Chapter 25: One Request

"...I ask, Sire, that my Father and half brother be restored their right to live in the Underground once more that they might be reunited with my mother."

Again the courtroom was hushed in awe. What was happening now? But Sarah continued.

"I claim no violation of the code upon the Labyrinth. King Jareth was unaware of my heritage. I myself remained unaware until I returned to the Labyrinth once again. To settle the evil that was done to me I ask only that the ruling against my parents be reversed."

The High Prefect alone seemed able to speak. "Name your parents then, young lady."

"My true name is Aranel daughter of Lady Lorien of Willoway and Lord Nordithen formerly of RavenCrest."

"You are the daughter sent Aboveworld to Nordithen..."

"Yes, Your Grace," Sarah said bowing her head slightly. Two couples sitting among the assembly leapt to their feet. Lorien cringed. One of those couples was her own family. She knew without looking that the other couple was none other than the Lord and Lady of RavenCrest. Although she could think of no better time to ask for the removal of the banishment of her husband, Lorien wished just the same that her parents had not been present. She still had not found a way to tell them that the humans she adopted were really her missing family.

"Your Grace, we strongly protest this request!" Lord Aglar of RavenCrest spluttered in anger. He still retained his anger with his son over his disregard for his family's wishes. Lady Norien said nothing. It was her son. She had never truly wished him banished, and she had never before laid eyes on her granddaughter. She could only wonder why she had listened to her husband when he refused to allow her to rear the child in the first place. Now she could see what a beautiful child had indeed come from the union of Nordithen and Lorien, and she sorely regretted her silence. But there was nothing she could do about it now. Too long had she given in to her husband. Little could she know that her thoughts were also those of the Lady Risithil of Willoway. The Lady of Willoway could not believe she had turned her own granddaughter away. Why this had to be the loveliest flower from the house of Willoway in millennia! But she too had been subject to her husband for too long. She would say nothing to correct him.

Lord Sigilion would also be heard, "Your Grace, the court cannot revoke its judgements. It has been a law for generations!"

"Silence!" the Prefect demanded. "You were not called upon for your opinion!" He turned his attention to Aranel who still stood before him. "Lord Sigilion is right of course, Lady Sar...Aranel. I cannot revoke my own ruling."

"But, Your Grace, is there no justice should there be proof that the Lady Lorien and the Lord Nordithen were only acting in accordance with a decree of the King?" Sarah looked into the eyes of the High Prefect, which was a thing not done in the Underground! "It makes no sense to me that I could find more justice in the courts of Aboveworld."

"Your Grace..." Sarah was almost startled by the voice that suddenly spoke beside her. In her urgency to claim this prize, she had almost forgotten Jareth's presence. "Your Grace, she can claim the amendment to that law. She bears the right of Eryneth." Sarah looked at Jareth in confusion. But again Lady Ione came to her rescue.

"Eryneth was an Elven woman who was raped, Lady Sarah. But her attacker could not be prosecuted due to a former ruling by the court. She died in the Elvish fashion of a broken heart as her life was completely destroyed. The court knew the responsibility was theirs and made an amendment to the law, which forbade them from seeing justice done in the case of Eryneth. You were attacked in the same way, while it is a bit of a stretch, you can still be under the cloak of the right of Eryneth."

Again Sarah thanked Ione silently, and the High Prefect's features softened as though he was about to smile. "Then let it be known that the ruling against Lord Nordithen and Lady Lorien is officially lifted." Moments after the proclamation before the high table appeared Sarah's father and younger brother.

"Your Grace!" he exclaimed immediately bowing on one knee. Toby slowly followed his father's example.

"Lord Nordithen, by the request of your daughter and under the right of Eryneth, you are once more returned to your rightful place in the Underground. I understand that you are once again a free man. Your marriage to the Lady Lorien is recognized by the court."

"Indeed, Sire, the mortal did indeed leave without even her son. This boy is all that remains of my family... but did you say by my daughter's request?" he looked a bit confused. The Prefect gestured behind him. Turning he saw Sarah standing beside Jareth. He almost didn't recognize her for the air of the Underground had been at work on her and she was dressed as the Faye.

The King and High Prefect adjourned the court session and the assembly was cleared leaving only family and friends to celebrate this wondrous turn of events. Toby watched in amazement as a perfectly gorgeous woman ran down and fairly leaped into his father's arms planting a kiss on his lips. Both broke apart laughing in amazement. Within moments his father's image shimmered and there standing in his place was a man who looked more like a gentleman from old England than his father. His dark hair was long and tied back like Daire and Darien's usually were. He was dressed in strange clothing, and he looked so much younger!

"Dad?" the boy asked hesitantly. Sarah came over placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It's ok, Toby. This is how Dad is supposed to look."

"I...I don't understand!"

"Well, Toby, Dad and I are both Faye..."

"Like Jareth was?" Toby asked with a wide-eyed expression.

Sarah laughed. "Like Jareth is, Toby." Toby looked behind her and realized the Goblin King was standing there silently.

"Hey, he's real!" Toby suddenly looked thoughtful for a moment. "He's not gonna turn me into a goblin this time, right?"

The adults in the room shared a laugh, but it was Jareth who answered, "Toby, I don't turn children into goblins. I certainly don't need any more of the creatures! That idea is mostly an incentive for the people who wish them away to try and get them back. The children are really adopted out to homes in the Underground." Toby nodded and then looked at the beautiful woman who still had an arm hooked around his father's waist.

"So you're Sarah's mom?" he asked.

"Yes, I am Aranel's mother. My name is Lady Lorien."

"Wow, that's pretty! Course I shouldn't be surprised since you're so pretty. But why did you call my sister Aranel?"

Lorien smiled at his compliment. "That is her real name, Toby. We only called her Sarah in your world because she wouldn't be teased as much." Daire and Darien soon bounced over glad to see their grandfather with Vendae traveling in their wake.

"My goodness you two have gotten so big!" Finally Nordithen looked to Jareth. "So, Jareth, what all has happened in my absence, and how did my daughter end up here?"

Jareth half smiled, "It's a long story, Nordithen. But I sense that you and your family shall need a place to stay for some time. So why not stay at my castle and allow your families to cool down?"

"My thanks, Jareth," Nordithen replied with a bow. Moments later they were all standing in Jareth's throne room.