Chapter 24: Trials and Tribulations
Several weeks later, Adina's life had only gotten worse. Since the King's funeral, no one had spoken to her. The Queen remained in a daze, with the Advisors helping her rule. Adina tried to see her everyday, but usually one of the Advisors intercepted her and would say, "I'm sorry, your mother can't see you today. I'll let her know you came, though." Out of respect for her mother's feelings, Adina didn't try to get to her though the walls. The last thing the poor woman needed was to be frightened half to death.
Adina sat in her study, reading, when there was a knock at the door. Maybe Mother finally wants to see me. Sure, like the Advisors would allow that. "Come in."
"Your Highness," Galinda greeted her solemnly from the doorway. "Your presence is requested by the Advisors. They say to come quickly, please."
Neutral faces and silence greeted Adina as she entered the Advisory Chamber. Its members were all sitting in a circle, with the Queen among them.
"Mother," Adina whispered. She walked over to the Queen's chair, but one of the Advisors abruptly blocked her path.
"Your Highness, that's not why you're here," he stated coldly. "We have some questions for you, that are vital to the future of the Faerie Realm."
Questions? What is this, a trial? Adina wondered. Might as well get it over with. She walked to the middle of the room, her face a mask.
"Your Highness," they began. "On the night of His Majesty's death, where were you?"
"In my chambers, sleeping. I heard a scream, and got up to see what it was," Adina answered calmly. No harm in that one.
"Did you go down the corridors of the castle, to His Majesty's rooms?" another asked, staring hard.
"No, I wanted to get there as fast as I could, to help, so I went through the walls." And where exactly is this going?
"You were the first in there, then," a tall member confirmed.
"Yes," Adina said, getting annoyed. The point of all this is………………
"So, was anyone else in there besides yourself and His Majesty?" the first speaker questioned.
Oh no, no, no………… "Yes, a shadowy form. It was sitting on top of my father, slashing at him with claws," Adina countered, glancing at the Queen. She was staring at the ground, her face pale.
"Claws," another Advisor smirked. "Really, Your Highness."
That does it! No more of this! Adina raged, knowing full well what they were implying. "Why don't you just say it?" she snapped, glaring at each Advisor in turn. "You think I killed my father!"
"Well, you were the first one there," the tall Advisor said slowly.
"By that logic, what if Mother'd gotten there first? Does that mean you'd suspect her instead?" And these men were supposed to be wise?
"She wasn't. You were, and we know of your abilities," another shot back furiously.
How could they! Adina fumed, caught between shock and anger. "I don't believe this! I will not hear anymore of these silly accusations without proof!" She turned to leave, but guards blocked her path. "Mother! You know I wouldn't!"
"Adina…….I don't know what to believe with you, anymore," the Queen stated slowly, never looking at her daughter's distraught face.
Mother, no! I loved him too much! You know that! Adina pleaded silently. She stood still, barely hearing "Until further notice, do not leave this castle, or your chambers." And now treated like a criminal! "Catch me first," Adina spat out, vaulting past the guards and through the wall.
Galinda hummed a simple tune as she fluffed up the pillows in the Princess's chambers. Hopefully Her Highness was having a much needed talk with Her Majesty, the Queen. It would be good for both of them……….
And in burst Adina, clearly in a hurry. "Your Highness, what's wrong?" the faithful maid asked.
"They've accused me of murder!" she responded, pulling on her cape and glancing around. "I swear to the Mother, I did not! Since the all wise Advisors don't believe me, I can't stay here anymore."
Galinda watched in stunned horror as Adina grabbed a shoulder bag and put a few things in it. "But where will you go?" she finally managed to squeak out.
"I…..good question," Adina responded. She thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. Of course! It's all I have left. Walking to a cabinet, she moved a few books and pulled out the crystal Jareth had given her. Closing her eyes, she whispered, " Jareth……please…..I need you, right now."
As he soared through the sky, Jareth wondered what exactly was wrong. Despite her calm manner, he'd seen fear and despair in Adina's eyes. Her father's dead, what else could happen? There was her window, open in anticipation of his arrival. Upon landing there, he assumed his natural form. Adina stood in front of him, with a Faerie woman behind her. "Adina, what…." A fierce pounding on the door cut him off.
The guards, led by the Advisors, finally plodded into the first room. "Find her quickly!" the tallest Advisor barked. "We've got you now, Princess!"
Here goes….. Adina turned to Galinda and placed her hands on the maid's shoulders. "No matter what happens to me, please take care of my mother." She hurried to the window and climbed up next to Jareth, just in time for the guards to burst into the room.
"Grab her!" all the Advisors shouted. Galinda was roughly pushed out of the way, and gasped in astonishment. "Stop, Princess, where you are!"
They really think I'm just going to go along peacefully? Think again! Adina all but sneered. She smiled wickedly, eyes firey. "No, you stop!" she shot back maliciously.
Raising her hands, Adina nearly laughed as the guards and Advisors found their feet frozen solid to the ground. "Just try to find me! Oh wait, that won't be possible, since you appear to be stuck on yourselves!"
"Are you ready to go?" Jareth asked her, amused and amazed by the whole scene.
"Let's go," Adina simply replied, smiling at him. In a blink of an eye, they were gone, soaring through the sky together as owl and hawk.
Boy, what a change! Now what will the daring duo do? Hope you enjoyed the length of this chapter! Next week is dress rehearsal/performance week for my ballet recital, so I might not get to post as much. As you know, Labyrinth does not belong to me, nor do any characters from the film. Adina and the others are all mine, however. Please review!