Hurts like Hell Chapter 54, a labyrinth fanfic

Chapter 54. Mistress of the lands of the Talagon

Circe forced all the servants back into the fortress, all that she could find. Once she had them within the walls she cast a binding spell to keep them there. Replacing the garments she'd worn with garments of mourning she sent a declaration of discord against the Goblin King and the Kingdom of Labyrinthia to the council of the High Court. Sighting the murder of her father and the unmerited claim of Talagon being now a Goblin possession, she felt the High King would have no choice but to come down on her side.

"Where are my father's personal guards," she demanded of one of the cowering servants. She was now seated at her father's desk, going through private papers that had been hidden from her.

"They are returning to the fortress, mistress." A voice answered.

Circe leaned back, her beautiful face a stony mask. "Send the captain of the guard to me at once."

The members of the council were gathered around the table arguing. Jareth had never been well liked, and his antics over the years had caused more than one member a bit of embarrassment. Oberon didn't usually sit in on council meetings; he found them dull as dust. This meeting he had no choice. For hours now he had listened to a litany of complaints. Only Duke Winderspire had not spoken against the Goblin King. He sat beside the High King listening, and once or twice had looked over at his long time friend to show support. Oberon wondered if these complaints were real, or just these windbags letting lose.

A messenger entered the chamber, followed by the High Queen. When one of the members of the council had tried to take the scroll he'd been rebuffed by the High Queen. The messenger move all the way up to the High King and handed him the scroll with a sad and solemn expression. Oberon opened the scroll and read, lowering the scroll he looked at the members of his council with grief written on his face. "Talagon is dead," he stated.

Those who had been standing and protesting fell wordlessly to their seats. Disbelieve written on faces that had only moments ago been eagerly debating.

"Circe has issued a declaration of discourse," Oberon read on. "She accuses the Goblin King of murder, of crimes against the escheat… and of annexing the Talagon Lands." He looked at his wife. "She's declaring war on the lands of the Goblin in retaliation."

"You must remove the Goblin King," one disgruntled Fae Lord said slamming his hand to the table before him.

"Without hearing his side?" Duke Winderspire gasped outraged. "Unheard of!"

"What do we need to hear," demanded one of the council. "More lies and excuses from the boy king?"

The High Queen's hand found the shoulder of the High King. Oberon placed his hand over the one gripping his shoulder. He understood the silent message his wife was sending.

Duke Winderspire stood up, glaring at the members of the council. "When has he ever lied to this council?"

Both the High King and Queen looked at him with sad understanding, the Duke was still thinking of trying for a match for his daughter.

"He as much as declared war on this body himself," one Fae Lord exploded. "And he's overturned laws that we instituted!" A shiver of revolution passed through the man. "He allows harpies to hunt and feed."

"This bothers you?" Oberon asked coldly.

"It's unnatural!" another exploded. "Harpies should have gone the way of the dodo…."

Oberon had heard the arguments before, from many others including the now late Lord of Talagon. "I see," the High King gruffly answered. "You would have me destroy a species because you don't like them. Because you find them, distasteful or repugnant." The council went silent; shame came to the face of some members. To others came the look of fear. Oberon stood up. "These charges must be investigated, and because I can no long count on this council's being objective, I must now dissolve it." Pulling his robes about him he snarled at them. "You are all dismissed."

"Sire," one Fae lord protested. "You cannot dismiss the council…."

"I formed this council," Oberon reminded them. "And I alone can dismiss it."

"Wait Sire," begged a man at the end of the table. "Perhaps we were a bit hasty…"

"Hasty, Lord Musardseed?" scoffed the High King. "For several mortal generations this council has become more than just hasty…" He looked at the men who had been part of the ruling body of the Seelie Court. "I have known for some time now that Lord Talagon had the ear and heart of more than one member seated here. I had hoped that in time those of you who were influenced by him would see through the fabrications and deceit. This declaration by his daughter is just more of the same." The scroll was sent crashing to the table, "But instead of demanding to see facts and evidence you are demanding the dismissal of a King."

Duke Winderspire looked at his King with consolation. "Talagon's death must be properly investigated."

Mustardseed looked over at the High Queen. "The laws of escheat must be up held." He insisted. "If the Goblin King has taken a Fae life…"

"Sire," a voice from the middle of the council spoke up. "Not all of us were influenced by Talagon." A gentle lord stood up. "Allow us to accompany you, giving at least the impression that this body still exists. You of course have the final say."

Oberon looked at his wife; she didn't seem disturbed by the suggestion. "Lord Cobweb," Oberon addressed the younger Fae Lord. "You served in my wife's throng at one time. Your suggestion has merit." He looked at the distressed members of the council. "I shall hold my judgment on this body, pending the outcome of our investigation. We go to mediate, for if I know the daughter of Talagon, she will not wait on judgment."

Circe was looking at the map her father had on his desktop. It showed his plan of conquest, and of the plan to invade and take command of the Goblin lands. She was tracing the outline of the new lands of Talagon when the guard entered. "My lady," he bowed to her.

"Captain Falcor," she looked up at him, "has the attack on the Goblin King's holdings begun?"

Falcor had only just been informed of the death of the once lord of the Talagon. He could see the daughter was wasting no time on mourning, and he smiled at her. "Indeed my lady," he pointed to the map. "I'm not sure how much of the plan you were made aware of. Your father never said." He came around to the back of the desk where the woman sat and bent over the desk. "Before we learned of his death, he had sent the word to begin the invation." He tapped the map. "We will attack here."

"I wish to make a request," she whispered urgently. "I want the King's cousin, the Lord Baron Devon to suffer."

"You wish us to injure him?" the lower level Fae guard frowned. "My lady is that prudent?"

"Not he fool," she tapped her hand on the map. "He keeps a human pet, I want it destroyed."A flash of teeth from the guard was her answer.

Nodding Jareth motioned for the girl to be seated on the stair of his throne's dais. "Daisy, I will take over for now," he instructed. "I've goblins watching the boy at all times." He reached out his hand, instantly a crystal formed. "Tonti…" he called. "Tonti…" there was no answer, and the crystal remained dark.

Jareth lowered the crystal, "We are under attack, Daisy, my lord Baron and his…"

"Moved," Daisy stood with effort, Donatien held her elbow to stable her.

"Good," Jareth could see her color was slightly off, but he knew this was no time to show weakness. "Donatien, I charge you with protecting Tonya." Jareth held a hand out to the Fae woman seated on the steps. "Take her to the training rooms, I'm sending Rosalind to you as well."

"My minions and I will protect your holdings," the Master of the guild said vigorously.

"Jareth," Tonya whispered urgently. "I want to stay with you…."

"No," he said firmly. "You would only distract me, and right now that would be dangerous for," he hesitated and said gently; "You." Placing her hand in that of the Master of the Guild he commanded her quietly. "Do as I bid, Tonya."

"Yes Jareth," she acquiesced.

Della passed a coin toward a smug Daisy. Jareth ignored the payment and looked at his personal guards. "We've visitors coming, prepare." He moved to his throne. He looked into the silent crystal once more, frowning. While the Kingdom was under attack, he'd not be able to communicate with Tonti, but he still hoped.

Daisy drew on inner strength few knew of, she strutted off to bark orders to the troops and fortify the palace. Guards moved with more precision than they had in years, a look of unbridled joy on their faces. Escorts were sent to the representatives of the court to convey them safely to the Goblin Palace.

Della stood beside her counterpart, a smug look on her face as the skies filled with harpies. "So has he told little Miss Winderspire that she's got a bun in the oven?"

"Not yet," Daisy said with a wink. "Care to wager on when or how?"

"Oh you are so on," Della quipped. "I say he just blurts it out and tells her to shut up."

"Far too obtuse and blundering," Daisy informed her partner. "NO, he's going to announce it with a flourish, and if I know the King, he'll wait until he's got the most important of audiences."

"The High King," scoffed Della in a crowing caw.

"None other," Daisy held up a coin.

Devon and Bryn followed the escort, the tunnels twisted and turned. Donatien himself had placed them in the care of these members of his sect. Devon had no idea how many Hobgoblins had belonged to the Guild. He was suddenly very reluctant to think how many times he'd simply ignored the natives of this land and their ways. "Gia," he addressed the female leading them. "How is it you know the tunnels?"

"Most Hobgoblins of the Guild know the tunnels, my lord," she answered curtly. "All Hobgoblins of the realm are avowed to protect the Kingdom and the King. For that reason we are trained from our youth to know the kingdom and some of its protected secrets."

"And the common little goblins?" Bryn asked softly.

Gia snickered unkindly. "Most of those little louts could not find their own way thought the Labyrinth…" She paused, and listened. "Hush, someone has breached this tunnel."

In the distance of the tunnel they could hear the false alarms decrying. "This is not the way…"

Gia placed a hand on the wall and opened a hinged bit of rock. "In here," she ordered.

Devon pulled his sword, "If necessary," he told the guild guide.

Gia winked at him, "Are you sure there's no Hob in your back ground?"

Bryn entered the hinged door, "I can answer that," she teased.

Jareth paced, it had been hours since his return and still no word on where Sarah was, and no word from Tonti. He knew that the attacks on his boarders were being answered by seasoned Hobgoblins. The circular throne room was filled with his courtiers; they too looked concerned as the sounds of battle were surrounding the palace. Not one had complained about the accommodations. All understood, this battle would end all the reservations and uncertainty of to whom this kingdom belonged.

The members of the council were preparing to follow the High King when the shrieking voice of a woman reached their ears. "Murder," it cried, "oh my God of Gods, there has been murder committed."

Duke Winderspire recognized the voice as his own wife's, "Hold Sire that is my wife." He moved swiftly toward the sound. "Dearest, what has happened?"

The Duchess, dressed in a riding habit wore a look of horror on her face. "Our horses, all those beautiful beasts and their grooms…slain… butchered and left… to rot where they fell." She wailed loudly. "Tonya… our Tonya is missing, I found her veil." She held the bonnet and veil in her trembling hands.

Winderspire took the bonnet into his hands, and noticed something his wife's eyes had missed. A spring of strange grass. "This is goblin grass…" he turned to the High King. "Could Jareth have done this?" He regretted the words as soon as they were spoke for it once more renewed the calls of the others on the council for the dismissal of the young king.

Oberon took the bonnet, "We must ask the Goblin King…" He opened a portal and heard the sound of battle. "It would seem Circe didn't wait."

The battle cries slowly died down, Jareth stopped pacing to take his place once more on his throne. Goblins in full armor entered the throne room, battle scared and bloodied, and looking victorious. The flags carried by the enemy were dumped in a pile before the feet of King Jareth. Jareth saw the opening of the Seelie Court portal and turned to Daisy. "Looks like things are about to get interesting."

"It was a dull morning," Quipped the Goblin woman.

"No sign of Circe," yawned Della.

"She'll be here," Jareth murmured behind his hand as the members of the Seelie High Council filed into his circular throne room. "I see you've brought the entire council," he waved toward the intruders as he spoke to the High King.

"Where is my daughter," demanded the Duchess her husband pulled her back beside him, glaring at her.

Jareth lifted his hand, a crystal formed and he spoke to it. "Donatien, would you have the ladies in your company join us?"

Oberon opened his mouth to speak, a thunderous roar was heard and Circe suddenly descended upon the Goblin court with a full company of warriors. "High King, I demand that you dethrone this… murderous excuse for a Fae Peer of the realm. He not only sanctioned my father's murder but he has harbored vile creatures that swoop down upon the innocent, and then have the nerve to lay claim to property in the Name of the Goblin Throne." She was dressed in mourning garb. "I demand justice in the name of my Father!"

"And here I thought you were here to beg from Mercy," Jareth pointed to the banners of her army strewed on his floor. "You lost," he smiled threateningly.

Circe looked to see the finest of her officers now in chains and manacles. Shackled together and looking like whipped dogs. "How dare you!" she roared.

"How dare I?" He repeated incredulously as he leaned forward threateningly. "How dare I what? Defend my boarders? Protect my family and servants? How dare I rule?" He sat up, glaring at the woman. "How dare you or anyone else come here and make any demands of me?"

Some of the members of the Seelie Council turned aghast and ashen toward the High King. Before anyone else could get a word in the woman in mourning turned to the High King and demanded again. "Disenthrone this … pretender. And demand that he relinquish my lands back to me. As I am the rightful heir, and therefore I am the Mistress of the lands of Talagon!"