A/N: Once again, I want to thank at least million times my absolutely fantastic beta, Anaknusan, for her to you for the comments and reviews, and reading the story. As I told, the plot is beginning to unravel. And, also, as promised, expect some romance (yaaaiks!) to take place at last!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own the Labyrinth. No money is being made with the story, and the only compensation is the pleasure of writing and distributing the story to the audience! (The best possible one, that is)
The Land That Is Not
Chapter Thirteen
they have been faithful
to many things and which die
i have been sometimes true
to Nothing and which lives
- e. e. cummings
"How is she doing?" Jareth asked Phaedra.
"She's sleeping. The music nearly destroyed her mind. Luckily, the girl has some spunk. She'll survive." Phaedra almost smiled but behind her smile, the worry marred her face, casting shadows under her eyes.
"That's Sarah for you: stubborn until the very end." Jareth replied haughtily but Phaedra recognized the relief in his voice. She crossed her arms, measuring the Goblin King with her gaze.
"What did you do to him, Jareth?"
Jareth scowled, ruffling his hair. "The wine-rotten sneering idiot claims he only wanted to see if the rumors were true. It's clear he planned to get me out of way so that Sarah would be vulnerable. If I hadn't sensed her distress..." he interrupted himself. "Still he dares to claim he didn't know anything! Phaedra, you have no idea how much I detest the gods. They're so full of themselves it's a wonder they haven't died in extinction by their own hands."
She only arched her brow. "I trust you let him leave the Underground unharmed and alive?"
"Of course I did. What are you thinking?" Jareth snapped and then furrowed his brows, taking a long look at Phaedra. "Speaking of which, I'm still trying to figure out what I should do with you. You haven't been very open with regards to your agenda, and I find your presence evokes problematic thoughts. Tell me, why are you still here? I thought you got all the answers you looked for, and as Dionysus bluntly said, you've never been a very keen friend of my Labyrinth."
"I wish no harm to you or the girl. I can give my word on that."
"I know that. I asked why are you staying?" Jareth said coldly, staring at the woman.
"Maybe because I pity the girl? You've certainly done your best in destroying her spirit and scaring her out of her wits. You've behaving like your father, and I don't like that sight very much."
"Don't compare me to my father. I'm nothing like him," Jareth snarled, turning on his heel and pacing restlessly across the floor. The burning hearth cast flickering shadows on him and around the room, banishing the chilling cold of the Underground night. Phaedra wrapped her thick woolen shawl around her shoulders, cursing silently the chilly night. She missed the heat that lingered throughout the days, the ripe and suffocating nights of her home, and sighed.
"Tell that to your goblins. I've noticed they appear to avoid your presence more than usual nowadays. Did you know that they nearly worship Sarah?"
"What?" Jareth barked angrily, stopping and turning to look at her. The dark clouds remained on his temple.
"Apparently, she sings and tells tales to them. And poor Itys has decided to fight against his nightmares, feigning to be brave so not to make Sarah worried." She considered her words. "I'm actually surprised. He's starting to speak almost normally."
Jareth rubbed his forehead. "She's really creating a mess. I thought you were supposed to oversee she wouldn't cause problems while I searched for the boy?"
"Yes, but as you know I have only two eyes, while your goblins tend to be rather crafty in being everywhere at the same time. You definitely should talk to Sarah. It's only matter of time she notices herself what's happening to her. Not mention her reaction when she learns what you've been hiding from her all these years. She's going to be livid."
Jareth flared his nostrils. "Yes. The gifted god of merrymaking certainly made sure of that."
Phaedra gave him an encouraging smile. "Try to let it go. He's gone now, and Sarah is unharmed, if not unchanged. It's only a matter of time until you find Toby."
"Somehow," Jareth mused, staring unblinkingly over her shoulder, "I have a dreadful feeling that time's running short. I have overlooked something; I just can't figure what that could be."
Phaedra hesitated only briefly. "Maybe you should contact your father in that case?"
Jareth started, and before she even knew it, he closed the distance between them. "Never!" he barked. The draft strengthened in the room, raising goosebumps on Phaedra's skin. His eyes flickered in contempt he didn't bother to hide while he bared his teeth, scowling at the woman. "I'm certain that meddling fool would just love to have a chance at regaining his throne. You know what it would do to this place! I don't trust him."
"Don't be a fool!" Unafraid, Phaedra snapped, stepping closer to the Goblin King. She pointed her finger at him, nearly touching the gleaming crest resting on his pale chest, which rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing. "Your allies are starting to look rather scarce, and he has the advantage you should consider." She lowered her voice, looking into his eyes. As if emphasizing her words, she said slowly, "He too lost his throne because of a mortal girl."
o O o
Birds' chirping and a mighty headache woke her up. Sarah stared at the ceiling, collecting pieces of yesterday, the pounding of her head making her already scattered thoughts even more confusing. Had Jareth truly taken her to meet Dionysus last night? It felt so…bizarre. She shivered, remembering the crazed tune Dionysus' concords had played, its maddening echo still lingering in her ears. Aftermath of her panic haunted her, and as invited, the combined sensation of music and wine returned back in her body. Resolutely, she banished the panic. She was at her bed in her room, safe. Yet, Sarah mused, she had no memory of returning. Had Jareth carried her? Or Phaedra? Sarah sighed, chafing her forehead, trying to recall the events after the wild music.
"You're awake, good." Jolting, she looked at her side and noticed Phaedra, who was sitting on a chair next to her bed and inspecting her carefully through her long eyelashes. Her head was uncovered, the pale morning light illuminating her strong nose and sharply structured features. Dark curls cascaded down on her shoulders, their darkness highlighting the white and scarred mark around her neck. Seeing her without her usual veil felt weird, she looked somehow older, worn out. Now that Sarah thought about, she had no idea of Phaedra's true age. Millenniums?
Phaedra leaned closer, placing her hand on Sarah's temple, and inquired, "How are you feeling?"
"Like shit," Sarah told truthfully. She winced at the sound of her own voice and at the ringing of her ears, swallowing, and attempted a lame joke. "If you get this sort of hangover from Dionysus' wine every time, I'd rather be without. One could think that the god who invented the wine would have done at least something to its after effects…"
Phaedra smiled softly. "You're full of surprises, Sarah. Many other mortals would be half-mad already, you know? To drink his wine and endure the Panic Song is quite an achievement."
"One can become only so mad," Sarah frowned. "Anyway, I was the idiot who demanded to be brought to the Underground. I'd hardly describe myself as very sane." She tried to sit but her hands shook so badly she ended up lying down, gasping for air.
Phaedra's face brightened. "And as stubborn as ever, it seems. That's a good sign. You'll be up in no time, which reminds me... You have some visitors eagerly waiting for a chance to see you. Apparently, the little creatures have grown quite fond of you. They've been very agitated since the events of last evening."
Sarah grimaced at the thought and said hastily, "No. No goblins! I don't think I'm able to bear them at the moment." She thought for a moment and admitted, smiling weakly, "Well, maybe, I could see Itys, if he's there."
"You won't be able to limit it to him," Phaedra warned her, quiet amusement in her voice. "Be prepared they'll be crowding the room as soon as they learn you've finally awake. At least half of the castle's staff waits behind your door. Only Jareth's threat to toss them into the Bog has kept them silent and out."
"Trust the goblins to do almost everything for the sake of a decent story or a song." Sarah snorted, but Phaedra shook her head slowly.
"I don't think they're only worried about getting their songs this time."
"Whatever you say," Sarah muttered, suddenly very much self-aware. "Um, what happened?"
"It seems my brother-in-law didn't have the most sincere thoughts in mind when arriving at the Underground. I'm sorry, I should have kept you away from him," Phaedra answered slowly.
"You couldn't know," Sarah reasoned faintly, recognizing the tone of self-accusation. "And I didn't know! Which is saying a lot, since I've grown rather used to seeing through people's lies. Part of the little gift Hermes bestowed me with," She blurted before she had time to think her words through and nearly bit her tongue, reprimanding herself for letting the secret out.
"I see..." Phaedra's fingers drummed against the chair's armrest. Sarah looked at her fearfully, expecting the woman would ask more but, apparently, she had something else in her mind. She spoke from a distance, "I talked with Jareth after you fell asleep. He might show up later today."
"He knows I'm awake?" Sarah asked in a small voice, swallowing nervously and glancing at the closed door as if expecting it to burst open and the wild-haired, dark-clad Goblin King to rush inside her room.
Phaedra's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she glanced at her. "You're part of his kingdom. If he concentrates, he'd even be able to tell what you're wearing."
The thought made Sarah very uncomfortable and she shifted in the bed. "And what did he do to Dionysus? I heard you talking. You were worried he might do something rash, weren't you?"
Phaedra sighed. "He didn't do to him anything that would have a lasting effect. But rest assured, the god is now gone, banished from the Underground, and I doubt he'll be coming back any time soon."
"Well that's a comforting thought. However, it doesn't explain why he came…" Her voice died and face bleached as she remembered. The god has mentioned the heir of the Underground. Had he thought Toby would be there? Her mood dropped. "He came to see Toby, didn't he?"
"That is a subject I think you should discuss together with Jareth, not me," Phaedra replied flatly.
"You know what's going on! You have to tell me!" Sarah accused, struggling to sit, furious at her own feeble physical state.
"Don't use that tone with me, girl! No one tells me what to do," Phaedra snapped, her dark eyes flashing angrily.
She inhaled, her fury disappearing as soon as it had sparked to life. "Please. He's my brother. I haven't seen him in weeks. I go to bed each night, thinking all what might have happened to him. Blaming myself. I came here, gave up my freedom only to save him. And he's still missing," Sarah said quietly, looking down at her hands. To her own displeasure, a huge chunk stuck in her throat and made breathing difficult. She swallowed hard. "I need to know what's going on."
Phaedra shifted uneasily on her seat. She finally opened her mouth, admitting with evident reluctance, "There's a fair chance that someone might want to harm you and your brother."
"Me?" Sarah looked up, startled by Phaedra's words.
"You solved the Labyrinth to save your brother. The ties you share with Toby are not easily broken, and they do have power."
She frowned, pondering Phaedra's revelation, and asked finally, "Like power to rule the Labyrinth?"
She almost smiled. "Jareth did say you have a quick mind."
"But it doesn't make sense. I'm nothing special. There've been others who beat the Labyrinth, you said so yourself!"
Phaedra's posture stiffened, her eyes grew dark. A frown briefly crossed her face, like a painful memory. "Yes, there has been another, but it was a long, long before your time," she admitted softly, looking over Sarah's head at the bare wall. Her expression turned sour as if she didn't like what she saw.
"What happened to that person?"
Sarah's question startled Phaedra, who fixed her pensive eyes back on Sarah, speaking as not being aware of her own words. "She's somewhere else. She abandoned the Labyrinth and chose a different life for herself, rather like…you."
A distant memory from her previous life, a dream of another lifetime as it lately felt like, returned. In many ways, the Labyrinth changed her more than Sarah had hoped. She never could really forget its magic, the thrill of her adventure, and the concept of an inexistent magical maze bothered her for a long time. From where could such an entity come? What could be its origin? One of her first errands after her visit to the Underground had been a trip to local library's mythology section. Sarah knew something already by then; one didn't go totally unlearning even if only dreaming about plays and theaters. So, she headed to the dark corner in the silent building, crowded with tattered and dusty books about folklore and ancient myths.
My brother-in-law...I'm not close with her…
Suddenly, Phaedra's words started to make sense to her. "She's your sister, isn't she? Ariadne. You're talking about her!" Sarah accused. "That's why you're here!"
"As Jareth said. You have a quick mind," Phaedra replied somberly. "However, why I'm here has little to do with my sister and more with Jareth and you. And what comes to my sister and her husband, I can only assume."
"But I always thought Theseus solved the Labyrinth and killed the Minotaur. The legend never mentions anything else but Ariadne's thread," Sarah mused quietly, receiving a disapproving snort from Phaedra.
"Theseus was a vain and stupid man, but history is written by men."
"That's why Dionysus came here, isn't it?" Sarah insisted, furrowing her brows. "And what do you mean, with Jareth and me?"
She shook her head. "I fear that I've told too much already. Rest while you can, Sarah. I'll send one of my servants to bring you something to eat."
She couldn't hide the pouting expression that rose on her lips and glanced away, not wanting to show her disappointement to Phaedra. Fidgeting with her blanket, Sarah muttered reluctantly, "Thank you."
Phaedra stood up, pulling the veil over her head. She started fading gradually from her sight but her words echoed in the room for long time. "Think nothing about it."
Her words didn't make Sarah feel very much better.
Not long after Phaedra's departure, someone knocked on the door. Following the knock, Jareth swept inside, wearing his trademark sneer – and without her invitation, Sarah noticed rather sourly. She could hear the excited murmurs following at his heels and sighed, almost wishing the Goblin King had transported inside instead of pretending to be courteous. The goblins weren't stupid. If their King entered her room, they must realize Sarah was awake, which meant she'd soon have to suffer from their company. Not that she disliked them, but even a mere thought of enduring a bunch of goblins together with her throbbing headache made her wince.
Jareth stopped a few feet from her bed. "I see you've kept your habit of getting yourself in mortal danger."
Sarah stared at the king, unbelieving her ears. Her annoyance sparkled to life, and she sat straighter on her bed. "Thank you for caring. If it was a threat, then why did you invite that group of homicidal musicians and their master to the Underground?"
"I didn't invite them, woman! They invited themselves," Jareth snapped, frowning. "I can't truly turn a god away even if I wanted that."
"Yes, naturally. Forgive me for questioning your upbringing. You're so noble after all. I should have never said that, your majesty," Sarah retorted back, folding her arms on her chest, and Jareth glanced at her darkly, speaking through his clenched teeth.
"Don't strain my patience, Sarah. I don't have any desire to jeopardize your life."
"No, not anymore, I guess," Sarah answered, feeling suddenly so very tired, and looked away. "You must be proud of yourself? Having me lured to the Underground and tied under your rule while having my brother in your grasp all the time?" She let out a dry humorless laugh. "You must've laughed at me, my trust in you returning Toby back to his family. God, I've been so stupid!"
He remained silent.
"I heard his words. You plan to have Toby as your heir," Sarah muttered quietly, turning to look back at him. "You wanted it all the time, didn't you?"
His jaw tightened, a muscle quivering slightly. "What I plan and what I want are two totally different things. Never confuse them, Sarah."
"How can you be so cruel?" Sarah whispered, feeling the unshed tears burning behind her eyes. She swallowed, forcing them at bay. "We had a deal. I thought - I thought I could trust you." She hated herself for sounding so whiny and feeling so betrayed.
"Nothing's changed." Jareth stepped closer, watching her cautiously and his tone softening. "I return the boy back to his world as agreed. What becomes of him after he's grown, I can only assume."
"New Goblin King. I heard that quite well," Sarah countered angrily. "Is that why you kidnap small children? Because you're unable to conceive one yourself!"
She didn't even see him moving. Suddenly, his face was nearly touching hers, mismatched eyes gleaming dangerously, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "You should be very careful with your accusations," Jareth hissed in a low voice, his eyes only narrow slits in his face. "There are many things you don't know about me." He touched her cheek, skimming over her skin, feather-like, pausing to feel her frightened pulse against his fingers. A grim grin spread over his lips. "Do you want me to show you how capable I truly am, Sarah?" he inquired softly.
"Don't touch me!" Sarah gasped, jerking further from him. "You disgust me!"
Smiling harshly, he tilted his head his eyes masked. "Do I, Sarah?"
"Yes!" Putting on a brave face, she raised her chin and met his gaze. "You're a manipulative, repulsive and cruel beast!"
"Bold words, Sarah," Jareth mocked coldly, bending closer. "You better be able to prove them true."
"I don't have to prove anything!" she gasped, pulling further into the safety of her bed, staring at him aghast. Her mouth felt dry, and she shivered at the sudden flash she saw passing in his eyes. Her heartbeat in her ears was so loudly she was certain Jareth must hear the sound too.
"You don't seem to be as sure as you claim. Maybe it's your own reaction you fear?" His breath tickled her skin, the ends of his light hair fleetingly touching her neckline.
"I'm not afraid of you!" Sarah quickly answered. "You have no-!"
"You dare?" Jareth interrupted before she had time to say the words. Sarah's skin crawled at his voice and she recoiled from him as he touched her dark hair with a cool air about him, speaking lazily, "Tsk, tsk. Such imprudent child; talking to your King that way." He whisked a mass of her hair behind her ears, trailing his fingers over her neck. His hold on her neck intensified, bordering painful as he forced her to keep her head still. "I should punish you for your manners. But generous as I am, I'll strike a deal with you." There was no doubt about a gleeful flicker behind his eyes. "I'm not the one to back away from a challenge."
"I'm not taking part in any of your twisted games." Sarah muttered darkly, silently cursing the dark-clad Goblin King hovering over her like a malicious fiend. "You don't play fair!"
"And neither do you," Jareth reminded, releasing his hold. Yet, he didn't pull away. Instead, his eyes grew dark and he stroked his thumb over her skin, almost gently. "You know, a man could lose his mind for you and your endless requests…" he muttered absently.
"I've never asked anything from you," Sarah answered stiffly, tense under his touch, almost anxious at his tone. What the heck was he planning now?
He appeared to snap back to his senses, releasing his hold, and pulled himself upright. "Oh, but you did. You asked me to take Toby."
"And God knows how I've regretted that! Ever since that night, he's been different. You did something to him, you changed him," Sarah accused, and his gaze turned distant. Unhurried, he sat on the bench Phaedra had occupied only moment ago. Nothing visible changed in him but somehow Sarah got the feeling he was unsure. The thought was odd. Why would he be uncertain about anything? As if sensing her thoughts, he turned to her, speaking softly, "No, Sarah. It was all because of you."
"Because of me? What on earth are you talking about? I did nothing to him!" she resisted heatedly, sitting straighter on her bed and facing the Goblin King, finding solace in her anger.
"You asked your brother to be taken. Like a fool, I came and agreed to let you try to win him back; and trust me when I tell that is generous. Many never have that chance," Jareth said with a scowl. "Regardless of my better judgment, I agreed to your demands. I gave you time, companions, and in the end I even gave you dreams."
"You tried to trick me!" Sarah snapped. "The ball was just a bluff, means to make me forget about Toby."
"And you forgot…for awhile at least," Jareth reminded quietly, and Sarah felt a blush creeping on her cheek, images of crystals, chandeliers, masks and dancing couples gliding through her eyes. She looked away, uncomfortable at the memory, hearing the fabric of his shirt rustling softly as he shifted on the chair. "However, you broke the dream, parading through the Labyrinth like a mad harridan, reaching the centre of its heart." Jareth continued in a quiet voice.
"How does this have anything to do with Toby?"
He sighed exasperatedly, "Sarah, there're always consequences. I might have returned the boy back to his world but the Labyrinth isn't just some senseless lump of rock. It's alive, magical; and it's wild. It recognizes sacrifices, craves them. When whisked away, a child never keeps its true form. Not because I'd wanted it so, mind you. It's part of the nature of Labyrinth; it changes people..." He lifted his finger, preventing Sarah from interrupting him. "You must understand that the Underground has existed long before me and has a mind of its own. Even I don't always know what happens deep within its core, and I'm something that is essentially part of the land. When you won your brother back, Toby became the closest thing staying at the heart of the Labyrinth while keeping his form unchanged."
"You're trying to say the Labyrinth did it? Changed Toby?" She almost wheezed, staring at him with her mouth gaping open.
A jaded smile lingered on his lips. "Only because you insisted on getting him back. I warned you, Sarah," he reminded. "I told you to turn back."
"And abandon my brother?" Sarah asked, outraged. "What did you expect of me? I'd never forgive myself had I done so."
"No, I guess not. You're way too defiant for following any sort of advice," Jareth sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes. When he looked at her again, an air of vague sadness lingered about him, marring his face. "I didn't plan nor did I want any of this to happen."
"If that's meant to comfort me, you're doing a terrible job," Sarah said icily, glaring at him.
Jareth let out a choked sound, narrowing his eyes. Abruptly, he stood up, walking further from her bed. "Now why would I want to comfort you?" he asked in a harsh voice, back turned to her. "Especially, since I have every reason to hate you, Sarah. You basically overthrew me, imposing your brother as my successor."
She opened and closed her mouth, staring at his back, before she managed to speak aloud, "But you -" She snapped her mouth shut and accused. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
He turned. "And what could you've done, Sarah?" Jareth asked tiredly, glancing briefly at the ceiling. "Run the Labyrinth another time?" He shook his head, fixing his eyes on her.
"You should have told me this a long time ago!" she repeated slowly. "Should have let me know. Thing's could have gone differently. I don't know." She made a helpless gesture with her hands. "All of this could have been avoided. Now, instead, my brother's gone, maybe in perilous danger, while I'm trapped to spend eternity here."
"Yes, I can imagine enduring my company must feel appalling to you." Jareth answered with a sudden rancor.
"Why do you insist everything has to do with you?" Sarah asked with a sigh, too weary to be angry with him.
"Me?" He let a dry, humorless laugh. "By all means, believe so if it makes you feel better." Jareth tilted his head and measured her with masked eyes.
Something in his expression, made her to take a deep swallow. "You're not making any sense," Sarah complained hoarsely, earning a careless shrug from Jareth.
"No, I guess you're right," he admitted lightly, taking a step closer. The sudden change bothered Sarah. His voice was too light, his behavior too agreeable.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" she asked hastily, all of a sudden remembering they were alone in her bedroom. "Like pester some goblins, look for my brother?"
He stopped as pondering her words and then smiled crookedly, closing the distance between them. "Well, as it stands. No, not at the moment."
"I already said," Sarah replied, facing him with a faked bravado. Pretending not to notice her treacherous heart that jumped to her throat, she continued, "I'm not taking part in any of your games."
Jareth arched his brow, reaching out his hand. "If I recall correctly, you were the one challenging my…capabilities." His voice was laced with dark desire as he let Sarah's hair slide through his fingers. "Then claiming everything revolves around me. Naturally, if this is true, I have a reputation to keep up."
"I didn't mean what I said!" Sarah gasped quickly.
"What's said is said," he mocked her softly, trailing his finger over her skin, sending shivers all over her body. His eyes flashed at her reaction. "You of all people should know that."
"Don't you even dare," Sarah warned huskily, furious at him twisting her words. She clenched her blanket with her knuckles white, trying to pull further from him, and whimpered as he grasped her tightly, forcing her to stay still.
"Dare what?" Jareth purred, leaning closer. His breath tickled her skin. "Do tell me, Sarah."
"Jareth, please let go of me," she whispered nervously, avoiding his eyes.
"Only after you've answered my question," he insisted with an uncanny carelessness, and Sarah's abdomen made a violent lurch. She bit her lip and looked at her side, mumbling something she hoped would satisfy Jareth.
"I didn't quite catch you," Jareth's voice quivered, and Sarah's sight turned crimson at the quiet laughter she could detect in his voice. She jerked her head straight, staring into his eyes, and snapped, "Oh, hell with you! I said, kiss me."
His eyes flashed triumphantly, and his smile was like that of a cat that just had caught a mouse. "If you insist…"