The Ball

Prospero: That cross you wear around your neck; is it only a decoration, or are you a true Christian believer?
Francesca: Yes, I believe - truly.
Prospero: Then I want you to remove it at once! And never to wear it within this castle again! Do you know how a falcon is trained my dear? Her eyes are sown shut. Blinded temporarily she suffers the whims of her God patiently, until her will is submerged and she learns to serve - as your God taught and blinded you with crosses. Masque of the Red Death



It was night in the Labyrinth A slight wind rustled through dry branches producing contorted stirred shadows on silent walls. In staggered formation three female figures silently moved through the deserted pathways. Long whispery trains of fabric slowly trailed behind bare feet as they continued forward in precise unison. Even the Guardian was forbidden from perceiving the Banshee for they were never to be seen and could only be heard. The potential of destruction drew them towards the castle to howl their warning for the ears of royalty.

Jareth was deep in thought as he meticulously dressed for the ball. In the last couple of days his conflicting feelings had been troubling him. From the time he met Sonya until recently he was positive she was the mate for him, now he had doubts.

Her breeding, grace and linage were above question. So was the fact that their marriage would ally his rich farmland with one of the largest ore reserves in the Underground. While Jareth's subjects were goblins Sonya ruled the dwarf kingdom. Unlike Hoggle, the dwarfs of the Astire Mountains were a rugged and brutal race. Their mining capabilities as well as their intelligence and cunning were well known. Jareth had imagined proudly commanding an army made of these fierce creatures who unlike the goblins wouldn't be defeated by a girl and a couple of rocks.

But he wasn't just marrying lands and possibilities; he was marrying a woman, a queen in her own right. Until now Sonya's cruel and dark nature appealed to Jareth's imagination and exploration of his own heartlessness. Now her darkness did not seem to promise the same freedom and allure to him that it once did. Sonya and their relationship lacked something that he couldn't quite put a finger on.

There was something else, all day Jareth had sensed the atmosphere of his kingdom had been thickening with opposing forces. Because of his heritage he always felt the constant conflict of darkness and light surrounding all inhabitants of the Underground. But this was different. Opening up his perception and spreading his senses he could feel gathering powers over the Labyrinth of unusual proportions. It was then the Banshee's screams pierced the night. Caught off guard Jareth gasped as the inhuman wails brought shivers down his spine. Finished with their warning the Banshee's shrieks creased just as suddenly as they began.

A rap on the door made Jareth jump and he snapped, "Yes?" A gruff dwarf voice replied, "Your majesty, the hooded ones are stationed and guests have begun to arrive." Jareth curtly replied, "I will be there shortly." Regaining his composure he remembered that only royal blood could hear the Banshee's portents of destruction. Although unnerved he would not call off the ball at this late time. He resolved to postpone his concerns until a more appropriate moment. Knowing that his guests and the serving dwarfs did not hear the cries he impassively took one last look in the mirror and left the room.

The Goblin King stood at the entrance of the ballroom as he was announced to his guests; "Majesty Of The Forsaken, Sentient Of The Unloved, Sovereign Of The Labyrinth..." droned the introduction. Instead of the titles being the usual meaningless blather to Jareth he actually contemplated them. He realized for the first time that he was deemed a protector and benefactor of those who were cast aside.

As he gracefully stepped down into the ballroom and radiated a smile that would stop a clock his mind was elsewhere, deep in revelations. He was split into two people, one who was charming guests with his most elegant manners, making all the appropriate responses, "Yes the most beautiful I have every seen, wait till you meet her..." and the other Jareth whose thoughts flashed in all directions searching for answers.

In rapid succession he saw himself at his mother's gravesite as they lowered her coffin into the hard earth, his coronation as Goblin King and pictures of many babies as they became goblins. He knew there was a thread to these events that prepared him for some purpose that lay just beyond his grasp. Then he saw moments of Sarah's journey through the Labyrinth, her struggles and determination to win her brother back. The look in her eyes when she said, "You have no power..."

His introspection stopped as all heads turned towards the entrance of the ballroom. There stood Sonya dressed in a shimmering silver high back collared gown that clung to her figure. Beaded with a thousand tiny pearls her form was luminous. All through her upswept black hair were strands of silver ending in rows of pearls that radiated with light. She was a vision of the mythical Moon Queen come to life.

The guests gasped in awe as she glided down the steps into the ballroom. Moving forward to meet her Jareth bowed over her hand, "My Sonya." Her black eyes swept the room in satisfaction as she determined that only the highest dignitaries from the other kingdoms were present. Jareth proceeded to lead Sonya among the guests so they could properly greet them as the happy engaged couple.

Sarah gazed at her ghastly appearance in the mirror. With a white pallor and dark circle under her eyes she looked frightening. "Perfect," she mused to herself. She and Hoggle had staged the cottage as if they had been in the middle of a celebration, complete with half eaten food and drink on the table. Everything was ready.

"I'll be leaving now Missy, as soon as yous hear the bell take to the bed, things will probably happen pretty fast after that." Hoggle reminded her as he walked out the door. Sarah again regarded her reflection in silence, there was no going back now for the play was about to begin.

Jareth's regal form gracefully led Sonya around the dance floor in a slow waltz. Gazing into her eyes muddled his thoughts, how could he have ever doubted wanting to possess this beautiful creature? Even through gloved hands holding her sent fire along his veins as her crystal eyes locked into his soul. He wanted to drown in the depths of her eyes forever, not long at all.

Suddenly, the goblin bell rang in the city square interrupting the music. The guests murmured questions to each other and looked on as Jareth excused himself from Sonya's embrace and rapidly made his way to the balcony. The village bell only rang during times of the utmost urgency, so Jareth knew this was serious. Looking down he saw Hoggle standing alone in the square. "It's you, what's the emergency?" Jareth called down to the dwarf.

"Sarah's awful sick, all sudden like, and I need a healer right away. She's looking like she might die or something." Jareth grimaced, he knew the rules; it was his duty as sovereign to tend to the very ill and personally monitor their condition. If it were anyone else his thoughts would have stopped there, but this was Sarah. After thinking of duty he felt a rush of concern.... then came a flashback of him saying to Hoggle, "Why all the concern, have you lost your head over the girl?" Uncharacteristically he bit his lip and then with carefully controlled emotions coldly stated, "Very well, my healer will be sent to you immediately, I will follow as closely as possible."

Turning back to his guests he drawled, "No cause for alarm, I must see to an ill child. Please do not let this disturb the music." He pointedly looked at the musicians and they resumed playing the interrupted waltz.

Stepping past swirling dancers Jareth found his way to Sonya's side. He bowed low and whispered, "I will be gone for a short while, please see to our guests." Sonya flashed her black eyes at him and quietly spat, "You can't leave me here just to attend some sick little animal. Send your healer and be done with it."

Looking in her eyes he wavered until from behind him Toad's voice broke the moment, "I will wait for your majesty's return before entertaining your guests." Brought back to his senses Jareth turned to Toad and said, "I won't be long." With those words he quickly strode from Sonya's side, knowing if he didn't leave her then he might not leave at all.

Outside the ballroom he swiftly summoned Glasis and transported him to Hoggle's cottage. Jareth then proceeded to his library and located "Gray's Anatomy" a book of human physiology. His healer might need it as reference not normally being called upon to treat Sarah's kind. Holding the book under his arm he weaved a transportation crystal and vanished.

Sonya was inwardly seething, the human found a clever way around her trap. She didn't try to get into the castle; she made Jareth come to her! She still would have prevailed had it not been for the interference of Toad.

Much was at stake and she had to immediately stop Sarah's interaction with the Goblin King. With no time to plan she acted quickly. Swiftly conjuring a doppelganger to stay at the ball, Sonya hastened to her chambers. Assuring herself she was indeed alone she lit a solitary black candle and started her incantation.