Disclaimer: Labyrinth is not mine. Jadir and Isandira are completely mine and belong to me. They are not to be copied or used anywhere for any reason without my permission.
A/N: Feedback is greatly appreciated :)
Alira Dreamwalker
After Jadir left, I lay there for the longest just thinking. So much had changed in such a short time. I laughed at the irony of it. I had run away from home to escape an unwanted marriage and now here I was, being coerced into another. Restless, and unsure how long I had been out of my mind with the pain, I crawled from the bed and stood on shaky legs. I managed to make my way over to the settee and collapsed on the soft green velvet. A bowl of peaches sat in the center of the table before me, so I ate a few of those to stave off the hunger I was feeling.
Bored, I went to my closet and pulled out a cloak. Glancing out the doors that overlooked the lake, I could tell that sunrise was still several hours away. Slipping out the doors, I wandered down the path to the lake's shore. The night was loud, with all manner of night birds calling back and forth. Every now and again, I could hear the low moans of the other Labyrinthine inhabitants. Once reaching the shore, I sat down in the sand and stared out over the water, watching the crystal moonlight ripple across its surface like molten sliver. It was so peaceful and calming.
A branch snapping tore my gaze from the water and I spun around. When the sound of leaves crunching underneath a foot drifted to me, I tensed, straining to see into the shadows. The Labyrinth might protect me, but I knew it was foolish to rely solely on its powers. Even though I was fully changed now, I had no training in the magic I had gained, leaving me defenseless. The noises moved closer to me, louder now that the other sounds of the night had been silenced. I drew my cloak tighter around me, thankful that I had put the hood over my head before leaving my room. In the bright moonlight, my hair would have glowed like a beacon, drawing attention to me.
The creature finally stepped from the shadows, making its way to the water's edge several yards away from me. I held my breath as it lowered its bulk to the water to drink. The creature easily stood six and a half feet tall, with a muscular frame covered in long, shaggy red hair. Terrified that it would notice me, I stayed as still as possible and prayed the breeze would not shift to carry my scent to it. Unfortunately, I did not count on my gaze alerting it to my presence.
Its head shot up, turning in my direction. I could feel its eyes on me and shivered as it began approaching me with a stumbling gait. When it was closer, I could make out the long tusks that curved upward from its lower jaw, a jaw so wide it could swallow a goblin whole. Every so often, it would pause, sniff the air, and grunt before lurching closer to where I sat.
By the time it reached me, I was shaking terribly with fear. All the stories of wild beasts attack people in the woods came back to haunt me. The creature shoved its massive head towards me and I could feel its hot breath through the material of my cloak. I squeaked in terror when it reached up and poked me with an enormous finger that was easily the size of my own arm. It pushed again, causing me to fall over and I gasped as the hood fell from my head. Unable to move, I was forced to let the creature poke me as it sniffed me all over. I could see the curious expression on its face as it jabbed a finger towards my hair. I whimpered at the force of each jarring prod. If I lived through this encounter, I knew I would be covered in bruises by morning.
Unable to help myself, I curled into a ball, huddling under what little protection my cloak afforded me. The creature would have none of that however and proceeded to pick me up. I screamed and lased out, surprising the beast.
Landing on my side, I looked up to find it had backed off a few feet and was staring at me in confusion. I pushed myself upright, glaring at it when it started to approach me again. It produced a soft keening sound and I froze.
That was not the sound of a beast attacking. Looking at it carefully again, I found confusion in its tiny eyes. It was just as scared as I was, neither of us having encountered anything like the other before apparently.
It hunched over and made that mewling noise again, tilting its head to study me. Slowly, hoping I would not provoke it into attacking, I pushed up on my knees and leaned forward slightly and held out my hand. The creature lumbered forward cautiously, sniffing the air around us. I sat completely still, ignoring the muscles burning in my arm. After what seemed like forever, the creature finally came close enough for me to touch. I was amazed at how silky soft its hair was; even though it looked like the coarsest wool.
It continued making the mewling noises as I stroked its arm. After a few minutes, it moved, sitting down in front of me, its own massive hand mimicking the actions of mine. I laughed when it reached up and patted me on top of my hand so gently. I was glad that it understood that I was not made for the rough handling I had suffered earlier.
Yawning, I decided I should go back to my rooms, but it was so pleasant there by the lake, its gentle waves lapping against the shore lulling me back to sleep. Apparently, the creature sensed my fatigue, as it shuffled closer, lifting me gently into its lap. Its warmth, combined with the soft fur and its gentle rocking motion soon put me to sleep.
oooooooooooooooo
A loud, furious roar woke me with a start. I quickly realized that the beast was still holding me in its arms and there was one very furious looking Goblin King walking towards us. Brushing the creature's hair from my face, I tried to twist around so I could see Jadir better, but the creature's arms tightened around me as it backed away from the king.
"Wait!" I yelped in a panic, not completely understanding what was going on. The creature paused and looked down at me, mewling low in its throat. I reached up and patted its leathery face, smiling gently. "It's okay. He won't hurt me." I had no idea if it even understood what I was saying and could only hope for the best.
It mewled again, looking from me to the king before shuffling forward again. Jadir's eyes burned with a savage fury as the creature stopped just out of his reach and continued to hold me. He completely ignored the fact that I was awake now.
"Release her at once, beast." His voice was iron hard and I shivered despite the warmth that enveloped me. Growling burst forth from the creature's throat and I knew instantly that they both perceived each other as a threat to me.
"Jadir!" His eyes fell on me and I could see the worry he was trying to hide. His fingers twitched as if he wanted desperately to form a crystal to destroy the beast. "You're terrifying it!"
"It should be terrified, Isandira, as should you. Do you even know what that thing is?" I had to admit that I did not, but that was no reason to kill it.
"No, but as long as you stand there acting like a brute, it's not going to put me down."
"Where in the Underground did you find that thing?" He spat the word out like a piece of bad food and I sighed, rolling my eyes in frustration.
"This thing, as you call it, is not going to harm me. I found it last night while sitting here on the shore."
"A rock troll is not a pet, Isandira! It's a very dangerous creature, just as many creatures here in the Labyrinth are!" He glared angrily at the beast who was still growling unhappily at him.
I laughed sourly, "I know all about how vicious creatures in this land can be."
"You know nothing about the danger you have placed yourself in."
"Oh really? Then why is it that I feel safer with this rock troll than I do with you? You are the most dangerous thing there is in this place!"
"You are untrained in magic. You have no way to defend yourself and that thing could easily kill you! I will not have my future queen endangering herself like some stupid chit!"
I stared at him in stunned silence. How dare he treat me like some child! True, I had no knowledge in using the magic I now possessed, but to accuse me of being a stupid little girl was uncalled for. I snarled at him furiously, the beast holding me tighter and shifting back from his slightly.
"Beware your emotions, my dear. Lash out at me now and you may very well destroy that creature holding you."
"Like you would even care! As if you wouldn't destroy it as soon as it turned me loose!" His eyes narrowed, confirming my words. How could he be so cruel as to destroy something that was innocent? It was a creature of his own kingdom and had offered no threat to me once its curiosity had been satisfied. "I will not allow you to destroy it Jadir."
He tilted his head, a cunning smile spreading across his face. "And how, might I ask, do you intend to stop me?" I swallowed hard, not expecting him to call my bluff.
"I…"
"As I thought, my dear." I paled as a crystal formed between his fingers and realized that he would kill the beast even though it still held me. Panic rushed through me and the Rock Troll sensed it, its growling changing to a keening mewl of fear as it backed away from Jadir.
"Stop!" Jadir stopped just before throwing the sphere and lowered his hand slightly. I looked up at the troll and touched the side of its face. "I can't let him harm you."
Tears leaked from my eyes as the beast hugged me tighter to its hairy body. "Put me down, my friend." The creature tilted its massive head, its tiny black eyes staring into mine. I felt as if I was drowning in the creatures gaze and suddenly gasped with surprise as the world tilted.
Frriend? I nodded, too stunned to speak. What frriend?
"A friend is one who protects their friend. Cares for them, the way you cared for me last night."
"What are you babbling about, Isandira?" Jadir's cold snarl broke whatever spell had allowed the rock rroll to enter my mind and I turned to look at him.
"Harm this creature and I will never be your queen, Jadir." I raised my chin and glared at him as regally as I could. I could not, would not, allow him to cow me any longer. If he truly wanted me as his queen then things would have to change.
His mouth tightened as he stared at me, a variety of emotions flickering through his eyes. I patted the troll's arm and it gently set me on my feet, though it kept its huge hands on my shoulders. I could sense how scared it was and knew that a wrong move from Jadir would have it grabbing my up again before it fled.
"You can not be serious."
"Oh," I smirked nastily back at him, "do you really want to find out?" His eyes narrowed again at me and I could tell that he was sorely tempted to destroy the beast anyway. "I will never step foot into the Goblin City or its castle again if one hair on this creature is harmed, Jadir."
"You have no where else to go." I tensed in momentary panic, only to realize something he had not thought of.
"You're wrong, your majesty. I do have somewhere to go. I have a place here, in the Labyrinth. I will remain here in the Labyrinth until I die should anything happen to…" I turned and looked back up at the troll, trying to think of a name for my new friend. It looked down at me, as if it knew what I was wanting and gave me what could only have been a smile. "Rooka?" It nodded, patting my shoulders gently and I smiled up at it. "Rooka. Harm Rooka and I will remain in the Labyrinth until my death, Jadir."
"You stupid, bloody fool! Have you lost your mind? That thing could kill you!" Jadir was livid and Rooka to pull me against itself, trying to protect me from the king. I looked up and patted its hand before stepping forward.
"Has it even occurred to you that Rooka might protect me instead?"
"Once you are my queen, it will be my place to protect you."
"I am not your queen yet, Jadir." He stepped forward, eyes snapping with fire. Rooka reached out for me and he froze, his eyes moving from me to the troll and back. Finally, he sighed and shook his head, his dark hair swaying forcefully.
"Why are you so damn stubborn?"
"You asked me not to run, I am no longer running. I am tired of being afraid of you. You promised me time, I ask that you give me that time to use as I see fit." My words were obviously not what he wanted to hear. "I will stay here in the Labyrinth until such time as I feel it safe for me to return to the castle."
"And how will you learn to control your magic?"
"You will teach me." He leaned back on his heels and tilted his head to the side as he crossed his arms over his chest. A very intimidating pose to say the least; however, it had little effect on me now.
"Oh, really?" I nodded curtly. If I was going to be forced into this, then I would not go without a fight.
"Yes. I may not have a choice in becoming your queen, but you will not cow me any longer. You will teach me magic, here in the Labyrinth and never again will you touch me in anger."
"You drive a hard bargain, Lady Isandira."
"Those are not the end of my stipulations, your majesty, but they will suffice for now." He watched me warily as I walked past him, Rooka following, its hand engulfing mine. I paused when we were side by side, keeping my gaze straight ahead, as I made my voice as neutral as I could, "I will never return to the castle if you fail to honor my desires."
Rooka and I left Jadir standing there, near the lake, while we continued up the path towards my rooms in the Labyrinth. I could feel his hard stare on our backs and prayed that he would not try to destroy the rock troll. I swore to myself that if anything happened to the creature, I would never go back to the castle. Not while Jadir still lived. Ahead of us, I could see the doors leading back into my chambers waiting. I paused and took a deep breath before turning to look back at the king.
"My lessons will begin this afternoon, an hour after lunch." At first, I thought he would refuse, as his eyes narrowed to slits and I could feel the anger he emitted. Finally, he relaxed, though his mouth was still tight and nodded.
"As you wish, my queen." I shivered at the way he said it, wondering what he was thinking. Rooka tugged on my hand, anxious to leave Jadir's presence. I reached over, patting the hand holding mine and nodded at the creature before moving forward again. I glanced over my shoulder to look back when I felt a ripple shudder through me. Jadir was no longer in sight.
Rooka balked at entering my chambers, but with a little coaxing, the troll eventually entered, much to the dismay of the faeries. They shrieked in terror and flew to their hiding places while Rooka looked at them in confusion. I giggled, trying to persuade them to come back out.
"The troll will eat us, my lady!"
"Nonsense, Ruby." I smiled at the little brown-haired faerie. They had consented to allowing me to give them names several days ago. Pansy was the dark-blonde haired faerie and the twins were Sapphire and Daisy. Their dresses helped me to tell them apart as they never wore any other colors. "This is Rooka; Rooka, these are my faerie friends. You are never to harm one another, understand?" I looked up at Rooka, holding the creature's gaze with my own. Again came the unsettling feeling of the world tilting as our minds connected again.
Rooka understand. Bugs frriend.
I burst out laughing at Rooka's term for the faeries. "No, Rooka, faeries are not bugs. They're just very tiny people, like me, but with wings." The troll smiled its strange smile and nodded in understanding. I gently pulled my hand from its and walked over to where the faeries were climbing out of their hiding places, each one of them with a cross look on their tiny, angelic faces.
"Did that thing just call us bugs?" Sapphire huffed, stomping her tiny foot which sent me into another fit of giggling.
"I don't think Rooka has ever seen a faerie before, or if it has-"
"She"
I turned to look at Ruby, the self-appointed leader of the faeries. "I beg your pardon?"
"That rock troll, Rooka, it's a female." I looked over my shoulder at Rooka then back to Ruby.
"How can you tell?"
"It's obvious, silly. Male rock trolls are larger and have an orangey color to their fur. This one is red and small, so it is a female." Confused, I nodded. In a way, it made sense, but in a way, it did not. Mentally, I shrugged it off and smiled at them all.
"I'm going to go take a bath. Please make friends with each other while I'm gone." I started for the bathing room, only to find Rooka trying to follow. Gently, I explained that I was only going to bathe and that she was safe. Once I had managed to convince the creature I was not abandoning it, I was able to close the door between us.
ooo
When I emerged a while later, dressed comfortably in a lightweight day dress that the Labyrinth had provided, I collided with Rooka. The rock troll has positioned itself in front of the door and was growling menacingly. Surprised, I looked past her to see what was wrong and found Hoggle standing in the doorway the entered from the Labyrinth. The faeries were flying around in circles, almost in a panic as they could not 'talk' with Rooka and explain that Hoggle was a friend as well. I sighed heavily at the thought I would have to go through all of this again.
"Rooka," the beast stopped growling with a start and turned to look at me. "Rooka, Hoggle is friend too." I smiled at Hoggle, gesturing for him to come in. It was apparent that the troll was mistrusting of everyone and I blamed Jadir for that. His treatment of others was bound to have affected everyone and everything in the Labyrinth. I pushed around Rooka and went to give Hoggle a hug, to show that he was indeed a friend. The way he sputtered and pushed my arms away was funny. He was such a grouchy little man. Relenting, I pulled him over to Rooks, who was now standing, and introduced them.
Hoggle shook his head muttering under his breath about how insane I was. I laughed and patted his leather-capped head. Once everyone was settled again and Rooka was no longer growling I sat down to eat the fruits that Labyrinth had sent to me.
"Yer a strange one, missy. His majesty ain't gonna like it nones." Hoggle commented as he climbed up into his chair.
"His majesty already knows about Rooka, Hoggle." He looked up at me in surprise. "I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep, so I took a walk. Rooka found me and kept me safe when I fell back asleep near the lake. When I woke, he was there and very mad."
"He was right to be so. Them things ain't known fer bein friendly, girl. Most would just as soon tear yous apart as look at yous."
"It is of no wonder considering how Jadir treats everyone around here! Honestly! The man could use a few lessons in compassion and humility."
"I suppose you think you are the one to give these lessons to me then?"
Hoggle and I both froze at the sound of the king's voice. Silently, I cursed myself for saying his name as I turned to look at him. "If need be, then I will." I was thankful that my voice did not waver.
"You've grown rather impudent since your change, my dear." I huffed at him and turned away. I could hear Rooka growling in the background and the faeries were nowhere in sight.
"Something, I fear will be greatly needed considering that I am forced to deal with you, your majesty." Hoggle was looking from between the two of us, his face twisted in shocked horror, his mouth open. I glanced up at the clock before looking back to Jadir. "Must you intrude upon my privacy? You were not expected to be here until thirteen o'clock."
"You were the one who spoke my name, Isandira. I merely answered your call." Rolling my eyes, I turned away.
"Just because I said your name, your majesty, does not mean I was calling you. Really, you are the most arrogant person I have ever had the misfortune to meet." I bit back a grin at his shocked expression. "Now, if you will excuse us, I am trying to have a peaceful meal with my friends."
He snarled angrily at us and I looked back in time to see jealous rage in his eyes just before he vanished in a flash of glitter and light. Hoggle cleared his throat uneasily and I turned my attention back to him.
"Be careful, little missy. Don't go and makes him mad, he'll takes it out on us."
I leaned forward and patted Hoggle's hand. "If anything happens to any of you, his royal puffiness will lose any chance he has at gaining me for his queen."