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A/N: I am so sorry I took so long to update this story. Rest assured it is still dear to my heart and I won't stop until it is finished. Real life intrudes sometimes, I adore you all and will try to complete the story in a timely manner. Only about 5 more chapters to go. Thank you to all my reviewers, I love you, I love you, I LOVE you!
Jareth, Sarah, Liam, Siobhan and Mac appeared Above at Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Visibly shaken, Mac reached out and put a hand on Liam and Jareth's shoulders to steady himself. When he felt the smooth fabric of Armani silk suits, he looked at them both and did a double take. Somewhere between the throne room in Jareth's castle and the parapet of Belvedere Castle, the four Fae and donned their Aboveground glamour.
"That is some parlor trick." Mac said, smiling weakly, looking at Siobhan he let out an appreciative whistle, saying, "Siobhan, you are beautiful in any form you choose, but I think I prefer the icy Fae look."
Blushing, Siobhan turned looked at her feet and murmured a thank you, before turning to Jareth and asking, "What now, My Lord?"
"Now we contact everyone we can and formulate a plan. While some of us may prefer to run headlong into dangers untold," He paused and gave Sarah a pointed look, "I don't think it is the best course of action in this instance."
"I always have a plan," Sarah said, Jareth arched a brow at her, "More or less." She mumbled at his look.
"I think I could probably find some help in the department." Mac said, rubbing a hand over his face. "Coop wasn't the most popular guy around, I could have some guys keep an eye out for him, tag us if they get wind of him."
"Yes," Jareth said, "I think that would be most helpful."
"How will they contact you?" Sarah asked. "We have no idea where things will take us."
Jareth smiled at Sarah and winked. "I am always resourceful, love." With a wave of his hand he produced 10 small radios and ear pieces. "I think these should do the trick, Detective." Handing the equipment to Mac. "Keep one for yourself and give the others to a small group you select, they are enchanted and will allow you to communicate to with any four of us. If word needs to be sent elsewhere, we will handle that."
Mac took the radios and ear pieces, grinning like a kid at Christmas. "You International types get all the fun toys." He said, placing an ear piece in his ear and turning a radio on.
"My Lord," Siobhan began, "Perhaps I should accompany Detective McKinney on his mission."
When Liam let out a snort, she quickly added, "To offer protection and support."
Jareth eyed the young princess and the Detective appraisingly, "Very well, Siobhan. I put Detective McKinney and his team in your capable hands." At Liam's sounds of protest, Jareth held up a hand to silence him. "This will be a battle, not swordplay in the safety of the castle grounds, we need everyone to pull their weight and make sacrifices. Siobhan understands this, I have faith she will make the right choices when the need arises."
"Thank you my Lord." Siobhan murmured, giving Jareth a slight curtsy.
"Well then," Mac said, offering Siobhan his arm, "Shall we, My Lady?" Blushing, Siobhan took the proffered arm and the two started away from the castle into Central Park.
"And then there were three." Sarah sighed. "What now, Jareth? Are we going to make our stand at Belvedere Castle?"
"Alas no, Precious. Fitting as that may be, I would prefer an area with less cover for our enemies." At Sarah's confused look, Jareth swept his hand around, gesturing to the thick dense knolls of trees and underbrush scattered throughout the park. "Aldric deals in shadows, what better place than a heavily forested park after dark?"
As Jareth was speaking a cold wind rushed in and the sun disappeared behind dark storm clouds. Sarah felt a shiver run down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold wind or absence of the sun.
"Ssssarahhh Williamsssss." A voice hissed, seemingly everywhere and now where at once. "Daughter of Robert, sister of Toby, concubine of the bastard king." A low demented chuckle followed the last statement. "Join me, Sarah, bring to me the Labyrinth and all its power and you will be greatly rewarded. Continue in this pitiful stand with the bastard king and you will suffer."
Sarah raised an eyebrow at Jareth, "He really doesn't like you." She said, grinning despite herself.
"Well," sniffed Jareth a smirk gracing his lips, "There's no accounting for taste. I find myself fabulous."
Liam snorted out a laugh, earning him a good natured glare from Jareth, "Well then, now you've hurt my feelings." He said in mock disdain.
"Ssssarahhh," the voice whispered again, "Come to me and earn your reward, defy me and suffer for eternity!"
Sarah rolled her eyes and shrugged at Jareth, "Is this guy for real?" She asked. "I'm supposed to roll over just because he asked and offered a reward?"
"Sarah," Jareth said urgently, picking up on what was not being said. "Where are your father and young Tobias?"
Sarah looked at Jareth stricken, she conjured a crystal to transport herself to her childhood home, before she could throw it, Jareth grabbed her arm, "Sarah, wait!" He said sternly. "You are too headstrong for your own good." Jareth sighed, "Wouldn't you, if you wanted to defeat three powerful members of Fae royalty, want to slit them up?" He asked softly. "Divide and conquer, hmm?"
"I won't just stand by and let my father and brother be hurt. This isn't their fight!" She cried, trying to pry her arm from Jareth's iron grip.
"And neither will I." He said, drawing her into his arms. "Still so little faith in me, precious thing?" He asked softly. Conjuring a crystal he spoke in to it, "Devin, I have need of you." The crystal revealed the face of a man with copper red hair and merry blue eyes.
"Sire," he said in a deep gravel voice that belied his youthful looks, "How may I be of assistance?"
"The Queen's father and brother may be in danger, I need you to travel to her childhood home in upstate New York and see to their welfare until we arrive. Take Gavin and Rowena with you, be watchful, Aldric may be bluffing that he knows where they are, however, that is not a chance I am willing to take." The man nodded once and disappeared from the crystal.
"Your Majesty," Liam began, "We aren't going to travel there by magic, are we?"
Jareth looked at Sarah and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and replied, "No, we are not. I have a feeling that Aldric is tracking either myself or Sarah's use of magic. That would be the only way he would know we were here." Sarah let out a growl of frustration and Jareth squeezed her shoulder again, a little firmer this time to bring her attention back to him. "We must be very careful with our use of magic, my love. For now, we travel as mortals, we do not contact The Labyrinth and we minimize our use of crystals for communication."
"I'm getting just a little bit tired of this cat and mouse game." Sarah huffed in annoyance. "Why can't we just track him down and end him?" Sarah felt dangerously close to pouting and stomping her foot like she had done all those years ago. She could almost feel the urge to cry out that it was so all unfair.
"Come, my dear, we shall take the train and discuss a cover story to get your family to safety. They are, after all, my family now too."
The three began walking out of Central Park, occupied by their own thoughts and worries. Sarah worried over her father and brother, not knowing if they were in the clutches of some mad Fae hopped up on black magic, Jareth worried that Sarah would do something rash that she saw as brave and heroic and Liam thought of the dream he had had the last time he had slept and wondered if it might be a prophetic one. He would meet his Fate, no matter what it was, he would just rather have a clearer picture of what might happen.
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Jareth's mother looked out over the Labyrinth from the balcony in the throne room. She could feel the amassing of troops through her magical connection with the land. The Goblin army was fierce and loyal to Jareth, they would fight to the death if need be. She hoped the fight would not come here. She turned and smiled at Fiona as she felt her cross the throne room toward her.
"Fiona," she said, holding out her hand for the other woman, "Come join me and enjoy this moment of peace."
"My Lady," Fiona said, taking the offered hand, "Is all hope lost then? Will the war come to the Labyrinth?"
"That is the end goal of Aldric, I think." She responded sadly. "He has always been jealous of Jareth's connection with this kingdom and his ability to wield the powerful magic here."
"Have The Fates revealed nothing to you then?" Fiona asked. A tremor running through her at the thought of dark magic invading The Labyrinth.
"What do those women know?" Gwendolyn asked lightly. "They know nothing of heroism, bravery or young women determined to change their fates. I truly believe that Jareth and Sarah will be victorious. After all, she has already defeated dangers untold and hardships unnumbered."