A Prophecy Speaks
a/n: I would like to thank everyone that has been reviewing. As long as everyone reviews, I feel like I am accomplishing something. I do not own labyrinth. Except on DVD.
Chapter 30 –or- A Council of War
Jareth watched as Sarah sent the crystals into the air. Each would summon the rulers to the giant conference room. Jareth helped by send crystals for supplies they would need. Maps, papers, quills, compasses.
"We will stay there until we have a plan of action. Pregnant or not, I plan on seeing this through. Nogrod will not take you away from me", Sarah told her husband as she straightened her attire. They floated out of the oubliette and started to walk.
Jareth walked alongside her, through every wall. He sent crystals to summon Sarah's three friends as they went. Their help would be needed. As much as he valued the help of Queen Carla, he knew that those three could help Sarah even more. They loved her dearly.
Sarah seemed to relax a little as they walked. She did not soften her look at all. He knew that he was seeing the side of her that no one saw, the powerful and fearsome Goblin Queen. The side that would permit no insolence, the side that commanded. He was glad she had that steel in her. She would need it.
The large conference room was buzzing with noise when they returned. The royals were gathered, even the young princes and princesses. Sarah's friends were there, and they stared at her with a newfound respect.
Carys smiled a wicked smile.
"General Sarah, how do you wish to proceed?", she teased Sarah. Sarah softened a little at the comment.
"I leave the floor to these experienced gentlemen. I assure you I am no general. Looks like I may need a crash course though", Sarah smiled at them all.
Jareth pointed at a very large map of the Underground. It showed the kingdoms and their capitals. Jareth pointed at the capital of the Dragon Lands, Crimsonfire City.
"Belegrat is closest to this city. It would logical of the dwarves to start there. It looks to me like his plan would be to capture the Dragon Lands, and then the The Woods. The council will surely not stand for it. We need more information. Where is Xandra?", Jareth asked, puzzled.
"She left already Jareth", Sarah told him. He frowned. So did Danol.
"It is not like Xandra to miss a meeting having to do with the fate of her kingdom", Jareth mused.
"Your Majesty?", Princess Cara interrupted. Everyone swung their heads around to her.
"Yes, Your Highness?", asked Jareth.
"I didn't want to say anything. It may be nothing. But Queen Xandra was not looking like herself when I passed her in the halls. She didn't acknowledge me, and she was very rude to her maid. It was not like her", Cara said.
"Thank you Cara, we will take that information under advisement", Jareth told her.
Sarah stepped back into her brain and started to brainstorm. Xandra had never been anything but kind to her and Jareth. Maybe a little too kind. She had never heard Xandra say a cross word. But Xandra was coming and going a lot. And no one had thought to check her retinue when she came to the castle because she had known Jareth so long.
Sometimes an enemy wears the face of a friend. It was the perfect way to get close. But it was off. Terribly off. But what? Was Xandra joining forces with the dwarves? Was Xandra behind the attempt on her life? Sarah shook her head like there were cobwebs in it. It would not hurt to indulge a hunch.
She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a quick note:
"Dearest Xandra, there have been developments. We need you hear in Goblin City to help us plan for war. Your kingdom is at stake. Please come back as soon as possible. Yours – Sarah"
Sarah blew on the letter and it turned into a sphere. The sphere floated out the window. They would know. Xandra would come immediately if she cared at all about them and their kingdoms. If she did not, then Sarah knew who their mole and assassin was. Jareth would be heartbroken.
The men were talking about supply trains and schedules. Sarah blew a crystal and lunch appeared, but no one was hungry. Sarah nibbled on a roll while things got decided.
They would meet in one month's time. They would meet at Crimsonfire City. There were too many people to magically transport all at once, so they would need to march across the Dragonlands into the dwarf kingdom. They were sure that Nogrod would meet them somewhere near the border of his Dwarf Kingdom. They would be doing reconnaissance in the mean time. They needed more information. The King and Queen of elves sent a message to their soldiers to start marching to the border in one month's time. Those members of the council of the common folk who where there sent a message to their denizens to start their march now, and meet the army at Crimsonfire City. Jareth would take three-quarters of the goblins with him to fight. He trusted Sarah would be okay with a quarter of their forces. The Ice Queen's forces were too far away to be any help in the Dwarf Kingdom, but if half her forces marched now they could be in Goblin City in a month and a half.
They were meeting for so long that dinner was forgotten. It was dark and the fires were stoked. They were now deciding on what stores to bring. The wagons would be easy to maintain with their combined magics. Clean water and good food would be essential. Sarah realized her part was done. She relaxed in a side chair and stepped back into herself. She submerged her mind in search of her children. All three of them were there, growing rapidly. She would have to start on the nursery tomorrow. Their minds were there, so small. Soon she would be able to awaken them, hopefully before their father left for war. She wanted them to know whom he was when he returned. She stepped back out of her mind and saw that young Prince Toby had dozed off at the table. She flicked her wrist and put him to bed.
Everyone took that as a sign that it was time to retire. They could finalize everything tomorrow and get a move on. Sarah knew she should have heard from Xandra by now. The spheres traveled quickly. She sighed and decided she would know by morning. Holding Jareth's hand she walked slowly to their bedchambers. Right now, the only thing she wanted to know was a hot meal and a hot bath with her husband. She knew he would be happy to oblige.