~All credit goes to Jim Henson, I sadly Do not own the Labyrinth, cause if I did...well let's just say it would have ended differently.~
Much thanks to my beta Joie Cullen! Without her we wouldn't be here reading this!
Chapter 2
It was his father's fault that the arrogant smirk remained in place and from the color red that the High King's face was turning it would be a splendid idea for those in present company to seek out a hiding place. Lounging sideways on the throne, tapping a riding crop against leather boots, it became apparent that tensions were rising quickly.
"Make no mistake Jareth, I mean what I say. 1 year. That is all I will give you. If you have not chosen a bride by then you will marry a girl of MY choosing. Whether you like it or no. You have had ample time. Is not nearly 300 years enough? Immortal you may be but we must all take heart that should we go to the great fade you are heir to the High Kingdom, and as such I expect grandchildren!" His face turned a deeper mottled red as his sons thought barraged in to his own. "I will have no bastards! You will marry and produce and heir or so help me I will strip you of your title and give one of your brothers these lands to rule over."
Jareth thrust himself violently off of his throne. Scowling, his gaze swung to his brothers and could see that they equally shared his horror. Neither of them wished to rule. It would be a punishment for them all.
"You would upset the balance of our world for an heir?" Despite the menacing glare of his eyes and the crackle in the very air that surrounded them the High King was not bending. Stepping forward he crossed the space between them so swiftly there was merely a blur from where he had been to where he came to end.
"You will upset the balance if there is no heir. I have given you time and ample warning Jareth. Your brothers, while young, are quite capable of running this kingdom. They will learn, as you have done, and will come to accept their place, as you have never done. Give me an heir or I will return you to Prince, and a King you will no longer be."
Jareth turned on his heel and strode from the throne room in a huff of anger, leaving his brothers with their mouths gaping open like fish. "I expect you to see yourself out."
When Sarah finally came to it was way past a respectable time to be waking. Karen, her stepmother, who had somehow in the last year become merely mother, sat on the floor next to her bed smoothing the hair from her face a worry line creased her brow, something she rarely allowed to occur.
"Sarah this is the second time this week dear. Are you taking your medicine?"
Pushing herself up into a sitting position she nodded taking the glass of water and pill that Karen currently held out to her.
"It doesn't seem to be helping much anymore. I can't see how a little thing like anemia could keep causing these fainting spells. Do you think I'll be okay?"
Karen smiled, standing to help her up. Bending she kissed her forehead, the better to hide the worry in her eyes.
"You'll be fine Sarah dear; in the mean time I should perhaps call the doctor and see if he wants to see you again. Rest now, no sense stressing yourself out today. We can go shopping later."
Sarah had decided to travel abroad to go to school which was turning out to be a wonderful opportunity for her. However, now that she knew the Underground was reasserting itself in Toby's life it no longer seemed safe to return to Europe. The decision to stay was easy, now she just had to talk Karen in to agreeing with her.
Karen replaced the phone in its cradle. Weariness began to set in about her shoulders and face. Sarah's test results had not come back and without them the doctor deemed it pointless to see her. This illness seemed to worsen with time and as yet they had no idea what was causing it. Anemia should not be pulling the very life out of the only daughter she had ever known. Though Sarah was her step daughter they had grown close over the last three years now that her childish ways were behind her. Moving to sit at the kitchen table she laid her head down on the smooth surface, her hands wringing nervously in her lap. Taking a deep breath she remained that way for some time. Doing battle with her own fears.
Entering her son's room, Aireya, High Queen of the Fae, frowned at the garish décor that her son was so fond of. Midnight blue wall hangings covered the room practically dripping with silver adornment. It looked like a bloody bordello of delights of the flesh. Her King still laughed at her when she thought of it. His bed was a mass of black velvet coverlets and silver furs, the wood carved from the Garach tree in the Elven forest. It was a room made for seduction and though she wished for a grandchild she had no wish for that child to enter the Fae world scorned and ridiculed. Without a marriage even the Goblin King could not save a child that.
Lowering herself into a chaise she froze as his eyes, those wondrous mismatched eyes gazed at her wearily. Though anger sparked in them…oh how angry he is…..even at me.
"Jareth, why must you defy him? He will have his way in this. I know that you have no wish to marry but why can you not see reason? At least he allows you time to choose a bride of your own rather than choosing himself. You will not like her. I beg of you to consider his offer." She could see the refusal springing to his lips and could not help the pleading words. Arrogant eyes flashed dangerously as his lips uttered one word, barely concealing the fury behind it.
"WHO?"
Rolling her eyes she suppressed a groan. Of course that's what he caught out of all that she had said. Frowning she moved to sit on the edge of his bed before gathering the courage to look at him. Icy blue eyes bore into each other, identical in shape save the dilated pupil of her son's. The words were a whispered breath as they left her lips causing her to shiver as coldness ascended the room, fogging her words so that they were visible in the very air. "Lady Genevieve of Winter…"
Jareth sucked in a breath at her words throwing back the covers. He would not have her! The spoiled prissy chit that cooed and purred while attempting to plaster herself to his body at every available chance?
"Never!" The word roared from his throat causing even his mother to flinch. That if nothing else gave him pause.
"Jareth, see reason, surely there is no other that has caught your eye?" Her son froze for but a moment but that was all it took. Her eyes widened in surprise. There was another, but whom? Never had her son shown an interest in any of the women of the Fae court. A dawning recognition began to creep into her mind. Grinning she twirled on the spot in a poof of fragrant petals and was gone.
Too angered to care Jareth, King of the Goblins threw himself back amongst the covers and let his anger burn.
Tired from the day's activities Sarah shuffled in to her room and sat at her vanity. Knowing she should shower but sleep seemed so blissful at the moment. She desired it, craved it, and as her mind slipped under her defenses ebbed allowing the box to rattle deep within the recesses of her soul. As waking thought left her the body took over and allowed her a window into a world that had been locked away for as long as she could hold it.
She was dancing, spinning around in a warm embrace, a sea of masks flittering past her view. The walls were draped in black, the candles glowing dimly from their stands. The music seemed to come from everywhere flowing in and out of her being. Icy blue, mismatched eyes held her own emerald greens in a vice grip of arrogance and what could only be anger.
"Have you brought me here?" Sarah couldn't help but ask, a tingle of fear skittering up her spine as his eyes flashed dangerously.
"Surely you haven't forgotten, Sarah. Can you deny that it is you who have brought me here?" Leaning in he took a deep breath, drinking in the new scent that came with her new form. No longer a child but a girl on the brink of womanhood. "Did you miss me precious?"
His arrogant smirk showed all the disdain that, were she to be honest with herself, left her as wanting as it had three years ago. Could this be her last glimpse of the Goblin King? Why not take advantage of it? Lifting up on her toes her arms snaked around his neck giving him little chance to react. The shock in his eyes was enough to give her courage even as hers closed with the meeting of their lips. The world exploded behind her eyes. A firm arm tightened around her waist, dragging her against Jareth's chest while his other hand coiled itself into her hair; leaving her no room for escape even should she wish it.
Need turned to hunger while he ravished her mouth. A soft moan escaped her giving him the opportunity to slip his tongue between her lips to dance with her's. Her toes curled with an electricity racing through every inch of her body like she had never felt before. He began to relent into a softer more seductive movement as her body went limp against his own. Leaning her head back from the kiss to catch a glimpse of his eyes she barely caught the victory in his own before he bent to assault the column of her throat. Her world began to tilt once more as he began to nip and nibble his way down. Reaching the soft spot at her collar he began to suckle her skin at the pulse eliciting guttural moans of ecstasy while her body sought a closer connection. Squirming with the intense pleasure of it all she gasped in surprise as Jareth's hands began to roam her body to tear at the fastenings of her dress. Suddenly he bit down and pleasure so intense shot through Sarah that with a cry of surprise she sat straight up and found herself at home, in bed.
Jareth flung himself from his bed only to begin pacing up and down the room. What in the name of the Dark Lands just happened? His hands shook as they remembered the feel of her body against his, with his. Running a hand through his already wild hair he placed a well-aimed kick at the little goblin running about his room that turned and fled from the Kings anger.
Laughing all the way down the hall Gwimp stopped to squeak at Jareth's brothers Dorian and Garin. "Kingy much angry. Bet lady win again!"
Garin raised his eyebrow at the happy little imp and nodded his head in dismissal. And so the Lady of the Labyrinth returns… Exchanging a grin with Dorian they decided to part ways. Garin strode towards the gardens, having no need to be within the reach of Jareth's anger. Laying back amongst the grass he sighed, rubbing a hand up and down his chest in an attempt at relaxation. His minded twisted over ways he could assist his brother. There was certainly no wish to be ruler of this kingdom. Sure the Labyrinth had its charms but he wished for a more elegant life. Chasing Goblins and taking care of screaming babies were not his ideal lifestyle. Summoning a crystal he quickly uttered "show me the Champion of the Labyrinth" and with that Sarah Williams popped in to view.
Dorian, however, loved a well-placed argument. Without bothering to knock he strode into Jareth's room of night and watched in glee as his brother wore a hole in the expensive carpet covering the bare stone floor. "Does something trouble you brother mine?" Ahhh, to be growled at! He laughed as Jareth lunged at him and he deftly slid out of the way. Let the entertainment begin!
Sarah shifted in bed, uncomfortable, it seemed, in her very skin. Pushing herself further down in to the covers she threw them over her head with an aggravated sigh. "It's not fair!" Great mere minutes with the Goblin King and she'd reverted to her childish ways of whining once more. Something was not right about the power that man had over her. It had been such a lovely dream, almost as if they really had shared a moment again.
Wicked, wicked, play today. Tomorrow for your trouble, you'll pay. The rhyme echoed in her head, driving her to near madness. It was an old saying but from where she could not recall. As she drudged through the depths of her mind the box rattled once more. In the essence of hoping to finish her dream, she allowed it to open once more and with a smile on her face, sank into blissful oblivion that is sleep.
A beautiful pond surrounded by a huge willow tree and lush green fields were the first things Sarah caught a glimpse of. Flowers the color of rich jewels seemed to bloom from every imaginable place. Beneath the willow a huge pile of pillows littered the ground offering up an inviting place to lay or rest. Here and there were sprawling tables covered in entrancing crystal goblets filled with a golden bubbly drink and tray among tray of luscious fruits ripe for the taking. It was all simply ethereal. She found herself wondering if it was a part of him, of his world.
Settling herself amongst the jewel toned pillows she noticed that she was no longer alone. Walking towards her came a woman straight out of men's dreams. She was young, timeless in her beauty as if the world had not yet touched her. She wore a gown of the deepest amethyst, large sparkling jewels sewn here and there amongst the bodice. She wore no jewels on her person save for the silver crown encircling her forehead twisting like vines within her raven black hair. As she sank into a seated position across from Sarah her breath caught in her throat. Eyes, the eyes were hauntingly familiar, though they lacked a cruelty which she had never seen them without. The subtle slashes of blue through her glorious hair left little doubt as to who was paying her a visit. Or was that wrong?
"You are quite weaver of dreams, Champion of the Labyrinth."
A most improper snort left her lips before she could stop it causing her to fling a hand against her mouth in horror. Best she leave it there, preventing any more horrible noises from running amuck.
Sighing, the Lady leaned towards her reaching up to gently remove the girl's hand. Upon doing so she received a shock of astonishment. The girl held magic. Magic that was slowly ebbing away. Had the Underground gifted her in her time below? This was something the Queen had not seen since her own time. Perhaps there was more to this girl after all.
Though Jareth would likely be displeased to put it mildly, she knew that the girl was the key to her son's happiness. Even if he was loathe to admit it. No matter what he wished he would marry. He could choose or the choice would be made for him. Somehow she felt that, given the opportunity this girl would not approve of that arrangement either.
"You seem….flustered my dear."
"You're her, aren't you?"
"Who my darling girl?"
"His mother….." Sarah's words drifted off as her concern began to rise. She HAD to be dreaming. Where did the weaver of dreams come from? Scratch that, what exactly did this woman want with her?
Seeing her confusion Queen Aireya patted her knee, a kind smile on her face.
"Hmm...Yes. His mother indeed. I assure you that I mean you no harm. Tell me Champion, how do you fare?"
Sarah could only stare in shock for the first few moments trying to put together exactly what was going on here. In her nervousness she began to rub her throat as if the action would help her impart some speech that would be appropriate. She winced at the tender spot on her neck and began pulling her hair forward as if it could be hidden. "I'm….I am well your Majesty."
A frown marred the Queens features. "I do not believe you Sarah Williams. I believe you are quite unwell. You seem weakened. Is there nothing I might do for you?"
As she lifted her hand Sarah noticed she held a peach. A beautiful, ripe, terrifying peach. Sarah shrieked and began backing away as if afraid of one mere piece of fruit, which happened to result in her smacking her head against the trunk of the willow tree, effectively jolting her awake.
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