Chapter:The tale of Fathers, Mothers and Son
There was a strange protective light in Hoggle's eyes, as he watched Jareth's chest rise and fall with a slow steady rhythm. Running his massive gnarled hand lightly over Jareth's cheek, Hoggle sighed and began the tale.
" Yer will have ta bear with me a little missy, 'cause There's much yer need ta know, ta fully grasp what I'm telling yer.. It is neigh on four thousand years since the great war between the four kings, it was a gruesome time, brother fought sister, and parents slew their children and when that dread time ended. The goddess Gaia used the pain of all those untimely deaths, ta create the great veil, the mist that now separates the realms. For the first many years it was enough to hold the peace, because no one could travel through the mist. Only that didn't last now did it, no it most certainly didn't. It began with Morgaine, the queen of air and darkness. It still remains a mystery how she managed that feat, yet one day she simply appeared in the summer court, with her consort, offering ta teach Oberon and Titania the secret of moving within the veil, but it would come with a price..."
Her coffee was long forgotten in her hands as, Sarah leaned forward hanging onto Hoggle's every word. "And? what was the price?"
A soft smile, ghosted across the dwarfs weather-beaten face. " The price was the Labyrinth, yer see, Morgaine wanted ta create a sentient barrier that would allow the four realms ta interact, more freelike. But prevent a new war from ever coming ta bear. And so the Labyrinth was created. But he was lonely, and soon he began to change. Growing wild and feral, making it almost impossible ta travel through it. It needed a master, a king. But that created yet another problem, as none of the rulers trusted any of the other courts ta offer up a neutral candidate. For years they argued back and forth until Morgaine devised the spell that would give birth ta a child of all four worlds, Jareth."
"Jareth?" Staring at Hoggle in utter disbelief Sarah asked the obvious: " But how?"
" I'm not quite sure, all I know is that Jareth was born ta Titania seven years later, Oh but he was a sweet child, so easy and beautiful. Ta insure that he would be completely neutral, he was raised at each court in turn. Oh I will never forget the feeling as they put him in my arms that first night, he grinned up at me with those odd eyes of his, and those tiny hands... Anyway I was neutral, and so his upbringing became my responsibility, well now yer know, don't yer..."
" But why did he treat you so cruelly? "
Grinning Hoggle reached out and patted Sarah's hand gentle. " Because, little miss it wouldn't really fit with yer image of him if he acted like the dutifully son now would it?"
Returning his grin Sarah shook her head: " No, it wouldn't have... So does this mean that he knew about you helping me? "
" Knew little Miss?! ? oh no he Ordered me ta! Hell he bend every rule in the book completely out of shape, ta make sure yer would succeed... even knowing what it might cost him."
Sarah felt miserable as realisation dawned, Jareth had lead her through the Labyrinth, guiding her to him. Suddenly his words made sense:" I have reordered time for you, ... I am exhausted from living up to you expectations of me."
" Oh gods I was blind Hoggle, you think he'll ever forgive me? "
"Love, he forgave yer the moment he saw yer, he loves yer has done for Millennia, yearh I'd say yer were forgiven.. Now.."
Rising stiffly and waddling to the opposite side of the bed, Hoggle pulled the blankets back and patted the furs beside Jareth, as he winked at her:" Yer need yer sleep little miss, it will be a long day tamorrow, and we all need yer ta succeed. Now of ta bed young miss."
. . .
Dawn filled the room once more, calling Sarah from her peaceful slumber with its gentle light.
Nothing had changed, yet the air had somehow become different, less alive, less sweet. Pulling the blankets back, Sarah slipped from the peaceful warmth of Jareth's arms with a wistful sigh. God she just wanted to curl up in those furs that smelled so achingly of him and watch him sleep, with that smile curling his thin lips. But she couldn't, IT was calling her, no HE was calling her, and she had no choice but to answer. The floor was warm under her feet, as she patted barefoot to the window, next to their fur nest.
Their fur nest, it had only been a few days, barely half a week, and here she was already calling it their fur nest. Well it was alright to dream as long as you knew that you were dreaming, and Sarah knew that that was all this was, a dream. Soon Jareth would be healed, and once he realised what had happened, he would send her back above, shaking her head sadly, as she took in his clean golden beauty. There was no way in hell that a man, no she corrected herself, a fey like him, could ever want a pale skinny wisp off a girl like her, magic bond or no, no he deserved better. But for now, she would stay, and help the Labyrinth, and if it meant that she could sleep beside him, feeling his heat and being there for him when he whimpered, caught in nightmares, then if would be worth it, even if it was all she would ever have.
Shutting out the sad thoughts, Sarah leaned on the windowsill peering through the rain streaked glass, at the sprawling labyrinth below and the sight drew a gasped breath from her lips.
The walls that yesterday had been so strong and massive, were now crumbling into ruin, as a heavy grey mist rolled in from all sides, slowly lapping at outer parts of the twisting paths.
Panic gripped her heart as she realised what it was she was seeing, this was the veil reclaiming the Labyrinth.
Turning her back on the crumbling Labyrinth, Sarah opened her mouth to call out to Hoggle only to freeze into silence. Hoggle sat slumped over in one of the plush chairs, a sheen of sweat covering his weathered face.
" Hoggle? What's wrong?"
Crossing the room in a flurry of movement, Sarah knelt in front of the dwarf, gently grasping his slightly trembling hands:" Hoggle?"
Sick dread flooded her as she watched his head move, to let him meet her eyes.
"I'm, just... tired Little miss, that's all, just a little knackered from looking after the young pup..."
"Hoggle you are lying, and you are frankly terrible at it, now just tell me what's wrong... "
Sighing deeply, he leaned back in the chair, with his feet dangling just above the ground, and a slightly glanced look in his eyes: It's the veil, its reclaiming the Labyrinth, and it's just affecting me a little more than usual, seeing as the young pup ain't able ta bear the brunt of the drain.
Cursing at her self for not anticipating this, Sarah ran her thumbs gentle over Hoggle's knuckles, asking: " How long before the mist, sorry the veil, envelops everything?"
" Twenty, maybe twenty-two hours, but please little miss, don't wait too long, if any creature gets trapped in that mist, they'll be gone. For now they are all in the inner parts of the Labyrinth, where we can keep 'em safe, but if the mist reaches the glade..."
" Ok I got the picture, let me get dressed and i'll go straight to the glade. okay."
Springing to her heel, Sarah turned towards the crumbled backpack and stumbled.
It would never be clear to her how she had missed it as she woke up and moved around in the bedroom, but there it was.
The mannequin stood bathed in dawn light, the armour on it, gleaming with that velvety light that only really good leather has. Sarah didn't even know she had moved before her fingers ran lightly down the cuirasses sculpted surface. She had never seen anything like it before, it was dark brown, and black leather, like the armour Jareth had worn on when she first saw him. Its high collar embossed with Celtic rune knots and the crescent moon sigil of the goblin king. Running her finger along the edge, she blushed, as she realised how the cut of the neckline would leave her cleavage on tantalising display. Pushing the embarrassing thought down she let her fingers trace the rune knot covering the front, following the natural curves of her body accentuated by the hard leather. Following it as it swirled down leading her to the full skirt off midnight blue silk, the flimsy garment had a slit that parted to reveal what would be skin-tight leather tights, that felt as soft as silk as Sarah ran her fingers over their velvety black surface.
"Oh Wow I've never seen anything like this before, its... Wow"
" I trust it meets with your approval, I thought it fitting that you dressed the part now that you are to become mistress of the Labyrinth. "
The raven haired woman entering from the front rooms was tall and slender with just the right curves to have been the perfect illustrated sports cover girl, yet despite the flimsy gown of jet black silk with its thick ermine shawl, she looked every inch the majestic queen as she glided gracefully across the floor, a vision of alabaster and jet black
Dropping into a clumsy courtesy, Sarah felt her face turn beetroot red as she realised that she was currently wearing nothing but her favourite white cotton panties, and a thin purple t-shirt, leaving her as good as naked.
" Your majesty... I ahrm... how may I help?"
God that sounded dumb, yet there was no way for her to take it back, the words had been spoken.
" Oh no my dear, do stand up straight, a queen does not bow to another..."
Strong but delicate fingers rested against Sarah's arm, gentle coaxing her into rising and meeting the dark visions eyes. And those eyes, they were deep pools of utter black, with no white to them, only the burning crimson of what Sarah assumed were her pupils gave any indication of where she was focusing that midnight gaze.
The smile that set those haunting soul mirrors alight, was tight, yet soft as she watched, not Sarah but Jareth.
" Wow is he faring? Has he begun to heal?"
Turning slightly towards the sleeping man, Sarah felt her own lips crease into a gentle smile: " He's healing fine, but it will take time before he is his old self again."
" Oh Jareth, dear child... I tried so hard to get to you, I tried.. but the Sluagh... they are too strong. "
Tears, dark red like heart blood trickled from the haunting eyes, to stain her alabaster skin. Staring in shock, Sarah felt her mouth open yet she could find no words to console the woman before her, and sharing a confused glance with the equally confused dwarf didn't do anything. Fuck what did you say to make an unseelie fey queen stop crying blood?
" Ahm so you left the armour here? "
Yeah really smooth there Sarah talk about clothes why don't yah.
But it worked, shaking her head the Queen quickly wiped the tears from her face, leaving only faint reddish blotches behind, as a beatific smile melted the pain away.
"Well yes as I said, you should really look the part now that it becomes official, don't you think. Now let's get you into it, shall we. oh and where are my manners, I am..."
" Morgaine.. Queen of air and darkness, you are one of Jareth's mothers right?"
Nodding Morgaine smiled proudly. " That is true, you are very observant for a mortal aren't you. now time grows short."
. .,. .
He was alone, and her side of the furs had cooled to the point that she might never have been there to begin with, only... Holding out his hand Jareth starred at the now glossy and slightly pink scars criss crossing his arm and hand, she had healed him, saving his life. So it couldn't be a dream could it?
Rubbing his hand through his hair, he hissed as his fingers got caught in a messy braid agitating the still healing cuts in his scalp. Pulling his hands carefully from his hair, Jareth pushed himself into a somewhat sitting position, and surveyed the rooms that had been his sanctuary for the last few millennia, for any trace that Sarah's presence had been more than a dream. His heart soaring as he spotted the bag leaning against the wall, and the ruby crystal resting on the pillow on the bed. It had not been a dream, Sarah truly was here.
Relief washed through Jareth as he sagged back into the bed, with a soft sigh.
But if she wasn't here then...Where
soft sounds filtered out through the half open bathroom door, female voices, in soft private laughter, mingled with the scrape of ceramics against the glazed tiles.
He could recognise Sarah's voice everywhere, and the other voice could only be..
Jareth's heart soared once more as he realised who owned the other voice, cool as a winter gale yet soft and gentle like wisps of silk and down.
Queen Morgaine ...Mother..
Tears welled, and spilled as his chest contracted painfully, Morgaine, may not have birthed him, but she had always been by his side her hands offering safety, and love, pure unconditional love. She had been the one to bandage his scraped knees and show him how to enjoy life, she had been his true mother, and Damn it all... Jareth, the Goblin King, Lord of the Labyrinth, Protector of unwanted children ... wanted only one thing in that moment, he wanted his mother to hold him and tell him that there would be a tomorrow.
" Mother..."
The word was barely above a whisper, but Jareth heard both voices stop, as Morgaine appeared in the door opening with tears rolling down her pale face.
"Mother.."
This time it was a plea, a need not fully verbalised, as he reached out for her, not caring that both Hoggle and Sarah saw his utter defeated weakness.
Morgaine moved in a blur of black silk and milky limbs, as she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around his body, pulling him close as she had done so many times, and instantly Jareth was a child once more.
Curling up against her, he felt safe, as her warm aura covered him, soothing his body and broken soul. Drawing in deep shuddering breaths Jareth felt the stranglehold on his pain slip from his finger, and he clung to her and wept.
Time stopped and stretched as Jareth sobbed, and screamed, while Morgaine simple held him, and mumbled soft words of comfort into his golden hair, letting him know that he was safe, that she wouldn't let anything happen to him again, that she was sorry for what had happened to him, and finally after what seemed an eternity did he raise his head to look from his mother's tear wet eyes, to Sarah pale and shocked, and Hoggle kneeling on the floor, half way between the pair and the chair in which he had rested.
Jareth's breath hitched as he reached out to them both and whispered. " please...I need..."
The words didn't really register in neither Sarah or Hoggle's minds, as much as it was the look of pure raw hurt that drew both onto the bed to cradle Jareth as he broke into pieces once more sobbing as he poured out the horror of his ordeal in a stream of jumbled half strangled words.
He slept, pale head resting in Morgaine's lap, his scarred fingers tangled it the cloth of Morgaine's full skirt, as he clung to her for dear life.
One minute he had been shivering and crying the next, his eyes had dropped, and his body stilled. His frantic breathing growing soft and steady as deep sleep relaxed him.
- Oh gods I saw, but I never imagined. ...
Horror filled Morgaine's black in black eyes as she stared at Hoggle and Sarah over the still and broken body. "The anguish he must have... oh Jareth my sweet child"
Wiping tears from her swollen eyes, Sarah shuttered as she rested her hand on Jareth's thin shoulder. She had seen the wounds, both those on his skin, and those inside his body, but she had never stopped to consider the emotional torment he had gone through, the horror it had to be not to dare to trust his own mind. It would forever be a mystery how he had managed to stay alive and sane for what was an eternity in her eyes.
-Little miss, yer need ta go now, the time is running out on us, but don't yer worry 'bout the young pup here we'll be taking good care of him, like we always done aint that right your Highness?
Bowing slightly Morgaine levelled those haunting eyes, made even more expressive by the redness surrounding them, on Sarah. " Go child claim your kingdom, and return, we will keep its broken king whole."
Nodding Sarah sighed as she slipped out from under the sleeping Fey, she turned towards the door and stumbled backwards in shock. It was a shadow made into the rough shape of a man, but apart from a silhouette there was nothing else to give it substance.
"Fret not my lady, I am Gafael Marwolaeth, a knight of the Unseelie court, Please your highness allow me to escort you."
The voice seemed to float out of the solid darkness before her, as a pale hand materialise, and rose to pull back a hood revealing a perfect ghostly face, on a slender neck. Milky white eyes smiled up at her as he bowed low, flashing sharp shark teeth in the process.
Morgaine's voice, sighed into Sarah's mind, easing the momentary fear, like a cool winter breeze. " He is my consort, sweet one, you can trust him, he will not let you come to any harm."
Staring at the solid shadow, Sarah wet her lips, as she meet the dead eyes that felt unsettlingly alive. " so are you one off Jareth's fathers?"
His laughter was a soft whisper of creaking wood in the dark, as it whipped his white hair into his face, like a fine cobweb covering.
" No child, Gafael is not Jareth's unseelie father, he is but my consort for now, nothing more nothing less, but do not concern yourself child, go time is growing short."