Chapter 11, And Worlds Turn
"What? What do you mean she's gone!" Jareth screamed. Byron was at a loss, he had no idea how this could have happened. When he had returned, and found her gone, he'd searched after her immediately. There was no trace of her, anywhere.
"Majesty, she's been taken. I returned to her when I left you, but she was gone. And, I found this." He handed the crumpled paper he'd been holding to Jareth.
Jareth's eyes scanned over the worn parchment furiously, if one could see emotions, he was a raging ball of fire.
"I assume this wasn't from you?" Byron asked, waiting for a reaction.
Jareth stood, fists clenched. He forced his anger down into its hole, this wasn't the time to lose control.
"Are you sure? you've checked the castle? The grounds?" He asked his uncle, shooting lasers out of his eyes all the while.
"Yes, her presence is hidden from the crystals. She is not within the city boundaries, of that I'm sure." His stare was intent, determined to keep his nephew focused and rational.
Jareth huffed and puffed, using every fiber of his being to control his rage. Just when he'd figured it all out, of course the fates would deem such irony. If he had only told her of his fears sooner, she might have been wiser to take extra precautions. If he hadn't been so foolish... And now she was gone, without a trace or sound.
"Is there any evidence? Any trace they may have left behind?" He asked. If he was going to start a war, he'd better have solid proof of cause.
"I haven't checked thoroughly as of yet. I thought it urgent to come to you. But, I have my men scouring to city as we speak." Byron said.
While he was speaking, Jareth had turned away. he'd taken a few steps and leaned against a window, overlooking the Labyrinth. He'd secured his anger, but another emotion was starting to rise- fear. he felt so powerless, it had all happened so fast. He couldn't handle the thought that he might actually lose Sarah, or their children. Their first children, perhaps their last...No, he wouldn't let that happen. He was the Goblin King, and High Prince of the Underground, both feared and revered in both worlds. Sarah would return safe and sound, and if she didn't, he was determined to unleash a wrath the likes of which, scribes would be too horrified to record in their history books for eons to come.
Fighting back tears of rage, he turned back to his uncle.
"Inform my father at once. I will have all of the Underground burning down the gates of our dear neighbors. And then, I want you, personally, to track her down. Do not fail me. Meanwhile, I'm going to find out just who it is that is behind all of this." He flailed his arms before stomping out of the room.
Byron left in a puff, now in full military mode. Jareth stormed all the way to his study, needing to collect himself. If he was going to find out who took his Queen, he would need one hell of a charming facade. He threw himself in his chair, and leaned forward to rest his chin on his still clenched fists. His nostrils flared, as he pleaded with himself to remain calm. Silent tears drenched his cheeks as he envisioned what may be yet to come.
Sarah's eyes flickered open, one at a time. It was cold, and damp. How did I get here? She wondered. I was in the garden...I saw Jareth, and then... Her mind trailed off, she had a headache. After reading the letter she'd gone straight off to the garden. She saw Jareth immediately, or rather who she thought was Jareth. She approached the shadowy figured and then- nothing. Everything went dark. And now, here she was- sprawled out on the floor in some dark and decrepit cavern of some sort.
She was still disoriented, losing her focus completely when she felt a sharp pain in her side. She clutched her abdomen and a wave of nausea came over her. No, I don't have time for this. She thought, pushing the feeling aside as best she could. She needed to figure out what was going on, she needed to find Jareth.
Although a little wobbly, she managed to stand on her feet and take a few steps around the open space. It was dark, the only source of light coming from a lone torch in one corner of the room. She couldn't tell how deep the cave went, or if there was even a path to follow.
She took a few steps towards the torch, taking it from its holder and looking around the room. She was alone, so she thought.
There was a noise. It was mangled, and garbled. Her attention sharpened, ready to fight for her life. She saw a hand reach out of the shadows, and then another. Slowly, crawling along the floor was some kind of creature. It wasn't a Goblin, she'd never seen one such as this. No, this was something else. It was bigger than normal Goblins, and had long limbs and pointed ears. It looked sickly and deformed, but she figured it was perfectly healthy. It had an unsettling smile of its face, and looked up at her from its position on the floor.
"What are you. What am I doing here? Do you know who I am?" Sarah demanded, pushing her fear aside (A trait she had picked up from Jareth). The creature's head turned in an eerie way before speaking.
"Yes." Was all it said.
Sarah tried to remain firm, but the twisted creature before her made the realization of the situation wash over her.
"What are you. And why am I here." She demanded again. The thing started to laugh, causing Sarah to back against the wall with caution.
"Baby." It snickered. "Baby die. Queenie die. Bye, bye, Queenie." A look of horror spread across her face. She watched the demonic creature laugh and wave to her, as it sank back into the darkness.