forever. It was enough.
*****************************************************************************************
Sarah turned and faced the raging Unicorn Queen, unnoticed tears streaking her white cheeks,
face a familiar mixture of indignation and her own brand of defiant fury. She took a step
forward and smiled a very Jareth like smile at the flicker of uncertainty on the Unicorn
Queen's so very inhuman features.
"I lie Unicorn Queen? I am human, true, and untruths have fallen past my lips but no one,
not even I, would, could lie about the Room of Fate. If I am capable of lying about such
a thing, if the Room's magic is so weak, then all that you have ever known is a lie.
"Every child, every being, that has crossed the threshold has been able to lie to you all.
Your entire society hangs in the balance of whether or not the Room of Fate is true. I
have not lied. I have said where my place is, where I belong, and that is at the Goblin
King's side.
"By my word, by his agreement, by the Room of Fate's own decree. I belong in this world
and I belong to him. Challenge that and you challenge all that you know. Is it worth it
Unicorn Queen? Is revenge truly worth that much? But none of this is what this Judgment
Session is supposed to be about anyway." As Sarah paused for breath Kym, Faerie Queen,
glided smoothly forward.
"Yes friends. Jareth was brought before you to present his newest subject. Normally any
human kidnapped from Above would be brought here, presented. His failure to do so could
normally result in censure, contestment to his claims of ownership. But the Room of Fate
has decreed that this particular human belongs to him.
"Another reason this Session was called was because the human was granted immortality. If
it was granted in error, then perhaps there might be a case for rashness against Jareth but,
again, the Room has spoken. Sarah belongs here, as one of us, and we are all immortal."
"But she never should have been brought at all!" Evirey was flushed as she cried out and
Kym bowed slightly to the Unicorn Queen, humoring her as one would a child.
"Perhaps," the Faerie Queen ceded, a sparkle in light, ice riddled blue eyes that had seen
too much. She was a dangerous woman, when she chose to be. "Jareth was granted permission
to bring babes into our world, we have all been given that, if we are willing to accept the
risks. But no one has ever forbidden him to bring a grown woman who belongs here.
"There are no rules, no laws, nothing to forbid it. No one else has the power, the will,
or," at this those knowledgeable eyes danced and met Jareth's impassive features, "the blind
luck to pull it off. There is no point to this Judgment Session. Accept your loss Evirey,
Tortar."
Evirey hissed in response to the imperious Faerie Queen as anger crossed the Troll King's
own face. The Unicorn Queen's trembling arm dropped as she whirled to Cadreth.
"Its over Evirey," the grave Phoenix King said softly, voice surprisingly gentle. The Lord
of the Court gathered himself and addressed the entire assembly. "There is no vote for
there is nothing to be decided! The Room of Fate has spoken, and its answer has cleared
Jareth, Goblin King, of any and all crimes. The immortal human Sarah, is one of the Goblins
if only in name, not form. This Judgment Session has ended. Disperse until another day,
Court adjourned!" The Court swelled and held a breath of silence before applause broke out.
The Sidhe Court appreciated nothing better then good entertainment and showmanship. It was
one of the greatest reasons that Jareth was as powerful as he was, and why he wasn't hated
as much as he otherwise might have been. He always put on a fantastic show.
A wave of Cadreth's arms brought another portal that would take each creature and being to
their own destinations. A portal like that was a very rare talent and one of the many
reasons why the Phoenix King was Lord of the Court. The Court glided forward like an oil
spill as, one by one, incredible creatures vanished into the swirling, ebony vortex.
****************************************************************************************
Sarah, shaking slightly, jumped as Jareth put a questioning hand on her arm. She looked
up and smiled wearily, still in shock, at the mask she was most familiar with. The Goblin
King looked down at her in bland amusement, eyes neutral, mouth curling with a smirk that
hinted at things not entirely wholesome. They shared a meaningful silence as they stood
together, next to the portal, across from Cadreth, as the frightening Sidhe Court flowed
slowly forward.
The passing of the Faerie Queen drew both of their attention away from each other. Kym
paused at the mouth of the portal and smiled toothily at them both, her wings rattling
against each other, looking anything in the world like a bird ruffling and resettling her
feathers.
"Best of, of luck Jareth," she said finally, merriment plain as it warmed usually cold
azure eyes. Her gaze darkened somewhat when she transferred her stare to Sarah. That
pale, pale hand came up and cupped Sarah's cold cheek as a half smile twisted lips that
looked like freshly bloomed roses.
"I, I expect great things of you human, immortal, Sarah. Be careful, keep your wits
about you, and never back down to a certain Goblin King. He needs to be kept in line."
The Faerie Queen disappeared into portal without giving either of them time to respond.
It was Jareth's steel like grip that stopped the Unicorn Queen. Evirey glared at the man
who had escaped his demise, anger plain on her whitened features. "You'll fall one day
Goblin King, and I'll be there to laugh as you try to pick up the pieces."
Jareth tsked the Queen of the Unicorns. "You tread dangerous ground Evirey." She stared
at him mutely, eyes wide, but did not reply. She had been dealt a blow today, and she
should have seen it coming.
She watched Jareth for the Sidhe Court because she disapproved of him. Because she was
jealous, like all of them, of his power. Because he had insulted her. Because, for a
thousand petty reasons, he had earned her emnity. She had seen what he had done, and had
hoped to humiliate him before the Court. Had hoped to own the human curiosity for herself.
Had hoped to possess what Jareth had claimed as his.
But somewhere between when she had discovered his transgressions and today, the Judgment
Session, she had forced this to become a play for power, a plot for revenge, a way to make
the untouchable Jareth humble.
And had failed miserably.
The Goblin King smiled and it was chilling.
"That's right child. You played with fire and were burned. But you attempted what few have
dared to try before. Next time plan better, more ruthlessly, and we shall see. I do enjoy a
challenge." Evirey's skin flushed at how easily he saw through her.
She ripped her arm away, ivory curls falling forward to obscure her face and the ebony star
that shone on her brow. Obsidian eyes glared at the arrogant King of the Goblins as the
Unicorn Queen straightened.
"As do I." Jareth laughed at her as she slid through the portal.
"You made a true enemy out of her today Jareth." Jareth turned his suddenly impassive face
to the Vampire King.
"It would have happened eventually." Draculo inclined his head regally but his hypnotizing
eyes were on Sarah and Sarah alone. She was the one vulnerable to his power, not the Goblin
King.
"Draculo." His name was short, a warning. The Vampire King smiled lazily and ignored
Jareth. He leaned forward to whisper in Sarah's ear.
She refused to raise her suddenly downcast face and, Draculo could smell her fear like
perfume. His lips parted and spoke softly, mouth hovering inches from the tempting vein on
her slender neck. He could sense her pulse fluttering, rapid, desperate.
"Give the Dragon Queen my fondest hello and tell her, tell her that I shall be meeting her
very. very soon."
Sarah jerked in response as Draculo straightened and smiled, deadly, at the furious Goblin
King. It was the human that shocked him once again though.
Her head shot up and, just for instant, Sarah met his seeking black eyes, pure rage searing
away the instant attempt he made to capture her again. "Burn in Hell."
And, despite her very real terror of him, her beautiful voice did not waver. She looked
away then, let the Goblin King hold her closer to his side. This time it was Draculo's
laughter that haunted them as he stepped through the portal, gone at last.
****************************************************************************************
They stood together as the last of the Sidhe Court disappeared into the waiting, yearning
darkness. At last the hallway before the Room of Fate was empty save the Goblin King, the
human woman, and the Phoenix King.
Cadreth smiled at them both, flaming hair softening and dimming. Sarah met his gaze and,
and found those bottomless cerulean eyes very reassuring after the cold misery that had
clenched like a tight ball of fear in her stomach after Draculo's words.
"Go well Sarah. Go well Goblin King. Happy huntings..."
"And fair skies." Jareth responded to the traditional parting with an almost totally genuine
smile.
"What now?" Jareth shook himself at the softly asked question and took Sarah's un-scarred
hand without asking for it. She didn't protest.
"We go home," he replied with something very close to relief. Sarah closed her amber eyes
at the brief flash of pain she felt with the word... Home...
Melanie, Devon... But that, that was the past and, god help her, Sarah had learned something
very painful about life in her thirty five years... It always went on.
And on meant a home that was very different from the one she had sacrificed herself to
preserve. Home was Underground, was the Labyrinth, was a place that held as much darkness
and light. Home was the Goblin King.
"Home..." she repeated, tasting the word on her lips and not finding it nearly as bitter as
she expected.
Together, together Sarah and Jareth stepped through the portal together, and went home.
******************************************************************************************
Cadreth was left in the silent hall as he closed the vortex after they left. He sighed to
himself and paused before calling a smaller, less energy expending portal for himself.
Hesitant steps took him to the doors of the Room of Fate.
The Phoenix King touched those white, shining doors, and shook his head before backing away.
He simply wasn't that brave.
Few High Sidhe were.
He vanished into the darkness he called for himself, hair burning bright.
AN2: Yeah, there's some minor grammar and spelling things I've missed so far but I plan to go
back and edit the whole story once I get it out of my head. Thanks for understanding. And my
comma usage sucks. Just FYI. Yell at me if a particular section of a particular passage or
chapter is exceptionally bad or confusing due to grammar boo boos.
so, enjoy. Maybe another two chapters to go... Keep encouraging me with all those wonderful
reviews... *hint hint* LOL...
If you want a disclaimer go read another chapter. One where I was inspired enough to
actually write one. I am pathetic aren't I? =)
************************ Sacrifices: Chapter Twenty Three ************************
"I refuse to accept that!"
"She's lying!"
Shouts and accusations echoed in the grand hall way as the Sidhe Court bickered like
children. Sarah was disgusted and ashamed at the pettiness that lived in such majesty
and grandeur. Jareth caught her look of distaste and slid closer to her.
"You've seen us unmasked, what do think of our world?" Our was the Royal Plural,
exclusive, and inclusive, all three at the same time. Sarah stared at the man beside
her for a heart beat, weighed him with suddenly grave amber eyes, judged him. The Goblin
King smiled and it held nothing but bitterness.
"I think... I think that I am very glad that I wished myself away to you and that, that of
all of the creatures here you are the most powerful." Jareth's breath caught in his throat
and his gloved hand came up and trailed through Sarah's free, very willing hair. It clung
to him and slid around his curled fingers like liquid silk, like burnished copper and
freshly turned earth.
His eyes darkened, closed, shuttered, until all that Sarah saw was what he allowed, seduction,
power, an intensity that held her spell bound, that always had. The way a moth was drawn to
the flame... Only she was drawn to his darkness.
Heaven help her, if it could.
The windows to his tortured soul were no longer open. The fires, the hell that seemed to
rage so close to the surface, the passion inside of Jareth that took her breath away and
frightened her all at the same time were contained. Never subdued, but hidden. She suddenly
was very aware of his hand wrapped in layers of her tresses.
"Why? Why do you believe me so kind hearted Sarah? Don't you believe that I'm dangerous?
Or have I suddenly lost my claws?" She returned his grim bitter smile and answered softly,
her own eyes empty of anything that could give her away.
"You'll always be dangerous Jareth. There'll always be some part of you that shuns the
light. Some part of you that embraces evil. Its your nature Jareth, and I will never, can
never forget that.
"But you are the Goblin King Jareth, you are my King. I can, will, never forget that
either." He growled.
"But will you ever forgive me for it?" And just for an instant the barriers fell and there
was such agony, such turmoil... Sarah stared at her King in puzzlement, bewilderment.
"What is there to forgive?" He leaned closer and they were oblivious to the screaming, the
pandemonium, the existence of the most powerful beings in the Underground. Searching,
searching, those pain filled eyes focused and latched onto her face, her lined but still
beautiful face.
"Do you truly believe that Sarah? No past transgressions to throw back in my face? No
accusations? No hate filled words? Where are your demands for fairness Sarah?" She closed
her eyes, unwilling to bear the weight in Jareth's gaze, not unable.
He had to lean closer to hear her whispered reply, so close his face, heated, nearly brushed
her own pale, cool features. "Lost to a world of black and white. Abandoned with childhood.
I'm not a child anymore Jareth, I do get tired of repeating myself." Her eyes snapped open
and an insolent look very similar to a certain Goblin King's expression passed over her
delicate face.
"There's no one to blame for what has happened between us Jareth. Me, you... Life played
out. I spoke the words; you stole the child. I ate the peach; we made a deal. You tried
to claim what was yours; I offered you something else. The Room of Fate named you my King,
could I do any less?"
At the last question her already quiet voice caught and was smaller, almost vulnerable.
Jareth saw the sudden weakness in Sarah and wondered at it.
"Why," he demanded, "does the Room of Fate have such power over those who enter it?" Sarah
turned away from him then, offered the bare line of her hunched shoulders, the gentle sweep
of a gracefully curved neck, the yearning hair. She answered then, because his question had
been an order, and because the Goblin King was her liege.
"I haven't heard my mother's voice for over thirty years. She walked out on my dad, on me,
but there's always... there's always a hole inside, a wound, a pain that can only be soothed
by her hand, her voice, and the Room spoke to me in her voice Jareth. It wasn't her, I know
that, knew it even as it spoke to me but... I couldn't, can't, ignore it, her. It's a
powerful thing, to be told who you are by the one person you long for, miss, need the most."
He started to reply to her, started to respond, either to her obvious pain or with, with her
startling revelations. That he wasn't a monster, that, even if he was a villain, he wasn't
hers. But the shouting, the yelling, had subsided. The Sidhe Court had thrown their
tantrums.
Cadreth, Phoenix King, Lord of the Court, called for order and they listened. He stood
before them all, before his peers and enemies, one in the same, and spoke, rolling voice
reaching throughout the crowded hall.
"The Room has spoken. The human immortal belongs here, in the Underground, at the Goblin
King's side. This Judgment Session is closed..."
Evirey strode forward angrily, her dress sliding to reveal pale skin, dark, strange eyes
furious, sharply defined face twisted with frustration. "She's lying Cadreth!" One blunted,
accusing finger pointed straight to Sarah's back. Those who wished for Jareth's down fall
watched with interest but did not attempt to aid the Unicorn Queen.
Many thirsted for revenge, but none would rather dine on failure. They would not stand beside
Evirey until she was winning and now, everything was far from certain. Even foolish Tortar
stood slightly apart from his proclaimed ally.
Draculo watched from the shadows, lost in the crowd, dangerous eyes narrowed at the Queen of
the Unicorns before concentrating on the human that had surprised them all so much. Jareth
was a solid, unmoving pillar at the immortal mortal's side. Draculo had misjudged the
situation badly, it was true.
The Vampire King had seen the human acquisition as a weakness. The wisest course would have
been to aid Evirey, to combine their political and magical strength to try to humble the
proud Goblin King. It had been their plan, had been what everyone, including Jareth, had
expected.
Draculo hated to be boring, mundane.
He had abandoned Evirey to whatever actions she wished to take. Had pursued the bizarre
human woman. Had named her Goblin Queen and negated any power against Jareth he might hold
in the Judgment Session. Had gambled, had almost lost, had almost won, and in reality had
done neither.
The image of a small, gold Dragon Queen flowered in his mind, a half memory stolen from
another. Jareth would walk away this day, the human at his side, just as powerful, more
powerful, than before, but Draculo had what he wanted.
The Dragon Queen had been born.
He knew nothing besides that. Didn't know her strength, where she was, or her name.
But she lived, for now. And what lived, could die. That was all the truth any of his
people needed to survive.
Draculo smiled, fangs white, even against the pale of his colorless lips. He watched with
interest as the fight continued before him but, he was neutral about the outcome. He was
Vampire King and he would be the one to see the Dragons die. It was enough to stir even his
cold heart, to make his stolen blood sing with fierce triumph at the thought of the golden
scaled Dragon Queen lying broken somewhere, emerald eyes closed forever. It was enough.
*****************************************************************************************
Sarah turned and faced the raging Unicorn Queen, unnoticed tears streaking her white cheeks,
face a familiar mixture of indignation and her own brand of defiant fury. She took a step
forward and smiled a very Jareth like smile at the flicker of uncertainty on the Unicorn
Queen's so very inhuman features.
"I lie Unicorn Queen? I am human, true, and untruths have fallen past my lips but no one,
not even I, would, could lie about the Room of Fate. If I am capable of lying about such
a thing, if the Room's magic is so weak, then all that you have ever known is a lie.
"Every child, every being, that has crossed the threshold has been able to lie to you all.
Your entire society hangs in the balance of whether or not the Room of Fate is true. I
have not lied. I have said where my place is, where I belong, and that is at the Goblin
King's side.
"By my word, by his agreement, by the Room of Fate's own decree. I belong in this world
and I belong to him. Challenge that and you challenge all that you know. Is it worth it
Unicorn Queen? Is revenge truly worth that much? But none of this is what this Judgment
Session is supposed to be about anyway." As Sarah paused for breath Kym, Faerie Queen,
glided smoothly forward.
"Yes friends. Jareth was brought before you to present his newest subject. Normally any
human kidnapped from Above would be brought here, presented. His failure to do so could
normally result in censure, contestment to his claims of ownership. But the Room of Fate
has decreed that this particular human belongs to him.
"Another reason this Session was called was because the human was granted immortality. If
it was granted in error, then perhaps there might be a case for rashness against Jareth but,
again, the Room has spoken. Sarah belongs here, as one of us, and we are all immortal."
"But she never should have been brought at all!" Evirey was flushed as she cried out and
Kym bowed slightly to the Unicorn Queen, humoring her as one would a child.
"Perhaps," the Faerie Queen ceded, a sparkle in light, ice riddled blue eyes that had seen
too much. She was a dangerous woman, when she chose to be. "Jareth was granted permission
to bring babes into our world, we have all been given that, if we are willing to accept the
risks. But no one has ever forbidden him to bring a grown woman who belongs here.
"There are no rules, no laws, nothing to forbid it. No one else has the power, the will,
or," at this those knowledgeable eyes danced and met Jareth's impassive features, "the blind
luck to pull it off. There is no point to this Judgment Session. Accept your loss Evirey,
Tortar."
Evirey hissed in response to the imperious Faerie Queen as anger crossed the Troll King's
own face. The Unicorn Queen's trembling arm dropped as she whirled to Cadreth.
"Its over Evirey," the grave Phoenix King said softly, voice surprisingly gentle. The Lord
of the Court gathered himself and addressed the entire assembly. "There is no vote for
there is nothing to be decided! The Room of Fate has spoken, and its answer has cleared
Jareth, Goblin King, of any and all crimes. The immortal human Sarah, is one of the Goblins
if only in name, not form. This Judgment Session has ended. Disperse until another day,
Court adjourned!" The Court swelled and held a breath of silence before applause broke out.
The Sidhe Court appreciated nothing better then good entertainment and showmanship. It was
one of the greatest reasons that Jareth was as powerful as he was, and why he wasn't hated
as much as he otherwise might have been. He always put on a fantastic show.
A wave of Cadreth's arms brought another portal that would take each creature and being to
their own destinations. A portal like that was a very rare talent and one of the many
reasons why the Phoenix King was Lord of the Court. The Court glided forward like an oil
spill as, one by one, incredible creatures vanished into the swirling, ebony vortex.
****************************************************************************************
Sarah, shaking slightly, jumped as Jareth put a questioning hand on her arm. She looked
up and smiled wearily, still in shock, at the mask she was most familiar with. The Goblin
King looked down at her in bland amusement, eyes neutral, mouth curling with a smirk that
hinted at things not entirely wholesome. They shared a meaningful silence as they stood
together, next to the portal, across from Cadreth, as the frightening Sidhe Court flowed
slowly forward.
The passing of the Faerie Queen drew both of their attention away from each other. Kym
paused at the mouth of the portal and smiled toothily at them both, her wings rattling
against each other, looking anything in the world like a bird ruffling and resettling her
feathers.
"Best of, of luck Jareth," she said finally, merriment plain as it warmed usually cold
azure eyes. Her gaze darkened somewhat when she transferred her stare to Sarah. That
pale, pale hand came up and cupped Sarah's cold cheek as a half smile twisted lips that
looked like freshly bloomed roses.
"I, I expect great things of you human, immortal, Sarah. Be careful, keep your wits
about you, and never back down to a certain Goblin King. He needs to be kept in line."
The Faerie Queen disappeared into portal without giving either of them time to respond.
It was Jareth's steel like grip that stopped the Unicorn Queen. Evirey glared at the man
who had escaped his demise, anger plain on her whitened features. "You'll fall one day
Goblin King, and I'll be there to laugh as you try to pick up the pieces."
Jareth tsked the Queen of the Unicorns. "You tread dangerous ground Evirey." She stared
at him mutely, eyes wide, but did not reply. She had been dealt a blow today, and she
should have seen it coming.
She watched Jareth for the Sidhe Court because she disapproved of him. Because she was
jealous, like all of them, of his power. Because he had insulted her. Because, for a
thousand petty reasons, he had earned her emnity. She had seen what he had done, and had
hoped to humiliate him before the Court. Had hoped to own the human curiosity for herself.
Had hoped to possess what Jareth had claimed as his.
But somewhere between when she had discovered his transgressions and today, the Judgment
Session, she had forced this to become a play for power, a plot for revenge, a way to make
the untouchable Jareth humble.
And had failed miserably.
The Goblin King smiled and it was chilling.
"That's right child. You played with fire and were burned. But you attempted what few have
dared to try before. Next time plan better, more ruthlessly, and we shall see. I do enjoy a
challenge." Evirey's skin flushed at how easily he saw through her.
She ripped her arm away, ivory curls falling forward to obscure her face and the ebony star
that shone on her brow. Obsidian eyes glared at the arrogant King of the Goblins as the
Unicorn Queen straightened.
"As do I." Jareth laughed at her as she slid through the portal.
"You made a true enemy out of her today Jareth." Jareth turned his suddenly impassive face
to the Vampire King.
"It would have happened eventually." Draculo inclined his head regally but his hypnotizing
eyes were on Sarah and Sarah alone. She was the one vulnerable to his power, not the Goblin
King.
"Draculo." His name was short, a warning. The Vampire King smiled lazily and ignored
Jareth. He leaned forward to whisper in Sarah's ear.
She refused to raise her suddenly downcast face and, Draculo could smell her fear like
perfume. His lips parted and spoke softly, mouth hovering inches from the tempting vein on
her slender neck. He could sense her pulse fluttering, rapid, desperate.
"Give the Dragon Queen my fondest hello and tell her, tell her that I shall be meeting her
very. very soon."
Sarah jerked in response as Draculo straightened and smiled, deadly, at the furious Goblin
King. It was the human that shocked him once again though.
Her head shot up and, just for instant, Sarah met his seeking black eyes, pure rage searing
away the instant attempt he made to capture her again. "Burn in Hell."
And, despite her very real terror of him, her beautiful voice did not waver. She looked
away then, let the Goblin King hold her closer to his side. This time it was Draculo's
laughter that haunted them as he stepped through the portal, gone at last.
****************************************************************************************
They stood together as the last of the Sidhe Court disappeared into the waiting, yearning
darkness. At last the hallway before the Room of Fate was empty save the Goblin King, the
human woman, and the Phoenix King.
Cadreth smiled at them both, flaming hair softening and dimming. Sarah met his gaze and,
and found those bottomless cerulean eyes very reassuring after the cold misery that had
clenched like a tight ball of fear in her stomach after Draculo's words.
"Go well Sarah. Go well Goblin King. Happy huntings..."
"And fair skies." Jareth responded to the traditional parting with an almost totally genuine
smile.
"What now?" Jareth shook himself at the softly asked question and took Sarah's un-scarred
hand without asking for it. She didn't protest.
"We go home," he replied with something very close to relief. Sarah closed her amber eyes
at the brief flash of pain she felt with the word... Home...
Melanie, Devon... But that, that was the past and, god help her, Sarah had learned something
very painful about life in her thirty five years... It always went on.
And on meant a home that was very different from the one she had sacrificed herself to
preserve. Home was Underground, was the Labyrinth, was a place that held as much darkness
and light. Home was the Goblin King.
"Home..." she repeated, tasting the word on her lips and not finding it nearly as bitter as
she expected.
Together, together Sarah and Jareth stepped through the portal together, and went home.
******************************************************************************************
Cadreth was left in the silent hall as he closed the vortex after they left. He sighed to
himself and paused before calling a smaller, less energy expending portal for himself.
Hesitant steps took him to the doors of the Room of Fate.
The Phoenix King touched those white, shining doors, and shook his head before backing away.
He simply wasn't that brave.
Few High Sidhe were.
He vanished into the darkness he called for himself, hair burning bright.
AN2: Yeah, there's some minor grammar and spelling things I've missed so far but I plan to go
back and edit the whole story once I get it out of my head. Thanks for understanding. And my
comma usage sucks. Just FYI. Yell at me if a particular section of a particular passage or
chapter is exceptionally bad or confusing due to grammar boo boos.