Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in the movie, Labyrinth, even though I do in my dreams. But that's another story in itself.
Chapter 7
This journey had suddenly taken a very sinister turn. So now she would have to fight Jareth's Uncle? 'I need to get Didymus, Hoggle & Ludo' she thought.
" Paralda, how can ÆRNAY hold Jareth? The Goblin King has great magic. I've seen it."
"There is but one element that not only weakens magic but can also kill it's bearers and that is iron. That is the only thing I can think of that can be used against Jareth."
Sarah was looking very pensive as if she wasn't listening to him. He looked at her with concern.
" Something is troubling you, other than this battle. I can sense it in you:
" If Oberon is ÆRNAY's brother why hasn't he stopped him. I mean he would want his son safe, right? Why hasn't he done anything about this."
" I am under the impression that Oberon has not been informed of his brother's actions. I have not been able to get word to him. All my attempts have been blocked. I assumed that it was because of his illness that he is being so protected. But I agree that he should be told. That is not it. There is something else."
Paralda was right. Sarah had been thinking about her dream. The one where she was dancing in the Goblin King's arms. It had been over 12 years since she's eaten that peach and fallen under that spell and hadn't really thought of it. She hadn't wanted to think about it but since she had that dream on the yellow grass it was hard not to think of it. She kept thinking how her heart ached at the thought of not seeing the Goblin King and it frightened her. Paralda could sense what she was thinking of and her confusion over all her emotions.. "My dear, you musn't make things so complex. The human heart is a Labyrinth unto itself but all will be crystal clear when the time is right."
Sarah smiled a shy grin she hadn't thought he could read her mind.
" I insist you stay in the Castle until tomorrow so that I can better prepare you for what you are about to face. I will also introduce you to my two finest warriors whom I will send with you. After you feel confident in the knowledge I have given you I will transport all of you inside the Goblin Castle so that you will have the element of surprise on your side."
'Briegal, Konile, please come to the throne room.' Sarah heard in her mind. She saw small ribbons of smoke float in through the window then the two young Sylphs materialized.
As Paralda stood from his lavish throne his wings that had been tucked under him unfolded and revealed the most beautiful glittering wings that Sarah had ever seen. An incredible shimmer radiated from them that she couldn't help but stare.
Sarah caught herself and looked to the floor. Paralda lifted her hands and placed a gentle kiss on them and whispered, " Thank you, My Queen." He told Briegal and Konile to take Sarah to the guest chambers to freshen up.
As they walked into the hallway, Briegal turned to her and said, " I told you I'd see you again. I didn't think it's be this soon. I had planned to fly over the Labyrinth later today to see how you were doing but here you are. I'm so excited. The Queen. The Queen. Have you met my sister? This is Konile." he said turning toward his giggling sister.
" Please excuse my brother he gets excited when we have company. Yes Briegal we've met. I took her Majesty to Paralda."
" Oh, OK. We need to materialize to the lower floor. Queen Sarah are you strong enough? Because we can also use the crystal staircase at the end of the hallway."
" Yes Briegal, I can manage."
They walked through the long corridor with all the small doors. " Uh, aren't these rooms a little too small for me? How will I fit?" Sarah inquired.
The two siblings looked at each other and giggled, " Queen Sarah, you are to stay in the guest suite it is large enough."
Konile smiled, " We didn't mean to eaves drop while you were speaking to Paralda but we were just outside the window and heard him say you would be introduced to the warriors."
" Can you insist that we come along as well?" Briegal asked smiling up at her.
" I think Paralda would know best on that matter. It would be best if you both stayed here. You may be too young yet. By the way, how old are you?
In unison they answered, " We'll be 62 next season."
" 62! What? So when do you reach maturity?"
Konile replied, "We are considered fully grown at 75. Time runs differently in the Underground."
" Oh I see."
"Here we are." Briegal bowed and opened the beautiful round doors to reveal the most exquisite room. All glittering white with chaises forming a circle in the middle of the room. In the corner to the right was a writing desk with a feather quill and ink wells. To the left was a doorway which she assumed was a bedroom. She ran into the room like a little girl on Christmas morning. There was a large hole in the wall that looked like a window, she could see a section of the Labyrinth. She ran through the doorway to the bedroom and stopped dead in her tracks. As she stared at an ornate carved headboard. In the middle of the room. It reached from floor to ceiling. It looked like Paralda's wings only it engulfed the large round bed.
The young Sylphs came running in after they heard Sarah's gasp., " Is everything alright, your Majesty?"
Sarah didn't move , " I've never seen anything so beautiful." Konile smiled, " you should rest, your Majesty. Dinner will be served in a few hours. She walked toward a smaller door that Sarah had neglected and opened it. " this is your water closet and there are some dresses in the wardrobe so that you can freshen up."
Briegal stepped slowly toward Sarah," Your majesty, I understand why you wish us not to come on your journey. However, I would like to be of assistance in any way I can. I will be back to escort you to dinner."
Sarah gently brushed the hair away from the boy's eyes and placed a kiss on top of his head. "Thank you, Briegal."
Sarah turned and smiled at Konile, " Thank you both" She watched as they both left her to her own devices in this luxurious suite. She walked around the rooms exploring everything. She saw a pink screen at the other side of the room. She stepped closer and saw that it was made out of moonstone and was actually capturing the reflection of the crimson sky from the window. She lifted her hand to touch it when it began changing in front of her eyes. Small carvings began to appear. On the upper corner a scene came into view. It was her. Leaning on a counter speaking to her friend, Myra, then the next scene was her standing on the hilltop over looking the Labyrinth, then she was talking to the lady worm and went down the whole first panel of the screen the last carving was her standing in that very room. "I guess this depicts my whole journey but there is so much space left. I wonder if that means I have a long way to go?" She walked to the other side and saw a pretty claw foot tub. She smiled but continued looking at the other side of the screen. She walked closer and touched this side as well.
Again the small carvings began to appear but this time the whole screen was full. She noticed these were scenes from her previous trip through the Labyrinth. She looked at each carving remembering when she first met Hoggle outside the Labyrinth walls and those crazy guards right before she fell in the oubliette. And the fireys in the woods trying to remove her head to play their wild game. When she skipped to the last carving she realized that she did not recognize this scene. She went back a few and saw the Goblin King offering her the crystal orb. The memory of him came flooding back
"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City…"
She moved on to the next carving. she was in her room celebrating her victory with all her friends. She noticed a small owl in the window that she had not remembered. But then the next one was of the Goblin King holding up a crystal with a picture of Her reading a book. He was on his throne with a sad look on his face. And the last was again the Goblin King standing, looking out the window holding a crystal and releasing it over the Labyrinth. That last carving was what she had seen in her vanity mirror the night she heard Didymus call her.
A/N: Thanks for all of you who reviewed.