Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. We don't own David Eddings' "The Belgariad Series" but GF does own the complete series in paperback.
Chapter: How You Turn My Life Around
Sarah cradled the sleeping child and nodded. "I will find a name for him. You go do whatever you must do to balance time, My Love. We'll be with the twins."
o0o0o0o0o
Jareth watched with amusement from the balcony off his study as Sarah and three very active toddlers played in the rose maze beneath a warm afternoon sun.
She had named their adopted son Garion. Sarah, his darling and beloved wife, was an avid fantasy reader and one of her favorite books was "The Belgariad." She claimed Harry reminded her of the main character 'Garion.' She said the similarities were striking. Both had lost their parents to great evil. Both had to be raised in secret and both were sorcerers.
Lastly, but not the least, both had a destiny to fulfill.
One of the first tasks Jareth had undertaken before the thirteen hours ran out was to check on Potter's account at the Gringot's Bank. Much to his dismay, it appeared that Dumbledore lacked integrity when it came to financial matters. As soon as the requited thirteen hours were up, he had all Harry's assets frozen until his 11th birthday.
The second, and possibly the most important task, was to get a detailed account of Harry's life as a troubled sixteen year old. Time is an unforgiving master and certain events would have to play out or great evil would be allowed to flourish. Harry had to go to Hogwarts at age eleven, and he had to remain human as much as possible. This meant the influence of the Labyrinth must be kept to a minimum.
Rubbing his forehead, Jareth sighed, cursing both Dumbledore and that loathsome creature Dudley for putting him in this situation. Laughter floated up on the breeze breaking into his thoughts. "I don't re-order time for just anyone," he muttered. "The last one was you, My Sarah. I fear the cost will be great for this little one. For all of us. I hope will be worth it."
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah laughed with delight as she watched her sons playing. Raven haired Garion tackled the one year old identical blonde-haired twins, Garrod and Jarrod in a game of rough and tumble. Hoggle and one of the elven nannies looked on with amusement as several goblins dog piled onto the three boys. The nannies beamed with doting pride as the trio scuffled in the grass. Garion, a year older and taller his brothers, took his role as big brother very seriously and was careful not to hurt the younger siblings.
She adored their children as much as she loved her husband. The past year had brought much joy, hope and sunshine to the Labyrinth . Her books were selling well. The only dark cloud on their horizon was the state of some of the Wish Aways. They did all they could, but it still tore her husband's heart to see the broken and tormented condition some of them were in when he brought them home.
'What can you expect with child abuse and neglect on the rise?' Sarah thought sadly. 'Garion could've been a poster child in two worlds.' A hand rested softly on her shoulder.
"Sarah, My Love. . . " She looked up into the wonderful mismatched eyes of her husband. Three loud squeals of excitement echoed as three boys spied their father. Jareth didn't have a chance to finish whatever he wanted to say before he was tackled.
Sarah couldn't help it. She tried desperately to smother her laughter as Jareth's dignity was summarily shredded by their grubby whirlwinds as they dragged their father into the fray.. She gave up and howled with mirth as three sets of hands tickled him wildly.
'If only I had a camera! Blackmail!' she thought.
A gloved hand grabbed her wrist jolting her out of her laughter as she was suddenly pulled into the game of trussle. It ended with Jareth pinning her under him while three boys climbed onto his back.
'Most definitely life is good,' Sarah thought, with a smirk.
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah closed the door to the nursery where three well scrubbed sleepy cherubs were finally tucked in for the night. She smiled to herself, 'At last, peace and quiet.' All three boys were sound asleep with their favorite goblins watching over them.
She laughed softly as a pair of gloved hands wrapped themselves around her waist, turning her into a tight embrace. A soft growl tickled her ear as Jareth nuzzled her neck.
"Jareth!" she hissed. "I just got them to sleep."
"Come, My Love. We need to talk." With a wave of his hand, they were in her setting room on the lounge sofa. Sarah gave him a look, eyebrow arched in inquiry.
He sighed, calling up a couple of crystals to weave through his fingers. "Garion can't stay here much longer, Sarah. He needs to remain as human as possible."
Sarah sighed. "But the Wizarding World? They're still looking for him. Who's going to keep him safe? I just can't leave him."
Jareth shrugged. "Sarah, My Love. Hush. I have been planning for this day. You will take all three our children Above to Corindel's. He's agreed to furnish you a small cottage in the grove by his theatre. You can help him in his office and continue to work on your next project. The boys will love growing up there."
"But you? What are you going to do? I can't leave you." A note of panic crept into her voice as she stared at him in shock.
"Shhhhh! My Love. You will see me as often as I can make it Above," he said softly running a finger along her jaw. "You four are the most important things in my universe. However, Garion has to fulfill his destiny, we knew this when we kept him, we knew there would be a cost. This is what must be, however much we want to keep him safe. He needs to learn human ways, as well as Fae and Goblin."
Even though she recognized the truth in his words, Sarah balked at leaving her home and the man she adored, Sarah sighed. "I don't like this!" Sarah stated, near tears. "Promise you will spend as much time as you can with us?"
o0o0o0o0o
A lone prisoner sat shackled to the wall in a dank, musty prison cell. His clothing hung in rags and tatters on a gaunt and ravaged body, but despite the misery apparent in his slumped frame, his thoughts were centered on one small boy. ' Harry. Where are you? Are you safe'?
A flash of intense light made him cover his eyes with a forearm. When it dimmed he lowered his arm to see a tall man with mismatched eyes and feathery silver hair standing before him. This odd apparition was wearing grey spandex, a black leather waist coat and knee high boots.
" Wh...who..?"
" Sirius Black? I have a proposition for you".
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Thanks everyone for the name suggestions. We appreciated them. We're glad you are enjoying the story. Please read 'Dear Jareth' if you have questions about background history. It's not quite finished but this story just couldn't wait. Until next time. --GF and The Frau