~*Okay, I know much didn't happen last chapter, but it explained a lot,
didn't it? Mm hm, I thought so. One more thing: there are _9_ Overlords;
one is Jareth, and the other was too weak to travel. Just wanted to clear
that up.*~
~*~*~
Jareth hid his wince. Not yet. It's too soon. Instead, he smiled disarmingly at her. "All will be explained."
Sarah stared at him. "Now's as good a time as any."
"I understand how you must feel, Sarah, but first things first. Why don't you eat a bit of breakfast, wash up? We will send for you when we are ready." He conjured a crystal into being.
Sarah shivered at the sight of it. Now what? A peach? She wet her lips nervously. "Where's Tessika?" she asked him.
"My sister is amusing her for the time being."
Since when does he have a sister? "She's my daughter. Let me have her."
"No." He said this almost sadly, as if he knew what was coming.
And it did.
A cloud of red suddenly enveloped Sarah's vision. "No?"
Jareth gestured to an ornate door on the other side of the considerable room. "Do as I say, and you may spend all the time you wish with her after your questioning."
"*Screw you*. She might have some of your blood, but I spent the last five years raising her."
This was greeted with sounds of surprise and disbelief from the Lords. Jareth took a deep breath, willing himself to be calm.
"I think that I have a little more say then you on where she should be and with whom," Sarah continued, oblivious in her anger.
"We will send for you," he repeated, then tossed the crystal ball in the air.
Her eyes followed its magnetic assent into the air, then caught it as it flew, in an arch, down to her open hand. When she looked up, the men were gone.
~
For some reason or another, Sarah couldn't keep herself angry with Jareth for keeping Tessika away. Perhaps because it was actually pretty nice not to have her under her feet, attacking her with questions and pleas for games. Or perhaps because Sarah believed what he had said: Tessie was being taken good care of.
Now taking the opportunity to look around at her surroundings in the light of day, Sarah had to admit that she was more then a little surprised.
Her brief trip through the castle before was mostly a blur now. What she could remember was that it was cold, dirty, and dark. None of those hazy details could be found in this rich room. Despite its size, it still managed to be cozy. Mahogany timbers supported the creamy walls and crisscrossed the ceiling. Burgundy silks, the exact color of the thick rugs scattered across the floor, adorned the walls. The large marble fireplace across from the bed was inlaid with jewels in an intricate mosaic of the Five Realms and Nine Kingdoms. The mantelpiece was decorated with various chunks and spheres of crystal. The bed itself, where Sarah still dwelt, was as large as her bedroom back in her apartment. It was incredibly soft, covered with smooth, creamy satin sheet and accented with burgundy pillows, ruffles, and a throw. Its posts were intricately twisted, topped with little crystals. The furniture was spare, but well made. One long, narrow table, set against one wall, was dedicated entirely to milky candles. A deep, soft chair near the fireplace looked perfect for reading. There were also other various decorative tables, a bookcase, and a large mirror, but what really demanded Sarah's attention was near the one wide window. It was a gigantic, delicately carved armoire.
This armoire was the first thing Sarah inspected, ignoring the three doors for now. She was surprised with her curiosity of it; the designs seemed to be slowly twisting into new patterns. A delicate scent wafted out when she opened it. Inside, on the one shelf, sat one perfect peach. Sarah wrinkled her nose and closed the chest. Just one lousy peach occupying that space so big that she could've fit two or three of herself in? Talk about a waste of space.
At that moment, a brisk double knock came from one of the doors--the door that led out into the corridor, Sarah assumed.
"Come in." Sarah turned to meet the knocker, totally relaxed. She knew it couldn't be Jareth. Since when did *he* ever bother to knock?
Maybe it's Tessika.
Instead, a Goblin hustled in when the door opened. She seemed tall for her species, and very clean and well kept. Obviously a castle servant.
"Jolie's my name," the Goblin said, setting the silver tray she was carrying on a table in front of the chair. "The master says I'm to makes sure yer taken cares of. Why doncha eats some while I drew yer a bath?"
"Okay . . . " Sarah was a little taken aback by the quick, business-like personality. It was surprising to see in a Goblin. "I'm--"
"Sarah. I knows."
Before she could really register what was said, Sarah was pushed down into the chair and Jolie was bustling through another door--the bathroom? Yes. Running water could be heard. Taking a deep breath, Sarah found herself to be relieved. Running water could mean only one thing. Indoor plumbing. So this castle wasn't completely behind the times. She didn't know how long she was going to be here, but she was sure that sooner or later, she would have to use the bathroom.
Which brought up a certain, important point. Just how long *would* she be here? To the best of her knowledge, she did still have a job, and Tessie had kindergarten classes to attend. Time runs differently here, she reminded herself.
And just what was she doing here anyway? Sarah suddenly clenched her fists. The bastard hadn't even really told her why he had brought her here and what for. The first time, she had basically asked him into her life, and accepted his challenge. This time, I didn't ask for him, I didn't ask to come here--nothing. And he doesn't even have the courtesy to tell me what the hell is going on. Jackass hasn't changed any.
Rubbing a hand across her face, she willed herself to calm down. It wouldn't do any good to get upset. And just where the hell is Tessika?
Nothing changes. He interrupted her life for a third time, and she was, as usual, disoriented, confused, and worried. Lost.
Numbly, Sarah allowed Jolie to lead her into the bathroom. The tray of delicate breakfast foods lay untouched.
~
"I suppose the shock of traveling between Realms and discovering that I fathered her child caught up with her. She simply fainted onto the floor." Jareth leaned back in the chair the other Overlords had sat him in, much as if it were his throne. A crystal idly danced on one of his hands. "So Kit--"
"Katerina, queen of Shape-Shifter King." Zues said pointedly. It was a formal questioning, so formal names were to be used.
"Yes." Jareth kept his voice neutral and cool. "Katerina and I took her to her room for the night. Worry for her daughter kept her awake, so my sister brought the girl here."
"And Ki--Katerina asked you." This came from the Shape-Shifted King himself, Aidian, her husband.
"Yes. And then one after the other, you all arrived here, no warnings, no announcements."
"You ignored the Laws against bringing a Human into our World against its will!" Tritan, king of the Mermen, suddenly shouted. He stood up and pounded the table. "No wonder it is weak!"
"'It' is called Sarah," Jareth said, gritting his teeth. "And she was in danger! There was no time to ask, only to act."
"That isn't the point," Tritan began, but Ash interrupted.
"I believe it is." His voice was quiet, but it carried. When he spoke, all listened. "This Human is essential to the Realms, to our kingdoms' well-being. She might hold the key to all existence. Would you have the Dark Lord get access to that?"
"If it is the Dark Lord that worries you, I say we find him!" the Fairy Queen, Coli, exclaimed. "Let's destroy the only thing that threatens our peace."
"You know as well as all of us that his hold is impossible to find," Jareth said.
Rockun, the Troll Lord, stood up. "This Human--what is so special about her? Exactly."
"She is the one who powers our world," Kardon said. His voice was as quiet as Ash's had been. "Without her, our worlds will die. Jareth managed to keep her identity secret for as long as her life has been, but now the secret is out. If the Dark Lord has control of her, he will have control of us. We will be at his mercy."
"How long have we known this?" Aidian asked.
"Eleven Third Realm years."
"Why hasn't she been under our protection if we've known so long?"
"If she lived here, she wouldn't have anything to dream of, would she?" Jareth said, in an obvious voice.
There was silence in the room.
"I had a premonition. He was going to capture her when she returned to her home last night. Turn her against me."
"How is our world going to survive with the Human here?" Tritan asked, a little shaken.
Jareth sighed and glanced at the faces of his friends. "Her daughter."
~
Sarah stared into the fireplace, blissfully unaware of the crisis that seemed to be on the brink of breaking. If one looked past the vacant, hopeless look in her eyes, she seemed to glow with beauty.
The fire played over the dark locks of her hair, warmed her skin, and made her eyes glow. Freshly bathed, she had been helped by Jolie into a black velvet gown shot with silver. A medieval princess would've had to compete with the lovely spectacle Sarah made in the empire waisted, long-skirted dress. The softness of her hair lay over her shoulders--she didn't bother to do anything with it.
She was thinking of Hoggle and his Goblin Fairies, Ludo and his rocks, and Sir Didymus and his not so noble Ambrosias. Her adventure seemed like it had only just happened. All the details were clear. The way her marks kept changing, how dry the Hands had felt, the grating voices of the False Alarms--everything was fresh and exact. Was it because she was back in the world she had left behind with her childhood?
Will I get to see them?
Another brisk knock sounded, and Jolie walked in without bothering for admittance. "They're ready for ya."
Took a deep breath. And another. Now the answer part comes. What will it bring? She got up and followed Jolie.
Sarah looked around with interest as Jolie led her through the castle. Lots of doors, she noticed. Duly noted. None of what she saw was dirty or unkempt, like it was before. Every now and then a Goblin would scurry past, either ignoring her all out or staring with free interest. She was something near to joyful when Jolie opened one of two large wooden doors and revealed the Throne Room. Something familiar. She had been too upset last night to notice any of the changes that had happened to it--for one thing, there were no Goblins lazing about. Pausing for a moment, she happened to see the flight of stone stairs that wound up and out of sight. Shivered. The Escher Room. Two Goblins, decked out in full armor, stood alert at two more double wooden doors.
"Right through those," Jolie said, giving Sarah's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Ya'll be fine."
"I know." And she walked in.
A chair sat in the middle of a semi-circle of nine thrones. One was empty. Sarah walked with her back straight and her head held high to the chair. She hid a smile when she spotted Jareth sitting in the middle among the unfamiliar faces--the men that had been in her room before. Never thought that I'd be glad to see the Goblin King.
Jareth stood. "I suppose introductions are in order."
Sarah didn't really give a damn about introductions, but she had made a vow to be manageable; she smiled.
"Zues, Ruler of Mount Olympus. Ash, Emperor of the Dragons. Kardon, the Elven King. Lyndia, Protector of the Humans." This was addressed to the empty throne. "Coli, the Fairy Queen. Rockun, Lord of Trolls. Carver, Ruler of the Phoenix. Tritan, the King of the Mermen. Aidian, Shapeshifter King."
Sarah's smile was harder and harder to contain as they each sat down, one by one, as their name and title was said. It was like a well-choreographed dance.
"Lords, meet Sarah Williams." Now Jareth sat down, lifting an eyebrow at her smirk.
They peered at her. Now I know what the animals at zoos feel like. Eventually one of 'ems gonna ask, "Is it okay to feed it?"
Jareth took a deep breath, and began. He explained exactly what he had seen in his premonition, and who it was that was after her.
Sarah's eyes grew wider and wider. "Why does this Dark Lord guy want me?"
The tough part. "Have you ever observed a plant without water?"
A quizzical look formed on her face.
"That's how we would be without you, Sarah. We would slowly, painfully whither away. You are what powers our world."
"I don't understand." Sarah shook her head.
He leaned forward. "Do you remember when you came to rescue your brother? How it was dirty, dark, and forbidding? That was how you imagined it then." Gestured with his hands. "This is how you imagine it now. After your 'real' world became more dark and forbidding, you made the Labyrinth a beautiful, lighter place. Like childhood versus adulthood."
"Wait. Are you saying that I make the Labyrinth?"
Jareth hesitated. "No. Not so much make. Your imagination powers the Five Realms, makes them real."
Sarah had an urge to simply get up and walk out, thanking them for the wonderful evening.
"Your survival is necessary to our existence. If the Dark Lord has you in his possession, he could wipe out entire kingdoms, control us. Like a puppetmaster."
A flood of goosebumps flew over her body. And then he spoke what she had feared all along.
"You can't go back to the Third Realm, Sarah. It's too risky. Not even the Protector could watch out for you there. You'll be safe here. Happy."
Sarah slowly turned away from the Overlords, feeling sick to her stomach. There was no way she could fight them, no way she could be angry with them. They were only protecting her and the existence of everything, right? Slowly, she reached under her sleeve and pinched her arm. The pain that flared there proved to her that she wasn't in a straight jacket somewhere, rambling about Goblins and Realms.
"Where will I stay?" Sarah finally whispered. "And Tessika?"
"You both will stay here, with me, unless you feel you would be happier elsewhere."
"You'll be treated like royalty," Aidian said, the first of the other Lords to speak since Sarah had walked in. "My kingdom will host a Masquerade, in your honor."
Sensing that they were done with her, she stood and tried a grateful smile. "Thank you." She felt as if the world had just come crashing down on her head.
As she crossed the throne room, not knowing the way back to her room and not really caring, a hand touched her arm. She turned. It was Jareth. None of the anger she used to feel toward him was there. The hell he had put her through before seemed pitiful and pathetic compared to what she had just been told.
So she gave him a half-hearted smile. "Hey."
Instead of smiling back, a mask of worry suddenly descended on his fine- boned face. "Oh, Sarah. So lost."
There was no warning. All of a sudden, she was weeping and reaching for him. He held her, his heart breaking a little more with each wracking sob.
"Everything is going to be just," he murmured, stroking her back. "I'm not about to let anything happen to you. You will be happy here. I promise that." He leaned her back alittle, looked into those scared, mossy eyes. "Have dinner with me tonight. We'll talk about anything that might make you happier, anything you might need. Your dreams."
She nodded her acceptance into his shoulder, although she didn't think she would have much of an appetite.
"Go back to your room," he told her, hugging her close once more. "I'll have my sister bring our daughter to you. That will make you happy, won't it?"
Our daughter. That term would need some mulling, as would everything else that had been said. Sarah wiped her cheeks and stepped back. "Thank you, Jareth."
A second later she was in her room. The golden woman--the wife--that had shown up last night sat now with Tessika in front of the fireplace, playing with some stuffed animals. One was a Fiery.
Somehow this did not put Sarah in a better mood.
"Mommy!" Tessika grinned and ran to her, overjoyed.
"Hello," the woman said, looking up and smiling. "Did it go well?"
She began to think of how grossly understated this was when another thought interrupted. "I'll have my sister bring our daughter to you." Jareth's words. Even though her tears were hardly dry, she began to laugh.
"What are you laughing about, Mommy?" Tessika asked, looking at her quizzically but fondly.
Still laughing, Sarah scooped her up into her arms. "Just remember that things aren't always as they seem."
A rush of energy spread across Sarah's body. She felt it, but did not give it any notice. The Overlords had just put a glamour-shield up to protect her and Tessika. They were safe now from the Dark Lord's Dark Seeing Opal.
~*~*~
Jareth hid his wince. Not yet. It's too soon. Instead, he smiled disarmingly at her. "All will be explained."
Sarah stared at him. "Now's as good a time as any."
"I understand how you must feel, Sarah, but first things first. Why don't you eat a bit of breakfast, wash up? We will send for you when we are ready." He conjured a crystal into being.
Sarah shivered at the sight of it. Now what? A peach? She wet her lips nervously. "Where's Tessika?" she asked him.
"My sister is amusing her for the time being."
Since when does he have a sister? "She's my daughter. Let me have her."
"No." He said this almost sadly, as if he knew what was coming.
And it did.
A cloud of red suddenly enveloped Sarah's vision. "No?"
Jareth gestured to an ornate door on the other side of the considerable room. "Do as I say, and you may spend all the time you wish with her after your questioning."
"*Screw you*. She might have some of your blood, but I spent the last five years raising her."
This was greeted with sounds of surprise and disbelief from the Lords. Jareth took a deep breath, willing himself to be calm.
"I think that I have a little more say then you on where she should be and with whom," Sarah continued, oblivious in her anger.
"We will send for you," he repeated, then tossed the crystal ball in the air.
Her eyes followed its magnetic assent into the air, then caught it as it flew, in an arch, down to her open hand. When she looked up, the men were gone.
~
For some reason or another, Sarah couldn't keep herself angry with Jareth for keeping Tessika away. Perhaps because it was actually pretty nice not to have her under her feet, attacking her with questions and pleas for games. Or perhaps because Sarah believed what he had said: Tessie was being taken good care of.
Now taking the opportunity to look around at her surroundings in the light of day, Sarah had to admit that she was more then a little surprised.
Her brief trip through the castle before was mostly a blur now. What she could remember was that it was cold, dirty, and dark. None of those hazy details could be found in this rich room. Despite its size, it still managed to be cozy. Mahogany timbers supported the creamy walls and crisscrossed the ceiling. Burgundy silks, the exact color of the thick rugs scattered across the floor, adorned the walls. The large marble fireplace across from the bed was inlaid with jewels in an intricate mosaic of the Five Realms and Nine Kingdoms. The mantelpiece was decorated with various chunks and spheres of crystal. The bed itself, where Sarah still dwelt, was as large as her bedroom back in her apartment. It was incredibly soft, covered with smooth, creamy satin sheet and accented with burgundy pillows, ruffles, and a throw. Its posts were intricately twisted, topped with little crystals. The furniture was spare, but well made. One long, narrow table, set against one wall, was dedicated entirely to milky candles. A deep, soft chair near the fireplace looked perfect for reading. There were also other various decorative tables, a bookcase, and a large mirror, but what really demanded Sarah's attention was near the one wide window. It was a gigantic, delicately carved armoire.
This armoire was the first thing Sarah inspected, ignoring the three doors for now. She was surprised with her curiosity of it; the designs seemed to be slowly twisting into new patterns. A delicate scent wafted out when she opened it. Inside, on the one shelf, sat one perfect peach. Sarah wrinkled her nose and closed the chest. Just one lousy peach occupying that space so big that she could've fit two or three of herself in? Talk about a waste of space.
At that moment, a brisk double knock came from one of the doors--the door that led out into the corridor, Sarah assumed.
"Come in." Sarah turned to meet the knocker, totally relaxed. She knew it couldn't be Jareth. Since when did *he* ever bother to knock?
Maybe it's Tessika.
Instead, a Goblin hustled in when the door opened. She seemed tall for her species, and very clean and well kept. Obviously a castle servant.
"Jolie's my name," the Goblin said, setting the silver tray she was carrying on a table in front of the chair. "The master says I'm to makes sure yer taken cares of. Why doncha eats some while I drew yer a bath?"
"Okay . . . " Sarah was a little taken aback by the quick, business-like personality. It was surprising to see in a Goblin. "I'm--"
"Sarah. I knows."
Before she could really register what was said, Sarah was pushed down into the chair and Jolie was bustling through another door--the bathroom? Yes. Running water could be heard. Taking a deep breath, Sarah found herself to be relieved. Running water could mean only one thing. Indoor plumbing. So this castle wasn't completely behind the times. She didn't know how long she was going to be here, but she was sure that sooner or later, she would have to use the bathroom.
Which brought up a certain, important point. Just how long *would* she be here? To the best of her knowledge, she did still have a job, and Tessie had kindergarten classes to attend. Time runs differently here, she reminded herself.
And just what was she doing here anyway? Sarah suddenly clenched her fists. The bastard hadn't even really told her why he had brought her here and what for. The first time, she had basically asked him into her life, and accepted his challenge. This time, I didn't ask for him, I didn't ask to come here--nothing. And he doesn't even have the courtesy to tell me what the hell is going on. Jackass hasn't changed any.
Rubbing a hand across her face, she willed herself to calm down. It wouldn't do any good to get upset. And just where the hell is Tessika?
Nothing changes. He interrupted her life for a third time, and she was, as usual, disoriented, confused, and worried. Lost.
Numbly, Sarah allowed Jolie to lead her into the bathroom. The tray of delicate breakfast foods lay untouched.
~
"I suppose the shock of traveling between Realms and discovering that I fathered her child caught up with her. She simply fainted onto the floor." Jareth leaned back in the chair the other Overlords had sat him in, much as if it were his throne. A crystal idly danced on one of his hands. "So Kit--"
"Katerina, queen of Shape-Shifter King." Zues said pointedly. It was a formal questioning, so formal names were to be used.
"Yes." Jareth kept his voice neutral and cool. "Katerina and I took her to her room for the night. Worry for her daughter kept her awake, so my sister brought the girl here."
"And Ki--Katerina asked you." This came from the Shape-Shifted King himself, Aidian, her husband.
"Yes. And then one after the other, you all arrived here, no warnings, no announcements."
"You ignored the Laws against bringing a Human into our World against its will!" Tritan, king of the Mermen, suddenly shouted. He stood up and pounded the table. "No wonder it is weak!"
"'It' is called Sarah," Jareth said, gritting his teeth. "And she was in danger! There was no time to ask, only to act."
"That isn't the point," Tritan began, but Ash interrupted.
"I believe it is." His voice was quiet, but it carried. When he spoke, all listened. "This Human is essential to the Realms, to our kingdoms' well-being. She might hold the key to all existence. Would you have the Dark Lord get access to that?"
"If it is the Dark Lord that worries you, I say we find him!" the Fairy Queen, Coli, exclaimed. "Let's destroy the only thing that threatens our peace."
"You know as well as all of us that his hold is impossible to find," Jareth said.
Rockun, the Troll Lord, stood up. "This Human--what is so special about her? Exactly."
"She is the one who powers our world," Kardon said. His voice was as quiet as Ash's had been. "Without her, our worlds will die. Jareth managed to keep her identity secret for as long as her life has been, but now the secret is out. If the Dark Lord has control of her, he will have control of us. We will be at his mercy."
"How long have we known this?" Aidian asked.
"Eleven Third Realm years."
"Why hasn't she been under our protection if we've known so long?"
"If she lived here, she wouldn't have anything to dream of, would she?" Jareth said, in an obvious voice.
There was silence in the room.
"I had a premonition. He was going to capture her when she returned to her home last night. Turn her against me."
"How is our world going to survive with the Human here?" Tritan asked, a little shaken.
Jareth sighed and glanced at the faces of his friends. "Her daughter."
~
Sarah stared into the fireplace, blissfully unaware of the crisis that seemed to be on the brink of breaking. If one looked past the vacant, hopeless look in her eyes, she seemed to glow with beauty.
The fire played over the dark locks of her hair, warmed her skin, and made her eyes glow. Freshly bathed, she had been helped by Jolie into a black velvet gown shot with silver. A medieval princess would've had to compete with the lovely spectacle Sarah made in the empire waisted, long-skirted dress. The softness of her hair lay over her shoulders--she didn't bother to do anything with it.
She was thinking of Hoggle and his Goblin Fairies, Ludo and his rocks, and Sir Didymus and his not so noble Ambrosias. Her adventure seemed like it had only just happened. All the details were clear. The way her marks kept changing, how dry the Hands had felt, the grating voices of the False Alarms--everything was fresh and exact. Was it because she was back in the world she had left behind with her childhood?
Will I get to see them?
Another brisk knock sounded, and Jolie walked in without bothering for admittance. "They're ready for ya."
Took a deep breath. And another. Now the answer part comes. What will it bring? She got up and followed Jolie.
Sarah looked around with interest as Jolie led her through the castle. Lots of doors, she noticed. Duly noted. None of what she saw was dirty or unkempt, like it was before. Every now and then a Goblin would scurry past, either ignoring her all out or staring with free interest. She was something near to joyful when Jolie opened one of two large wooden doors and revealed the Throne Room. Something familiar. She had been too upset last night to notice any of the changes that had happened to it--for one thing, there were no Goblins lazing about. Pausing for a moment, she happened to see the flight of stone stairs that wound up and out of sight. Shivered. The Escher Room. Two Goblins, decked out in full armor, stood alert at two more double wooden doors.
"Right through those," Jolie said, giving Sarah's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Ya'll be fine."
"I know." And she walked in.
A chair sat in the middle of a semi-circle of nine thrones. One was empty. Sarah walked with her back straight and her head held high to the chair. She hid a smile when she spotted Jareth sitting in the middle among the unfamiliar faces--the men that had been in her room before. Never thought that I'd be glad to see the Goblin King.
Jareth stood. "I suppose introductions are in order."
Sarah didn't really give a damn about introductions, but she had made a vow to be manageable; she smiled.
"Zues, Ruler of Mount Olympus. Ash, Emperor of the Dragons. Kardon, the Elven King. Lyndia, Protector of the Humans." This was addressed to the empty throne. "Coli, the Fairy Queen. Rockun, Lord of Trolls. Carver, Ruler of the Phoenix. Tritan, the King of the Mermen. Aidian, Shapeshifter King."
Sarah's smile was harder and harder to contain as they each sat down, one by one, as their name and title was said. It was like a well-choreographed dance.
"Lords, meet Sarah Williams." Now Jareth sat down, lifting an eyebrow at her smirk.
They peered at her. Now I know what the animals at zoos feel like. Eventually one of 'ems gonna ask, "Is it okay to feed it?"
Jareth took a deep breath, and began. He explained exactly what he had seen in his premonition, and who it was that was after her.
Sarah's eyes grew wider and wider. "Why does this Dark Lord guy want me?"
The tough part. "Have you ever observed a plant without water?"
A quizzical look formed on her face.
"That's how we would be without you, Sarah. We would slowly, painfully whither away. You are what powers our world."
"I don't understand." Sarah shook her head.
He leaned forward. "Do you remember when you came to rescue your brother? How it was dirty, dark, and forbidding? That was how you imagined it then." Gestured with his hands. "This is how you imagine it now. After your 'real' world became more dark and forbidding, you made the Labyrinth a beautiful, lighter place. Like childhood versus adulthood."
"Wait. Are you saying that I make the Labyrinth?"
Jareth hesitated. "No. Not so much make. Your imagination powers the Five Realms, makes them real."
Sarah had an urge to simply get up and walk out, thanking them for the wonderful evening.
"Your survival is necessary to our existence. If the Dark Lord has you in his possession, he could wipe out entire kingdoms, control us. Like a puppetmaster."
A flood of goosebumps flew over her body. And then he spoke what she had feared all along.
"You can't go back to the Third Realm, Sarah. It's too risky. Not even the Protector could watch out for you there. You'll be safe here. Happy."
Sarah slowly turned away from the Overlords, feeling sick to her stomach. There was no way she could fight them, no way she could be angry with them. They were only protecting her and the existence of everything, right? Slowly, she reached under her sleeve and pinched her arm. The pain that flared there proved to her that she wasn't in a straight jacket somewhere, rambling about Goblins and Realms.
"Where will I stay?" Sarah finally whispered. "And Tessika?"
"You both will stay here, with me, unless you feel you would be happier elsewhere."
"You'll be treated like royalty," Aidian said, the first of the other Lords to speak since Sarah had walked in. "My kingdom will host a Masquerade, in your honor."
Sensing that they were done with her, she stood and tried a grateful smile. "Thank you." She felt as if the world had just come crashing down on her head.
As she crossed the throne room, not knowing the way back to her room and not really caring, a hand touched her arm. She turned. It was Jareth. None of the anger she used to feel toward him was there. The hell he had put her through before seemed pitiful and pathetic compared to what she had just been told.
So she gave him a half-hearted smile. "Hey."
Instead of smiling back, a mask of worry suddenly descended on his fine- boned face. "Oh, Sarah. So lost."
There was no warning. All of a sudden, she was weeping and reaching for him. He held her, his heart breaking a little more with each wracking sob.
"Everything is going to be just," he murmured, stroking her back. "I'm not about to let anything happen to you. You will be happy here. I promise that." He leaned her back alittle, looked into those scared, mossy eyes. "Have dinner with me tonight. We'll talk about anything that might make you happier, anything you might need. Your dreams."
She nodded her acceptance into his shoulder, although she didn't think she would have much of an appetite.
"Go back to your room," he told her, hugging her close once more. "I'll have my sister bring our daughter to you. That will make you happy, won't it?"
Our daughter. That term would need some mulling, as would everything else that had been said. Sarah wiped her cheeks and stepped back. "Thank you, Jareth."
A second later she was in her room. The golden woman--the wife--that had shown up last night sat now with Tessika in front of the fireplace, playing with some stuffed animals. One was a Fiery.
Somehow this did not put Sarah in a better mood.
"Mommy!" Tessika grinned and ran to her, overjoyed.
"Hello," the woman said, looking up and smiling. "Did it go well?"
She began to think of how grossly understated this was when another thought interrupted. "I'll have my sister bring our daughter to you." Jareth's words. Even though her tears were hardly dry, she began to laugh.
"What are you laughing about, Mommy?" Tessika asked, looking at her quizzically but fondly.
Still laughing, Sarah scooped her up into her arms. "Just remember that things aren't always as they seem."
A rush of energy spread across Sarah's body. She felt it, but did not give it any notice. The Overlords had just put a glamour-shield up to protect her and Tessika. They were safe now from the Dark Lord's Dark Seeing Opal.