--The Frau and GF
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Chapter 7: You Got to Believe We are Magic
"Sh, Garion. It is only a dream. Go back to sleep," came his mother's voice.
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Jareth stood in the darkened wing of the old wooden theatre watching his sons fly through the air as Peter Pan crowed his triumph over the evil villain Captain Hook. He had to admit that his sons were perfect for the parts. Three more mischievous, 'Lost Boys' he'd never seen! The guide wires, though visible to their human audience, were just another prop on the set. The boys were flying under their own magic. The years of training in all things human, Fae and, in Garrion's case, wizardry were obvious to their proud father.
" How different you are, my son," he murmured softly to himself. " From the broken and battered 'lost boy' you were that night so long ago to what I see before me this night. The Wizarding world truly does not deserve you". A wistful smile flickered across his lips as he contemplated the separation looming in the not-so-distant future.
All three of the boys were growing in their mastery of magic. Garrion was even showing signs of bardic, or creation magic. A type of magic only humans developed. It was rare now however, and all the more treasured because of it's rarity. for it was the only form of human magic that gave back as much-or more- than it took. It actually gave back to the earth's store of magic rather than draining it without return, as did most human magics.
He hadn't realized when he had taken the boy as a Wish Away that he had so much potential, but on reflection, given the pain and life experiences that Harry the teen had been dealt, the potential in the original timeline had died from lack of nurturing. Jareth snorted in contempt. The wizarding world had thrown away their best and brightest hope.
Laughter broke into his thoughts as the croc, aka Samuel Black, aka Uncle Snuffles, tick- tocked his way across the stage, belly down on a skateboard and growling fiercely. Jareth's musings turned to the night he'd answered the call for a wish-away from Privet drive and found himself having to bargain with a teenage Harry for the life of a human wizard in return for his cooperation. He watched now, scowling at said wizard. If it hadn't been for the pained look of the frightened, abused and starved teen he would've left the wizard to his fate in Azkaban. Black was a royal pain, literally, but he did know how to teach. Unfortunately, Jareth feared, Garion and the twins were learning more than he wanted them to learn! But in the end, hearing their laughter ringing through the house and theatre, though he had to admit was worth it.
A hand lightly touched his shoulder and Jareth turned to see the lovely, smiling eyes of his soul mate, Sarah. "You seem lost in thought Jareth. What's wrong?"
Instead of answering, the Goblin King pulled his queen into the darkness, resting his back against the stage wall. His lips brushing hers as he molded her body against him.
"Ewwwwwwwwwwww!" "Grosssssss! "Get a room!" came three very disgusted voices.
Sarah hid her blushing face against his chest trying hard not to laugh as Jareth looked over her shoulder at their three boys, still in makeup and costumes. Maybe having children wasn't such a good idea after all!
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Garion grinned. His birthday, his tenth birthday, was only a week away! Life was very good. He already knew what he wanted for his birthday. He just hoped his father and Uncle Snuffles didn't try to outdo each other again this year! Honestly, he loved both of them but hands down, father would win anytime.
Yes, he knew he was adopted. He only had to look at his twin brothers and himself to prove that. It didn't really matter. He knew he was loved. Uncle Snuffles told him stories of his birth father and mother as bedtime stories. Still, Jareth and Sarah would always be the most important people in his life. They were his parents in everything but blood.
Garion got ready for bed, thinking of all the hints he'd dropped for his birthday. A frown flickered across his pensive face. For some reason he had an uneasy feeling something important was going to happen. He couldn't quite put his finger on what, exactly, it was. He got these feelings sometimes. Thankfully, Uncle Snuffles and Nanny Belle seemed to take his feelings very seriously. They both said he had a touch of the seer in his blood. It wasn't strong enough for real visions, but he should never be afraid to listen to them. It could save his life they said. " Wonder how that could be..." He muttered behind a yawn. It was past his bedtime and sleep was calling. He'd figure things out later.
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Sirius Black, or rather Uncle Snuffles, checked on Garion later that night as he has done since joining the Fae household. He found Garion in the throes of a nightmare, something that seemed to grow more frequent as the boy aged. Jareth had explained the different time lines to Sirius stressing the fact that they had to follow the original one as closely as possible. Sirius wasn't happy about it as it meant that he couldn't get in touch with his only remaining fellow Marauder and closest friend Remus Lupin. When Jareth explained that it was either agree or remain in Azkhban, he had yielded. He didn't like it, but there was Harry to consider. And so he'd grudgingly snarled his consent.
"I'm sorry, Uncle. . . please don't . . . I won't do it again. . . DON'T"
"Garion, hush. Wake up," Sirius whispered softly as he sat beside the tightly curled boy trying to wake him up. "It's alright."
Garion blinked as he opened his eyes to gaze up at his uncle. "Huh? What?"
"Same dream?"
Garion nodded sleepily. "Uncle Vernon doesn't like magic."
"No he doesn't. He can't get to you here. Remember?"
Garion nodded as he closed his eyes and snuggled closer to the comforting warmth of the man beside him. When the boy had drifted back to sleep, Sirius left quietly. Standing outside in the hallway were Sarah and Jareth.
"The nightmares are getting more frequent," Sarah said quietly as she looked at the closed door.
Jareth shrugged, "As he moves closer to his destiny and the other time line, they will. There is nothing I can do about it. You must trust his innate purity and his magic."
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"Today's the day!" Garion shouted as he leapt out of bed on a bright July morning. Today he was 10... not 9, or 8, or even 6. He was 10. Yippee!
That afternoon at his party in the Labyrinth, Garion was jamming away with his brothers. Music, shot through with bardic magic, filled the air. The boys had a broad range of songs, musical theory, and instruments. They were known to switch gears and instruments mid-song, much to the amazement of those that hadn't been around them long. The only difference between them was the fact that Garion had to ground himself before playing so that the bardic magic that leaked out could be pooled and returned to earth. This had been carefully explained to him when his talent first awoke.
Today Garion dedicated their first song to his family, choosing one titled 'Magic' because he felt it described their family. Sarah clutched her husbands hand tightly, fighting the tears that threatened to fall as she listened to the words of the song. Jareth, his face mask of deceptive calm, squeezed back firmly.
" Can you see it, my Sarah?" Jareth quietly whispered in her ear, " When he sings of magic it swirls around him so brightly he seems to glow." Her nod was his only answer as she fought for control of her tears.
"You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Destiny will arrive
I'll bring all your dreams alive
For you I'll bring all your dreams alive
For you. . . "
The last refrain slowly died as the Goblins and other lesser creatures of the Labyrinth applauded, among them were Hoggle and Ludo along with Sir Didymus. Today was just as magical as the song. Nothing was going to spoil it.
Soon enough Garion found himself in front of a pile of presents. Gleefully he started with the goblin gifts. They were easy to spot. Badly wrapped candies, flowers and other shiny tidbits that the child- like creatures found fascinating. He thanked and hugged each in turn.
From Ludo, he got a quartz crystal. "Rocks are friends," said the huge orange monster. "They like you, and songs, too"
"Thanks Ludo." Garion hugged as much of the great beast as he could.
From Hoggle he got a bracelet. Hoggle was known for collecting trinkets of all sorts and he was especially fond of things from Above, especially if it was made from plastic. For the greedy dwarf to give up one of his, ' treasures,' showed the boy how much Hoggle cared.
"Wow! Hoggle! Thanks!" said Garion, giving the dwarf an enthusiastic hug.
" Aww, g'wan now..." Hoggle stuttered, blushing bright red as in the background, chuckles and laughter erupted.
From his mother he got a complete set of William Shakespeare, bound in leather with gold-edged pages and beautifully illustrated. He wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not. Mothers can be so unpredictable at times! He was sure he was also getting new clothes from her.
From the twins, he got several CDs and the lyric sheet music of some of his favorite artists.
He was down to his last present and it was from both his uncles, Snuffles and Cory. " Oh wow!" He gasped, holding up the new broom and flying silks they'd got him. Next to music, Garion loved flying best and Uncle Snuffles had taught all three of them how to fly and to play Quidditch, much to their parents dismay.
Not seeing a present from his father, Garion looked up and over to where he was sitting. Looking into the Fae's mismatched eyes with a puzzled questioning look, Jareth smirked and gave a slight bow, producing a crystal sphere that wound through his fingers like liquid. At a flick of his wrist the shimmering sphere disappeared. Garion knew what that meant. 'Alright then, later.'
The day couldn't have been more special or bright. In the Labyrinth itself, the sun shone softly and gentle breezes carried the scent of roses. It almost seemed as if the Labyrinth itself joined in their celebration. The food, the games, the music and of course the goblins all made it perfect.
Garion felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw his father gazing down at him. Standing, he excused himself from his brothers to follow his father into the castle.
In the Escher Room, the heart of his father's kingdom, Garion looked up at the many stone stairs and arches. He and his brothers spent hours playing here and he was very familiar with its magic.
"Garion." Jareth's voice brought the boy out of his thoughts as a crystal sphere was tossed to him. As soon as it had touched his palm, it shattered and a silvery steel base guitar appeared.
"Whoa! Cool! Thanks Father!"
Garion's smile faded as he looked up to see that his father had changed from his usual Victorian style of dress to his full Fae regalia.
Gone were Jareth's usual white poet shirt and black leather vest. Instead, he was robed in white and silver as befitting his status as the Goblin King. Draped around his shoulders was his white feather cloak. Garion gulped as he took in the white and gold aura that surrounded the Fae. What did he do this time? Quickly, he ran through all the latest pranks and stunts he and his brothers had pulled lately. Nope. Nothing that would warrant his father to go full Fae. Wait, maybe its time to send him back to his relatives?
"Garion," Jareth's soft voice broke into the boy's musings. "It is time you learn more of your past."
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Thanks for all the reviews. We can't get to all of them. Sorry for being so slow. Pay attention to the gifts he got for his birthday, they'll play a part in what's to come. I'm thinking there will be two more chapters before he gets to Hogwarts. We have plans within plans. Until next time. --GF and The Frau.