Author's Note: Sorry to take awhile to update and even finish this thing. Not long til the end now. I went back over this thing and combined a few chapters together. Nothing about the story changed except the combination of chapters and there were a few paragraphs added on to chapter 15. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it.
Toby glanced around the nearly empty meeting room. It was near the castle tower with huge windows that over looked the expanse of Labyrinth Sarah had encountered in her first visit. Once again he wondered if the Underground had a religion, unless worshipping Jareth was the religion. It was just strange that they were having the ceremony in a meeting room rather than a church, but then again, it was akin to getting married in the Court House back home. He glanced down to his side. Hoggle was toying with his plastic bead bracelet. Ludo and Sir Didymus stood on the other side of the white aisle carpet Jareth had created.
Aside from the Goblin King and Lais, who was reading the rites, the room was empty of the normal wedding stereotypes of huge crowds and decorations. Toby was just glad he gave Jareth the shorter rites usually used for Hollywood projects rather than the entire ceremony when asked for it. He didn't think any of them would have wanted to sit, or rather stand, through anything that long. He had, however, given Jareth the traditional wedding march music which ghostly started up at that moment.
The double wooden doors opened and Sarah came into the room. She smiled as everyone turned to look at her. This was the best audience she could have had in her opinion. Toby had offered to walk her down the aisle, but she had just laughed. "Thanks Toby, but I'm quite capable of walking a short way by myself," she had said, still laughing. "Besides, we don't want Jareth to get confused. Not any more then he already is about human customs." Toby had simply shrugged in reply. He didn't think Jareth was as confused as he seemed to be.
Sarah pushed the doors shut behind her and then walked down the strip of carpet to Jareth. He took her hand, whispering, "I can already think of a way that dress would look better." She glanced at him with mischief in her eyes. "Well, you're just gonna have to wait until your wedding plans are finished for that," she replied just as softly.
Lais coughed and the two snapped to attention. "Now we shall proceed," the goblin said, looking down at the paper Toby had printed out. "Ah, let's see. We are here to join Sarah and Jareth in holy (what's this wo—oh) matrimony. Before we continue, does anyone have any objections to this union?"
Jareth turned his head and glared at the four standing behind him. Toby and Sir Didymus merely smiled while Hoggle looked down at the stone floor, a pained expression on his face. Ludo just stood there watching. Lais continued, "Alright then. Jareth, repeat after me. 'I, Jareth, take thee, Sarah…"
Jareth finished, "…to love and cherish; from this day forward till death do us part." Not that that would happen. Immortality was part of the deal as the siblings would soon learn. He felt silly saying these things especially in front of this crew. But it was for Sarah and besides he could always threaten them into silence. But still, even if it was for Sarah, how could humans stand to repeat this sentimental drivel to each other? Who really believed these vows were the right thing to cement a relationship with? There were much better ways of showing love than these stupid vows. Less silly sentimental crap than this. He could think of several things right now. But then again, those were probably not the best to display in public and that was the entire point of this ceremony; a public affirmation of the love he and Sarah felt for each other. He decided right then and there that he hated weddings.
Lais turned his attention to Sarah. "Sarah, your turn. Now, 'I, Sarah, take…" The goblin was cut off as the wooden double doors burst open. Everyone jumped and whirled to face the figure hobbling into the room.
"Who dares disturb…" Jareth began but paused when Sarah put a hand on his arm. He glanced at her and she shook her head slightly. Despite the fact that this was supposed to be the happiest day of her life and nothing was allowed to go wrong, Sarah seemed very calm about this interruption. "Who are you?" she asked the figure who had stopped in the middle of the room.
He coughed. It was the kinda senile (and some said crazy) old man who wore a reddish bird with a real long neck as a hat. "I'm truly sorry, your Majesty. I tried to get to see and tell you earlier. But you can not be married yet. Sarah had not been tested and accepted by the Labyrinth!"
"Wait a minute here," Sarah said, stepping forward with her hands on her hips. "What about the false Queen? Hell, what about the fact that I navigated the Labyrinth to get Toby back all those years ago?"
"Well, that first one was the Labyrinth recognizing you and accepting you as a potential mate for our king. It was almost more a test for Jareth to see if he would ask for your help. As for the second, again that was more Jareth's doing than the Labyrinth's. You must impress the Core," the old man replied. The bird hat added, "Need to take the Queen trail."
"Great," Sarah turned her back on the old man and looked at Jareth. "I'm blaming this on you. I told you that whole thing was too easy!" The rest of the word became a high-pitched scream as Sarah disappeared into the floor.
"Sarah!" Everyone in the room shouted and rushed toward Jareth and Lais. "Jareth," Toby said. "What the hell just happened? Where'd Sarah go? For that matter, where'd that old man go? Will she be okay?"
Jareth placed a hand on Toby's shoulder. "I hope so, kid," he said, answering the last question first. "She's the only to beat my Labyrinth so she should be able to impress the Labyrinth's Core. I am not allowed to interfere. I'm not even sure if I could reach her. The Core is what gives me my power so it is the only thing that can block me. All we can do is wait and see. Damn it, this completely pushes my evening plans behind schedule." He got a thoughtful look in his eye. "Though, it might be worth it. Near death experience and all that." Toby just sighed and shook his head.