I'm back! Woot Woot! Story update. Now you can continue the conversation between Delerae and Sarah!

Here We Go!

Chapter 12: Politics of Kings

So engulf in the story was she, Sarah couldn't help but to blurt out "Why?!"

Delerae shrugged her petite shoulders, "Just to prove she could? To prove she had control over a small portion of herself. I don't know. I do know she didn't expected to win, she just wanted to try. Use her strength and power to run the wild maze. Growing up on stories, she had heard so much about the maze. She knew no man would ever run the Lover's Maze for her, so she wanted to do so for herself…"

Delerae paused. She seemed to be struggling, Sarah took a guess. "Did you know her?" Sorrowful eyes peeped up at Sarah as Delerea's emerald colored lips drew in to a dejected frown. "Yes, I knew her once, a long time ago. Enough to know it was her pride that pushed her to foolishly run the maze."

A look of regret touched her face before she continued the story. "She had thirteen hours to complete the maze, same as the others, or admit defeat. As you can imagine submitting was not an option for her. The Goblin King of the time came to introduce the ways of the game and even did his best to deter her as she ran. Much the way Jareth does and did to you. He cared little for her attempt at the Labyrinth, saw her as a spoiled child. She was determined, though. His arrogance only pushed her harder. She wanted to prove she was capable of this."

Delerae paused again, this time a sweet smile on her face. A moment passed as Delerae savored the memory. "In the end it was her tenacity he feel in love with."

Sarah was shocked, but she dared not interrupt as Delerae continued. "She defeated the Labyrinth and the King's attempts to discourage her. She braved all and overcame every obstacle the King pitched in her direction. After all his attempts she triumphed. With victory the king was smitten. As her prize, and right, he offered himself and half his kingdom to her. Once he acknowledged her as an equal, that's when she realized she loved him. Thirteen hours and she knew, this was where her heart belonged. She wanted desperately to say yes, but she couldn't allow herself to succumb to her desire. She made a promise and it called to be fulfilled. She would marry another."

Once again Delerae recessed in her words. They sat in silence as emotions danced across her delicate eleven face. Sarah couldn't help thinking how much a pity it was for such sadness to touch a beautiful face like Delerae's. Sarah badly wanted to hear the end of the story so she hesitantly asked, "So she left to marry another?"

Delerae seemed to have forgotten Sarah's presence or even that she had been amidst a story. "She left the Goblin Realm and returned to the Fey Court where her betrothed awaited her. They wed and consummated their union, and soon after Jareth was born."

"What of the Goblin King?"

"To say infuriated would be understating the truth. He was angry at her and her refusal to become the Goblin Queen. He even begged her to stay, assuring her he would live for her. Be a slave to her whims and desires. All his attempts were in vain, she was resolute to keep her promise. Her family's honor and pride were at stake. She was unwilling to betray her principles. He was nearly driven mad by the rejection, turning his ire on her. He locked himself in the castle neglecting his duties and responsibilities as Goblin King. The Labyrinth started to reflect the king's pain and longing for its queen. Although she rejected the Goblin throne she was unable to reject the Labyrinth. She had beaten it and by all means the Labyrinth saw her as a Guardian. She also felt the calling of the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth demanded her to return to the Goblins and she knew baby Jareth felt the same. Shortly after Jareth's birth the Goblin King died leaving no heir, no queen, and no hope of a future. She felt it, his passing, like a needle of ice through her heart. As she held her baby close she too felt the wither of death slowly approaching her. Her heart ached for her loss love and the dying Labyrinth. She was the true ruler of the Goblin Kingdom, but still she refused. If she left her husband now, there would be nothing but war and agony. She wouldn't break the peace the kingdoms had established. The Fey King would not allow her to leave his side with the heir to the Kingdom. She stayed"

"Wait, Fey King?" Sarah asked as she attempting to understand the scene Delerae had painted.

"She married The Fey High King. The highest and most powerful fey in the kingdoms. This is why she couldn't refuse him. Her family would have been punished and with her so would the Goblin Kingdom. So she stayed, but soon her melancholy overcame her and she too pasted away."

"So Jareth is The Fey heir, but he rules the Goblins?"

Delerae furrowed her eyebrows at an attempt to explain the next part. "This part is complicated. Yes, Jareth is the heir to The Fey Court, but he rejected the title. Jareth and his father have always had a tense relationship. The fey king isn't cruel, but he is stern and of the old ways. With Jareth, the Labyrinth magic is akin to him and the king can sense this. Also, in a way Jareth blames his father for the death of his mother, he holds much contempt for his father. Even before he discovered the truth of his mother's heart, Jareth and is Father were bitter toward each other. Jareth never knew the whole of his mother's history until his twenty-first year when someone let slip his mother had ran and beaten the Labyrinth in her youth. In response, and an act of defiance to his father, he too ran the Labyrinth. He won and as his prize he became the Goblin ruler and keeper of the Labyrinth. At first the Natural Council did not approve. They saw this as one kingdom invading another. The Fey Kingdom taking over the Goblin Kingdom. Once Jareth relinquished his claim as the Fey heir, council named him Goblin King and Keeper. Either that or the Goblin Kingdom would crumble and be absorbed by the other kingdoms. The The High King was not happy."

"But if his mother was a Guardian then Jareth is heir."

"By the Labyrinth standards, yes, but by society and lineage, no. Jareth was never connected to the Goblin King by blood, but the Labyrinth cares little for politics."

"How sad that Jareth's mother was never able to be with the man she loved and had to marry another." When Sarah said this an image of Jason flashed in her mind's eye. Thoughts of society's standards against the whims of the heart crossed her mind.

"I'm sorry dear girl for dampening your mood. You must tire of my gloomy stories."

"Not at all Delerae! This is fascinating and I do appreciated the opportunity to know some history about Jareth. I am still a little puzzled. Jareth was petitioning the council for Guardianship of the Labyrinth, but isn't he?"

"By all right he is, but the council doesn't quit see it as such. The unusual manner of his acquisition of the Goblin Kingdom was not favored by the council. If he had been related to the Goblin King and received the title by more traditional means, then they would have given him full Guardianship in name."

"Why not just give it to him?"

"I can only make assumptions. My guess is they are still mad about his and his mother's part in the Labyrinth."

Sarah pondered on the information for a moment before they continued the conversation to a lighter note. Late into the night they discussed Sarah's studies and life in the Underground thus far. Delerae was highly interested in Sarah's well-being in the underground and whether or not Sarah was enjoying her time. Unable to deny it, Sarah did enjoy her time here thus far. Yes, she had some frustrations, but they were minor irritants compared the wonder and excitement of her surroundings. She was quite happy at the moment. Obviously she missed her family, but she was happy to be here. Sarah soon found herself slipping away into exhaustion and then finally nodding off completely for the night.

The next morning Sarah awake to find Delerae gone and in her place, Rayl. The she-Goblin maid was already busy about the room. She had set Sarah's cloths out for the day and a small platter of cheeses and pasties were set on the table in the sitting area. Sarah watched as the little she-goblin bustled about the suite tidying and cleaning. The quarters weren't messy, Sarah was a tidy person, but the goblin enjoyed the task. When Sarah had first arrived she had felt uncomfortable for allowing the goblin to clean her living space. That unease fell away when Sarah realized how contempt Rayl was to carry out her chores. In fact Sarah had notice all the goblins took pride in their responsibilities. Each one seeing their designated task finished to completion. Sarah had once asked Rayl why she was always so happy to perform her duties. The goblin answered simply. "I do for king!" As she said this she bore faithful smile and held pride in her voice.

Once Sarah was dressed, and the morsels sampled, she attended her first lesson for the day. Unfortunately, the lesson had been wasted. Through-out the lecture, Sarah' mind wondered to her conversation with Delerae the night before. The whole part about Jareth's linage fascinated Sarah. So Jareth's father was king over all fey? She knew from her lessons that the Underground was made up of many kingdoms with many rulers. These induvial kingdoms were ruled by the High Fey King and of course, all answered to the council. Each ruler had the authority of their kingdom, but it was the High Kings duty to keep the peace and order between the whole realms. His word was law throughout the Underground and he answered only to the council. As Sarah understood, the High Fey King himself was very powerful. Not only was he a powerful fey, but the title bestowed upon him also brought respect and awe. His family line held such power and respect throughout all the kingdoms.

Sarah found herself surprised Jareth had turned his back on his father the High King and all that potential power. Not like the Goblin Kingdom was one of the biggest nor strongest kingdoms. Once, it was a power house upon itself, but now? Looking around at the goblins brushing past her, this image was difficult to conger. According to her history lessons, the Goblin Kingdom had one supplied a strong militia force and goblin mercenaries to other kingdoms. The goblins were trained, skilled fighters and for the right price would fight any cause by order of their king. Fierce fighting creatures that could wield the power of elements. Much like the fire goblins deep in the labyrinth.

Looking around now all she saw were soft lobs that sang and danced at any opportunity. It was hard to picture these loveable gullible creature's battle ready. What happened the goblins and why did Jareth leave his father. Perhaps it was because she rarely saw the goblins outside the castle and town. Perhaps a trip to the barracks was in line.

Hope you enjoyed! Comments encouraged!