Part Three - The Queen of the Underground
("I have turned the world upside down .and I have done it all for you")
Talia sat in the stateroom as she waited for one of her more favoured courtiers to return to the palace. Small diamonds sparkled in her hair and she was dressed in a dress of deep crimson. Her maid had told her that she looked beautiful when she had dressed an hour earlier but Talia knew that slowly the years were beginning to show on her face. The skin was not quite as firm as it once had been and there was an increasing number of tiny lines scattered around her eyes and mouth that were refusing to be covered by the fine white powder that gave her skin it's alabaster glow. Slowly it was beginning to dawn on her that unlike those that surrounded her she was not immortal and ultimately would one day wake up and be unable to deny the fact that she had grown old.
It was a thought that filled her with fear and trepidation. She was Queen of the Underground, as far as she knew no one could surpass her magics. She was known throughout the Kingdom, and her subjects were in agreement that she should be both admired and feared for what she had managed to achieve for them since entering their world, and yet even the lowliest serf in the kingdom had what she did not, forever.
It had been three days since she had sent him above ground to watch over the girl, Sarah Williams. Three days in which she had had to smile and laugh as the simpering fools that made up the court attempted to regale her with stories about their various conquests. They spoke of battles and treasures that they had won in her name and she beamed with pleasure and caressed their shoulders, making them feel loved, admired. She accepted their gifts and consoled those that failed their quests.
She deceived them all into believing that they were making some headway with their queen and her favours, for surely whilst she smiled and caressed everyone her glance and hand lingered slightly when she addressed them. It was all politics however and their stories were soon forgotten as she sat and wondered what was going on in the Labyrinth at that moment and considered when Jareth would return to give her the details that she so desperately needed to hear.
"Your majesty, Lord Jareth approaches the palace and requests an audience." Talia lifted her head in recognition of the messenger who hovered near the doorway of the stateroom and absentmindedly waved him away. She knew that Jareth would dispense with the formality of being sent for and sneer at any person who attempted to bar his entry. His 'request' was a mere acknowledgement of her position as his apparent superior, and she conceded that despite appearances she had in recent months become more and more dependant upon his support in various matters of state.
If appearances were to be believed she remained the all powerful monarch that the kingdom had accepted her as, with only a select few knowing the truth. Jareth was one of these select few however and it was this knowledge that gave him the assurance that he would not be turned away from her door.
As she heard a slight commotion further along the corridor her expression darkened. He may be assured entry but the time had passed where she could guarantee his safety, especially if he persisted with his present behaviour. Talia had already heard too many jealousies spoken by the Lord's rival courtiers and knew that it would not take much for the other gentleman of her court to begin to conspire against her favourite.
("I have turned the world upside down .and I have done it all for you")
Talia sat in the stateroom as she waited for one of her more favoured courtiers to return to the palace. Small diamonds sparkled in her hair and she was dressed in a dress of deep crimson. Her maid had told her that she looked beautiful when she had dressed an hour earlier but Talia knew that slowly the years were beginning to show on her face. The skin was not quite as firm as it once had been and there was an increasing number of tiny lines scattered around her eyes and mouth that were refusing to be covered by the fine white powder that gave her skin it's alabaster glow. Slowly it was beginning to dawn on her that unlike those that surrounded her she was not immortal and ultimately would one day wake up and be unable to deny the fact that she had grown old.
It was a thought that filled her with fear and trepidation. She was Queen of the Underground, as far as she knew no one could surpass her magics. She was known throughout the Kingdom, and her subjects were in agreement that she should be both admired and feared for what she had managed to achieve for them since entering their world, and yet even the lowliest serf in the kingdom had what she did not, forever.
It had been three days since she had sent him above ground to watch over the girl, Sarah Williams. Three days in which she had had to smile and laugh as the simpering fools that made up the court attempted to regale her with stories about their various conquests. They spoke of battles and treasures that they had won in her name and she beamed with pleasure and caressed their shoulders, making them feel loved, admired. She accepted their gifts and consoled those that failed their quests.
She deceived them all into believing that they were making some headway with their queen and her favours, for surely whilst she smiled and caressed everyone her glance and hand lingered slightly when she addressed them. It was all politics however and their stories were soon forgotten as she sat and wondered what was going on in the Labyrinth at that moment and considered when Jareth would return to give her the details that she so desperately needed to hear.
"Your majesty, Lord Jareth approaches the palace and requests an audience." Talia lifted her head in recognition of the messenger who hovered near the doorway of the stateroom and absentmindedly waved him away. She knew that Jareth would dispense with the formality of being sent for and sneer at any person who attempted to bar his entry. His 'request' was a mere acknowledgement of her position as his apparent superior, and she conceded that despite appearances she had in recent months become more and more dependant upon his support in various matters of state.
If appearances were to be believed she remained the all powerful monarch that the kingdom had accepted her as, with only a select few knowing the truth. Jareth was one of these select few however and it was this knowledge that gave him the assurance that he would not be turned away from her door.
As she heard a slight commotion further along the corridor her expression darkened. He may be assured entry but the time had passed where she could guarantee his safety, especially if he persisted with his present behaviour. Talia had already heard too many jealousies spoken by the Lord's rival courtiers and knew that it would not take much for the other gentleman of her court to begin to conspire against her favourite.