Chapter Fifteen
The Council's Court Room
Delvira saw Jareth stand in the center of the room, the very spot where Magneto and Ororo had just stepped away from. She knew she could not stand for her beloved, but she would stand beside him. She walked forward without hesitation and slipped her hand into Jareth's without a word.
Elvira looked at Wolf after Jareth and Delvira had walked forward. There were so many things she wanted to tell him, and her black eyes sparkled with unwept tears. "You . . . " She swallowed hard against what felt like a cannonball in her throat. "You don't have to do this, you know."
"Why would you have me back out now, Elvira? I do not fear Drell, and I care about your family. I will do all that I can to help Jareth. I know that I am not as brave as some people are, but my strength lies in my love for you and it will help me overcome all obstacles thrown my way." He looked deep into her eyes and, lifting one finger, gently wiped away a single tear that was making its way slowly down her face. Catching it, he brought it to his lips and kissed it.
"I . . . would not, my love," Elvira's voice trembled as she answered him. She caressed the side of his handsome face with her hand, her black fingernails softly grazing the smooth skin of his temple. "I only want that you should not regret this later and had to give you an opportunity to back down."
"I regret nothing I do in the name of love," he quickly assured her. "Do not fear, my love. All will come right." He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips gently to hers. His keen ears were listening intently to what Snape was reading even though the rest of his body was responding to Elvira.
Elvira's lips parted underneath Wolf's, and her tongue thrust up into his mouth. Her bosom arched against his chest, her heart soaring with the wings his love granted it. Her hands were now cupping his face, but she pulled back from him just a bit. Her eyes searched his, and she saw the questions therein. She smiled through her tears, and her mouth parted less than an inch away from his to whisper to him. "I wanted to tell you something last night but couldn't in wolf form. I wanted to tell you something a while ago, but I didn't want you thinking that it was just 'cause you're standing for Jareth. I still don't want you to think that, 'cause it's got nothing to do with it. But I've got to tell you before you go out there, 'cause there's no telling when I might get another chance to. Wolf, . . . I love you!"
Her words sent his heart spinning end over end and bursting into the galaxy. Finally, his beloved was declaring her love, and he, unfortunately, could not show her how much he loved her! He did not know how long it would have to wait before he could show her. "I know it's not because of Jareth, Elvira. You couldn't have given yourself to me so wildly and freely and us have been so great together otherwise. I long to be out of here with you so that I can show you my love, but alas, it's not to be for now! But one day! And until that day, I want you to know how much your admitting it means to me. I already knew it. So did you. But now you're not afraid to admit it." He kissed her gently with a pledge of his undying love.
Her arms wrapped around him, and she melted into him. She poured all the love she'd been holding back into their kiss as Snape droned on.
As Elvira kissed him, Wolf felt fireworks exploding, and his tail jerked. It was going to come out of his robe, he knew, at any moment, and he reached one hand back and made sure it was still covered.
Elvira's hands dropped lower behind Wolf's back. Her arms brushed against his, and her hands slipped boldly underneath the folds of his robe. Her fingers trailed over his hands, and then she found what she sought. Her body melded even more into his as she took hold of his tail and began to stroke it, rubbing always with the fur and never against it.
" . . . CHILD ABUSE, PSYCHOACTIVITY, PSYCHOLOGICAL INTOXICATION, SEXUAL INNUENDO, PROSTUTION, MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ESCAPE, KIDNAPPING, TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, ESPINOAGE, POSSESSION, TAX EVASION, ARMED ASSAULT, THEFT, ASSAULT AND BATTERY, RESISTING ARREST, SLAVERY . . . "
When Snape had at last finished the long list of charges, Drell called out, "WHO WILL STAND FOR JARETH?"
Wolf reluctantly broke from Elvira's embrace and stepped boldly forward. "I do, Your Honor!"
Drell peered down his nose at the man who came forward. He rose a single brow at the sight of the robe swishing behind Wolf. Elvira followed Wolf, but Drell dismissed the sight of the sisters' accompaniment to their men as Wolf had been the only one to dare to say he would stand for Jareth.
"Him?" the pale man dressed all in black sniffed disdainfully. "Surely you jest this consideration, Drell? He is but a Werewolf!"
"He may be a Werewolf," Queen Cinderella spoke up before Drell could answer, "but need I remind you, Count Dracula, that we are not here to judge based on species or on Good or Evil? Though a Werewolf, it is Wolf who single-handedly rescued King Wendell. It was his good deeds that saved the 10 Kingdoms during the crisis of the Evil Queen and earned a pardon for all Wolves in the 4th Kingdom and the rest of the Kingdoms belonging to rulers who signed an agreement with the 4th, including my own."
"You speak as though you know the man, Cinderella."
"I do, and I think quite highly of him, Aslan."
The lion's tail swished. "Wolves can be trouble but no more so than any other carnivorous beast and certainly much less so than humans. I agree with Cinderella. Give the man a chance."
Jareth's eyes glanced sidewards at Wolf. So the man had not lied? He really did have a friend up there, and she was doing her best to stand by them! Wolf went up a little in his estimation. He seemed to truly be a man of his word. He gave Wolf a tremulous half-smile.
Wolf grinned back at him. "Hello, Your Majesty!" Wolf called upward even though he could not see Cindy at the time. "Hope you've been doing well."
"I have, Wolf, and I am glad to see you. I only wish it were in better circumstances."
"That is true, Your Majesty. I wish that it were, but I am still glad to see you again. How is King Wendell?"
"He fares quite well and misses you. You should visit us sometime. You know you have a standing invitation at both our castles."
Elvira glanced at Wolf in surprise.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, and if you would convey my best wishes to King Wendell, I would appreciate it." He could see that Drell was glowering at him, but he had to take this chance to let Queen Cindy know that he was indeed glad to see her again. "This is my family now, and I am a Pirate," he boasted proudly. "Perhaps we might sail into your Kingdoms one day," he said rather wistfully.
"You and yours will be welcomed as long as you leave your acts of piracy on the other side of the mirror."
"I would never bring them through, Your Majesty! I have never meant any harm to either of you or your people! In fact, I consider you as part of my family."
"I know you've never meant us any harm, Wolf, but your Captain might have other ideas." Cinderella cast a glance towards Captains Sparrow and Xena.
"ENOUGH OF THIS CHIT-CHATTING!" Drell thundered out impatiently. "THIS IS NOT A REUNION! THIS IS A TRIAL!"
"Yes, Your Honor," Wolf told him with a sly wink at Elvira, "and I am here to stand for King Jareth."
"WARREN WOLFSON, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH MANY TESTS WITH JARETH IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE?"
Wolf cringed at the sound of that awful, awful name. He never thought of himself as Warren. How could his mother have disgraced him with such an awful name! He never had a chance to ask her, and he never dared ask any one else in his first family before they were killed. He hoped Elvira wouldn't laugh at it. He had never even signed his Pirate papers with anything other than Wolf. He expected laughter, but none came. He was thankful for it. He did not dare to look at Elvira.
Unlike Wolf, Elvira liked the sound of his real name. "Warren" and "Wolfson" sounded good together, and she wondered why he had not told her his true name before. She quickly decided that "Elvira" AND "Wolfson" also sounded good. It would be odd enough to have a last name when they did finally marry, but at least it would be a good one. She smiled at Wolf, wondering why he refused to look at her. Could he be that embarrassed of a good name?
Xena looked quickly at Jack at the new development of at last discovering what Wolf's name truly was. She thought that the papers that Wolf had originally signed, placing him on their crew, would no longer be good if they even existed. No wonder Wolf hid his name! She could just imagine kids taunting him. Poor little Wolf, she thought, to be stuck with a name like Warren! Kids could be so cruel, and it was bad enough he had a tail to start with. She could understand him even better now.
Jack was thinking along the same lines, but he wasn't upset that Wolf had hid his name. After all, he didn't know his own father's real name other than Wolverine. Could his Dad's name be Warren, too? That was definitely a name to hide from! Warren Wolverine. It sounded like it would go together, and his Dad being short . . . Yup, they would have definitely picked on him!
He'd have to get Wolf to sign new papers as soon as they got a ship, because even though it wouldn't be legal and stand up in a court of law, it just would look better on paper and would give him something to back Wolf's agreement up on. Jack couldn't read it, but he knew that Wolf could both read and write. He had often wondered about the more courtly manners that Wolf possessed, and now he knew why. The man had been a member of a King's court! Why did he keep himself so secret? The only thing Jack actually knew about Wolf was from the point where he had helped to rescue him from the crazed villagers. What had actually happened in this man's life to make him the way he was? The quieter Jack became, the more he was learning about his very crew and family members. He was a very good listener and vowed to remember everything he heard this day. There were too many secrets amongst his family, and once they were out of this mess, he would give every one a chance to come clean.
The mention of a mirror made Jack's mind wonder what had happened to the original mirror he had had to cover to make it be quiet. Could it have been a magic mirror? Then he remembered the things he had seen in it and knew that it had to have been a cursed mirror. He hoped that it was at the bottom of Davy Jones' locker as he certainly would never miss that thing. He tuned back in to the conversation as he heard Wolf answering Drell.
"Yes, Sir, Your Honor, I do," Wolf replied, gazing intently into Drell's face. Drell seemed to sneer down at him. It brought back memories to Wolf of a time when he had been on trial for himself, and it made him stand even taller and straighter beside Jareth and their ladies.
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT THE SAME FINAL SENTENCE THAT IS CAST UPON JARETH WILL ALSO BE CAST UPON YOU?"
"That I do, Sir."
"IF HE REMAINS CONDEMNED TO A LIFE UNDERGROUND, YOU WILL BECOME CONDEMNED TO A LIFE UNDERGROUND, AS WELL, MEANING THAT YOU WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ALLOWED TO SET FOOT ABOVE GROUND, COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE ABOVE GROUND, OR SEE THE SUN OR MOON?"
For a brief moment, Wolf thought of exactly what that would mean. The thought of never seeing the moon again brought pain to his heart, but he would gladly kiss it good-bye as long as it meant that he had Elvira and her love still and that Jareth had a second chance. "One question on that, Your Honor. Does that mean that I have to do those tricky games that Jareth does, as well?"
"INDEED IT DOES. YOU, TOO, WILL BE CALLED UPON TO AID MISBEGOTTEN, FEMALE TEENAGERS' PASSAGES INTO ADULTHOOD."
Elvira's eyes flashed at that, but she kept her tongue silent.
"I have to be honest, Your Honor. I especially don't like that part of it, but I will accept it on Jareth's behalf."
Drell didn't give a hoot what Wolf liked or didn't like. "FURTHERMORE, IF JARETH REMAINS KING OF THE LABYRINTH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE HAPPENINGS IN THE LABYRINTH AND AMONGST ITS BEINGS?"
"Yes." Wolf tried to quiet the turmoil that was flowing through his mind. He knew Elvira did not like the idea that he would have to play the same games that Jareth had to play, but it was part of it, after all. It didn't mean that he'd have to like it or even willingly do it. It just had to be done. He hated that even more than the thought of losing the moon, because he feared that Elvira would think him fickle.
"IF THE SENTENCE TURNS TO DEATH, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU, TOO, WILL DIE?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Wolf thought, That might be better than having a mad Elvira who hated his guts for having to play with female children.
"YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME JARETH COMMITS, YOU WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
"Yes, and any crime that I commit he gets stuck with, too!" He wanted to stick his tongue out at Drell. All these stupid questions over and over again were getting old, and Wolf had never been known for his patience! Why couldn't they just get it over with! Ask one question, and let it ride!
"INDEED. JARETH, DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT ANY CRIME WARREN WOLFSON COMMITS, YOU, TOO, WILL ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR?"
Jareth wished that he could get the thought of laughing out of his mind. Wolf was very comical, and only Wolf would dare to get sassy in front of Drell! "Yes, Sir, Your Honor." He winked at Wolf.
"DO YOUR SILLY BUSINESS ON YOUR OWN TIME," a voice growled from above. Ursula was getting tired of looking down on all these gorgeous males and knowing that she could not get her paws on any of them. These two were just the latest she wished she could taste for one brief moment!
"YOU HEARD THE LADY," Drell announced his agreement with the Sea Witch.
Elvira glanced from Wolf to Drell and then finally to the bitch that was eyeing her man. What she saw sitting there almost made her burst out laughing. The woman was big enough to make three of her sister and herself; had purple skin and long, white hair that was flowing out from her head like Medusa's snakes; and octopus legs! She cleared her throat, biting down on her chuckle.
Wolf grinned slyly at Elvira. He had something to tell her about that whale later.
Jareth looked at Drell. "I understand that what we do reflects upon the other, and I thank Wolf for standing by me."
Wolf grinned.
Delvira looked away from Ursula, who she had tangled with before and was glowering at, and whispered to Wolf, "As do I."
"HOW TOUCHING," Drell crooned mockingly. "SAVE IT FOR OUTSIDE THE COURT ROOM. ONE FINAL QUESTION. YOU, WARREN WOLFSON, REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT, STARTING FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARE ACCEPTED AS JARETH'S GUARDIAN, YOU WILL BE IMMORTAL UNTIL HE IS EITHER FREED OR FINISHES WHATEVER SENTENCE, OR SENTENCES, BEFALL HIM?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Wolf said in a more serious note. He thought he would like the part of being Immortal. That meant he could be with his family forever as they were already Immortal. Better to be with your family in Hell than to be alone in Heaven, he thought.
"Sir!" a voice suddenly called out from the throng of captives. "Your Honor, Sir, I have but one question!" Various people stepped aside, making room for the small dogman to pass by. Didymus waved his cane at Drell, who was glowering at Jack and wondering how he was managing to throw his voice and make it sound different. "Over here, Sir!"
Jack shook his head when Drell was looking at him. It wasn't him this time! His eyes went in the direction he had heard the familiar voice come from. Sure enough, there was Sir Didymus, demanding attention. He wondered what the small dog had on his mind.
Jareth gazed down upon Didymus and smiled. Leave it to Didymus! Small as he was, he always managed to make it to his King's side! He was glad to see the little fellow now and know that he was all right, but what could he possibly want to ask?
Delvira thought much the same as she saw Sir Didymus approaching. He came to a stop beside them, and Delvira, figuring Drell might well be about to attempt to strike the poor fellow down, reached out and placed her free hand on Didymus' small, thin shoulder. She heard a rustle behind them and glanced out of the corner of her black eyes to see a redheaded woman holding a fireball. What, Delvira wondered, could O'Hara be at now? At least, she thought that was her name.
Ace stood beside Kat and hoped she didn't throw the thing. All they needed was a fire in that small, enclosed room! "Kat?" he pleaded in a whisper. "Don't throw that thing, darling. It will cause panic among the people, but if you do throw it, make sure you hit him dead center." He had had just about all he could stand of Drell, as well.
"That I will, Ace," Kat whispered back, her brogue still thicker than usual, "but if'n ye din't want me tae throw it, ye'd best be hopin' he din't make a move toward the lad fer if'n he attempts tae hurt one hair on that wee dog's head, his ass is mine."
"WELL, SPEAK, DOG," Drell snapped, "AND DO NOT THINK THAT YOU, TOO, WILL STAND FOR JARETH."
"I do not, Your Highness. I would have but said naught for I thought that you certainly would never allow his people to stand for him. That brings me to my question. Should the King be denounced of his position and no longer held strictly to the Labyrinth, will he be allowed in the Labyrinth at all?"
"NO. THE ONLY ONES ALLOWED TO BE IN THE LABYRINTH WHO ARE NOT OF ITS NATURAL BEINGS ARE ITS RULER, HIS FAMILY, AND THOSE CURRENTLY BEING TRIED."
"Then, what of those of us who do not wish to be separated from his side?"
Jareth could not believe the words coming from the little dog's mouth. He had not always been the best of Kings and had usually not had his people's best welfare in mind, yet if he was to believe what was coming out of Didymus' mouth, his people still loved him. He marvelled at that thought and vowed to be a better King if given the chance.
"YOU SPEAK AS THOUGH THERE IS MORE THAN YOURSELF . . . "
Drell was cut off by a high-pitched, feminine voice. "Yes! Yes! Yes! There is more! There is Trely and Teak!"
As Drell cast an ill look upon the little Goblins who were hurrying forward, Delvira, too, marvelled over this revelation. She could not believe that any of their people would insist upon standing by them now, let alone one who had lost his eye in service to his King and two who had been kicked and had fireballs thrown at them more times than she could count.
"IT DOES NOT MATTER," Drell told them, "HOW MANY OF YOU THERE ARE. THE BEINGS IN THE LABYRINTH ARE TO BE KEPT IN THE LABYRINTH UNLESS THEY ARE NEEDED IN A TEST FOR A GIRL."
"That's crap!" Pulling herself up to her full height, the woman stepped away from her mate and whispered out of the side of her mouth at the cat perched atop her shoulder, "Capt'n, ye might wanna get back there."
"I will not leave you, Kat. You know that," came his purred answer.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Drell's voice thundered through the room so loudly that it shook all four walls.
Ace stepped forward to stand beside Kat. "She said it was crap, Your Honor, and I believe it to be crap, too! If they want to follow their King, they should be allowed to!" He waited for Drell to throw a lightning bolt and prepared to throw himself to the floor, hoping it would miss him.
"THEY ARE INSIGNIFICANT BEINGS."
"Insignificant, me Irish ass! Ye din't separate a dog from the person he loves! These beings think! They feel! They have hearts where others," Kat glowered pointedly at Drell, "fail tae! Give 'em a chance!"
A general murmuring of voices agreed with Kat from the floor. Most Pirates were taking an interest in what was going on. Another voice piped up from the floor. "Yeah, let the little ones go with their master! I wouldn't want to be separated from my boy!" Eddie stamped a foot in determination.
Will's mouth fell open, and he whirled to look at Donkey. He couldn't believe that Eddie was backtalking Drell! Jack, he understood even if it did almost scare him to death, but Donkey! He quickly rushed to Donkey's side and stood before him, placing himself between Drell and Eddie.
Jack looked at Drell, his dark eyes shining. "A family should not be separated," he told Drell. "They are family. They should be allowed to be together."
"COO COO COO COO COO COO COO COO COO!" The dragons' roars of agreement echoed in the court room. Elvira raised her head in a long howl. Even Cindy looked up at Drell as though she could eat him and roared her protest.
Across the room, Theodora screeched and jumped aside as Roxanne's jaguars roared in agreement. Theodora was even more surprised when Roxanne ceased translating to her and began to shout what sounded to her ears like fierce agreement with the other Pirates and protest to their captors in English. She wished she could understand what was going on but could only ask Roxanne to explain and then wait for that explanation when she realized that it was not readily forthcoming.
Despite being lost deep in his grief, Lorne heard his babies hollering. He understood what Blue was cooing about, and he got shakily to his feet. He was surprised to find Elvira and Cindy supporting him on either side. His green hands went to the top of their heads. "I MUST PROTEST! THE LITTLE ONES MUST GO WITH THEIR FAMILY!" His loss of Crys overwhelmed him, and he knew that, if not for their babies, he could not go on. He continued to call his protest out, hoping that Drell would hear him.
Faith had been almost too lost in her private thoughts to protest, but when Salem called out his agreement, she heard and answered. "DAMN STRAIGHT!" she bellowed, her shining black eyes blazing up at Drell and the rest of the Council.
Willow had finally reached Jack and now sat at his feet. His meowing protest was added to the rest. He did not want to be separated from his human, either! It was worth fighting for! He yowled even louder, trying to raise his tiny voice as high as the rest. Jack reached down, picked him up, and put him on his shoulder. He might be little, but he had a big mouth for a cat, and he had a heart and a spirit to match it.
Kit yowled from Paige's arms, and Paige shouted her agreement. Her exclamation brought her sisters shouting, as well, for though they had lost their mother and their grandmother, they still had their cat and Kit was truly a member of their family. Xena and Gabrielle felt an unknown loss in their hearts and loudly called out their protests, as well. Gabby's came out in prose that seemed familiar yet that she neither remembered writing nor reading. Caught between the Halliwells and the two women who were more sisters to him than any one else he'd ever known, Joxer found himself adding his voice to the protest. Realizing what he was doing, he paused, but two looks, one from his beautiful, beloved Phoebe and the other from Gabby's green eyes, set him back to yelling again. He tried to tell himself that he was Joxer the Mighty and, as such, could take anything the Council decided to throw at him, but that thought did not comfort him at all. Indeed he was only able to take a little comfort from even the fact that Xena was right there to protect him should it come to that.
Katrina looked at Celina and Tom. Then she looked toward Vang, who was already roaring, and wondered where Meesy was. If they had to lose either Meesy or Vang, it would rip the heart out of them. They were as much members of their little family as the two-leggers were. "IT'S NOT RIGHT, YOUR HONOR! THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO!" she spoke with an authoritative voice.
"YEAH!" Tom added, his bristling fur set on end with his anger. He moved closer in to Faith, Salem, and Katrina and prepared to launch into battle.
"AFFIRMATIVE!" Celina shouted. Her fur was also set on end, and she shared Katrina's thoughts and worries over Vang and Meesy.
Morph's nose shot out. It turned gray and grew long, and then he trumpeted. Sensing Celina's sadness over their missing King, Morph also grew out his ears. They fanned out and turned to the same gray leathery-feeling skin as his nose had. They wriggled as he continued to trumpet. Celina smiled sadly at him, but his heart sank when he failed to win her laughter.
In another part of the room, Cordelia's eyes were filled with worried tears as she wondered why she hadn't found Meesy yet and fretted over what had happened to him. "THEY'RE RIGHT!" she shouted. She could feel Angel looking at her ignored him and stepped out to where Trina had already stepped. "THEY'RE ALL RIGHT! YOU DO NOT SEPARATE A LITTLE ONE, WHETHER ANIMAL, CHILD, OR WHATEVER, FROM ITS FAMILY!" The words had no sooner left her mouth than she recalled her own father and how desperately she had ached to escape his clutches. "NOT FROM THIS KIND OF A FAMILY, AT LEAST!" she amended. She felt eyes on her from the Council and turned her head, her chin held proudly, to meet the gaze of Agraba's Royal Advisor and his frozen parrot. "NOT FROM A FAMILY WHOSE MEMBERS LOVE EACH OTHER, BUT THEN I SUPPOSE LOVE IS SOMETHING YOU PEOPLE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT!"
Angel's mouth fell open in shock as Cordelia's words seemed to echo around the room. He had been just about to protest when she, his quiet, little mouse, had unleashed her tiger and done the protesting for both of them. He now walked ahead until he stood back beside her and added his own voice to the rest of his crew mates. "LET THE LITTLE ONES STAY WITH THEIR FAMILY!" He did not know when family had come to be so important to him, but now he realized it was the most important thing in his life. Cordelia was his center and his most important family member, but he needed the others, as well, to complete him.
Trina glanced at Angel and his lady love, who had very much surprised her, and smiled. "EXACTLY!" She was surprised but glad to not hear her brother protesting her protest and was even gladder to sense Trent and Carlos coming up behind her and Carlos adding his protest in with theirs. Her mouth nearly dropped open when Trent added his voice to the others agreeing that family should not be separated. She felt his hand upon her shoulder and glanced at him.
Trent smiled sadly at Trina. "I may not agree with a lot of this, sis," he told her, "but family should never be separated." His sad smile turned up into a cautious grin. "Why do you think Carlos and I came after you?" Trina smiled at her brother, and Carlos grinned as he watched the siblings hug.
Zora, who had knelt beside Vang and was holding him close, shouted out again. "IF YOU THINK THIS IS RIGHT, YOU'RE EVEN MORE FUCKED IN THE HEAD THAN I THOUGHT!"
Connor's mouth fell open in shock. If Zora was brave enough to tell Drell and his court what she thought of them, he was brave enough to stand beside her. He shouted up at Drell, "NO FAMILY MEMBER IS TO BE LEFT BEHIND, WHETHER IT BE GREAT OR SMALL! I VOTE THEY GO!"
From what he thought was his hiding place, Smee could hear his son's voice in the mixture of the others' angry, protesting yells. Still trembling, he slowly lifted his head, moved his arms from before him, and peeked out. A fresh spring of tears broke open in his eyes as pride of his son swelled in his heart. "He -- He -- He -- He -- They're right!" he squeaked. Then, louder, he called again, "THEY'RE RIGHT!"There was so much bedlam occurring in the court room that ear drums were threatening to shatter. Above the court room, there was just as much arguing going on. It was split down the middle as to whether or not Didymus and the Goblins should be included. What it finally came down to was that some one would have to stand for them.
Aslan looked at Drell. "WE SHALL ALLOW THEM TO GO, BUT SOME ONE MUST STAND FOR THEM."
Drell heard Aslan. He had been trying to calm the room but had had no success. The rapping of his gavel went unheard, and his shouts, yells, bellows, and even screams were ignored. Finally, he told Aslan. "IF YOU CAN GET THEIR ATTENTION, I WILL MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT."
One roar from Aslan was all it took. His deep, majestic voice bounced off of the walls and filled the room. It thundered demandedly out above all the other noise, drowning them out as though they were but buzzing bees and he a mighty Giant. Some mouths shut; others hung open in shock. All eyes turned to him. "Give Drell your attention," he commanded, and though he did not shout, his voice hung clearly in the room and reached all ears.
"THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY THEIR KING, BUT SOME ONE MUST STAND FOR THEM. ONE BEING FOR DIDYMUS, AND ONE FOR THE," he sniffed disdainfully, "GOBLINS. ALL OF YOU WISH TO BE HEARD, BUT WHICH ONE AMONGST YOU WILL ACTUALLY PUT YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR SUCH LOWER BEINGS?"
A silence now prevailed in the room, even as Ace looked at Kat, the question plain in his face. "Shall we?" seemed to pour from his body, but he waited for his beloved to make the final decision.
Kat nodded, and her fireball vanished. "I'll stand fer 'em!"
"DIDYMUS OR THE GOBLINS?"
She had not realized that she would have to choose, but although surprised by the choice and the fact that she could not save all three, Kat was quick to make her decision. Animals always came first. "Didymus."
"And I will stand for Trely and Teak!" Ace's voice carried through the room strongly and calmly. He stood beside Kat, Clyde clinging to his leg.
It was then that the Vampire spoke again in his cool, calm voice. "There is something in his pocket."
"What?" Drell questioned, keeping his voice low enough that their prisoners would not know what was going on.
"There is something in Jareth's pocket," Lionel spoke before Dracula could, receiving a harsh glare from the infamous Count. "It was just wriggling, Sir."
Drell peered at the pocket but could see nothing moving for the object had heard Dracula's words and stilled his trembling immediately. "Are you sure?"
"Qui -- "
Again, Lionel cut off Dracula. "Absolutely, Sire."
"WHAT DO YOU HAVE THERE IN YOUR POCKET, JARETH?" Drell called to the Goblin King whose title now hung in the balance.
"Just an insignificant little worm," Jareth said very calmly, his eyes intent upon Drell's face, waiting to see which way this would play out. Worm had been quiet for so long that Jareth had forgotten he was in his pocket.
"WORMS HAVE NO IMPORTANCE," was Drell's first comment, but Dracula and Lionel both poised to argue the point.
"That worm is a key -- "
"The worm really is very important, if I understand the Labyrinth correctly, Sir," Lionel advised Drell in a hushed tone. "If not for his advisement, there would have been a number of twits who would have gone straight to the castle."
"So?" Drell hissed out of the corner of his mouth, waiting impatiently for his men to get to the point.
"Had that happened, Sir," Lionel pointed out as though it were a great secret and that was why Drell had not thought of it before, "the test would have ended all too soon."
"Yeah," Ursula threw in her agreement, "it wouldn't have been any fun."
"If you call watching annoying girls running about on so-called adventures fun," Jafar put in.
"I do," Dracula commented, a sinister grin replacing the frustrated line his mouth had became when Lionel had continued to interrupt him.
"Silence," Drell whispered, "and back to the business at hand!" Aloud, he questioned Jareth, "IS THIS THE WORM THAT MEETS THE GIRL AFTER THE DWARF? THE ONE WHO SETS HER ON THE RIGHT PATH?"
"Yes, Sir, but the Dwarf is dead, so a whole new theme will have to be derived. Therefore, the Worm is insignificant."
"DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TELL US HOW TO DO OUR JOBS, JARETH," Drell warned him angrily. Then his voice could be heard whispering to his Council, "Somebody make a note of that. We'll have to replace him."
"Noted, Sir," Lionel replied, beating Snape and Jafar, who had both already written it down though Lionel had not. "Perhaps one of Aslan's beasts?"
"Watch your tongue, Luther," Aslan warned, his tail slashing the air.
Cinderella would have placed a gloved hand on Aslan's paw if she had been able to reach to him. As it was, she simply smiled comfortingly at Aslan and reminded him, "They are but words, Aslan, and therefore, of no such importance."
"Especially," Gandalf added, wishing for a pipe, "when they come from one with such a little mind."
Lionel glared at the do-gooders and was about to defend himself when Drell spoke aloud again. "THE DWARF WILL SIMPLY BE REPLACED, WHICH MEANS THAT THE WORM IS OF IMPORTANCE. THE VENTURA FELLOW IS ALREADY STANDING FOR TWO OF THESE WRETCHED CREATURES. WHAT OF YOU, KATHLEEN O'HARA? WILL YOU ALLOW A WORM TO RISK YOUR LIFE AND HAPPINESS IN ADDITION TO THAT MANGY DOG?"
Kat, who had now come up behind Jareth's group, placed a stilling hand on Didymus' shoulder. "Aye," she quickly answered. A bit of inspiration struck her, and she smirked up at Drell as she added, "I'll keep the worm in line."
Ace felt a sudden urge to talk with his butt, but a quick glance at Kat told him he'd better not attempt it now. She seemed to be barely holding her anger in, and if he talked with his butt and griped the Council, there would be Hell to pay if they attacked him for it, so he just stood, grinning inanely at the Council.
"Thank you, Miss Kat," Jareth told Kathleen O'Hara. He gave her a slight smile that only she could see. He did not want the Council to think that the Worm meant anything, but deep down he knew that if they had taken Worm, he would have lost one of his very dearest and oldest friends. Worm might be little, but he had often been able to give Jareth good advice and he'd always listened when Jareth needed some one to talk to. Jareth turned back to look at the Council and waited for the next ball to fall, hoping, somehow, that it would not run over his family or himself.
Kat's gaze remained steadfast on Drell and the rest of the Council, but out of the corner of her mouth, she whispered at Jareth, "I did nae di it fer ye, Fancy Pants. I did it fer the animals."
Fancy Pants! Jareth's brain railed at him. Is that what she thinks of me? Why? She barely knows me, and yet she judges me! He had never thought of himself as such even though he liked to wear the latest fashions. He glanced at the man who accompanied Kat. Maybe that explains it? he thought, taking in Ace's wild clothes. She likes the wilder things of life. But it didn't matter as long as she stood for his friends.
"VERY WELL," Drell commented although the loud clearing of his throat let all know that this turn of events, like the others before it, did not set well with him at all. "ACE VENTURA AND KATHLEEN O'HARA, YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TESTS WITH YOUR CHARGES," he did not name the beings for he did not think that they were important enough to be named, "TO ASSURE THAT THEY ARE FIT TO BE IN THIS WORLD?"
Uh-oh, Ace thought, they've done it now! If they piss Kat off, they're gonna be in deep crap! He glanced sideways out the corner of his eye at Kat to see if she was fixing to attack. He did not want to miss a single second of helping her if she did.
Kat had rose her hand off of Didymus' shoulder and was a mere second away from forming a fireball when Captain kneaded his claws into her shoulder and purred an advisory warning and Didymus turned swiftly, bowed his head, and clasped her hand. "Didymus," the fiery redhead started to bark, "release me -- "
Sir Didymus raised his head, and his adoring eyes gazed up into Kat's blazing eyes. "Please, milady, if you truly wish to help us, you will retain your anger. These beings are not too be angered for they and they alone hold our fate in their hands."
Kat's top lower lip started to curl, but Didymus held tighter to her hand and Captain began purring deeply and rubbing against her neck. "Please, milady?" Didymus looked at her as though his heart was about to break.
Fuck! The exclamation exploded through Kat's mind as she raised her fierce gaze back to the Council. "Aye," she growled out.
"IS THAT IS A YES, KATHLEEN?" Drell started to tease her, and a whisper ran through the group. All those who knew Kat, or even knew of her, knew well of her temper and realized that she was seconds from losing it.
Aslan spoke up the fastest. "Yes, it is a yes, Drell, and you know that very well. Do not tease the lady. She," the lion warned, "is one of mine, and neither she nor I will tolerate unnecessary taunting." His tail cut through the air like a sword.
Drell swallowed but barked out a second later, "VENTURA?"
"Yes?" Ace drawled out. "What was the question?" Did he dare, he wonder, answer them with his butt who strained eagerly to talk? Let me out, it seemed to be telling him, as though it had a life all its own!
Trely turned to look at the odd man who had kindly and bravely came forward and volunteered to stand for Teak and herself. Had he changed his mind? Had he realized what kind of beings he was trying to protect, how ugly she was? Tears welled in her big eyes and her lower lip trembled, but she said not a word.
Drell impatiently rapped his gavel upon the desk. "DO YOU REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TESTS WITH YOUR CHARGES TO ASSURE THAT THEY ARE FIT TO BE IN THIS WORLD?"
Restraining himself mightily, Ace reached out and patted Trely gently upon the head. "Of course I do, Your Honor, and I will do my best to take care of them, too." The look of gratitude that Teak cast upon him made Ace feel that Teak was about to fall to his knees and grab his other leg. Clyde was still hanging tightly to Ace's right leg. He reached down and patted Clyde on the head reassuringly.
Trely beamed at Ace with as much gratitude in her eyes and on her little, green face as Teak was already looking at him with. Tears of sadness turned to tears of hope, and she grinned so hugely that the smile threatened to break her wrinkled face. "Oh, thank you, thank you, Master Ace!" she thrilled. "Oh, yes, Trely thank Ace!"
Delvira reached out and placed a stilling hand on Trely's thin shoulder. She was impressed by both Kat and Ace, but she knew that now was not a time for Goblins to give thanks. "Not now, Trely," she whispered, "or you, Teak. Soon, but not now."
Trely nodded eagerly. "Yes, Mistress," she whispered, but her eyes remained on Ace.
"ACE VENTURA AND KATHLEEN O'HARA, ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CRIMES THAT YOUR CHARGES MAY COMMIT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE AND TO SHARE EQUALLY IN WHATEVER PUNISHMENTS MAY BEFALL THEM?"
With Captain and Sir Didymus still working on keeping Kat from exploding, the Irish woman bit off her answer without meeting Drell's gaze. "Aye." She had a feeling that, if she were to lock eyes with the pompous Judge, she would surely blast his fat ass all the way to her homeland.
"Yes!" Ace told him, not taking his eyes off of Teak and Trely. "I am willing to stand by them and do everything I can to help them, and I know I have to pass tests. We'll pass them!" he told Drell in defiance.
Drell sniffed. "WE SHALL SEE. ACE VENTURA AND KATHLEEN O'HARA, YOU HEREBY AGREE TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHARGES, THEIR INSTRUCTION, THEIR BEHAVIOR, AND THEIR CRIMES?"
"Aye, ye pomp-- " Kat's words were cut off by Captain's paw that swiftly covered her mouth.
"I do," Ace said very solemnly. He almost laughed when he saw Captain put his paw over Kat's mouth. He'd often thought about doing that in the past, but he knew he'd get a fireball for his efforts. Only Captain could get away with something like that!
"VERY WELL," Drell stated matter-of-factly. "ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT ACE VENTURA AND KATHLEEN O'HARA AS THE GUARDIANS OF THESE . . . THINGS, GIVEN THAT JARETH DOES NOT WIND UP BACK IN THE LABYRINTH -- not like that's likely to happen -- SAY AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY." When the "aye"s had outweighed the "nay"s, Drell stated, "ACE VENTURA AND KATHLEEN O'HARA, YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED AS THESE THINGS' GUARDIANS IF THEY DO NOT RETURN TO THE LABYRINTH. NOW, TO RETURN TO OUR PREVIOUS BUSINESS, ALL THOSE WHO APPROVE OF WARREN WOLFSON STANDING FOR JARETH, SAY AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY." Again, the "aye"s outweighed the "nay"s, and Drell, tired of losing out on the fun he'd planned to have, swiftly moved on. He quickly stated that Wolf had been approved as the one to stand for Jareth, and then, peering down his nose at Severus, he droned out, "NEXT."
Wolf breathed a sigh of relief, glad that this part was over and that he had been accepted. He knew that the future did not look rosy, but at least this far, he was in the game with Jareth. He hoped that this would help them to win.
Jareth did not show any outward sign, although inwardly he was very glad that Wolf had chosen to stand by him. He thought perhaps the two of them might stand a chance against the test.
Delvira exchanged a concerned look with Elvira and gave Jareth's hand a reassuring squeeze. The first part of this battle of words was to their favor, but all they could do about the rest for now was to wait and see how the others fared. She hoped some one would stand for the rest of Salem's people as bravely as Wolf had stood for Jareth and was eternally thankful especially to Wolf but also to Kat and Ace. She had sensed her husband's confusion over Kat, but she had already witnessed the woman's interactions with animals and believed she had her well-read.
Elvira's unbeating heart was still lodged in her throat. She'd never been much of a fighter and was still learning how, but she knew that they had a war on their hands with the Council and that anything might yet befall Jareth and, worse yet, her beloved Wolf. She shared Delvira's gaze, her black eyes reflecting the same emotions as those in her twin's. Only time would tell how badly this all would work out, and until then, all they could do was handle each dish of crap they were served with extreme care and as best as they could.
"NEXT, WE THE WITCHES' COUNCIL ON HIGH," Snape called out, using a term that he knew Drell would like, "DO HEREBY CALL FORWARD EMMA GRACE FROST, BETTER KNOWN AS THE WHITE QUEEN."
In the throng of prisoners, Emma paused, her blonde head lifting in curiosity at the name. Her face drew down in worry, and her blue eyes darkened. She looked to the strange man who claimed to be her husband. "That's me, isn't it?"
"Aye, me love, it is," Sean told her. He knew his name would be coming up soon. He reached out and caressed her face gently with his hand. "I can nae stand fer ye. I wish I could, but they'll be callin' me soon too. Good luck, me love." He leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. "Remember this. Nae matter what happens, I will always love ye."
Emma was already pulling away, but Sean still managed to land his kiss on her cheek. She straightened even more stiffly and turned from him just as his last words caught her ears. She shook her head slightly. He truly believed that he was her husband, but yet what kind of husband did not stand by his wife, even if she was a criminal? The two bizarre women had stood with their husbands, Jareth and Warren Wolfson, just a moment before, but here this man, her self-proclaimed husband, stood, trying to false reassure her while remaining where he was. She pushed past the others, but her determined words drifted back to Sean. "If I am a criminal, then let whatever punishment my actions have earned me be cast upon me."
At those words, Sean blanched an even paler shade of white. Oh me Gods, Em, I hope ye did nae jest curse yeself! he thought. She had misunderstood what he had been trying to tell her. He had merely been trying to say that he could not stand for her. He didn't know why his words always came out all wrong. He had every intention of standing behind Emma, keeping her company even though he could not stand for her. His throat choked up on him as he watched her walk regally to stand before the dais. He hoped that she would hold up as he knew the charges were great. After all, she had been the second highest ranking female, and the list would be extremely heavy. He knew that Snape was getting a kick out of reading the list. After all, the man did love attention, and he was certainly the center of it as he read the list of crimes. He came to stand directly behind Em, so close that he could reach out and touch her, but did not try to do so. She still didn't believe he was her husband, and until she did, he would not make any bold advances toward her.
" . . . AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ARSON, BURGLARY, COERCION, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, DRUG TRAFFICKING, EMBEZZLEMENT, EXTORTION, FORGERY . . . "
Already, Snape was calling out the list of charges, and Emma's mind whirled at the long list of crimes, many of which she had no idea what they even meant. How could she have been such a wicked person, such an evil criminal? She glanced down at the lack of clothes she wore and realized for the second time that her appearance certainly did fit the part.
" . . . GRAND LARCENY, PERJURY, PORNOGRAPHY, PROSTITUTION, PROPERTY CRIME, PSYCHOACTIVITY, PSYCHOLOGICAL INTOXICATION, SEXUAL INNUENDO, TREASON IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE, MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ESCAPE, KIDNAPPING, ESPIONAGE, POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO SELL, ARMED ASSAULT, TAX EVASION, ASSAULT AND BATTERY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SLAVERY . . . "
Emma's head hung, and she wondered when the man would reach the end of the list of the horrid things she had done. She looked at her hands, wondering how she could be capable of such hideous acts. No one would stand for her, but that was for the best. She deserved no less than the greatest punishment they had to give.
At last, Snape reached the end of the list. He drew a deep breath and took a sip from his drink as Drell questioned the crowd, "WHO WILL STAND FOR THE WHITE QUEEN?"
Rachel's green eyes flew to Kitty. She could sense her love stiffening and knew instantly what she was thinking. "Don't," Ray pleaded with her.
"Ray, I -- "
"You can't be serious!" Rachel exclaimed. "I know she's pretty, Kitty, but you're not gay! You don't -- "
"She's Sean's wife, Rachel!" Shadowcat hotly informed her. "Somebody's got to stand for her!"
The two women looked at each other in surprise when they heard another voice speak up . . .