Disclaimer: Okay. If you don't know the drill by now you're a slow learner. That's okay, I have patience. Sometimes. I do not own nor claim to own The Labyrinth, it's characters, or any of the really creepy little green people. I do however wish to own Jareth. But since all of you know that I am a healthy heterosexual fourteen-year-old American female, that little tid-bit of info shouldn't be that big of a surprise to anyone. * glances around dejectedly * I have no money, so wasting yours on a bloodsucking leech or a writhing maggot that you think could effectively 'sue' me is rather pointless. Be forewarned there's nothing to sue. * brightens * I do however own Toren, Sinoa, My version of Fate, Nic, Mac, any original minor characters, and Lynx the cat. While I don't own Oberon or Titania, I like to think my characterization of them is somewhat original. Like I said before, No one can use any of mine while I'm still playing with them, maybe later… If I like you well enough, If I don't… well…boo-hoo.
Author's Note: I have got to cut down on the length of theses things. So I'm gonna try. Thank You Celestia for your faith and support of whatever comes out of my (add your own adjective) mind, you're one in a million. Thanks go out to all of my 'new' and not-so-new author friends, who offer support, encouragement, and humor that let's me know I'm not alone in my craziness, And as always the biggest thanks goes out to you if you're taking the time to read this. It's appreciated more than you'll ever know. Ano…um…just so y'all know I have no clue what I'm about to put down on virtual paper, so I can't give any of y'all an overview of this chapter. Deal with it.
"The Irony Of It All"
Chapter Six: "Friends, Family, and other pains in the @$$"
"The boy thinks we're cagey huh?" There was a self-satisfied pause after Oberon's remark.
"Now, now young one. We both know that they are correct in their assumptions of our characters. It's true when they say that we wish them settled, but they make it sound as though we're twisting their arm with one hand and dealing…what is the quaint mortal expression? 'Under the table' with the other hand."
There was a rather rueful and not totally dignified pause as Fate pondered her descendents attitude towards her spinning.
'My poor cygnets. They all think I'm out to get them, such darlings, but really not all that in tune with my reasons. They think they have me all figured out. The meddlesome Great Grandmother who can only deal with one of her little birds at a time. Humpf. I guess that gives me an added advantage then. They'll be so busy thanking their lucky stars (the ones that aren't on my side anyway) that they won't know what hit the three out of twelve that I have left to go. Time to show them Great grandmother Fate still has a few tricks they don't know.'
With a happy sigh, Grandmother Fate continued…
"What kind of precedent would you be if you did not help me Oberon? I'm Fate, not Miracle. I occasionally need some sort of assistance and since our goals… occasionally co-inside, it's natural that you'd offer your…um…expertise."
Noticing the 'um' that his thousandth some-odd Great Grandmother had quite casually interjected Oberon turned, miffed.
'Like she's innocent of…What did my wayward grandchildren call it? …. "Meddling?" She's just as… concerned about their happiness as I am. Which is why we often combine our efforts.'
Dryly, Oberon parried. Verbally that is.
"Exactly. They are forever mistaking familial concern for interference. I don't think of anything that we do in their interest can be called interference. It's tending, that's all."
Fate smiled wryly, "You always were one of my favorites my dear child, always. Although there was a time, if I recall correctly, when you saw my help as 'interference' as well." She let the thought remain unfinished, as though to remind him of her uncanny ability to match people.
Smoothly, if somewhat contrite, Oberon reminisced out loud. "You recall correctly. But I knew nothing of the joys of marriage then, and I had not even met Titania. How was I to known that she'd be my match?"
There was a short burst of sardonic laughter, "You could have just taken my word for it, after all, is that not what you want the cygnets to do now? Child, you of all Fae should know that their acceptance will take time. Just as yours did."
There was another pause as Fate remembered just how stubborn Oberon had been.
" Once again if I remember correctly, your exact words towards me then went something along the lines of, 'I'm not interested in your help Grandmother, It's neither needed nor appreciated, and certainly not warranted!'
Fate allowed herself the indulgence of a derisive snort before continuing.
"After all Oberon, are they not your Grandchildren, and my 1,216TH generation of Great grandchildren? They're bound to retain your infamous bad nature."
"Oh really?" Oberon turned to face his ancestor. "And where do you think I received my share of the family's 'infamous bad-nature?' as you so eloquently put it?"
Fate batted her lashes and feigned innocence. She was 275,000 if she was a day, and she still knew how to flirt. Damn she's good.
"My dear Oberon, what could you possibly be implying? Me? Bad-natured? Never" Fate laughed with something closely resembling a girlish giggle.
Oberon glanced toward his regal thousandth some odd Great grandmother, and shook his head. It was impressive the type of skills women retained in their lifetime.
Managing to keep his eyes from slightly rolling Oberon chuckled. "Okay not 'bad-natured' but devious, wily, and down right sneaky I'll go along with."
"Flattery will get you no where my dear young one." Fate continued her spinning, and only allowed her self to smile when she heard his exasperated sigh.
"Grandmother…" he hesitated, not sure of quite how to put this, "Why is it that you still call me young? I'm over 6,800 years old you know."
Smiling still Fate looked toward her great-grandson with amusement. "When you're as old as I am Oberon, everyone will seem young." There was a short almost saddened pause. "There are only few of us who endure, Time, Miracle, Will, Chance, Love, Chaos, Hope, and myself. Not even our children…you Oberon, will live forever. It's sad to see our young ones die. I've watched it for 1,216 generations. Hopefully with this match we have our hand in, all that changes." Fate's voice had softened to a whisper during this soliloquy.
Suddenly aware of just how serious the match they were moving along was, Oberon gave up the playful bantering of their earlier conversation for talk of just how to go about getting his stubborn grandson, and the young lady he hoped to make his queen, to realize what everyone else seemed to already know. 'And how to do it without my queen finding out that I'm "Pressuring the children again"
Unconsciously shuddering at the thought of Titania's ire, Oberon continued plotting with his grandmother.
'If we can pull this off then our right of life will be restored, and drifting further into the mist of illusion will no longer be necessary'
'If I can do this, I no longer have to lose my family as years go by. I'll finally be able to rest.'
Each dreaming of the same goal, they started forming their plan.
Author's Note: Well…that chapter didn't turn out quite like I had planned but It should suffice. Raise your hand if you're interested in the plot yet. Then try to figure it out. I'll be very impressed if you can. Post an idea and at the end of every chapter, and in my following chapter notes, I'll let y'all know who was warm, cool, and who just fell out of the "I don't have a clue" Tree and hit every branch on the way down. **Laughs** Don't worry, I have band-aides and aspirin for you when you hit the base of the tree. Time for me to shut up so y'all can get to the important part… reviewing. So in the immortal words of the wise man…um…wise HAT "Leave a deposit in the little shiny blue box. Thank you. Come again."