Chapter: My Kingdom As Great (b)
Clinging to the cold limp form in her arms, Sarah wanted to scream, needed to scream with a strength that physically hurt. Yet the pain was so strong that no there was no sound, the wail caught in her throat, stifled by the very sorrow she sought to give voice. And all she could do was sob violently as she clung to him, willing the faint tortured agonal breaths his body drew to continue.
Anguish consumed her like icy fire, cocooning her until she was blind to all but the pain of her broken heart. So immersed in her world of sorrow was she, that she didn't register that a midnight raven flew from the shadows above their window, and landed softly on their dorm room floor in a flurry of beating wings and crimson magic. Nor did she see it when that midnight bird threw its wings wide, and became a tall regal crone, clad in pure ebony shadows, with eyes of blackest black and wispy hair of the whitest white.
"Winters hag.."
Giving a faint bow, the weathered crone trained those haunting pitch black eyes on Shiver, as he huddled on the bed beside Lilly, gently pushing the shocked girl back, shielding her, with his own body.
The sight made Shivers breath catch, this was not the genteel spirit of Morgaine standing before them, this was not the woman who had lovingly cradled Jareth and later Shiver in their infancy and childhood.
This was the creature who stalked the pitched winter darkness, claiming those unwary or arrogant enough to enter her domain.
The ancient taker of the dead.
And yet bright red tears still rolled from her jet black eyes, to stain her deeply line cheeks a deep crimson, as she stared at Shiver, before turning to the huddled forms almost hidden by the darkness.
No word passed between them, as Sarah raised red rimmed and puffy eyes to glare defiantly at the tall imposing goddess, as Morgaine floated silently across the room, to stand by the bed.
" No not yet, you can't have him, not yet.."
"But I must child, his body is spent, and his soul must go to the great mother of us all. It is what must be done child...": Her voice was dark and smooth like ebony silk or a summer night, but it also held an edge that was the razor claws of a hidden predator, or the knife that struck unseen.
"No! I don't care..": Gently laying Jareth back on the bed, Sarah rose to her full and horribly unimposing height as she gripped her glowing crystal tightly and drew her power around herself like a coronation robe:" He is mine as I am his, and you hag of winter, who carries the dead on her raven wings will not touch him yet, he is still mine."
It was a sight that none of the three spectators had ever thought that they would live to see, as Sarah small, fragile and utterly human stood like a impassable barrier between, the dying king and the goddess of death and winter. At first there was nothing to distinguish her from any of the millions of other mortal women, but then the crimson light of her dark flame flared in the depths of her emerald eyes. Only Sarah's eyes didn't glow with the darkflame, they blazed, the flames so bright and violent they turned blue and silver, illuminating the markings that sprang into existence, covering the area around her eyes in an intricate pattern of gold, silver white and deep blue. Morgaine might be the goddess of death, but this was no mere mortal, this was the full fury of the Goblin Queen...
"I am Sarah, Queen of the Labyrinth, mistress of the underground, and your queen. And I say to you that you will not take him yet, for he still owes a debt of three hours which he stole. And I will have what is mine"
Only Sarah saw the small fragile smile of relief on Morgaine's face, as the crone dropped into a graceful bow of (obeisance), that was so at odds with her aged appearance:" It shall be as my queen commands, three hours hence I shall return to claim that which cannot live. Three hours my queen, and not even you will be able to hold back the will of our earth mother."
Nodding Sarah gestured vaguely for the crone to rise:" Three hours in the underground, and after that time you may collect that which cannot live. On my word as queen. Now leave us for much must be done and the night is vanning."
There was a flurry of feathers and shadows as the crone became the raven once more, and speed off through the shadows.
Silence reigned as two knights and one girl struggled to comprehend what the newly formed creature before them had just done. It seemed completely and utterly ridiculous that Sarah, tiny slender Sarah, with her mass of ebony hair still in disarray from sleep, and wearing nothing but rumbled sleep shorts and a tee, had just sent death packing without its prey.
It was Shiver who was first to move, and break the spell. Leaping to his feet, Shiver crossed the room on trembling legs, and threw himself on his knees before his fearsome queen, as he gazed up at her with utter adoration:" My queen, command me. If my life may buy life then take it.."
Resting a small hand on Shiver's slumped shoulder, Sarah smiled at him through the glowing veil of her power, as the flames slowly grew less intense, yet retained their strange tricolour: "No Shiver, not your life, mine..."
" No No, not like that": Holding up her hands in a placating gesture, as she saw Shiver's terrified expression, Sarah continued:" I must bind myself to him even tighter than before, but first, we must go somewhere else, somewhere I have not been to yet, except for in my dreams."
" Sarah what the hell just happened? Did you just ask death to fuck off?" : Kneeling on her rumpled bed, clutching the hem of her favourite tee, Lilly looked at her roomie with completely new eyes. The Sarah she had known was gone, and in her place stood a thoroughly terrifying woman who could apparently make death obey her, that was to be completely honest rather frightening. Wetting her dry lips, Lilly asked:" And what's with the crystal? You pick it up and suddenly you go all fire-eyed and scary..."
Looking down at the now dark crystal, Sarah smiled lovingly, like a mother to a favourite child as the crystal melted into her skin:" It is our memories, three thousand years of living secret lives with each other, all here.. That's how I knew...How I remembered..."
" Remembered what my lady? ": Didymus voice was soft as he looked to his queen as if seeing her for the very first time.
"It will be better to simple show you all. Do you trust me? Truly trust me?"
" Unto death my queen surely thou wouldst know this..."
" With my life and body my queen..."
" Oh hell no I'm not going all fealty swearing on your ass there sister, but yeah you know I trust you."
Smiling at their replies, Sarah raised her hand, and let a new crystal form at her fingertips. And without a word she let it dance around her hands in intricate patterns, just as Jareth had done for her, before setting it on her desk and watching it take the shape of an hourglass where the silver sand flowed slowly upwards to fill the upper half: "When this runs out, Morgaine will return to claim those who cannot live, but there will be no one here who cannot live. I will make sure of that... I. We have to hurry... "
Sarah felt their eyes on her as she plucked another crystal from the air, and held it delicately in her fingers, where it pulsed with a light that filled the room with strange moving shadows:" Sir Didymus, please will you carry him for me just one more time?"
" My queen I am eternally thine to command."
" I am in debt to you, and in time I.. we will reward your loyalty.. "
Strong arms slipped under Jareth's limp form lifting him like a child, and resting his head against the wide shoulder of Didymus as the knight did his best to not jostle his dying king overly much. A sad smile forced its way onto Sarah's lips, as she watched Didymus and Shiver work quietly and quickly to adjust the cloak and blankets until they were satisfied that they covered Jareth completely. It took a few minutes, before Shiver finally stepped back and nodded as a sign that they were ready.
She didn't speak, all she did was close her eyes and draw on the raw power that swirled so readily around her. Power swelled the triple cores within her, until they throbbed and pulsed on the verge of bursting, and yet she was not finished. Opening her eyes Sarah smiled as her lips parted, and song burst forth. Haunting inhuman notes spilled from her lips as she moulded the raw life and power into something more, with nothing but her voice.
Reality moved, that was the only words for it, as time and space folded in around the small group, creating a glittering golden cave. But Sarah was blind to its unearthly beauty, as she knelt on the uneven floor, her entire body swaying and undulating as she wove the strands of magic into a tapestry that only she could see. Colours began to snake across the rough walls, in glittering bands of light so bright that none of the others could gaze upon them without bringing tears to their eyes. It was like standing inside a glittering crystal as the sun filled it with its radiance.
And then as the light and pressure of the swirling power had grown to the point where it threatened to rip the three cores apart inside of her, did she release it as she flung her arms wide and send the walls careering outwards in massive golden shards, revealing the utter blackness behind them. Gone was the cave, and surrounding them now was nothing but the darkness of a starless winter night, darkness and Sarah's haunting song.
Fear radiated off the tiny group as they pressed tighter together, trying to draw comfort from each others presence, as the darkness around them seemed to move and solidify.
Sarah's song, was the only sound heard. And as they pressed against each other, it changed becoming soft and light, like the air at the very first dawn. Light began to grow, as if coaxed forth by the gentler sound, it lit up the far horizon, casting a soothing multi coloured hue on the flat plain that were slowly becoming visible.
And then the song changed character again, growing smooth, yet wild, a mix of wild untamed screams like the howls of a storm, and the soft soothing singsong of the calm ocean. Lilly starred in open wonder as light reflected off of a distant sea, that rolled ever closer in tsunami sized waves of glittering crystal water.
It was by far the most amazing thing that Lilly had ever seen, as the waves pushed closer and closer before stopping just far enough away that they could hear the soft whisper of water over sand. Calm silvery water stretched out towards the seemingly endless horizon just as the light let its rays be seen painting the rose and gold tinted sky with a rainbow burst of colours that Lilly didn't even have names to describe. Strong fingers closed on her slim shoulders holding her with a surprising care as Shiver whispered reverently: "And my Kingdom as great. .. I understand it now. . oh Jareth, how I wish that you could see this..."
Resting a reassuring hand on Shivers, Lilly whispered:" He will, Sarah just told death to fuck off and now she is playing one up on god, and are creating a world in less than seven days.. I'm convinced that she is gonna find a way..."
" I..."
The ground shook cutting off their hushed whispers as the song of water became something dark and deep, like the grounding groan of bedrock moving. Staring in open mouthed wonder, the three companions watches as the still night shrouded horizon behind them changed, growing at first uneven, and then as the song rose to a fervent pitch, jagged as mountains shot from the ground with a ripping scream of stone torn apart. The tremors grew to the point where all that held Lilly on her feet, were, Shiver's arms around her waist and his stubborn refusal to let them fall to the heaving ground.
The earth's movements grew faster and more violent as the mountains stopped growing, and tree's began erupting rapidly around them, shooting straight up until it seemed that their reaching branches were touching the very sky.
Once more Sarah's song changed, and this time it became feral and wild, as the screeches of wild birds mixed with the call of large pack animals, fleeing the growling roar of the hunting predators. Her body moving in graceful time with the haunting song, as the shadows came alive and shadow beasts of every size and shape dragged themselves from the shadows of the trees and speed off in a wave of life and movement.
To Lilly it seemed that hours or even days had passed when Sarah finally stilled, letting her song be carried by the wind, to the new-born world, as she slumped forward.
" Sarah ?"
Kneeling in the now knee deep snow, Sarah sighed, as if waking up from a dream, and turned tired eyes, that were all but swallowed up by the silver, blue, gold and green pattern surrounding them, to the small group.
"This is my kingdom, and it is as great. .. come on there is a cabin behind these tree's. .. and.."
Rising, Sarah brushed the snow from her soft leather leggings and knee high fur edged boots, before pulling her fur lined thigh length jacket into place. Turning to the group, Sarah couldn't keep a smirk from curling her lip as she watched Lilly's expression of utter surprise as she realized that her sleep wear had changed into the twin of the warm leather and fur clothes that Sarah now wore. Grinning, Sarah shook her head as Lilly's mouth opened and closed like an air drowning fish's. Lilly had just witnessed the birth of a new world, she had seen it with her own eye's as Sarah had sent death away, and sung life into a new world... and still the thing that first occurred to Lilly to say was:" What the Hell ! When did you change my clothes. ..dammit Sarah that was my favourite pj's... and why does this have to look like I walked straight out of krull or something. .. It's ... Oh Sarah is he?"
The happy smirk had gone, melting off Sarah's face as she moved slowly, hesitantly through the snow to stand in front of Sir Didymus. Her eye's intend on his still burden, as she reached out fearfully and traced the sharp line of Jareth's jaw with the back of her fingers, her heart shuttering at the utter lack of response.
He was still, completely still, only the faint sigh of the breath that he should not be drawing, showed that her victory over death still stood. Yet right in that moment, it seemed so very far from the victory, that she was hoping to gain.
"No, he still... Lives, but, only just. Come follow me."
Turning sharply on her heel, Sarah quickly wiped a few tears from her eyes as she walked from the clearing and was swallowed up by the snow covered forest.
The trees here were tall and closely resembled the pine and redwood that Sarah had always loved, and the underbrush consisted mainly of a big leafed bush that sported leaves of a bright velvety red, as well as big clusters of blackish berries. Running a mitten clad hand over her hair, Lilly sighed and pushed through the thick shrubs. This was just too surreal for her to cope with. And so she focused her attention on the tall goblin in front of her, noting the slight limp, and the way he heavily favoured using his right hand, whenever something barred his path. Even from back here, it was obvious that he was hurt, exhausted and valiantly trying to hide both it from Sarah and the huge fox. Sighing Lilly smiled to herself, apparently men were the same regardless of species.. Well if he was that determined to keep it from the others then Lilly could keep a secret, besides sharing a secret with him might turn out to be a good idea, he was after all rather cute, despite being all green. And she had no idea how long they were gonna be stuck here.
A soft grunt of pain cut through Lilly's private musing, as Shiver's left thigh was slapped by an errant branch, causing him to stumble, and only just catch himself against the rough bark of a huge redwoodish looking tree, before his leg caved under him.
Four swift strides brought her even with him, letting her wrap an arm around his waist, without a word. Keeping her grip, light but firm, Lilly smiled up at the surprised look in the strangely attractive alien face, as she slipped his arm over her shoulder, taking the weight off of his injured leg. Her smile only widened as he nodded his gratitude, and took the first tentative step, leaning on her for support.
The trek through the woods was a short one, yet the strain of trudging through loosely packed snow, left them all breathing hard, as they finally exited the treeline.
Ice and snow stretched out in front of them in a smooth unbroken sheet of white, that seemed to lead their eye's straight to the large stone and timber lodge, which sat with perfect ease against the majestic mountains which framed it.
The plateau was large, with a good mile or two down a gentle slope to the foothills of the mountains. Here a wide slow moving river, wandered peacefully through the land to a steep cliff top from where it cascaded into the ocean below. It was an utterly breathtaking place to build a lodge, and yet Sarah didn't spare the spectacular view a single glance as she lead the small group, towards the awaiting sanctuary.
. . .
Gently running her fingers through his lifeless hair Sarah suppressed a sob, as the icy feel of his skin soaked into her hand.
His skin had turned the deathly white of a fresh corpse, and had it not been for the faint rise and fall of his chest, there would have been nothing, no movement whatsoever to indicate that she was not cradling a corpse. But then in a sense she was.
Jareth was here, yet not, his soul remained caught on the cusp of life and death, held there by the words and will of the Goblin Queen. Running her fingers lovingly over his still face, she allowed a sad smile to press through her tears as she felt a tiny spark pass between them. A gentle reminder that he was not gone, only teetering on the edge, and she could still feel him as he reached out to her. Yes he was still there, waiting for her to mend the damage done to him and restore him once more. And she would not fail him.
Pressing the palm of her hand over the fluttering pulse in the centre of his faintly rising chest Sarah let a thin tendril of magic pass into the void of Jareth's core. Only to find nothing but the shattered remains' of his cores, horror filling her as she shifted through the pieces.
Even now she could feel the remnants of the aboveground magic on the shards it had shattered, as he sacrificed the last of himself, to gift her with the memories of the dream's they had shared. Letting her magic smooth the sharp edges and melt them back together, she poured his... no ... no longer just his, theirs... She poured their magic into the shards.
But so much had shattered, and for a few fear laden minutes Sarah doubted that she would be able to heal the millions of shards, there were simply so many and the iron in his veins were fighting her efforts to rebuild what had been broken, breaking what she had joined into even smaller pieces.
Pulling back, Sarah felt her body solidify around her once more, as she opened her eyes, to meet the worried gaze of Didymus and Shiver, as they knelt on the opposite side of the bed.
" I can't.. I can't restore his magic as long as there is this much iron in his system.. ": The words physically hurt her, as she saw the, fragile hope in Shivers eyes die.
"Then there is nothing that we may do to restore him to us?"
Running her hands over her tired face, Sarah looked down at Jareth's serene face: I don't know... Had he been human I would have slapped him into dialysis, and given him a chelating agent, in the hopes of purging his system, before his liver, and or brain took too much damage. But I have no idea how this would affect a fey such as he...
"Pray forgive mine shameful ignorance, but what is this diallysys that thou speakst of mine queen?"
- It's Dialysis...And its when you use a machine to clean your blood for you, because your liver or kidneys can't.
Listening to Sarah's explanation with an intense look of concentration on his face, Didymus licked his lips nervously and offered:" Thus what must be done is first drawing the poison from his flesh ? "
Nodding Sarah sighed : "Yes"
Bolstered by his new grasp on the situation, Didymus pushed on :" I may have knowledge of a cure which might offer the slightest of hopes. But a warning must be given, it comes with a most horrible price."
Light filled both Sarah and Shivers eyes as Didymus tentative words registered.
" Please Sir Didymus if you know anything that might help us. "
Bowing his head, Didymus said:" As you wish mine lady... We must use our magic to push the vile iron into one limb...the iron will thus destroy the limb, but if done correctly it may save the life of the victim even with the permanent damage ..."
" And if we bungle this ?"
" Then Jareth, our Lord and king will assuredly perish, as surely as he will if we do not possess the necessary fortitude to endure these tribulations."
Giving a mirthless laugh, Sarah ran a trembling hand through Jareth's hair:" Yeah but we are not the ones losing an arm or a leg, now are we?"
Shaking his head in sorrow Didymus, stared at the still figure between them:" Mine lady thine words ring the purest truth.. Ours is not to bear the sacrifice, but to decide whether he must.. It seems a most cruel burden, but one from which we cannot shy away."
Horror was slowly but surely numbing her mind as she stared blindly into space, a million thought's speeding haphazardly through her mind.
The first thought that took hold of her mind was a very whiny sounding:" It's not fair!"
Which was instantly followed by the memory of Jareth in the tunnel, his eyes sparkling with dark amusement, as he drawled coolly :" You say that so often, I wonder what your basis of comparison is..."
Tears fell unbidden from her eyes, as she remembered how vibrantly full of life he had been. So strong and commanding, even despite those atrocious leggings that her own hormone driven teenage mind had forced him to wear.
Leaning forward she rested her weary head on his cold, still arm, as she clung to his limp hand. She wanted him back, she wanted her powerful king to tower over her again, all dark and frightening and take her breath away with his savage golden beauty. Holding onto that image, Sarah forced her mind to alter it removing first a leg, and then an arm from the powerful figure.
The loss of a leg didn't diminish him, but it would impair on his ability to move. No the only choice could be an arm, but which?
Letting her mind travel back through the thousands of new, or was that old memories?...Sarah tried to remember which was his dominant hand. Memory after memory, paraded past her inner eye of Jareth twirling a crystal around his right hand, as he imbued it with power and magic.
A heavy sigh escaped her, as she locked eyes with first Didymus and then Shiver:" We take the left arm, and may the goddess grant that he lives to either hate or forgive me, I don't care which, just as long as he lives..."