Chapter: Storm Stoked Fury and Fading to Light

Their steps echoed in unison as they walked towards the room of maps.

Her hand gently nestled in his as he lead her through the endless halls and corridors. Morning light spilling in through the countless windows, and glass doors, illuminating everything in a warm golden glow. The once deserted hall were now a bustling hive of activity, where goblins crowded the halls hurrying to and fro carrying all manner of things from fresh flowers in fanciful vases to rough hewn stones and squirming animals unlike anything Sarah had ever seen. It was a fascinating sight and one that Sarah could quite happily have spend all morning watching, but now was not the time to gawk at the sights around her.

Stopping outside the huge doors Jareth turned to face her with a wistful gleam in his eyes:" I had hoped that it would have been to a realm in peace that I had brought you home, but as the things stand I must act, and I have already tarried too long. I want you to promise me that you will voice your opinions freely, but bear in mind that I may be forced to disregard them, for reasons I can not go into immediately. I do however swear to answer any and all questions you may harbour once we are alone once more. Is that an arrangement with which you can live? "

Nodding solemnly, Sarah couldn't help but feel a lump of unease settle in the pit of her stomach, but forced herself to ignore it and smile up at him: Yup that sound fair, I'll keep quiet if I get ignored got it...

Wrapping his arms around her, he locked their lips together, murmuring : "You will be the death of me, you wicked girl...": against her.

The room of maps was just as she remembered it, a large cave of bookcases and shelves in and on which maps, scrolls and books had been piled high in a clear and neatly organised way. Once more she found the large table covered by the enormous map of the Labyrinth in all its glory. But it was not the map that grabbed Sarah's attention, it was the four goblins standing of in one corner, quietly speaking amongst themselves. They were dressed uniformly in tight dark pants that tucked into knee-high leather boots reinforced with strips, plates or scales of polished dark metal. And loose shirts in the muted colours of their orders, showing off their strong but lean physiques so like Jareth's.

Sitting by the table engaged in an apparently leisurely conversation with the ethereal queen Titania, were a terrifying black skinned creature. Even sitting down he was huge, easily a two feet taller than Jareth, with bulging muscles not even the heavy leather of his elaborate if somewhat barbaric jacket managed to hide. His skin was the dull colour of charred wood and it stretched over a crude brutish face, and stood in stark contrast to the shimmering mane of spiked pewter coloured hair that fell around his face, emphasising his massive protruding jaw and wide lipless mouth which curled in a cruel smirk, reflecting the evil silver glint of his eyes.

Keeping his grip on her hand Jareth pulled her lightly along as he strode to the two rather large chairs placed at the head of the table. And giving her hand a quick squeeze of reassurance, he effortlessly pulled the heavy chair back, holding it for her as she seated herself, quickly smoothing her skirt over her thighs.

Turning to the room Jareth gave a shallow nod of acknowledgement as he noted that the goblins had seated themselves, before dropping gracefully into his own chair, lounging with one long lean leg thrown carelessly over the left armrest, letting him lean casually towards Sarah and rest a reassuring hand on her thigh. Smiling to herself Sarah had to forcefully keep her lips shut, in an effort to not comment on Jareth's apparent inability to properly inhabit a chair. Yet she had to admit that he still managed to strike a formidable regal figure nonetheless.

" I assume that you are all aware of the current situation and the events regarding my person that lead to it?"

Every person in the room nodded, yet remained otherwise quiet as Jareth continued: " I mean to have revenge for the atrocities committed, for the lives... "

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he blinked as a terrifying darkness swirled in the depths of his suddenly haunted eyes. His chest rose sharply as he drew in a steadying breath:" I intend to demand the surrender of the redcap Grall, and the king of the night realm, a letter stating these terms will be delivered to king Rzush in the morning. Lord commander Shiver, make sure that you send a trusted but expendable messenger. I fear that King Rzush's answer may be rather volatile. Old bonebreaker is not one to gracefully accept any kind of defeat..."

" As you wish my liege, and no king Rzush did not become king by being magnanimous..."

" No ": Jareth agreed:" He did not, and that brings me to the following I will require you General Llagain to lead half your men through the main pathway and through to the..."

" My liege, with all due respect: Shuddering Sarah stared at the metallic fangs that flashed as the Orc spoke in a deep gravelly voice that was close to painfully dark: It hath proven most difficult to traverse the paths of the fabled Labyrinth. It seems that the paths are barred to me and mine, I was indeed unable to leave our camp, and had it not been for the gracious Lady Titania, I would still be there frustrated in my attempts.

- Indeed: That one lazy word held a world of anger and frustration, as Jareth rubbed the bridge of his nose once more, before bellowing: Hoggle!

It was strange, one moment there was no one beside Jareth, and the next, Hoggle stood there a grim look of determination on his weathered face, as he bowed to his king: My king? As called 'ere I stand.

- Remove the obstacles in General Llagain's path, I need his men at the south eastern gateway, They...

- No.

That was all he said, just one short final word, and the world froze, as a look of disbelieving fury crept unto Jareth's face.

- I will this once pretend that I did not hear that, Now do as I say Hoggle!

Sadness tinged Hoggle's determination, but it did not waver in the least as the dwarf crossed his arms in front of him: I can nay do that, and yer damn well know that My King. I was made ta prevent yer all from waging wars, now what kind of barrier would I be if I let yer march an army through me? My answer is No, and there ain't no way I'll be changing that any time soon.

- What? : Fury bleed all colour from Jareth's face, as he rolled out of the chair to tower over the stunted creature, in a cloud of violence, so vicious that it seemed a miracle that Hoggle didn't explode in a spray of blood. But instead the dwarf squared his shoulders and stared the fuming goblin king down, as Jareth snarled coldly: If you do not remove the obstacles, then I will tear you down wall by wall, do you hear me Hoggle, wall by wall.

" Jareth please, remember why I was created: Hoggle's face held nothing but deep sorrow as he pleaded : remember why yer were borne, we are ta bring peace, nay tear the realm apart ta avenge a wrong we don't even know who committed! I understand yer need ta punish those responsible, but I can'nay condone the very thing that I was created ta prevent.. My answer is Nay the obstacles stay, and I will forcefully prevent any attempt of removing them.

Rage rolled of him in waves, as Jareth growled: Every one but my Queen and Hoggle LEAVE!

Rising gracefully, Titania accepted the offered arm of the black skinned Orc with a pale worried expression creasing her full lips, as she meet Jareth's enraged eyes: My son is this wise? Would it not be more prudent to deal with this obstinate creature in public. Maybe another's voice may ring true to him, and if not might it not be better to set an example?

The look Jareth sent her would have made a lesser queen cower in fear, as he snarled:" Which part of LEAVE, is it that escapes you? "

Bowing Titania stuttered:" Please forgive me my lord": as she hurriedly backed from the room, dragging an irate looking orc along.

Sarah's eyes were huge, as she watched Jareth stalking around Hoggle in a tight and very menacing circle: "You will remember who is your king, and you will.."

- What! Allow yer ta rip me ta pieces, and march inta a realm, that yer know damm well, will rise up ta defend their king, no matter ta cost?": Cutting Jareth off Hoggle stepped up close as the tall king faltered, and jabbed a stubby gnarled finger into Jareth's leather clad mid section.:" Yer know as well as I that I would spread like a pox-riddled tavern wench at the sight of a gold coin. If yer had any proof in that matter, but as it stands yer don't now do yer? And neither do I, aye I was able to see yer, all those damm years. But I could nay divine yer whereabouts, if I had known where they kept yer, I would have marched the whole damm realm of ta get yer back! But all ANY OF US SAW, were those dungeon walls, and that small sliver of sky, and that might very well have been a bloody illusion! Are yer listening ta me young pup. And no I don't give one bony pixie's arse for that supposed attack from Morgaine, if she had wanted yer dead then she would have snuffed out yer life while yer slept, not waited until yer could fight back, and the winters hag would most certainly not run her bloody mouth spilling all her plans ta yer! Nay she would have..."

" Enough! Cease these inane ramblings! I have always been lenient when it came to you, allowing you your freedom, and now it would seem that I may indeed have been too kind! Hoggle this is your final warning, if you do not allow the armies of the summer court to act out their orders, then I shall have to confine you to the Glade until I can devise a suitable punishment for this treachery. Do not think that I will not make a fearsome example of you!"

Gasping silently, Sarah watched as Jareth conjured a strangely crackled crystal, and held it out in threatening manner: "Well?"

Shaking his head sadly, Hoggle sighed sadly as he held his ground:" Yer know that answer, don't yer young pup."

" So the answer is still no? "

" Aye it is.."

" Very well what is said is said Hoggle, now live with that choice.": There was a plume of pitch black smoke as the crystal shattered on the marble floor in front of Hoggle, and then the dwarf was gone.

" Oh God Jareth what have you done? Where is he?" : Sarah was out of her chair, and halfway to Jareth as she screamed at him:" What have you done to him, no no no bring him back, you can't do this..."

Turning Jareth faced her, and Sarah stopped dead in her tracks as she meet his glowing red and black eyes. This was not Jareth, nor was it the harsh but fair minded goblin king. No the entity before her now was something else something dark and cruel, forged in the fires of his torture and sharpened as razor blades sliced his flesh away in thin slivers. The creature who stood before her now was pain and darkness made flesh, a tempest of vengeance.

His voice was cold and soft as he crooned:" Oh but I can, and I have. Hoggle is a traitor and once this is dealt with, I will deal with him."

"But how? He is the Labyrinth, you can't hurt him, that would only hurt yourself as well as your realm."

" Aaarh yes there is that little snag, now isn't there. Well I will simple have to come up with something won't I. Until then wife, where do you stand on this matter? With me or... Hoggle."

Her lips suddenly felt like dry leather as she licked them nervously, weighing her options, but quickly coming to the conclusion that there was only one answer she could give, that might help her smooth out this disaster.

" I'm with you, husband. Of course..."

" Thank Gaia:" Relief rolled off him in heavy waves as he stepped up to her, his eyes instantly bleeding back to their usual splendour as he grasped her hands pulling her in to allow him to wrap himself around her, and bury his face in her luscious unbound hair, as he seemed to lose all tension. Wrapping her own arms around his slender waist, Sarah sighed as she rested her forehand against his collarbone. This was just fucked up beyond all recognition, complete and utter fubar! How the hell was she supposed to fix this?, what the everloving fuck this even was! And what the hell was happening with Jareth? Not an hour ago, he was determined to find out what had truly happened, and now he was practically baying for blood. Whatever she was about to do she would have to do it fast and quietly, because she was not at all certain that this new creature holding her would be above actually hurting her.

" Sarah, my precious, I need to ask a favour of you? ": The sudden and softly spoken words jolted Sarah from her fearful thoughts.

"Yes love, anything you need..."

" Hmm indeed. But for now I merely require you to take over Shivers role as guide to the runners, thus leaving him free to lead my men. Would you do that for me? "

Nodding made her rub her brow against him, as she fought not to scream in triumph at her unexpected good luck, this might give her the freedom she would need, to find some real answers, or proof:" Of course anything to help. "

Kissing the crown of her head Jareth breathed:" Thank you my love..."

. . .

Slamming his fist down on the map covered table Jareth silenced the objections about to spill from Shivers lips, leaving the lanky goblin speechless as Jareth levelled a furious gaze at him:" Enough I will not be disobeyed in this, you will lead the other half of Llagain's men to the north-western gateway, and there you will leave them to await the traitor Morgaine .. And you will order them to throw those traitors in cold iron shackles the second they set foot on Labyrinthian soil..."

Bowing his head in the face of his king's wrath Shiver ground out:" Yes my liege"

"And Lord Shiver I expect you to act out my order with your every diligence. "

"As you wish my Liege ": The words burned his tongue, but he had no choice, he was after all the captain of his king's personal guard. Bound by oath to obey until his dying breath.

" Good now go and take Llagain with you, I will join you as soon as possible to remove the obstacles in your paths.. Oh but before you leave I shall need you to teach my queen how to guide the runners, since the responsibility will fall to her."

"My liege.. My lady if it pleases you I would begin now."

Casting a quick glance at the slightly nodding Sarah, Jareth said:" very well . My lady."

Rolling to her feet, Sarah flashed Jareth a soft smile, as he grasped her hand bringing it to his lips for a brief kiss.

" Until later my lady.."

" Yes my lord."

It was hard to keep the soft content smile on her face as she walked out of the room, her head held high like the queen she was quickly becoming. But she did it.

The doors closed behind her with a soft almost sighing sound, leaving her and the tall goblin captain alone in the hallway.

" My lady would you follow me, I will lead you to the room of runners. "

" Room of runners? "

Nodding as he turned down a long hallway with walls covered in brightly coloured tapestries:" It is the room from which you will observe the runners, it is also the room that has the closest connection to the Labyrinth, from here you can change or deploy anything inside it, but you cannot leave the room unless it is to go into the Labyrinth itself. Not while a runner is still active"

Their hard soled boots created a strange rolling echo as they strode down the interconnected corridors leading them deeper into the castle. In here there were no windows or open gardens, the wall nothing but massive sandstone blocks worn smooth through touch over the eons.

" So I will in essence be a captive while the runner is still in the Labyrinth? "

" Yes, but you can still call on anyone you might need, King Jareth wove the same summoning spell into the stone as he did in your rooms. You may summon any denizen of this realm provided that you know a name they go by. But this may in truth be useless knowledge... If Hoggle is confined to the Glade then... ": Stopping Shiver fell to his knees before her, his calloused hands gripping her right hand pressing her knuckles against his chest above his hammering heart:" Please my queen, I beg of you make our king reconsider his imprisonment of Hoggle. Please my queen a war. .. You can not even begin to imagine the destruction, this may cause. If Jareth hurts Hoggle or the Labyrinth, he only hurts himself... They are bound, but Hoggle is the stronger, and as long as Jareth is still healing... Sarah, My queen you MUST stop him before he kills himself or you, now that you too are bound to the Labyrinth..."

Fear shone like a lantern from Shivers fluorescent green eyes, igniting tiny red pinpoints in their depths, as his markings flared a bright alarming yellow and black that all but covered him from his surreal cheekbones to his arched eyebrows. The message in the suddenly bright colour clear even to her, the proud goblin was scared beyond reason.

" I know Shiver, I know, I just..."

Falling to her knees, Sarah rested back on her heels as she gripped Shivers trembling hands firmly:" I just don't know how to make Jareth see reason. He scared the crap out of me in there. What the hell do I do Shiver? He is all caught up in getting his vengeance... It is as if he is terrified of appearing weak."

" He is, he always has been, thought he has no reason to be, no one would ever consider him weak, goddess' blood even now he is still stronger that both Titania or Oberon. Only Morgaine ever came close to having the same kind of strength as our king... ": Letting go of Sarah's hands, Shiver rose, clasping hands that trembled violently behind his back:" If the winters hag had wanted our king dead then he would be so, she is the one who guides the dead to the realm through the veil on her raven wings, if she wanted him dead she would have snuffed his life from him, like a flame from a candle. But he is blind to what we see isn't he?"

Nodding dejectedly as she to rose and brushed the dust of the full skirt of her dress, Sarah sighed:" I thought that I was the only one who noticed that today, but didn't Jareth seem a little too eager to condemn Hoggle and allow Llagain to roam the Labyrinth?"

" Yes he did my lady, but if I had been tortured brutally for seven years then I would want vengeance too, though I would want to ensure that I was exacting it on the right souls..."

" Hmmm yeah.. But Gafael did attack me in the Labyrinth.. And he is Morgaine's present consort isn't he?"

His eyes grew impossibly big, and the red in them flared, becoming tiny flickering flames as he snarled:" Then My lord has every right to... to... Wait, did you say Gafael as in Gafael Marwolaeth ? That can't be he passed through the veil some three years past, and Morgaine has yet to choose a new consort!"

" Oh fuck! Oh god dam fucking Fuck! But Jareth wouldn't know that, and after that attack and the wounds he suffered then, there is no way we will get him to hear what we are telling him! He is too focused and hurt right now to see reason. DAMMIT why did I have to be such an momentous ass? ": Rubbing her hands over her face, Sarah froze with her hands on her cheeks at the intense look in Shivers eyes as he studied her eyes from just a few inches away:" Hmm Shiver what are you doing? Is something wrong with my eyes?"

" You glow my queen, Your eyes, they glow red like a true goblins, and... ": His razor like claw traced a faint line from the corner of her eye:" Your markings are coming through my lady, It is faint still, hardly noticeable yet, but it soon will be. You must learn to control it, or it will expose you. "

" What, not this too Christ as if it wasn't complicated enough! Ok listen, lets just take a minute here. There are too much at stake here for us to spiral out of control, so let's just go to the Room of runners, and get me ready for that, and then we will figure out what else to do ok?"

Bowing lightly Shiver said:" As you command my queen."

" Yeah whatever, now let's go okay."

Silence wrapped around them, as Shiver lead her through corridors that seemed to become more familiar, more like what she saw, when she herself had been a runner. And finally turning the final corner, Sarah paused in her tracks, to stare at the utterly familiar room before her. It was small, smaller than she remembered, smaller even than Jareth's private study, and rather dusty as well. But everything stood just as Sarah remembered it, the carved banners on the walls, and the knocked over barrels of what smelled like some sort of pungent mead. And the Throne, or chair, what ever you would want to call it. Walking slowly up to it she ran her fingers over the worn smooth horns that gave it its distinct shape, imagining Jareth lounging in it, with that maddeningly arrogant smile of his, as he watched the latest runner in a crystal. Great god she wanted to see him like that just once more.

Banishing the wistful thought, Sarah turned from the throne, to face Shiver who was leaning out the window, with an intent look on his pointed face, as he watched the Labyrinth

" Shiver? Is anything wrong? "

Turning slowly to meet her worried eyes, with a haunted look of his own, Shiver whispered:" I can't feel Hoggle, and the gates of the Labyrinth are barred by iron bands."

"What! ": Racing to the window, Sarah leaned out and gasped in utter shock. Huge iron bands held by spiked rivets crossed the gate that lead from the goblin city and into the Labyrinth. The immense strength apparent as desperate Gnomes and Goblins tried to cut through them to free the metal behemoth that made up the gates. Pure debilitating fear pressed bile into her mouth as realization struck:" Oh shit, I need to talk to Hoggle, I need to make him remove those bands, before Jareth sees them. You said that I could call any denizen of this realm while I'm in here, yes?"

" Yes but only during a run, and since it is a spell woven by King Jareth, He would know if you used it to summon Hoggle here... "

" Fine then I will just go to him "

She had no real idea of what to do, and so she simple closed her eyes and visualized herself standing in the glade, as she pulled hard on the shimmering silver core that was her own power. Silver light and ebony stars drowned out the world as everything around her seemed to lose focus and vanish into a colourless void that was neither light nor darkness. Everything moved yet she remained utterly still. Then suddenly the grey wasteland began to change, mighty trees rising on either side, creating an impenetrable wall of massive trunks and reddening autumn foliage. Turning slowly, Sarah took in the majestic beauty of the Glade, something she had been a little too preoccupied to do the last time she had been here.

The tall yellowing grass tickled her fingertips and made a soft sighing sound as she moved slowly towards the hunched over dwarf sitting beside the murmuring brook.

"I suppose that yer be here ta persuade me inta getting rid of the barriers? ": Speaking without turning Hoggle continued swishing a thin reed through the trickling water:" Yer know, traveling like yer just did is not something yer do on a whim little miss, aye yer were lucky this time but who knows what manner of nasty's might lurk in the fringes of the veil just waiting ta snatch up such a little morsel like yerself. "

" Oh this was no whim Hoggle, and yes I am here to ask you to please remove the iron bands sealing the gates to the goblin city, May I?": Gesturing to the stone beside Hoggle, Sarah remained standing until the dwarf waved vaguely and mumbled his accept. Then and only then did she sit down tucking her flowing skirt around her legs, against the chill of the air.

" Hoggle, you have to let the Goblins enter the Labyrinth, their fields and pastures are all in and around the Oaksoul forest. It will be winter soon, and there is nowhere near enough food in our stores to feed everyone. Please Hoggle, bar Jareth and the armies of the summer court, but please allow the denizens of the Labyrinth a fighting chance."

Pulling the reed out of the water, Hoggle huffed as he glanced up at her intent expression:" So did that pointy faced rat send yer, or did yer come on yer own?"

" I'm here on my own, Jareth has no idea that I'm here... Look you both want me to be queen, and I assume that it was you who crammed my head with all this information about the Labyrinth while I slept. So you can't just expect me sit idly by while your little spat starts to kill innocent citizens'! They are my people now, and I won't let your pride kill them."

His shoulders sank a full inch as he seemed to fold in on himself with a tortured look on his face, that instantly made Sarah regret those last words about pride.

" Oh this has no'Thing ta do with pride lil miss, this is a result of the magic that created the both of us, Jareth and me I mean. Yer see if I allow those armies ta enter and cross ta the Nightrealm then I will be violating the heart of the magic, and that would make it unravel, killing not just me, but Jareth and all those who have no way ta escape this realm before the veil reclaimed what had been mismanaged. But yer be right, it ain't right ta starve the innocents... There, the bands are gone, but. .."

God he looked sad and hurt as he sat there picking at the now worn plastic bracelet, she had given him all those years ago:" Sarah, I do nay know how ta tell yer this but, I can nay let a runner enter as long as this is happening, I cant 'cause if the runner is strong enough then they will force me and the entire Labyrinth ta change.."

" Like I did..."

" Aye, like yer did.. I don't think that Jareth realizes this and I ain't about ta tell him, cause he'll just think that I'm trying ta use the innocents ta force him ta bend ta me, and I am, but I ain't... Yer understand?"

Nibbling her lower lips lightly, Sarah sighed:" Well I think so, but... What if you let the armies through but keep the portals closed? couldn't that work?"

" Nay it wouldn't... And I don't control the Portals, yer and Jareth do..."

That stopped Sarah dead in her tracks as she stared at Hoggle, while trying desperately to understand the implications of that little titbit:" But what if I closed the Portals so no one could enter the Nightrealm? Would the magic then be safe even though we let the army through?"

" Well again No, cause if I allow them through then I will still have forsworn my very reason ta live, and..."

" The realm would die" : Sarah stated flatly:" Well shit!"

"Aye shit indeed... Sarah yer need ta tell Jareth about the runners, Please? Make up something 'bout yer reading 'bout it in the library... make him see reason."

Leaning forward Sarah stared into the slowly trickling brook, watching the crystal clear water as it filled the dark pond where she had dropped the blood crystal. Her mind racing through every possible solution, only to discard them all as impossible, well maybe not all..

" Hoggle what if I close all the portals and refuse to open them until Jareth agrees to investigate this thoroughly? and to send Titania's goons home? "

Nodding Hoggle sighed:" Aye that would be the propped way to go about this, but I doubt very much that yer will be able ta make Jareth do that."

Rubbing her fingers through her hair, Sarah seemed to be speaking to herself as she mused:" If I can get Jareth alone, I might be able to get through to him, or maybe if I got Shiver to help me, we might... Hmm but not tonight, no... I need him to realize what it is that he has done by confining you here... Hoggle I need to walk the Labyrinth, would that be safe? "

" Yer are my mistress, if yer want ta walk the Labyrinth then yer don't need my permission. Besides there ain't no'thing in there that would hurt yer. "

" Okay, but I just had to ask... Look I need to think and maybe formulate a course of action, I'll let you know once I know what to do Okay?"

Rising slowly, Hoggle turned to face her, and offer his hand to help her rise as well with the words:" Aye that sounds fair enough... Well yer know where ta find me."

. . .

The walls of the Labyrinth looked just as she remembered, but that was all that remained that way. The first time she had wandered these corridors they had been darkly lit, and utterly devoid of life. Now they seemed to be alive with the sounds of its inhabitants as they moved about their normal lives under the bright golden autumn sky. And though the corridors weren't exactly teeming with life, it was more often than not that she would find herself pressed against the wall to allow a busy farmer to hurry past with a load of late maturing crops, that looked a lot like potatoes, carrots, turnips and many more that she did not know the names of on sight. There was no way that the citizens had not gotten wind of the army camping in the fields surrounding the Seelie portal. Too many farmers had had their entire crop trampled by the restless host, and the rumour would have spread like wildfire by now, spurring this flurry of activity that Sarah was now seeing. Running her fingers along the rough hewn stone surface, Sarah sighed as she felt the heat of the stone, a gentle reminder of the dwarf now secluded in the Glade. Stopping she leaned back against the warm stone, letting her mind float freely. There were so many things that didn't fit, or rather fit too well. Like the strange certainty in Jareth that it was the redcaps of the Nightrealm who had captured him, and the Goblins who tormented him... Had he even seen anyone but Grall who seemed to have been his only torturer... and then there was the attack on Jareth, It just didn't add up, why wait for Jareth to wake up, and why tell him everything before trying to kill him, why not just slip a cold iron dagger in between his ribs and end it once and for all? .. But what had come to confuse her most during these last few days, was the fact that Alderthorn had not just healed Jareth right of the bat, surely that would have been better to only have to heal the burns than a bloody million throbbing aching injuries.. .. It just felt like a giant set up..

Faint heat turned to weak electricity sending a sharp pain out through her shoulders and down her spine drawing a startled yelp from her, as it ripped her from her private musings.

What the hell? Rubbing her fingers together Sarah glanced up at the wall with an accusatory glint in her eye, as if Hoggle would actually be able see it... but then maybe he was, because the static charge assaulted her again, only this time it was only a light spark to her right hand accompanied by a slight tugging feeling drawing her towards the opening leading to the inner areas... the older parts. And fear fill her as she remember the attack, and Gafael's teeth ripping through her flesh.

" Seriously Hoggle, the feral part? what's so important in there? "

The charge returned stronger this time, making her jump just a little. But the message got through this time.

" Fine I'll go, I'll go..": Keeping her fingers on the still warm stone, Sarah steeled herself as she set out to follow Hoggle's silent commands.

The sounds of the busy farmers followed her for the first few turns, then the corridor became older dilapidated, and the walls brittle with age, crumbling under her fingers at the slightest touch, and the silence was deafening. Fairy lights flickered every time she took a step, as if the very movement of air caused by her passing them were enough to snuff the magical glow out. She didn't touch the wall any more, she didn't need to because somehow her feet seemed to know where to take her, and all Sarah could do was follow them. The twisting and turning corridors went on forever, and soon the golden morning light was replaced by the glare of the high noon. Yet here amongst the shades of the ancient walls, the shadows were too thick to penetrate.

On she walked taking in the raw beauty of the crumbling walls and ancient plants, these walls were not made from cut stone, these wall look as if they had been called straight from the flesh of the great earth mother. Turning around a tight corner, Sarah paused as the tugging insistent feeling suddenly released her, leaving her feeling somewhat disoriented and alone, but with the distinct feeling that she was right where she needed to be.

" OOOkay, I'm here Hoggle, now what? ": Turning slowly, Sarah took in the small half covered area that opened up before her. It was small, perhaps a mere twenty to twenty two feet in diameter, yet the walls surrounding it were almost as tall, maybe even taller, casting the whole dilapidated area into deep almost night like shadows.

She scarcely noted doing it as she called a brightly glowing crystal to bathe the shadows in light and reveal their secrets.

A soft shuffling sound whipped her head to her left, where the shadows looked positively solid, and instant fear rooted her to the spot as she spotted the pale face floating within.

" Gafael? ": God how she hated the way fear made her voice sound all breathless and high-pitched.

" Fear...not... I.. I can no longer... hurt you... nor anyone... else for. . that matter...I..."

The floating face moved slowly closer, in strange jerky movements, until he stood in front of her. Only he was no longer a solid form, now he was smoke teetering on the edge of being blown away, should he be touched by even the lightest wind.

She knew that she should fear him, and that the wisest course would be to flee, but there was something pitiful about the way he hunched in front of her, his once pale perfection now marred by deep wrinkles and lines.

" What do you want? Why have Hoggle lead me here? Is he hiding you here?"

His voice was nothing but a faint whisper, barely strong enough for Sarah to hear as he whispered:" I... Am dying...I wished.. to die... with, a clean conscience,...Hoggle took pity... I. .. I.. I "

He was her enemy, and he had tried to kill her without mercy, yet she still stepped in and wrapped her arms around him as he pitched forward with a soft cry.

It felt strange to cradle an icy weightless, yet heavy shadow against her warm chest, as she lowered him to the rubble strewn ground. Resting his head on her thighs she couldn't keep from stroking her fingers through his wispy white hair, pulling his hood back exposing more of his pale head.

" I. .. am sorry... my Lady... I... was desperate... I did not wish to die, again...I still don't... but. ... I am content now. ... to at least go... with a... clean conscience... It was queen Titania who. ...offered meeee..."

His entire being shivered and it felt like ghostly cobwebs brushing her skin.

Resting her hand on his sunken cheek, Sarah prodded:" Please Gafael hold on, What did Titania offer you? "

" Life... If I would...Kill... You... after pretending that she was Morgaine... She would kill... Jareth and I would Kill... You... Your life would have... given me. ... life... near eternal... life... to spend by my. ... true loves. ... side... Oh great goddess what have I done... What have. ... I. ... done...Morgaine.. .. "

Tears welled in the white drowned eyes filling them like blood in an ice chalice, before spilling down his corpse pallid face, in scarlet lines. It was a disturbing sight and Sarah's heart ached for the slowly fading man in her lap. Having risked so much for love and failed, had to be excruciating. And to lay dying so far from her was cruel...

Gafael's gravely voice ripped Sarah from her thoughts:" My...Lady...please. ..."

" Yes...:

" Forgive. ...me... I. ... was. ... selfish... I. ... only wanted... more.. time..."

The weight across her legs grew lighter, and the hoarse voice softened into a barely audible sigh, as the light in his eye dimmed. He was close, soon he would die, fading into the final sleep, as he should have done years past. Running her hand over his cold ghostly flesh Sarah sighed. Yes he had attacked her, but even now she couldn't find it in her heart to let him die unforgiven:" Gafael...I forgive you, we both do.. Is there anything you want me to tell Morgaine? "

The solid darkness was barely more than a hazy shadow, the weight of him all but gone.

" No... she thinks... me. ...long dead... She has already mourned. ...me...I..."

Gasping for air, his transparent hand shot up grabbing hold of her dress. Pulling her closer with a final desperate urgency as he hissed:" You must... go to him...tell him... that it is a. ... a. .. trap... It was Titania and... Oberon...war... they desire...war... Rzush... and Morgaine doesn't know... they... Stop them... before our world is. ... destroyed..."

And then he was gone, the last traces of him lifted by a gentle wind as he faded completely. leaving nothing behind but the faint echo of his last word...