Chapter 26: Reunion & A Tale

Lady Ione was waiting with the Lady Aurora as the group appeared in the castle. Sarah realized as she looked around that there were still no signs of the goblins. Toby spoke her thought, "King Jareth, where are all the goblins?"

"I'm afraid my easily intimidated subjects are still not sure whether or not I'm safe enough yet." A maid entered bringing refreshment to the guests but instead of leaving once she had placed the tray she looked directly at Sarah.

"Sarah! I can't believe it! You're back!"

"Elaine!" Sarah exclaimed as she went to hug her friend. "I thought sure you would have chosen to go back to Aboveworld!"

"My best friend in that world is now here. Besides being a maid in the Underground sure beats waiting on crabby people at a register."

But, Elaine... What about Joe?"

"You rang?" asked a man coming in behind Elaine. When Joe kissed Elaine's hand, Sarah noticed both were wearing gold bands on their left hands.

Elaine laughed and explained. "His Highness offered us a choice. We could either return to Aboveworld or remain in the Underground where he would find us a good place to live and work. Most of the Terrified Ones chose to return to Aboveworld, but when he asked me I was not sure. Joe was in Aboveworld, but you were here, Sarah. Then Jareth brought Joe here to the Underground to be his steward. Damien was getting kind of tired of being the only one who could face the King." Sarah hugged Elaine once more.

"I'm so happy for you both, and I guess congratulations are in order for you two as well."

Joe nodded. "Yep, I figured if my fiancée wanted to live in the Underground that was fine with me. Jareth gave an offer I couldn't refuse." The three friends laughed then realized that some of the people around them had no idea what they spoke of.

"Jareth, perhaps we should explain to them the whole story. I don't think my father is even aware that this is my second trip to the Underground." Lord Nordithen's brow rose in surprise as he looked to Jareth for an explanation. Jareth seated himself on his throne in his usual manner while he created seats for the rest of them and a resting couch for the centauress with a few crystals.

"There will certainly be points in this tale where others must fill in the gaps," he said at first looking to his friends. Damien had joined them and welcomed Lord Nordithen enthusiastically. Damien, Ione, Aurora, and Vendae all nodded their heads individually when the King's gaze paused on them. They would help fill in where Jareth could not. Finally Jareth's gaze rested on Sarah. "Milady... Aranel..." Jareth questioned testing her name he now knew. Sarah also nodded. "You will recall, Nordithen, that you remarried Aboveworld so that there would be a woman to care for Sarah about twenty-three years ago I do believe." Nordithen nodded. It had been the biggest mistake of his life even though he had been blessed with a son. "Eight years after that Toby was born." Again Lord Nordithen responded with a nod. Jareth looked to Sarah.

"I had always hated Karen, Father," Sarah said quietly. "She never could understand my love of fantasy worlds. She and I clashed so much. When Toby was born and you seemed to grow even more distant from me, I reacted with anger. I wished Toby away one night when you two went out."

"I had helped your wife send messages for years, but I had no idea that it was your home that the call came from," Jareth explained. "Aranel was the first to defeat the Labyrinth and win back her brother." Nordithen looked upon his daughter with renewed awe. Slowly through the combined input of the Fifth Elder, the Captain, Lady Aurora, Lady Vendae, Sarah, and Jareth, the whole story at last became clear to all. Jareth had stumbled slightly in his telling when he came to the moment of past that dealt with what had happened to Sarah. He knew now that he had been there in body if not in spirit. Nor was Nordithen especially pleased of the ordeal although he could recognize that Jareth had not control of himself at that point. His memory of Sarah had intrigued his brother, but Taureth needed Jareth's ability to cross realms to get to the girl. Fortunately the boys had taken Toby exploring since the history bored them. Sarah revealed some facts that had made her suspect something strange surrounded the boys' conception. From this they then turned to what had been happening in the Underground during the intervening years between Sarah's attack and her return to the Underground. Sarah was amazed to finally hear what had happened. From Ione, Damien, Aurora, and Vendae; Sarah heard through a friends eyes what had happened to Jareth. They told of his slow withdraw from the rest of the world. Jareth from his point of view told how he had been trapped more and more often within what he described as a sea of nothing or total darkness. Most nights and eventually most of his days he was trapped there. It came to the point where Ione was the only one who could draw him out of that trap not long before Sarah returned to the Underground. Here Sarah picked up with how Elaine had accidentally wished the four of them to the Underground. She recounted what had happened and surprised even Jareth with how Ione had called to her for help. Ione filled in the details of what happened that final night. Jareth told that Taureth had amassed enough control over him to even control his magic. Taureth had used Jareth to send Ione to his castle before he brought Jareth as well. Finally they began to tell Nordithen what had happened at the trial before he arrived. Nordithen laughed heartily at the punishment wrought upon the former prince Taureth.

"At the mercy of the Mazonia is he? And a eunuch at that!" Nordithen was laughing again.

"A eunuch?" Sarah questioned.

"That is the second part of their punishment of Taureth that I did not explain to you, Aranel," Ione admitted softly. "The council wanted to be sure that Taureth would not have children and pass on his evil to them. He no longer has all the...equipment he needs to create children." The men in the room chuckled quietly though the women blushed.

"Yes, but his memory is intact. Knowing what I know now of that animal, I should say that his own mind will be his worst enemy in a tribe full of women."

"Agreed, Lord Nordithen," Jareth acknowledged with a nod. He smiled cruelly a moment later. "In fact I mean to make sure he has a perfectly miserable time."

"Oh, do share, Jareth," Nordithen said with a smile. Jareth had a wonderful sense of irony.

Jareth looked shocked. "Before the ladies in the room? Nordithen, I'm surprised at you!"

"I'm afraid I'm a bit out of practice, Jareth." Turning to the female occupants of the room he bowed. "My apologies, ladies." The women in the room nodded though most but Ione were completely in the dark on what had just happened.

"It has been a very trying day, Jareth," Aurora commented. "Perhaps it is time we retired for the evening." Jareth looked around in surprise. He had not realized it was so late. Apparently they had been served food and had not realized it as the story unfolded for everyone. It was indeed well into evening already.

"Of course," he replied with a half smile. "Elaine and Joseph, would you two be kind enough to show them to some comfortable rooms. Aurora and Vendae you are welcome to stay as well if you wish." Aurora knew she needed to return home. Aidan would miss her presence. Vendae opted to stay knowing her parents were liable to not be thrilled with her as well since she had always supported her sister's marriage. Sarah realized that they were shown to different rooms this time. These were meant for much more important guests and were decorated accordingly. Sarah was so glad to see her parents together again and happy.