A Prophecy Speaks
a/n: I do not own labyrinth
Chapter 43 –or- Belegrat
The ride to Belegrat went rather smoothly. Jareth suspected it might have had something to do with the fact that Bard was with them, unchained and armed. The dwarves seemed to really respect Bard. Bard was now in charge of the Dwarf kingdom, since Nogrod was dead.
Bard was actually halfway likeable. He was not insane, for one. He was also refreshingly intelligent. Danol was current engrossed in conversation with the pro tem leader of the dwarves.
"Nogrod had all of us convinced at first," Bard was telling Danol," But a few years ago he really started to lose it. I followed him because he was my king, and I can't regret doing anything my sovereign asked of me. But once that rock crushed him I became the dwarf in charge. I have to think of the kingdom as a whole. Nogrod had been neglecting it. Now we can rebuild. In a way, we should thank you".
"What are the sentiments towards the rest of the Underground right now, Bard?" Danol asked.
"Pretty bad, Your Majesty. Nogrod managed to convince everyone that King Jareth and his queen are sullying the Fae bloodlines. I am still not sure I understand it all. Your queen became Fae, she was not born Fae, correct?" Bard asked, turning to Jareth.
"The prophecy changed Sarah into Fae in all of about thirty seconds. She is now full-blooded Fae. This differs from when someone mortal comes to the Underground and becomes Fae over time. They will always be considered part mortal. Their blood did not change. They just absorb various aspects of being in the Underground. Sarah's whole being was altered. Sarah is more powerful than any other Fae in the Underground," Jareth explained.
"Do you know about Xandra and Nogrod's plan?" Bard asked.
"We found out. I suspect my bride has taken care of that by now," Jareth told him.
Bard grimaced.
"Never did like her. She presumed too much. Nogrod was going to kill her after she gave birth to his heir," Bard sighed.
The gates of Belegrat were unguarded and in a severe state of disregard. The city was nestled in a small valley in the mountain ranges that made up the dwarf kingdom. The shadows of huge rocks and trees shrouded the valley in shade. There was a small lake behind the city, which supplied the capital with its water.
As they rode towards the old palace dwarves came out of their homes to stare at the passing army. Some cried when they saw Bard and the two kings at the front, others cheered. Jareth suspected that these two reactions defined the sentiments of the people regarding their ruler.
The palace was as neglected as the gates had been, with its crumbling mortar and broken stones. Bard sighed at the sight of it. Jareth and Danol dismounted.
"What are we going to do with the prisoners?" Jareth asked Danol.
"The dungeons are still in good condition. Nogrod used those a lot," Bard suggested.
"Corporal, assign two men to guard our friend Bard here, and put all the other prisoners in the dungeon. Pick men to guard the dungeon at your discretion. Make sure everyone has clean water and a good meal," Danol instructed Wyndam.
A short time later Jareth found himself in spacious, yet sloppy quarters he assumed must be used for visiting royalty. Danol had the same kind of accommodations. They had agreed to be as cordial to the staff as possible. There was no reason for them to be uncivil.
A dwarf maid, still young in her years, shuffled in with clean sheets and blankets. She kept her eyes downcast. Her brown hair was clean but unkempt.
"What's your name?" Jareth asked the maid.
"Reem, Your Majesty," the maid said with a curtsy.
Jareth felt sorry for her. She was obviously very scared. Serving a madman could do that to someone he guessed. He used a crystal to make a comb and brush appear. He handed them to the stunned maid after she had set down the sheets and blankets.
"Reem, your hair is very messy. I am sure you would like to take care of that. Will you bring dinner to me after you are done making the bed?" Jareth asked the maid kindly. He had deliberately not made a big deal out of the comb and brush.
"Of course, Your Majesty. Thank you Your Majesty," Reem said as she put the brush and comb in her pockets. After she had made the bed she took her leave.
Jareth sat down and took a deep breath. Soon he would be going home. Home. Home meant Sarah. And soon, home meant their children also. Three of them, besides little Aaron. He frowned and hoped she had not adopted any other babies while he had been away.
There was a bathroom that was pretty much intact off of his bedroom. Jareth turned on the taps, but the water was not warm. He touched the water and warmed it with magic. He took off all his dirty, sweaty clothes and submerged his dirty, sweaty, and blood-covered body into the deep tub. He had scratches and bruises all over his pale body, but no actual wounds. He closed his eyes briefly and let the water soak away the sting of battle. He had to refill the tub twice with clean water before he felt all the way clean. He stepped out of the tub and dried off his dripping body with magic, as there were no towels. He applied a salve to some scratches to prevent infection.
Jareth put on clean clothing and stepped back into the bedroom. Dinner was waiting, and so was Reem. He noticed her hair was now brushed. She curtsied and took his dirty clothing from him.
"We will clean and mend these for you Your Majesty," she said, and walked out of the door.
The stew was thick and tasty. The cook obviously was a dwarf with skill. The bread was fresh, and the ale was well brewed.
Exhausted and well fed, Jareth laid on top of the bed and passed out.
Jareth had been to Belegrat back when Gabigathol had been king. Still the same, he gladly took the tour Bard offered to give them the next morning. They took it more to see the citizens than to see the sights. It was evident they were all still scared and repressed. Most of them liked Bard though. He knew many of them by name, and was obviously respected. He would make a fine king, and would more than likely be a lot easier to deal with than Nogrod was. They would obviously all need to come to some sort of accord, but Danol and Jareth agreed on this matter.
The dwarf kingdom was set up in provinces, and each province had a chief. Bard happened to be the chief of the province immediately to the east of the city itself. Each of the province chiefs needed to be present for this announcement. That is how, on the third day of their occupation of Belegrat, they found themselves in a conference room with all the province chiefs. They announced their decision that Bard would be king of the dwarf kingdom.
There were ten province chiefs. The outer province chiefs agreed with the decision. As a matter of fact, almost every province chief was in agreement, excepting the chief of the province immediately to the west of the city. He was Nogrod's brother, Craz. He was obviously upset with the way events unfolded, and was very dissatisfied with the decision to place Bard on the throne. He was very vocal about it, also.
"Why should a traitor be king?" Craz asked with venom in his voice.
"He is not a traitor Chief Craz. He did what he could to save the leftover troops!" Chief Goom state in exasperation. It was common knowledge that Craz thought he should be the one to be placed on the throne.
"Do you call my honor into, Chief Craz?" Bard asked.
"What honor?" Craz sneered. Bard moved quicker than all of them could have anticipated. He hopped onto the table and within ten seconds had used his very sharp axe to slice Craz's head off. The head flew through the air with a shocked look upon its face, and landed on the floor across the room. Jareth and Danol looked at each other in moderate shock.
"You all have questions, and I understand that. But never question my honor!" Bard yelled. That was all it took to settle the matter. The coronation would be in two days. Soon after, Danol and Jareth could go home to their respective wives.