A/N – I made a prediction, a few chapters ago, that this story would only run to five or so chapters. I wasn't far off. This is the last chapter, and it will be followed by an epilogue.

Disclaimer – I don't own the Labyrinth. No money made from this. Don't sue.

Chapter 6

Jareth watched the rise and creation of his new fortress, carved from solid grey stone. It was not the white marble palace beneath the Lake of Glass, nor the spun-glass confection of the Madrigal of Khandalia, but it was filled enough whimsical, architectural oddities to soothe his sidhe soul –

In this land, so alien to the shining ones, it was good to have something to satisfy his more frivolous side.

The goblins, most of whom regarded him as some kind of god, had built settlements under the castle's shadow, wishing to share in his magic and protection; Jareth was not pleased at the shantytowns springing up around him, but as he had learned in dealing with goblins, there was nothing he could do to prevent it. Goblins did what they willed, when they willed, and it took something spectacular to change their minds.

"It may be that we will not need this fortress," Bran said quietly, coming to hunker down beside him. "From what news I have heard from Outside, the war is coming to an end. Llacheu the High King has lost everything but the great palace itself, and Black Donn and Cormack the Red are at a stalemate in Samarkand. Soon they will go to the negotiating table."

"They will join forces," Jareth said absently, "and turn upon Llacheu. His son, Dante, is only a boy."

"Vipers," Bran growled under his breath. "They will dishonour everything their men died for."

Jareth turned to Bran and smiled. "I did not think you so idealistic, brother Raven. Surely you know how the game is played?"

"And you would enter into this arena?"

"I would. I will be a king in truth."

Bran shook his head, his eyes hard and fierce. "You are a King more absolute than any of them. You do not need their acknowledgment."

"A kingdom cannot stand in isolation, Bran. We will need to trade, to interact with the world Outside –"

"We came here to escape the outside world, not to invite it in."

"Bran. Come." Jareth put a hand on Bran's shoulder, squeezing gently. "You know of what I speak. You simply do not wish to acknowledge it."

"No, Jareth. You have always wished for power, but your view is shaped by the courts, by your father's teachings – do you think that the Council's acknowledgment will give you the power you seek? Power of this sort cannot be given; it can only be taken. You have it now, you are King by your own hands – if you go back Outside, if you enter into their games, then you will allow them to shape your rule…"

"There is no other way. That is how things are done."

Bran turned to the man who had done the unthinkable, and yet refused to countenance independence from the Council of Lords."

Of my father's three sons, I am the most like him. He taught me his craft, but gave me no outlet for it…

"And what price your vaunted independence? If, as you say, the Kings of Winter and Summer will join – they will carve the Underground – and us – up between them. "

"I will not allow that to happen."

Bran said nothing.

Jareth watched the older man walk away. Bran's displeasure stung, but he did not understand the larger picture, the necessity of interaction with the Council and the other kingdoms of the Underground. Without an input into the political processes of the whole Underground, without any way to influence events that could shape the world, then a kingdom that stood alone could be swept away by the next wave.

In the aftermath of this war, changes would be made that would influence the course of the Underground for centuries to come. If Cormack and Donn joined together to sideline the High King –

He could not afford to stand by and allow the affairs of the Underground to be decided without him. He had not come all this way, through fire and iron, to be relegated once again to the sidelines. This time, he would take his rightful place among the powerful puppet masters…

Time passed.

The war ended, and for the first time in years, the Council of Lords was called at the High King's palace. Here, the post-war divisions of the Underground would be decided; and here, for the very first time, Jareth the Goblin King would take his place as sovereign of the independent Goblin Kingdom.

For what it was worth.

Aethan, seated behind his own king, Cormack Ruagh, the King of the primary court of Summer, watched his son enter the council chamber with great interest. It had been nearly ten years since he'd last seen Jareth, and the changes were dramatic.

Not just the physical changes, which were clear for all to see, but also the unseen; the aura of greater danger, and greater confidence, and the maturity that had replaced what had once been cocky arrogance. Behind him and to the side stood the black-haired Exile Bran, his grey cloak a mocking reminder of what he was, and what Jareth commanded.

Briefly, just before Jareth made his bow to the new High King, young, inexperienced Dante, he flicked his eyes in Aethan's direction. Their eyes met, clashed; it was a challenge, a dare, and a question all at once.

Aethan smiled, very, very thinly.

The murmuring began as the other rulers in the chamber noticed the resemblance between them. Speculative looks were exchanged as they wondered how this would benefit Aethan, or Jareth, or both, or neither –

Well, they would all find out, very, very soon.

Centuries later, they would speak of this Council as the most definitive political meeting since the kingdoms and courts had joined together into a loose confederation under a High King, six thousand years ago. They would call it the Beginning of the Balance, for the two most powerful kings wielded the kingdoms of the Underground into two huge power blocs, Winter and Summer, sidelining the High King and establishing a détente that would last a thousand years. The only ones to escape involuntary inclusion into the Balance were the smallest, most insignificant kingdoms, who, under the leadership of the Goblin King, became the Non-Aligned –

The price for this freedom, for his unprecedented seizure of power, Jareth found, was a geas.

If you would take the Exiles of the Underground under your protection, Goblin King, Aethan's voice had spoken through a puppet, then you must also take the exiles of the Aboveground. The unwanted will be wished away to you, and unless their tormentors reconsider and win them back, then you must keep them…

Games.

Always, it came back to games.

A/N – Finished! Next chapter is an epilogue: Sarah. And that should bring us full circle, to the beginning of the Catalyst.