Disclaimer: The Labyrinth, its characters, songs, and phrases are
unfortunately not mine. They belong to Jim Henson Productions. However,
Ione, Apollo, and Isis are my original characters as well as the story.
Please do not use my characters without my permission.
Chapter 4: Weddings and Announcements
Isis was more than happy to leave arrangements of the wedding to the people of Achaia. Vulcan was after all their crown prince. Isis only insisted that her parents walk her down the aisle and that Queen Sarah would be Matron of Honor. To please his bride, Vulcan not only acceded to these requests, he also made Apollo Best Centaur. It would be Apollo's second run in this office, and he accepted with humility. Ione hated the publicity connected to a royal wedding. By insisting that Isis marry a prince, Jareth had inadvertently seen to it that all the Kingdoms would know of his children's illegitimate heritage. Still it seemed to not bother him. The Queen had been ill of late, and Ione knew Jareth was concerned for her. Sarah had tremendous courage the day of the wedding. She was determined to not let her friend down and ruin the day. Isis was radiant in her dress, and the wedding party was brilliant as befit a royal function. But centaurs were known for their wisdom and practicality so the occasion was not as glittery as those of the Labyrinth. Isis fairly glowed with happiness as she walked down the long aisle of the hall toward the centaur she would marry, but during the reception, Ione became concerned for the Queen. Sarah had hardly touched her food. She'd made a good show of it, but Ione had done the same too many times to not recognize it. Ione sent thoughts to Apollo who observed the Queen for a few minutes before agreeing with her. Sarah was pregnant. Ione and Apollo shared a smile. Neither of them had a clue! Sarah had of course never been pregnant before, and Jareth had missed Ione's time of morning sickness even with Isis. The two centaurs gave Isis their blessing, and Ione was saddened to have to at last say farewell to her daughter. Still, she bravely followed the others back to the Labyrinth leaving her youngest child to her new life. There had been merriment in the Labyrinth as well even though most of its inhabitants had been unable to attend the ceremonies.
Another month passed with Apollo and Ione sending and receiving many crystal letters across the distance between Achaia and the Labyrinth. The threesome had once more become a twosome, and it took some adjustment before Ione and Apollo fell into their old routine. Still, Sarah was suffering the effects of her pregnancy in ignorance of what was happening, and Jareth was truly worried about his wife. He loved her too much to lose her. Finally one day when Sarah was well enough, Ione and Apollo took her and Jareth for a short walk. Amongst the beauty of the garden maze, the centaurs stopped near some benches.
"I think the two of you should sit down," Ione warned. Jareth and Sarah did as asked although it was plain they were both confused. "Your Majesties, the illness the Queen is experiencing is perfectly normal and harmless."
"What do you mean?" Jareth asked. "There have been days she can barely hold anything down."
"Yes, but in case you haven't noticed, Jareth, she more than makes up for it on the days she can eat." Ione sighed then looked at them both seriously. "You see the simply fact is she's eating for two. You're pregnant, Sarah."
It took several moments for Jareth and Sarah to overcome their shock at this statement. Still somewhat dazed, Sarah spoke first.
"Are you positive, Ione?"
"If anyone can be sure, it's me, Your Highness," Ione said with a touch of irony. "You're showing all the signs."
The royal couple returned to the castle, but time would prove Ione right. If Ione could ever have known jealousy, it would have been now. Jareth was very attentive to Sarah and very excited over the coming child. Ione could not begrudge them their happiness however. She had given up her hold on the King, and she was happy for them. She sent a letter to Toby telling him that his sister was going to have a baby. The young boy was just learning to read so she kept it simple. Apollo knew only a moment of anger since the King had to be challenged into interest in Isis, but he quickly conquered the feeling. When Sarah gave birth to a lovely baby girl, representatives from all kingdoms far and near were once again summoned for the presentation of the baby Princess Aida, and Ione arranged for Toby to be present. However, the first whispers of the Great Question would begin this day. Would the Labyrinth have a throne princess or a crown prince? The baby Aida was born of the Queen giving her lineal right to the throne, but Apollo was undeniably the King's son. He had the right as the male and firstborn to wear the crown. The glaring fact remained that Apollo was illegitimate. Still yet some argued that Apollo had been born before the King had known of Sarah. On and on the quarrels flew, but the royalty was shielded from them. Ione and Apollo knew since they spent much more time amongst the inhabitants of the Labyrinth. It was not uncommon for Ione to be asked for her opinion while on her daily patrols. She would always get out of such discussions quickly and got more nervous as the Labyrinth's residents became more restless. Years passed and no answer came for the tense dwellers of the Labyrinth.
Chapter 4: Weddings and Announcements
Isis was more than happy to leave arrangements of the wedding to the people of Achaia. Vulcan was after all their crown prince. Isis only insisted that her parents walk her down the aisle and that Queen Sarah would be Matron of Honor. To please his bride, Vulcan not only acceded to these requests, he also made Apollo Best Centaur. It would be Apollo's second run in this office, and he accepted with humility. Ione hated the publicity connected to a royal wedding. By insisting that Isis marry a prince, Jareth had inadvertently seen to it that all the Kingdoms would know of his children's illegitimate heritage. Still it seemed to not bother him. The Queen had been ill of late, and Ione knew Jareth was concerned for her. Sarah had tremendous courage the day of the wedding. She was determined to not let her friend down and ruin the day. Isis was radiant in her dress, and the wedding party was brilliant as befit a royal function. But centaurs were known for their wisdom and practicality so the occasion was not as glittery as those of the Labyrinth. Isis fairly glowed with happiness as she walked down the long aisle of the hall toward the centaur she would marry, but during the reception, Ione became concerned for the Queen. Sarah had hardly touched her food. She'd made a good show of it, but Ione had done the same too many times to not recognize it. Ione sent thoughts to Apollo who observed the Queen for a few minutes before agreeing with her. Sarah was pregnant. Ione and Apollo shared a smile. Neither of them had a clue! Sarah had of course never been pregnant before, and Jareth had missed Ione's time of morning sickness even with Isis. The two centaurs gave Isis their blessing, and Ione was saddened to have to at last say farewell to her daughter. Still, she bravely followed the others back to the Labyrinth leaving her youngest child to her new life. There had been merriment in the Labyrinth as well even though most of its inhabitants had been unable to attend the ceremonies.
Another month passed with Apollo and Ione sending and receiving many crystal letters across the distance between Achaia and the Labyrinth. The threesome had once more become a twosome, and it took some adjustment before Ione and Apollo fell into their old routine. Still, Sarah was suffering the effects of her pregnancy in ignorance of what was happening, and Jareth was truly worried about his wife. He loved her too much to lose her. Finally one day when Sarah was well enough, Ione and Apollo took her and Jareth for a short walk. Amongst the beauty of the garden maze, the centaurs stopped near some benches.
"I think the two of you should sit down," Ione warned. Jareth and Sarah did as asked although it was plain they were both confused. "Your Majesties, the illness the Queen is experiencing is perfectly normal and harmless."
"What do you mean?" Jareth asked. "There have been days she can barely hold anything down."
"Yes, but in case you haven't noticed, Jareth, she more than makes up for it on the days she can eat." Ione sighed then looked at them both seriously. "You see the simply fact is she's eating for two. You're pregnant, Sarah."
It took several moments for Jareth and Sarah to overcome their shock at this statement. Still somewhat dazed, Sarah spoke first.
"Are you positive, Ione?"
"If anyone can be sure, it's me, Your Highness," Ione said with a touch of irony. "You're showing all the signs."
The royal couple returned to the castle, but time would prove Ione right. If Ione could ever have known jealousy, it would have been now. Jareth was very attentive to Sarah and very excited over the coming child. Ione could not begrudge them their happiness however. She had given up her hold on the King, and she was happy for them. She sent a letter to Toby telling him that his sister was going to have a baby. The young boy was just learning to read so she kept it simple. Apollo knew only a moment of anger since the King had to be challenged into interest in Isis, but he quickly conquered the feeling. When Sarah gave birth to a lovely baby girl, representatives from all kingdoms far and near were once again summoned for the presentation of the baby Princess Aida, and Ione arranged for Toby to be present. However, the first whispers of the Great Question would begin this day. Would the Labyrinth have a throne princess or a crown prince? The baby Aida was born of the Queen giving her lineal right to the throne, but Apollo was undeniably the King's son. He had the right as the male and firstborn to wear the crown. The glaring fact remained that Apollo was illegitimate. Still yet some argued that Apollo had been born before the King had known of Sarah. On and on the quarrels flew, but the royalty was shielded from them. Ione and Apollo knew since they spent much more time amongst the inhabitants of the Labyrinth. It was not uncommon for Ione to be asked for her opinion while on her daily patrols. She would always get out of such discussions quickly and got more nervous as the Labyrinth's residents became more restless. Years passed and no answer came for the tense dwellers of the Labyrinth.