Disclaimer: I only own the Councillor and the two Councilmen Tiana and Flynn. Technically I own the jury member too, but they're not really too important. I only borrow the others. I promise to return them when done, no worse for wear.
Author's Notes: This chapter covers the last hour of the trial. The all important thirteenth. Guessing that wasn't all too cruel. And we still do have that epilogue to go. Sorry if this one is a bit shorter.
Nugrey: Oh, I adore puns. Yes, ten definitions. And here I thought the whole concept was that much simpler.
Becky Sharpe: Thanks! Yay for character!
LabyLvrPhx: Well, here's a new chapter, just for you. (Really. Honestly. Just for you.)
dramatiks: I never cackled. Laughed maybe, yes, but never cackled. Could I crash this Labyrinth party? grins And, I know how it is, getting attached to characters.
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To underscore our love affair/With tenderness and feeling /That we've come to know./You'll swear you've heard it before/As it slowly rambles on and on./No need in bringing em back/Cause they've never really gone./Just an old fashioned love song/Coming down in three part harmony./Just an old fashioned love song/One I'm sure they wrote for you and me. –"Old-Fashioned Love Song", Three Dog Night
The Councillor nodded. He passed a weary hand over his eyes. He ignored the visual whispers that Tiana and Flynn hurried between themselves. Wishing and swearing on the stars indeed. "Council and jury members, your decision…"
The jury stood, and the man named Garrett stepped forward.
"On the grounds of treason towards the Labyrinth, how do you find the defendant, Jareth, King of the Goblins and Ruler of the Labyrinth?"
"We find him not guilty, Councillor."
"On the grounds of treason towards the Underground, how do you find the defendant, Jareth, King of the Goblins and Ruler of the Labyrinth?"
"We find him not guilty, Councillor."
"On the grounds of placing harm towards a human babe, the boy called Tobias Williams, how do you find the defendant, Jareth, King of the Goblins and Ruler of the Labyrinth?"
"We find him not guilty, Councillor."
"On the grounds of placing harm towards a human girl, the Lady Sarah Williams, how do you find the defendant, Jareth, King of the Goblins and Ruler of the Labyrinth?"
"We find him not guilty, Councillor."
The Councillor nodded, and he both felt and saw the collective rush and breath of air move through the center and corners of the room. "You are dismissed, Council," the Councillor ordered.
The Council members slowly came to life, gathering their belongings to exit the courtroom. "Councillor—" spoke the man called Garrett, the only member who remained.
"You are dismissed, Councilman," the Councillor repeated.
Garrett bowed stiffly, and he too exited quietly. The Councillor sighed, and he passed his hand over his eyes. "You do not need to stay here either, Flynn and Tiana. I am certain you tow have much more important business to tend to?" He rose an eyebrow, a gesture slightly suggestive, and entirely too understanding. "Although, as a backwards notice, next time you two court together under my law, I request that you are not nearly so blatantly obvious in your words and gestures. You turned more than one head today, Councilmen."
"We spun Councilman Garrett's head for certain," Flynn laughed. Tiana tightened his grip around Flynn's fingers in a warning gesture. "You will be in touch, Councillor?"
"Yes, yes, I'll floo you. However," he quickly looked to the two Councilmen up and down, "by the looks of things, I'd do very well to wait at least a few days."
"Better make it a week," quipped Tiana, and they were gone.
"Well," the Councillor noted; he stepped down and around from his perch, "suppose that you leaves me and you, Jareth. Have any plans in your freedom?"
"I have a life, and have the chance to live it."
"Sarah."
"Yes."
"You know, Jareth, you're a very lucky one. She's willing to accept both who you are and what you are. Not many would. You could have lost her."
"I know."
"Go to her, old friend. She waits for you."
A strange expression crossed Jareth's face, and he took a hesitant step forward. "Councillor, old friend…"
"Go to her, Jareth. Do not make me regret pulling so many strings for you. It's not easy, you know, having those two work under you. They pull more attention to themselves than they allow to the actual trial." The Councillor shook his head, but a smile pulled on the very corners of his mouth. "I'll have a month's work before me explaining this most recent development to the Highers."
"They've never been so public?"
"No…" The Councillor's smile grew. "You're both changing the subject and wasting time, my friend. Go to her. She waits for you."
"Thank you. For everything."
"Think nothing of it. Just I do accept an invitation to you wedding."
"But of course," Jareth promised. "Wouldn't dream of otherwise." With a quick, respectful bow, he too was gone.
Wandering the outside gardens for several moments, Jareth finally found Sarah standing near the lilac bushes, her arms wrapped around her waist, and her back facing him. With silent, subtle steps, he moved behind her, and wrapped his arms over hers, drawing her body into his. "Silver for your thoughts, my dear?"
"My thoughts aren't worth that much, my lord. Maybe some bits of copper. At most."
Jareth spun Sarah in his arms, only to see the wicked glint in her eyes, and a slightly lazy and very suggestive smile eased across his face. "You wicked girl. Very well, I'll give you copper. What are you thinking?"
"About you?"
"Me?"
"Yes…"
"Naturally you would, love, but what specifically? It's the hair, isn't it?"
"No," Sarah simultaneously giggled and promised. "Actually," she quickly sobered, "I was thinking about you, and me, and us, and this."
"Did you come to any specific conclusion?"
"Only that I love you, and that I'd do anything just to stay here forever, being with you…"
"But? I feel a but coming on?"
"I'm still in school."
"You could go to school here. We have only the highest quality here."
"Oh, Jareth…" Sarah reached a hand to Jareth's cheek, and he leaned into the comfort of her tender touch. "I couldn't. Not like that, not leaving Toby, or Merlin, or Dad, or Karen…"
"Why not?"
"Because I'm only fifteen."
Jareth sighed. He leaned forward, and he softly pressed his lips to hers. "I'll wait for you forever…"
"I know." She lowered her one hand, and raised her others, the two sets of fingers meeting and knotting in the crook behind his neck. He tightened his grip around her waist, and she deepened the kiss. "But I only need three years…"