chapter 47: And Summer Came
Spring turned to summer and the wavering green meadows and forests erupted in a riot of bright colours as flowers of every shade imaginable bloomed. The trees that had become green with spring darkened into even richer hues, giving the forest an ancient feeling even though it was but months old. And with the rising temperatures the animals awoke, showing just how abundant and diverse the fauna of the world was.
The trees were alive with small mammals, bright lizards and singing birds of every size and colour, their cosy nests teeming with mottled eggs and fuzzy chicks. And even the larger animals seemed to materialize out of thin air, as cubs, kids and foals of every possible, and quite a few impossible shapes, emerged from the lush forest to graze and frolic on the vast grasslands surrounding the lodge.
Massive creatures that looked like a bison and a extremely warty toad had been breed, wallowed happily in the deep and slow flowing river as they zealously guarded their brawling cubs from the sleek black scaled dragon/panther predator hybrids who stalked them with merciless efficiency.
On the wide grassy plains elegant tan and gold striped antelope like horses with long gracefully back swept horns grazed, daintily nibbling on the immense blue and yellow petals of a potato'ish plant, which the members of the small no longer as broken family all loved. While tiny silver winged birds zipped back and forth between their beautifully woven nests, catching bright lightning fast insects to feed to their fluffy striped chicks.
It was a time of rebirth and replenishing, of bright and vibrant colours and life. And that feeling permeated every breath of air, as Sarah stretched out her ebony wings and soared silently above the sea of life. They had spent almost seven months here, healing and bonding into a tight family unit, where Didymus had become the undisputed father to her and Lilly, lavishing them in fatherly support and encouragements, that he enjoyed dispensing as much as they enjoyed receiving.
Banking up against a sudden gust of wind, she swerved, before letting herself fall into a steep dive down through treetops that looked like living emeralds mounted on trunks of burnished copper and bronze, to float through the soft shade below their spreading canopies. Small and large birds pecked at sweet berry clusters while others sang and tweeted, creating a wild symphony that followed Sarah through the lush forest halls on her path towards the small lake. A lake that Shiver and Jareth had discovered on one of their many long exploratory outings, as they had rebuilt and cemented their relationship as father and son. And goddess above it had warmed her heart to see the happiness it had brought them both to once more play and laugh together.
Her powerful wings beat, carrying her on, as the edges of the lethal beak tweaked upwards in an avian smile, so much had happened and changed, she remembered all her lives with Jareth now, and with those memories came a vast pool of skills that she had used weeks practicing until her physical flesh had learned to do what her mind already mastered. It had taken a few weeks but her hands finally remembered their old skill with a blade, and now she could match blows with each of the men as she wielded her dual blades of choice. Her wings flared as she banked her speed, and stalled in preparation for her landing in the sunlit clearing, that held the small crystal clear forest pond.
Light engulfed her, both magical and natural as shimmering clouds of emerald and silver swirled around her, agitated by the movements of her wings and rapidly expanding form.
Grinning widely Sarah gave a graceful half bow, as the three occupants of the clearing all turned and greeted her with happy exclamations and waves.
The men wore only loose fitted trousers held up by wide subtle leather belts that emphasised just how lean and muscular all their physical activities had made them. Lilly on the other hand wore a short and loose dusty green dress with a waterfall neckline cut low enough that Sarah was willing to bet good money, that Shiver had been the mastermind behind that garment. But that aside it really did suit her as it made her appear petite in a very feminine way. A femininity that clashed perfectly with the fact that she had been using her twin blades to hack at Jareth, who had seemed genuinely pressed by her ferocious assault.
Calling in a bright silver crystal, Sarah let it roll across the back of her hands as she stalked towards them on bare feet, very aware of how the sway of her hips made her flimsy over the knee skirt move over her long still remarkable white legs. And how the looseness of her skirt, only accentuated how her tight bodice strained over her ample chest. Judging by the sudden hungry darkness in Jareth's eyes and amused mirth in Didymus and Shiver's she looked good.
Tossing the now glowing gem into the air, she watched as it glowed like a tiny star before bursting in a shower of silver snow, emerald stars, azure dust and gold smoke, revealing a pastel patchwork picnic blanket laden with food and surrounded by plump fur pillows.
"Lunch is here and you all look famished, now dig in..."
Dropping to a pillow with all the grace of a rock, Sarah smile turned brighter as Jareth settled beside her on her right side, slipping a perfectly defined arm around her waist as he pulled her in for a quick but utterly possessive kiss, that left her panting and slightly out of breath as he pulled back with a satisfied smirk curling those perfect lips.
"So you decided to change outfit, and": Pausing to give her a lingering sniff he continued: "A shower. Was there something wrong with being as sweaty as the rest of us? Hmm precious?"
Resting her head on his muscular shoulder, Sarah sighed and buried her face in the curve of his neck to lay a soft kiss behind the heavily mussed fall of his flaxen hair, before murmuring: "No I just didn't want our lunch to be covered in my sweat, considering that it is a meal with no conjured food whatsoever..."
"Truly ": Reaching out eagerly, Didymus grabbed a fresh and still warm bun, holding it up to draw in its lingering life in the same way as Lilly drew in her buns mouth-watering smell: "Verily it doth smell divine. Lady Sarah thou art an angel. This meal shall replenish both spirit and flesh. And..."
Whatever else he was saying was lost the second he hungrily stuffed the steaming bread into his mouth and chewed with a closed eye.
Chuckling warmly, Shiver ripped his own bun into small pieces which he then deposited on the stoneware plate in front of him before reaching out and pulling a heavy dish of fresh churned butter into reach: "So this is why you were so tardy... arh well for fresh butter I shall forgive you."
Spreading the creamy golden goodness onto a mouth sized morsel he gave Sarah a wink before popping it into his mouth, moaning with pleasure at the taste.
"Okay so I take it that the guys are enjoying this meal, and here I am lamenting the fact that this will all make me fat ": Sighing with mock melodrama, Lilly merely nibbled the tiniest bite from her bun: "Oh poor me I will have to starve to keep my figure..."
Snatching the bun away from her, Shiver had it ripped open, lathered with butter and a bright orange jam that she loved, and shoved it straight into her hand in mere seconds, before leveling a mockingly stern look at her: "You will do no such thing you elfin wench, now eat or I shall be forced to take you over my knee..."
A wicked gleam lit Lilly's eyes as she purposefully put her bun on her plate and turning toward him purred: "Oh please do.."
Laughter almost had Jareth choking on the succulent roasted birds leg he had just bitten into, and it left both Sarah and Didymus coughing as they tried to clear their throats of the bread crumbs they inhaled, as Shiver smirked evilly and purred: "Just you wait..."
Thumping his chest Jareth dropped his meat and exclaimed: "Oookay I think that it's time we all concentrate on the food, and figuring out what we are going to use the rest of this marvellous day for. I swear this is like holding a summer feast for hormonal goblins... Didymus please come to my aid!"
Fighting hard to get his own breathing under control, Didymus held up his hands in surrender as his eye twinkled with laughter: "Arh I doth profess that I believe it to be an impossible mission my friend.."
Throwing his hand up in mock defeat, Jareth sighed heavily: "Fine I suppose that I must resign myself then. "
"Surely I doth believe that to be the wiser course": Holding up a hunk of tender red beef-like meat, Didymus smiled as he pushed on: "Verily this meat doth make mine palate sing. Prey tell what spices hath thou use fair lady Sarah..."
The sunlight came from directly above them, and they were all soaked in sweat by the time they had finished their midday meal.
Laying on his back in the high grass, Jareth languidly ran his fingers through Sarah's hair, playing absently with the long strands as she rested with her head on his abdomen and watched the lazy clouds that meandered across a sky, so blue that only the brightest bands of colour were visible as soft pastel shadows. The food and heat weighed heavily on his body, draining his desire to move. And honestly he did enjoy that he had option not to, because he knew that that time was quickly coming to an end.
Soon the day would come where he could no longer hide here with a clear conscious, and he would have to return to a life that had never truly been his. He had been born to play a role, like a beast breed to pull a plow or produce milk. It had been a cage without bars, insidious enough that he had never realized it's existence, before betrayal had ripped his eyes open in the most brutal fashion. But here he was free.
Here there were no subjects clamouring for favour.
No heavy burden to weigh him down with responsibilities, that he was forever struggling to fulfil.
Letting the thick silk of her hair pass over the smooth skin of his left hand, he sighed. So many miracles had take place here, it was little wonder that he didn't want to leave. But like so many other instances in life, he had no choice. It was going to happen whether he wanted or not and all that remained was for him decide how to deal with it. But one thing was certain he was not going to waste his last precious days of total freedom on morose thoughts. No if this was to be the last days before he returned to fight a war that he had not started, he would make them days that they would remember until they died...
"So am I the only one who finds that he smells like an aardvark and is covered in sticky sweat?"
Shivers voice was slightly slurred, as if he had been about to fall asleep, prior to being roused by Jareth's unexpected question: "No I agree, you truly do reek like an aardvark. But what are you gonna do? "
Releasing Sarah's hair, Jareth shot up to nail his son with a look of faked injury as he pressed both hands against his chest: "Ooh how you wound me, I cannot let that stand..."
Shivers eye's all but popped out of his head as an unseen force gripped him around his waist, lifting him like a doll and flung him into the pond accompanied by the remaining quartets rancorous laughter. Laughter that only grew louder as he re-emerged looking like a thoroughly drowned rat, sputtering with his dreads hanging limb around his face. Shooting Jareth a dark look, that no doubt would have been evil enough to have made lesser men soil themselves in fear, he slicked his dreads back and growled: "Oh thank you so much father, the water is most refreshing. You really must.. JOIN me.."
There was flash of green light as Jareth was yanked out from under Sarah and hurtled into the middle of the pond with a startled yelp. A grin of utter satisfaction spread on Shiver's narrow lips, setting his eyes alight with mischief, as he watched Jareth resurface slowly with an unreadable expression, almost hidden by his sodden hair: "See father wasn't I right? The water is most refreshing isn't it..."
" Yes... Quite": Jareth drawled, as he wiped the water from his eyes: "I feel positively. .. wicked not sharing it..."
"Yes I know... just how you feel. .."
Their hands moved in unison as both father and son reached out in a grabbing motion, willing their magic to sweep the last three into the cool water eliciting loud shrieks of surprise and feigned outrage. The look on the women's faces, as they emerged looking like water nymphs with their short light dresses clinging to their bodies like second skin, could have scoured the skin right of a man's face. They were that furious. And their fury only served to make Didymus wide grin even brighter, as he emerged as naked as the day he was born.
"Verily my lords this is most refreshing, thank you for sharing this with us. Though I do find you all to be overdressed..."
His enormous paw-hand moved in a curt arch with the palm turned up, and instantly the fours waterlogged clothes dissolved in puffs of dusky rusty red smoke, leaving them as naked as the fox. Nodding with obvious satisfaction, Didymus quipped: "See this is much better, don't you think my lords. Laughter bubbled as Jareth let himself fall backwards with his arms outstretched, utterly heedless of the fact that he was naked. Not that he had anything to hide or be ashamed of as he floated in the clear water.
Pulling her thick hair back, Sarah's scowl melted away as the sound of his carefree laughter echoed through the green, embracing her heart and washing all annoyance away with it's pure joy. Mischief curled her lips as she slipped silently under the surface of the pond. Four strong strokes brought her up beside Jareth, and gripping him around his waist she flashed him a wicked smile before pulling him under.
The move let loose a variable free for all of splashing and dunking's. Squeals and masculine laughter filled the woods echoing about them, until they could no longer lift their arms and found themselves sprawling in the grass, naked and utterly comfortable in their own skins as the warm wind dried them.
Panting slightly Jareth grinned: "Aarh well that was more enjoyable that I would have thought.. "
Pushing up on her elbows, Lilly looked at him: "Imagine if your subjects could see you now, would they believe it?"
Shrugging Jareth unconsciously reached down and scratched his upper thigh, unwittingly drawing Lilly's eyes down to things that she really didn't want to consider now that he had recovered fully. Seeing him naked while he had been so weak and helpless had not really bothered her, it had been necessary and just a part of caring for him. But now that he was strong again it was just super awkward. Not for him mind you. No he seemed utterly relaxed no matter what he wore, or didn't.
She was so focused on not looking that she didn't hear Jareth answer before Shiver nudged her with his elbow: "Are you listening or are you too busy Not looking at his genitals? "
"What.. No I... How dare yo...Like I Would...No"
Sputtering in embarrassed anger, Lilly lashed out catching Shiver on the shoulder as she finally rallied and shot back : "I was not looking, besides you are no better, ogling Sarah's tits the way you are!.."
"Well they are magnificent, I mean they are very perky breasts that full.. Arhm I mean."
A deep green blush instantly flared to life as Shiver realized just what he had just said, and about who! It was Sarah for goddess sake, his queen and... oh Goddess..
His eyes turned into saucers as an even more devastatingly awkward truth slammed home. Sarah was or soon would be... His stepmother! And yes he had been checking her out... what man wouldn't check out a gorgeous naked woman.
All colour instantly drained from his face as he jerked upright to stare with huge haunted eyes. This was just too weird!
And adding to the awkward sensation was Jareth's sparkling wink that plainly said "oh I know son, I know" leaping to his feet, Shiver called his clothes back as he spun and mumbled hastily: "Right I'm gonna go for a walk... I ... yeah see you at the lodge..."
Keeping his eyes firmly away from any and all naked bodies, Shiver set of at a brisk pace barely hearing Lilly's: "Hey wait up. Sarah you mind? "
The sound of her running after him was all that made him pause as he reached the edge of the clearing. Keeping his back turned, he rubbed his face tiredly as she caught up with him, and her tiny hand slipped into his, like a key into a lock.
Butting his arm with her head, Lilly asked: "Hey what's wrong? I thought that we were having fun and I was just teasing, you know that right? There is nothing wrong with looking."
Setting a gentle pace, Shiver nodded slowly: "Normally I would agree... But I just realized that I was staring at a woman who very possibly is my new Mother! My Mother Lilly, and that is just... Well that is too weird for me to process while sitting naked in her presence. I mean my Mother... I mean... I'm.. I'm over reacting aren't I?..."
Running his free hand though his still soaked dreads Shiver chuckled at his own folly: "I truly have to stop and think before I storm out, don't I..."
Giving his massive hand a soft reassuring squeeze Lilly nodded quietly: "Yeah, that would help. But hey I'm not complaining, I just got you all to myself. "
"Yeah you do enjoy that don't You?"
"Hell yeah": She grinned as she released his hand, and snake her arm around his waist giving him a light hug: "I enjoy all the time I can get with you, who knows how long we are gonna stay here. And hell I don't even know if it's possible for me to go with you to the underground... "
Sadness softened her voice as she rested the side of her head against the rigid heat of his ribcage: "So yeah I'm enjoying every second I can get. "
Stopping Shiver gently pulled her in front of him and angled her chin up with a slightly trembling finger, forcing her to meet his questioning gaze: "So you truly want to come with me, even knowing that there is a war, that must be fought. And a very real risk that I will be called to lay my life down for Jareth's. Do you realize that if you follow me then you may die, and no one who knew you will ever know."
"That is true, but if I stay aboveground then I may never see you again even if you win, and if you lose, I will most likely die when the veil comes crashing down. No I want to fight by your side, and share your fate. And if we are to die, then I want us to die together ": Determination glowed up at him from her magnificent silver and azure eyes, setting her starbursts ablaze with a light that reminded him of a dark flame: "Besides as I told you, I don't have anyone but you guys and I really don't want to leave my family..."
And goddess above he didn't want her to stay, he wanted her to follow them, and he wanted her to stay by his side for as long as the Labyrinth stood strong. And he wanted her safe, yet he knew fully well that there was no way to achieve that without lying to her. He had to tell her why she had to stay behind, why this thing that they both wanted might never be possible. He had to crush both their dreams and hearts. He had to and yet he couldn't. Not when the ring that he had found himself carving from the bones of their first kill, burning a hole in his pocket. It had stared out as just something to do, but it had quickly turned into a project, as he had slowly transformed the incredible strong bone into a delicate band of flowers, with tiny shimmering moonstones that echoed her eyes embedded in their centres. His long fingered hand slipped into his pocket, to close around the delicate band drawing strength from it as he looked down into her exquisite face: "Lilly I... there is something I need to tell you before you decide on going with us to the Labyrinth and the strife that will undoubtedly await us."
Drawing in a deep shuddering breath he shoved down a sudden burst of fear, as he prepared to tell her of his dream and then watch her make the right choice and turn from him and all things Labyrinth: "I had a dream vision... I saw you die.. I saw you die and nothing I did could stop it. "
"Wait are you talking about those nightmares about the Whiteblade? But those were just nightmares... Weren't they? "
"No": Shaking his head Shiver, tried to communicate the fear that he felt as those dreams resurfaced: "No Those were not dreams, they were visions of how you...Die."
All colour drained from her face as the words registered fully: "Wait what, are you telling me that, that creature white blade will kill me? Seriously? But if you have seen it then can't we do something. Cant I , Hell I don't know, can't I just run if I see him, Or stay at the goblin Castle? Or what about magic? Can't you conjure some kind of protection for me?... Can't I ..."
Stopping mid sentence, Lilly swallowed back the sudden nausea that the dark and all encompassing terror she saw in his eyes caused. She remembered the horrid night's vividly. The screams of terror and pleas for her life, as he battled an unseen fiend. And she remembered just how desperate he had sounded as he begged her to never go between him and the white blade, whatever that was anyway: "So now what ? What do we do? I won't let you go to the Labyrinth alone! What if you die, or are wounded. Then you would be all alone... No... I'm coming with you..."
Smiling softly at her jumbled word salad, Shiver cupped her face in his massive calloused hands: "Don't you mean that you would be all alone if I died ?"
Wiping furiously at the tears that glistened unshed in her eye's Lilly mumbled: "Yeah whatever ... the point is that I won't let you go into battle without me ... I've been left behind far too many times already. I won't let you go without a fight ... even if I will have to stay at the goblin castle or at camp while you kill that white blade dude ...Then at least I would still be with you when you return and if you don't then... "
Exhaling a shuddering breath, that sounded suspiciously like a sob as she lost the battle against the tears, Lilly forced herself to continue, and the words she spoke was glowing with fierce conviction: "I would find whoever killed you and I would kill them before joining you in our grave ... I won't lose you Shiver. Not now that I've finally allowed myself to have you fully. I never actually believed in true love, not before you swept me of my feet. Damn you Shiver, why must you be such a fairy-tale knight... Why do you have to see straight into my heart and soul? "
"Well I am a Goblin... Sooo I guess that the comparison is understandable... And how can I not see your beautiful soul ? It shines like a newborn star ! And that's why I have to beg you once again. Please, Lilly stay aboveground, stay safe ... Stay out of the white blades reach ... Let me go into the coming battle knowing that you will live no matter my fate."
Covering his hands with her own, Lilly pulled them down until his hands rested on her shoulders and not her face before asking: "And if you lose will I be safe then? Or will I just be forced to go through the ragnarok that will unfold as the veil crumbles and Titania and Oberon destroys my world, alone... Isn't it My choice?"
His thin lips was nothing but a pale bloodless line as he stood speechless, gazing into her gloriously determined eyes, and knew defeat. Her decision had been made, that much was clear, and nothing he said from here on out would dissuade her from her path. She would follow him into the fray of battle, putting her life at risk. Putting their future at risk. Tears burned behind the bright green of his eyes as dark grey spread around them in a smeared mess that spoke clearly of the pain and desperation in his heart.
A choked, half sob half laugh sound escaped him, as realisation dawned on him that she was not risking anything that he was not. She was not doing anything, that he was not. And it was a big part of what he loved about her, she was a warriors, a true match and partner for him and how could he ever expect her to act any differently.
He couldn't...
And that realization brought with it a new instant decision, as his hand moved on it's own, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the delicately carved ring that had rested there for the last several weeks. He had waited for the perfect moment and no this was not the moonlit glade that he had envisioned. But time was slipping fast, and if he hesitated any longer, he might never get the chance.
The look on her face, as he let go of her, and stepped back was one of confusion with just a hint of hurt. But that changed as soon as he took a knee before her, holding out a tiny shimmering object in supplication.
"No... You can't. .. No oh god.. Shiver Is that what I think it is? "
Her heart pounded at a furious pace, as tears made her vision blurry. It was an engagement ring, a ring, and he was... Oh god, he was kneeling, looking all open and vulnerable as he offered up their utterly uncertain future: "Yes it is just that, please ...Lilly, Love of my life... I had this long flowery proposal planned... But Our time here will soon end... And I know not how long the Goddess will grant us once we return to the Labyrinth, but I do know that I want to spend that time by your side... Will you be my wife? Will you share my life with me however short it may be?"
The tears streaming down her cheeks changed from tears of sadness, anger and frustration to tears of sheer joy, as she choked out: "Yes... oh sweet Jesus yes ... No matter how short or long our time is I want to share it with you.. So yeah I will marry you... But not until we win the war. Okay? I want to celebrate our victory by beginning our future together."
"And what an appropriate way to begin a new era": Moving out from behind a tree, Jareth, Sarah and Didymus beamed at the newly engaged couple, as Shiver slipped the delicate band onto Lilly's left ring finger: "This union, will be blessed by the goddess herself, I can feel her presence even now..."
"Father! How long were you there? "
"Long enough. And a risky as it may be, I believe that you would regret it if you had made any other choice, you belong together, just as Sarah and I do...And at times we must risk much to be with those we love ": His bicoloured eyes shone with a soft light as delicate copper and golden patterns flared to life around them, enhancing their colours as Sarah smiled happily up at him.
"Yeah, you gotta grab the chance for love no matter how slim it seems... Also we gotta talk dresses and cakes and flowers... Oh this is gonna be soooooo cool ": Turning her silver and emerald gaze from the love of her life to her best friend and sister from another mother, Sarah grinned: "And really if I didn't have a valid reason for winning before, then getting to see my best friend get hitched to a honest to god prince, would make a hell of a reason. "
The heat of his arms encircled her slender frame, and she felt rather than heard his voice as he spoke: "I was personally hoping that we could just keep it simple, maybe return here, and have the ceremony out by the pond, or maybe up by the mountain spring. But in truth I don't know, what do you want my love? "
"I just want the war to end, so we can plan this all in peace. And then yeah a small ceremony out in the clearing sounds fantastic... And Sarah would you be my maid of honour, I mean I know that you are married and all but would you?"
"Would I? Hell yeah, I would love to stand with you."
Gripping Sarah's hands Lilly found herself whirled out of Shivers arms and into a whirling spin that left her breathless and grinning widely.
"So dress what are you thinking? "
Linking their arms, Sarah pulled Lilly with her as she walked towards the golden sunlit clearing, and away from the three men, chattering happily about colours, flowers and food...
The sight of the two women as they laughed conspiratorially together brought a soft wry smile to Jareth's lips: "It may not have been the best of idea to let those two slink off alone already. Before you know it that intimate little ceremony that you were hoping for may have become a lavish royal wedding.."
Grinning shyly Shiver shrugged: "Arh I have little fear, Sarah does not strike me as inclined towards unnecessary opulence, look at your own joining. And speaking of, father Didymus... I know that it is customary to only have one man standing with you as the vows are said, but I find that I can no more chose between my father, and my dearest friend and brother in arms, than I could still my heart by will alone. Thus I ask you both, will you stand with me on the day of my union with Lilly?"
"Verily my brother, nothing would honour me more than to stand by thee, as thou art wed to the most noble lady."
"Good": Jareth quipped good naturedly: "Because I would be hard-pressed if I were to keep him from fleeing alone ..."
"Oh very funny father, don't you have to start obsessing over which outfit to wear": Shiver shot back with a petulant tone, that bordered a whine.
Concealing his amusement behind a mask of foppish affectation, Jareth drawled: "My dear boy I decided that years ago.. Really child at times it is as if you do not actually know me... Now shall we rejoin the ladies, it seems as if they have decided to recline in the sun once more.
Nodding, Didymus clapped Shiver on the shoulder with enough force that the tall goblin stumbled forward: "Verily thou wouldst not flee on such blessed day.. Remember young knight we of the blade doth face our battles head on..."
. . . . .
Spinning with a dancers grace Jareth swayed away from Shivers curved wooden blade and launched a low counterattack which the knight easily avoided as he leapt backwards with a low chuckle: "Really father is that you best? I thought..."
The friendly taunt was cut short by a well placed boot, that planted squarely in Shivers midsection had the goblin doubling over, as all air was forced from his lungs by the brutal move. Gagging desperately for air, he rolled into a low defensive crouch as Jareth stalked towards him with a grim predatory glint in his conspicuous naked eyes.
"No son that was not my best!...Now defend yourself!"
His bare chest heaved with the exertion of their prolonged training session as well as the excessive heat of the midday as it pounded them mercilessly, causing them both to be covered in gleaming sweat. Lean muscles moved like serpents beneath their taut skin as the well matched couple crouched circling each other, searching for a nonexisting opening in the others defence.
Leaning forward in her deck chair, Sarah watched the exchange with an experienced eye. Much had changed in the past few days, since Lilly and Shiver's engagement. The entire mood though still a good one, had turned far more serious. No one had spoken the words yet, but there was no doubt that they would leave this timeless sanctuary in a matter of days.
There was no arguing that it was time to leave, as Sarah watched Jareth spin his curved twin blades and stalked his son with merciless efficiency. They had waited for him to heal and one could not deny that he done just that. And now as she watched him in his full glory, she couldn't help but admire the power of their half naked bodies. He was the warrior king once more, powerful and confident as he commanded obedience with his very presence. Brave and wise as he considered the input of his friends while planning the many possible ways to defend the Labyrinth. Ways that could never be anything but speculations before they knew the facts.
Watching as Jareth gripped Shiver's right wrist and used the momentum of the knight to pull him to the floor, Sarah smiled as Shiver true to form refused to stay down and admit defeat, but instead lashed out, catching Jareth across his unprotected thigh, earning him a dark growl as Jareth dropped to the ground threatening to ram his wooden sword through the long column of Shivers neck: "Yield, or I will spank you like the insolent child that you are..."
Snorting in the most provocative way imaginable Shiver grinned: "Fine I yield, but only to preserve your fragile... "
Whatever insult that Shiver had been about to utter, he found it cut off by a rusty red crystal that poised just above Jareth's head popped and showered them both in frigid water, complete with a light sprinkling of crushed ice.
Laughter erupted from Sarah's lips like sparkling chimes as Didymus walked casually onto the porch, wearing only a light pair of dark brown trousers and towelling his fur which was still wet from the post sparring bath he had just enjoyed. And wearing the most angelic expression he spoke: "It is a fine day, think you not my lady, though just a tad too warm. One truly must be cautious about remaining properly hydrated..."
Fighting hard to breath through the laughter, Sarah wiped at her eyes and coughed: "Oh sweet goddess, you are going to kill me if you keep that up. ."
"Hmm yes, but not if I kill him first ": Slicking his drenched hair back, Jareth shot the quietly grinning fox a dark glance, before extending his still dripping hand towards Shiver in a silent offer of assistance.
"Arh my lord I doth throw my life upon thy mercy... ": Throwing his arms wide, Didymus bowed deeply as Jareth stalked onto the porch and flopped down gracefully to recline on a deckchair, with one leg pulled up so that he could rest his chin on his knee while the other leg trailed off of it.
"Yes so you say.. But childish things aside I think we all know that the time to leave this much needed sanctuary, and return to the Labyrinth, have come. I realise that this may seem rather abrupt, but I fear that our reluctance to leave will only grow if we linger much longer. I know, and I speak only for myself in this matter, but I feel my desire to leave grow more and more dim as the days pass... Soon midsummer's eve will be upon us and it would be time to begin preparing for winter, and if we do that then I sincerely doubt that we will ever return..."
Nodding gravely Didymus perched on the sturdy porch railing, as Shiver lounged on the other free deckchair, with his arms resting behind his head: "Verily I hath worried of just that outcome. And I understand far too well the allure of this carefree life..."
"Hey.. What are we discussing? ": Shifting her basket of ripe berries as she ascended the four steps up, Lilly looked from one to the other, with a lightly worried frown. A frown that automatically grew less worried as Shiver reached out to her, and indicated that he wanted her to sit with him on the deckchair.
"We are discussing our return to the Labyrinth, I'm sure you have felt the fading sense of urgency as the rest of us have. "
Running his massive battle hardened hand through the large basket of dark blueberries the size of his thumb, Shiver continued: "The fact that you have picked berries to preserve, is enough to answer my question..."
Shrugging as she left the basket beside him and let him pull her down to sit between his legs so that he could wrap his arms around her midsection and rest his chin on her shoulder, Lilly said: "Yeah, I feel it too.. Just this morning I caught myself looking for seeds to plant in the winter garden. So yeah, much as we would all rather stay here then I think we need to go, and soon. "
"Yeah": Sarah interjected: "It has been too easy for us to forget that there is a war waiting to be fought, and that we are the only ones who are actually living right now... So are we all in agreement, we leave at say dawn two days from now?"
"Yes ": Came the short answer from Jareth as he reached out and gripped Sarah's hand: "Dawn two days from now... Now let us ready our weapons and bid this haven farewell..."
. . . . .
The weapons and armours had been readied within a day, and the pantry and medical herb garden packed and stored within crystals, ready to be called forth when needed. They had even found time to take down four of the massive warty bison frogs, dress them, and prepare their surprisingly robust and flavourful carcasses for the roasting pit. It was an immense amount of food, but it was barely a drop in the vast sea of hunger that would be awaiting them.
Rubbing his fingers through his shoulder length hair, Jareth pulled it out of his face as he stared out at the seemingly endless ocean. It was perhaps two hours after midnight, he wasn't sure, and to be honest he didn't actually care... This solitary moment was his alone as he bid the world where he had found himself, farewell. The life they had lived here, had been simple and fulfilling in a way that he had only ever thought to experience in the dreams he had shared with Sarah, never in real life. It had been just what he had needed, and though he wished that he could stay here, and simply live off of the fertile land and it's teaming animal life. He knew that he could not.
His realm awaited their return, frozen in time. Caught on the cusp of death as he had been when they came here. He could not fail them, not again. And nor would he.
Not this time, no this time he would fight that wicked harpy with all that he possessed, and once her army was defeated he would wring her scrawny neck and run fiery blade through the arrogant bastard who styled himself her husband and lord. Smiling coldly as images of Titania and Oberon howling in agony as they were subjected to every last torture that they had subjected him to through the years, Jareth sighed. Yes that would be an appropriate punishment, let them suffer all that they had made him suffer. From the day of his conception to the day that the spell was shattered, by that to Titania alien concept of absolute and unconditional love.
Raising his hands to the blank sky, Jareth moved his hands in deliberately hypnotic patterns as a soft light of azure, silvery white and warm emerald coalesced into a single crystal containing them all as he channelled all his pain and anger into it, and set his punishment into stone: "By the goddesses law of seven, let those who have wronged me suffer that which they visited unto me. Let them suffer sevenfold what I was made to bear, no more nor less, in a realm from which they shall not be released until their punishment has run its course. This is my will and desire, and no force but the goddess may intercede on their behalf. "
Satisfied he watched the crystal hover and glow ever so slightly above his outstretched hand. This was his vengeance, and inside was nothing but memories of all the terror and agony that they had visited on him for almost four thousand years, and which had culminated in seven years of pure torture. Once they had defeated the army of the cruel monarchs this was where they would be sent. Straight into the heart of the agony that they had caused to the one being in the world who should by right have been safe from their blistering malice.
A strange detached sadness settled over him as he watched the crystal fade from existence to rest hidden inside the veil until he called it forth. They were a part of his heritage and no matter how much pain they had caused him, that would never change. But he wanted, no needed to ensure that they could never harm another living creature. It was his purpose and role. It was the reason for his very existence, to protect life and ensure that peace reigned in the realms. And if nothing else then he would ensure that they could never harm another innocent soul again.
It should have been harder than this, to decide to subject his own parents to what would in essence be an eternity of anguish. But truth be told he didn't feel that type of attachment towards them, he hadn't since Sarah had shattered the spell. And that was the reason for his sadness. A sadness that evaporated as soon as he realized it's reason, and was replaced by utter relief. Because without that attachment he was free to seek vengeance not just for himself, but for the innocents who had died because of their machinations.
Turning his thoughts from the darkness of his childhood, Jareth allowed himself to gaze out over the endless sea again. And the beauty of it filled him once more, banishing the remembered darkness and filling him with inner peace, as the slow moving ripples caught the light of the ever moving sky.
Beauty had for him always translated into music, be it instrumental or vocal. And strangely enough it was not a trait he had inherited from either of his fey blood. It had in fact something he had inherited from Cathan and Aideen.
His hand flashed out, plucking a perfect crystal from the moon kissed air, and let it roll effortlessly over the back of it, before rolling up to rest on the very tips of his gathered fingers. Gazing into the swirling centre of the orb he smiled as a simple willow flute materialized in the glowing mist and slowly grew in size until it could longer be confined by the gossamer sphere, bursting out of its cage to rest in his hand.
Closing his long elegant fingers around the worn wood, Jareth heard the voice of Cathan: "Here my son, see there is music in even the simplest of things. It is the wish of the great goddess that we find it and set it free, so that we might all appreciate it."
He had been a father just as Aideen and Morgaine had been and still were mothers, warm and loving. And it was their memory that he honoured as he raised the ancient flute to his lips, letting deep soft tones rise towards the sky.
He played with his heart, letting the notes float up through the light of the unseen moon, to soar out towards the distant horizon, carrying his gratitude on their melodious wings as he lost himself in the music...
. . . . .
The furs beside her were cold, as Sarah reached for the comforting presence of Jareth. Creaking open eyes that felt more like slabs of stone than like her own flesh and blood, Sarah surveyed the spacious room and called out softly: "Jareth? Jareth where are you? "
But there was no reply as she pushed herself into a sitting position and rubbed her gritty eyes. And as she cleared her vision she saw why. The picture windows that were usually closed had been left slightly ajar, held open by an owl feather. It was not the first time that she had awoken to a cold bed and an owl feather in the window. And normally she would allow him his privacy, but this night was different, this night was the night before their last night here, and there was something about the deep silence of this night that called her.
Rising she moved with utterly unnecessary silence as she threw the window open, and shed her human form like one would shed a well loved coat.
The cool breeze of the summer night embraced her like a lover, as her ebony wings pumped hard and sent her speeding towards the cliff that separated the high grass and meadow planes from the low lying beach. This was where she would find him, as she felt the soft tug in her soul that would always lead her to him. Smaller birds fled before her, blinded by her predatory guise, or perhaps she mused, because they were the ones able to truly see beneath her human guise.
She heard him before she saw him, slow languid harmonies rising and falling like a sleeping child's breath. Letting the wind carry her, she floated in silently like the shadow that she resembled.
Jareth sat perched on a cluster of ragged boulders that balanced precariously on the edge of the cliffs, with music dancing about him like invisible moths.
Banking up against the updraft created by the cliffs, she hovered for a second before setting down in front of him, huge luminescent eyes intent on his moon kissed face, as he played on with closed eyes, as if he had not sensed her approach.
Silvery light played across his half clothed form, smoothing his skin out and setting the delicate four coloured lines surrounding his eyes ablaze with flames of gold silver, blue and green. He looked like the quintessential fey prince as he tried to seduce the mortal maiden to bring her back to his enchanted kingdom and never let her go.
On he played, soft and alluring as if he was utterly unaware of her presence. Not that she truly minded because the sight of him so engrossed in his music was more than enchanting enough to keep her attention captive, as she settled down on the sharp rocks with her midnight wings tucked in against the cool sea breeze.
The sound of his ancient flute painting her images of golden mornings, where droves of goblins tended to wavering fields ready for harvest. With sheaves so heavy that they could barely hold themselves off of the ground.
There were children of all races playing in the hedgerows, with their faces covered in mud and bright berry juices. In the distance the twin suns of the Labyrinth hung low in the rusty red sky, heralding a warm dry day perfect for the harvest about to begin. As the first scythes were raised to slice silver arches in the morning air and fell the corn in smooth strikes.
There was such longing hope in the imagery conjured by his music that Sarah knew that she was crying even before his finger gently caught the trembling drop before it could fall onto her feathers.
"Don't cry my precious, it is a vision of what may come to be... If.. No when, we win the war we can create a portal and allow those who wish, to move here to this world and give life to this dream... If you will allow that of course."
Her transformation was silent as her dark owl was replaced by her milky skinned form.
"Of course I will, but why wait until we have won? If we open a portal immediately after returning we have a safe haven, that we can send the civilians to while we fight."
Nodding into her hair, Jareth's voice filled with loving pride as he said: "You are a true queen my love, ever thinking of the weak, and how to insure their safety and wellbeing. ."
"Oh it's not any different from what you would do..."
"True ": He conceded softly: "But it is far more than I am use to expecting from any other ruler but Morgaine. And even she can be terrifyingly nonchalant with her subjects lives. I must admit that I have grown to expect a staggering amount of callousness when it comes to the needs and wellbeing of subjects... I honestly don't think that I would have been surprised if you had refused to let anyone into your private realm... disappointed certainly. But unsurprised. "
Stunned into silence by the unfathomable cruelty that he so casually referred to, Sarah just stared into the distance as she struggled to find something to say, that wouldn't make her sound like the very confused and naive girl she felt like. What the hell was there to say? Some monarchs would claim an entire realm for themselves, not to ease the lives of those whose welfare had been entrusted to them. But for their personal greed. It was mind boggling and she found herself utterly unable to find anything to say. But luckily she didn't have to, as Jareth continued on with only the shortest of pauses.
"I sometimes forget that there is still good in the world, but then you remind me. And how I love you for it. You are my compass, you have been since I followed your voice into the unborn realm. You make me strive to be worthy of your love. You make me better. And that is what I came here for, I came to offer my gratitude to this world, and ultimately to you."
"There is nothing to be grateful for Jareth, I love you and this is what lovers do, they help and inspire each other... after all if lover's don't then who will?"
Burying his face in her fragrant hair, Jareth sighed lovingly: "And the fact that you truly and firmly believe that is the very reason why I love you so... I meant to do this tomorrow when you woke up... I meant to have you dress in a fine silver gown before leading you out to our ledge. But this here is better, here barely clothed beneath the sky that you have created. This is far more us. "
"Us? Okay you are not making a world of sense here, what are you talking about?"
" This..."
His hands moved in a dizzying blur in front of her as he conjured a crystal and rolled it over his hands: "We are joined, no one can ever dispute that, and though I cannot remember I know that it has happened. But because I cannot remember I want to create a new memory. Sarah will you marry me again? Will you wear my ring as I wear yours and be mine as I am yours?"
The crystal burst leaving behind two plain rings, if rings carved from diamond and sapphire could be called plain.
Leaning around her shoulder, Jareth spoke softly against her cheek: "I want this to be the memory we share as we return to the Labyrinth the day after tomorrow. Will you do me the honour?"
"I ... I Oh Goddess Jareth I don't even know what to say... Of course I will. I.."
Twisting in his lap, Sarah beamed up at him, as she settled down facing him with a leg on either side of his hips, and cradled his face in trembling hands: "You know that I love you right? You do realize that don't you? And a ring won't change anything"
"Yes ": He drawled softly: "I am beginning to see that."
"Good, then ": Leaning forward she smiled against his lips as she captured him in a loving kiss, stopping only as her lungs screamed for air, and sitting back she smirked, and held up her hand: "Then put the ring on me, so that the whole world can see to whom I belong. "
Slipping the smooth dark sapphire band onto her right ring finger, Jareth said solemnly: "Let this ring seal our union, as a sign that we are one.."
Taking the milky white diamond band from him, Sarah slipped it onto Jareth's right ring finger, Sarah said: "One mind and one flesh neither slave nor ruler to each other, but two sides of the same heart and soul, and even death will never do us apart."
The soft whisper of waves meeting the beach was the only sound to congratulate the newlyweds as they sealed their union with a soft passionate kiss...
. . . . .
The soft light of dawn washed the towering mountains in pastels of every rose and violet shade, as birds of prey circled above letting out loud keening screeches of fury, as they floated on the turbulent updrafts like shadows of death. Sitting back against the sharp edges of the cliffs face, that he had just scaled, Didymus sighed sadly. This was the last day where he would not have to hunt to feel magic fill his core, it was the last day in this world that embraced him, and flowed through him like a river through a desert reviving and replenishing the arid land it touched. Running his thickly calloused hand lovingly over the cold stone, Didymus felt how the wild untamed power of it seeped into his soul through every pore of his skin. After a life of starvation it had been absolutely overwhelming to suddenly be able to gorge himself on power so potent, that all other magic he had ever sampled paled to mere crumbs. These past months had been a feast and he had not denied himself, and now it was coming to an end. An end that filled him with terror of the well known. Terror of the gnawing hunger that he had not felt in neigh on nine months. A brief eternity of being fulfilled and free of the pain that defined his people, and their relationship with the realm from where they came. It was the painfilled hunger that caused his brethren to hunt and kill. A hunger not for flesh but magic.
Picking up a thumb sized rock, he let it rest in his palm as he gazed into the endless horizon with his second sight. To the others this was a world without a sun, but to him it had not just one, it had four, one for each cores that rested like stars in Sarah's soul. And their light filled him infusing his own core with a magic that felt so familiar, that he could barely remember what not having it resting inside him, filling him with warmth and comfort.
And tomorrow it would end, as abruptly as it had come. Not that there would be any pain tomorrow, because there wouldn't, nor the day after or even the day after that, but soon the constant drain of living would reach a point where it would hurt to even breath, and that pain would be made even worse by the memory of the joy and freedom he had felt here.
And that was why he had decided to spend his last morning up here, despite the danger of climbing at night. To see the four stars as they rose in all their splendour, to feel utterly free one last time and to lock that memory deep in his soul, so that not hunger nor pain could ever tarnish it. And maybe, just maybe he would live to see this perfect world once more.
Keeping that hope burning in his sorely tried heart, Didymus held the tiny stone in his palm as he reached out over the edge of the ledge. And closing his eyes, he let his fervent hope, that he would return to this place imprint into the stone, as his mother had taught him to do two millennia ago. It was an old Llwynog tradition, to leave a wish in the places that one wished to return to. And right in that moment he hoped with every inch of his being that the old magic would hold true, and somehow carry him back here to sit content and watch the brilliance of another sunrise...
. . . . .
It was just past dawn, and still Lilly couldn't bring herself to actually crawl out of their warm bed and begin to cook the breakfast that she had promised the others to make. But then judging by the utter silence that shrouded the lodge she wasn't the only one to linger in their bed this morning. Shiver for one did not exactly seem ready to get up as he lay wrapped around her, his powerful arm holding her comfortable in their warm shackles.
Letting out a deep content sigh, Lilly snuggled deeper into his arms smiling when they tightened around her and he mumbled thickly: "No you are not getting up yet.. I am far too comfortable to let you leave, even if it is to cook... Please Lilly just ... stay a while longer."
"Oh fine.. But only because you're so damn cute when you're begging.. "
A lazy grin curled his wide mouth as he creaked a single eye open and murmured: "Damn straight, now hush... I am in the middle of a good dream..."
And answering smile lit up her face even as she felt her eyes grow heavy and his relaxed heat enveloped her once again: "Okay but just a few more minutes. .."
. ... .
Dawn turned to morning and morning began to creep towards noon before the succulent smells of frying bacon with eggs and those huge greenish grey mushrooms that only Didymus knew how to dig up wafted through the lodge. Rubbing her eye as she sat up, Lilly sniffed the air as she nudged Shivers side with her elbow: "Get up, we overslept, and Didymus is about to murder those poor eggs."
Extricating herself from Shivers arms proved slightly more difficult than expected but finally she managed to leave the now pouting goblin behind, as she dressed in a light sundress of lavender blue silk, and quickly braid her long hair. Shiver was still rubbing his eyes as she blew him a kiss from the door and vanished, leaving behind a soft sent of summer blooms behind.
Swinging his long legs out from under the now stifling heat of their blankets Shiver sighed and absently rubbed at the wide and prominent scar that bisected his thigh. It still itched and ached when he overworked it, but overall it had healed well, and the upcoming battle didn't cause him any worry. Not for his own sake at least, Lilly on the other hand did cause him worry, enough worry that he had lain awake until the sky had begun to grow light with the approach of morning, as the image of Lilly dying on White Blades sword had tormented him. It was her choice to go to the Labyrinth with him, even though she knew that death would be stalking her. She knew and yet the threat that she might miss a few precious moments with him was enough to make her heart shatter. She loved him deeply enough that the thought that he might perish in the war, alone, while she remained safe in another realm, was enough to make her ignore any threat to her own safety.
And goddess but he loved her for it. Even as his chest contracted with fear for the risk they were taking, he loved her.
Rising from the bed, Shiver stretched as the light and heat of the new day finally registered. It was going to be a beautiful day as light fluffy clouds raced across a sky where birds played and whirled. And Shiver knew just how to spend it.
They all shared what had become brunch outside on blankets in the meadow, surrounded by flowers of every colour and shape. And once finished they walked to the beach, to spend a last day in carefree happiness.
Sure it would have made sense to spend the last day pouring over the massive map as they had done in the dark winter nights. But as Didymus had so rightfully pointed out, they had no way of knowing what resources they had to work with or what battlements remained. Thus any plans they conjured would be nothing more than potentially dangerous assumptions. And so they had all agreed to wait with their planning until they were actually back in the realm that they were to protect, leaving them free to enjoy their final day in absolute peace.