Chapter 23, Of Rite And Fallacy
"Alasdair? What are you doing here?" Sarah asked. He emerged from the shadows, with that same annoying grin on his face.
"I heard about what happened. I came to see if you were ok." He placed his hand over his heart, gaving an exaggerated pouting face. Sarah grew tense. This wasn't right, he shouldn't be here. Unless...
"It was you. Your the one who bewitched Jareth!" She shouted, about to make a run for the door. He cut her off mid step.
"Such a tragedy. I guess he never really loved you did he? Maybe you should have picked me." He said, now standing in front oh her, stroking her hair. She tore away in a fuss.
"Don't you dare touch me! What do you want? Why are you doing this?" She demanded. He was losing the ability to mask his anger.
"Everything. I want your precious Jareth gone. I want the throne all to myself, and...I want you." His eyes were dark, and a wicked sneer played across his lips. Sarah put the pieces together as fast as she could, looking for an escape. The crystal she had used to get there was on the table behind him. Her eyes darted from it to him.
"You, you're the second heir? Of course you are I should have thought of it sooner! What, riding a high horse in the lap of luxury not enough for you?" She shifted slightly, trying to get a better angle at which to leap for the crystal.
"How dare you lecture me, woman! You know nothing! Nothing of life here!" He shouted. "For hundreds of years I have been cast aside in his shadow. That arrogant bastard does not know what he is about to lose! But I assure you, I know exactly what I am about to ascend to." He almost let his anger get the better of him, luckily something caught his eye. He paused, turning his head to look at the table behind him.
His lip curled in another sneer.
"Is this what you're trying to get?" He asked, picking up the crystal.
Sarah's fear started to over take her. That crystal was her only means of escaping him, unless she could make it to the bathroom and find the gift Jareth had given her. But it was a long shot, there'd be no way she could reach it in time.
"You know, I tried every charm in my book to put you under that night. I was furious when Jareth came in and stole you away from me like it was nothing." He started shaking his lead, laughing slightly. "Imagine my surprise when I found out you actually won him!" He started laughing louder. "Such a fool, it only made my job that much easier. Not only will he lose his throne, but he'll pill perish along with it!"
While he was busy patting himself on the back, Sarah was inching closer and closer towards the bathroom. She had one shot. If she should fail, she'd be trapped in the bathroom with him.
"What do you want from me?" She asked, knowing very well why he was there.
"Well, I am to be married soon. This may be my last chance to have a little fun." He sneered.
"Over my dead body." Sarah replied. He moved closer to her.
"Oh, my dear, I planned on killing you anyway." He chuckled.
She made a mad dash for her life, leaping across the room as fast as she could. Too bad Alasdair was faster. He caught her by the throat in mid air, dangling her just inches from the floor. He slammed her against the wall, letting her feet settle on the floor.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered, brushing her hair away.
She thrashed and fought as hard as she could, Turning her head away from him as far as she could. He took the opportunity to bite her neck. She let out a yelp of pain, there was nothing sensual or seductive about it.
"Don't act like you won't enjoy this." He spoke into her hair, grabbing the back of her knees and lifting her higher. Unable to get away, she closed her eyes and started to cry.
Just when Sarah thought it was all over for her, she fell to the floor. Alasdair was gone. She scrambled to her feet, searching the room for her attacker. Standing in front of the fire was Alasdair, with his back to her. She stepped to the side, and saw the figure that had it's hand clasped around his neck.
"Oh my god, Oetheron!" She screamed. She was so relieved her knees gave out.
Alasdair let out painful chokes and gasps as Oetheron's grip tightened. After making sure Sarah was alright, he turned his gaze to the traitor.
"You dare lay a hand on this woman? My own flesh and blood!" His voice was more terrifying than anything she'd ever heard. "You are a disgrace, a traitor to your family, your home, and the very Underground itself!" He turned Alasdair around, securing his hands and throwing him to the floor.
"Sarah are you harmed?" He asked, never taking his eyes from his nephew.
"I-I'm fine. Wha-what are you doing here?" She managed to say, still shocked by everything that had just happened, and almost happened.
"I wanted to keep an eye on you, to make sure everything went according to plan. I am glad I chose to linger just outside the window. Now, I will see an end to all this madness!" He shouted. She watched as the two went up in an angry burst of smoke and glitter.
Sarah sat on the floor, catching her breath.
"Holy fucking shit." She said to herself. She got up from the floor and straightened herself up. A new hope beat in her heart.
Meanwhile, Mage had returned to the castle. She opened the door to Jareth's chambers and crept to the dresser. She quietly opened the trinket box and placed the note and ring Sarah had given her inside. She then approached her King, who was still fast asleep. She sat by his bed all night, not sleeping a minute through the early hours of morning.
Beams of soft morning light shone into the room. Jareth's eyes started to twitch as he woke. He sat up in bed, looking around the room. He saw Mage fast asleep in a chair by his side.
"Mage, wake up!" He commanded. She jumped up from her seat almost instantly.
"Sire, how are you feeling?" She shrieked. He winced at the extreme volume of her voice.
"I feel fine, quiet down!" He glared at her. "Why would I not be?" He asked.
"Majesty, you've been quite ill for the past few days. Are you sure you're feeling alright?" She couldn't believe the charm had actually worked.
He looked around the room, processing what she had said.
"How behind am I?" He asked, scratching his head.
"Not much, I've been taking care of everything as best I could." He looked down at her. He didn't say thank you, but she knew that's what it meant. "You're father wants to see you as soon as you are able." She added.
"Was I really that ill?" He asked in disbelief.
"Sire, we believed you to be on your deathbed." She said. He started to get out of bed.
"I see...Alright then, leave me. I'll go now." Mage reluctantly exited the room, wanting to make sure he was really healed.
Jareth bathed and dressed quickly, transporting himself to the High castle. He stood in the lobby, a small Fae approached him and bowed.
"I am told my father wishes to see me." He told the lad, watching him scurry off.
After only a minute or two, Oetheron appeared a foot in front of him. He was surprised to say the least when his father attacked him in a loving embrace.
"My son, I am pleased to see you are well!" He bellowed. Jareth coughed, signaling his father to release him. Oetheron set him back on the floor, trying to reign in his excitement.
"Yes, I am told I was quite ill. But I feel fine now, are you satisfied?" He asked, turning from side to side so his father could see he was being truthful. Oetheron frowned when he realized his son was still cursed. Jareth gave a confused stare when both their attentions were drawn to the other side of the room.
They watched as Alasdair was led by an entourage of guards towards the prison wing. He was wrapped from head to toe in chains. Their eyes locked onto one another's. Jareth was confused as to why his cousin was being held prisoner, and Alasdair was confused as to why Jareth wasn't dead. Alasdair's confused expression soon turned to one of rage and hate. It was silent, as they waited for him to exit the room.
"Why is Alasdair in chains?" Jareth asked. Oetheron put his hand on his shoulder.
"My son, we have much to discuss." he said, leading them towards his study.
Oetheron tried to explained everything that had happened, hoping something would click in his son. He told him of his love for Sarah, of his obligation for marriage, of the spell placed on him and Sarah's efforts to save his life. Jareth refused to believe it, any part of it.
"What? That woman? That mortal? You sit here and tell me I was in love with a mortal woman? If I am to be married as you say, than have the council choose me a candidate. It is irrelevant to me, But all this talk of spells and enchantments, I will hear no more of it." Oetheron wasn't sure if it was Jareth or the curse talking.
Jareth left soon after that, absolutely furious and one hundred percent in denial. He returned to the castle and resumed his usual duties.
In Jareth's absence, Mage chose to visit Sarah and tell her of her success. She arrived to find her worn out and extremely skittish. She rushed over and placed a hand on her knee.
"Sarah, what's wrong." Sarah tried to give Mage a smile.
"Alasdair, Jareth's cousin. He's the one behind everything. He...he came her last night and..." She trailed off, trying not to cry. Mage immediately wrapped her arms around the girl, trying to comfort her. "It's alright Mage, Oetheron was here the whole time. He heard everything. He saved me, and took him away to the castle." She explained.
Mage sat back, relaxing a bit.
"Sarah, your charm worked, my King lives." She told her. She didn't expect a grand reaction from Sarah, and got none. She merely relaxed in her seat, a calming look spread across her face.
"That's wonderful Mage. If that's all, I would like to be alone today." She said, closing her eyes. She hadn't slept at all that night, afraid something else might happen. She was exhausted.
"I understand, I will see you soon my Lady." She said, and returned to the castle.
A few days had passed, and it seemed as if everything was back to normal, with the exception being Sarah's absence and Jareth's growing frustration.
Jareth sat at his desk in his chambers, tossing through new bills that needed signing. Mage dusted in silence. For no real reason at all, he threw down his quill and slammed his fists into the table. Mage jumped and turned around to see what had happened.
"Is everything alright Your Majesty?" She asked. He was extremely flustered, resting his forehead in his hand.
"No everything is not alright!" He shouted. She said nothing. "These things my father told me. They keep playing through my mind. How could any of it be true? How could I have loved, been engaged, been bewitched and saved and not remember any of it?" He looked to Mage, but wanted no answer. She continued to say nothing, convinced he was having another tempter tantrum. "I feel nothing for this girl, I have no recollection of who she is and desire nothing. What makes me so furious is the possibility of my own blood, anyone really, altering my life in such a way. If this is true, I will not stand for it." He flailed his arms as he spoke.
"You truly desire nothing of Sarah?" She asked. Her own heart started to break.
"No, of course not. It is just the idea of all these things happening, being taken away from me, that I can't stand. I still find it hard to believe I loved this woman. The whole idea is preposterous." He threw himself back in his chair. Mage took offense to this. Though he was her King, she had grown to love Sarah as well.
"If you refuse to believe it, then why do you have a woman's dresser adjacent yours? Better yet, what is that thing around your neck? Maybe you should take a look around and remember exactly what it is you have no desire for." She spat, leaving the room.
"Where are you going, I didn't say you could leave." He yelled.
"I've finished dusting." She hollared from down the hall.
Jareth sat a moment, completely baffled by her outburst. His curiosity got the better of him, and he brought his hand to his chest. He felt something beneath the fabric. He moved the collar of his shirt to reveal a small owl shaped pendant. He continued to ponder Mage's words. After another minute he rose to investigate this mysterious dresser he had never noticed before. It was full of women's clothing, and toppled with various makeups, perfumes and other feminine accessories. When he was about to move on he spotted something.
There was a box, something he didn't recognize. He opened it and found a ring. After a brief inspection he set it aside, looking further into its contents. There were two pieces of paper, scribed in his handwriting. He read them carefully, not wanting to believe he had written such words. My Dearest Sarah, It saddens me to not be able to see your eyes flutter in the morning light, but as one can assume, I have duties to attend to. I leave you to yourself for now. If you need me, you need only call. Otherwise, I will be sure to see you soon. Sincerest, Jareth. And- My Lovely Morning Star, I fear I must leave you yet again, duty beacons me early this day. I tried to bid you far well, but you would not stir. I've instructed Mage to start lessons on the ways of the Underground. I bid you a wonderful day, and remember, I will always be yours when the sun sets.-Jareth.
He couldn't believe it, never in his life had he written such heartfelt words. Yet, it was undoubtedly his handwriting. A fire rose through him as he thought. He couldn't stand the idea of someone taking away his memories. He set the letters back in the box and vanished a shimmering cloud.
Alasdair sat hunch over and chained to a wall in his prison cell. He hadn't eaten in days, and his body was bloodied and bruised from the guards. He felt a shift in the air, but didn't bother looking up.
"So you've come to see me, dear cousin?" He asked.
Jareth crouched beside him, taking in his beaten state.
"Why have you not been exectued." Jareth asked him. Alasdair tried to smile.
"I'm still an heir, if thing's don't work out with you...They need me." He paused, coughing a bit.
"You're going to reverse the curse you've placed on me." Jareth stated flatly. Alasdair shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh, am I? I don't know why you're not dead, but as long as that spell is in place I still have the upper hand." He chuckled. Jareth grabbed him by his hair, yanking him up.
"You don't seem to have much of anything from where I'm sitting." He sneered. "I think it's time I have some fun with you. Believe me, by the time I'm done you'll be more than compliant." His tone was dark and wicked. After that, he them transported them to the torture chamber.
Blood curdling screams echoed through the halls of the castle, and no one did a thing to silence them. It was past night fall when the screams finally stopped. It was then that the guards decided to check on their prisoner. They found Alasdair's body back in his prison cell. He was in a crumpled heap on the floor, wallowing in a dark pool of blood. Jareth, was no where to be seen.