Chapter 6

Sarah was escorted into a beautiful glittering room at the highest point of the mountain. In it were rows of beautiful Sylphs seated on crystal chairs. As she entered they turned and stood up looking at her with interest.

She turned to Konile and smiled and leaned in, " Go ahead walk down the center but only look at Paralda, it would be disrespectful otherwise."

Sarah turned and took a step into the throne room. She looked up to find Paralda. There he was sitting on a lavish opalescent winged throne. He was beautiful. He had long white straight hair that fell well below his shoulders, his clothes looked like they were made of shimmering liquid. As Sarah took steps closer she kept her eyes upon him as Konile had instructed but she saw everyone's curious gaze as she walked passed. She had almost reached the dais when a she felt a warm comfort fall over her.

'It's OK Sarah, do not be afraid. I am here to assist you on your journey' she heard a whisper in her ear. She turned suddenly to find no one there.

She turned back to Paralda only to see him smile at her.

'It is only me, your Majesty.' He stood and stepped down from his throne,

standing in front of her, he raised her hand and placed a soft kiss on it.

"It is a honor to meet the first and only Ruler of the Labyrinth" he said loudly for all to hear.

An audible gasp was heard from the audience.

"I am glad you have found us. I understand you are on a mission. I am here to help you in any way I can," Paralda's movements were so graceful and elegant. He had a air of peace and serenity that put all at ease in his presence.

Sarah was relieved to have someone to answer all the questions that she had been dying to ask since her return to the Underground.

"Thank you so much, I really need help. I am on a mission to save my friends from the Goblin Castle, they have been taken prisoner…"

" It seems that the Queen and I need a few moments alone" Paralda said looking up to all the Sylphs in the room, who began turning into wisps of smoke and floating off in different directions. When it seemed they had all gone Paralda began to speak again, " I did not expect such a blunt answer in front of my people but I can understand your anxiousness for time is short. But there is much for you to learn and understand. You are not from this world and so your self imposed limitations will hinder any plan you may have against ÆRNAY. I suppose you do not know of his history?"

She shook her head.

" It is important to know where a man has been so that you may understand where he wants to go."

Sarah was listening intently to Paralda's words. The same could be said for the Goblin King. She knew nothing of him and wondered if she knew some of his history maybe she would understand why HE did the things he did, like stealing babies.

" Paralda, I was wondering if I could learn a little of the Labyrinth's history and about The Goblin King. I think it is important for me to know what I am fighting for."

"You are wise to want to understand but like I said, time is short. My dear, the Labyrinth has a history that is so complex that I am afraid I will only be able to tell you a fraction of it's conception. You see back when time began there were people who roamed the lands and lived in tune with nature and only took what was needed to survive. These people knew that by taking from the soil they needed to put back something in return. For they knew they were not the only inhabitants of this land. They shared it with people of magic. For many years we all lived together in harmony and peace until one day a man came upon a Sighe maiden and fell in love with her and she with him. They would meet in secret and so their love grew. Over time some folk began to notice the love they shared. The Sighe maiden, afraid of what her people would say, told the man that they would need to part company for a love like theirs was forbidden and would cause a great war between their peoples. The man was so hopelessly in love that he refused and told her that if they could not be together that he would rather throw himself into the ocean than to live without her at his side. She left him that day and as he had promised flung himself into the depths of the ocean. When King Oberon, the ruler of all the Fairy Folk heard of what the man had done he called the Sighe Maiden and asked for an explanation. Even though he knew what had occurred, for he was of the same race of Fairy as the young girl. King Oberon knew that if they were to remain Aboveground with these mortals that this would not be the last time he would hear this kind of tale. The Leanan Sighe were fairies who looked like humans but yielded the greatest power of all. The power to rule the human heart. With a glance they could make whole armies fall to their knees. It was then that he knew that all creatures of magic had no place in this Realm. At a great gathering it was decreed that we were to be transported to the Underground never to return Aboveground unless summoned." Paralda paused to see if Sarah had any questions, but saw her listening intently and so he continued, "It was there that the King realized the he would need to further divide the creatures due to the vast numbers. He appointed his child to rule over the Goblin Kingdom and others he deemed fit to rule over the other kingdoms. But always made sure that it was understood that he was the High King and had the final word on all decisions made to the Underground. When Jareth was appointed Goblin King, he was still but a child of 70 but that did not deter the King from giving him his own kingdom. For the King knew that his son had learned to control magic since he was very small and had a pure heart. In time many of Jareth's subjects began to respect and depend on their King. He was fair and strong when he needed to be. But after hundreds of years Jareth became bored, lonely, and bitter. He longed for a companion . It is said that one night as he looked upon the crimson sky through his castle window a great maze appeared right before his eyes. It surrounded his castle along with the great city. To his utter amazement a wise man stood before him in his own throne room and told him of a prophecy that was to be fulfilled when then the King 's heart was ready. The man told Jareth that the Labyrinth would bring mortal children to the Underground so that others may know the joy of raising children. And also that one day it would bring the King true happiness."

Seeing that Sarah had a question her paused.

" I don't understand. Why is it a good thing for the Labyrinth to bring mortal children to the Underground?"

" You see Fae are long lived and therefore, it is a rare occurrence for them to have children. Jareth was a miracle to the Great King and Queen and they were greatly envied. Especially Oberon's own brother, who was extremely jealous of the young Prince. He knew that now he had no claim to the High Crown in the Underground. When he learned that Oberon had taken ill, he began plotting a scheme to overthrow Jareth and take over the Goblin Kingdom. Even though he was a Ruler himself his greed was all consuming. ÆRNAY is Oberon's brother."

Sarah was listening to all that Paralda was saying but did not understand what this had to do with her.

" I still do not understand why my friends have been taken. If all ÆRNAY wants is the High crown all he would have to do is kill Jareth, right ? So what does this have to do with my friends?"

Paralda looked into Sarah's eyes, " My Queen, have you not guessed? Jareth can not be killed because the amulet still hangs from his neck. ÆRNAY has his own amulet with the family crest but it is Jareth's that hold the key to the Highest Throne. No one may touch the amulet unless the power within chooses them to. There is but one person other than Jareth that may have access to it. And that is the Ruler of the Labyrinth. It is my guess that ÆRNAY has lured you back by capturing your friends. In essence, you are walking into a trap."

Author's Note:

angelwingz202: Now you tell me. I'm covered in bandaids.

Ladyluck321: Thanks for reading. I really wanted it to be primarily an adventure story with some romance. Not the other way around.

Moonjava: Thanx