Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, in any way shape or form other than owning the video…and the DVD…and the soundtrack…okay; I am an insane fanatic that is now butchering Labyrinth for my own ends…Bwahahahahahahahaahahahahahhaha!
Beyond the Labyrinth
Blood to Blood
Sarah glanced out the living room window; Rivkah had not allowed her to move off the couch since she changed into her pretty new dress. Sarah's hair was done in elaborate curls and pinned to the top of her head to fall in an artful cascade of dark froth that perfectly framed her young face and accented her sparkling green eyes. Her dress was done in shades of emerald and burgundy…silk and hand made lace, expensive and soft. Hence the reason she wasn't allowed outside in it. Sitting incongruously in Sarah's lap was her teddy bear Lancelot. His glass bead eyes reflected a rainbow of colors as the autumn leaves tumbled and cavorted outside the window.
Sarah reached out a hand in true yearning, wishing that she could be outside dancing with the wind…but her mother had asked her to stay inside and be good…the prince was coming to see her, and to meet him, Sarah needed to be clean and pretty. She felt like a doll, sitting on the edge of the couch. It would have been easier if the curtains had been closed…but here the clear glass sat, clear as crystal and yet still a firm restraint, taunting her…
The leaves were just at the right color to look like tossing flames. They skittered and flew down the street, playing in the wind until tomorrow when the street cleaners would sweep them away. The trees that had lost the leaves stood proud and tall, pleased that they were responsible for such a glorious display. The sky was the silver of a perfectly shined nickel, an excellent back drop for the flaming dance of the leaves. Sarah sighed and stared.
* * * * *
Rivkah flexed her fingers nervously as she sat in front of her vanity mirror…her prince had asked to come to her home…had asked to see her daughter…she was of mixed feelings about that. On one hand, it was another way she could please him and stay in favor. A way to keep access to the world of glitter and charm that existed in the mundane world if you knew the right people, her people. On the other hand, little Sarah was somewhat of a disappointment. She did not have the looks she should; she was too large for her age, too tall, too interested in the outside rather than the proper things. She didn't like learning to dance properly, eating properly; social graces…none of them interested the vexing child. Not to mention that the blood of the coarse man she lived with flowed in the veins of the child. That blood is what she blamed for the child's unruliness. The most Rivkah had been able to do with the child was give her the heirlooms of her family…a ratty teddy bear and a children's book
Rivkah shuddered to contemplate the man she was married to. Life wasn't fair; she had left her clique for one night, one night, of "lower" amusement…and ended up pregnant. Her honorable parents had demanded that she wed him post haste. In a moment of deplorable weakness, she had consented, married the man and whelped his little bitch of a child. It's not fair!!! I deserve better, I deserve those I was raised among, those same people that now look down on me for bearing a mud-blood daughter…only my Prince understands; only he can help me back…and that meant making sure Sarah was impressive. And she will be, that I swear, she got me cast out, and she'll be my ticket back in. Rivkah leaned over the mirror, added the last bit of lipstick to her face, and smiled. Had anyone been in the room as she smiled, they would have recognized the grin of a true predator.
* * * * *
Rivkah floated down the stairs like a cloud that could barely stand to touch the earth. She was all dark hair and black dress, silver lines and diamonds. She watched herself in the hall mirror and smiled once more, happy with the effects of such bold colors. She alighted at the bottom of the stairs and glanced around, making sure that every nuance of the entry way was perfect, that nothing was amiss. It was. For once Sarah must have listened and kept herself under control. Well and good, it is about time she started to obey me…She stopped in the entrance to the living room, prepared to scold Sarah if she had dared move from the couch.
She stopped cold, surprised. Sarah hadn't budged; in fact she was staring, entranced, out the window. Despite herself, her gaze shifted to the outdoors, attempting to see what had captivated the girl so. Dead leaves blew down the cold street. Stark, black branches reached towards the sky in a silent plea for freedom from their binding roots. The slate grey sky loomed over the whole scene, leeching warmth and life from everything. She shivered and tore her gaze from the window. There was nothing out there to deserve such attention as Sarah was giving it. Oh great, not only does she not behave but she sees things that are not there. How can I hide the fact that she is addle witted as well? She backed up a step and halted herself once again. She had caught her own reflection in the mirror in the living room…and in front of her reflection was that of Sarah…
Rivkah studied the lines of her daughters face, she could find no fault with her daughter's face, no fault with her posture…and that was wrong. Not even I could wear that dress and look so…perfect. She sits on the couch as if it was a throne, she should fidget, complain, do something, anything but sit there and look so…beautiful. An irrational rage started to grow in Rivkah's heart. HOW DARE SHE? How dare she be able to look like that? To look like we all wish we could? How we all try to look? She's not even full blood! She's not even worthy of meeting any of my friends and yet…and yet…she manages to outshine me. The little sow…The mirror showed a beautiful child, lush colors complimenting her, her wondering eyes wide open and staring in fascination, a slight smile on her lips. Lips that did not need any make-up to glow. And behind this vision of life a shadow moved, a twisted being of black and silver, and eyes as dark as a nightmare.
* * * * *
Sarah blinked and came out of her reverie, the glass still sat before her, but something was different. She turned her head minutely, careful of her hair. Lancelot? Mild panic started to simmer in her gut Where has Lancelot gotten to? Gracefully she slid to the floor and glanced under the couch. "There you are! Bad teddy!"
* * * * *
Rivkah was purposefully stalking towards the couch How dare she, she isn't worthy kept sliding through her mind. She had her hands in front of her, fingers arched into claws. She was seeing wonderful, bleeding gashes in the "oh so perfect" flesh, green and purple bruises marring the cute smile…she ached to crush, to destroy this creature she had created. She reached the couch and was reaching for the slender expanse of throat when Sarah slid off the couch. Rivkah froze. There, standing at the window and scowling at her through the glass, was her prince. He had watched, and she got the distinct impression that he was not happy. He crooked one finger at her and she nodded. She walked to the door.
The man at the window smiled gently at the girl picking herself up off the floor with a very familiar teddy, and then he went to the door. It was time to talk to Rivkah.
* * * * *
Rivkah shivered and looked at the stone of the porch as her prince approached. He was angry; every line of his body stated the fact clearly. Yet even in anger, she desired him, his hair swung free, long and dark as good chocolate, to his waist. He was thin, but with muscle, a sculpted face, pointed chin, pale skin…even wearing jeans as he did now, he was beautiful. He was the utmost epitome of the blood. She decided to let him start the conversation.
He paused at the bottom step and looked up at the woman that had come very close to destroying his careful plans. He wanted to strike her, to reach out and throttle her as she so obviously had wished to do to the child. But he couldn't, not yet, no matter how she deserved it. She still had a purpose, but not here. It is sad to think that some of the greatest power left in our blood is housed in this poor excuse for a person, there was never enough humanity in her to learn compassion, or love for that matter…it is unfortunate that little Sarah has such a mother, perhaps when I remove Rivkah from her life she will learn that mother does not mean Goddess. He pasted a court smile to his face and looked at her with dazzling green eyes. "My lady Rivkah, it is obvious that this place is not for you. It seems to distress you. Would you care to leave here forever?" He waved a negligent hand at the house, taking in the mundane road and the drab colors "Such a jewel as you deserves a more exotic setting…" He stepped towards her and ran his hand up her arm "Come away…" He kissed her hand and whispered in her ear "Go pack"
Rivkah ran up the stairs, joy in her face.
* * * * *
He braced himself on the porch railing for a moment, swallowing back bile. So easy to manipulate isn't it? When have you ever been honest? He stood and walked into the house. He followed the sound of a child humming into the living room, and there she sat. The greatest hope for those of the blood left. Such a small, innocent thing…I should have taken better care of you child…He sat and looked at her, she glanced up and he was caught in eyes as green as his own. She smiled the precious smile of a child who does not have an easy life and yet knows how to enjoy life a moment at a time.
"Hello, are you the prince?"
He chuckled, prince…that is what Rivkah called him because she did not know his name. Maybe, just maybe… "Yes, I'm your Mom's Prince, but you can call me…Telvris"
"Hello! I'm Sarah, my mom…umm, I mean Rivkah said I had to be extra good while you were here"
She doesn't even let Sarah call her Mom?!!! "You don't have to do that Sarah. I'm not very good so why should you be?"
"Oh good! Does that mean I can go take off this dress and go play outside?"
"Yes, yes it does…but first I have a gift for you." He pulled the small box out of his pocket. Inside was a locket, instead of photos, there was a silver filigree owl on one side and a sword crossing a rose on the other. "May you wear this when your blood calls to the blood of those who need your strength."
She frowned at him and smiled, but put on the necklace, the locket sat inside the bodice of her dress. She twirled in a circle and her face glowed. Gracefully she swooped in and landed a delicate kiss on his cheek. "Thank you very much Telvris. I'm going to go change now"
He watched her scamper off, a strange feeling in his chest. Then he wiped the tender expression off his face and prepared to play the charade once more as Rivkah came down stairs with a suitcase in each hand. Remember, you are doing this to protect Sarah, it does not matter how much you are degraded as long as she is safe and grows up strong. He took the suitcases with a flourish and led Rivkah out the door. He glanced up the stairs once more, stroked the spot she had kissed, and then walked Sarah's goddess out the door. Rivkah never looked back.
* * * * *
Sorry about the length of this one, the story ran away from me!