Chapter 32. Sounds and visions

Jareth was overseeing the work on the expansions to his private apartments. He could have just waved a hand but this was better. It took time to do the work without magic, and it kept him busy. Busy was something he needed right now, and he wanted the new additions to his rooms to be perfect.

He had never dreamed before he met Sarah of having the chance to design a nursery. After all there were few enough Fae women of good families who were his equal; plenty enough to sup and tup but few worth marrying. Had he ever really looked he'd have found there were fewer families who wanted him in their number, no matter his royal pedigree. Then Sarah came into his life, his long and bored life. She was fresh, witty and just as stubborn as he, not to mention those lovely cruel eyes and other assets. He'd been drawn to her long before she'd wished away poor Toby, and when she'd stepped into his world he could see the possibility for endless excitement.

He looked at the bed chamber and the alterations and modifications he'd made. The transformation was startling even to him-self. It no longer resembled a medieval bastion, now it was pleasing to the eye and elegant. He moved to the alcove where he'd draped off an area for their son to sleep so he'd not be too far from his mother's reach. Leaning on the archway he looked at the colorful little vignettes that he'd had painted on the wall himself depicting Sarah's first adventure in the Labyrinth and the many colorful characters she'd not only encountered but had befriended to the point that they were willing to disobey his direct orders. Not that he really blamed them, he smirked at the thought. However he'd never admit it to any of the subjects. It was a nursery fit for a prince, his prince.

"Sire," one of his personal guards came to his side quietly. "I beg your pardon, sire…"

Jareth looked at the Fae guard, there were few of them and he knew each one by name. "Captain Colwyn," he addressed the man with a wave of his hand about the room. "What do you think?"

Colwyn gazed at the changes, he could see the effort his friend and King had put into the transformation. He knew it had been painstakingly done, and had occupied the King for the better part of the past three weeks. "I guess there won't be anymore orgies." He said with mock disappointment. When the King let out a hearty laugh, Colwyn smiled back. "I think your lady will be most impressed."

"From you lips to the ears of the Gods." Jareth sighed. "Sarah should be, but I'm not counting my chickens. Not with her." He tugged his gloves tightly against his fingers. "What brings you to my private chambers Captain?"

Colwyn handed the scroll that had just arrived from the High Courts. "They've picked the grove for your Tribunal."

"Good, good." Jareth opened the scroll and read, a smile filling his face; "And the word on Lady Hiver?"

"She continues to miss your lady by dribs and drabs," Colwyn snickered openly. "If she had any idea of how you've manipulated things…"

"She asked for it!" Jareth retorted shortly before snickering as well. "Our guide has been keeping Sarah not only safe, but she's educating her along the way as well. She'd woven her way though the planes of existence like a master weaver on a tapestry." He motioned the man to walk at his side.

Colwyn shrugged, "I've heard Lady Gwendolyn is one of the most excellent guides out of the Sisterhood. I was not surprised she was chosen for the task of protecting your lady and heir."

"She volunteered," Jareth corrected as they descended the private stair down to the throne room. He looked at the work going on by the multitude of Goblins. "However as she is more than competent I was only too pleased to accept her." He turned away from the workers cleaning, the Captain kept pace with him as he moved swiftly down toward the state dinning hall, something that was so seldom used it was kept locked. Now it was wide open and being polished. "What progress has been made in the improvements I've ordered in the village?"

"Ah, well as to that," the captain looked less than happy; "Not all our subjects are… thrilled."

"The grobers don't want to bath, right?" Jareth looked as if he'd expected trouble.

"Not just the grobers… the danarks are… going underground as it were." Colwyn sighed.

"Well they are half or more than half mole." Jareth waved his hand as if to dismiss it all. "I won't worry too much, after all Sarah wouldn't expect paradise." The moved though the dinning hall toward the doors that lead to the terrace and the new gardens. Jareth looked down at the three he had working on the garden. "Those three have been too helpful," Jareth warned. "Watch them, they are up to no good."

"Sire," Colwyn moaned. "You can't expect me to do anything to Sir Didymus… I mean half the guards were trained by him…"

Leaning toward the guard, the Goblin King whispered softly. "And I was taught fencing by him, and adore him nearly as much as the rest of you do. No I don't expect you to take action against any of them… if any actions have to be taken… I'll do it…"

"Sire."

"Within reason," Jareth promised his old friend. "Now, we've only a few short days left… before the tribunal…Most likely Lady Allison is going to try some kind of blockade to prevent my attending. So I want the boarder guards increased now, if I have to take measures to escape her blocking me, I want ample warning."

Colwyn nodded. "Sire, the grove chosen…"

"Matters not," Jareth said confident in his plans. "You just keep an eye on Allison Hiver, and let me know what she's up to." He looked at the palace form the gardens. "It's a pleasant prison, is it not?" The captain cocked on brow up and Jareth snickered. "Make no mistake about it Captain; it's a glided cage for the sweetest little song bird… Sarah."

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Gwendolyn moved through the crawling mist, looking over her shoulder to be sure her charges were still with her. Once they stepped into the clearing she pointed to a shelter. "We will spend the night here."

Sarah heard rather than felt something behind her, as she moved further in the clearing she could feel the pursuer being forced back. "We are in another between?"

"You are perceptive," Gwendolyn moved forward toward the door of the shelter. She held her hand out as she had each time they had used one of the shelters. Frowning she drew back, lowering her hand. "No, we will not stay here… it is compromised and I will not take a chance with you and the child." Gwendolyn motioned them to stand close to her. She held out her hands and there was a visible shift in the surroundings.

Sarah closed her eyes, feeling dizzy, and opened them to see an entirely different place before them. Sarah looked at Gwendolyn who held her hand out toward the door, nodding she opened it and allowed the women to enter. Once she was inside Gwendolyn held her hand on the door and set up a protective barrier that could not be breached. "We are safe here?" She asked clutching the child closer.

"My oath, Lady, I would never allow harm to befall you or your son." Gwendolyn said coolly. "You must be hungry and tired, please sit, rest, and I will get out our provisions for this evening." The guide motioned for the young mother to be seated.

Magda took a seat beside Sarah, something was bewildering her and she was tapping her chin. "Sarah," she whispered softly not wishing to alert the guide. "I'm getting a real sense of Deja vu." Sarah watched the back of the woman preparing the meal and nodded with pursed lips. Magda looked toward the guide, "Sarah," she said aloud, "I think it's time you told me just how this all started. I'm on the journey of a lifetime… and I think I deserve to know how it started." Magda saw the guide stiffen and tilt her head to hear better the conversation. Magda motioned Sarah with her hand not to answer the question as she normally would.

"Beats the shit outta me," Sarah sighed.

Gwendolyn seemed to accept the answer and went back to paying attention to her task. Magda looked at Sarah and mouthed, "We are being watched."

"I've noticed." Sarah mouthed back, then motioned Magda to let it go for now.

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Nicole found Jareth in his private library seated at his desk with papers spread out and his quill making notations as he studied the scrolls and tomes at his disposal. "What are you doing?" She asked softly.

Jareth looked up from his papers to give her a silky smile. "Tracking my Lady's progress and recording her journey."

The Fae women stepped closer and looked down at the scrawlings that the Goblin King was making. He had mapped out the steps she had taken. "You're plotting a chart of her journey." Jareth nodded, looking all too pleased with himself. "You're doing this by hand?"

"It occupies my time," he drawled lazily.

Nicole let the parchment in her hand float back down to his desk. "I hear you've been keeping your hands very busy of late."

"Indeed," again the voice drawled as the Goblin King leaned back in his heavy chair.

The woman looked at him, "I wonder if it is all for naught."

"It is what it is for," Jareth commented sharply. "I'm not delusional here, Nicole. I know what Sarah is; I have felt first hand what she's capable of. "

"Creating a fantasy castle in the sky is not going to ingratiate you in her heart." Warned his sister.

A mocking smirk played on sensual lips as his eyes narrowed to thin slits. "What makes you think I wish to ingratiate myself to her?"

"Look at what you've done," Nicole railed. "You turned this castle upside down with the creations of new accommodations, the renewed gardens and now this." She flipped over the parchment that had moments ago been in her hands.

"The new accommodations were required for my son," he explained in a tone that was too silky. "And I'm sure Sarah is not going to be too thrilled with how I've decorated the walls…" He snickered, thinking of his hand painted scenes on the walls of the alcove. "The gardens were an interesting way to punish three errant subjects." He mused as he thought of Hoggle being forced to create the gardens he would keep Sarah prisoner in. "And as for this, I assure you sister dearest, my plotting the chart of her journey is not the only plotting I'm doing. However, I do this to keep a accurate record, I'm not doing this for Sarah."

Nicole's eyes opened wide, "You're doing it to give you ammunition?" When he cocked a brow and snickered, she shook her head at him. "Jareth I warn you, this is a dangerous game you are playing here….the stakes…"

"Dangerous games are the only ones worth playing, sister dearest…" Jareth cut her off. "And the stakes are not your affair."

"I care about Sarah," Nicole sputtered. "I care about her child…"

"As do I," he said in a tone that would not allow her to go on. "Now, if you will forgive me, I've much to do, and a short time to do it in… I will see you in the holy grove in a few days' time." He turned his attention back to the parchments and scrolls. "Good day, sister."

Nicole, dismissed and discharged, let her hands drop to her sides. "I hope you know what you're doing." She murmured as she faded out of his private space.

Looking up, Jareth let his eyes rest on the spot she'd last stood. "As do I, sister, as do I." He swallowed the lump gathering in his throat, cleared his mind and went back to charting Sarah's progress.

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The watcher waited, she could feel the Goth girl fighting sleep. The young mother had no reserves of strength. Every bit of her was being used to carry the child and get though the journey. Magda however didn't have the disadvantages of having to carry and feed the child. She was fighting sleep, while trying to feign that state. Gwendolyn bided her time, she didn't have the shortcomings of being human, and time was her ally not her enemy. It was an inconvenience, but one she could allow. After two hours, Magda lost her battle, and Gwendolyn moved to stand between the pair. Once more, as she'd done each night of this journey, she sprinkled the women with the dust that would bury the memories they'd discovered. She added another dust, to deepen the sleep of the pair. Soft sounds of the women and the child sleeping greeted her ears, and Gwendolyn smiled.

She removed a small object from her deep pockets. It looked like a hand mirror except that there was no silvered side, just a pane of clear glass or what to a quick glance would appear to be glass. The pane was a thin, but solid sheet of crystal. Gwendolyn sat down, held the handle out and began to speak softly. "Sire, are you there?"

In the place where a reflection would be the image of Jareth's face formed. "Lady Gwendolyn, I was not expecting a report this evening. Is something a miss?"

The guides face was set, it showed little emotions. "I believe there is," she nodded. "They seem to be remembering… in spite of the dustings."

"I thought this might happen," Jareth sighed. "But to alter their memories more than this would be foolhardy as well as imprudent. The journey is nearly at an end… and I will not jeopardize our good fortunes. You must continue as you've done so far."

"I understand," Gwendolyn nodded. "I will bury the memory of the conversations in their consciousness, they will not lose them, but they will not be able to use the information until they are before the courts."

"Good," Jareth was pleased. "And the boy?"

"Thrives," came the answer from the guide. "His mother attends to his every need."

"You praise the woman?" Jareth asked amused.

"I admire her," Gwendolyn stated without emotion. "It is not hard to admire her."

'Indeed,' Jareth thought.

"May this one make an inquiry sire?" Gwendolyn's voice broke his reverie.

"Of course you may," He nodded. "What is it you need?"

"No, not that kind of inquiry, I want to know how you intend to… treat… her." Gwendolyn turned her head slightly and looked over at the sleeping mother propped up cradling her son.

"That is not your concern," Jareth found it interesting that one of the Sisters of the Standing Stones would go on a limb like this.

"Perhaps not," Gwendolyn readily agreed before adding. "However I've been able to observe the lady in question. She is not… an ordinary girl… who takes care of a screaming baby."

Jareth crossed his arms, pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. "How many times has she told the tale?"

"Nearly every night since the journey began." Gwendolyn stated curtly. "Each time she tells the tale more and more details seem to be revealed to her, and to one who listens. She seems to be learning more from the retelling of her own story than from this journey you've arranged." One delicate brow raised on the woman's face. "Or was that your point?"

Jareth allowed a soft smile to play on his lips. "A combination of things are at play here, Lady Gwendolyn, I will not explain the reasons."

"She is no fool, sire." The guide warned.

"Of course not," Jareth admitted freely, almost proudly. "I would never be tempted to give my child to a fool, no matter how pretty the face. Not with my kingdom at stake, nor with my subjects." He changed the subject swiftly. "Has she learned?"

"More than one was expecting," the answer was a double edged sword.

Instead of being upset, the Goblin King looked completely relaxed as he hooked his hands behind his head. He leaned back in his chair, looking up at the crystal bubble that floated in the air. His feet went to rest on top his desk and he smiled indulgently. "Ah but will she be able to put all she's learned into practice?"

Gwendolyn looked bemused by his caviler attitude. "I would say again, she is no ordinary girl."

Jareth closed his eyes, "I so agree, she is no ordinary girl." He opened his eyes. "The grove for the tribunal has been picked. No matter what road you take it will lead you to the High Court. Be careful, Lady Allison is not happy, and she may do something desperate."

"Her Id are being assisted by someone who can reach the between. We did not stay in the shelter we were directed to this evening. I brought us to the hidden shelter instead, it was not on the agenda, but it was safe."

"Good thinking Gwendolyn." Praised the Goblin King, "I would suggest that since she had learned all she needs you deepen their sleep… when they awaken, bring them to the grove." Jareth murmured. "The Id and Allison can not touch you where you rest on Holy Ground."

"It will be done as you request, Sire." The guide bowed her head in obedience.

"Gwendolyn," Jareth asked sharply. "Has she complained about bad dreams?"

"No Sire, not a word."

Jareth smirked, "Good night Gwendolyn."

"Good night, Sire." She lowered her mirror and laid it on the table, standing she moved to the area where the three lay asleep. She raised her hand and allowed the energies to flow smoothly. "Sleep, and when you awaken be not aware of how much time has passed."

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Sarah was carrying the baby close to her heart as she moved over what appeared to be a craggy weather-beaten path in some desolate place. There seemed to be no living thing on this twisty turning hilltop; only a dry warm wind and the sounds of her own footfalls. She was alone, or so it seemed. Yet she kept moving, swiftly as if she were running from something, or some one. She clutched the baby closer, and moved on.

She began to move over the twisty path now at a quickened pace, and the path way seemed to change. The rocks and stones were becoming flat and smooth like tiles in a floor. Then she saw it, what she'd not wanted to see ever again. One bit of an archway hanging lopsided in midair. She looked about desperately. The craggy hillside was gone and she was standing in what was left of the Escher room.

"No!" she dried out desperately.

Jareth stepped out from a shadowy archway, wearing a faded,threadbare cloak. His face looked older, drawn. In his blond mane wasa trace of gray. Jareth was waiting for her with his arms folded.

Sarah tried to turn away, but her path was blocked by fallen pieces of the thrilling room that had fallen apart with her leap of faith. "No," she growled. "Never."

"Give me the child," a strong voice demanded.

Sarah turned to look at where the image of the defeated Jareth had stood a few moments ago. But the archway was dark, empty and barren. She could hear her heart pounding and felt fear. She turned to look about the crumbled room, and watched as it slowly pulled itself back together. Panicked she knelt down, and curled up about the child.

"Give me the child," the voice repeated.

Sarah looked up, on one of the platforms just above her, with stairs that led straight to her stood Jareth. No longer dressed in the gray tones of defeat, but in the leather jerkin and dove gray he'd worn in the tunnels out side the oubliette. He looked at her with a slightly lewd gleam in his eyes, just as he had looked at her in the tunnels. He descended the stairs, as he reached the last stair and took his first steps toward the cowering figure wrapped about the baby the surroundings changed and she was in the tunnel. He held the puppet that he'd worn as a disguise in his hand, dangling it over her head. Tossing it aside he snickered, menacingly. He knelt beside her, the way he had knelt beside Hoggle. She looked up into his eyes and he held her captivated, and mesmerized. His handsome face gazed at her with lustful eyes.

"Give me the child." He commanded softly.

"No," she said with difficulty. "I won't."

"He's mine," Jareth said looking at her as if she were desert and he a hungry man.

"He's mine." She countered harshly.

Jareth leaned closer, bent to her ear, "Still think this is a piece of cake?"

She pulled back, "I won't give him to you!"

Jareth stood up, smirking. "You will, you will have no choice." He moved away from her and toward the area that the cleaners had come barreling out of on her first visit and vanished.

Sarah stood up, pulled the baby closer to her heart, "Never!" she cried out as she began to move though the tunnel. She found the place where she and Hoggle had climbed a rickety ladder, but it was not there. Instead at one end of the room was a pair of doors slightly ajar. She moved toward them and as she neared they opened by themselves. Sarah heard the soft sounds of music, and turned to flee the other direction, but the tunnels were gone and she was in a dead end room. The way though the doors was her only way out.

She recognized the doors, and sighed heavily. "I know what this place is Jareth," she called out. "This is the Crystal Ballroom you trapped me in." She waited for a reply none came. "I'm not doing this! I'm not going to be made a laughing stock again."

The music played on, somewhat louder, and even more inviting than it had been that first time. She looked down and even before her eyes saw it she knew she was no longer in the clothes she'd been wearing this entire journey. Now she was dressed in the same gown she'd worn that night long ago. She mused it must look very strange with her holding the baby in a sling over the pretty spun sugar confection of a gown. "I'm not going to do this Jareth!"

"Give me the child," He called to her from across the Ballroom, holding the horned mask over his face.

"No, he's mine." She said with force while her hands stayed comfortingly on her baby.

"He's mine." Jareth said tossing his mask aside.

Sarah looked, finding the room full of light and sound but no other occupants than she and Jareth. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing here, but it won't work…"

"Won't it?" He teased as he descended the crystal stairs with feline elegance and grace.

Sarah turned to retreat into the dark little room that had been behind her, only to find it gone and herself in the center of the Ballroom. She turned to find him standing behind her as he had been that night. She found herself thinking how handsome he was in spite of the situation.

He was a resplendent figure, upright and blond, in a midnight blue frock coat, diamante at the neck, shoulders, and cuffs. Ruffs of pale gray silk at his throat and wrists set off the pallor of his skin. On his legs he was wearing black tights and black, shiny boots. He now looked straight at Sarah. Behind him, dancers were whirling, just as they had that first time except this time none of them seemed nearly as frightening to her. He held his hand out. She turned around looking at everything in the room and then she turned back to him, not expected that he would really be there. He was, and he was still holding out his hand to her. She took it, feeling dizzy. Her dizziness ceased when she went spinning around the ballroom in

Jareth's arms the baby cradled in the sling between them.

"You are even lovelier now," he commented softly. "Motherhood suits you."

Sarah swallowed hard, and closed her eyes. "I won't be tempted," she stated trying to keep her resolve.

"I was," he crooned. "I still am…" His fingers gripped her tighter. "And I'm not afraid to admit it…"

"You are a lying, sneaky, treacherous…" she began to accuse him.

"You forgot dead sexy," He said as he leaned toward her and nuzzled her softly.

"Stop that!" she ordered and stopped dancing. "I'm not going to be swept away by you."

"Why not?" He asked amusedly. "I can guarantee you'll enjoy it."

She placed her hands on the baby once more, and looked down into his beautiful face. "There's too much at stake," she whispered. '

He'd not moved, but she had turned and her back was to him now. Snaking an arm over her shoulder and one at her waist he pulled her and the child into his embrace. "Give me the child," he entreated softly, invitingly. "You've no other choice," he murmured in her ear.

Sarah looked at the baby in the sling, for a moment his face reminded her so much of Toby. She turned to look at the man whose arms held her, "I can't… don't you see that I can't…"

Jareth laughed softly, "I see that you've no choice… he's mine Sarah." His hand over her shoulder reached down and he caressed the small face of the child. "He's mine, and the world knows it."

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Sarah awoke with a start, her mouth open and she gasped for air. She turned to find Gwendolyn sitting in a chair watching her with an expressionless face. Her hands went automatically to the baby, feeling him sleeping in her arms she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She looked at the room, and her instincts kicked in. "How long have we been asleep?" She looked at Gwendolyn.

The guide stood up; "For a bit," she answered politely. "It is time to leave here." She announced. "Your journey is nearly at an end."

"You're taking us to the High Court, aren't you?" Sarah looked over at the still sleeping Magda. "You've been leading us there all along!" she accused hotly.

"I never said I was not," Gwendolyn stated without expression. "Did I?"

"You said the purpose of the journey was for me to learn, and to protect the child," Sarah heard the tremor in her voice.

The guide nodded, "I have done as I have vowed. You and the child are safe."

Defiant and rebellious, Sarah glared at the guide. "And if I refuse to leave this spot?"

"Refusal is not an option, Lady Sarah." Gwendolyn shrugged. "You are no longer in the mortal planes… you are entering the Fairylands…. And your son is expected." She stood up and smoothed her long gown as if the last few moments had never occurred. "I suggest you and the Lady Magda refresh yourselves." She pointed to a wooden table with a wash stand set up upon it. "The rest of the journey will be much easier if you don't struggle against the reality of the conclusion."

"What do you know of the reality of the conclusion of this journey?" Sarah said leaving the cot.

Gwendolyn clasped her hands before her. "I know all that I need to know Lady Sarah, and so do you…if you will but look deep into your soul…and your heart." She turned away from the girl. "We will leave in one hour's time."

Magda groggily moaned and rolled off the cart, "I feel like I've been on a three day drunk… and I don't drink."

"Not far from the truth Magda," Sarah helped her to her feet. "We've been had."

"Shit!" Magda cursed. "Any chance we can make a get away?"

"None," Sarah stated.

Magda glared at the guide, "She's been leading us toward the High Courts, and controlling our steps?" Sarah nodded, and Magda growled. "What else have you been controlling?"

Gwendolyn seemed almost amused. "All will be made clear," she promised softly.

Sarah checked the baby; "Right, clear as mud."

Magda sauntered over to the guide brazenly. "And if we refuse to follow you one more step?" Wordlessly the guide picked up the crystal looking glass and handed it to the Goth girl. Inquisitively Magda cast a glance at the crystal, upon seeing something she passed the glass to Gwendolyn and shook her head. "Don't ask," she warned Sarah. "Just do as the guide tells us."

Gwendolyn looked at the glass, the image of the Id was still present.