Chapter 10. The Enchanted Forest
Sarah landed over the two boys; they were now at the bottom of a deep tunnel. "We must have fallen though one of the mine shafts." She speculated pulling herself off the boys. "The shafts have fallen in before. We're lucky we weren't killed." She looked at the boys. "Are you two ok?" Her hands took hold of both little faces.
George was wearing a huge grin, "That was better than going to Coney Island! Can we do it again?"
Toby sniffed the air, "What's that smell?" He asked. "That's not coal, or coal dust…it smells… alive…and pretty."
Sarah sniffed. "That's woodbine." She sat on her haunches. "I don't recall any growing on this side of the mountain. I'd remember that smell,… It's so powerful." She looked to where her brother was staring; there was light coming into the cavern. "Ok, we go slowly, and we go careful. I'm not sure what's out there." She placed the flashlight strapped to her hand back in the bag with the sleeping cat. "Midnight, you'd sleep though the end of the world, you lazy cat." The little cat stretched and stayed asleep.
Sarah went ahead of the boys, hoping that the men looking for her were not on the other side of the opening. Reaching the opening in the carven she prepared herself for anything, anything but what she saw. They were still on a mountain, just not the one they'd started out on. Sarah moved back into the cavern, grabbed her forehead and whispered. "What did I say? Oh God, what did I say just before we fell?"
George looked up at her and repeated her words. "You said you wished you could take us both to the enchanted forest right now."
Sarah lightly banged the back of her head on the cave wall. "I know better, I know better, I know better."
Toby moved past her and looked out the entrance, "Whoa! Georgeie, you've gotta see this!"
The darker boy looked out of the cave in delight. "Wow! Look at that! Where are we?"
Toby smiled up at him. "The Enchanted Forest, just like Sarah wanted. Nice work, Sis."
George's eyes turned into large saucers. "You can do magic!" He shouted. "Way cool!"
"No I can't." She said, and then moaned. "I make wishes, and they come true. Thanks to a gift given to me by…a King." She stepped out to the ledge and looked down at the vista before her. A forest of incredible beauty lay beneath them, and in the distance she could just barely make out the form of a great spiraling wall. "The Labyrinth." She whispered. "Oh God, I can only wish he won't be able to find me right now." Having spoken a wish for the second time that day, she shoved her fist in her mouth to prevent any more misspoken words.
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Jareth had led the Goblins war party thought the portal, and in to the cabin. They looked about the cabin and found it empty. Jareth sniffed the air, as did his Goblin horde, "She's been here, just a short time ago." He announced. "Find her, and the boys…protect them!"
No one had the right to put Sarah in danger, unless it was Jareth himself, he thought. He paced the cabin as the Goblins began to spread out. Jareth saw the men in dark suits, and felt a dark hatred for these who would put the girl and his boy in danger. He smiled when one of the Goblins returned to the cabin holding an engine part like it was a lollypop. He heard the rumble in the ground but didn't think about it, he watched as the man made flying machine rose in the air and spiraled out of control. It made a fine fire ball as it impacted with the mountain. Jareth then turned his attentions to the horde looking for the girl and the boys.
"Find her!" He ordered drawing a crystal from the air. "She must be found!" He shook the crystal that would not clear. "Blast your hide, woman! Where in the seven layers of hell did you go?"
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Karen was sipping a glass of water; Kathy was standing over her, preening. The officers had reported back from the girl's apartment. She was not there, and there was no sign she'd been there since morning. Karen had a sudden thought. "The cabin….. Sarah's Grandmother had a cabin up in the Indian Head Ski area. She's been bugging me to let her take the boys up there." She turned to the officer in charge. "I'll bet that's where she took my baby."
The officer was reading over an official file. "Well you'd better hope we get them first. We've just gotten word on the three bodies… they were all shot exaction style. I doubt your stepdaughter is the one who did it."
Karen began to weep again. Kathy, put on the sympathy act, and prayed that both the children and the girl would be found dead.
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Jareth looked at the charred Goblins, "Well?" He was cross and they swallowed before answering.
"We found her scent, Sire." The still smoldering Goblin said quickly.
"Take me to it." He followed them out of the cabin and toward the hole in the hillside. Even as he entered it he was assaulted by the traces of magic. "She's made a wish… I can feel the power of it." He smiled, "That's my girl." He muttered under his breath. "Some things never change."
The Goblins looked at each other, "It ends at a big whole in the ground."
Jareth drew an orb from the air, commanded it be lit and it illuminated the entire cavern. Stepping near the entrance he sniffed. "She's gone underground." He sighed deeply. "But where?" He raised the orb that glowed but refused to show him the girl. "She's cloaked herself somehow."
"You want us to follow this trail?" The still smoldering Goblin asked.
Leaning on the wall of the chamber at the end of the test shaft, the Goblin King weighted his options. "NO," He said firmly at long last. "I'm going to have to trust Mother Universe on this one. Sarah is in the Underground, and the boy is with her. She'll do everything in her power to keep him safe." Tapping his chin with long fingers he resolved to be patient. "We will go back to the Castle," he ordered his horde. "For now the girl is out of danger, and those here who would harm her or my boy are unable to reach her." He motioned the Goblins to follow him back up the mine shaft.
Sirens were blaring, coming up the hillside. Jareth took little notice of them. "Come Children of the Labyrinth! We are going home." He called out to all the scurrying dark forms dashing about the shadows. "We leave the mortal realm and worries to the Mortals." He laughed, the sound echoed though the hills as he and his horde vanished.
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Sarah sat down on the ledge, looking at the landscape and trying to plot her next move. Toby and George sat down beside her, quietly watching the girl. She looked at Toby, "You remember all the stories I use to tell you at bedtime?" He nodded, and she continued in a very serious vein. "They were all true, they were not made up. They were about this place right here."
The blond boy smiled as if he hadn't a care in the world. "I know." He looked at the forest below and the Labyrinth beyond. "I've always known they were true."
Sarah looked at George, "I'm afraid you won't be going back to school, or home anytime soon George."
The dark haired child smiled, "That's fine with me."
Sarah looked down the hillside. "Ok," she sighed. "We need to get into the woods… I'm not sure how far, but there should be a caravan of Travelers down there somewhere."
"What's Travelers?" George asked softly.
Sarah looked down at him as she stood up and hoisted her carpet bag over her shoulder. "Travelers are sort of like Gypsies but not exactly… They were Scots, Welsh, and Irish… Celts… Displaced by the English crown… there's tales that my Granny told of how some had the power to travel the mists between the mortal realm and that of the Fae."
George's eye widened in surprise and elation, "Cool."
"Let's just hope this path is not riddled with hazarders." Sarah said as she started down ahead of the boys. "Remember, slow and easy…" She called over her shoulder. The boys followed her as she made her way down the path from the cave entrance to the floor of the forest. It was already late in the day, and Sarah wanted to find a campsite in the woods if at all possible. After a few hundred yards the winding path opened to what was unmistakably a road though the forest. "Ok, rules." She turned to the boys, "I do the talking, I'm the elder and there for the speaker, got it?" They nodded. "We also have to use a traveler name, if what Granny said is still holding true. So from here on out you and I are the McFadden. Got it?" She watched their eyes. "Say your name." She pointed to the Dark haired boy."
"George McFadden?" He looked doubtful.
Sarah shook her head, "Let's make that Gorgie McFadden, shall we?" The boy smiled, she turned to Toby.
"Toby McFadden," He imitated the slight accent that Granny Betty still had after all her years in her adopted country.
"Fine," Sarah frowned at the uniforms. "We'll have to find a way to get you different clothes somewhere along the line." She began walking on the road. "Keep your eyes open and trust nothing. This is a land of enchantment, and nothing, I mean nothing is what it may seem to be."
Georgie toured to Toby, "I she always so… serious?"
Toby shook his head, "No, usually she's a lot of fun."
Sarah heard the boys chatting behind her and smiled. At least they were calm and reasonable. Slowly she began to recount to herself the tales of the enchanted woods and the children of the mists that her Granny had told her. So far the tales were holding true and the road was winding though the wood. If Granny had been right there would be a caravan of travelers just ahead.
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Jareth was back in his throne room, pacing. He tapped the leather riding crop on his boot as he moved across the floor. The Goblins sat perched throughout the circular chamber. Some hung from ledges; other's hid behind the cask of ale that was dripping. All Goblin eyes were on him, the King pacing and pondering.
Gandar came upon the quite room; he observed the quiet intent with which the Goblins kept an eye on their master. He too watched the King pace, mesmerized by the slow and methodic steps. "Sire, is there a problem?" Distracted, the King cast his Chancellor a sideways glance, and continued to pace. "Sire?"
Jareth paused, raised his crop and tapped his chin. "Am I a difficult man, Gandar?"
The Chancellor was taken aback and muttered. "By whose standard?"
"Your own," Jareth said still pondering. "Would you judge me as difficult?"
The Chancellor shrugged his shoulders, "I've never found you to be difficult."
"Do I ask too much of subjects or …" The King's face went soft with reminiscence. "Of the women I've known?"
"I can answer for your subjects, sire…for the women you've …known.. I would not dare answer." The Chancellor murmured.
Jareth looked at the man who served him. "Then answer for my subjects."
Gandar pointed out the window behind the King, "Out there, in the Kingdom there are many who've known your generosity and your succor. The Kingdom thrives, against all odds, it thrives. That is because you rule… sometimes your orders may seem harsh… or even unreasonable to some… but we as a Kingdom thrive."
Jareth nodded. "Yes, we thrive."
"You have always put the good of the Kingdom before all else." Gandar praised.
Raising one gloved hand the King stopped further praise. "All but once," Jareth acknowledge, in a declaration from his heart. "All but once, once, Gandar, I put my needs before that of the Kingdoms. That one act haunts me still."
The Chancellor understood what the King was referring to. "Sire, you more than made up for that one faux pa. And you've wed a Fae Princess… solidifying our Kingdom and adding to its boarders. You are a great King, and your subjects love you."
Goblins hunkered down, feeling the waves of chaos their Sovereign was suffering.
Jareth began to pace again. "Love…love from a far is no better than no love at all."
Adrianna stood in the hall watching the King and his Chancellor speak. She'd not seen Jareth so agitated or vexed. She wondered what it was that was plaguing the man, but felt she was better served to keep her distance. It would not due for him to discover her pretense. Showing undue concern would only muddy waters she didn't want to tread if not needed to. She painted on the childish grin, as she walked briskly toward her own court.
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The sun was beginning to set; red gold lights cast wonderful shadows in the wood. Sarah figured they must have walked four or five miles, and she was starting to get tired. She worried that if they didn't find the trail for the encampment of Travelers soon, she would have to set up some kind of camp herself. The boys seemed to be getting tired as well, and she didn't want to wear them out so soon. After all who knew just how far they would have to travel here in their new surroundings?
Toby saw the fabric hanging in the tree. "Sarah, what's that?"
Sarah moved closer, touched it with her up raised fingers and smiled. "Travelers," She looked for the markings her Granny had taught her as a child. "There!" she pointed to a cut off in the road ahead. "That will take us to the encampment." The branch off took them though even thicker woods, and Sarah knew they must be near some water source. She could smell the sweet scent of wood burning. "Remember, I speak for us." She warned.
The clearing was filled with activity. There were eight wagons, all pulled into a loose circle. Fires had been recently lit, and were giving off the lovely fragrance of fresh burned herbs and green wood. The encampment looked as if it had been here for a few days, for everyone seemed to be quite settled in.
Sarah looked for the largest of the wagons, which would belong to the leader of the band of vagabonds. It was easy to locate, it was in a position of prominence and far more strikingly built than any of the others. Sitting on the rear of the wagon was a man who looked almost regal. He was dressed in rust colored trousers held up by a wide leather belt, his shirt was wheat colored over which he wore a vest that was matching his trousers. He was tall and muscular, fit from a life of living in the open. He looked like a man who was not afraid of hard work. His face had been kissed by the sun, the rain and the wind, and he looked like he'd lived a long and wondrous life. Sliver brows, thick and wild covered the eyes that were deep and wide and the color of the Celtic seas. His hair was thick, wavy and as sliver as his brow. His voice was deep and like music as he spoke to his followers. When Sarah and the boys came out of the clearing he silenced the men with him with just a look.
Sarah walked though the encampment leisurely, at a snail's pace, letting all see her and the boys. She walked toward the leader's wagon and when she was a few yards from the man she gave him a curtsey, showing respect for him as an elder and a leader. "Good heath and fair winds to you, master of this clan."
"And to you, little pigeon," He returned the greeting. "Have thee traveled far?"
Sarah smiled, wondering what he'd say if she told just how far. "Aye, we've traveled a long way this day."
The man left the ledge of the wagon, coming to stand a few feet from the girl. "I am Colyne Brodie, Laird of this clan o traveler. Who might ye be?"
"I'm Sarah of the McFadden clan. These are my boys, Georgie and Toby."She pointed to each of the boys.
Colyne looked at the boys with friendly eyes. "Aye? Fine strapping boys ye have there." The big man motioned for Sarah to go by the central fire, accepting her presence in the encampment. "Ye travel without benefit of wagon or man to protect ye… have ye eaten?" Sarah shook her head, and the man called a woman over. "Fiona! Food woman." He took a pipe from his vest and lit it. "To where do ye travel?" His voice was like music when he spoke. His woman came to where they sat carrying a tray laden with cold carved meats, fish, cheese and bread.
Sarah heaved a heavy sigh. "To wherever Mother Universe takes us."
"Well spoken," Colyne said drawing deeply on the stem of his pipe. He watched as Sarah took food to feed the boys first and then herself. "These lads… be they yer sons?"
"Brothers," Sarah said as she took food for herself.
Colyne drew again and considered her words, "A word of advice," he offered softly. "Beyond this clan ye would be best served to say ye are a widow and these yer sons." His voice was fatherly, and his tone serious.
"Aye, I'll remember that, good sir." Sarah said taking a bite of the bread in her hand.
"I offer ye and yer sons the comfort of my camp." He said quietly.
"Colyne!" A man coming toward them protested. "Ye canna! They are strangers… we know them not."
"Does this pigeon and her chicks look so dangerous to ye, Thorn Burnett?" Colyne Brodie frowned at the man. "I am Laird, and if I offer my protection that is my business alone."
"Not when it endangers all our lives, old man…" the younger man said in angry spite. "Look at the way they dress… they are in some kind of army training. We'll have a king's men down on our heads."
Colyne looked at the boy's clothes, and the garment that Sarah wore. "They do seem a wee bit young to be going to war for some king or lord."
"Aye, and that's why I stole them away." Sarah looked at the man speaking harshly; she didn't like the man named Burnett, not at all. He raised the hackles on the back of her neck. "They are no soldiers! They are but boys, and taken from the loving arms of a sister by a stepmother whose heart is stone cold." Turning to the man who was Laird she spoke as she rose. "I thank ye for the food and the offer of protection. But we will not stay where we are not welcome." She motioned the boys to rise and follow her. She worried about where she could bed the boys down for the night, but she was not going to let the Burnett man see her fret.
Colyne stood quickly, his hand on her arm halted her. "I am Laird, not Thorn Burnett, and if I bid thee welcome, thee is welcomed." He looked over at the man. "Did I not offer thee the safety of my clan some time ago Burnett?" The other hid his face ashamed. "The clan is mine, Burnett or have ye forgotten?" The hand holding the girls arm was firm but not harmful. He smiled down at the girl. "We've recently lost a beloved member of the clan. Her wagon is clean and warm and tight against the night. It will be far more welcoming to ye than the hard ground."
"I don't want to cause trouble."Sarah said honestly to the elder.
Colyne studied the lovely green eyes in the youthful face. "I've a feeling that ye do that without trying to, pigeon." He teased good heartedly.
Sarah blushed, "That may well be true."
Fiona was glaring at Burnett, as he walked off she spoke to Sarah. "That one forgets his place. My husband welcomes you and your boys…" Her voice was very like Sarah's Granny's. She motioned the three to sit again. "Ale may be a might too strong for you and your boys," she said pouring a tankard for the girl for a stone-wear jug. "I suggest some spring water."
Fiona Brodie was a tad taller than Sarah; she was dressed in a long skirt of brown wool that looked as if it had seen many seasons. Her bodice was green, and her shift underneath was the same color as her husbands shirt. She had great gray green eyes and long reddish gold hair. She was a woman who had lived her life working hard, but was happy.
The Laird sat again smoking his pipe and watching. "Fi, do we have scissors and thread ye can give the girl?" He was looking at the boys garments. "We need to make them less conspicuous."
"Lorna had a good many sewing things in her wagon. I doubt anyone has touched them yet… her mark being so strong on them." Fiona said taking a seat by the girl. "Lorna Talbot was our bard, but she was also gifted in the ways of fabric and thread." She glanced down at the boys. "You know, I think I've still some of Thom's things from when he was a lad… I'll bet they would fit these two and give them a start."
"Fi never throws anything away." Colyne teased.
His wife rose to her feet, making pretence of being indignant. "One never knows when one may have need." She said wisely, her eyes dancing with merriment. "Come, Sarah, I'll show ye to the wagon, and help ye ready it. The boys can stay here with Colyne."
The wagon of the late Bard of the clan Brodie was not quite as large as the one belonging to Colyne. However it was well appointed and neat as a pin. Sarah had to admire the workmanship that had gone into the making of the wagon. Fiona seemed to know every inch of the wagon and told Sarah where to find extra blankets and pillows. She showed Sarah how to lower the table and move the benches into place and form a bed wide enough for the two boys to share.
"It would not due to try and separate them," Warned the older woman. "Lads like to be together in a strange place."
Sarah thanked her and followed her back to where the boys were telling the Laird there adventure of escape. Sarah fretted inwardly for a moment, hearing the boys speak of modern convinces and such. But the expression on Colyne's face set her at ease.
The Laird turned his attention to her as she neared. "Ye came though the mists," he said wisely.
"In a way." Sarah agreed.
"Aye and its best ye keep it to yer self." He looked toward where Burnett stood talking to some of the other men of the clan. "Not all are welcoming of those who dance in magic." He looked for his wife. "Now where in blazes did the woman go?"
"She said something about clothes for the boys and a lantern that belonged to Lorna." Sarah said reaching for a piece of cheese off the tray that was still with Colyne. She looked at the boys, "Have you had enough to eat?"
"Yes ma'am," They replied together in unison.
Colyne winked at the girl. "Aye and you've raised em well… Widow McFadden."
Sarah sighed eating the cheese; here at age twenty she was now going to have to pretend to be a widow, and a mother. She rolled her eyes at the thought.
Fiona returned with an arm full of garments for the boys. "I'll show ye how to properly store the clothes. And where the pan box for your wagon is." she looked at the boys with a merry smile. "Best be to bed soon, if ye want to rise early enough to go fishing with our Laird here."
"Fishing?" Gorgie was beside himself with glee. "I love fishing!"
"I don't know how." Toby said sadly, his face dropping.
Colyne reached for the lad, pulling him into comforting grandfatherly arms. "We'll have to correct that, so cheer up me lad." He told the boy.
Fiona smiled over at Sarah. "Aye but that man is good with children. And children just love him."
Sarah and Fiona went to the wagon, while Colyne took the boys to the woods to do what boys had to do. Fiona commented on how amazing it was that Sarah seemed to be the same size as Lorna. There were still many of the old Bards garments and belongings in the wagon. One thing was a night shift and robe that the old Bard had been working on and never got to wear. Fiona held the nightshift up against Sarah. "Aye and it looks made for ye."
Fiona had two nightshirts for the boys, and held them out to the boys as they entered the wagon. They scooted behind a screen to change, and then scampered out laughing at themselves. Fiona gave each boy a hug and bid them to sleep well. She gave Sarah a hug and left the family to get settled in their new home.
Sarah tucked the boys in and listened to their prayers.
Toby grabbed on to her arm just as she was moving away. "The Laird says we have to learn to call you mum…. Is that alright, Sarah?"
"For now," she said lightly, not wishing to argue the point. "Think of this as a game, or a play."
"I wouldn't mid if you were our mum." Georgie said with a yawn. "You're better at it than mine was."
Toby nodded. "Good night…mum."
"Good night boys." Sarah kissed each again. "Sweetest dreams."
She pulled the cord Fiona had shown her and a reed curtain fell between the back of the wagon were her bed was and the center where the boys were sleeping. She removed her Brigadoon costume, carefully folding it and placing it in the storage space. She then slipped into the linen nightshift. The bed was soft and welcoming, and soon Sarah forgot her worries and drifted off to sleep.
Fiona found her husband looking at the wagon that had belonged to his clan's Bard. He had a worried look upon his face. "Colyne, what vexes thee?"
The man pointed to the wagon with the stem of his pipe. "That girl, she has been here afore…and the lad… the fair one…aye but I've seen those eyes afore."
"Ye have?" His wife looked toward the wagon, then back at him. "Where?"
"In a King, Fi…in a King." Colyne stuck the pipe in his teeth and said no more.