Disclaimer: I only own the Councillor, and the two Councilmen Tiana and Flynn. I only borrow the others. I promise to return them when done, no worse for wear. Wormtail and the Death Eater trials are more Hogwarts-universe stealment on my part. JK Rowling still owns those as well.
Author's Notes: This chapter covers the entire eighth hour. Which means I may be bringing the next witness in too much too soon.
Nugrey: Nice to hear my character interpretation is accurate. The smirk did seem very Jareth like. I think that may have been my favorite bit to write of the whole chapter. More interplay in store. Promise!
tellergirl: thanks! I will, keep writing, I mean. Hope you keep reading as well!
dramatiks: Know something? Albus Dumbledore took me by surprise too. But what with all my Hogwarts references, he insisted he have a place. Seemed to make sense, at least in my head. I like your courtroom dramas too. Sarah, huh? Hmmm… Guess you'll just have to keep reading now…
megStone: Thank you doubly. Hope this installment is hurried to your liking.
Mab, Queen of Fairie: (I keep wanting to put the word 'the' into your penname'.) Very glad you are enjoying this. And, as I don't plan on abandoning this fic for good, I'll keep up the writing and the 'good work'. Thank you!
Funny how love is everywhere just look and see
Funny how love is anywhere you're bound to be
Funny how love is every song in every key
Funny how love is when you gotta hurry
Cause you're late for tea
Funny funny funny oh
Tommorrow comes tomorrow brings
Tomorrow brings love in the shape of things -- "Funny How Love Is". Queen
"Councilman Flynn, call forth your next witness." The Councillor did his best to hide the increasing exhaustion of his voice and tone.
"Of course, Councillor," the midnight-blue haired Councilman nodded. "The prosecution calls the Worm to the witness stand."
"Very wel—"
"Objection!" Tiana shot up from his seat, interrupting the Councillor's agreement. "That Worm is needed specifically to guard the entrances of the Labyrinth. If he leaves his post, there is no telling what chaos may result. Hoggle might defile the fountain again."
The Councillor sighed. This really was too much, even after three centuries, especially after seven hours. "Councilmen, please approach the stand."
The two Councilmen did. Flynn was too aware that Tiana's silver-blonde hair framed his face like a silvery-blonde halo, especially when he was riled like this. It made him want to do things, which made him want to do more things… He sighed; knowing that moment when Tiana had grabbed his chin was as public as they would be while inside the courtroom.
"I do not think too much chaos will result from the Worm's brief appearance on trial, Councilman Tiana," the Councillor spoke, and sighed. "There is a ban on any wishing today, and Hoggle is not there to defile the fountain, as he appeared on court earlier."
"He's jealous, Councillor. He knows the Worm would swing things to my side."
"This isn't Wormtail, Flynn, and this is certainly not one of your Death Eater trials. Petty jealousy has nothing to do with this."
"I think we are all in need of another break," the Councillor muttered to himself. "Very well," he added, and this time he spoke louder. "Permission granted to prosecution to call forth the next witness based upon the ground of the defense of having no solid ground to object. Proceed as ordered. Bring in the Worm."
A small, pleased smile crossed Flynn's face. Tiana grumbled, and Flynn rounded his grin onto him. "Now, now Tiana. Such language inside the courtroom."
"Oh, shove it," he mumbled, and Tiana returned to his seat. He did his best to ignore the smirk he knew would be on the Goblin King's lips. Jareth did enjoy their battles too greatly.
Flynn waited for the work to crawl across the floor, and take the proper seat at the witness stand. "Hello," he greeted, and he smiled.
"Ello!" the Worm responded.
"Did you… Did you just say 'hello'?" Flynn seemed taken back.
"No, I said 'ello', but that's close enough."
"Of course," Flynn nodded. "You guard the gates, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"And when the Miss Sarah Williams came across you, you guided her to the second true entrances to the inside of the Labyrinth, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Why did you not try to deter her?"
"I invited her inside, to meet the missus, to have a cup a tea, but she was very determined."
"Determined?"
"Yes, she wanted to save that baby brother of hers, she kept insisting on saving that baby brother of hers."
"Why do you that was?"
"How do I know? I'm just a worm…"
"Are you now?"
"That's right. But she did say she wanted to go to the castle, to save her baby brother, to save him from the King."
"To save him from the King?"
"Feared he would turn the human babe into a goblin babe."
"Would he have?"
"How do I know? I'm just a wo—"
"Yes," Flynn half-smirked, and he half-sighed, "I know. You are just a worm. No further questions, Your Honor."
"Your witness, Councilman Tiana," ordered the Councillor.
Tiana rose in his seat, and he gazed thoughtfully at the Worm for several seconds before he rounded to the table's front, and he crossed his arms for his chest. He was vaguely aware that Flynn had already re-assumed his seated position, and that his eyes bore into the back of his head. "Have you been inside the castle?" Tiana finally asked.
"No, can't say that I have," the worm shook his head. "But I hear it's a very nice one."
"You mentioned that you invited Sarah inside, to meet the missus, and to have a cup of tea, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"But that she declined your offer."
"Yes."
"Has there been anyone who's accepted your offer?"
"Some."
"What happened to them afterwards?"
"Where do you think those eyeball flowers come from?"
From the corner of his vision, Tiana saw Flynn shudder. Jareth, of course, remained passive. "So that Sarah declined was a wise move on her part?"
"Yes, that's right."
"And yet, you mentioned that the only reason you knew of her declining was that she wanted to save her baby brother?"
"Yes, that's right."
"However, we already know from previous testimony that the Goblin King would not have turned the human babe into a goblin babe. And, it can be assumed, as you are a citizen of the Labyrinth, and a subscriber of its law, that you would already know that, especially seeing as you hold the important job as guarding the true gates to the Labyrinth's center, is that not correct?"
The expression on Tiana's face was so incredibly calm that the Worm didn't know what to say. A slow smile crossed his mouth. "No further questions, Councillor," he stated simply, and he walked round the table again to re-take his seat.
"Wait," the Worm called weakly.
"Yes?" The Councillor gestured form him to continue.
"I could have shown her straight to the castle, but I didn't. Straight to the castle."
"You nay step down," the Councillor sighed, already assuming the Worm was only now babbling.
The worm obeyed, but he kept mumbling, "Straight to the Castle. Straight to the Castle."
The Councillor sighed again, ands he called weakly, "Councilman Flynn, Councilman Tiana, you have five more minutes to re-refresh yourselves. However," he purposely arched his eyebrows, "I want to find my private bathrooms spotless after this time."
The two Councilmen saluted him, and once again, they simultaneously left. "I am not paid enough for this job," he muttered, and he passed a hand over his eyes, and he absently pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Jareth," he called.
The Goblin King inclined his head at the summoning, and he gracefully rose from his seat to come to stand at the podium. "Councillor," he greeted.
"How are you holding up?"
If Jareth was surprised, he did not show it. "This is certainly not my favorite pastime, Councillor," he answered. He allowed a small, almost wry grin cross his face.
"I could assume." The Councillor sighed again. "I am sorry."
If Jareth had wanted to ask what the Councillor was sorry for, he did not get his chance, for at the moment Flynn and Tiana returned, the Councillor straightened himself, and Jareth returned to his seat. Once again, the twin flushed cheeks and bright eyes of the two Councilmen purposely went unnoticed. "Your next witness, Councilman Flynn," the Councillor stated.
Flynn inhaled sharply before he exhaled. "The prosecution calls Sarah Williams to the stand, Councillor."