A Prophecy Speaks
Author's Note: I do not own Labyrinth
Chapter 18 –or- The Birthday Party
Xandra came to Sarah's room at seven, as expected. Sarah had dinner in her room, mostly apples and cheese. She had always loved apples and cheese. She had a good deal of red wine, too.
Sarah stood and curtsied to the Queen of the Trees. Xandra smiled benevolently and laughed.
"Sarah, in a few hours we will be equal in rank. It seems silly for you to curtsy for me," she said.
"Would you like some wine, Your Majesty?" Sarah offered.
Xandra shook her head. Sarah drained her fourth glass and stood up.
Xandra stared admirably at Sarah's dress. Sarah blushed.
"You must love him very much, Sarah, to make such a bold statement," Xandra said to her.
"I'm going to tell him tonight," Sarah sighed as she walked onto her balcony. Xandra followed. They took a few minutes to stare out over the gardens and the labyrinth.
"The High Lord arrived today. He will be doing your coronation, as well as presiding over your marriage ceremony," Xandra finally remarked.
"I look forward to meeting him. How do I address him?" Sarah asked.
"You address him as Your Worship. He is technically the spiritual leader of the Underground. Or the closest thing to it. And until your coronation he outranks you. Once you are crowned you will still owe him an inclination of the head as a gesture of respect," Xandra said.
"Well, should we get started?" Sarah asked her.
Xandra spelled her hair to be piled in a mass of curls on top of her head. She placed the ruby hairpins in Sarah's hair. Sarah slipped on the ruby ring and the earrings. She still had on her emerald necklace; it was just hidden by the choke collar of the dress. With a wave of her hand Xandra had applied a little kohl to Sarah's eyes and a little red stain to her lips. Sarah looked and felt amazing. She tied on the red ribbons and presented herself for inspection.
Sarah threw her silk cape over her shoulders as Xandra went ahead of her to the ball. Sarah's guards filed in to escort her to her twenty-fifth birthday party.
Her guards left her at the entrance to the ballroom. At exactly eight a stuffy looking goblin opened the doors and announced her to the room.
"Lady Sarah Williams, birthday girl and the future Goblin Queen!" he boomed, and Sarah walked into the ballroom. She removed her cape, and handed it to a goblin, with a reminder to not lose it.
The ballroom was decorated in black, silver, and white. Everyone was there, even her dear friends. But one pair of mismatched eyes held her gaze as they drank her in.
Jareth approached the vision in red, and she offered him a very low curtsy and held it. He placed two fingers beneath her chin and bid her to rise. Sarah shyly met his eyes. Jareth offered her his arm, and escorted her fully into the room. Everyone clapped as she came to the center of the room.
The first dance belonged to Jareth. If he had it his way every dance would belong to him. A court dance was playing, and he led. She still had not learned all the court dances. Sarah just smiled and laughed as she made mistakes.
Sarah thought about what a good-looking couple they made. He had worn dove gray breeches and coat, with a soft white shirt that showed his badge of office. His boots were shiny and new. His pale blonde hair shimmered against the gray velvet. The collar of his coat was trimmed with white feathers. He was absolutely gorgeous, and every inch the Goblin King. She suddenly felt the need to tell him so.
"Jareth, you look absolutely amazing tonight," Sarah told him, and he beamed at her in response as they moved across the dance floor.
"A pale comparison to you, my heart," Jareth said smoothly.
"Do you truly love me, Jareth?" Sarah asked him.
"I love you more now than ever," Jareth told her.
"See these ribbons on my wrists, Jareth?" Jareth nodded, "They mean something to me. They mean that I am tied to you. I am bonded to you. Never forget that," Sarah told him quietly.
Later, as Sarah danced with Prince Marcus of the Merfolk, Jareth took a moment to look at Sarah's engagement ring. It was the one ring he had not made himself. It had been his mother's. It was older than even he was. The intricate, yet elegant gold band held a pear shaped diamond, and two baguette shaped emeralds. He had made Sarah's earrings and necklace to match this ring. He knew she would like it. He was sometimes perplexed by Sarah's words and behaviors. But he could not wait to put that ring on her finger.
It was over sooner than Sarah was prepared for. As midnight drew near Jareth led her to the center of the empty floor and left her there. She looked around, nervous and anxious. Everyone was staring at her in anticipation. Soon, the clock struck, and Sarah began to change from mortal to Fae. A bright flash of light momentarily blinded the crowd. When they could see again, Sarah was glowing like the sun. They had never seen anything like it before. Light radiated from her every pore, and her head was bent backwards as if she were staring at the sky. It seemed as if that moment was frozen in time, an endless second where no one knew what would happen next. As the light started to fade Jareth was sure he heard an ancient voice:
"Take care of it my daughter," it said. And then Sarah disappeared.