Chapter 5: Coming Around
Well hectate goddess you got your wish. We did get more snow today and lots of ice. So I whipped out another chapter. I hope everyone enjoys this installment. Once again review please, and just in case anyone was confused I don't own the Labyrinth, just Sebal.
Sarah swayed as the colors swirling in front of her eyes coalesced into the throne room. Jareth's mouth was gaping and he kept blinking his eyes. The goblins, surprised by her appearance scurried to the corners and waited for the proverbial lightening bolt. A dim part of Sarah's mind rejoiced that she had surprised the all-knowing Goblin King. Her grin faltered as her overtaxed body quickly crumpled beneath her. Her last coherent thought was that at least she was out of the oubliette.
Jareth watched numbly as Sebal rushed to catch the unconscious Sarah. Rising slowly from his throne, Jareth stumbled over to the crouched man. "My Lord, what should we do?" Sebal asked with unusual concern. Jareth didn't answer but continued to stare at Sarah's still features. A gloved hand sneaked out to caress her cheek. A strange stillness overcame the Goblin King and to Sebal's ever-watchful eyes a different man appeared. "My Lord?" Sebal questioned again. "Take her to the Queen's suite." Sebal's gasp brought Jareth's eyes up to his and the Goblin King was back. "Do you dare question me?" His voice was quiet with venom. "No of course not, Your Majesty. Right away, Your Majesty." Sebal replied and flickered away with Sarah in his arms.
Jareth stood and began to pace. This is not right, he thought. There is no way she could be able to transport herself from the oubliette. There is a special spell on it to prevent such occurrences. How in bloody hell could she have gotten out? Frustration emanated from Jareth's stiff posture. Striding to the window, Jareth watched as the Labyrinth, always in a subtle state of flux, visibly changing before his eyes. The stones shimmered and reformed in a new pattern. The hedge maze sprouted buds and the flowered in a riot of colors. This could not be happening. Everyone got a bit of magic when they entered the Underground. Most never noticed it or if they did they could only marginally control it. Magic on this scale was highly unusual, to say the least. Jareth turned into his study and awaited Sebal's return.
He didn't have to wait long. Sebal entered Jareth's study and bowed humbly before his sovereign. "Oh get up Sebal. Now is not the time for bowing and scraping." Jareth said irritably. "As you wish, Your Majesty" Sebal said in his most differential tone. "You know what I need, don't you?" "Yes, My Lord." "Then get it." Sebal disappeared and then returned a moment later with a small but dusty tome in his hands. A strange mixture of awe, reverence, and fear washed over his face.
The Kil'tena Prophecies had existed for far longer than most things of the Underground. As far as any could tell they had always been around. Unfortunately, for the monarchs of the Underground, the prophecies had the peculiar ability to apply to every reign. It was almost as if Kil'tena had known who each king or queen would be and what challenges they would face. The prophecies were annoyingly vague until after the event occurred and then they were crystal clear. No wise monarch had ever ignored the prophecies. King Jareth was far from foolish and knew the prophecy that applied to him intimately.
Jareth looked up at Sebal with a silent command to read. Clearing his throat Sebal read the powerful words. "To the white owl will come a test Push too hard and lose is best For should you lose the victor will return When the falcon returns either love or burn For the falcon must win all for everything to remain This is your task and it is great with pain."
"Could you be anymore obscure, Kil'tena?" Jareth muttered. "My Lord, do you think Sarah is the falcon the prophecy speaks of?" Sebal asked. Closing his eyes, Jareth searched for Sarah's slumbering form. Content that she would rest for a time yet, Jareth answered the nagging question. "Yes, I think she is. Although it does mean that I had to lose when she first came. I am concerned about the 'win all for everything to remain' part." "Sire, you know how long I've studied this and I can't figure it out either." "This one thing I do know is that Sarah is not going to be pleasant when she wakes. I don't trust her to handle her new power well. Prepare for the worst Sebal. I'm going to go talk to our guest."
Jareth took the long way to the royal chambers. He needed time to think and prepare for this encounter. The last two experiences were not well planned and planning was something Jareth excelled at. Rounding a corner and passing his own door, he moved to the door covered with stylized unicorns, merfolk, and fairies. Easing the heavy wooden door open, he quietly crept into the chamber.
Sarah lay on her side in a peaceful sleep. Dark circles ringed her eyes. Jareth knew she would be tired from the magic she'd done. The first time was always hard on a person. He winced at the bruise forming on her temple. He honestly didn't intend to hurt her. Jareth knew that his presence would pull her from sleep soon enough, so he settled himself in a large leather chair in her line of vision and waited. It was a pleasure to look at her instead of through a crystal. A crystal couldn't clearly show the sharp line of her cheekbone of the way her hair fell across her shoulder. He itched to touch the smooth skin her clothes revealed. Those long legs wrapped around.I'm getting far too excited, he thought. I need a level head to talk to her. At that moment, Sarah's eyes fluttered open and concentrated on the figure watching her. Confusion then malice registered in her eyes before she masked her emotions. She started to push herself up but his voice stopped her movements. "I'd do that very slowly if I were you." He was enjoying this, she fumed. Well, screw you Jareth, Sarah thought. Quickly pushing herself into a sitting position proved to be a bad idea. The room spun wildly and nausea rose in her throat. Sarah lurched from her bed and stumbled away. Her knees started to buckle and Jareth was at her side in an instant. He was urging her convulsing body through an archway into a bathing room. Holding back her hair, Jareth waited while Sarah retched into a marble sink. When she'd finished Jareth lifted her weak body into his arms and carried her back to the bed. Willing a cool cloth into his hand, Jareth washed off her face and neck. "I told you to take it slow" Jareth commented. "Since when do I listen to anything you have to say? What do you want?" Sarah asked waspishly. "Why only to make you comfortable in your new home, my dear." "Oh yes, that makes ever so much sense. The Goblin King wants to see to my every beck and call." "Now I didn't say that." "So you want to tell my why I can do magic?" "Everyone who comes back to the Underground gets some magic. You didn't think you were alone in that regard, did you? Oh you did, how terribly foolish." "Bite me Jareth." "Oh now that would be interesting" He said leering openly. "I knew it. I knew that was why you brought me here so eagerly. If that was all you wanted, was the oubliette really necessary?" "Sarah, Sarah, is that what you think?" He asked laughing at the shocked expression on her face. He ran his eyes over her body, "To be honest I've seen better but if you're offering." He trailed off shrugging his shoulders. "Why you arrogant, conceited, son of a ." Jareth flashed out before she could finish so she screamed her anger at an empty room.
A/N: I hope everyone liked this chapter. I'll post again soon, I promise.
Well hectate goddess you got your wish. We did get more snow today and lots of ice. So I whipped out another chapter. I hope everyone enjoys this installment. Once again review please, and just in case anyone was confused I don't own the Labyrinth, just Sebal.
Sarah swayed as the colors swirling in front of her eyes coalesced into the throne room. Jareth's mouth was gaping and he kept blinking his eyes. The goblins, surprised by her appearance scurried to the corners and waited for the proverbial lightening bolt. A dim part of Sarah's mind rejoiced that she had surprised the all-knowing Goblin King. Her grin faltered as her overtaxed body quickly crumpled beneath her. Her last coherent thought was that at least she was out of the oubliette.
Jareth watched numbly as Sebal rushed to catch the unconscious Sarah. Rising slowly from his throne, Jareth stumbled over to the crouched man. "My Lord, what should we do?" Sebal asked with unusual concern. Jareth didn't answer but continued to stare at Sarah's still features. A gloved hand sneaked out to caress her cheek. A strange stillness overcame the Goblin King and to Sebal's ever-watchful eyes a different man appeared. "My Lord?" Sebal questioned again. "Take her to the Queen's suite." Sebal's gasp brought Jareth's eyes up to his and the Goblin King was back. "Do you dare question me?" His voice was quiet with venom. "No of course not, Your Majesty. Right away, Your Majesty." Sebal replied and flickered away with Sarah in his arms.
Jareth stood and began to pace. This is not right, he thought. There is no way she could be able to transport herself from the oubliette. There is a special spell on it to prevent such occurrences. How in bloody hell could she have gotten out? Frustration emanated from Jareth's stiff posture. Striding to the window, Jareth watched as the Labyrinth, always in a subtle state of flux, visibly changing before his eyes. The stones shimmered and reformed in a new pattern. The hedge maze sprouted buds and the flowered in a riot of colors. This could not be happening. Everyone got a bit of magic when they entered the Underground. Most never noticed it or if they did they could only marginally control it. Magic on this scale was highly unusual, to say the least. Jareth turned into his study and awaited Sebal's return.
He didn't have to wait long. Sebal entered Jareth's study and bowed humbly before his sovereign. "Oh get up Sebal. Now is not the time for bowing and scraping." Jareth said irritably. "As you wish, Your Majesty" Sebal said in his most differential tone. "You know what I need, don't you?" "Yes, My Lord." "Then get it." Sebal disappeared and then returned a moment later with a small but dusty tome in his hands. A strange mixture of awe, reverence, and fear washed over his face.
The Kil'tena Prophecies had existed for far longer than most things of the Underground. As far as any could tell they had always been around. Unfortunately, for the monarchs of the Underground, the prophecies had the peculiar ability to apply to every reign. It was almost as if Kil'tena had known who each king or queen would be and what challenges they would face. The prophecies were annoyingly vague until after the event occurred and then they were crystal clear. No wise monarch had ever ignored the prophecies. King Jareth was far from foolish and knew the prophecy that applied to him intimately.
Jareth looked up at Sebal with a silent command to read. Clearing his throat Sebal read the powerful words. "To the white owl will come a test Push too hard and lose is best For should you lose the victor will return When the falcon returns either love or burn For the falcon must win all for everything to remain This is your task and it is great with pain."
"Could you be anymore obscure, Kil'tena?" Jareth muttered. "My Lord, do you think Sarah is the falcon the prophecy speaks of?" Sebal asked. Closing his eyes, Jareth searched for Sarah's slumbering form. Content that she would rest for a time yet, Jareth answered the nagging question. "Yes, I think she is. Although it does mean that I had to lose when she first came. I am concerned about the 'win all for everything to remain' part." "Sire, you know how long I've studied this and I can't figure it out either." "This one thing I do know is that Sarah is not going to be pleasant when she wakes. I don't trust her to handle her new power well. Prepare for the worst Sebal. I'm going to go talk to our guest."
Jareth took the long way to the royal chambers. He needed time to think and prepare for this encounter. The last two experiences were not well planned and planning was something Jareth excelled at. Rounding a corner and passing his own door, he moved to the door covered with stylized unicorns, merfolk, and fairies. Easing the heavy wooden door open, he quietly crept into the chamber.
Sarah lay on her side in a peaceful sleep. Dark circles ringed her eyes. Jareth knew she would be tired from the magic she'd done. The first time was always hard on a person. He winced at the bruise forming on her temple. He honestly didn't intend to hurt her. Jareth knew that his presence would pull her from sleep soon enough, so he settled himself in a large leather chair in her line of vision and waited. It was a pleasure to look at her instead of through a crystal. A crystal couldn't clearly show the sharp line of her cheekbone of the way her hair fell across her shoulder. He itched to touch the smooth skin her clothes revealed. Those long legs wrapped around.I'm getting far too excited, he thought. I need a level head to talk to her. At that moment, Sarah's eyes fluttered open and concentrated on the figure watching her. Confusion then malice registered in her eyes before she masked her emotions. She started to push herself up but his voice stopped her movements. "I'd do that very slowly if I were you." He was enjoying this, she fumed. Well, screw you Jareth, Sarah thought. Quickly pushing herself into a sitting position proved to be a bad idea. The room spun wildly and nausea rose in her throat. Sarah lurched from her bed and stumbled away. Her knees started to buckle and Jareth was at her side in an instant. He was urging her convulsing body through an archway into a bathing room. Holding back her hair, Jareth waited while Sarah retched into a marble sink. When she'd finished Jareth lifted her weak body into his arms and carried her back to the bed. Willing a cool cloth into his hand, Jareth washed off her face and neck. "I told you to take it slow" Jareth commented. "Since when do I listen to anything you have to say? What do you want?" Sarah asked waspishly. "Why only to make you comfortable in your new home, my dear." "Oh yes, that makes ever so much sense. The Goblin King wants to see to my every beck and call." "Now I didn't say that." "So you want to tell my why I can do magic?" "Everyone who comes back to the Underground gets some magic. You didn't think you were alone in that regard, did you? Oh you did, how terribly foolish." "Bite me Jareth." "Oh now that would be interesting" He said leering openly. "I knew it. I knew that was why you brought me here so eagerly. If that was all you wanted, was the oubliette really necessary?" "Sarah, Sarah, is that what you think?" He asked laughing at the shocked expression on her face. He ran his eyes over her body, "To be honest I've seen better but if you're offering." He trailed off shrugging his shoulders. "Why you arrogant, conceited, son of a ." Jareth flashed out before she could finish so she screamed her anger at an empty room.
A/N: I hope everyone liked this chapter. I'll post again soon, I promise.