Labyrinth and all that is connected to it belongs to someone other than me!!!
Though the characters of Sally Jendson, Morgan Seliecourt, and other characters not appearing or named in the movie are of my creation.
That is excluding certain characters that old Willie and other writers used before me – well, you all know who I'm talking about! Though I doubt I would be getting a call from a British solicitor saying that a Mr. Shakespeare is suing me for infringement – but you never know. Better safe than sorry.
Oh, and the wedding ceremony I got off of http://members.aol.com/PrncessBJ/Handfasting.html - it's not mine, but a rewording of her's.
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Wishes and Dreams of Love
Chapter Eight: The Avalon Wedding
Sarah and Joy walked on either side of Sally on the way up to the Tor. Sarah could see Jareth, Puck, and another man just ahead of them. It took a lot for Sarah not to chuckle at the way her love was clenching and releasing his fist. What she didn't know was it was his only way to fight off the longing to turn and look at her.
Even though the wedding was thrown together in two hours, it looked as if everyone had been working hard for weeks on it. Garlands of flowers roped both sides of the path. Little girls walking before both the men and the ladies were carefully scattering rose petals all before them to ward off any evil spirits or spells sent against the couple as if they had practiced for weeks. Many people Sarah didn't know were walking up with the party.
Sarah could sense that Sally was getting nervous. But a quick smile from a friend set an end to those feelings. After all, Sally was marrying into Royalty. Then Sarah thought about her own situation. By the end of the week she would be the Goblin Queen. Suddenly, it was her turn to get nervous.
No, she could handle it. So long as she had Jareth with her, Sarah would be able to cope with whatever her new life would throw at her. At that moment something warmed within her. It was as if she could just see Jareth smiling because of her decision.
After a long walk, the party made it to the Tor. From the top of that hill, Sarah could see nearly everything. She and Sally were both in awe for a few moments because of the view. But than ended once Tatiana began the ceremony.
"We have been called to this sacred place by my son, Puck. For what reason have you gathered this company, my son?"
Puck, Jareth, and the unknown man stepped into the heart of the circle. Puck held his head high, and spoke his words loud enough for all to hear. "I come to ask for the binding of my soul to the Lady I love with all of my heart and soul."
"Who has come to support and bless this rite for my son, Puck?"
Jareth stepped forward and bowed first. "I, Jareth the King of the Goblins and the Labyrinth, support my friend Puck and give my blessings for this ritual as his unbound guardian."
"Your support and blessings are accepted and appreciated, King Jareth."
The unknown man took one step forward and bowed next. "I, Lord Kendal of the Emerald Forest, support my friend Puck and give my blessings for this ritual as his bound guardian and cousin."
"Your support and blessings are accepted and appreciated, my nephew Kendal."
All three men took places on Tatiana's left side – Puck, Jareth and then Kendal. Tatiana smiled sweetly at the trio a moment before returning to the ceremony.
"May my son's chosen bride come forward with her supporters."
Taking a few steps forward, Sarah couldn't help but panic. She had no idea what she was expected to say!
^Stay calm Sarah. Did you think I wouldn't help you through this? When she asks, tell Tatiana that you are Lady Sarah Rachel Elisabeth Williams from Aboveground … future Queen of the Goblins and the Labyrinth. She'll probably congratulate us separately – starting with you – I won't have to speak, but it would be polite for you to thank her for the both of us. As to the speech about supporting and blessing the binding … I trust that you can ad-lib one of the best ever heard.^
Sarah swallowed and quickly sent out to her love. ^Would 'we thank you your majesty' be an acceptable gratitude?^
^That's good, but use her name and title. I knew you'd make a wonderful Queen, my Sarah.^ With that ego boost, Sarah doubted that she would fail.
"Child, who are you?"
Sally hoped beyond hope that she wouldn't make any huge mistakes. Thankfully, Puck was giving her the same favor of telepathic coaching that Jareth was giving Sarah. "I am Lady Sally Katherine Jendson from Aboveground."
That caused a slight disturbance in the crowd. Obviously none of the guests had put the clues together yet. Poor Sally wanted to run and hide for causing any shame to Puck. But, Tatiana had her own way of putting a swift end to the talk. "The same Lady Sally who rescued my grandson from a Blagdan Asp of her own free will without being asked for help?"
"Yes, Queen Tatiana." That did it. Now the talk centered around how brave and kind Sally was, and of how she did it with no thought of reward. Sarah decided to talk with Jareth about that later.
The talk died down quickly as Tatiana continued with the ceremony. "Lady Sally, who has come with you as your support?"
Sarah took a step forward and curtsied as far as Jareth had described to her. That gained a few snickers from the women – it seemed that the slight depth signified that Sarah was of the same station as the Queen of Avalon. "I am Lady Sarah Rachel Elisabeth Williams from Aboveground, the future Queen of the Goblins and the Labyrinth. I come as Lady Sally's unbound support and give her all of my blessings."
The talk grew louder again at the mention of Sarah being from Aboveground. Many doubted her claim to Jareth's throne, and some wondered why the 'imposter' would try pretending to be the Sarah that everyone knew Jareth wanted as his Queen. Sarah could see in his eyes that Jareth was not happy about the words being said about his beloved. Neither was Puck. But, Tatiana again put those gathered in their places.
"The same Lady Sarah who defeated the Labyrinth not very long ago?"
Sarah heard the snickers vanish, all around her straining to hear. For, to lie to the Queen of Avalon was considered the worse of disgraces. They all assumed that the truth was about to come out. "Yes, I am."
The women who had been snickering when quiet with shock. They no longer had any chance to try for Jareth's favor. Given that he stood as one of the most powerful Fae, Sarah was considered of a royal line unto herself. That made her supporting Sally's binding to Puck as formidable as Jareth's.
"Welcome back to the Underground and I congratulate both you and King Jareth on your engagement." Tatiana smiled so proudly.
Sarah could feel the same emotions flooding her soul from Jareth as he nodded his acceptance of the compliment. She remembered what he had said about her place in this. "We both thank you, Queen Tatiana."
That sent more pride from Jareth into her soul. Obviously he didn't have a problem with how she was handling herself. Maybe being Queen wouldn't be as hard as she had first thought … that is with her husband beside her it wouldn't.
"And who of Sally's family is in support of this binding?" Tatiana continued through the ceremony.
"I, Lady Joy Danielle Jendson, support and give my blessings as her mother." Joy was trying hard not to cry. She desperately wished that her husband had lived to see this day.
With a nod from Tatiana, the ladies lined up and the men did, only on the opposite side.
"Family and guests, we have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Lady Sally and my son Prince Puck. Much wisdom about the join together of two souls has come our way, through all paths of beliefs and from many cultures. Each union brings to our kind more wisdom and more knowledge. Although we cannot give all of this knowledge to these two, we can hope to give them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that can only come with time.
"The law of life is love unto all beings." Tatiana purposely emphasized the word all. "Without love, life is nothing. Without love, death has no redemption."
Oberon came forward. "If we learn no more in life, let it be this. Marriage is a bond that should only be entered into after considerable thought and reflection. It has its cycles as does all life – it has good and bad, trials and triumphs. Both Lady Sally and my son Puck have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Both have the support and blessings of their friends and family, but neither can be given or taken as if they were property.
"Puck, Prince of Avalon, do you come to this binding of your own free will?"
Puck looked up to his father with such a look of pride and determination, as if he'd fight any that would stand between him and Sally. "Yes, I do."
Oberon tried to focus on remaining the priest rather than the father of the groom, but all could see that it was a hard fought battle within Avalon's Prince Consort. Her turned his attention to Sally. "Lady Sally of the Aboveground, do you come to this binding of your own free will?"
"Yes, I do." Sally smiled as she tried to hold back the tears in her eyes.
Tatiana came forward next. "Join your hands, Puck and Sally. Listen to what I am about to say. Above us always are the stars, below each of us are the stones, as time passes I want you both to remember. Your love should be firm like a stone and constant like a star.
"Let the powers of your minds and intellects guide you both in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind each of you to the other. Let the power of you combined love and desire make you both happy. And let the strength of your dedication to one another make you inseparable."
Oberon smiled as he took up the ceremony. "Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, but always strive to understand. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and do not let the ways of those who do not understand give you unease, for the Lord and Lady are with you both always.
"Puck, even as thy father, I have no right to bind you to Lady Sally. Only you, my son, have this right. If this is what you wish, say so and place this ring in her hand."
Puck took the ring from his father. As he put the ring into Sally's hand, he spoke with a strong and proud voice – so that none could doubt how he felt. "It is my wish."
Sally had Sarah hold her flowers. Sarah could see in her friend's eyes that this was her happiest moment in life. Finally, Sarah was glad that she had introduced the pair to each other. Even with the bad they had suffered through the night before, this was where Sally belonged – just as Sarah did.
Tatiana smiled as she looked to Sally. "Lady Sally, not even I have the right to bind you to my son, Puck. Only you have this right. If this is what you wish, say so and place this ring in his hand."
"It is my wish." Sally didn't even let a moment pass before speaking with the same strength and pride Puck had.
Tatiana smiled at her son. He had obviously chosen very well for his bride. "Puck, if you wish for Lady Sally to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger."
Puck did slowly and full of such reverence for her. He made sure that none could say ill against his binding vow either, speaking clear and looking deeply into Sally's eyes.
"I, Prince Puck of the Isle of Avalon, take thee Lady Sally Katherine Jendson to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint – in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in this life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. In the name of the spirit of the Lord and Lady that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, all of this I do vow."
Oberon smiled to Sally. "Lady Sally, if you so wish for Puck to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger."
Just as Puck had, Sally place the ring on his finger with such reverence and spoke her vow with such conviction than none would ever be able to say wrong against their marriage.
"I, Lady Sally Katherine Jendson, take thee Prince Puck of the Isle of Avalon to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint – in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in this life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. In the name of the spirit of the Lord and Lady that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, all of this I do vow."
Tatiana handed a shiny silver goblet over to Puck. "May you both drink you fill from the cup of love."
Both bride and groom took a long sip from the goblet, each holding it for the other. Then Tatiana gave them a small plate of bread. Puck tore off a piece and fed it to Sally, then Sally repaid him in kind.
They took hold of one another's hands again, and Tatiana wrapped a silver cord around their arms loosely. Oberon tied the cord ends into a knot. Then both rulers of Avalon laid their hands on the cord and the couples' arms. Tatiana smiled as the tears slowly began to fall. "By the power of the Lord and Lady, and as the rulers of Avalon, we pronounce you to be husband and wife."
"May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you." Oberon concluded as he and Tatiana removed the cord from their children's arms.
Tatiana declared as Sarah handed the flowers back to Sally. "Honored guests, I give you my children – Prince Puck and his wife Princess Sally."
All who were there cheered and applauded. All Sally knew was that she finally had the guy of her dreams for a husband. While Puck was still trying to pinpoint what he did right that he deserved so wonderful a wife.
As they led the procession back down the hill, petals rained all around them. Tatiana and Oberon followed next, smiling with pride at the match before them. Sarah took the arm Jareth offered and followed next in the procession, talking mind to mind the entire route.
^I am so Proud of you my Sarah. You handled yourself well for being thrown into a situation and having to ad-lib a large part of the lines.^
^Remember that I do know a little about acting, my Jareth. But, thanks for the cues. I wouldn't have done half as well without you there.^
Jareth moved her hand into his own and gave it a firm squeeze. ^I remember well, my love. And may the Lord and Lady never separates us. I know that my life would be an empty shell without you in it. You are a born Queen, Sarah. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.^
^Born or not, I admit that I have a lot to learn about being a Queen. Jareth, is our wedding going to be like this one?^
He winked at her as his smile became playful. ^That I will leave to you my dearest. Do we wed Underground or Aboveground?^
^Underground. With you being King and all, it wouldn't be right any other way. And that way it would be easier for all the friends I made to come as well.^ Sarah smiled as she thought about the party the group had that night after she returned home with Toby.
^I remember Didymus saying something about something called scrabble.^ Jareth interjected into her thoughts.
Sarah raised an eyebrow at that. ^It's a game. Be nice and I might teach it to you. So you were there at the party and didn't even say hello to me?^
^Darling, then you were still angry with me. I just wanted to make sure that you were happy. Remember all of the times that you called for me? I would have dropped everything in a heartbeat to have a chance to see you again. But with the fights and my questionable hold on my throne, I just couldn't get away without placing you in danger. I'd rather be without you than willingly place you in that kind of danger without my protection. Then you began to strengthen me bit by bit. And now we are together again.^
Sarah sighed happily as they neared the celebration. ^Not to mention that we are to be married in a few days. Will we be able to pull it together in time?^
Once they said their congratulations to Puck and Sally, made the rounds of introductions, informed the trio of the wedding, and got something to drink they snuck away to the oak grove to talk alone.
"Sarah, you needn't worry about our wedding. This will be your dream wedding come true. The trio can tell you about my family's tradition and I'm sure one of the scribes can find a good copy of the ceremony. I'll have Higgle bring it to you as soon as I find it. As to the rest, you and Sally plan whatever you wish. Then Morgan can send the information to me. By Saturday, all will be ready." Jareth enjoyed the feeling of holding her so close.
Sarah was still shaky about it all. "Jareth …"
"We can wait if you want. All anyone knows is that we're planning to marry." What Jareth feared was that Sarah had changed her mind.
"It's not that. I don't know if I will be a good Queen. I'm afraid that I'll make one mistake and everyone will hold it over my head for the rest of my life."
Jareth could see that his fiancée's fears were real. It was time he told her about the ring. "Sarah, there is a secret embedded in the ring you wear. My mother was mortal like you, until my father had that same ring specially made for her."
"What do you mean Jareth? Are you half human?" Sarah was startled that he had kept that hidden from her, but it did nothing to change her heart towards him.
Jareth sat her on one of the benches hidden within the grove. "I would have been, if not for your ring. See it is endowed with a powerful changeling spell. If you wish it, you could become my equal in all things – power, skill, knowledge, all of the manners of court. But, I don't want to change you Sarah. I love you as you are right now. But it would also make you a Queen of your own right, not my Princess Consort. That is a title far beneath you my love."
"You mean that I could become a Fae?" Once Jareth nodded in agreement, Sarah continued. "But, wouldn't everyone notice. I mean it seems like everyone knows me, and that I'm a mortal. For me to show up as a Fae would bring suspicion against you, and I'd never do that."
Jareth shook his head. "My family history was common talk in the court, my love. It was one of the reasons I had to fight so hard to keep my throne … our throne. Only after I told the complete truth and made it clear how proud I still am of my parents did I begin to find new allies – those who respect mortals. I remember Crisiant telling you that I would tell you about the ring. I always swore that no mortal would turn my head as mother did my father. I am proud of her, but then I was too arrogant and proud to admit it.
"But then a beautiful mortal caught my eye as she twirled in some park dressed as if she belonged in my world rather than Aboveground. I brushed it off as infatuation at first because of her passion for the play she was performing. But then I began to fly to the mortal realm to see if I could catch a glimpse of her. I was lucky enough to follow her home one night, and began to sit and watch her sleep nearly every night. How I wished I could go in to wipe her tears away after her mother abandoned her, but the rules state clearly that my kind could not enter where we are not first invited in.
"Then I knew that what I once looked at as a hobby that turned into an obsession was in truth real love. I had never known it before. My father died during one of the bloodiest civil wars in the history of the Underground, while my mother was killed when she tried to protect me from a raid I got caught in a year later." Jareth couldn't help but stop as he tried to force away the painful memory.
Sarah never knew her love had suffered through so much. "How old were you when they died?"
Jareth saw that he had to be open with Sarah if he would ever get her to remain with him. "I had just turned five years old when my mother was killed. Like I said, all I knew was deceit and lies before you."
Sarah laid her head on his shoulder, and was happy when he rested his head on top of hers. This was what a marriage was supposed to be about, being there for someone other than herself. Jareth was opening his soul to her, and telling her his fears. It was time to ease his fears.
"Jareth, for now it would be better for me to remain human." Sarah felt it as Jareth let go of a shuttering sigh. He had hoped she would have chosen different, but would still accept her as she was. "But, I'll be coming home Fae."
Jareth sat her up so he could look her in the eye at that. "Are you certain Sarah? Once the magic is done, there will be no turning back. You will be bound by the same rules as I. And you will be my equal in all things – even wished away children."
"I'm sure. And that way we have a long time together in this life, that is if the Lord and Lady allows that to be." Sarah smiled at the shock in Jareth's eyes. "Yes Jareth, I believe in the Lord and Lady. I have for a long time now. Dad and Karen just give and take with me about it – Yule log is fine as long as I celebrate Christmas, teaching Toby about Ostara is fine if they can also teach him about Easter, and so on."
Jareth gently kissed her lips. "My Sarah, I have so much to learn about you."
"I hope that the spell will help." Sarah yawned as she snuggled into his arms.
"That's the after effect my dear. Equal and opposite reaction I think is the phrase Aboveground. The problem with it is you will also gain my memories. Some of them I'd rather spare you from."
Sarah looked up at him, he was worried and as tired as she felt. "That is what marriage is about – learning and helping each other get through everything. Though I don't think the Lord and Lady had this way in mind, as interesting as it is and all."
That made Jareth smile again as he chuckled. "I think we should go rejoin the festivities before rumor has it that we've started our family out here. Already."
"You're right."
How's that for romance?
Poor Jareth won't have too many secrets for too much longer.
But then again neither will Sarah.
And whatever happened to an arse named Joe?