Back, back, back!!!! Sorry it's been so long. I had major writer's block on this story and all my others. I can't believe how good it is to be back in college- even if I am working my butt off.
Thanks to Jenny for reviewing… and to everyone else who's reading! Enough babbling and on to the fic then…
Previously:
"I understand, but please hear me out. It is not my intention to allow things to remain as they are now." She looks at him, puzzled. "Yes, you, Linda Katrina Ostling Williams- I need you to help me change this world for the better."
Part 4: Make a Deal
Linda scoffs at this absurd idea. "You need me to help you improve your world? Who do you think that I am? I am not a politician or a scientist; I am only a wife, a mother, an actress and a woman. With all due respect Your Majesty, perhaps your magic has yet again led you astray."
With one elegant movement, Mikal shakes his head sadly in response. "I went too fast… there is more that you need to know. Somehow I must make you understand your importance."
"There is more, you say? What other horrors do have in store for me?"
Not answering her questions, he moves on. "Now shall we return to the issue that we left after marvelously digressing? You truly remember nothing about what happened tonight, Linda?"
"Listen, I told you. I do not remember…" Her voice trails off and her pupils dilate slightly as she stares in the distance.
Watching her very carefully, he notices her pupils contract. She does not look at him in the eye. "What did you remember?"
She tries to flash him an indignant glare without looking him in the face. "Nothing that needs to be repeated to you…" Then she catches herself looking into his eyes and her barriers go down. In the back of her mind, she curses herself for drinking that wine.
"Linda, please. It does make sense; I promise you."
"Fine… I guess it does not matter since you seem to know so much about me already. How could this get any worse?"
Internally, Mikal thinks… ask and you shall receive. Outwardly, he nods to signal her to continue.
She sighs and stares into the distance. "I saw myself holding Sarah beside the window and I remembered thinking about my career."
Quietly he encourages her to explore her thoughts. "Your acting career? It was not the best timing for you to become pregnant so young, so soon."
"Yes, that is how it seemed at the time."
"At the time- at which time, Linda?"
"When I became pregnant… I even thought about…" She shudders. "getting rid of the child. My only reasoning was to protect my stupid career!"
"You regret even the thought now?"
"Yes, I despise myself for even imagining such horrible things. After all, what is a career compared to a new life? Don't I owe her that much… and more? Everything changed the moment I cradled her in my arms and felt her newborn softness."
"She is that special?"
"Yes, she is my treasure. She lifted her shining eyes to mine and I knew how lucky I was and how grateful I was for having her."
Slowly, he reminds her. "But what about tonight?"
"I remembered that tonight and then I said something… I can't remember what I said but the next thing I knew, Sarah was gone and I was here."
Since she is still in her trance, he whispers the incantation. "I wish the goblins would take you away right now."
She snaps out of her trance and stands up. "Yes, that's what I said. How did you know…" Slowly, she looks around the room. He merely watches her with saddened eyes. "It was you, wasn't it? You set me up… you set this entire thing up, you bastard! You were the one who made me… Oh God, Sarah…" Linda's voice trails off and her anger melts into sudden fear.
He looks at her sympathetically, but she does not notice. "I did not set you up; the thoughts were your own and as a result, the incantation did come to your mind… of its own will. All I did was hurry the inevitable. This day was prophesized just after the creation of this kingdom."
"Whoa, excuse me? What is this, predestination? You expect me to believe that I had no choice in the matter? I am in control of my own destiny, thank you very much. My future is not decided yet."
"I do not understand the significance of 'predestination' but I can tell you that this choice is still yours regardless. What does it matter now? It has come to pass, you are here and it is time for you to choose… to choose your own destiny."
"So I'm here… and where's Sarah? Wait a minute, did you turn her into a go… gobl…"
"Sarah is perfectly safe… and human… for the moment."
"For the moment?" Mikal firmly nods his assent and Linda balls up her fists in rage. Spitefully she glares at him. "I am amazed that you hesitated at all."
"Oh don't be like that. I told you that the individuals gave in voluntarily and were pleased with the outcome. Humans were so much more agreeable back then… Do you realize how much more stubborn you are now as a race? It's infuriating."
"Infuriating or not, you deserve all the antagonism that you receive, you despicable…"
"Linda, please forgive me, for I am a desperate Fae. My kingdom- the natural balance of my world is in danger. What is that saying that you mortals have- and I amazed how eloquent some humans have been- desperate times call for desperate measures. Few ever imagine that they will take another man's life because it is wrong; however, in times of war, the rules are suspended and the man becomes a hero. In that case, anything goes."
"Being desperate implies that there is something to be gained. What do you have to gain by involving Sarah and I?"
"Linda, both you and your daughter have powers of which you are both currently unaware. I wish to make a deal with you, in exchange for the help of you both. I beg of you, please help me."
"What would the conditions be for my cooperation, Goblin King?"
"In order to explain that, I must tell another story if you will allow me…" She nods silently. "I believe this to be a part of the legend of the Labyrinth, a great maze that shall one day surround my castle. Not only will the structure physically and magically protect my kingdom and its inhabitants, but also it will be a mechanism for those that fight the Goblin King's claim on the child. Those who wish away a child shall have the choice of passing through the Labyrinth in hopes of getting the child back."
She crosses her arms. "What does this fascinating claim have to do with me?"
"My son shall be the one to build it and your daughter shall go through it in order to save a child from the very fate she now faces. The world of the Labyrinth cannot completely be tamed, as my son cannot believe, but the Labyrinth can and will be overcome. The cycle begins again- you, Linda have the power to initiate this. All that you must do is to tell her stories of the Labyrinth… and one of you must publish the story in order that the words are never forgotten."
"Is that all that you…" Linda's comment is interrupted by Jareth's sudden appearance with Sarah squirming in his arms.
Jareth ignores Linda and turns to Mikal. "She won't shut up! I ordered her to and she won't listen to me! How dare you stick me with this obnoxious baby?" Sarah glares at Jareth and reaches out for her mother.
Linda smiles in relief and reaches her arm back. "Sarah!"
Mikal gestures for her to stay where she is. He faces his impudent son. "Jareth, I told you to wait until I..."
"I was tired of waiting!" Sarah looks up at Jareth for a moment and laughs at him. Her little hand grabs some of his wild, blonde hair and begins pulling on it slightly. Jareth looks at her with disgust as he tries not to flinch.
The king sighs in exasperation. "The damage is done." He turns to back to the mortal woman who watches the scene with growing fascination. "Linda, I am somewhat pleased to introduce you to my son and heir, Jareth- the Goblin King who will build the magnificent Labyrinth." Jareth puffs up his chest in pride. "Hopefully you can excuse his rude and childish behavior, because there are parts of the prophecy that he finds distasteful." The Goblin Prince shoots a death glare at his father.
That's it for this chapter… I can't promise the next will be up really soon, but hopefully I'll have some time to write Part 5: The Babe with the Power. Reviews will help me to continue faster- I'm serious, so please leave a contribution in the little review box. ^_^