Chapter 30:The Beginning of Farewell

The sky filled with dust and turned gray as Adina flew across it. The cloud said she is being kept in a castle among a duststorm, but where? How do I even know I'm going the right way? Though she was in hawk form, Adina could see her amulet- how did it get there, anyway? Had she slipped it on, and forgotten?- glowing, almost pulling her forward. Odd. I'm flying wearing it, and it's like a weight. Hey, maybe that will help solve the mystery.

A gust of wind nearly forced her down, but Adina refused to give up. Not with Mother's life at stake.

"My lord!" the captain of the guard shouted. "My lord, your attention please!"

Gurnemanz turned away from his balcony, to stare at him. "And what is it now?"

"My lord, there is a dwarf here, works for your son," the guard stepped aside to reveal Hoggle. "Must be important!"

"Thank you, you are dismissed." Once they were alone, Gurnemanz eyed Hoggle with a smile. "What brings you here, Hedge Pedge?"

"Ya know damn well why!" Hoggle yelled, no fear in his voice. "To end your days of harassin' Adina! I know ya hurt her mother, the Queen! Leave her alone, or-"

"You'll what? Kick me?" Gurnemanz's smile turned into a nasty sneer. "Really, there's nothing you can or will do, no matter what your size is. Guard!" They marched back in.

"Take this dwarf, and lock him up. We can't have him alerting our guest, can we?"

As Hoggle was dragged away, he yelled, "Adina won't let you get away with this! Neither will Jareth!" Choke on that, you hateful old man!

In his throne room, Jareth was sitting, contemplating the recent events. Why anyone would want to kidnap Queen Imogene, and not expect retribution from Adina and the Faerie Realm was beyond his guessing. I wish Adina had let me go along. She's not thinking clearly enough...and besides the fact her mother is gone, there's something else wrong here. That thought ran through his mind, until Jareth finally changed into his owl form, and flew off in search of Adina.

The farther she flew, the brighter the amulet glowed, Adina noticed. And heavier! She had gone many miles, and was very tired. I need to land, for just a second or two. Heading for a small glen below, halfway down Adina recognized a familiar face. "Galinda!"

"Your Highness!" Galinda sobbed as soon as Adina touched the ground. Now that she was here, it was suddenly easy to cry. Then she noticed the weariness on the Princess's face, and her dust covered black dress. "This way. There's fruit and water here."

"Just water," Adina conceded. "What happened? How did you get here? And where is Mother?" It was all she could do not to keep from screaming.

Calmly and slowly, Galinda told her of the abduction. "Then we were taken to a large castle. But, the shadow form said we weren't needed any longer. If we were wise, we would return home, as fast as possible, lest the Queen be killed!" She choked back a sob. "I waited. I knew you would come."

"Galinda," Adina began, taking in all the information, "how far is it from here to the castle?"

"Not much longer, for you, Your Highness," Galinda firmly stated. "But for one with Faerie wings, a while."

"In this case, I guess being different is an advantage," Adina dryly replied. I might as well make jokes, they keep me from crying. "Galinda, thank you, for everything. Wait. He'll kill her if you tell anyone?"

"Oh no, Highness, you don't suppose-" Galinda turned pale, hands on her cheeks.

Adina reached out with her mind and concentrated carefully. "No, I can still feel her life, so we're currently safe. But you should go into hiding, in case." Where? I know! But...I've never tried it before. Well, there's a first time for everything. She sighed, knowing she would probably never see Galinda again as a result. "I know where to hide you...but you might be different when you arrive there."

"Send me to the Black Pits! The Elves! Anywhere, if it will save Her Majesty!" Galinda agreed, ready to go anywhere.

Oh, Galinda, such loyalty, Adina felt a rush of emotion come over her. Would that all Faeries had your courage. "Very well, close your eyes. But first." Adina grasped the Faerie maid in a long hug. She's one of the few who's tolerated me my whole life, and not been afraid. "And now..." She closed her eyes, visualizing Galinda's new home, and whispered, "Go there, with the blessing of the Mother always upon you!"

The trees rustled, dust flew, and when Adina opened her eyes, Galinda was gone.

The Underground trembled at that moment, which Jareth could feel up in the sky. Adina, what have you done now? he guessed, soaring a bit. Knowing what she could do, he flew a little faster. He had to reach her, and soon.

So now Galinda's gone, what will happen next? Labyrinth isn't mine, nor are any of the characters you recognize from the film. But if they were... ; )

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