A/N: I'm terribly sorry for the lateness of this chapter. Brigadoon has been keeping me so busy. Such is the life of a director…lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The next one is already being written, so I hope to update again this weekend. Thanks to my readers, who keep me going. Special thanks go to gamesofmakebelieve, seniastardust, xAnamolicXInfectionx , TheraSerenity, Her Royal Goddess, lonely 27, Dark-Assassin92, wedimagineer, Fangirl, EmeraldRomance, angelinastefany, Silverfurred, EmeraldAnne, hazlgrnLizzy, LittleMargarita, chichi89, and I'Like'Cheetos for their awesome reviews! We broke 150 reviews…yay! Remember – reviews make me happy and happy people update faster.
Disclaimer: Me: Goblin King, Goblin King wherever you may be. Please give the rights to Labyrinth to no one else but me.
Goblins: Where did she learn that rubbish? It doesn't even start with I wish.
Me: I wish…
Jareth: Don't even try it.
Me: **Sighs** You heard the man…don't own it and never will.
"What did you find out?" Jareth asked from his spot on his throne.
"Lady Sarah see Kingy Cousin"
"They go see play"
"She like plays"
"She like games"
"We play games"
"You are dismissed," Jareth said. His look of indifference changed into a sly grin. So, Liam was taking her to see a play. He knew just the one they would be going to. A nice, romantic, boring little show that was currently showing in the Fae Kingdom. His father had dragged him there on opening night. He supposed it was the sort of production that would appeal to female audience members. He, himself, had struggled to stay awake. If things went according to Liam's plan, she would end up putty in his hand. But, of course, they would be going according to Jareth's plan so he hoped the outcome would go much further into his favor.
Slowly, he rose from his throne and created a crystal with his right hand. Throwing it up into the air, it burst and he was transported to the Fae Kingdom. He walked along the street until he came upon the theatre in question. He knocked on the large wooden doors and waited. Soon, they were opened and a young Fae man looked out at him. Upon seeing the High Prince, he threw the doors open and bowed.
"What can I do for you Your Highness?" he asked.
"I wish to speak with the owner," Jareth replied. The man nodded and waved him inside.
"Please wait here," the man said. "I will go and get him for you."
Jareth hated being made to wait for anything, but he knew when to bide his time. He walked around the silent lobby and looked at the different paintings of various performances. His father was a large patron of the arts so there were quite a few of them. Jareth didn't mind the stage, but some of the last few productions were just so dreadful. He missed watching Sarah perform in the park. At least she could act.
"Your Highness, it's an honor to have you grace our theater," the owner said coming into the lobby. He was a fat, balding elf with twinkling blue eyes.
"Thank you for seeing me with such short notice," Jareth replied.
"Think nothing of it," the owner said happily. "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to attend the theater tonight, but I've already seen this production," Jareth replied. "I was hoping you might still perform the last show that was in this theater. You see, I missed it and was told how wonderful it was. Now I only wish I could have seen it for myself."
"Well," the owner said, trying to decide what to say. The last show closed a month ago. It would be hard to gather the necessary cast and recreate the sets in time for this night's show.
"I could make it worth your while," Jareth said smoothly. "You see, Sarah Williams will also be in attendance. You know she is one of the great actresses from above. It would mean a lot to see your last production."
"The Labyrinth Champion!" the owner exclaimed. "What an honor it would be to have her in attendance. Especially given that you will also be in the house. I will do my best to recreate a performance from our last production."
"Thank you, good sir," Jareth replied. "I would appreciate it if you didn't say anything about this performance. I'd like to make this a surprise for her. I'm sure I can even persuade her to come on stage. That should give your theater the necessary publicity for years to come."
"Would you be willing to join her on stage for the end of the play?" the owner asked, beaming with joy.
"I would be happy to join her on stage," Jareth replied. The man had played right into his hands. He'd gotten everything he wanted by only asking one thing. He couldn't wait to see Sarah's face tonight at the performance. "Now I must be going. I will see you tonight in my customary box. Thank you for being so accommodating. I will have to speak to my father about all of this."
"Thank you, Your Highness," the man said, bowing
Jareth bowed in turn and left the theater. He transported himself to the Fairy Kingdom to find Sarah. He walked to her room, but it was empty. His brother's valet said that Fagan and Allie had gone into town without her. She was somewhere in the castle and he was determined to find her.
Turning a corner, he came to the library. He peered in and was rewarded with the view of dark hair pinned atop a pretty head. She had her back turned to him and he admired her shape inside the pink silk dress. She stood on her tiptoes to grab at a book on a higher shelf.
Jareth stifled his laugher as he quietly walked into the library. When he was right behind her, he whispered in her ear. "Looking for something?" he purred.
Sarah screamed and fell backwards off the small stool. She was caught by the strong arms of a laughing Jareth. "You jackass!" she exclaimed, swatting him on the shoulder. She pushed against him, trying to get him to release her. He was too strong for her efforts and only held her tighter.
"I couldn't resist, precious," he said. "That always seems to happen when I'm around you." He swooped in for the kiss, but she turned her head at the last minute. He grinned and kissed her cheek instead. He began to move his lips down to her neck. She stopped struggling and leaned into his caresses. His teeth nipped her as he reached her shoulder. She moaned and held him close to her. He stopped his assault of her bare skin as he looked up at her. Her eyes were closed and her lips were slightly parted. He brought his lips to hers as his hands flew to her silky locks. His tongue entered her mouth and tasted her.
"Am I interrupting something?" a voice called cheerfully behind them. The couple flew apart to see Fagan leaning against the door jam.
"Yes," said Jareth haughtily. "Now if you would excuse me." He turned back to Sarah and admired the pretty blush upon her cheeks. He leaned in to kiss her again, but this time she ducked away.
"What did you need Fagan?" she asked, stepping away from Jareth.
"You have a visitor in the Throne Room Sarah," he said, trying to hide a grin.
"Thank you Fagan," she replied. She quickly left the library and went out in search of her mysterious visitor.
Fagan began to laugh at his eldest brother's face. It was just too funny. He looked quite put out at Sarah's leave. At his brother's laughter, Jareth scowled and began to walk away.
"I'm sorry, my brother," Fagan apologized. He stopped Jareth before he could leave the confines of the Library. "You just should have seen your face."
"Glad to be a source of amusement," Jareth groused. He left the library to find Sarah. He still hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her yet. He hoped that her visitor didn't consist of one of the other suitors.
Sarah wandered into the Throne Room, unsure of what to expect. Before her stood a beautiful woman with dark hair and blue eyes. She reminded Sarah of someone, but she couldn't get her mind to tell her who. The woman smiled and it was contagious. Sarah smiled back and still tried to recollect who this person could be.
"Hello Sarah," the woman spoke kindly.
"Hello," Sarah replied. "I'm sorry, but have we met?"
"No, my dear," said the woman. "I am Catrin, Liam's mother."
"Your Majesty," Sarah replied, curtsying before her. She couldn't help but wonder why the High King's sister would be paying her a visit.
"Please Sarah, just call me Cat," Catrin said.
"Would you like to come to the library Cat?" Sarah asked. "It's the best place to sit and have a chat. Seems no one but me even goes there."
"That would be lovely, my dear," Catrin replied. She looked over the girl before her. Liam certainly had made a good choice. Aesthetically, she was very pleasing. Catrin had also heard about the Champion's strong will and good heart. These were all very good things for the next Nymph Queen to possess. Of course, Catrin was looking forward to someday giving up her crown to her son. It would be good to know that he was ruling with someone like Sarah by his side.
"Shall we?" Sarah asked, approaching the door. The Queen silently fell into step beside her. Already, she was envisioning the girl as her daughter-in-law. She would be a great wife and was young enough to produce many heirs for her son. The thought of grandchildren made her smile with joy.
"Auntie!" a voice cried, pulling Catrin out of her daydream. She cleared her eyes to see Jareth strolling towards them. Catrin held out her arms and embraced her nephew, laughing. She dearly loved her eldest nephew. She wondered when he would find a nice girl and settle down. It was then that she remembered his courtship of Sarah. That made things a lot more complicated. While she wanted to see her nephew happy, her son came first in her eyes.
"Jareth, you crazy Fae," Catrin cried as he picked her up and spun her around. "You are too much like your father. Put me down!" Jareth set her down, laughing at her amused expression. "I don't know how your mother did it? Raising you two boys nearly drove her crazy."
"I can imagine, with mischievous boys like them," Sarah interjected. This earned her a smirk from Jareth. He wandered over to Sarah and put his lips to her ear.
"Come now Sarah," he purred. "You like naughty boys, now don't you."
Sarah turned a lovely shade of pink and looked at Catrin. The interaction didn't go unnoticed by the Queen. She only thought about how much of a disappointment it would be for her son should Jareth win. It was obvious that these two had serious chemistry. Of course, her son would give it his best shot to win the girl. Catrin had spent many a conversation with him about her. Liam had definite feelings for Sarah and Catrin sincerely hoped that the pretty girl returned them. She would have to see them together to know for sure.
"Stop embarrassing her, nephew," Catrin said. "What would your mother say?"
"She'd say I have impeccable taste," Jareth replied. "Before she took me over her knee." Catrin and Jareth shared a laugh, while Sarah watched on.
"You should meet Riona," Catrin said, turning to Sarah. "She was quite a lovely woman, both inside and out."
"I am going to see her on Beltane," Jareth said. "Perhaps you would like to accompany me."
"That would be nice," Sarah replied. "I've never been to the Underworld before." Both Jareth and Catrin looked suitably impressed. "Don't look so surprised. You use her name in the past tense. I have yet to meet her, though I have met Raghnall. You are going to see her on Beltane. Of course I can figure out that she's in the Underworld."
"You never cease to amaze me, precious," Jareth said proudly. "Yes, my mother passed over to the Underworld a couple hundred years ago. She can't wait to meet you."
"I assume that you went to see her on Ostara," Sarah replied. At his guilty expression, she clucked her tongue and shook her head. "Well, then you must see her at Beltane. I won't let you miss another opportunity to see her."
"Good girl," Catrin said, grinning. "Now, Jareth, you must excuse us. We were just on our way to have a chat over tea."
"Before you go," Jareth replied. "Might I have a word with Sarah, alone." Catrin raised an eyebrow, looking eerily like her nephew. She stepped aside and watched as he led Sarah away. "Sarah," he said quietly. "Would you care to take a walk with me tomorrow afternoon in my father's gardens? They are one of the most spectacular sights to behold. We could have lunch in the city and then take a nice afternoon walk."
"That sounds lovely Jareth," Sarah replied. "I'd like that. I'll see you tomorrow." She gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek and then hurried to catch up with Catrin. He grinned and watched her go. With a wave of his hand, he transported back to the Goblin Kingdom to get ready for that evening.
Sarah and Catrin found themselves laughing like old friends in the library. The tea had gone cold long ago, but they didn't care. Sarah found she really liked the Nymph Queen and the feeling was mutual.
"So there he was," Catrin said laughing. "Dressed in his sister's clothing and looking thoroughly miserable."
"What a nice brother," Sarah said giggling. "I tried to put Toby in a dress once, but my father stopped me."
"That's what brothers are for," Catrin replied. "Providing sisters with hours of amusement. If you can believe this, I did the same thing with Raghnall."
Sarah almost fell out of her chair in her laughter. She couldn't even imagine the High King dressed in ladies fashions. He was probably glad to have two boys after the experience of having a sister.
"You remind me of me at your age Sarah," Catrin said proudly.
"Well," Sarah replied, "at least you didn't make the same mistake I did with Toby."
"You'd be surprised," Catrin replied.
"What?" Sarah replied confused.
"I wished Raghnall away when he was young," Catrin said guiltily. "I was supposed to be watching him, for it was Nanny's day off. He wouldn't stop bothering me and I wished him away to Arthfael, who was Goblin King at the time."
"Did you have to run the Labyrinth?" Sarah asked.
"No," Catrin replied. "I was lucky. My father realized what had happened and spoke with Arthfael for me. Arthfael wanted to marry a monarch from another Kingdom, which couldn't be done if he were to remain King of the Goblins. He agreed to allow Raghnall to become his heir until such time as he was called to become High King and could produce an heir for the Goblin Kingdom. That's how Jareth inherited it. When he produces an heir, that child will have to take over the Kingdom until it is time to take over the High Throne."
"What happened to Arthfael?" Sarah asked.
"He crossed over to the Underworld quite a few years ago," Catrin replied sadly.
"You cared about him," Sarah said, smiling. She could guess what happened to the man before he passed.
"I should," Catrin replied. "I married the man. He is Liam's father. Cut quite a dashing figure as the Goblin King. Much as I suspect Jareth did when you first saw him. He did learn from one of the best. Arthfael and I fell in love the moment he appeared in my father's castle dressed in black. He knew I was to become the Queen of the Nymphs, as my mother was before me. He couldn't marry me until he found a replacement for himself. We were married when Raghnall became old enough to rule. Raghnall only had the throne for a short time before he had to take the High Throne. He had not yet produced an heir so Arthfael agreed to take over as Regent until Raghnall produced an heir and the lad became old enough to take the throne. He taught Jareth everything he knew and was, and still is, quite proud of his nephew. When Jareth inherited the throne, Arthfael came over to the Nymph Kingdom to rule beside me. We had to live apart until Jareth took the throne. It was very hard on Liam, but we made it through. I do hope that Jareth introduces you at Beltane."
"I'll make sure of it," Sarah said. It fascinated her to think of someone other than Jareth as Goblin King. She couldn't wait to meet the previous Goblin King.
"I think I've talked your ear off enough for today," Catrin said, standing. "I've really enjoyed our chat and I hope we can do it again really soon."
"This was fun," Sarah replied. She stood and walked over to the Nymph Queen. The two women embraced. They said their goodbyes before Catrin disappeared back to her own Kingdom. Sarah thought about everything that Catrin had told her. Politics in the Underground was a confusing thing. The clock on the wall told her she still had a couple of hours before she would have to begin getting ready for her night with Liam. She thought about going back to her room to read more on Fae politics and law, but was interrupted before she even got out the door.
"Lady Sarah"
"Play game?"
"Games fun"
"Sarah play?"
"Please, please, please"
"Ok guys," Sarah relented, laughing. "Since you asked so nice, let's play a game of tag. Remember, no magic allowed. I'll go first. Tag, you're it." She touched the shoulder of BigToe and took off running. Her little goblin friends joined her as BigToe raced after them trying to catch someone to tag.
Sarah was looking behind her, trying to avoid BigToe, when she suddenly ran into someone. She fell on her bottom and looked up to see Gough standing over her laughing. He held out his hand and she allowed him to help her to her feet. Looking behind her, she saw BigToe fast approaching her. She dodged him at the last second before he could tag her. He looked at the Dwarf King and tapped him on the leg, tagging him.
Gough looked confused for just a second, before realizing what he had interrupted. Sarah stuck her tongue out at him and began to run away. The goblins followed her, giggling. Gough ran after them on a hot pursuit. He quickly caught up to Sarah and tagged her, laughing. Sarah ran after the group, trying to pass her tag off.
Fagan and Allie came around the corner to the sight of Sarah chasing the Dwarf King and five little goblins down the hall. Sarah ran up to Allie and tagged her, running off to join the group. Allie quickly tagged Fagan and caught up to Sarah. The two women giggled as Fagan ran after them.
The game lasted for over an hour, with each person getting tagged at least once. The four adults laughed like children and enjoyed their game. Allie and Fagan retired to his study to discuss wedding plans or, as Sarah told Gough later, to make out. They had a good laugh over that before Sarah said goodbye to her goblin friends.
"Sarah," Gough said, "I actually came here for a purpose other than playing a game of tag. I wanted to see if you were available tomorrow."
"I'm sorry," Sarah replied. "Jareth and I have a day planned tomorrow."
"How about the day after?" Gough asked. Internally, he was cursing the Goblin King.
"I think I'm free then," Sarah replied. "What did you have in mind?"
"I was hoping you might join me for the Dwarf Games," Gough said.
"Dwarf Games?" Sarah asked.
"It's a sort of contest that my subjects engage in every year," Gough explained. "There are a series of tests over two days that they compete in and try to be the best. Your friend, Hoggle, is actually competing with his brother."
"That sounds like fun," Sarah replied. "I'd like to see Hoggle again. I haven't seen any of my friends from the Labyrinth since before I came here."
"Wonderful," Gough said. "I'll pick you up at daybreak and we'll make a day of it. We'll stay for the closing ceremony and I'll bring you back after the celebration. Would that be ok?"
"Sounds good to me," Sarah replied. "I'll see you then." Sarah watched as Gough disappeared and thought about it. She had planned to talk to him about ending the courtship. Perhaps she would be able to broach the subject after their day together. She still needed to talk to Pryderi. She'd have to end their courtship sometime, but Sarah didn't want to think about it now. She'd think about it later and come up with a solid plan. Sarah sighed and went to her room to prepare for her date.
