A/N: I made it back from the bog. It took me two weeks to get the stench off…sheesh! Here's the long awaited chapter 19. Yay! Now that I have more time on my hands, I plan to reply to each and every review I get for this. If you ask really nice, I might even give you a clue as to the event that Sarah is planning. Thanks to Jareth Lover 16, angel56335, hazlgrnLizzy, labyrinthian, CeliaEquus, morgan., wedimagineer, dreaming of ravens at night, MichArela, gamesofmakebelieve, lonely 27, notwritten, LittleMargarita, seniastardust, I'Like'Cheetos, KraZiiePyrozHavemoreFun, Dark-Assassin92, Her Royal Goddess, and TheraSerenity for their fantastic reviews. Remember – Reviews make me happy and happy people update faster!
Disclaimer: Me (glaring at Jareth): Ok…you made your point. I don't own any of it…happy now?"
Jareth (sarcastic as usual): Oh yes…ecstatic.
Me: Quiet you or else I'll sick Fagan's Fairies on you!
Jareth: Maybe one trip to the bog isn't enough.
Me: Eek!
Liam lay in his bed and mused over the argument he had had with his mother earlier. She had made the claim that his cousin was more suited for Sarah. For the first time, he found himself raising his voice to the woman. Liam had never really been a disobedient child. Fagan and Jareth were trouble enough without him adding to it. Catrin had recoiled at the sound of him voicing his accusation.
"You always take his side!" he cried. "Even over your own son."
"Why would you say such a thing?" she asked. "You know very well that I love you and have always put you first in my heart."
"That's not true," he countered. "Jareth has always gotten everything he's ever wanted. Well, not this time. I vow to be victorious"
"Do you really believe that this is a contest with Lady Sarah as some prize to be won?" she asked. Her own anger had started to rise. She'd met the woman in question and found her to be an independent creature who valued justice, kindness, and love above all else. She was not the kind of person to want to be seen as a trophy in a contest of wills.
"I love her and we belong together," he argued. Why was his mother blind to this fact? He had fallen in love with the woman. Her kind, loving nature had drawn him in like a moth to a flame. They were well matched in every way. It really hurt him to think that his mother could see her being with his cousin. Jareth, the man who had everything.
"She belongs with Jareth, my son," Catrin replied. "They share the same soul. He is her perfect match. You will find another Liam. Someone who shares the other half of your soul. I'm certain she is out there, searching for you."
"Sarah is the other half of my soul," Liam disputed. "I love her!"
"I don't doubt you love her," Catrin agreed. "But you have to ask yourself one question, son. Do you love the Lady or the idea?"
"What are you talking about?" Liam asked, confused.
"Do you actually love Sarah or do you love the notion of being in love?" Catrin replied.
"Don't be absurd," Liam scoffed. What was his mother talking about? Of course he was in love with the woman. He couldn't see himself with anyone else but her. She was his ideal woman.
"Hear me out!" Catrin implored. Her son was almost as stubborn as his father. She was going to have to find some way to break through this wall he had built. Sarah Williams was destined to be with her nephew. It was as if it were fated to be that way. After all, the woman was the only Mortal to ever defeat the Labyrinth. It was obvious that she had captured his heart sometime in the 13 hours she spent there. It was also obvious that they were equal in will. Only someone as strong as the Goblin King could have defeated him.
"I'm listening," he replied.
"Sarah is a wonderful woman, but she has a very strong will," his mother explained. "There is only one who will be able to match her in will and that is Jareth. You need someone who is like you, Liam. Sarah is like fire, she burns with a passion unlike many others. You are like the earth, Liam. You are wonderfully nurturing, like the soil, inviting someone to bury roots deep within you. You know what earth does to fire? It puts it out. You do not want to be the one to put out her fire, do you? No, she needs someone like Jareth. He is also like fire and together they will burn forever."
"You are wrong mother," Liam denied. "Sarah and I are well suited. I love her."
Catrin sighed in resignation. Nothing she was going to say was going to make any difference. Her son was going to have to learn the hard way. She just hoped he wouldn't get hurt in the process. It was inevitable that Sarah would choose Jareth in the end. Sarah would make a good Goblin Queen and, someday, a good High Queen. Catrin thought Jareth was a lucky man. She was happy at who he had chosen to be her niece. Sarah was a lovely girl and Catrin would be happy to call her a friend.
"I am going to take my leave now, Liam," she said. "Please promise me that you'll think about what I said."
"Of course, mother," Liam promised. He gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek and smiled. In that smile, she could see his father. 'If only his father had been able to be there more often for him during his youth,' thought Catrin. She shook her head to rid them of such morose thoughts. With a smile to her only son, she disappeared, leaving him alone to think about what she had said.
Liam was unhappy with his mother's insistence that Jareth was a better match for Sarah than he. Jareth! The very name was beginning to grate on his nerves. That name belonged to the boy who spent more time with his father than he did. The one his father looked on with pride when he took the throne. The one who was loved by everyone, even those detestable subjects of his. He, who won every challenge they ever faced. Until he met Sarah, that is. Sarah, the only one to beat him at his own game. Liam remembered the day that Sarah had become the Labyrinth Champion. He'd gotten out-of-his-mind drunk, celebrating, when he had gotten the news. Sarah had gotten a little piece of his heart that day. Now she had all of it and he was determined not to lose her to his cousin. Jareth would not win; not this time!
Sarah got up early the next morning to find that she was not the first to awaken. Allie was standing on their shared balcony, watching the sun rise. On her face was a soft, contented smile. Sarah had to admit that she envied her friend, just a little. Her path was easy and her choice was clear. She and Fagan were in love and could make plans for their future. Sarah, on the other hand, was still confused about what to do about her own romantic situation.
"Good morning," Sarah said, joining Allie on the balcony.
"Morning Sarah," Allie replied, looking at her friend. "You're up early."
"I couldn't sleep," Sarah admitted. "Today is going to be very stressful. First, I have to tell Pryderi that I want him to step aside. I think he'll go along with it, but I'm not sure. Then, I have to finalize my plan to get rid of Gough. That man creeps me out and I need him to step aside. My plan is really risky and I could end up losing Jareth or Liam instead of Gough."
"Wow Sar," Allie replied. "What's your plan?"
"I'd rather tell you and Fagan together," Sarah explained. "I'd like to get both of your opinions on it."
"You know I'm there for you," Allie declared. "Let's go find Fagan. I'm sure he feels the same."
"Alright," Sarah replied.
Both women quickly dressed and left to go in search of Fagan. They found him sitting on his throne, eerily looking quite like his brother. One leg was thrown over the arm of the throne and he casually leaned on the other arm. He was listening to a report from one of his advisers and looking quite bored with whatever the man had to say.
"Ah, relief!" he cried, looking at the two women entering the room. "Good morning, Ladies. That will be all Ludovic."
The short man bowed and quickly walked through the door, happy to have made it through the report without incident. Sometimes, when the King was bored, he was known to play awful tricks on his subjects. Ludovic had been lucky to escape with his clothing intact this time. Last time, he ended up having to go home naked because Fagan had removed every stitch of clothing as he was leaving the castle.
Allie walked up to her handsome suitor and he pulled her into his lap. She giggled and playfully struggled to get away. He took his opportunity to thoroughly ravish her lips with his own. She wound her fingers in his hair as she kissed him back.
"Hello," Sarah said, after a moment. "Um…third party still in the room."
Allie pushed away from Fagan and a pretty blush decorated her cheeks. He looked at the brunette and smirked. He patted his other leg and Allie elbowed him in the ribs. He yelped and rubbed his side, pouting. Sarah had to laugh at their antics.
"What can I do for you this morning?" Fagan asked.
"I need to run something by both of you for a second opinion," Sarah explained. "I have an idea of how to get rid of one of my suitors, but it's really risky."
"Sarah doesn't want to be courted by Gough anymore," Allie said. "He's a big pervert and he makes Sarah feel like she needs a shower after spending time with him."
"Thanks Allie," Sarah replied, rolling her eyes. "You can't tell anyone about this, especially not the guys. I don't want any trouble caused."
"Sarah, you might as well tell him the whole story," Allie advised. "He's going to need to know what's going on if he's going to be able to render an opinion."
"I suppose you're right," Sarah replied. "Ok, here goes. I'm going to talk to one of my suitors today about bowing out gracefully. I think he'll go along with it. Gough is not going to if I ask him so I have to be a little tricky about it."
Fagan laughed and said, "You're such a little goblin! I must commend you. I feel as if we are family already, no matter who you choose. Good girl!"
"Thanks," she replied. "I thought you might approve of my strategy, but the details are more concerning. I might as well tell you that the other suitor is Pryderi. If everything goes according to plan, that would leave Jareth and Liam as my only suitors."
Fagan's face lit up into a grin. Sarah shook her head and waved her hand at him.
"Oh no!" she cried. "I know what you're thinking and I am putting my foot down! You cannot tell your brother a word of this conversation. If you do, this won't work. All of the suitors must be above reproach or bad things could happen."
"You have my word," promised Fagan. "I won't breathe a word of this to Jareth. Now what's this plan?"
"Ok," Sarah began. "You know how suitors can challenge each other to feats of strength or intelligence to win the hand of the maid?"
"Yes," Fagan replied.
"I am going to do just that," Sarah continued. "In one week, you are going to host a tournament to win my hand. Jareth, Liam, and Gough will each select one event and I will select the last. If things go according to plan, it should be tied until they come to my event. Each of them will most likely choose something they are really good at and will win their events. At least, that's what I hope will happen. My event will be the true test. Whoever comes in last for this tournament, will step aside."
"Lady Sarah," Fagan replied, "This could be very risky. How will you know that the right two will win your event?"
"That, I will not tell you," Sarah said. "I need to make this as fair as possible and I cannot risk leaking it before it's time. I don't want anyone claiming that there was cheating going on or else this could blow up in my face."
"I can't fault your logic on any of this," Fagan replied. "I support you, my Lady."
"Me, too," Allie chimed in. "I hope that nothing goes wrong, but I think you need to take the chance. I just hope that your event does the trick."
"I'd like Fagan to call for these games after I get through with Pryderi," Sarah said.
"I could say that I was bored and ask each of you for permission to have this tournament next week," Fagan suggested. "Then you could just say you'd go along with it."
"Good idea!" Sarah exclaimed. "Thanks so much, you two. I'm off to go speak with Pryderi now. Could you give me a hand?"
Fagan produced a crystal and Sarah thanked him again for all his help. In an instant, she disappeared. Allie looked over at Fagan with a concerned expression on her delicate face.
"I hope she knows what she's doing," she confessed.
"As do I, my sweet. As do I," he replied.
Sarah looked around to see that she was standing in the castle of the Dragon Kingdom. A quick look around made her realize that she was right outside the Throne Room. She breathed a sigh of relief. For once, Fagan hadn't played one of his tricks on her
Entering the Throne Room, she curtsied in front of the Dragon King. He looked at her with a confused smile. He hadn't been expecting her, but welcomed her anyway.
"What can I do for you today, Lady Sarah?" he asked.
"Your Majesty, I need to speak with your son," she explained.
"Ah, yes," he replied. "Pryderi is courting you, is he not?"
"That's correct," she affirmed.
"Just a moment," he said. "Let me call for him."
The King called for one of his servants to find Lord Pryderi. Sarah and he made small talk until the doors opened a moment later. Pryderi came rushing in to answer the summons. He stopped quickly, seeing Sarah standing there.
"Hello Sarah," he said with a smile.
"Hi Pryderi," she replied. "I need to talk to you. Is there somewhere we can go?"
"Certainly, my Lady," he said. "Come with me."
Sarah curtsied to the King once again and followed Pryderi to a small room. There were chairs set up to watch the fire and small settees positioned around the room. It seemed like a cozy meeting room.
"This is the greeting lounge," he explained. "Let's have a seat. I believe that I may know why you are here already."
"Oh?" she asked, taking the seat he offered. Pryderi took the seat next to her and placed her hand in his.
"I know when I'm out of my league," he said. "I'm also not blind. I can see the way you look at Jareth. I only hope to be half as lucky as he is one day, to win the heart of a beautiful maid such as yourself."
Sarah blushed as he placed a chaste kiss to the back of her hand. "I'm so glad you understand," she said. "It's not that I don't think you are a wonderful man. I just don't think you're the right man for me. I'd love to be your friend, though."
"I'd like that very much, Lady Sarah," he replied. "When would you like to go with me to speak to the High King?"
"No time like the present," she offered. "Are you free right now?"
"You're in luck!" he exclaimed. "It seems that I have nothing on my schedule right now. Let us away."
He stood and held out his arm. She placed her hand on it and they transported to Raghnall's castle. Together, they walked up to the great doors and waited for the doorman to announce their presence. When the doors opened, they walked up to the King. He had a surprised and wary look upon his face at the sight of the two walking in arm in arm.
"Your Majesty," Pryderi said, bowing. "We have a rather urgent matter to discuss with you."
"Yes," Raghnall replied.
Sarah curtsied low and said, "Your Majesty, we would like you to approve the dissolution of our courtship agreement."
Raghnall raised one eyebrow and looked at the couple. In that moment, he looked exactly like his son. Sarah could not help the small smile that came to her face.
"Are you both in agreement?" he asked.
"Aye," Pryderi avowed. "We are."
"Then I see no reason for this courtship to continue," Raghnall proclaimed. "Your ties have been separated. May you both find happiness."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Sarah replied.
"My thanks, as well," Pryderi added.
"Lord Pryderi, you are dismissed," Raghnall said with a smile. "Lady Sarah, if you would kindly stay. I'd like to speak with you."
"Of course, Your Majesty," she replied. "Goodbye Pryderi. I'm sure I'll see you again. Thank you for being so understanding."
Pryderi gave a small bow to Sarah and a deeper one to the King. With a smile, he vanished. Raghnall left his throne and offered his arm to Sarah. She took it and allowed him to transport them to the King's Gardens. A gasp escaped her as she looked around at the beauty surrounding her. Jareth hadn't been exaggerating. The King's Gardens were truly a sight to behold.
"I must say," Raghnall declared. "I am quite relieved to see you down to three suitors."
"I'm sure you're also happy that your son is still one of them," she replied, smirking.
"That is quite true," Raghnall admitted. "How did you manage this feat?"
"I just went to him and he suggested it," she replied.
"There must be more to it than that," he pried.
"He said that he wasn't blind," she explained. "He could see the way Jareth and I look at each other and knew that he didn't stand a chance. I didn't realize that I was being so obvious. I was trying my hardest to be fair to each of them. But…"
"But my son has captured your heart, hasn't he?" Raghnall asked, gently.
"I think so," Sarah replied. "I told you once that I thought I was falling in love with him. Well, now, I think…"
"You're in love, my dear," Raghall said. "I can see it written on your face."
"The only problem is that I'm not sure of my feelings about Liam," Sarah confessed. "Can a person be in love with two men at the same time?"
"I suppose it can happen," Raghnall replied. "However, I think that once you look inside your heart, you will find that it has one special match. Jareth is your heart's match."
"I hope so," Sarah said, "but I need more time to figure it out."
"Very wise," Raghnall replied. "Now, what about young Gough?"
"I have a plan," she confided. She told him about her plan and what she hoped to accomplish.
Raghnall stayed silent throughout her explanation. When she was finished, he said, "It is a risky plan, my Lady. Unfortunately, one cannot live a life devoid of risks. I think you have thought it out and are prepared to face the consequences should the unthinkable happen. I support you and will not break your confidence."
"Thank you, Raghnall," she said.
The High King held out his arms and she gave him a fierce hug. Enfolding his arms around her, he returned her hug with vigor. He truly was coming to love Sarah as the daughter he never had. His only hope was that Jareth would prevail through this test.
"I should be going," Sarah said.
"I will speak with your suitors to let them know of this latest development," he replied. "I look forward to the announcement of the tournament and will try my best to act surprised."
"Thank you so much," she said.
Raghnall waved his hand over her and she transported back to the Fairy Kingdom. He quickly sent a summons to Jareth, Liam, and Gough. The sooner they knew of Pryderi's separation, the better. A rustle in one of the bushes next to him made him nearly jump off of the ground. Five little goblins came running out of the foliage.
"What have we here?" Raghnall asked.
"Hi Kingy"
"Father Kingy!"
"We follow Lady Sarah"
"She friend"
"She fun"
"You like the Lady Sarah, do you?" he asked with a smile.
"She Goblin Queenie"
"Play games"
"Make mischief"
"We love Lady Sarah"
"Kingy love Lady Sarah"
"I know, Squeal," he replied. "Lady Sarah loves him back. We just need to make her see it. Then she will be your Queen."
"YAY!"
"We make her see"
"We have Queenie"
"Hooray!"
"Let's go find Queenie"
The five goblins disappeared in search of their appointed Queen. Raghnall shook his head and laughed. Liam was outnumbered. He didn't stand a chance. It almost made Raghnall fell sorry for him…almost. He transported himself back to his throne and awaited the arrival of the three suitors.
