Chapter Five

Setting a double trap

Oberon sat on his throne and smiled to him self, the chamber was empty or so it seemed. For Puck was attending in the darkness, lurking incase his master needed or called upon him. Pellanor had discreetly vacated when he'd been asked to. The Fae King leaned back and relaxed in the seat. He would have a short wait, until the arrival of his Goblin King. He didn't have long to wait, he could hear the commotion at the entry of the Tribunal Chambers that usually accompanied the appearance of his fair haired childe. He listened with a smirk as he could hear servants being sent scurrying and goblins being ordered to obey. 'Come into my den.' The High King thought amusedly.

Jareth smoothed his garments hastily rushing down toward the Tribunal Chambers; he'd been riding when he'd received the summons. He knew he should have taken the time to change but he was in a hurry. He didn't like to leave Sarah unobserved too long, and it had already been several hours she'd been out of his sight. His brown leather jacket was covered in the dust of a sand storm he'd ridden though and the cobweb of giant crystal spiders from an island near his Labyrinth. His dove gray leggings were soiled as well, even his boots shown how hard he rode this day. Riding crop still in his hand he came to the yellow spiral and knelt to his Sovereign.

"You sent for me, my Lord?" He was on a tight leash with his King and Kinsmen right now for some reason he could not fathom. He knew it was best to be on his best behavior. He stayed in the position of supplication, despite his chagrin. The Goblin King didn't like to bend knee to any one.

Oberon let him stay like that for a moment longer than he truly had to, but felt it was a good object lesson for his Childe. "Rise and come forth." He made his face as official as he could, but the sight of the handsome Fae covered in dust and webbing was too comical. "My dear boy, what have you been doing?" He mused as he scrutinized the lad.

Jareth looked at his attire and grimaced, "Forgive me, my Sovereign. I was riding when the summons arrived. I came straight here without changing attire."

The Fae King of Kings narrowed his eyes, "I don't recall ever getting quite that soiled even when riding one of the fire hove alicorns."

Jareth placed one hand behind his back and tried to take a nonchalant stance. "It was a dragon I was riding…" Then in a quieter voice he said. "Seemed like a good idea at the time."

Oberon looked at him and sighed. Sometimes being firm was the greatest kindness. "The day of the judgment arrives." He kept his voice impassive.

Jareth's eyes lit up like a child being given a new toy. "How will thee bring her here for judgment?"

"She will not be brought here." Oberon waved his hand round the chambers. "She will be brought to justice, but not in this chamber."

Trouble brewed in the mismatched eyes, "Will it be as binding?" He needed assurances, once the girl was within his grasp he didn't want any loopholes.

"Oh it will be binding indeed." He knew the lad was not truly listening. "Go now, prepare. The hour will be upon us, your instructions will be delivered to thee." He stood as the lad bound up the steps and ordered his minions to follow him. Oberon turned to the dark corner. "Follow him, make sure he behaves." He ordered sharply.

The faun smiled, played a few notes on his pan-flute and was gone.

"My Queen." Oberon spoke softly, and his good lady appeared in a soft light.

"My King." She held her hand out to him. "Our first bird is in the snare?"

Oberon loved the way his wife could word things, "Aye, now to ensnare the pigeon."

Both laughed as they disappeared in a swirl of mist.

Outside the Hall of the Mountain Kings, Jareth let the sun bath his face in its warmth. "Soon I shall have my prey! And then, retribution." He crowed spinning around like a child.

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Morgan brought the mail up to the room. She had volunteered, so she could slip the big orange envelopes into the daily delivery.

"Mail's here!" She announced, jumping onto her bed "It came! I was getting worried."

Sarah looked at her roommate, "What came?"

Morgan flashed the invitation to her. "Oh, only the most exclusive invite of the season!"

Sarah smiled, "What kind of party?" She had not seen the Goth girl so excited about anything in the entire time they had roomed together.

"A Halloween Masked, it's a party thrown by the Fine Arts and the Drama department heads. Very exclusive and very private! Only a few students are honored with invitations. There are about thirty people attending in all." She kissed the invitation. "Each of the Professors is allowed one guest over and beyond a spouse."

Sarah looked at her mail, and an orange envelope fell to the floor. She looked at Morgan who got an excited look on her face. Bending down, the girl picked up the item and opened it with a sudden pounding of her heart. "Professor Woodard extends his good wishes and invites me to be his guest at the Masked." She sat down, looking very sad.

The door flew open and Seth marched in looking utterly pleased with him self. "I've made the A list! Dr. Jordon has extended an invitation to moi…" he then saw the two envelopes held by the two girls. "Oh you too." He looked at Morgan who looked like the cat that had just had cream, then at Sarah who sat quietly as if she'd just received word of a death in the family. "Ok, what gives? This is an honor! Not someone poking you in the eye."

"It's a masked party… and I don't have a costume." Sarah sighed. "I'll have to turn it down."

Seth leaned to the girls. "That's what I came here about. Look my friend Jack Miller is in charge of the costume department for the theater. And he tells me they are getting rid of a whole load of costumes. Now old Jake owes me a few favors, so he says I can have any costume I want before the rest go on sale next week. So grab your coats my lovelies! We are going costume hunting!"

"But I can't pay for a costume!" Sarah moaned, "I've spent my monthly allowance already, and I really can't ask for more."

"Who said pay? I told you, Jack says they will never notice what's gone. He said what does not get sold is going in to the dumpster. So think of it as saving a piece of theatric history!" Seth looped his arm though Morgan's arm. "Come on, Sarah!"

Both girls were thrilled with the selection of garments. Jack Miller was a bit rougish, but he was nice enough to the trio. He showed Morgan the dresses in her size and pointed Seth in the direction of the men's garb. He took Sarah over to a rack and pulled out a mother of pearl gown. "I think this would be stunning on you." He held the sugar-plum-fairy costume in her direction.

Sarah backed up, no; it was too much like another fancy gown she'd worn once. "No, it's not me." She began to look though the rack. Jack, the gown still in his hands turned to Seth with a panicked look. Seth narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Morgan just watched attentively. Finally Sarah pulled a dress from the rack. Layers of translucent fabric, the colorurs of autumn leaves. She held it up against herself, reveling in the softness. "This is it!" she announced.

Jack replaced the mother of pearl gown and sighed. "That one was a mistake. It was suppose to be Peasblossom. But that is not a pea…" he walked over to the rack and pulled the mask off the shelf. "Even the mask is wrong but if you like it, take it with my blessings. Better on you than in the dumpster!" Jack then rifled though the rest of the rack. "Here, you might want this cloak too. It came in with the shipment of wrong costumes too." In his hands was a hooded cloak in a deep russet tone.

Sarah put the cloak on her shoulders. "I don't think so." She said feeling funny about the cloak. "It feels wrong."

When the trio of friends departed a mist filled the room, Jack Miller knelt and bowed his head. When the mist cleared two distinctive beings stood in the room with the man. "My Lord King." He sighed. "I've failed." His voice held dejection and disappointments.

Oberon looked at the collection of fabrics and garments. "How so?"

Jack looked up sadly into the face of his King. "The girl refused the gown."

The Fae Queen put a hand on her husband robe. "She did what?"

"She refused the beautiful gown." He pointed to the mother of pearl confection still hanging on the rack. "She took instead a gown of russet and rouse. I dared not stop her, she would have become suspicious."

Oberon smiled, "It matters not what garment she took, all that matters is that she took one." He turned to his wife. "I thought she might refuse the fancy ball gown. It is too like the one she wore in a drug induced dream. That is why I provided the others. Any choice she would make would carry the enchantment. However I was almost sure it was the russet and rouse she would choose. I never really intended that she choose the other gown, it was just an enticement to make her choose one of the others." He calmed the henchman. "By showing her the gown you did just as I planned. You pushed her toward the one that was the real target."

The Fae Queen sighed, "Like father, like son it would seem."

Oberon frowned, "Let us hope I have better results than the boy did. Ah, what matters is our pigeon is now ensnared. We have but to wait, and all will be revealed." He laughed, and was joined by his wife. Jack Miller lowered his eyes and said a prayer that his King was right.

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Morgan watched Sarah apply the lightest amount of makeup, and envied the girl her complexion. She sat on the bed, letting her gown drape over the edge of the bed. Morgan had been dressed and ready to go for almost a half an hour now. Sarah was taking her own sweet time.

Sarah picked up the vial of perfume, one of her mystery gifts. She dabbed the sweet scent to her pulse points, and also at the hollow of her neck just under the bobbles she was never without. Smoothing the petals of the gown she stood and looked at her roomie. "Well?" She said as she donned her mask. "What do you think?"

Morgan was holding her mask in her hand. "I still don't know what you are." Her face was puzzled, and pensive. "And I still don't know why you turned down that dreamy mother of pearl gown! It would have looked wonderful on you. You'd have looked like a Queen."

"It's a mystery. Perhaps I'll give a reward to the one who guesses what I am." Sarah teased good-naturedly. "And the other gown was not me…not me today…once perhaps, but not now." Her voice was confident and proud. "This," She spun with abandon, "is me!"

Seth tapped on the door and bowed as he entered in his best courtly manner, "My good ladies, the night awaits us." The girls linked arms with him.

When the room was cleared a faun appeared, laughed and played a few notes on his flute, disappearing as quickly as he'd come. With him disappeared all signs that the room had ever been occupied.

The Party was being held in the great hall of the Drama department. It had been done up like a castle for the event. Great Copper sconces held flaming torches, and flowing drapes descended and flowed in the wind. A large spiral like design almost labyrinthical adorned the center of the great hall space. The guests all wore masks, and the invitations were gathered at the door. Each guest was announced as the character they portrayed.

"Lady Morganna, daughter of Morgan Le Fey." The knave announced.

Morgan held her head high as she entered the room. Down the stairs she descended and bowed to the Hosts of the feast.

"The Fisher King" the words came and Seth entered the room.

The knave took Sarah's card and looked at her, "A mystery to be solved," the knave announced with a smile. Sarah entered the room, and a soft wind blew the petals of her gown she walked slowly. Reaching the area of the room where the hosts stood, Sarah curtsied low and gracefully before them. The petals of her gown fluttering like butterfly wings as she did.

Professor Woodard looked at her costume and smiled. "So we are to guess the identity of your appearance, is that it?" When she nodded, he laughed. "Well you must give us hints." He held his hand out, "However, my child. This, my Lady, has asked to be introduced to thee."

Sarah curtsied to the lady in the long flowing gown of shimmering fabric. "I'm pleased to be acquainted with you, my lady."

Tatiana was enchanted. "Come close, so I may observe you."

Sarah stepped closer.

The Fae Queen shook her head, "A sylph?"

"No, my Lady." Sarah said softly.

"A sprite!" called out someone

"No." Sarah was beginning to enjoy this game.

Eyes from a corner watched, and smiled a secret smile.

"A hint!" someone called out.

Morgan nodded, urging her friend to give a hint.

"I can delight the senses or give hallucinations." Sarah said softly.

A woman in a watery blue gown that Sarah didn't know laughed, "You're a sprig of mistletoe."

Sarah said lightly. "No, again."

Try after try; hint after hint, the game went on. Until the man in the corner edged forward, he'd been listening to the guesses. He tipped his fluted wine glass up and drank to the dregs. "She's the last peach of the season hidden in the leaves of fall." He said softly.

Sarah looked up but didn't know who'd solved the mystery. "That's right."

Morgan looked at her gown, "Oh, of course!"

Professor Woodard laughed, "Good sport! Now, come the merriment is but beginning."

Sarah looked for the one who'd solved her mystery, but he'd vanished into the crowd. She followed the others and stood in a circle with them as musicians began to play dance music. Once more she was glad of all the classes her mother had insisted upon. She danced with ease as the circle within a circle moved. The ladies were in the inner circle and the gentlemen in the outer ring. The music shifted and the dance became more spirited. When it ended Sarah looked for Morgan but could not reach her across the room before she was halted by Professor Woodard.

"Lady of the Peach!" Woodard held a mandolin out to her. "I hear tell that thou art gifted in playing the mandolin, would thee not give us a song?"

Sarah took it and sighed, "I can play but one song. I know many, I can sing many… I fear I'm under an enchantment, my Lord, and can play but one."

Woodard smiled an almost parental smile, "Then play us that one." He led her to a stool in the center of the spiral on the floor.

Sarah took her seat, and hooked one ankle behind the other under her. Her fingers began to strum the mandolin. It was a beautiful instrument, more lavish then her own. Not unlike the one Robin Hobb had owned and treasured. Slowly, the tune began to fill the room. She looked up but her eyes could not see the faces around her.

There's such a sad love
Deep in your eyes.
A kind of pale jewel
Open and closed
Within your eyes.
I'll place the sky
Within your eyes.

There's such a fooled heart
Beatin' so fast
In search of new dreams.
A love that will last
Within your heart.
I'll place the moon
Within your heart.

As the pain sweeps through,
Makes no sense for you.
Every thrill is gone.
Wasn't too much fun at all,
But I'll be there for you-ou-ou
As the world falls down.

Falling.
Falling down.
Falling in love.

I'll paint you mornings of gold.
I'll spin you Valentine evenings.
Though we're strangers 'til now,
We're choosing the path
Between the stars.
I'll leave my love
Between the stars.

As the pain sweeps through,
Makes no sense for you.
Every thrill is gone.
Wasn't too much fun at all,
But I'll be there for you-ou-ou
As the world falls down.

Falling
As the world falls down.
Falling
As the world falls down.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling in love
As the world falls down.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling.
Falling in love
As the world falls down.
Makes no sense at all.
Makes no sense to fall.
Falling
As the world falls down.
Falling.
Falling in love
As the world falls down.
Falling.
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down.

Tears slid down her soft cheeks as she sang. Some of the other ladies in the room also wept. She took a moment to compose her self and stood and then handed the mandolin back to the Host.

"Where did you hear that song?" asked the lady who'd been introduced to her as Lady Vivanne.

"Once, a few years ago, a man sang that to me." Sarah explained. "I was only a child, not yet sixteen…I didn't understand what he was saying… and for three years the words have haunted me."

"How sad," Said a lady who looked as if she'd slept in the bed of enchanted flowers. "For you both."

Sarah moved slowly to the refreshment table after having accepted praise for the singing of his song. She looked at the drinks on the table and tried to choose. A fluted wine glass was held out to her. Long, elegantly sculpted fingers that looked too beautiful to be real held the glass out to her. They withdrew with an unearthly graces as she accepted the glass and sipped. Her eyes opened wide. "This tastes so strange… what is it?"

A voice at her ear whispered. "Peach Ambrosia."

With a startled gasp, Sarah released the glass but it hung in mid air. "Jareth." She choked out, "What have you done?" the room began to swim and she felt as if she was loosing herself once more. "Everything…is…swimming." Her voice held terror and a dark memory. Only this time there was no tree to cling to as her keens gave way. "What have you done?" she repeated.

Jareth caught her as she began to sink, "I've only begun." He teased. "The ambrosia will take some of the fight out of you, for now, Sarah." He carried her to the center of the spiral and placed her in a winged back chair that had taken the place of the stool she'd performed on. The others began to remove their masks and take their places forming the tribunal circle of judgement.

Pellanor shook his head, gave a huff and came forward. Tapped his staff three times on the floor and cried out. "I Pellanor, Provo Marshall of the High Court of the Fae do here by convene this Tribunal trial."

Woodard removed his mask, "I Oberon, King of the Fae will hear the complaint." Oberon stood with an unmoved face.

Sarah took three deep breaths. "Oh God!" Had she heard right a tribunal trial and a complaint against her, to be overheard by the High King of the Fae himself?

Jareth handed a scroll to Pellanor smugly. Who in turn handed it to Oberon. He read the scroll, a formality really, and handed it back. "Stand lady." He directed Sarah.

Sarah felt as if her body was on fire. She stood and faced the many people she'd come to know here, and understood none were whom they had seemed to be. She glared at Morgan, feeling betrayed. She saw Mr.Emrys, and others she'd come to know over the past three years. Her heart sunk within her. Slowly she raised her head. 'I am betrayed.' Her heart told her.

"King Jareth, Lord over the Labyrinth and King of the Goblin Realm, has brought a charge against you." Oberon said strongly. "It is a serious charge. Answer, but give thought to your words." He looked at the girl. "Did you go into the Labyrinth willingly to rescue your brother?"

"I did."

"Did you also wish your brother away?" Oberon pulled at his beard.

"I didn't mean it when I said it." Sarah exclaimed, feeling the old anger rise at the accusation.

"What's said is said." Jareth sighed, trying to sound bored. But in truth he was enjoying her discomfort.

"You kidnapped my brother! What was I suppose to do, just forget him?" She turned her anger on Jareth, who looked shocked.

"I didn't kidnap him!" Harshly the Goblin King snapped back.

"Alright, you took him!" Sarah yelled. "Is that any better than kidnapping?"

"I didn't take him." Jareth yelled back. "And I didn't kidnap him!"

An explosion of words followed. He accused her of being a spoiled brat, and she accused him of stealing. The other Fae present stood back and turned to the King who was watching the confirmation with some measure of amusement. Jareth said something the others didn't quite catch, but Sarah heard it loud and clear. She swung at him with her left hand to back hand him. He grabbed it in mid air with his left hand. Oberon saw his opportunity and cried out.

"Gelatino!" and the two froze in place, eyes unseeing, and ears unable to hear. He then moved closer to be sure both were completely at his mercy. "Good." He turned "Puck, bring my athamé and the cord." Oberon turned to the circle assemblage. "Enter not this circle! Stand as you are." His tone was powerful and full of authority. Not one Fae present made a move.

Even Morganna stood transfixed as she watched the King of the Fae enter the spiral. With a motion of his hand the glove on the Goblin King's left had disappeared. Oberon took the athamé from Puck, slid it between the pair of hands turning it so to cut them both at the same time. He then bound the hands with the silver cord. "Cingo." Was the only thing he said, the Fae King then took his place back as leader of the Tribunal. "ventu"

Jareth and Sarah both tugged at the same time, and both saw the cord.

"What the hell?" Sarah looked confused.

"Damn!" Jareth's eyes opened wide, and he swiftly whipped round so that his body now shielded Sarah. "Father!" he shouted at Oberon, "Hast thou betrayed me?"

"No, not at all, my boy." Oberon was amused.

Again Jareth whipped round, now his left hand and his right hand enfolded the girl as his cloak came round covering both of them for an instant. "Since I have what I came for, I'll make my farewells." His grip on the young woman tightened almost violently and the girl gasped for air. Jareth sneered as he heard the gasps.

Oberon shook his head, "Not so fast! You'll not be going to the Goblin Kingdom… at least not yet." Oberon raised his arms and the pair vanished.