Disclaimer: I don't own it, I make no profit from it, everyone should know this be now.
A/N: I made myself cry with that last chapter. I know that Conall never really said much, he was the strong, silent type that went about his life doing what needed done. I was kind of thinking of my husband when I wrote him. A man that would lay down his very life for the people he loved. In the midst of death, life goes on. A little sadder, there will always be something missing, but onward nevertheless.
In a seedy bar on the lower east side, Detective John Cooper sat nursing a bourbon. This job was turning out to be a spectacular failure. The only bright side was that his partner, McKinney, was easily controlled and his simple mindedness provided John cover for a whole lot of misdeeds. When he had to take care of some of his side business, it was easy enough to plant the thought in the big lugs head that they had been together all night, or if he happened to witness something, erase the memory completely. The CPS bitch had gotten what was coming to her, he smiled nastily at the thought of what he had done to her. He only hoped that that cunt Sarah Williams found her body like she had the body of her asshole boss Barry.
Downing the last of his whiskey and wincing at the burn, he threw some cash on the bar and went to the men's room. After relieving himself he went to wash his hands, standing there in front of the sink, he noticed that the lights had dimmed and the mirror had begun to ripple and shimmer.
Shit! He thought, as a cloaked figure appeared in the mirror, the hood obscuring its face.
"Detective Cooper," the figure said, its voice raspy and low. "You have neglected to secure me the children."
"Look," Coop replied, "I couldn't do anything with those two bitches there. One of them won't be a problem anymore, but I can't find the lawyer chick." He said indignantly.
"I gave you certain powers, Detective." The voice hissed, "I expected to be compensated for my troubles."
"I tried the mind control on the lawyer chick." He whined, "It just seemed to piss her off. Then she threw a fuckin' crystal at me and poofed."
"The woman used magic?" It questioned.
"Yeah, she used magic, she took the kids, the parents and one of my team and vanished." Coop was starting to get a headache talking to this thing, he rolled his shoulders to try to relieve some of the tension.
"Did she leave anything of hers behind?" It asked, angry trembling becoming visible.
"How the fuck should I know?" Coop replied rudely. "I was more interested in trying to get the damn kids back!"
Suddenly, Cooper felt a tightening around his neck, drawing a breath, he began to choke when he couldn't draw another. His eyes started bugging out of his head and his face was turning an alarming crimson color.
"I am nothing to be trifled with Detective Cooper." The voice said, eerily calm. "I can kill you with a thought and put another in your place just as easily. Remember where I found you."
Suddenly, the pressure was released and Coop drug air into his lungs, gripping the sink for support.
"I won't let you down again." Cooper said.
"See that you don't." Was the response. "Get me something that belongs to the woman. I will try scrying for her. Perhaps you will get lucky and I will find her along with the children."
With that, the image disappeared and Cooper heaved a sigh of relief. "The money isn't worth half of this shit." He said to himself. Quickly exiting the bathroom and leaving the bar. Hailing a cab, he gave the driver Sarah's address in Tribeca.
Hopefully the little bitch is home, he thought to himself.
Cooper settled in for the drive across town to Sarah's apartment, thinking of all the ways he had at his disposal to torture the location of the kids and their parents out of her. Smiling thinly, he put his hand in his pocket and touched the garrote nestled there.
~ ~ ~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~JS~~~
Jareth found himself in the central courtyard of the Labyrinth. Dressed all in flowing white, he knew immediately that he had been summoned there. Very used to this method of communication by the maze, Jareth was unfazed and waited.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, an amber orb appeared and elongated to some semblance of form.
"Well, if this isn't a fine surprise." He said sarcastically.
"My King." The being answered.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, hmm? Perhaps you would like to impart some knowledge to me?" Jareth paced around the courtyard, keeping an eye on the being, finding himself oddly annoyed with it.
"I have never meant to cause harm, Goblin King." The being said softly. "The contract is now fulfilled. The Goblin Kingdom has its Queen and you now have your love. Is this not the outcome you desired?"
"Of course it is!" He shouted, "I had just thought that maybe, just maybe, I would be allowed to court and woo her without your interference."
"Time was short, Majesty. You needed to bed her and complete the bonding by the tenth anniversary."
"Do you really think that drawing her in to this nightmare was the best thing for her? Have you no concern for her safety? What if she gets herself killed, hmm? Have you thought of that?" Jareth demanded hotly.
"I have. I cannot promise that she won't be in danger. You are all in danger. However, I have weighed the risk against the reward of having a Queen forged in battle and found the risk acceptable. Your odds of victory are very good, with her by your side."
"With her by my side?" He questioned. "Are you telling me that the Fates have had a hand in how this has all played out?"
"As always, My Liege."
"Do you know why she went half mad when she called on your power?" He asked, hoping for a better answer than he could come up with.
"The Queen is young yet, My King. She will adapt. You must share the power at least until she can be better trained in how to control it."
He had thought as much. With nothing left to say to the being, he willed himself awake. Deciding that Sarah's training would have to start now.
Jareth felt himself falling, with a start, he woke up in his bed, Sarah still draped across his chest. Placing a gentle kiss on her head, he held her tighter to him. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, he thought to himself.
While Jareth spoke with the Labyrinth, Sarah dreamed of running the maze again. Only this time, she saw things from her older perspective.
Standing on the windswept hill above the Labyrinth, Jareth standing so close, whispering in her ear. This time, she recognized the silvery shudder running down her spine as desire. How did I not see that before? She thought. He was flirting with me.
The scene changed again and they were in the tunnels, Jareth leaning in close again, his eyes intent on hers, caged by his arms propped against the stone. That's not right, she thought, he hadn't gazed on me that gently, had? Almost indulgently?
The next scene was one that Sarah had known was coming, it didn't make it any easier. The crystal ballroom, the crowd of dancers. Sarah looked around, knew who she was looking for, when she saw him, her breath caught. He was so beautiful, tall and lean, his eyes seemed to look right into her soul. He was singing to her, his voice haunting, pleading.
I'll paint you mornings of gold, I'll spin you Valentine evenings, though we're strangers till now, we're choosing the path between the stars. I'll leave my love, between the stars.
Was he telling me he loved me then? Was that what that song meant? Sarah thought, finally thinking she was starting to understand. He laid his heart out to me and what did I do? I threw it back in his face.
Then she was in the Escher room, looking for Toby. Again he was singing to her, haunting and melancholy.
Your eyes can be so cruel, just as I can be so cruel. Though I do believe in you, yes I do.
Is that how he saw me? Cruel?
The scene shifted again, Jareth looking drawn and pale. Pleading with her. Pleading? She thought, yes, he was pleading for me to take what he was offering, his love.
Slowly, Sarah woke up, opening her eyes, she saw Jareth watching her intently, his blue eyes so serious.
"I was only 15." She said softly, "What could you have possibly wanted with a 15 year old?"
"It wasn't your age, precious," he responded gently. "I knew that even if you had accepted me then, I would have had to wait. I'm centuries old, ten years would go by in the blink of an eye." He cupped her cheek and brushed a kiss over her lips. "The only difference would have been getting to know each other. I would have been able to visit you, protect you, we could have talked and made plans, you would have known exactly what was expected of you. Even though we are where I always wanted us to be, now, I have to teach you to use your magic in less than desirable circumstances. We don't have the luxury of time to get to know each other."
Sarah buried her face in his chest, "I'm sorry." She whispered softly.
"For what, love?" He nudged her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Things have worked according to The Fates, nothing more, nothing less. You were fated to be my Queen, under these circumstances, it does not matter that we would have preferred a different path. We have walked the path we were given."
Sarah stretched up and laid her lips against his, kissing him deeply. "I think I might love you." She whispered.
Jareth returned her kiss and hugged her tightly to him. "If only Higgle had not been so good at keeping my secrets." He said at last.
"It's Hoggle," she corrected automatically. Then, looking at him, she asked warily, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing really, precious." He said seriously. "I just thought he would have explained this all to you by now."
"There was something." She started slowly, "I cut him off because I needed to get to work." She sat up and crossed her legs. "What do you do with the wished away children?"
"Boil them in a vat of butter and serve them fricassee." Jareth deadpanned.
Not expecting him to make a joke about it, Sarah looked at him in horror until she saw his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. "Hoggle was right, you really are a rat!" She accused.
"Come now, Sarah, what did you think I did with them?" He drawled, "Turn them into goblins perhaps? Hmm, yes, that would be a disaster no wouldn't it?" He said, looking mildly annoyed with the very thought. "Turn them into slaves then? No?" He twisted a bit of her hair around his finger and gave it a sharp yank. "Hey! Owe!" Still grinning at her, he continued, "I send them to families who want them. Fae, Elvin, Fairy, they are want to save these children. Most people, Sarah," he said severely, "Do not wish away children on a whim. Most of them are abused, neglected or otherwise unwanted."
Sarah hung her head, "But you said Toby would become one of you forever." She protested.
"So he would have. Had you failed in your task, I would have adopted Toby and made him my heir. He would have become Fae and forgotten all about his life above." Jareth stroked her hand and continued. "You and Toby were a special case. The book was deliberately put in your path. The Labyrinth chose you to be its Queen long ago. I watched you from the time you were very small. Our souls are Fated."
"That's a little much," she protested.
"Sarah," he began sharply, "I have told you before, time moves differently here. I have moved the stars, I have reordered time, I have done it all for you. Must I keep exhausting myself to live up to your expectations of me?" He asked sadly.
Shaking his head, he looked at the clock. "We must prepare ourselves for Conall's funeral. Come, I will help you choose something appropriate to wear."
"I think I figure out how to dress myself." She said sarcastically.
"Oh really, precious?" He said coldly, "Have you ever dressed yourself as a Queen does for a State funeral? No? I thought not, come." Pulling Sarah along with him, he walked to a wardrobe nestled in an alcove by a huge picture window. Sarah gasped as she looked out at the view outside that window. The sun had not yet made its appearance, however, the promise of it was there in the faded light on the horizon, in the pearly pre-dawn light, the Labyrinth stretched out as far as the eye could see. Rolling endlessly over hills and valley's, the stone walls washed in glitter.
At her gasp, Jareth turned to look out the window. "It's beautiful isn't it?" He asked softly. "This is your kingdom, my dear. In time you will be able to command the walls and creatures within with a mere thought, or a flick of your lovely wrist."
"You're not angry with me?" She asked him shyly.
Jareth sighed deeply, "In some ways, Sarah, you are still a child." He held up a hand at her sound of protest. "Yes, yes, physically you are all grown up." He said impatiently, "However, in terms of rulers of the underground, you are but a child. To answer your question, no, I am not angry with you."
Sarah thought about this as they stood in front of the wardrobe. Wondering what his subjects would make of her, if they did indeed, consider her a child. Sarah watched as he pulled a midnight blue dress out of the wardrobe. It was beautiful, with a sweat heart neckline and long fitted sleeves that ended in a point. The bodice was fitted to the hips and then flared wide to a long draping skirt, as he passed the garment to her, Sarah noticed the sparkle, like stars, deep within the fabric.
"This is beautiful, Jareth, thank you." She said humbly.
"I will see to my own clothes and send a maid in to help you dress. She will know what undergarments to put with this." He said quietly. "I will see you in the library in 30 minutes." With that, he threw a crystal and disappeared, leaving Sarah to wonder if, despite his reassurances, he was angry with her after all.
No sooner had Jareth left, than a knock sounded at the door. "Come in," Sarah called.
The massive door opened and a tiny pixie like woman entered. Sarah stopped and thought that maybe she was a pixie.
"Hello, Your Majesty!" She called cheerfully. "I am Faun, I will be helping you with your dress and hair."
Faun gestured toward a vanity and Sarah went to her. "Now," Faun said, "We've not much time and His Majesty wants you presentable. Pulling out a tiny wand, Faun motioned Sarah to sit, "Now," she said, "I think just a simple plait for your hair and then we'll get you dressed."
In a flurry of activity, Faun set to work. Before Sarah knew what was happening, she was dressed, hair done and ushered out the door, she stood, bemused for a moment, just outside the door of the library. Holding her head high, she opened the door.
As soon as she entered, all thoughts of her and Jareth's tenuous relationship fled. Standing in the circle of Jareth's arms stood Fiona, silently weeping. Liam and Siobhan looked on helplessly, while Jareth smoothed his hands down her back and whispered gently in her ear.
"Ah, Sarah, here you are." He said, sounding as if she was late. "I think we can depart now, Fiona. Come, let Sarah help you." With that, he deftly handed the weeping woman over to Sarah and drew a crystal. Everyone gathered around and Jareth threw it, they reappeared in a meadow, a funeral pyre in the center with Conall's linen wrapped body on it.
Sarah looked around the meadow at the people gathered there. The mood was somber and hushed. A man stepped forward who looked so much like Conall that Sarah gasped. "Conall's brother." Fiona whispered.
"Fiona," the man began, "As Conall's only living male relative, I offer you my hand and the protection of my house." Bowing deeply, he took Fiona's hand in his and kissed it.
"It is a fine offer you make to me, Aedan, my grief prevents me from answering you today." She whispered.
Sarah frowned and looked at Jareth, he shook his head and motioned her to be silent.
"I am pleased to call you sister, I will leave you with your grief." He said and walked away to the pyre.
Drawing a torch from the pyre, he blew on it and it caught fire.
"Good people of the Goblin Kingdom!" He said loudly, "My family thanks you for the honor that you have bestowed on our family in the care of my brother. As his soul has passed the veil, I now commit his body back to the dirt from whence it came." With that, he touched the torch to the pyre and flames licked up, engulfing the pyre and the body. A chorus of "Blessed Be" went up from the gathering. One by one they winked away until only their small group remained.
Liam approached Fiona and said, "I am honored to call him Father." Bowing low, he kissed her hand and stepped aside. Siobhan came next and said, "I am honored to call him Father." In the same move as her brother, she bowed and kissed Fiona's hand. Jareth drew Sarah to his side and stood facing Fiona, "We are honored to call him brother." He didn't bow, but placed a kiss on each of her cheeks and indicated Sarah should do the same.
They stood in the meadow for a long time, watching the flames burn and then die away. As the sun started to set, the last wisps of smoke rose to the sky, a beautiful red bird flew overhead, it swooped low and tipped its wing over the dying embers.
"Come, let us return to the castle." Jareth said, holding firmly to Sarah, he transported them all back.
When they reappeared, Sarah was shocked to find a party going on in full swing. Fiona, Liam and Siobhan happily joined the party made up of castle staff and the citizens from the meadow. Fiona hugged Conall's brother and joined him in a dance.
Sarah looked at Jareth, confused. "What is happening?" She asked.
"Death is a tragedy yes," he explained, "However, life does go on. Now that we have grieved the passing, we celebrate the life."
"And that business about Conall's brother offering to marry Fiona? He wasn't serious?" She asked, looking around at the revelers.
"Oh, very serious." Jareth said. "Although he would have been horrified had she accepted. As would his wife."
"Then why did he offer?"
"It is a tradition passed down from generations ago, when a woman couldn't possibly hope to protect and provide for herself. Fiona is more than capable, as is any woman, I dare say. It has become tradition for the offer to made and then refused."
Sarah looked ruefully at him, "I have a lot to learn, don't I"
"Do not worry, precious, I'll be there for you, every step of the way."
"As the world falls down?" Sarah grinned.
Jareth chuckled and gathered her into his arms, kissing her passionately but briefly.
"But of course." He replied, looking deep into her eyes.
Adldric rushed toward them, a look of concern on his face. "Your Majesties." He said, bowing.
"Aldric, what is it?" Jareth asked.
"The alerts that you asked Interpol to place, one of the people is missing." He responded, his face pale.
"Who?" Sarah demanded.
"Susan Powers."