Social Obligations

by Clever Lass

Twelve years after Sarah's Labyrinth experience, she is an older student working her way through college when she gets a unique invitation. Accepting it changes her whole life. COMPLETE! Looks monstrous, but don't worry, the chapters are very short.

51. He's a Jolly Goodfellow

Chapter 51: He's a Jolly GoodFellow

There were a few cheers and some startled applause, shortly drowned out by a fanfare of trumpets. The hum of puzzled conversation continued long after the echoes of the brass died away, though, until Alia stepped forward again and gestured with a forehoof. The crowd quieted quickly, and Alia announced, "I have already given my consent for this union. There shall be no objections." The unicorn fixed Jareth and Sarah with a satisfied glance and went right on with the list of names. "Narlon, King of Gnomes."

A small, swarthy man stepped forward, clothed in dingy grey. "Having only recently inherited my throne from my father, I do not wish to wed at this time."

"Twixelin, Queen of Pixies."

A tiny golden woman with wings fluttered around Alia's horn and chirped, "I do not wish to wed!"

The entire company breathed a sigh of relief; Queen Twixelin's voice was uncomfortably high and shrill, and no one wanted her to speak any longer than was strictly necessary.

"Robin Goodfellow, King of Brownies."

A lithe and wiry little man stood up with a grin and declared merrily, "Having only just learned of Jareth's preference for the two-legged, I wouldn't mind marrying the High Princess, your daughter!"

Alia snorted and glanced at her daughter. "What say you, Arien?"

Arien sounded merry and mischievous. "I say that our friend Puck may have over-estimated his abilities to keep up with a four-legger, Mother! However, he may enter betrothal negotiations if he thinks he is up to the challenge!"

"Very well, daughter. Puck, we shall arrange the foot-race for next week in our kingdom."

Puck backpedaled. "F-foot-race? What foot-race? Did Jareth have to win a foot-race?"

Alia and Arien's delicately horsey faces showed identical expressions of equine amusement. "Jareth beat Arien's father Taliu in a foot-race, Puck. He didn't have to race Arien," Alia explained.

Puck's jaw dropped as he stared at Jareth. The Goblin King met his gaze with a supercilious smirk that made Sarah roll her eyes fondly. "He—he outran Taliu himself?"

Alia, growing impatient, said, "Robin, let us work out the details of the foot-race later. Tomorrow there shall be a wedding and a betrothal, but for tonight let the celebrations recommence!" The music started up again, and dancers slowly drifted back out onto the floor.