MORTAL BELOVED
(Chapter 16)
Emotions
DISCLAIMER: ARE THESE REALLY STILL NEEDED?
**FOR THE DUMB ASSES OUT THERE**
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE LABYRINTH CHARACTERS!
Thank you to all my reviewers, you guys are the best, and I hope you keep on reading!
^_^
Eve Lindsey.
Findlay looked down on the note in his palm and felt his heart leap. His son, his Rohwan, was not lost as he had feared, in fact he was quite the opposite. He frowned, determined not to let his emotions get the better of him.
Findlay turned as he heard Alanya's soft voice cut through the darkness.
"I knew he would come back to you" she stated, smiling at him, and Findlay, overwhelmed stepped forward and into her arms, burying his head in her fragrant hair.
"Let's go home" she continued softly and Findlay nodded numbly.
He couldn't believe that now, just when he thought that there was no hope left, that war would come and take over and desecrate all that he knew and held dear, his son had returned to him.
Findlay smiled, he truly was a lucky man. Jareth smiled and embraced him and Findlay held on, for once feeling that he was the one who was fragile and could topple over at any given moment.
"Well done my friend" he stated, smiling genuinely. And Findlay returned the smile, knowing that later they would have to work out how to deal with Ragan and they fey blade, but for now, content to be happy.
* * *
Toran rode into the stables and dismounted his horse, grunting at the creature that hurried to feed and water the stallion. He swaggered away and felt his game face come into play; the smug smirk easily sliding across his features. But Toran knew that deep inside he was smirking for another reason. He had succeeded, he had warned his father of the threat that Ragan posed and had ensured that both Jareth and he were well aware that that Ragan had they fey blade. He knew now, that they had a chance, and Toran hoped that this chance would be enough. Moments later, Toran made himself grin as he strode through the doors that led to Ragan's throne room. He scanned the room and saw that Ragan was sitting at the large oak table, which he had fixed since his last outburst of rage. Toran hurried over and was about to start the spiel that he knew Ragan would want to hear of how many had killed and the damage he had inflicted, when Rage stepped out of the shadows and threw a ball of energy at him, flinging him across the room. Toran impacted a stone pillar with a bone crunching thunk and rose shakily to his feet.
Toran looked first at Rage and then Ragan, he noticed that the second had a haggard and almost sad look to him, And Toran wondered what was going on.
Toran shot another glance at Rage and saw that the creature had formed another energy ball and was about to throw it. Caught off guard, Toran tried in vain to dodge the orb, knowing that he could never be fast enough.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Ragan, and both Rage and Toran turned to look at the older man.
"Rage, contain yourself" he spat furiously and he motioned Toran over to where he was sitting. Toran obliged, and sat down beside the borderlord, a sickening feeling clenched at his stomach and Toran knew with certainty what was going to come next.
* * *
"Stop it!" giggled Sarah, as she playfully slapped Jareth's hand away from her breast. Jareth grinned wickedly and pulled her closer, "Make me" he stated tauntingly and smiled down at her, She reached up and placed a hand on the side of his face, suddenly serious.
"Jareth" she stated softly, and he watched her with interest.
"If I don't survive this. Promise me one thing" she stated determinedly, and Jareth looked away, refusing to meet her piercing gaze. Feeling very much like a deer caught in headlights, Jareth found he could not.
Sarah leaned in closer and stretched out her palms, holding them up and out, and Jareth put his hands against hers, finger meeting finger, and took a deep breath. They both stared at their hands, mingled, intertwined, beautiful.
A look of sadness shadowed Sarah's perfect face and she once again sought her beloved's eyes, seeking an answer, to what she knew not.
"Anything, But you know I would die before a hair on your head is harmed" he spoke softly, voice shaking with emotion at the thought that anything happening to her.
Sarah felt surprise only for a moment, and knew that it was the real Jareth, not a façade, no longer cruel or hidden behind impenetrable self- built walls that stood before her now.
Jareth waited expectantly and Sarah continued, grasping both his hands as a show of support.
"Don't forget me" she whispered, and Jareth's face, the ever strong always self assured mask fell away and crumbled to dust as he pulled Sarah fiercely to him, as if the act could somehow keep her from harm.
The pair embraced again, and Sarah's tear-streaked face found Jareth's lips and kissed him softly, desperately wanting to give the comfort she knew that they both needed. Jareth responded, and she could feel his need for reassurance, and she gave it to him as best she could.
The kisses became increasingly more heated, and both felt the passion and fire course through them, Sarah caught a glimpse of Jareth's changeling eyes and saw that the gemlike eyes were dancing with the flames that they both felt. Sarah's eyes widened as her the bodice of her dress slid down her arms, and heard Jareth's soft rumbling chuckle. Picking Sarah up, they walked forward over to the bed where he lay her down onto the soft covering and followed her down.
Jareth climbed over her and sought her lips once more, their lips met and parted, mouths mating and desires growing. Sarah reached out and ran her hands under Jareth's shirt lightly skimming his chest and smiling softly when he shivered in reaction. Removing her hands from his chest, Sarah reached up and clasped Jareth's head in her hands, and kissed his lips.
Jareth paused, and Sarah felt his hesitation, his indecision, and knew that he was waiting for something from her. She looked up at him and smiled.
"I love you" she whispered and nodded almost imperceptivly. Jareth, needing no more reassurance, leant down and kissed her, And Sarah felt herself falling, falling as if from a cliff hard and fast. But she knew, without a doubt the man before her, the man she loved, would be there to catch her.
* * *
"Alanya, I want you to leave" stated Findlay authoratively, to the beautiful woman before him. Alanya turned and walked up to Findlay so she was toe to toe with him and glared.
"I'm not leaving you" she stated defiantly and Findlay cursed silently.
::Damn her for being so damn stubborn:: he thought to himself and chanced a glance over to the still frowning Alanya.
"I don't want you to get hurt, It's going to get very messy here, very quickly" he stated desperately, Not wanting to mention her being mortal, but knowing that he would probably have to.
Alanya's glare deepened.
"I'm not afraid Findlay, And I'm not leaving you, not for anything in the underground" she stated harshly, and Findlay knew what he would have to do to get her to leave.
"Just go Alanya, It's not like you mean anything to me" he spat and felt as if he would choke on the words as they came flying out of his mouth.
Alanya stumbled and looked at him, knowing that her heart was open and clear on both her sleeve and her face.
"Y-You don't mean that" she stammered uncertainly. And Findlay felt terrible as he smirked.
"Oh come on Alanya, you don't think that I a fey, could ever love a lowly mortal like you…do you?" he demanded. And Alanya, felt tears spring to her eyes, however, still clinging to hope she held his gaze.
"B-But the ring, the engagement" she cried out in desperation. And Findlay felt his heart twist as he laughed cruelly.
"That? That was just to get you into my bed quicker, that was all I wanted, after all" he taunted, and Alanya paled and rose to her feet. She strode over to him and Findlay fought to keep eye contact and not look away in shame. Alanya felt her face crumble but swore that she would not cry in front of this arrogant man who had fooled her, who had made her feel special.
She rose her hand and slapped him sharply across the face, one word coming from her mouth that was twisted into a line of pain.
"Bastard" she said, voice screaming with emotion.
Alanya turned on her heel and exited the room.
* * *
"What do you mean?" asked Toran shakily as he sat beside his father and across from Rage at the oak table.
"Do you think me so naive?" demaned Ragan, and Toran could hear that mingled with the anger was also pain.
"I-I don't know what your talking about" lied Toran, and Rage'e eyes glowed red with furore.
"Toran, we are not as dumb as you seem to think we are!" yelled Rage and Toran knew that he was in real trouble.
"Father, I swear, I didn't do anything" he stated desperately and Toran saw the flicker of hope in the older mans eyes before it was doused with something else.
"I'm not your father, as you well know. Rage followed you tonight. You know who you are and now I know that it has been you sabotaging my plans" Yelled Ragan, and Toran was about to teleport when Rage grabbed him.
"Not so fast, Brat" he smirked and rapidly muttered an incantation.
"What should I do with him my liege?" demanded Rage and Ragan sighed in exasperation. "Whatever you want to Rage, whatever you want to" he muttered and Sat back down in his chair heavily.
Rage grinned with pure malice, then closed his eyes and muttered something. Before Toran knew it, they were in the outposts dungeon.
"It's my turn now brat" spat Rage and Toran tried again to teleport, but couldn't. Toran realised that the incantation that Rage had muttered must be preventing him from doing so.
Toran bowed his head and wondered how he was going to get out of this one.
Rage grinned at the young fey, before disappearing into a side room. Toran closed his eyes and scanned his mind for a way out of the dungeon. Toran knew the outpost like the back of his hand and realised with sickening certainty that there was only one way out of the dungeon. And Rage was blocking that way.
Rage returned moments later with a length of chain, manacles at the end of it. Rage grinned sadistically as he snapped the manacles onto each of Toran's lower legs and then clipped the other ends to a wooden wheel with a handle used to turn it.
Rage turned the handle and the chains ground to life. Toran was flung up into the air and hung upside down swinging wildly.
Toran cursed under his breath as Rage stripped him of his weapons and armour.
Rage let out a laugh, and grinned manically, Toran realising that Rage had indeed left his sanity outside the door.
What Toran saw next however, scared him immensely. Toran steadied himself and watched as Rage picked up what looked like a club with metal spikes and came towards him.
"Your mine now brat" he stated sardonically, and grinned wickedly as he approached.
* * *
Alanya felt the tears stream down her face as she galloped, pushing the horse she had taken to the limit. She felt branches snap at her face but didn't care.
She wondered how Findlay could do such a thing. Alanya knew that she loved him, well she had loved him but obviously he hadn't felt the same way about her. She couldn't believe she had been as easily taken in as she had. This was something that Aboveground males do not feys, she thought and she knew that she would never be as stupid as she had been lately ever again. The Goblin Kingdom loomed up ahead, looking welcoming, with torches lit and banners waving from the battlements. Alanya felt as though her heart had indeed been ripped out of her chest. She marvelled at her betrayal, she thought that she was going to spend the rest of her life with this wonderful fey, but then again, since when had she had good taste in men? She asked herself and knew that beating herself up over it wasn't going to help but unable to stop. Because the truth was she had truly opened herself up to this man, she loved him with every fibre of her being, and that couldn't just be turned off. Alanya knew that this time it had been different, it had been real, and she had given it all she had, she had given her heart, body and soul willingly, and now that just made the barb cut deeper.
Falling off the horse, she rose to her feet and rubbed the scratches on her arms, heading toward the lights of the castle. Outside, Alanya knew that although a little scraggly, she looked normal. But inside she just felt dead, hollow, empty, a shell of what she used to be. Findlay had brought her out into the light of his love and now that she was without it, it was suddenly overwhelmingly dark.
Staggering toward the doors of the castle, she barely made it inside before collapsing in a heap, tears claiming her.
* * *
Ragan sat by himself in the position he had been in for the last eight hours. He couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. He could do nothing. Ragan had known, when he had taken the infant from the scene of destruction, that he would eventually find out the truth, but he hadn't bargained on it being this soon, nor on the fact that it would hurt so much. Toran had been his son for years, and although he had killed the boy's true family, Ragan did indeed feel like a father to the young fey.
"I should have killed him along with the rest of his family" he muttered and lay his head down on the table, drowning his sorrows in glass after glass of goblin wine.
Now Rage had hold of him and Ragan knew that Toran would either die, or be in such bad shape that he would wish he had.
"I don't care!!" Bellowed Ragan to no one imparticular and closed his eyes.
* * *
Toran eyed Rage warily and flinched as he anticipated the blow. Yet when they came, they were ten times the magnitude Toran had imagined. Rage raised the spiked club over and over again. Beating Torans mid section, chest, legs and neck until blood flowed freely onto the dungeon floor. Where it mingled with sewage and flowed out of the drain. The last thing Toran registered before passing out from the pain, was the drain in the wall, and then he fell into oblivion.
Rage continued to beat the young fey, the unconscious form swinging wildly after each blow and occasionally muttered something nondescript.
Rage felt the immense satisfaction of finally having the pesky little twerp who was a constant source of irritation to him, finally under his control.
Rage felt his arm begin to tire, and he lay the club down, happy in the knowledge that he had the rest of the young fey's life; however long that may be, to torture him, and come up with fun new ways in which to play with his pet.
"Oohhhhh' moaned Toran, and Rage quickly headed up the stairs and out of the dungeon. It was his turn to shine, and have glory, without that brat forever there to outdo him.
He had won.
"RAGE!" bellowed Ragan, and Rage immediately ran to his masters side.
"What is it my lord?" he hissed, and Ragan smiled. Rage knew that he was intoxicated, but didn't care. He waited patiently until Ragan remembered exactly what it was that he had wanted to say.
"Ready the troops Rage, we march tomorrow" stated the intoxicated leader, in a very composed voice and Rage rubbed his hands together with relish.
"Yes sir!" he barked, and hurried off.
* * *
In the early hours of the morning, Jareth opened his eyes and realised where he was. He smiled lazily as he remembered what had occurred last night. He rolled over and got a mouthful of brown hair. He removed the hair from his mouth and leaned on one elbow.
"Sarah!" he whispered, and nudged her in the back.
"Off with his head!" she said sleepily, and Jareth smirked, already she was acting like his queen.
Sarah sat up suddenly and realised where she was. Turning, she saw the smirk of the Goblin King and blushed,
"Hey you" she said sleepily and smiled at him Jareth smiled back.
"I was just going to get something to eat, Would you like some?" he enquired, eyebrow raised and she nodded.
"Love some" she agreed and he headed toward the door.
Jareth passed the door to Findlay's room on the way to the kitchen, and saw that the door was open, so he stuck his head in. Findlay was sitting on the bed in the same clothes he had been wearing the night before.
"Findlay? What's the matter?" he asked, suddenly concerned.
"Where's Alanya?" demanded Jareth and felt his stomach clench as Findlay looked up at him. Complete and utter hopelessness registered on Findlay's face, despair and many other emotions, already clearly etched there.
Jareth took a seat beside his friend and placed a supportive hand on his arm.
Findlay looked up again, stoically, before bowing his head.
"I did it for her own good" he spoke up, and looked into space.
"I did it for her own good" he repeated, trying to convince himself.
* * *
WELL WELL,
THERE WE GO, ANOTHER CHAPTER. AS ALWAYS MY BEAUTIFUL READERS, I NEED REVIEWS!
I LIVE ON THEM **SO TASTY**
NO, REALLY THEY MEAN A LOT TO ME.
TILL NEXT TIME.
Eve Lindsey.
(Chapter 16)
Emotions
DISCLAIMER: ARE THESE REALLY STILL NEEDED?
**FOR THE DUMB ASSES OUT THERE**
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE LABYRINTH CHARACTERS!
Thank you to all my reviewers, you guys are the best, and I hope you keep on reading!
^_^
Eve Lindsey.
Findlay looked down on the note in his palm and felt his heart leap. His son, his Rohwan, was not lost as he had feared, in fact he was quite the opposite. He frowned, determined not to let his emotions get the better of him.
Findlay turned as he heard Alanya's soft voice cut through the darkness.
"I knew he would come back to you" she stated, smiling at him, and Findlay, overwhelmed stepped forward and into her arms, burying his head in her fragrant hair.
"Let's go home" she continued softly and Findlay nodded numbly.
He couldn't believe that now, just when he thought that there was no hope left, that war would come and take over and desecrate all that he knew and held dear, his son had returned to him.
Findlay smiled, he truly was a lucky man. Jareth smiled and embraced him and Findlay held on, for once feeling that he was the one who was fragile and could topple over at any given moment.
"Well done my friend" he stated, smiling genuinely. And Findlay returned the smile, knowing that later they would have to work out how to deal with Ragan and they fey blade, but for now, content to be happy.
* * *
Toran rode into the stables and dismounted his horse, grunting at the creature that hurried to feed and water the stallion. He swaggered away and felt his game face come into play; the smug smirk easily sliding across his features. But Toran knew that deep inside he was smirking for another reason. He had succeeded, he had warned his father of the threat that Ragan posed and had ensured that both Jareth and he were well aware that that Ragan had they fey blade. He knew now, that they had a chance, and Toran hoped that this chance would be enough. Moments later, Toran made himself grin as he strode through the doors that led to Ragan's throne room. He scanned the room and saw that Ragan was sitting at the large oak table, which he had fixed since his last outburst of rage. Toran hurried over and was about to start the spiel that he knew Ragan would want to hear of how many had killed and the damage he had inflicted, when Rage stepped out of the shadows and threw a ball of energy at him, flinging him across the room. Toran impacted a stone pillar with a bone crunching thunk and rose shakily to his feet.
Toran looked first at Rage and then Ragan, he noticed that the second had a haggard and almost sad look to him, And Toran wondered what was going on.
Toran shot another glance at Rage and saw that the creature had formed another energy ball and was about to throw it. Caught off guard, Toran tried in vain to dodge the orb, knowing that he could never be fast enough.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Ragan, and both Rage and Toran turned to look at the older man.
"Rage, contain yourself" he spat furiously and he motioned Toran over to where he was sitting. Toran obliged, and sat down beside the borderlord, a sickening feeling clenched at his stomach and Toran knew with certainty what was going to come next.
* * *
"Stop it!" giggled Sarah, as she playfully slapped Jareth's hand away from her breast. Jareth grinned wickedly and pulled her closer, "Make me" he stated tauntingly and smiled down at her, She reached up and placed a hand on the side of his face, suddenly serious.
"Jareth" she stated softly, and he watched her with interest.
"If I don't survive this. Promise me one thing" she stated determinedly, and Jareth looked away, refusing to meet her piercing gaze. Feeling very much like a deer caught in headlights, Jareth found he could not.
Sarah leaned in closer and stretched out her palms, holding them up and out, and Jareth put his hands against hers, finger meeting finger, and took a deep breath. They both stared at their hands, mingled, intertwined, beautiful.
A look of sadness shadowed Sarah's perfect face and she once again sought her beloved's eyes, seeking an answer, to what she knew not.
"Anything, But you know I would die before a hair on your head is harmed" he spoke softly, voice shaking with emotion at the thought that anything happening to her.
Sarah felt surprise only for a moment, and knew that it was the real Jareth, not a façade, no longer cruel or hidden behind impenetrable self- built walls that stood before her now.
Jareth waited expectantly and Sarah continued, grasping both his hands as a show of support.
"Don't forget me" she whispered, and Jareth's face, the ever strong always self assured mask fell away and crumbled to dust as he pulled Sarah fiercely to him, as if the act could somehow keep her from harm.
The pair embraced again, and Sarah's tear-streaked face found Jareth's lips and kissed him softly, desperately wanting to give the comfort she knew that they both needed. Jareth responded, and she could feel his need for reassurance, and she gave it to him as best she could.
The kisses became increasingly more heated, and both felt the passion and fire course through them, Sarah caught a glimpse of Jareth's changeling eyes and saw that the gemlike eyes were dancing with the flames that they both felt. Sarah's eyes widened as her the bodice of her dress slid down her arms, and heard Jareth's soft rumbling chuckle. Picking Sarah up, they walked forward over to the bed where he lay her down onto the soft covering and followed her down.
Jareth climbed over her and sought her lips once more, their lips met and parted, mouths mating and desires growing. Sarah reached out and ran her hands under Jareth's shirt lightly skimming his chest and smiling softly when he shivered in reaction. Removing her hands from his chest, Sarah reached up and clasped Jareth's head in her hands, and kissed his lips.
Jareth paused, and Sarah felt his hesitation, his indecision, and knew that he was waiting for something from her. She looked up at him and smiled.
"I love you" she whispered and nodded almost imperceptivly. Jareth, needing no more reassurance, leant down and kissed her, And Sarah felt herself falling, falling as if from a cliff hard and fast. But she knew, without a doubt the man before her, the man she loved, would be there to catch her.
* * *
"Alanya, I want you to leave" stated Findlay authoratively, to the beautiful woman before him. Alanya turned and walked up to Findlay so she was toe to toe with him and glared.
"I'm not leaving you" she stated defiantly and Findlay cursed silently.
::Damn her for being so damn stubborn:: he thought to himself and chanced a glance over to the still frowning Alanya.
"I don't want you to get hurt, It's going to get very messy here, very quickly" he stated desperately, Not wanting to mention her being mortal, but knowing that he would probably have to.
Alanya's glare deepened.
"I'm not afraid Findlay, And I'm not leaving you, not for anything in the underground" she stated harshly, and Findlay knew what he would have to do to get her to leave.
"Just go Alanya, It's not like you mean anything to me" he spat and felt as if he would choke on the words as they came flying out of his mouth.
Alanya stumbled and looked at him, knowing that her heart was open and clear on both her sleeve and her face.
"Y-You don't mean that" she stammered uncertainly. And Findlay felt terrible as he smirked.
"Oh come on Alanya, you don't think that I a fey, could ever love a lowly mortal like you…do you?" he demanded. And Alanya, felt tears spring to her eyes, however, still clinging to hope she held his gaze.
"B-But the ring, the engagement" she cried out in desperation. And Findlay felt his heart twist as he laughed cruelly.
"That? That was just to get you into my bed quicker, that was all I wanted, after all" he taunted, and Alanya paled and rose to her feet. She strode over to him and Findlay fought to keep eye contact and not look away in shame. Alanya felt her face crumble but swore that she would not cry in front of this arrogant man who had fooled her, who had made her feel special.
She rose her hand and slapped him sharply across the face, one word coming from her mouth that was twisted into a line of pain.
"Bastard" she said, voice screaming with emotion.
Alanya turned on her heel and exited the room.
* * *
"What do you mean?" asked Toran shakily as he sat beside his father and across from Rage at the oak table.
"Do you think me so naive?" demaned Ragan, and Toran could hear that mingled with the anger was also pain.
"I-I don't know what your talking about" lied Toran, and Rage'e eyes glowed red with furore.
"Toran, we are not as dumb as you seem to think we are!" yelled Rage and Toran knew that he was in real trouble.
"Father, I swear, I didn't do anything" he stated desperately and Toran saw the flicker of hope in the older mans eyes before it was doused with something else.
"I'm not your father, as you well know. Rage followed you tonight. You know who you are and now I know that it has been you sabotaging my plans" Yelled Ragan, and Toran was about to teleport when Rage grabbed him.
"Not so fast, Brat" he smirked and rapidly muttered an incantation.
"What should I do with him my liege?" demanded Rage and Ragan sighed in exasperation. "Whatever you want to Rage, whatever you want to" he muttered and Sat back down in his chair heavily.
Rage grinned with pure malice, then closed his eyes and muttered something. Before Toran knew it, they were in the outposts dungeon.
"It's my turn now brat" spat Rage and Toran tried again to teleport, but couldn't. Toran realised that the incantation that Rage had muttered must be preventing him from doing so.
Toran bowed his head and wondered how he was going to get out of this one.
Rage grinned at the young fey, before disappearing into a side room. Toran closed his eyes and scanned his mind for a way out of the dungeon. Toran knew the outpost like the back of his hand and realised with sickening certainty that there was only one way out of the dungeon. And Rage was blocking that way.
Rage returned moments later with a length of chain, manacles at the end of it. Rage grinned sadistically as he snapped the manacles onto each of Toran's lower legs and then clipped the other ends to a wooden wheel with a handle used to turn it.
Rage turned the handle and the chains ground to life. Toran was flung up into the air and hung upside down swinging wildly.
Toran cursed under his breath as Rage stripped him of his weapons and armour.
Rage let out a laugh, and grinned manically, Toran realising that Rage had indeed left his sanity outside the door.
What Toran saw next however, scared him immensely. Toran steadied himself and watched as Rage picked up what looked like a club with metal spikes and came towards him.
"Your mine now brat" he stated sardonically, and grinned wickedly as he approached.
* * *
Alanya felt the tears stream down her face as she galloped, pushing the horse she had taken to the limit. She felt branches snap at her face but didn't care.
She wondered how Findlay could do such a thing. Alanya knew that she loved him, well she had loved him but obviously he hadn't felt the same way about her. She couldn't believe she had been as easily taken in as she had. This was something that Aboveground males do not feys, she thought and she knew that she would never be as stupid as she had been lately ever again. The Goblin Kingdom loomed up ahead, looking welcoming, with torches lit and banners waving from the battlements. Alanya felt as though her heart had indeed been ripped out of her chest. She marvelled at her betrayal, she thought that she was going to spend the rest of her life with this wonderful fey, but then again, since when had she had good taste in men? She asked herself and knew that beating herself up over it wasn't going to help but unable to stop. Because the truth was she had truly opened herself up to this man, she loved him with every fibre of her being, and that couldn't just be turned off. Alanya knew that this time it had been different, it had been real, and she had given it all she had, she had given her heart, body and soul willingly, and now that just made the barb cut deeper.
Falling off the horse, she rose to her feet and rubbed the scratches on her arms, heading toward the lights of the castle. Outside, Alanya knew that although a little scraggly, she looked normal. But inside she just felt dead, hollow, empty, a shell of what she used to be. Findlay had brought her out into the light of his love and now that she was without it, it was suddenly overwhelmingly dark.
Staggering toward the doors of the castle, she barely made it inside before collapsing in a heap, tears claiming her.
* * *
Ragan sat by himself in the position he had been in for the last eight hours. He couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. He could do nothing. Ragan had known, when he had taken the infant from the scene of destruction, that he would eventually find out the truth, but he hadn't bargained on it being this soon, nor on the fact that it would hurt so much. Toran had been his son for years, and although he had killed the boy's true family, Ragan did indeed feel like a father to the young fey.
"I should have killed him along with the rest of his family" he muttered and lay his head down on the table, drowning his sorrows in glass after glass of goblin wine.
Now Rage had hold of him and Ragan knew that Toran would either die, or be in such bad shape that he would wish he had.
"I don't care!!" Bellowed Ragan to no one imparticular and closed his eyes.
* * *
Toran eyed Rage warily and flinched as he anticipated the blow. Yet when they came, they were ten times the magnitude Toran had imagined. Rage raised the spiked club over and over again. Beating Torans mid section, chest, legs and neck until blood flowed freely onto the dungeon floor. Where it mingled with sewage and flowed out of the drain. The last thing Toran registered before passing out from the pain, was the drain in the wall, and then he fell into oblivion.
Rage continued to beat the young fey, the unconscious form swinging wildly after each blow and occasionally muttered something nondescript.
Rage felt the immense satisfaction of finally having the pesky little twerp who was a constant source of irritation to him, finally under his control.
Rage felt his arm begin to tire, and he lay the club down, happy in the knowledge that he had the rest of the young fey's life; however long that may be, to torture him, and come up with fun new ways in which to play with his pet.
"Oohhhhh' moaned Toran, and Rage quickly headed up the stairs and out of the dungeon. It was his turn to shine, and have glory, without that brat forever there to outdo him.
He had won.
"RAGE!" bellowed Ragan, and Rage immediately ran to his masters side.
"What is it my lord?" he hissed, and Ragan smiled. Rage knew that he was intoxicated, but didn't care. He waited patiently until Ragan remembered exactly what it was that he had wanted to say.
"Ready the troops Rage, we march tomorrow" stated the intoxicated leader, in a very composed voice and Rage rubbed his hands together with relish.
"Yes sir!" he barked, and hurried off.
* * *
In the early hours of the morning, Jareth opened his eyes and realised where he was. He smiled lazily as he remembered what had occurred last night. He rolled over and got a mouthful of brown hair. He removed the hair from his mouth and leaned on one elbow.
"Sarah!" he whispered, and nudged her in the back.
"Off with his head!" she said sleepily, and Jareth smirked, already she was acting like his queen.
Sarah sat up suddenly and realised where she was. Turning, she saw the smirk of the Goblin King and blushed,
"Hey you" she said sleepily and smiled at him Jareth smiled back.
"I was just going to get something to eat, Would you like some?" he enquired, eyebrow raised and she nodded.
"Love some" she agreed and he headed toward the door.
Jareth passed the door to Findlay's room on the way to the kitchen, and saw that the door was open, so he stuck his head in. Findlay was sitting on the bed in the same clothes he had been wearing the night before.
"Findlay? What's the matter?" he asked, suddenly concerned.
"Where's Alanya?" demanded Jareth and felt his stomach clench as Findlay looked up at him. Complete and utter hopelessness registered on Findlay's face, despair and many other emotions, already clearly etched there.
Jareth took a seat beside his friend and placed a supportive hand on his arm.
Findlay looked up again, stoically, before bowing his head.
"I did it for her own good" he spoke up, and looked into space.
"I did it for her own good" he repeated, trying to convince himself.
* * *
WELL WELL,
THERE WE GO, ANOTHER CHAPTER. AS ALWAYS MY BEAUTIFUL READERS, I NEED REVIEWS!
I LIVE ON THEM **SO TASTY**
NO, REALLY THEY MEAN A LOT TO ME.
TILL NEXT TIME.
Eve Lindsey.