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 10: A Royal Trip
"Mother, you do remember my up coming visit to the Fleet Kingdom, don't you?" he said after greeting her.
"Yes, I remember. It might be nice if you took Aida with you. She's never visited another court other than trips to see Isis."
"But, Mother, the peculiarities."
"Are within your power," Ione said neatly cutting him off. Apollo could see Ione wanted them to spend time together. "Apollo, you'll never begin to see each other differently if you don't spend time together." Apollo nodded. Having walked as they talked, the pair soon came across Jareth, Sarah, and Aida.
"Father, I have a question to ask." Jareth looked up expectantly. "If you remember, I am to visit the Fleet Kingdom. I ask your permission for Aida to accompany me."
"Should we risk them both outside the Labyrinth's borders?" Sarah asked Jareth with a touch of worry rising in her voice.
"Apollo is strong, Queen Sarah, and this will be a perfect opportunity for them to make a public appearance together," Ione interjected. Sarah relented and the royal couple turned toward their daughter.
"I will go," she replied softly. Only as the journey neared did she realize its implications. They were taking one tent for them to use during the journey, and once at the court of the Fleet Kingdom, they would undoubtedly have to share a room. At Queen Sarah's request, her three friends, Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus, were to be sent along if only to add in numbers.
Sir Didymus took the mission very seriously as any knight should, Ludo was simply happy to be with Little Sarah as he had dubbed her, and Hoggle freely offered his advice along the way. Besides the royals and their three friends, Apollo had also brought along servants to serve them on their journey. The servants had their own small tents, and there was a more fitting one for Queen Sarah's famed companions. The day went smoothly, but after the evening meal, Aida knew with certainty that she was going to be spending the night beside her husband. She retired first and changed in a whirlwind of a hurry. She was already beneath the blankets when Apollo thought it safe to come in. He smiled to himself wondering how little time that had taken her.
"Do I scare you so badly?"
She knew he was teasing her, and she only glared in mock annoyance for a response. She watched Apollo settle himself on the bed. Aida wondered how he could do so without a noticeable shift in the distribution of weight on the bed. It amazed her. If she'd been asleep instead of watching, she realized she never would've known he'd come to bed.
She awoke the next morning feeling comforting warmth surrounding her. She opened her eyes slowly and noticed a strong arm encircling her waist. Aida jumped up quickly, and her quick movement awakened Apollo. He was surprised she had been the first to wake. She looked up at him with a look so vulnerable it squeezed his heart. They were now comfortable with each other, but it had still only been one month since their wedding. Aida's arms slowly hugged her body, and Apollo could see the hurt in her eyes.
"You had a bad dream or something," Apollo said his head bowing slightly. "I tried to wake you, but. you clung to me."
Aida could see the sincerity in him. She knew she was being silly. Apollo would never do anything to harm her.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. Apollo merely smiled hesitantly.
"Well, I will let you get changed."
Apollo walked out into the main room of the tent, and Aida followed not long after. Apollo had selected a simple loose shirt for the day, and Aida knew they were in for another day of travel. If they were to reach their destination today, Apollo would dress more like their father in tight vests and a flowing cape. The camp was packed in no time with Apollo's help, and they were on their way. Aida was riding her favorite mare, who walked sedately beside Apollo.
Chapter 10: A Royal Trip
"Mother, you do remember my up coming visit to the Fleet Kingdom, don't you?" he said after greeting her.
"Yes, I remember. It might be nice if you took Aida with you. She's never visited another court other than trips to see Isis."
"But, Mother, the peculiarities."
"Are within your power," Ione said neatly cutting him off. Apollo could see Ione wanted them to spend time together. "Apollo, you'll never begin to see each other differently if you don't spend time together." Apollo nodded. Having walked as they talked, the pair soon came across Jareth, Sarah, and Aida.
"Father, I have a question to ask." Jareth looked up expectantly. "If you remember, I am to visit the Fleet Kingdom. I ask your permission for Aida to accompany me."
"Should we risk them both outside the Labyrinth's borders?" Sarah asked Jareth with a touch of worry rising in her voice.
"Apollo is strong, Queen Sarah, and this will be a perfect opportunity for them to make a public appearance together," Ione interjected. Sarah relented and the royal couple turned toward their daughter.
"I will go," she replied softly. Only as the journey neared did she realize its implications. They were taking one tent for them to use during the journey, and once at the court of the Fleet Kingdom, they would undoubtedly have to share a room. At Queen Sarah's request, her three friends, Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus, were to be sent along if only to add in numbers.
Sir Didymus took the mission very seriously as any knight should, Ludo was simply happy to be with Little Sarah as he had dubbed her, and Hoggle freely offered his advice along the way. Besides the royals and their three friends, Apollo had also brought along servants to serve them on their journey. The servants had their own small tents, and there was a more fitting one for Queen Sarah's famed companions. The day went smoothly, but after the evening meal, Aida knew with certainty that she was going to be spending the night beside her husband. She retired first and changed in a whirlwind of a hurry. She was already beneath the blankets when Apollo thought it safe to come in. He smiled to himself wondering how little time that had taken her.
"Do I scare you so badly?"
She knew he was teasing her, and she only glared in mock annoyance for a response. She watched Apollo settle himself on the bed. Aida wondered how he could do so without a noticeable shift in the distribution of weight on the bed. It amazed her. If she'd been asleep instead of watching, she realized she never would've known he'd come to bed.
She awoke the next morning feeling comforting warmth surrounding her. She opened her eyes slowly and noticed a strong arm encircling her waist. Aida jumped up quickly, and her quick movement awakened Apollo. He was surprised she had been the first to wake. She looked up at him with a look so vulnerable it squeezed his heart. They were now comfortable with each other, but it had still only been one month since their wedding. Aida's arms slowly hugged her body, and Apollo could see the hurt in her eyes.
"You had a bad dream or something," Apollo said his head bowing slightly. "I tried to wake you, but. you clung to me."
Aida could see the sincerity in him. She knew she was being silly. Apollo would never do anything to harm her.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. Apollo merely smiled hesitantly.
"Well, I will let you get changed."
Apollo walked out into the main room of the tent, and Aida followed not long after. Apollo had selected a simple loose shirt for the day, and Aida knew they were in for another day of travel. If they were to reach their destination today, Apollo would dress more like their father in tight vests and a flowing cape. The camp was packed in no time with Apollo's help, and they were on their way. Aida was riding her favorite mare, who walked sedately beside Apollo.