Chapter Eleven
Of Games and Siblings
Sarah and Jareth sat on the large terrace watching Kathy and Patrick explore the gardens. Jareth had just sent a message to his sister informing her of the children and requesting that she come to see them promptly. The sky was overcast but the air warm and full of electricity. Occasionally thunder rolled in the distance.
"I love it when the weather turns like this. It is so mysterious." Sarah sighed and reclined a little to watch the clouds.
Jareth only hummed acknowledgement and looked into the distance pensively. A cold breeze gusted through the trees and ruffled their hair. "Something doesn't feel right to me."
Sarah gave Jareth a look of concern, but just at that moment a beautiful brown owl came soaring into view. Jareth jumped up with a smile and ran to the edge of the balcony.
Soon the owl landed and nipped Jareth's hand affectionately. It jumped back into the air and swirled gracefully into a slender woman with dark brown hair, a bit deeper than Sarah's. Her eyes were not mismatched like Jareth's but fading from purple to green. Her skin was the same fair tone as her brother's and accented by rosy cheeks. She wore a gauzy yellow dress that had many layers composing the skirt and split sleeves.
Corsicana laughed as she kissed her brother's cheeks in greeting. Sarah watched quietly, enjoying the reunion.
"Jareth, my brother! I have missed you over these many years! Your letters never explained why you were so withdrawn." Her voice was rich and melodious, a sound that was relaxing and kind.
"My dear Corsicana, you look more and more gorgeous whenever I see you."
"A compliment from Jareth is sincere indeed! You seem to be in high spirits. I can see your joy in your eyes." She stepped back and took his hands, looking him up and down with the scrutiny of a relative. "You look nourished and content."
Her eyes suddenly caught sight of the new markings that adorned Jareth's hand. "What is this? My big brother is engaged? Why haven't I heard of this yet? Who is your new queen?" She noticed Sarah as she rose and came to Jareth's side. Corsicana immediately took note of the markings on Sarah's hand and took in between her own. Sarah noted that Corsicana shared the intricate markings, though bore a different pattern. The color was still vibrant, gold, with a hint of purple to the edges.
Corsicana smiled and looked into Sarah's eyes, "My new sister," she hugged Sarah with the warmth of family.
"Corsicana, this is Sarah. Sarah, my sister. I am glad the two of you may finally meet."
Sarah motioned the others to the sitting area as she explained to Corsicana "We have only been engaged since late last night. You are the first to know."
"I am happy that Jareth has finally found someone to make him happy. He is so difficult to please," she pinched him teasingly.
"Actually, Sarah found me. It was a strange circumstance that we are together now," Jareth and Sarah then told Corsicana about Sarah's first adventure to the Underground and her consequent return. Jareth left out the current situation with Toby, and Sarah left it unspoken for the time being to keep the mood joyous.
"Now then, let me meet those children you told me about. Are they around?"
Jareth rose and looked out over the garden, "They are somewhere out there. Shall we go find them?"
"Yes please, I hope they will like me." Corsicana jumped up and they made their way into the garden.
Sarah chatted with her soon-to-be sister-in-law as they looked about for the children. Soon they spotted them skipping around a fountain.
"Kathy! Patrick! I'd like you to come meet Queen Corsicana." The kids ran over and gave a little bow to the Queen.
"Well hello! It's a pleasure to meet you two," Corsicana looked at them and smiled. "What were you two playing?"
"We're pretending that we are like the children in The Chronicles of Narnia, but instead of being in Narnia we are in the Underground. Have you ever heard of that series?" Patrick looked doubtful that a Fae would have read Aboveground fiction.
"Jareth and I used to play the same thing when we both lived here." Jareth nodded in agreement.
"I liked to pretend I was Peter," Jareth grinned, "and Cora liked to play Susan. Our cousins were a little younger and were always Edmund and Lucy."
Kathy smiled happily, "Do you want to come play with us?"
"I'd love to. Sarah? Jareth? How about you two?"
Sarah and Jareth exchanged a brief look. It would be best for Cora to get to know the children on her own. "That's alright. We will go see about lunch, won't we, Jareth?"
"Yes we shall. Come back up in about an hour and we will eat a little something."
The children were already racing off with Corsicana to play their game. Jareth led Sarah back up toward the castle, meandering through the forest.
"Well, it seems they already are getting along well. I do hope the children accept our offer, I would love to have those two as a niece and nephew."
"I agree," Jareth murmured. He seemed very quiet despite all the joy that surrounded them. Something was bothering him.
"Are you alright?" Sarah asked with concern.
"Something feels strange. I think something is about to happen."
"Do you think the children will be safe?" Sarah was now very worried.
Jareth shook his head as if in a daze, "Yes, they will be fine. But magic is flowing through the wind. I don't think any good will come from this magic."
They had just reached the stairs, but Sarah put a hand to her head and leaned into Jareth for support. "One moment please, I feel unbalanced. Perhaps the magic is affecting me as well."
"Perhaps," was all Jareth said. He let her rest for a moment, then the two ascended the steps to the terrace. A number of serving goblins were taking the table setting inside. One of them hurried up to the couple and bowed low to the ground.
"Your highnesses, we have moved the lunch inside because of the gathering storm clouds and the increasing wind. We hope this is acceptable with your majesties," he looked up to Jareth with wide, innocent eyes.
Jareth nodded silently and led Sarah to a chair. He felt uneasy as well and so they sat together in quiet contemplation.
Several hours later, Cora and the children were finishing a large and filling lunch with Jareth and Sarah. Kathy and Pat had been getting along perfectly and Kathy was already bubbling about everything Cora had told her about her castle.
"Cora told me that she has a tall tower that views her whole kingdom and that sometimes she sleeps in there because she likes to watch the stars. And King Kade raises horses! Cora said that she used to have a unicorn when she was my age and it even let her ride it. Kade has two winged horses just like Pegasus that are white and black and Cora said that he is going to breed them and maybe I can come over and ride one of them with her if it's ok with you guys." Kathy took a deep breath and then a sip of blackberry juice.
"Well, that sounds lovely!" Sarah was very curious about the other castle. Perhaps they might visit there with the children.
"Can we go visit Cora's castle?" Patrick looked eager. He had been particularly fascinated with Kade's armory and fencing room.
Jareth grinned, "I don't see why not."
Pat and Kathy exchanged looks of delight, then Pat quickly regained composure and finished his cake.
"Can we go today?"
Corsicana looked to Sarah for silent permission, "The real question is may we, and I say yes. We'd better go soon if we want to explore before nightfall. May they stay the night in my castle? I have just the perfect adjoining chambers in the north tower."
"Can we please?" the children echoed. It certainly seemed that they were getting settled.
"Of course you may," Jareth smiled kindly at his sister. "We will drop in tomorrow?"
"That is perfect. Alright, let's come stand by the balcony and I will arrange transportation."
The children watched with fascination as Cora created a transporting crystal and beckoned them closer. "Now, take my hand." The kids took her outstretched hand, and then she waved goodbye with her free hand. The children did likewise, then she pushed their hands into the floating orb and they vanished in a puff of golden-green dust.
"If she can do that, then why fly?" Sarah mused aloud.
"It is very trying and complicated. Besides, it is more interesting to fly," he gave her a sideways smile and she laughed.
The couple watched as the sun pulled orange into the sky. They had eaten late and the winter time was bringing a slow nightfall. Sarah sighed and leaned against her fiancée in content. The sounds of the coming night were romantic and quixotically inviting. A soft yet strong breeze ruffled Jareth's fantastic blonde hair.
Suddenly the birds fell silent and the forest seemed to suspend animation. The wind died away completely and hovered as if waiting for something.
"Jareth, I don't trust this," Sarah grasped his arm and scanned the horizon. A bird was flying toward the castle. The couple watched it in horror. Sarah knew this bird was not anything friendly. A cackling raven caw echoed across the trees and the wind worked into a frenzy. Through squinted eyes, Sarah realized that another bird flew alongside the big black raven.
"Sarah, whatever you do, don't provoke her. Your defense is still not strong enough to combat her powers," Jareth rose his voice to battle the wind, which was whipping their hair about fiercely.
"Are you saying that's-" a violent gust of wind forced Sarah backward, nearly pushing her off her feet. The raven landed and cackled as it spun into the air. Before their eyes it grew into the tall and threatening Andromeda. The cackle morphed into the dark, honeyed laugh of the evil sorceress.
"Had you forgotten me, little princess?" she mocked, sneering at Sarah.
She did her best not to pounce on her, but stared coldly into her obsidian stare.
"Jareth: I suppose you were beginning to think I wasn't coming back."
Jareth stepped forward, and opened his mouth to speak.
"I am not accustomed to granting wishes, but consider it a wedding gift," Andromeda gestured to the falcon that landed next to her on the railing. "I do hope I will be invited. Such a union has not been seen in the Underground for over a millennia; The hansom and sought-after king marrying the weak mortal." Sarah started forward in anger but Jareth held her back.
Andromeda laughed, "Feisty, isn't she? But still so sentimental and vulnerable. Why, only last night she was wishing to see her baby brother. Well, I decided to make amends by giving you what you desire. You wished to see him, so here he is-"
The falcon spun into the air and changed into the silhouette of a boy, then grew taller and taller. Sarah's eyes widened when his form grew taller even than herself.
"Toby-" Sarah was speechless and tears welled in her eyes. Before her stood not the boy of ten years, but a young man in his twenties. There was no mistaking his eyes and sandy-blonde hair, but somehow he had grown over twice his age. She looked him up and down slowly and then rushed forward to hug him. Suddenly Sarah found herself on the floor and her cheek burning from a hard backhanded slap. She looked up at his raised hand and then into his cold eyes.
"Andromeda, why did you bring me to see this loathsome hypocrite?" Toby's voice was deep and spiteful.
"Now now, Galahan; let's be civil. After all, she is your sister," Andromeda savored to hurt look on Sarah's face. Jareth had crouched to take Sarah in his arms, but watched in silent shock the scene before him.
"She is a vile creature of deceit." Sarah stared in disbelief at her half-brother.
Andromeda moved over to Toby and laced her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder. "There's no need to be so cruel, love."
"Toby, don't you remember who I am? I'm your sister, Sarah-"
"Be quiet, you fool. You are no sister of mine. I would rather be the brother of a goblin than be related to you." Sarah clung to Jareth and gawked as he kissed Andromeda on the cheek and whispered in her ear, "Please love, let us go home."
"Toby, please listen-"
"My name is not Toby. I gave up that foul Aboveground name long ago. My name is Galahan, and you would be wise to use it if you must refer to me."
Sarah stood, leaving Jareth crouching in worried thought.
"Toby, what has happened to you?" Sarah mused aloud.
Galahan made a sudden movement as if to hit her again, but Andromeda's lightning reflexes caught his hand and held it frozen. "Galahan, mind your manners. After all, she is soon to be queen of the Goblin Kingdom."
"Yes. I suppose it might be degrading to touch her."
Now Jareth rose in indignation. Andromeda cut him off swiftly, "You must have noticed how much he has grown. Surely you understand that he still lacks the manners of the adult that his body has become. I have laced him with magic and grown him with care. I suppose it was no surprise that we have fallen in love-"
"Love!" Sarah could not contain her anger any longer. "This isn't love, this is kidnap! You have stolen his childhood and forced him to love you through magic spells and gimmicks!"
Andromeda swirled in a whirlwind of black dust and materialized directly in front of Sarah, "Watch your tongue, mortal. The words you say cannot be taken back, and I warn you that I am not as forgiving as the sniveling little prince you claim to love."
"Toby, remember before! Remember how we used to sit and talk! Remember Lancelot and Mom and Dad!"
Andromeda raised her palm and flung Sarah across the terrace until she slammed into the wall ten yards away.
Jareth conjured a crystal before Andromeda could turn around and hurled it at the witch. It stopped just inches before shattering on her back. Andromeda turned slowly, a smirk played across her lips. She looked into the crystal then looked up at Jareth.
"Trying to remove my powers? Dear Jareth, you realize that would only trap Galahan with me forever. I am sure that is not what you are trying to do, so I can only conclude that you are rashly attached to that feeble mortal who lies bleeding against your castle wall." Jareth started to run to her, but thought better of turning his back to the sorceress.
"You took away my chance at happiness, it seems only fair that I take away yours." She lifted her hand swiftly and a green orb of light and death formed in her palm. The next motions came at the same instant. Jareth began again the balancing crystal to remove Andromeda's powers. Toby shot out a hand.
He held Andromeda's wrist. She looked inquisitively into his eyes. Something burned like fire behind them, but his face was shadowed by confusion. "Don't," was all he said. Andromeda looked at him for a moment, then squeezed her hand and Jareth's old crystal and her deadly green one combined and compressed. She released it and a red rose fell through garnet dust to land on the ground at Jareth's feet. She turned with Toby's arm through her own and they shattered a crystal of transportation.
As Jareth watched the rose, is turned black and wilted away into nothingness.
He turned and ran to Sarah, who was regaining consciousness. Her back was slumped against the wall, blood dripping from where her back had struck. She winced as Jareth helped her to lie flat.
"Sarah, are you-"
"I'll be alright. I scraped it pretty badly but I stopped most of the force with counter magic." She tried to push herself up but screamed in agony. Jareth noticed that her arm was on a strange angle. He began murmuring spells and pressed the arm back to its normal position. Sarah took a sharp breath, but the pain was lessened greatly by his spell.
"Your shoulder dislocated. We will need to call a healer. I am only glad that she was afraid to use iron-"
"Iron?"
"Yes. Cold iron is the one thing that destroys magic. A wound from cold iron will not heal through magic means."
Sarah thought about this. Jareth released a crystal to the wind and momentarily a small Fae man appeared. He was dressed in robes of amber silk and had the strange appearance of being both old and young at the same time. He was bald and had creases around his eyes but still had a youthful glow to his skin and eyes, which were an icy blue.
"Ah, I see." He immediately began speaking a complicated spell which went on for half a minute. "It is safe to move her now. She fractured her back, but I can heal her soon enough. How does she get herself into so much trouble?"
Sarah looked into his eyes. All the pain had drained from her body but it made it difficult to hear and her vision had gone blurry. The healer looked into her eyes and nodded.
"She will make a fine wife. She is strong, this one. I fear for her brother, but I sense that he is breaking the spell even now. Yes, yes, it will take time, but she did the right thing by planting doubt in his mind. He cannot believe everything that Andromeda had told him now, and so shall begin the dissolve of her spell over him."
The healer's gentle monotone of words soothed her and she drifted to sleep while Jareth transported her to their chambers. The last conscious thought she had was the look Toby had given her just before Andromeda threw her: A look of surprise and dazed recognition.
She was finally starting to help him.