MORTAL BELOVED
(Chapter 17)
It's War
DISCLAIMER: REPEAT; I DO NOT OWN THE LABYRINTH CHARACTERS!! Thank you to my precious reviewers, I live to please and I hope that you will keep on reading and reviewing. ^_^
Jareth stared at the man before him and wondered what exactly he had done. He could guess that the her was Alanya, but the rest was a mystery. "What did you do Finn?" he asked gently and Findlay looked up, Jareth saw the sheer pain that registered there and felt worry punch him in the stomach. Findlay rose, and started pacing. "I wanted to send Alanya away from here, from the war that is certain to break out, but she wouldn't leave, refused to point blank. So I told her that I didn't love her and that the only reason I proposed was so that she would sleep with me" Jareth sighed, "Honestly Findlay, I would have thought that being around me would have rid you of all that self sacrificing crap" he muttered, and Findlay looked up, surprised. "You think I did the wrong thing?" he asked, and Jareth frowned, "For you, no, It was the right thing to do to send your love away from danger, for her however, no, she's strong Findlay, and she would want to be here to help Sarah, even if she is mortal, and vulnerable to Ragan's attacks" he mused softly. Findlay sighed and held his head in his hands. "Sarah's going to hate me" he muttered, and Jareth grinned quickly, before replacing it with an unreadable expression. "I should think that Alanya's rage is what you should be worried about" he answered and Findlay groaned. "Is everything ok?" came an uncertain voice from the door. Jareth and Findlay both looked up guiltily, and Sarah's concerned expression deepened into a frown. "What is it?" she demanded, looking from first one to the other. Jareth strode to the door and escorted Sarah out of the door, closing it behind them. "I'll tell you, as long as I have your word that you shall not harm Findlay in any way" he spoke softly, but forcefully, and Sarah's eyes widened at the iron ore of his tone.
* * *
Sarah looked fearfully up at the fey before her and wondered what it was that she was going to hear, indeed if she even wanted to hear it. Sarah looked Jareth unflinchingly in the eye and wordlessly demanded to hear what he was going to say. Nodding, Jareth led Sarah away from Findlay's door and down the corridor. "Findlay sent your mother away, well.. He tried to, but she wouldn't go and so he told her that he didn't love her and a couple of other hurtful remarks that induced her into leaving of her own accord" he stated factually and Sarah looked at her hands, unsure of what exactly to say to that. She was relieved that her mother was out of danger but upset that she had left her without saying goodbye, and that Findlay had said those cruel things to her mother. Sarah looked up at Jareth and saw the concern for her, the worry that she might be angry and try to take matters into her own hands. Telling herself that she mustn't lose control, Sarah smiled weakly and nodded. "He did the right thing" she stated stoically and snickered as Jareth's mouth fell open in astonishment. "Albeit the wrong way" she continued, voice hardening momentarily. Leaving a stunned Jareth behind, Sarah stated that she had to get ready, and headed back to their room.
* * *
Rage sat atop his stallion and grinned to himself. Before the sun rises tomorrow, he would be able to tell that brat Rohwan that his father had been slain, and that his efforts to save them had been useless. Snickering, he grasped the reins and urged his horse on to catch up with Ragan. "Ah Rage, are the troops prepared?" questioned the borderlord, and Rage grinned maliciously, "Yes my lord, all demon soldiers are ready and await your orders to march upon the Mortal Kingdom" Ragan smiled and looked down on the Kingdom below the rise on which they were standing. "Such a pity to decimate such a beautiful kingdom" he muttered, and overhearing, Rage frowned, knowing that if his commander failed to have the determination needed to defeat the city, then he would take command and leave no trace of life left within the city. "Oh I know what you are thinking Rage" spoke up Ragan suddenly, startling Rage out of his reverie. "You are thinking that I may not have what it takes to complete the grim task at hand, But know this, you are mistaken. It is such a pretty day for a bloodbath, But we are not on a mission of mass destruction, we must remember our weakness, we only have one fey blade," he stated neutrally, fingering the dagger perched, almost concealed on his left hip. "We are here to kill the goblin king, His second in command and their women, if we happen to cause the demise of the Mortal King, then what can we do?" he asked nonchalantly. "But do you think the people of the Mortal Kingdom will stand by and let us murder it's leader?" asked Rage hesitantly, and Ragan grinned, laugh booming down the mountainside. "Rage, Rage, Rage, That is one of the good things about being evil, there is so much more versatility in our line of work. You see we don't have to kill all those people, we can take them prisioner, torture, maim yada yada yada, we get to have all the fun, why we could even turn them into our slaves, the women we can give to the soldiers to have their way with, of course you and I will get the most beautiful, But do you see my friend? The possibilities are endless" He finished, and Rage's eyes gleamed with fevered delight as he absorbed what Ragan was saying.
* * *
Alanya pulled herself up from where she had been slumped and wiped her eyes. She had been crying so much that she felt as though she were drowning in a sea of her own tears. Alanya knew that there was something fishy about the fact that Findlay had chosen the morning that they were supposed to be going to war to tell her what he had. She also knew that more than likely it was a ploy to get her to leave the Mortal Kingdom, and if that was what it had been then it had worked. But what hurt her more than Findlay's cruel words was the fact that he didn't want her there, didn't think that she could handle the ravages of battle. Well that just wasn't true, she had seen her share of hardships and had been in worse situations than this. Alanya knew that Findlay didn't want her there today, but she also knew that she had never listened to a man before and she wasn't going to start now. Sure she had caved, she had even left Sarah, but she had been too shocked and hurt at the time to have clearly thought about what she was doing. There was no way that Findlay could keep her away, and there was no way that she was going to forgive him for saying the things that he did. He could suffer, and if she didn't love him so much, she swore she would leave him to fight his stupid war all by himself. But she had a vested interest, Sarah was there, plus some misguided sense of loyalty told her that she couldn't let any harm come to Findlay. Alanya turned the corner that headed to her room and was nearly bowled over by Hoggle. The dwarf stopped, turned and rubbed his eyes in disbelief, "Why Lady Alanya, what are ya doin back here?" he asked, shocked. Alanya smiled and knelt in front of the dwarf. "Hoggle, Findlay sent me away using some very mean words, and I was too hurt to see through them at the time, Now I have to go back and face the enemy, and even worse, Findlay" she replied, and Hoggle looked at her with concern in his large eyes. "Lady Alanya, I am sure that Findlay would have wanted you to be safe" he stated kindly. And Alanya laughed, "Yes Hoggle, I know, but I am my daughter's mother" she stated, and laughed once more as Hoggle groaned. "When are we leaving?" he asked and Alanya frowned. "Hoggle, I can't ask you to come with me" she replied, rising to her feet, Hoggle grimaced, "Lady Alanya, you know how you feel you have to go back to help Findlay no matter what? Well that is what me, Ludo and Didymus feel for Sarah, please allow us to accompany you" he stated softly, and Alanya felt her heart wrench at such a display of loyalty. "It's against my better judgement, but ok, now get your friends, we have to hurry"
* * *
"We march at sunset" bellowed Ragan to the legion of perhaps one thousand demonic soldiers that Rage had managed to recruit with promises of riches, women and glory. Rage sat abreast his stallion and divided the legion into groups of two hundred. Picking the most menacing of each group, Rage proclaimed them generals and instructed them to disperse in the manner in which Ragan had outlined. Rage climbed from his horse and headed over to where Ragan was standing. "My lord, I have established a hierarchy, and the legions follow your commands as we speak" he intoned, and Ragan smirked, "It's time for Jareth to die" he enunciated each word menacingly fingering the fey blade at his hip. Rage observed his leaders actions with a satisfied smirk and thought of how easy it was going to be to slit his throat after this campaign and seize his throne. Yes, indeed he had done well for himself, Ragan had no clue that he would share the same day of death as his nemesis.
* * *
"Jareth, We have had a sighting at the northern border" stated King Dranion worriedly as he paced the length of the throne room and came to a stop beside Jareth. Jareth smiled, "So Ragan has decided to come out and play" he stated, Findlay smirked and then grimaced. :"Do not take the threat so lightly Jareth, remember what Rohwan told us, They have a fey blade" he answered. Dranion sat down on his throne and called his second in command. Dranion's second in command, A tall, red headed fey by the name of Loris appeared instantly. "Has there been any more sightings?" demanded Dranion anxiously, and Loris shook his head. "No my lord, but the legion we have seen is only of two hundred or so soldiers, this troubles us, there surely would be more to the borderlord's army" he answered, and Dranion nodded sombrely and turned to Jareth and Findlay for their opinion. "What do you think?" he asked and Findlay grimaced. "Ragan isn't stupid, he knows it would be foolish to put all of his eggs in one basket and rely on a single legion as his fighting force, It would be my guess that he has several flanking the castle at this very moment" he answered, and Jareth nodded in agreement. "I think your right" he spoke up, and Dranion instructed Loris to take a soldier and go scout around the perimeter of the city to try and determine the size of Ragan's army and the threat that they posed.
* * *
Alanya, Hoggle, Ludo, Didymus and Ambrocious had not gone more than a mile from the castle when Alanya heard a faint cry from the back reaches of her mind. "Help me.." whispered the voice faintly, and Alanya started in shock. "Did anyone say something?" she asked, turning to look around at her companions. There was a mass shaking of heads and Alanya sighed, realising that she must be imagining it. Alanya quickened the pace and ignoring Ludo's whine headed steadfastly toward the castle of the Mortal King. Alanya knew that she didn't want to face Findlay, not now, and if she had it her way, not ever. Alanya felt that she had to get to the kingdom, and at least in some small way, assist and be there for her daughter, should she need her. ::And if Findlay should see me fight and shish-ka-bob a couple demon warriors, then so be it:: she thought to herself, a self satisfied smirk making it's traversing the length of her ruby lips. "Alanya! Please help me" came the whispered voice again, and she knew that she hadn't imagined it that time. ::Where are you?:: she thought to herself, hoping that whatever it was that needed her assistance would reply. "Ragan's Outpost" came the voice weakly, and Alanya knew that they didn't have much time. Turning approximately 180 degrees, she set off marching in the direction that led to their enemies base. Ignoring the stares of shock the others gave her, she hurriedly barked at them to get a move on, and as an afterthought, that she would explain later.
* * *
Rohwan swung haphazardly as he attempted to reach the wheel that would cause him to fall to the ground. His entire body ached, and judging by the crimson stream rapidly flowing down the drain in the corner, he doubted that he had any blood left in his body. Biting his lips in frustration, he decided to change tactics. Rohwan's eyes slipped easily closed and he focused, pulling up an image of the Mortal Kingdom, seeing a flashback, he watched as a lone female rider sped away from the castle and knew it to be Alanya, the woman that had claimed his father's affections. Flashing again, Rohwan saw Alanya at Jareth's kingdom, and finally traversing across the field of wildflowers that bordered Jareth's land, no doubt returning to the Mortal Kingdom. Rohwan saw the odd entourage of companions, and decided that she was his best bet, sending out a cry for help in mind speech, Rohwan prayed that she would be there soon to free him. Not long after, he received a response and fell gratefully into unconsciousness, safe in the knowledge that help was on the way.
* * *
Appearing moments later, Loris and his scout turned to face the two kings and Jareth's second in command. "What news do you bring?" demanded Jareth, a little more forcefully than he had intended. Loris blinked and looked at his feet, hesitating only momentarily, he spoke up. "We spotted four legions of 200 my liege, but we believe there to be a fifth flanking the rear of the castle" he answered, and Jareth caught Findlay's gaze. Jareth knew that Findlay was thinking the exact same as he was, Why on earth would Ragan dare endeavour to lay siege to two prominent and well guarded kingdoms with only one thousand men? Jareth realised that the battle was probably a ploy and that Ragan undoubtedly had a second agenda, he also realised that the fey blade would probably play a part in this. "Would Ragan merely want to ensure the deaths of the leaders of our kingdoms?" mused Findlay aloud, and Jareth nodded, it was possible, indeed anything was possible.
* * *
An hour later, Alanya and her company verged on the edge of the Borderlands, she had never been here before and was perfectly happy to confess that she was scared out of her mind. What if it was a trap, an insane plan perfected by a maniac needing hostages? These were the thoughts that danced demonically through her head. Shaking her head as though to clear it, Alanya followed Hoggle's lead and headed down into the marshy swamplands that marked the end of Jareth's territory and the beginning of the borderlands. Sweating profusely, she navigated her way through the marsh and on the otherside was rewarded with a glimpse of the castle. ::I'm almost there:: she mind spoke and hoped that whoever it was could hear her and be reassured. "Of course If it's a evil freaking maniac, then he will have no need for reassurance" she muttered aloud and then scolded herself for entertaining such an illogical notion. Marching wearily on, Alanya was pleased that for once, she the mortal, was the one helping someone in danger.
* * *
Jareth sheathed his sword in it's scabbard and hurried after Dranion and Findlay who had headed for the battlements. Once there, Jareth took the liberty of snapping his long fingers. A double row of archers appeared along each wall, and waving his hand again, a casket of fire appeared and the arrow heads were instantly set alight. He knew that it was a severe move to make, but he did not want a repeat performance of the battle that was staged here so many years before. Sarah's dark head appeared coming up the steps and she smiled at Jareth. "Are you ready my love?" she asked, referring to their coming possession. "As ready as I'll ever be" He answered, and Dranion and Findlay stood on in shock, watching as two lights, one gold, one green appeared before them and entered the bodies of the pair before them. The psuedo Jareth creaked his neck and smiled deliciously. "Mmm, It's good to be back" he stated, and turned to look at "Sarah" "Seran, We are here, and we are going to make it count this time" he stated softly and she smiled. "Yes my love," she stated, narrowing her eyes, and lovingly fingering the blade that sat at her waist. Fagan clicked his fingers, and a catapult appeared with a stack of bundles and a pot of oil to soak them in, ready to be lit. "Sorry Jareth," He muttered, "Couldn't resist" he finished. Seran looked up at Fagan and could hardly believe that she had gotten a second chance, there was no way in the seven hells that she was going to let that happen, she would die first, ::again:: she added mentally, and sighed. "There's no backing out now Ser, It's war" stated Fagan, with an ominous air of finality.
* * *
SPEAKING OF FINALITY, THAT IS THE END OF THIS CHAPTER! I hope that you all enjoyed it, sorry it took so long, the site hasn't been working, holidays school, etc. I TELL YOU THEY ARE ALL PLOTTING AGAINST ME!
Please Review!!!! All my love, Xoxo Eve Lindsey.
DISCLAIMER: REPEAT; I DO NOT OWN THE LABYRINTH CHARACTERS!! Thank you to my precious reviewers, I live to please and I hope that you will keep on reading and reviewing. ^_^
Jareth stared at the man before him and wondered what exactly he had done. He could guess that the her was Alanya, but the rest was a mystery. "What did you do Finn?" he asked gently and Findlay looked up, Jareth saw the sheer pain that registered there and felt worry punch him in the stomach. Findlay rose, and started pacing. "I wanted to send Alanya away from here, from the war that is certain to break out, but she wouldn't leave, refused to point blank. So I told her that I didn't love her and that the only reason I proposed was so that she would sleep with me" Jareth sighed, "Honestly Findlay, I would have thought that being around me would have rid you of all that self sacrificing crap" he muttered, and Findlay looked up, surprised. "You think I did the wrong thing?" he asked, and Jareth frowned, "For you, no, It was the right thing to do to send your love away from danger, for her however, no, she's strong Findlay, and she would want to be here to help Sarah, even if she is mortal, and vulnerable to Ragan's attacks" he mused softly. Findlay sighed and held his head in his hands. "Sarah's going to hate me" he muttered, and Jareth grinned quickly, before replacing it with an unreadable expression. "I should think that Alanya's rage is what you should be worried about" he answered and Findlay groaned. "Is everything ok?" came an uncertain voice from the door. Jareth and Findlay both looked up guiltily, and Sarah's concerned expression deepened into a frown. "What is it?" she demanded, looking from first one to the other. Jareth strode to the door and escorted Sarah out of the door, closing it behind them. "I'll tell you, as long as I have your word that you shall not harm Findlay in any way" he spoke softly, but forcefully, and Sarah's eyes widened at the iron ore of his tone.
* * *
Sarah looked fearfully up at the fey before her and wondered what it was that she was going to hear, indeed if she even wanted to hear it. Sarah looked Jareth unflinchingly in the eye and wordlessly demanded to hear what he was going to say. Nodding, Jareth led Sarah away from Findlay's door and down the corridor. "Findlay sent your mother away, well.. He tried to, but she wouldn't go and so he told her that he didn't love her and a couple of other hurtful remarks that induced her into leaving of her own accord" he stated factually and Sarah looked at her hands, unsure of what exactly to say to that. She was relieved that her mother was out of danger but upset that she had left her without saying goodbye, and that Findlay had said those cruel things to her mother. Sarah looked up at Jareth and saw the concern for her, the worry that she might be angry and try to take matters into her own hands. Telling herself that she mustn't lose control, Sarah smiled weakly and nodded. "He did the right thing" she stated stoically and snickered as Jareth's mouth fell open in astonishment. "Albeit the wrong way" she continued, voice hardening momentarily. Leaving a stunned Jareth behind, Sarah stated that she had to get ready, and headed back to their room.
* * *
Rage sat atop his stallion and grinned to himself. Before the sun rises tomorrow, he would be able to tell that brat Rohwan that his father had been slain, and that his efforts to save them had been useless. Snickering, he grasped the reins and urged his horse on to catch up with Ragan. "Ah Rage, are the troops prepared?" questioned the borderlord, and Rage grinned maliciously, "Yes my lord, all demon soldiers are ready and await your orders to march upon the Mortal Kingdom" Ragan smiled and looked down on the Kingdom below the rise on which they were standing. "Such a pity to decimate such a beautiful kingdom" he muttered, and overhearing, Rage frowned, knowing that if his commander failed to have the determination needed to defeat the city, then he would take command and leave no trace of life left within the city. "Oh I know what you are thinking Rage" spoke up Ragan suddenly, startling Rage out of his reverie. "You are thinking that I may not have what it takes to complete the grim task at hand, But know this, you are mistaken. It is such a pretty day for a bloodbath, But we are not on a mission of mass destruction, we must remember our weakness, we only have one fey blade," he stated neutrally, fingering the dagger perched, almost concealed on his left hip. "We are here to kill the goblin king, His second in command and their women, if we happen to cause the demise of the Mortal King, then what can we do?" he asked nonchalantly. "But do you think the people of the Mortal Kingdom will stand by and let us murder it's leader?" asked Rage hesitantly, and Ragan grinned, laugh booming down the mountainside. "Rage, Rage, Rage, That is one of the good things about being evil, there is so much more versatility in our line of work. You see we don't have to kill all those people, we can take them prisioner, torture, maim yada yada yada, we get to have all the fun, why we could even turn them into our slaves, the women we can give to the soldiers to have their way with, of course you and I will get the most beautiful, But do you see my friend? The possibilities are endless" He finished, and Rage's eyes gleamed with fevered delight as he absorbed what Ragan was saying.
* * *
Alanya pulled herself up from where she had been slumped and wiped her eyes. She had been crying so much that she felt as though she were drowning in a sea of her own tears. Alanya knew that there was something fishy about the fact that Findlay had chosen the morning that they were supposed to be going to war to tell her what he had. She also knew that more than likely it was a ploy to get her to leave the Mortal Kingdom, and if that was what it had been then it had worked. But what hurt her more than Findlay's cruel words was the fact that he didn't want her there, didn't think that she could handle the ravages of battle. Well that just wasn't true, she had seen her share of hardships and had been in worse situations than this. Alanya knew that Findlay didn't want her there today, but she also knew that she had never listened to a man before and she wasn't going to start now. Sure she had caved, she had even left Sarah, but she had been too shocked and hurt at the time to have clearly thought about what she was doing. There was no way that Findlay could keep her away, and there was no way that she was going to forgive him for saying the things that he did. He could suffer, and if she didn't love him so much, she swore she would leave him to fight his stupid war all by himself. But she had a vested interest, Sarah was there, plus some misguided sense of loyalty told her that she couldn't let any harm come to Findlay. Alanya turned the corner that headed to her room and was nearly bowled over by Hoggle. The dwarf stopped, turned and rubbed his eyes in disbelief, "Why Lady Alanya, what are ya doin back here?" he asked, shocked. Alanya smiled and knelt in front of the dwarf. "Hoggle, Findlay sent me away using some very mean words, and I was too hurt to see through them at the time, Now I have to go back and face the enemy, and even worse, Findlay" she replied, and Hoggle looked at her with concern in his large eyes. "Lady Alanya, I am sure that Findlay would have wanted you to be safe" he stated kindly. And Alanya laughed, "Yes Hoggle, I know, but I am my daughter's mother" she stated, and laughed once more as Hoggle groaned. "When are we leaving?" he asked and Alanya frowned. "Hoggle, I can't ask you to come with me" she replied, rising to her feet, Hoggle grimaced, "Lady Alanya, you know how you feel you have to go back to help Findlay no matter what? Well that is what me, Ludo and Didymus feel for Sarah, please allow us to accompany you" he stated softly, and Alanya felt her heart wrench at such a display of loyalty. "It's against my better judgement, but ok, now get your friends, we have to hurry"
* * *
"We march at sunset" bellowed Ragan to the legion of perhaps one thousand demonic soldiers that Rage had managed to recruit with promises of riches, women and glory. Rage sat abreast his stallion and divided the legion into groups of two hundred. Picking the most menacing of each group, Rage proclaimed them generals and instructed them to disperse in the manner in which Ragan had outlined. Rage climbed from his horse and headed over to where Ragan was standing. "My lord, I have established a hierarchy, and the legions follow your commands as we speak" he intoned, and Ragan smirked, "It's time for Jareth to die" he enunciated each word menacingly fingering the fey blade at his hip. Rage observed his leaders actions with a satisfied smirk and thought of how easy it was going to be to slit his throat after this campaign and seize his throne. Yes, indeed he had done well for himself, Ragan had no clue that he would share the same day of death as his nemesis.
* * *
"Jareth, We have had a sighting at the northern border" stated King Dranion worriedly as he paced the length of the throne room and came to a stop beside Jareth. Jareth smiled, "So Ragan has decided to come out and play" he stated, Findlay smirked and then grimaced. :"Do not take the threat so lightly Jareth, remember what Rohwan told us, They have a fey blade" he answered. Dranion sat down on his throne and called his second in command. Dranion's second in command, A tall, red headed fey by the name of Loris appeared instantly. "Has there been any more sightings?" demanded Dranion anxiously, and Loris shook his head. "No my lord, but the legion we have seen is only of two hundred or so soldiers, this troubles us, there surely would be more to the borderlord's army" he answered, and Dranion nodded sombrely and turned to Jareth and Findlay for their opinion. "What do you think?" he asked and Findlay grimaced. "Ragan isn't stupid, he knows it would be foolish to put all of his eggs in one basket and rely on a single legion as his fighting force, It would be my guess that he has several flanking the castle at this very moment" he answered, and Jareth nodded in agreement. "I think your right" he spoke up, and Dranion instructed Loris to take a soldier and go scout around the perimeter of the city to try and determine the size of Ragan's army and the threat that they posed.
* * *
Alanya, Hoggle, Ludo, Didymus and Ambrocious had not gone more than a mile from the castle when Alanya heard a faint cry from the back reaches of her mind. "Help me.." whispered the voice faintly, and Alanya started in shock. "Did anyone say something?" she asked, turning to look around at her companions. There was a mass shaking of heads and Alanya sighed, realising that she must be imagining it. Alanya quickened the pace and ignoring Ludo's whine headed steadfastly toward the castle of the Mortal King. Alanya knew that she didn't want to face Findlay, not now, and if she had it her way, not ever. Alanya felt that she had to get to the kingdom, and at least in some small way, assist and be there for her daughter, should she need her. ::And if Findlay should see me fight and shish-ka-bob a couple demon warriors, then so be it:: she thought to herself, a self satisfied smirk making it's traversing the length of her ruby lips. "Alanya! Please help me" came the whispered voice again, and she knew that she hadn't imagined it that time. ::Where are you?:: she thought to herself, hoping that whatever it was that needed her assistance would reply. "Ragan's Outpost" came the voice weakly, and Alanya knew that they didn't have much time. Turning approximately 180 degrees, she set off marching in the direction that led to their enemies base. Ignoring the stares of shock the others gave her, she hurriedly barked at them to get a move on, and as an afterthought, that she would explain later.
* * *
Rohwan swung haphazardly as he attempted to reach the wheel that would cause him to fall to the ground. His entire body ached, and judging by the crimson stream rapidly flowing down the drain in the corner, he doubted that he had any blood left in his body. Biting his lips in frustration, he decided to change tactics. Rohwan's eyes slipped easily closed and he focused, pulling up an image of the Mortal Kingdom, seeing a flashback, he watched as a lone female rider sped away from the castle and knew it to be Alanya, the woman that had claimed his father's affections. Flashing again, Rohwan saw Alanya at Jareth's kingdom, and finally traversing across the field of wildflowers that bordered Jareth's land, no doubt returning to the Mortal Kingdom. Rohwan saw the odd entourage of companions, and decided that she was his best bet, sending out a cry for help in mind speech, Rohwan prayed that she would be there soon to free him. Not long after, he received a response and fell gratefully into unconsciousness, safe in the knowledge that help was on the way.
* * *
Appearing moments later, Loris and his scout turned to face the two kings and Jareth's second in command. "What news do you bring?" demanded Jareth, a little more forcefully than he had intended. Loris blinked and looked at his feet, hesitating only momentarily, he spoke up. "We spotted four legions of 200 my liege, but we believe there to be a fifth flanking the rear of the castle" he answered, and Jareth caught Findlay's gaze. Jareth knew that Findlay was thinking the exact same as he was, Why on earth would Ragan dare endeavour to lay siege to two prominent and well guarded kingdoms with only one thousand men? Jareth realised that the battle was probably a ploy and that Ragan undoubtedly had a second agenda, he also realised that the fey blade would probably play a part in this. "Would Ragan merely want to ensure the deaths of the leaders of our kingdoms?" mused Findlay aloud, and Jareth nodded, it was possible, indeed anything was possible.
* * *
An hour later, Alanya and her company verged on the edge of the Borderlands, she had never been here before and was perfectly happy to confess that she was scared out of her mind. What if it was a trap, an insane plan perfected by a maniac needing hostages? These were the thoughts that danced demonically through her head. Shaking her head as though to clear it, Alanya followed Hoggle's lead and headed down into the marshy swamplands that marked the end of Jareth's territory and the beginning of the borderlands. Sweating profusely, she navigated her way through the marsh and on the otherside was rewarded with a glimpse of the castle. ::I'm almost there:: she mind spoke and hoped that whoever it was could hear her and be reassured. "Of course If it's a evil freaking maniac, then he will have no need for reassurance" she muttered aloud and then scolded herself for entertaining such an illogical notion. Marching wearily on, Alanya was pleased that for once, she the mortal, was the one helping someone in danger.
* * *
Jareth sheathed his sword in it's scabbard and hurried after Dranion and Findlay who had headed for the battlements. Once there, Jareth took the liberty of snapping his long fingers. A double row of archers appeared along each wall, and waving his hand again, a casket of fire appeared and the arrow heads were instantly set alight. He knew that it was a severe move to make, but he did not want a repeat performance of the battle that was staged here so many years before. Sarah's dark head appeared coming up the steps and she smiled at Jareth. "Are you ready my love?" she asked, referring to their coming possession. "As ready as I'll ever be" He answered, and Dranion and Findlay stood on in shock, watching as two lights, one gold, one green appeared before them and entered the bodies of the pair before them. The psuedo Jareth creaked his neck and smiled deliciously. "Mmm, It's good to be back" he stated, and turned to look at "Sarah" "Seran, We are here, and we are going to make it count this time" he stated softly and she smiled. "Yes my love," she stated, narrowing her eyes, and lovingly fingering the blade that sat at her waist. Fagan clicked his fingers, and a catapult appeared with a stack of bundles and a pot of oil to soak them in, ready to be lit. "Sorry Jareth," He muttered, "Couldn't resist" he finished. Seran looked up at Fagan and could hardly believe that she had gotten a second chance, there was no way in the seven hells that she was going to let that happen, she would die first, ::again:: she added mentally, and sighed. "There's no backing out now Ser, It's war" stated Fagan, with an ominous air of finality.
* * *
SPEAKING OF FINALITY, THAT IS THE END OF THIS CHAPTER! I hope that you all enjoyed it, sorry it took so long, the site hasn't been working, holidays school, etc. I TELL YOU THEY ARE ALL PLOTTING AGAINST ME!
Please Review!!!! All my love, Xoxo Eve Lindsey.