A/N - This tid bit of a chapter is for LoveJareth. Thank you for sticking in there, and letting me know how much you enjoy my story =) I only had enough time to write this much today, and the only reason I bothered at all was because i know how bad you want to know what happens lol. (Im on vacation fyi). But, I will try to update more frequently. And thank you to everyone who reads my story, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know there're people out there that truly enjoy my writing. Until next time - FGBX
Chapter 12, Falling Down, Into Place
"This is quite the accusation, dear brother." Oetheron paced in his study. "Is this all the proof you have?" He stopped and looked up. Byron hadn't shifted since he'd arrived.
"Regrettably, yes. but, I have no doubt Cyrus's Trolls are behind it." He'd told The High King every detail, though he knew his evidence was feeble, he hoped his brother would work around it.
"Yes, and a what a wonderful conspiracy. Do you know what would happen if you were wrong?" He asked. Byron was about to respond, but his brother cut him off. "A massive war would unfold. The Troll kingdom holds great power in the realm. I love dear Sarah, there is no question of her importance. She must be saved, for all our sakes. But..." He glanced to the side, and started pacing again. "I can not have my armies breaking down our neighbor's door on such here-say." He rolled his head back, already regretting the decision he'd just made. Byron's stare lowered to the floor.
"I understand. But, you know your son. And you know actions have already been taken in this matter. I have been charged with the safe return of the Queen by any means necessary. By the order of a King, I will do what must be done." He said, with a little warning. Oetheron turned with a slight grin.
"I would expect nothing less..." He said, remembering the determined passion that made his brother so great. "Speaking of Kings, what rash course of action has my son embarked on?" He asked, Byron thought a moment.
"Well, he's gone to bump elbows with the enemy." He said, pausing to take a breath. "He wants to know exactly who it is he gets to kill." He finished. Oetheron leaned back against his desk.
"At least he hasn't taken to trying to kill the lot of them." It was Oetheron's nature, to always be positive, to always make a joke, but neither of them laughed. They were quiet a moment, each realizing just how serous the situation was. "Be on your way, and pray for all of the Underground that you return victorious." He said, with a wave of his hand.
Byron took no time in leaving, going up in an all too familiar cloud. Oetheron slumped over, and was quiet for a long time. All the flare, all the jubilance had left him. It seemed as if a hurricane were coming, and he and his kingdom were pressed against a wall. So much fuss over one mortal, will the travesty never end? He thought.
Jareth meanwhile, was putting on enough flash and flare to make his father jealous. He'd requested a meeting with his neighbors to discuss recent disturbances in the east. King Cyrus couldn't be more accepting.
"My dear friend! How I have missed you! Tell me, what calls you to visit this old man?" Cyrus exclaimed.
King Cyrus of the Troll kingdom, was quite the comical man. He was a Fae of course, but exuded very few of their trademark characteristics. He was short, perhaps even under five feet. He had greying hair that threatened to engulf his head, it was so long and untamed. He was old, old even for a Fae, and appeared twice that. Jareth would grin every time he saw the man, it was strange that he had to force it this time.
"Cyrus, it is good to see you. It has been too long." He said with exaggerated merriment. "But alas, I am not here for pure cordial pleasures." He said, sneering down at the little man.
"Does trouble abound, Your Majesty? I do hope I am able to assist." He said, leading Jareth into a more private room. Jareth watched him closely.
They both took a seat in a small lounge, and Cyrus issued one of the servants to bring refreshments. Once they were good and comfortable, the Troll KIng leaned in.
"Alright, tell me, what is plaguing my dear neighbor?" He asked, full of sincerity. Jareth tried not to appear stiff in his chair.
"There have been some recent happenings, disturbances if you will, along the eastern rim of my kingdom. It would seem some of your subjects are running a muck on my lands." Jareth said, observing his reactions.
Cyrus was taken back, he almost looked appalled. His eyes widened, and he leaned in a little further.
"What? Are you sure? I have no order for a squad to be anywhere close to the border." He said, completely aghast. Jareth raised an eyebrow. "Jareth, you must forgive me. I have no idea why my trolls would have crossed into your territory." Jareth wasn't sure if the man was lying or not.
"You mean to say you had no knowledge of what has been going on in the Forest of Mark?" He asked carefully.
"What's been going on in the Forest of Mark?" Came a high and snarky voice from the doorway. Jareth and the Troll King turned in unison.
"Oh, nothing for you to be concerned with, love. Jareth, you remember my daughter, Serena?" He asked, beckoning she enter the room. Jareth fought hard not to roll his eyes.
Serena crossed the threshold, swaying her hips in a most obnoxious manner. Jareth couldn't believe how her mere presence could make him so aggravated.
"Serena, what a pleasure to have you join us so unexpectedly." Jareth sneered. She sneered right back.
"Oh, I don't wish to intrude." She sat on the arm of her father's chair, giving him the most bullshit puppy dog expression.
"Oh, nonsense! We are merely discussing some lost Trolls, nothing need hidden from your pretty little ears." Jareth scoffed at the way she had the King wrapped around her finger. He felt the urge to snarl.
"Yes, it would be a pleasure to have your company, princess." Jareth said, with a hand over his heart. Serena stared down at him, knowing his sincerity went as far as she could stick her tongue out.
"Well, in that case, would you both care for another drink? While you two get back to your discussions?" She asked, rising from her spot and moving across the room. Jareth didn't give a second glance. Clearing his throat, Cyrus started to speak again.
"As to your question, Jareth, no. I have no idea what has been happening in the east, perhaps you could enlighten me, so as I may enact a proper course of action." Jareth leaned back in his seat.
"Well, it started off with some scarings, and missing possessions. Then, my subjects started acting strange, completely out of their normal behavior. Then, some started to go missing...Just recently, my- scouts" He almost stuttered, thinking of Sarah." were able to identify the intruders as Trolls." He finished.
Serena was still pouring refreshments, her eyes darted up for a brief moment.
"My, my. My dear neighbor, I will deal with this matter at once, and will meet any and all penalties Your Highness deems fit." Jareth was growing confused. He seemed so upset, honestly hurt by this news. If the King wasn't behind this then... Jareth wondered. His head was cast to the side, in thought. "Serena? How are those drinks coming?" Cyrus asked, trying to break up the silence. "Serena?" He called again, but received no answer. Jareth almost smiled, he loved not hearing the sound of her voice. Such a catty creature, she went well with Alasdair...Alasdair? They were engaged weren't they, just before he died...
Jareth's head snapped up at once, looking over to the drink cart where she had once been standing. Not to his surprise, she was gone. Suddenly, something clicked. In a fluster, Jareth stood from his seat.
"I merely wish my lands be rid of your subjects. I am sorry, but I must go." He spat, conjuring a crystal. Cyrus stood, baffled by the Goblin King's strange behavior, and his now missing daughter. Run off to clear your tracks have you? He sneered, now sure of exactly where his Sarah was.
Without another word, he was gone in a puff, leaving nothing but a confused old man coughing on glitter.
"Byron!" Jareth called, bringing the form of his uncle into view.
"Yes Majesty?" He answered, peering down into his own crystal. He was concerned, Jareth seemed to be panting, as if he were running.
"It was Serena, the King has no idea what's going on. I believe Sarah to be in the forest. Find her Byron, before Serena does." Jareth said, dismissing the crystal.
Luckily, Byron was already deep within the Forest of Mark. He'd dispatched several of his own troops to scour the land, but they'd ventured far apart, and he was now alone. Once the crystal had vanished, he looked around, listening, for anything.
Just as everything fell into dead silence, he heard something. Movement, a rustle in the bushes. It grew louder, and started to sound in several directions.
"Show yourselves!" Byron bellowed, his hand ready at his blade. He heard a snicker, it was garbled and sickening.
"Loook." Came a voice. Byron whipped his head around, searching for it's source.
"Come out and face me." He called, but the rustling only increased.
"Hehe, all alonnneee." Came another voice.
Byron drew out his sword, he could handle a couple of Trolls.
"One, two, five, six, ten, twelve, Goblins gone." Said the first voice. Byron stood, listening. They've killed my scouts...These aren't ordinary Trolls... He thought, pointing his sword at the darkness.