Title: Coming of Age
Summary: Sarah discovers her family's secrets, and must now deal with the aftermath of the Labyrinth, and her family's desire to marry her off now that she's come of age.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth. All characters associated with the movie belong to Jim Henson and whoever else has rights to them, and I make no money off of this.
Special thanks: to all my readers, especially those of you who took the time to review. Your words are most appreciated, and I find them very encouraging. And an extra thanks to Karol Wolfe and Genghis Khan for checking over previous chapters and advice.
Special Note: Most of the names are insignificant to the story. Mostly they are either vague mythological references or puns for my own amusement. So to those of you alarmed by the strange names, don't be. I will be posting my research at the end of the story and all pronunciations and translations I have will be available at that point, along with explanations and links of my sources.
Chapter 4
Long ago it was, so long that even the eldest within the Underground can scarce remember such legends there was a great and powerful king. The king, Baoithín of Murias, delighted in spending nights walking and teaching his heir, Bláthmacc, for Bláthmacc was all that remained of Ríonach, the wife that he had loved beyond all in the world. Frequently he would take his son out to show him the wonders of the land that was to be his, to teach him the will of the gods that had been wrought upon the world that he would one day inherit. It was on just such a night that Baoithín and Bláthmacc were walking beneath the stars and sharing banter as was their wont, when Baoithín turned to his son and spake such, "Joy sings in my heart at the thought of leaving this world knowing that mine place will be filled by such a son as you."
"Father, you should not say such things! An eternity it will be before such a thing occurs, if ever." Bláthmacc protested with much alarm, for he loved his father greatly.
"Why doest thou protest so mightily at the thought of my passing? Such weakness surely was not harvested from seed of mine, and neither did Ríonach hold such notions."
And pale was Bláthmacc at the censure in his father's words for such an accusation of weakness in the face of his parents' willing acceptance of the will of the gods was an insult of grievous magnitude. Face screwed up with rage, Bláthmacc proclaimed that if his father felt him so weak then he should claim his lands now and send Baoithín to join his mother Ríonach in the death that he so eagerly sought. Baoithín grew wroth at the insolence in the words of his son.
And so the two began to argue vehemently over the insult, years passed as the argument grew ever more heated until Baoithín, drawing his sword, ordered his son to rescind his words or accept defeat, for he would never allow his lands to fall into the hands of such a dishonorable cur. Bláthmacc answered his father's challenge with his own blade, and thus did the argument grow into a fight. The two kings, for such had Bláthmacc's followers crowned him, gathered armies beneath their banners and their fight grew into a battle. The battle grew into a war, and the war raged on until the armies of both kings were utterly destroyed, as were the great cities that their fight had washed over.
Murias was flooded with the blood of both armies until the blood sank into the sea, dragging the land with it. The land of Falias was much grieved for its loss so that it wrapped itself in a blanket of snow and refused to provide welcome to any man that may desire to set foot upon it again. Drought did claim Finias in place of man, and Gorias was dusted with the death of its kings. The Tuatha Dé Danaan were no longer welcome in the dying cities and so those that remained alive after the great war left in search of the great land that their great ancestor Nemed had discovered.
Filled with great rage was the High King of Faery and he cursed the feuding father and son for wasting so much life over an argument that had lasted for so long that neither even recalled what had begun their argument. The King listened to their excuses until he managed to discern that their fight had started over the Bláthmacc's decision to usurp his father's lands, and so his power. The king cursed them both to the form of ravens that they may watch death for the rest of eternity. They would ever be forced contemplate the waste that foolishness wrought as they would know the very reason each life they watched lost.
To ensure that never again would kinsmen turn against each other in such a way the High King summoned all courts within his realm so that he might pronounce his decision to prevent needless bloodshed over battles of ascension. Every family, shaken by the loss of their lands accepted the High King's words and each family willingly took blood oath that never would a family conflict be allowed to continue past the members it occurred between, that once challenge was issued the resolution of that conflict would be binding…
##
Sarah moaned and blinked as the soft light hit her eyes. She raised a hand to shield them and took stock of her immediate impressions. Her back was pressing into the softest surface imaginable and the ceiling above her was made of sweeping swirls of honey and cinnamon colored wood that twisted into tightly laced branches as her squinting eyes adjusted to what she was seeing. She gaped up at the sight. She'd never seen anything like it in her life. She gingerly pushed herself up to glance around.
There were tapestries hanging from small branches that protruded from the wall in soft forest scenes with dragons and unicorns barely visible in the thick leaves within the cloth. The wooden floor was ringed as a tree stump would be but looked as smooth as glass with none of the ragged marks that a saw would have left behind. There were a few rugs scattered around the floor, all of them done in soft greens and gold with hints of pale pink and red. She peered hard at the rug and once again the image jumped out at her like one of those eye bending puzzles. Roses climbed branches as interlaced as the ones that made up the ceiling. The colors matched the bed she was laying in… which wasn't a bed so much as a gigantic rose that had been filled with a downy mattress.
"I'm obviously not in Kansas anymore," she muttered. Her hands clutched her head as the noise of her own voice banged against her skull like a steal hammer. She dropped back down to the soft bed and curled up. She was too busy trying not to puke to care that she was apparently somewhere in the Underground.
'My kingdom for Excedrin,' she thought to herself as the wave of pain began to pass. A glass was pressed into her hands and she opened her mouth to take a sip. A cool sweet liquid slid down her throat and washed away the lingering pain so quickly that it was as though she had never felt ill to begin with. The glass was taken away by whoever had handed it to her in the first place. She lay there and marveled at the absence of the migraine.
"What happened?" she whispered when she felt it might be safe to talk again. She could now speak without her head trying to fall off.
"You challenged Lord Caellum's authority," a cheerful voice piped up in answer.
Sarah pushed herself up to her elbows and turned her head. Brown. That was the immediate word that sprang to mind. The little creature sat on a chair swinging booted feet that didn't come anywhere near reaching the floor back and forth. Her skin was the color of milk chocolate and her hair a softer caramel color. Brown eyes that sparkled were matched by a dimple in her cheek. A soft brown dress that looked like it may be made of suede was tied at the waist with a simple belt that matched her hair. The tip of one of her pointed ears flicked as she stared right back at Sarah with great interest.
"What are you?" Sarah asked before her mind caught up with her mouth.
"I'm a brownie."
"Somehow, I can believe that. Uhm… hi. I'm Sarah."
"Hi Sarah! My name is Alastríonaoibheann."
The brown girl must have noticed Sarah's panic, because she doubled over in bubbling laughter. A slender little hand waved. "But don't worry, my human family used to call me Alice."
"Alice. Your human family?" Sarah pushed herself the rest of the way up.
"Well, the human family that my family traveled to America with just ages ago. They all died in a fire though, along with my parents, so I came back home to live with my grandmother," Alice's face fell, but she managed to perk up again. "Lord Caellum thought you might be more comfortable having a servant who had lived Aboveground. Especially since I was born in the U.S too, he thought I might be better able to deal with your questions. Speaking of which, do you have any questions?"
"I can think of a few. Let's start with 'What the hell am I doing here?' shall we?"
"You challenged Lord Caellum's authority," Alice repeated.
"You've said that before. What does that mean, exactly?"
"Um… well when a fae challenges the authority of their family head with magick and looses then any rights that they had are forfeit and they are subject to the rules laid down by the lord or lady in question. It's an old law that was established by the very first High King and it's rather magically binding. Any laws that may have protected you from being brought back to the Underworld by your grandfather became void when you tried, and failed, to kill him. So that's what you're doing here."
Green eyes stared at the brown girl in consternation. "I didn't try to kill anyone!"
"No, of course not. You just used a violent burst of magick to slam your grandfather into the refrigerator and pin him there while you ripped every sharp edged object in the kitchen loose and flung it at him. In any event you lost. You really shouldn't have tried to attack him when your ties to the land were so strained. You could have died."
"I could have… Well if I nearly killed him once then I can do it again. Where is he?" she announced grimly. Sarah swung her long legs over the edge of the bed until she sat facing Alice.
"Actually you can't do it again. Weren't you listening?" the brown girl shook her head.
"Apparently I wasn't. Run the details by me again."
"The last time a family feud spilled over faery lands it nearly wiped us all out. The law was made so that children who challenged their parents' authority would only be able to do it once. It limits the in-fighting because everyone knows they will only ever get one shot if they even consider trying. You can't attack him again, your own magick will refuse to answer you if you try to call it to do him harm. You've already lost to him with magick once. That was your one shot at getting free of his rule, and it's gone."
"What?!" If there had been glass in the windows they would have rattled in their panes. As it was Sarah's shriek rocked the vase of roses on the nightstand. Alice slapped her hands over her ears and cringed away from her. Sarah caught the gesture and forced herself to calm down. Alice looked up cautiously, slowly uncurling from herself.
"Sorry. I'm sorry. I just, I didn't know and now… He wants to marry me off you know?"
"And you were raised a human, with their values," understanding filled her soft brown eyes. "I'm so sorry. This won't be easy for you to get used to. He did say you would be angry that you were here when you woke up."
"Angry?" Sarah scoffed. Her teeth clenched around her next words. "Boy is he a master of understatement."
Alice stared at her in solemn silence.
"You know, you were really sick when you got here. He called all of the healers under his rule to tend to you. He said it didn't matter how angry you got because he wanted you alive more than he wanted you to like him. He really does care about you Sarah. I know its high handed compared to what you're used to, but he really doesn't know any other way to keep you alive."
Anything that Sarah might have said to that was lost to the knock on the door. Alice jumped from her chair.
"I'll get it. You just wait here!" she smiled brightly before racing to the door. Someone spoke softly to the brownie and she nodded and then closed the door. She was more subdued when she came back to where Sarah was now standing. Alice was little bigger than a child and she had to crane her head to look up at Sarah.
"Your grandfather wants to speak with you. Eláir is supposed to escort you to our Lord. Do you want me to come with you?"
"I'd appreciate that. After all, I might need someone to stop me from trying to stab him with something," Sarah answered grimly.
The small creature grabbed Sarah's hand in her small brown one and tugged the Sarah toward the door.
"Eláir is waiting then," the brownie said.
Eláir turned out to be an elf with pale skin and soothing blue eyes. At least Sarah assumed he was an elf. He was willowy and slender, with flowing black hair and delicately pointed ears. He wore a simple gray jerkin with slightly darker gray trousers tucked into black boots. His undershirt was a flowing black that reminded Sarah of one worn by Him. He bowed low when she came out of the room and he waited patiently while she stared at him, bemused.
"I'm to escort you to Lord Mac Aillen, My Lady. If it's ready you are?"
A melodious tenor washed over Sarah in soothing wave of peace. She suddenly felt a deep sense of calm. It didn't matter that she was going to meet her grandfather, or that she had attacked him the last time they'd been in the same room together. It was too beautiful a day to be bothered by such details. And- wait a minute…
That wasn't right… she wasn't calm. She was pissed off. She should be, but she wasn't. Something was lulling her into a gentle pool of serenity. It wasn't right. She struggled against the feeling. Her grandfather was trying to marry her off. He stole her from her home; he'd threatened her family… Her father would be sad. Karen might miss her, a bit, maybe, but…Toby! Finally she found her anger and she used it to drag herself out of the overwhelming calmness.
"Stop it!" she hissed angrily at the elf.
"Stop? What exactly is it that you're wanting me to stop My Lady?" he tilted his head in apparent confusion.
"Stop making me calm! I'm angry and I'm not going to let some trumped up elf magic ruin my angry!" she stomped her foot to emphasize her point.
"It's your forgiveness I'll be having to ask for as I am unable to 'stop it'," Eláir answered gently.
A tug on her t-shirt had Sarah looking down at Alice.
"He's telling the truth Sarah. His mother is a naiad and he inherited the maolaigh magick from her. I've known him most my life and he really can't turn off his calming influence. The Soothing is as much a part of his body as his arms or his face."
"Tell me my grandfather didn't know of this little trick when he decided to send him to collect me," Sarah sneered with her arms crossing over her chest.
Blue eyes blinked at her slowly and Sarah felt a tug of calmness washing away the jagged edges of her irritation.
"Truly it's no idea I have what his Lordship had planned upon when he asked me to collect you. To bring you to him was all I was told."
"Take me to him, and I want you to stay as far away as possible as you can while you do so," Sarah gritted from between her teeth. "Please."
"As you will." The elf was perturbed by neither her directions nor her manner. As promised he kept a distance from her as he led them through the winding halls that seemed to be the inside of a gigantic tree. Arching windows revealed flowered branches interweaved to create pathways between the larger branches that also had windows revealed to be hallways and balconies. A water fall fell down the center of a divergence in what appeared to be part of the trunk of the tree and spilled into a thick white mist that covered the entire ground as far as one could see. Several rainbows arched over the water and disappeared into the mist. Sarah stared in wonder at the sight as she walked.
Alice spoke quietly, pointing out various structures as they passed. The balconies over there below them lead to the nursery where all of the younger fae gathered together while the older ones went to teachings. The large doors above the water fall opened to the Gathering Hall where they held celebrations. It couldn't be seen from the angle they were walking along but Alice assured Sarah that it was there and it was quite magnificent. The giant branch across the way functioned as a courtyard as that was the path they had to take to get to the doors to the Gathering Hall. Eláir occasionally added his own comments to Alice's explanations, and somehow despite his distance his words always carried clearly to them.
Soon they were being led into a room by the elf that bowed and then took his leave. Despite Sarah's best efforts the walk amongst the serene beauty of the tree palace she found herself in and the exposure to the Soothing had worn away her anger until she couldn't even feel terribly mad at her grandfather. She figured Caellum would say something stupid and she would remember that she was angry at him, but at that very instant it was hard to imagine feeling horribly worked up at the prospect.
Caellum's sharp blue eyes regarded the two females standing in the middle of the floor who stared silently back at him.
"Sure and it's certain I wasn't expecting Alice to accompany you, but perhaps it's for the best. Please, have a seat, the both of you."
"Was there something you wanted?" Sarah asked purposely making her tone rude. She may not feel quite as antagonistic as she probably should, but she had no intention of making things easy for the man.
"Only to finish the explanation I was interrupted in the middle of," Caellum answered coolly.
"By all means, talk."
"It's an apology I owe you, granddaughter. I spoke ill chosen words in my frustration at your stubbornness. Sarah, it's not your family I was threatening when I said that you would be responsible for their deaths. I truly meant that you would be responsible for their deaths had you stayed Aboveground," Caellum explained as gently as he knew how.
Sarah stared at him. Another tug on her sleeve drew her attention to Alice once more.
"Another truth Sarah. If you had stayed up there your magick would have sought a source when it couldn't reach the land. It could have latched onto your family and drained their life forces. Or it could cause backlashes if you lost control that could kill your family," the brownie spoke solemnly.
"Even if it didn't kill your family, the backlashes could kill you. And a female faery who dies away from their land becomes a-"
"-a bean sidhe! Oh Sarah that would be awful!" Alice cried. "You would be trapped haunting your family and you would sing their death! And even after their death you would be tied to the property, and you'd haunt anyone else who came to live in your family's home. You'd end up singing death for the restof eternity!"
"Alastríonaoibheann," Sarah's grandfather warned pointedly.
"Oops!" Alice clapped her hand over her mouth.
"I'd… my family…" Sarah sat stunned at this revelation.
"What I did was necessary to protect you and them. I admit it's fond of your mortal family I've grown. I'd ill desire to see any harm come to them."
Sarah's head twisted back and forth between the two as her mind attempted to absorb what she was just told. The expressions on their faces told her that they were quite serious. Even if they hadn't looked so serious, she could sense the truth in their words as she had when Caellum had first approached her about being her grandfather. Her family dead… because of her? She couldn't even picture a world without them. It was-no. Her mind skittered away from the idea and latched onto a different train of thought. She spoke the only words she could form through numb lips.
"I don't want to get married. I'm not ready for something like that."
"You are of age and as you are no longer a child you will fulfill your duties. That includes doing as you are told. I've already made arrangements with a lord who can keep you safe while you master your magic. You will get married."
"And I don't want my husband chosen for me."
"Conlaoch is a fine man, and he'll treat you well, I know."
One of Alice's small hands shot out to grip Sarah's tightly. Sarah looked down to see Alice staring at her grandfather with eyes the size of saucers. On her small face, they looked more like dinner plates. The other hand was still held over her mouth from where she'd placed them before, but the astonishment on her face spoke volumes. Sarah knew she wouldn't be able to get any honest information out of Alice on the matter while Caellum was sitting right there, so she resolved to interrogate the brownie the second she got her alone.
Green eyes swiveled up to stare into blue.
"I don't want to get married," Sarah repeated blankly.
"I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter. I'll not stand by and allow you to become offered for breeding amongst our soldiers. If it is any consolation, since the arrangements are in place you will be granted a grace period. This will allow you time to get to know your intended."
He held up one slender fingered hand when Sarah opened her mouth in preparation of the explosion that he knew was building in the back of her throat. He quite recognized the look that was beginning to replace the shock she was already fighting off. Her initial response to most things she didn't want to hear was anger and as he too was recovering from their previous encounter. He really didn't want to hear it.
"It's been a lot to take in all in one setting. Please don't react. Go to your room, consider all of your options and when you realize what choice you have in the matter then I will welcome you back to discuss the matter more fully. Alice, please escort my granddaughter back to her room."
Silently Sarah clamped her lips together and glared at the fae lord. She stood up with Alice and followed her toward the door. Unfortunately there were no sharp objects laying about the room that she could attack Caellum with. This time she was fairly certain she would be actively trying to kill him if there had been any.
"Sarah." The young woman paused without turning around. Alice turned from the doorway where she was standing to watch the two of them. "It's hating I am to have to force this upon you. Such a child by human standards, this can't be easy on you, and for that I certainly am sorry."
Sarah didn't bother to respond or even turn to acknowledge his words. She continued walking. Alice kept looking back and forth between the two in worry. It really was an unfortunate situation but there was nothing she could do about it and she knew it. There was nothing any of them could do about it. Magick ruled their lives and there was no arguing with the magick.
Silently the two made their way back toward the room Sarah woke up in. About halfway there Sarah grabbed Alice by the shoulder and forced her to stop walking.
"What was that reaction you had to this Conlaoch character my grandfather wants me to marry all about?"
Alice wrung her hands and shot a nervous look around the corridor they were moving through.
"Sarah, please, let's not do this here. Let's get back to your bedroom first."
"And then you'll tell me what's wrong?" Sarah pressed.
"I promise, I promise. I'll pinky swear if you want, but let's keep walking okay?"
Sarah let the matter drop. Soon enough they were in Sarah's bedroom and she spun around to stare at the brownie expectantly. Alice was pacing back and forth with her hands wringing nervously.
"Conlaoch is a powerful lord, and even with his powers he's one of the most sought after men in the Underground. Lord Caellum must have done some pretty fast talking to even get him to consider the suit. Conlaoch. Unbelievable. Your grandfather understands some of your differences from living Aboveground, but this is… He's treating your marriage as though you were born to the Underground. You can't marry Conlaoch, Sarah!"
"I have no intention to," she answered evenly, "although I have to admit that I am curious about why you happen to agree with me."
"Look, women of the Underground, we're taught about the will of magick. I mean we know that certain aspects of our personalities are shaped by the way magick manifests in us. It doesn't matter who we marry because we're taught how to compensate for our spouse's magick and their personality."
"You're going to have to explain that one to me," Sarah ran a tired hand over her face. She rather suspected that she wasn't going to like the answer, but she wasn't sure she had the energy to get worked up about it. She really was starting to feel exhausted by everything.
"Take Eláir, for instance. He was born of a high elf and a water nymph. If you were being promised to him," Sarah watched in fascination as Alice's cheeks started to look a dark chocolate, "well you would have to remember that his nature is water. If he were to make a decision you couldn't argue because his will would flow over yours and wear it down. You saw the way that it doesn't matter where he's standing you can somehow always hear him when he's addressing you right? That's because of the way water amplifies sound. And you could never speak bad about him, for the same reason. So if you married him, you'd have to keep his magickal quirks in mind. Not that that'd be a difficulty."
"You like him," Sarah realized with a sly grin. Alice's cheeks got even darker.
"I never said that!"
"You didn't have to. It's written all over your face," Sarah taunted with a smile, "and that wasn't an actual denial."
"He's not interested in a little nobody servant girl."
"Did he tell you that himself?" Sarah asked curiously.
"The point," Alice continued through clenched teeth, "was that you'd have to remember to keep the powers of your husband in mind in order to have a harmonious relationship."
"I'm not getting married."
"Lord Caellum gave you a direct order that you have to get married. You can't defy his will. We discussed this earlier," Alice explained patiently.
"And this is a problem because? I don't see why I should have to change in any event," Sarah huffed and flung herself onto the rose bed.
"Your husband would also be expected to keep your own powers and temperament in mind. But Sarah, this is Conlaoch."
"Okay, still not getting to the bad with Conlaoch that I wouldn't have to worry about with a different husband," Sarah stared stonily up at ceiling.
"He can't give way in battle and he can never refuse a challenge. It's this horrible geas his mother put on him when he was young so that he would have to kill his father. He's been under it for so long that it's as much a part of his temperament as his own magick. Look at the facts Sarah. You lost control of your magick the first time your grandfather said something you didn't like. The first time you get mad at Conlaoch and blow up at him like that the magick he is under is going to count that as a challenge, and he'll have to kill you."
"So I marry him and get angry, I die. I don't marry him; I'm forced to become a whore. I go back Aboveground, my family dies. There really is no winning here for me is there?" Sarah responded dully.
"No! No, there has to be another option here, we just need to think of it. I can't believe Lord Caellum thinks you'd be safe with him. To be fair, Conlaoch is normally a great guy, but with your background, marriage to him would practically be a death sentence. None of us even consider challenging him. It's sort of taken for granted that no one ever would. Seriously you do not have the training to temper your anger."
Alice continued to pace furiously, worry lining her face. She paused to cock her head as a thought struck her.
"I've got it!" the brownie announced with an expression of wonder at her own brilliance.
Sarah raised her head to glance over. Alice was bouncing on her toes in excitement. Sarah couldn't stop the amusement from stealing into her voice.
"You planning on sharing your idea?"
"Okay, so Lord Caellum said he picked out your husband right? You lost to him so you have to do as he says. You can't disobey a direct order from him, but technically he hasn't directly ordered you to marry Conlaoch. Not specifically I mean. All he said was that you have to get married."
"So how does that help my situation exactly?" Sarah dropped head back to her pillow. It really was a wonderfully comfortable bed. Maybe if she stayed in it forever this ridiculous marriage stuff would go away.
"Because as long as he doesn't make it a direct order you can't be forced to marry a specific man against your will. You still have to get married, but as it stands right this second you can still have a choice in the matter."
"Wonderful. All I have to do is figure out how to keep him from making it a direct order the second he figures out that I am planning on defying him," Sarah deadpanned.
"Run away."
"What?!"
Sarah practically gave herself whiplash when she shot upright to stare at her friend.
"Run away. Your grandmother did, didn't she? Go find your own husband. Once you've um…" here Alice faltered with a blush.
"Once I've been banged by my husband," Sarah provided helpfully.
"Then it's binding and there's nothing anyone can do about it." There was a pause. "Goodness, do regular humans actually speak like that?"
"I uh, had some friends on the football team. You pick up all sorts of nifty phrases when you mostly hang out with high school boys."
"Ah. Well, we need to start planning. We should get you some supplies and then we need to figure out the best way to sneak you out."
"Now let's see," Alice pressed a finger to her chin as she thought. "My cousin works in the kitchen so it wouldn't be any trouble to get you any food. Oh, and I have some money saved back that you could borrow. All that's really left is to figure out how to get you out without getting caught."
A knock on the door interrupted Alice's plotting. The two girls fell silent as an alarmed look passed between them. Alice went to see who it was. Sarah was close behind.
"Eláir! Um… what are you doing here?" Alice nervously asked the elf standing in the hallway.
"Forgive me, ladies. I couldn't help but overhear…" Here his eyes flicked to Alice. Her eyes widened as a horrified look swept over her face when she realized that meant that he'd heard Sarah's teasing about her crush. She jerked her eyes away to stare at the floor as her face turned deep brown.
"That is to say, I thought perhaps you'd be needing assistance with your planning."
"You want to help us?" Sarah asked in surprise. A wave of peaceful acceptance washed over her. Or perhaps it was his proximity and magic that was washing over her. Either way his help was more than welcome.
"To be sure, its aid that I'm offering," he bowed his head to Sarah's question.
Sarah noticed his eyes stray once more to the little brownie, and she suddenly wondered if Alice's interest was as one sided as the girl seemed to think it was.
"So what kind of aid are we talking about anyway?" Sarah asked calmly.
"Deep within the roots of the castle, there are paths to the lands beyond Finnachaidh. It's the only way out unguarded that I can lead you to."
"Okay, so how about I go gather some food and the money for you and we can meet somewhere after supper?" Alice suggested, finally getting over her shy enough to jump into the conversation.
"Is the way to the armory known to you?" Eláir asked the little brownie.
"Yeah, of course it is," she scoffed with her hands on her hips. Somehow despite her short stature she managed to stare the elf down. Apparently she figured that as long as he wasn't going to tease her about her affection she would be able to ignore the fact that he knew.
"Of course," he agreed with a faint smile. "If you'll be taking the lady down to the armory after supper I'll meet you there to lead the way. We can also grab a dagger or staff that the lady can be using to protect herself with while she travels, should she find herself in need."
"I hadn't even thought of that," Alice mumbled. "Okay, it sounds like we have a plan. You'd better get back to your post so you don't get busted Eláir. We'll meet up with you, and then…" Alice turned to Sarah, "And then we'll get you out of here so you can find your own way."
She flashed Sarah a bright grin.
##
"Alastríonaoibheann, where is Sarah?" Caellum stared out the window of the abandoned bedroom he'd decided to give to his granddaughter. He'd found the door standing open when he had come to check on her after she had not shown up to supper. He'd sent a messenger to search for the little brownie when he discovered that Sarah was no where to be found. He turned to regard his servant.
"I really couldn't say my lord."
She stared at her hands, not looking at him directly. Caellum watched her fidget with an impassive face. He pursed his lips as he went over his question in his head. The question was flawed he realized with an inner sigh. Alice was required to tell the truth to her master, but if he wasn't very explicit in his phrasing she would dance around the subject until they were both blue in the face.
"You don't know where she is." It wasn't a question so much as a statement of polite disbelief.
"She left, my lord. I don't know where she went."
"Let us try this again. Where did she intend to go and how did she leave?" Caellum asked, patience wearing.
"I don't know where she was going, my lord. She left through one of the root tunnels and I don't know where it leads out to," Alice answered dully.
"One of the- Which direction did you lead her?" Caellum asked her urgently.
"Um, there was orange light… west sir. The tunnels lead to the west."
"The west."
Caellum rubbed his forehead in what appeared to be an attempt to stave off a budding headache.
"She's in the Goblin Kingdom."
