Chapter 62.

Wakened to turmoil, strife, and what had to be ruin, the Goblin King fought an inner battle. The words of the Healer ringing in his ears. He had called him by a name that no one else used. The Fae woman called him by one name and the Healer by another. Both names felt right, and both names felt wrong.

"Babalouie?" Ryan looked at his friend. "You seem vexed."

"It's nothing." He said quietly as he walked with his Paladin. "Just a lot on my mind."

"I'll bet." Ryan agreed.

Giles, walking on the King's other side nodded. "After tonight's ball everything will quiet down, I'm sure."

Pausing, the King crossed his arms. "I wish we didn't have to have the blasted ball! No good will come of it, I'm sure."

Ryan looked at Giles, who seemed more in tuned with the thoughts of the Fae. The Archer soothed, "Protocol…and, your father is insisting."

"I wish he'd go home as well." The Fae King sniffed and huffed. "I don't know why he's stayed this long. It's not like I've forgotten everything….or have I?" From irritated he had migrated to confused and worried.

"Your memories are returning as they should, Sire." The Archer assured his King. "We should return to the palace, Sire. It grows late, and your guests will be arriving soon."

The mismatched eyes looked toward the palace. "I'm afraid to go back. " He whispered. "Something… something is going to happen tonight. I can feel it."

Ryan moved closer. "I'll be there to protect you, Sire." He promised stalwartly.

"And I too." The Archer added.

"So why do I feel like a sacrificial lamb?" moaned the King as they began to walk again to the castle beyond the Goblin City.

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Sarah paced her room, and went over the words of the prophecy and the words of Robins play. For once she was glad he was a hack and had stolen words from other places to make his play come alive. She was glad that Jeremy had secrets and was willing to share them with her. Looking at the clock on the wall with its sword hands she counted the hours. Only after the last strike of thirteen would she bring to an end the nightmare of having Phineas and Millicent there.

Tári Telrúnya entered the bedchamber carrying a gown for the Lady Sarah. "The dressmaker has finished the gown for tonight's ball, my Lady." She said as she strode pass the pacing girl. The maid was use to seeing her mistress pace in thought. "I'll hang it for you so it does not wrinkle. I know how careful you are with your gowns…"

Sarah looked over at the gown. "Who picked up this dress?"

"I'm not sure. I could ask." Tári said she then looked at the dress more carefully. "There's something wrong with it, isn't there?"

Both young women looked at the gown."It's the dress I ordered, but it's different…something is not…" Sarah held a hand over it with her palm facing down. "Revel." She said. The gown burst into flames, and Sarah turned to the maid. "Yeah, I'd say there was something wrong with it."

Looking down at the ashes that were left the maid shook her head. "I don't believe one of our dressmakers would do something so disloyal to you, my Lady."

"I don't think they did." Sarah agreed. "Tári, this was meant to prevent me from attending the ball. Notice nothing else is burned or scorched even."

"What do you intend to do?" the maid asked watching the girl. "There is not time to send for a replacement gown."

Sarah smiled. "I intend to give Millie enough rope to choke on." She motioned the maid to come with her. "I found this passage some time ago." She tapped on the wall and it creaked open. "Come on, you're going to love this." Swiftly Sarah moved though the hidden passage, followed by her faithful maid. "Though here." She showed the way. The passage widened and ended in a semicircular room with a high ceiling. It was like a shrine, with its stained glass windows depicting scenes from the past, Sarah's past with Jareth. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

The Elvin maid turned slowly to take it all in. "What is this place?"

"Jareth's version of a scrapbook." Sarah said romantically. "Gotta love that man." She pointed to a silk scarf of blues and greens. "He tossed that at me the first time we met; only it looked like a jeweled snake." She then lightly touched a crystal orb on a velvet pillow. "This was the first Crystal he wanted to give me…I refused it, but he kept it here…it shows…my dreams."

Tári blushed. "I feel like an intruder." She looked at the items on display, lovingly cared for. "He must love you a great deal."

"I'm counting on his soul remembering how much." Sarah said. "Come, I need you to help me bath and dress."

"Here? There's no tub, or water…or.." The maid protested as she looked about.

"All that we need will be provided." Sarah waved her right hand; a fully furnished bathing suite appeared. "Come now, help me. I have a midnight date." Sarah laughed quietly.

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Anne frowned, "Whose idea was the masks?" she held the fox mask in her hand and frowned.

Giles holding a mask in his hand shrugged. "Does it matter?"

Ryan, already fitting the raven mask to his face agreed. "What ever is going to happen is going to happen."

Anne looked at the men. "Did Sarah never tell you about the last masked held by the King?"

Cairbre and his wife were entering the great hall; each held a mask of their own. "A masked ball?" The bard snapped.

"See!" Anne pointed to the Bard. "Even he knows this is not a good idea."

Solea on the other hand was resolute. "It has to be."

"Why," the Court Scribe demanded. "Why do we have to tempt fate?"

"To set things right, of course." Solea said as if everyone should understand.

Celestia, wearing a mask of stars moved toward the group. "Best mingle, it will look less suspect." She warned.

The Goblin King entered the ball room, all eyes turned to him. He was handsome, a resplendent figure, upright and blond. In a burgundy frock coat, diamante at the neck, shoulders, and cuffs he looked as if he'd just stepped out of a dream or a long forgotten memory. Ruffs of creamy colored silk at his throat and wrists set off the blush of his skin. On his legs he was wearing black fitted breeches and black, polished leather boots. He was holding a horned mask on a stick, but he had lowered it now, to look straight at his own reflection in the mirror. Behind him, dancers were whirling. He held his hand out, and touched the mirror. His face went haughty, a half smile that never carried to his eyes which darkened with boredom.

Oberon stood behind him in handsome robes of sea foam wearing a mask depicting surf crashing upon the shore. He was watching his sons' reactions to the reflections, and the guests who were already dancing. "My son?"

The Goblin King raised the mask and turned, "Yes Father." The voice was bored and lacked warmth.

The High King looked toward the room of guests. "We've guests, my boy."

The Goblin King behind the mask grimaced. "So I see."

Phineas entered the room; his mask was that of the dark god Anubis. He entered with buoyancy, assurance and poise. Behind him entered the father and daughter Hawthorne. Lord Hawthorne wore a mask of bramble branches, while his daughter wore a mask that was covered in bits and pieces of mirrors. Her gown flattered her figure and was elegantly cut. The trio moved into the ballroom and joined the guests.

The Healer looked about, seeing the King only with the High King, he commented quietly. "I don't see the spawn."

Millicent sipped a goblet of wine, "Nor will you." She said smugly. "I've seen to it that she will not make an appearance tonight."

Both her father and the Healer looked at her with amazement astonishment and admiration. "How did you achieve this wondrous feat?" Her father asked as he escorted her across the floor.

"I took care of her gown." Millicent snickered behind her fan. "Tonight and every night here after shall belong to me." She boasted.

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Anne frowned, "Where is Sarah?"

Ryan shrugged as they danced across the floor. "It's not all that late, is it?"

The girl wearing the fox mask looked toward the ornate clock that stood near the entrance of the ballroom. "It's almost midnight, or what should be midnight." Glancing at the King Anne frowned. "He looks…strange."

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Standing back Tári Telrúnya looked at her mistress. "I hope you know what you are doing." She held the tiny crystal sword above the girl's locks of hair that was now piled upon her head. Elvin fingers secured the sword into the crystal Juliette cap. "It's secure."

"Good," Sarah motioned to the maid to get her mask. "Hurry, Tári!" The Mystic urged. "We've only a few moments left. I have to enter and dance with him before the clock strikes thirteen!"

The maid held her slippers out to her. "We're ready. But how will you reach the ballroom in time?"

Sarah looked at her, "With magic." She turned, once, twice, thrice and the hidden shrine faded away. Sarah stood before the great carved doors of the ballroom. "Open oh says oh me…" she giggled as the doors parted and she entered.

Standing at the top of the stairs that led down to the candle lit space was a vision in a silvery gown, the color of mother-of-pearl. The dress was a sugary confection, with a wide skirt and a fitted bodice revealing creamy shoulders and a glimpse of bosom. The bodice, sleeves and skirt of the gown were covered in tiny crystals that caught the light and reflected it back. On her face was a mask with a large crystal spider, the webbing worked back into her hair. She looked down on the scene of the dancers with calm and poise. Slowly turning to descend the stair, small groups of guests turned to watch her.

The Goblin King heard the gasps of guests and turned to see what they were watching. His lips parted slightly, something about the vision of the woman moving past the rest. His father said something, but he was not sure what it had been. He could only look at the creature coming toward him. He was holding the horned mask to his face; he had lowered it to look straight at the apparition coming his way. He heard the roar of blood in his ears, as his heart beat faster.

Hawthorne looked in the direction that other Fae looked. He too was swept away by the sheer elegance of the Fae creature moving into the room.

Millicent turned to see what her father was finding so fascinating, and asked. "Who is she? I don't believe I've ever seen her before."

"I don't know." Phineas said. "Must be someone of the High King's court, someone I'm not familiar with."

The Goblin King began to walk toward the woman as she reached the final step. He bowed slightly and she inclined her head. One gloved hand reached out to her, as he drew the woman to the dance floor. He held his breath as they moved as one to the soft strains of the melody that played. The clock began to chime.

"He chooses…." Phineas said with a sneer. "He chooses Fae."

Millicent pouted. "It was supposed to be me!"

Hawthorne hushed her. "As long as he chooses a Fae Bride that is all that matters, any Fae is better than the Spawn."

Gloved fingers held the slim feminine fingers with the gentlest of pressures. He gazed into the eyes just beneath the mask. His throat hurt, and he could not find words or voice. He heard the striking of the hour, and a dizziness he had not known before. The woman held tightly to his hand. The Ballroom fell away and he nearly lost his footing as they appeared in another room. Or rather what was left of the room.

"What is this place?" he asked disoriented.

"It is a shattered dream." His companion stated sadly.

"Whose dream?" He looked at the remains of a once delightfully picturesque room with a magnificent view.

"Yours, mine…ours." She said. "Think back…think."

He closed his eyes. "I hear music…a song…" his eyes opened. "Our song."

"Sing it to me." She requested softly, praying they had time.

The King took the woman in the spider mask into his arms, spinning slowly he danced her down a stair case that was still strewn with the remnants of the last moments of another ball. His voice filled the stillness.

"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."

His eyes misted over, his lips trembled as he continued with his song.

"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."

He stopped, closed his eyes and cried out. "There's so much pain." He placed both his hands to his head. "Help me."

"Choose," she said. "The path is yours."

Staggering he leaned on a column, his breath now quickened rasps. He looked at the woman, and at the spider. "I choose…Sarah."

The mask was removed, she pulled the spider off the mask and handed to the Goblin King. "Hold tight." She smiled and removed the little sword hidden in her coiffeur. She held it out and it gleamed in the light as it began to increase in size until it became the magnificent crystal sword with the imprisoned Dragon Lord. "Hold the Spider out, and have faith." She instructed.

The King did as she bid him.

"Into the heart she thrusts this sword,
into the heart, to hold their hearts.
Who draws it out shall follow after,
What hand can grasp that fearful blade?" Sarah said the words as she placed the tip of the blade into the heart of the spider of Tarsi.

Around them the room began to shake, just as it had when Sarah had used the chair to break though the walls.

"Beyond the horizon, hidden fires swell, and serpents nestle in the bosom.
What was exacted is cast down; what was cast down is raised up in dreams of past, in shattered glass, therein lies the Crystal throne. The unstained tower breaks and bends knee to the forgotten sign." Sarah said as the shards of crystal on the ground began to rise off the ground and the Crystal ballroom began to repair itself. The room began to rise and float; like a bubble in the air. Once all the glass was back in place the room began to shimmer and was filled with music. The same music that had played so long ago.

The King smiled, the pain nearly gone.

The room spun around in the night air, and what had once appeared solid and opaque now shimmered like the finest crystal. Sarah raised the sword again and cried out. "Dragon, be thee now reborn." She placed the sword down and stood back.

The sound was ear piercing. The sword shattered into fine dust that disappeared, as the Dragon Lord took form and size. Wings stretched out and the proud head was thrown back as the voice of the Dragon sounded it's trumpeting. Great eyes whirled and looked for the girl. "Quickly!" Angus ordered. "Sit thee on the throne." Sarah moved back to the stair and took a seat. The Goblin King stood at her side watching as the Dragon Lord went down and bowed to her. "Daughter of the Fallen, Queen of the Clutch, to thee alone do we bow." He said in a forceful manner.

"Queen of the Clutch?" The Goblin King raised one elegant brow.

"I told you my Kingdom was a great." She simpered.

He then looked down at his attire. "This will never do." He said and waved his hand.

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The Fae who'd been dancing around the attractive couple were startled by the vanishing act. They looked about only to find the King standing at the top of the stairs, now dressed in a long midnight blue frock coat with deep purple accents. Blue and purple streaks highlighted in soft blond hair that had dark patches. All eyes in the room went to him. "I wish to thank you all for attending." He called out. "And to ask that you all witness my vows to my bride." He held out his hand and the girl in the spider mask moved forward.

Anne turned to Ryan who wore a strange smile; she then looked at Giles who was wearing a matching gaze. The Bard whispered in her ear, "Look at the mask!" Then Anne saw it, the crystal spider. "Sarah." She whispered gleefully.

Hawthorne and others watched as the Old Druid entered. There was movement behind them in the adjacent hall. The Old Druid kept sending strange looks at the hall.

Millicent pouted. "I would look better in the crown than that…girl."

Phineas suddenly looked at the woman standing beside the King. He noticed the changed garments and screamed. "NO!" Rushing forward he found himself held back as the King bestowed the Kiss upon his bride.

Hawthorne and his daughter had followed the Healer and stood amazed as the Goblin King removed the spider mask from the girl and ripped the crystal spider from the mask to pin it to his bride's bodice. "I present my Queen. Queen Sarah, Mystic and Champion of the Labyrinth, Queen of the Dragon's Clutch."

Phineas spit his hate. "You can not marry her! She is Nephilim! Moreover she has not completed the tasks of the prophecy."

"Jareth there is still time!" Millicent rushed forward, hands outstretched. "Pick me!" she reached for the man and screamed as searing pain shot though her.

Sarah shook her head, "Millie, I told you to keep your hands off my man." She looked at Hawthorne, "Same both your children are such idiots."

Millicent gasped. "Both…what both?"

Oberon stood back with a delighted grin, he turned to Sarah's father and stated. "That's one fine girl you have there."

Robert nodded proudly.

A look of sympathy came over the features of the new Goblin Queen. "Why, Robin of course."

Millicent spun on her father. "Is this true?"

"What if it is?" he snapped angrily at the girl. The Fae Lord looked at the Royal couple. "Phineas is right! This creature has no right to be Queen…she failed her tasks."

"Says who?" Bellowed the dragon in the hall. "The Dragon Lord is reborn, and bows to the Clutch Queen."

Anne started cheering, followed by Ryan. The cheer was then taken up by Cairbre and his wife.

Phineas turned to the King. "Quinn…listen to me."

"Quinn?" Millicent protested, "That's Jareth!"

The Goblin King looked amused then turned to his bride. "Say my name."

"Jareth Quinn." She said with no breath or pause between the two. "The Two made One."

Linda stood in an alcove with Jeremy, "You did good." She said to her lover.

"Of course." He teased.

The Goblin King led his bride back to the ballroom for the first dance as a Royal Couple.

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The guest began to depart, and soon it was only the Champions with their spouses and the King with his Bride. Ryan touched the King's new fashioned garment. "Nice threads, Babalouie!"

The King laughed. "Go to bed, people." He teased. "Tomorrow is another day, and another threat to the kingdom." He grabbed Ryan's arm. "A coach awaits you and the fair Anne. Take it and have that honeymoon."

Ryan patted the King on the back, "Take your own advice." He held his hand out to Anne. "Good night, Sire."

Cairbre bowed and smiled at the pair. Solea kissed the bride's cheek and wished them well. Giles and Celestia also wished them well before exiting the ballroom.

The joy on the face of the now restored soul told Sarah all she ever needed to know. He took her into his arms and they began to slowly waltz to music only they heard. The room faded, and they were in the Escher room. The King looked at the many sets of stairs and then slowly, methodically began to peal off his gloves. Sarah laughed a full throaty laugh. The soft kidd gloves were sent over the edge of the great opening in the center.

"Say my name again, Sarah." He removed the frock coat and it too went into the abyss.

Licking lips that were parched, she placed her hands behind her back. "Jareth Quinn, Goblin King, and the only man I've ever loved."

"We thank you." The jabot followed the coat. A long elegant hand rose, fingers crooked and then he motioned her to come to him. As she did, he growled softly. "I wait no longer," He told her in a breathy voice. His hands took hold of her, "Wife." Soft but firm lips moved over hers with possessiveness. Her mouth opened to him instantly. Backing her toward the wall he whispered. "I'm going to have to buy you a new gown." The stitches of the seams gave way as his hands ripped the fabric from her body. "Sorry, baby."

"Don't call me baby." She moaned under his lips.

"Ma petite!" He stood back and swung her up into his arms. "I think I'd prefer a bed to a stair." He spun around and they were in the heart of his bedchamber. "I move the stars for no one, but you."

Sarah placed her head to his. "I love you. I always have. I always will."

"We love you too." He said placing her on her feet and kissing her until her head swam.

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The laughter of Pixies scattering from the room of the King could be heard though out the Kingdom.