Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth... Nor do I own the game Arx Fatalis, Dungeon Siege, or any of Tamora Pierce's books. I don't own any of Greek mythology either, though sometimes I think Greek mythology might own me.
Notice: I am SO sorry for being late! It's been a week, and I haven't updated at all! What with final exams coming up and my teachers slapping a whole bunch of projects on me, I havent's had much time. But here is Chapter 10, and I hope it's okay, even if it was a little rushed. It doesn't seem like my best, but I hope it's alright.
Chapter 10
Jareth hid a grin as he looked around the round table at the nine other men sitting there. Usually, they argued so loudly, Jareth's ears would threaten to fall off. But today, they conversed amongst themselves in whispers. Not only did he have an heir for his throne, but the heir's mother, a mere mortal woman, was supposed to be there. Has the Goblin King found a worthy queen? Has he finally found a reasonable companion? Is the mortal willing to turn Fae? Can she keep the Goblin King in line? The men thought Jareth couldn't hear them, but their faces were speaking much, much louder than they were.
The door at the other end of the Court room opened, and the High Queen Elizabeth entered with Sarah and Leanna in tow. The two latter looked to be bickering quietly. Jareth grimaced slightly. The previous morning, Leanna's energy had been completely restored, though how so fast, Jareth didn't know. It should've taken at least two days to fully restore her energy and power. Instead, it had taken barely over one. Since then, mother and daughter had been arguing almost constantly. The High Queen left the bickering ladies and sat beside her husband.
The High King rose from his seat. "My son't daughter and my son's-", King Zeus started, then broke off and look at Jareth.
Jareth mouthed a word Leanna had taught him: "Girlfriend."
The High King cleared his throat and continued, "-and my son's... girlfriend." Sarah and Leanna snickered. "Welcome." King Zeus shot Jareth a look. Jareth rose and bowed.
"My king and father.", Jareth started, "My daughter, Leanna." Leanna bowed respectfully. "And, if she doesn't mind, my queen-to-be, Sarah."
There were whispers of "Queen-to-be?" and "Really?" and "Sarah? That's a nice name." Even King Zeus was gaping at his son.
Jareth had expected a lot more opposition to the thought of Sarah becoming a Fae queen. King Aaron of Scanra, Jareth's long-time enemy in the High Court, looked a little disapproving. Jareth wasn't worried too much about him, though. There were enough of them that looked quite happy. Jareth hadn't expected them to be so welcoming.
Sarah bowed, then ran her fingers through her hair and grinned. "I don't suppose you'd take 'no' for an answer, would you?", she asked playfully.
Leanna pinched her mother and hissed something in her ear. Sarah rolled her eyes, but nodded, and said, "No, I wouldn't mind. If Leanna can stand to be in a dress for a couple of hours, I can do this."
Jareth resisted the urge to smirk at his daughter, taking the girl's glare at the both of them as satisfaction enough. Jareth looked at his father. "Is she worthy, Father?"
"Boy, if she can put up with you long enough to become a Fae queen, she is most certainly worthy."
There were many nods of approval and chuckles from the men, and King Nicholas shouted, "Hear, hear!"
King Zeus conjured a crystal and threw it. A second chair appeared next to Jareth. "Sit, my future daughter-in-law. Sit next to your, duh duh duh duhhh.... betrothed."
"Idiot.", Jareth muttered as Sarah sat beside him.
"This is weird.", she muttered to him.
"Oh, don't worry, he always acts like this when I do something he doesn't expect me to do.", Jareth answered casually.
"What? No. I meant being your betrothed."
"What's weird about that?"
"Well, not weird, I suppose. Just... different."
"But... in a good way?"
"Yes. The best way possible. Well, not the very best way. I wish Toby could be here. He'd love the sight of Leanna in a dress."
Jareth snorted, and several people looked at him. Jareth cleared his throat. "Carry on."
"Now.", King Zeus said, "We have to determine whether or not the girl is worthy of a man's position. Princess Leanna, show us... whatever you've got."
Jareth heard the meaning in his father's words, and not for the first time in his life, Jareth wanted to give the High King a good kick in the rump. His father had always been a little sexist, believing that men were better than women, until he saw them wield a sword and beat a man in swordplay. Even magic wasn't going to convince him that Leanna could take Jareth's place when he was gone.
Without a word, Leanna conjured a crystal and smashed it down in fornt of her. A red smoked billowed out, covering her. When the smoke cleared not five seconds later, she was no longer wearing a dress. She was wearing a pair of black denim pants and a poet's shirt.(I really do suck at clothes.)
"Sorry. Had to get comfortable.", Leanna told them. She took in a deep breath, let it out in a blow... and every light, magical and non, went out.
"Well, this is different.", Jareth whispered. "Usually, her magic consists of some way to annoy me and/or embarrass me and/or get me into a position that's damn near impossible to get out of."
"Yes, well, she's not done yet.", Sarah whispered back. Even in the the little light there was coming in thought the tall, thin windows, Jareth could tell she was grinning.
There was a glowing coming from the table. When Jareth squinted, he could make out the silouette of a person standing on the table. The source of the glow was four crystal balls spinning in the holder's hands. The crystals slowly took shape. One crystal turned into a ball of fire and another turned into what looked like a mini water fall. The next one turned into a small tree, and the last one turned into a small hurricane. The person stepped back, and the four images spun in the air above them.
"Earth, wind, fire, and water.", said one of the men. Jareth thought it was King Jonathan of Tortall.
Images slowly faded and the lights came back on. Leanna was standing on the table, spinning four more crystals in her hand, much the same way Jareth did. JJ had obviously been teaching her much more than dream-making. But it was making Jareth a little nervous. If she didn't watch herself, she would exhaust herself.
Leanna threw the crystal ball in the air. It turned into a ball of fire which took the shape of a small dragon. If flew around the table, weaving in between the kings. Everyone laughed when the dragon took loops around Jareth's head and singed the tips of his hair. Sarah giggled.
The dragon disappeared in a poof of black smoke and Leanna threw another crystal into the air. There was the waterfall like before, but the water twisted into the shape of a mermaid. It did a couple of loop-de-loops in the air. Then, it floated for a moment in front of the High King's face, then Sarah's. Then it came to Jareth. What could a little mermaid do? It looked like it kissed its hand, poised to blow the kiss at him... it blew water in his face. No, correction. It shot water at him, soaking his entire head and making him look as if he'd just taken a bath. Jareth couldn't see how such a little creature could hold so much. Then again, it was Leanna's creation.
"Well, look on the bright side.", Sarah said, "At least your head isn't smoking anymore."
Jareth groaned and muttered, "Why does she have to pick on me?"
"Because you're her father. I used to tease my father all the time.
"Ah. So, she gets it from you. Thank you so much." Sarah just giggled a little more.
The other men, even the High King, however, did much more than giggled. They were practically laughing their lungs up.
"Alright, alright. Let the girl continue with her... presentation.", Jareth growled. They quieted down and Leanna took her next crystal and and smashed ot on the table. A small tree grew out of the table and grass grew around it, covering the entire tabletop. The vegetation held for a few moments before fading away.
The last crystal, instead of throwing it in the air, leanna threw it all the way to the other side of the room towards the door. It passed though the door and a moment later, the doors blew open and a fierce wind blew in, knocking them out of their chairs. the wind died dow and Leanna, unaffected by the wind except for her ruffled hair, stepped off the table and bowed. "How was that?", she asked.
"Fan-bloody-tastic.", Jareth muttered irritably as he and the others got up. His head was still soaked.
"It was... reasonable.", said a snearing voice. Jareth groaned; it was King Aaron of Scanra.
"Aaron, it was probably better than you could do.", King Roland praised, "I reckon she'll be quite formidable by the time she's fully trained."
"Well, I propose one more... test.", King Peter of Toran said.
"Bring it.", Leanna spat.
"Bring... what?"
Leanna shook her head. "Never mind. What do you want me to do?"
"Dream-making.", Aaron sneered. Jareth felt something start to boil inside him.
Leanna started counting down. "5... 4... 3... 2-"
"No! I will not have it!", Jareth burst, standing abruptly.
"Right on cue.", Leanna muttered, shaking her head.
"Leanna will not be making dreams! She will not!"
"Jareth.", Sarah said calmly but sternly, "She's got to do what she's got to do. And let's not forget... I wouldn't be here if it weren't for one of the best dreams I've ever had."
"And I wouldn't either.", Leanna put in sternly, "Now let me please the Court, please."
Jareth sat down stiffly, stone faced, trying to force down his anger. "Fine."
Leanna nodded, took a deep breath, and conjured four crystals in each hand. She handed one to eight of the King's until she got to Jareth and the High King. She conjured four more crystals, handed two to each of them, and handed one to Sarah and the other to High Queen Elizabeth. She whispered to each of those four crystals and they started glowing faintly.
"You're gonna love this.", Leanna whispered in Jareth's ear, then said louder to the whole Court, "In your hands, you each have a crystal. You'll be able to see the dream through these crystals. These four, "she pointed to the four of them that had the glowing crystals, "will be falling asleep soon, and they will be a part of the dream."
Jareth, Sarah, and the High King and Queen each looked into their crystals, and Jareth instantly felt himself getting tired, his eyes starting to close.
"Not again.", he muttered before slipping into the dream.
Wow, this story is going to go on longer than I thought it would. Anyway, next chapter, the dream Leanna cooks up and some opposition from King Aaron. I can't wait.
Jareth: Neither can I. I'm getting bored of being picked on by children.
Leanna: You're forgetting that this child is more powerful than you.
Lp: Yes, Jareth, you might want to watch your step with her.
Leanna: You created me!
Lp: Oh, yeah... Well, then, watch your step with me.
Jareth: But I haven't annoyed you yet.
Lp: Oh Jareth, if only you knew what was going to happen next... Anyway, who's up for cotton candy?
Leanna: *raises hand* ME!!!!