~This one is pretty short. Sorry about that. Fluff-n-stuff to get us where we need to go. Again, I do not own the Labyrinth or any of its characters. Unless I made them up ~ Thanks to my Beta who I finally got another chapter to! This is hard work. LOL. I apologize for the delay in updating. My daughter decided to acrobat herself into the hospital. Now that she is all better here we go!~

Chapter 7

Sarah swayed on the spot in shock, his arms reaching out to grasp hers just in time to save her from hitting the floor. "I don't understand….you're my…. My…."

"I always wanted another granddaughter to spoil. Had I known of you I'd have brought you home years ago. Forgive me?" He said it as a plea, the tears leaking from the corners of Sarah's eyes giving him hope.

Flinging her arms around his neck Sarah nearly knocked them both to the floor as they hit their knees. He exchanged a joyous smile with the King as he heard the word "grandfather…" whispered in his ear. Pulling her arms from his neck he set her back so that he might look at her closer. He knew questions were coming but he didn't care. They had forever for that. Taking the lace she held limply in her hand he carefully wiped at her eyes, so as not smudge the coal there.

"But I don't understand. My parents are abovegrounders. How can you be my grandfather?"

"Sarah…your father is an abovegrounder. Your mother however, is my daughter and of the Fae. Leaving home in her youth out of anger over a betrothal contract I had set up. She met your father and with the help of my mother was able to stay above ground for some time without my knowledge. When she came home asking of forgiveness sometime later it was given. It was then that she met Mordin and had your sister, Genevieve."

"I have a sister!" Sarah turned to see a man and girl in the corner curtsy to her. Standing she nodded her head in their direction, looking at the girl that seemed nothing like her. Thin and willowy she just barely met Sarah's shoulders. Blonde hair flowed to her waist and she had blue eyes, like her father. "Wait a minute. Are you telling me that my mother is not missing? That she is, in fact, alive?"

"Here and well daughter, in the underground."

Sarah Froze, turning to look into yet another set of eyes to match her own. Only this time the temperature of the room seemed to drop. Laelyn seemed to wilt before her gaze, shrinking back at the anger there. Taking a deep breath she stepped forward as if to hug her but stopped as Sarah took a step back. "Why did you leave? Why didn't you tell me?"

Frowning, Laelyn sighed and explained. "I had not yet gone through my changing before your father Sarah. I did all I could to hold back my magic. I left to hide it from your father. When I became ill I knew I had to return home. Wanting to leave you a choice I used the last of what little magic I had to safeguard you with an underground book and sent myself home. I was hoping by keeping your existence from the Fae that you would never have to choose where you wished to remain but you were so fanciful, choosing to put even a little faith in the book of the Labyrinth. Bringing that magic back into your life severed my protection. I only just learned of everything upon the King's summon. Can you not forgive your mother too? I, like you, had no choice but to return. I could not visit and risk damaging the magic I had left to protect you."

Resentment rose up in Sarah. Though she was happy at the thought of having her mother back she had thought her missing, at the worst, dead. Couldn't she have given her something? Something to let her know that she was alive at least? Frowning she turned to her grandfather who stood eyeing Laelyn with just as much resentment as she. Well, that answered that. Everyone seemed to be waiting for her to speak, although her sister looked a little angry. She had no idea what for.

"Well it looks like we are late for dinner!" The booming voice of the King caused everyone to jump, save Rydin. He merely smiled. All eyes swiveled to the High King as he pulled several papers across his desk. "Come; let us sign these papers so that we might adjourn to dinner."

Sarah stood next to her grandfather, pretending to miss the hurt and dejected look on her mother's face. He kept a hand on her shoulder as if in support and as he began to speak Sarah decided this time it would be important to listen.

"I have given the title and estate of Ivy to Sarah as is her right, being the eldest of my line. As they pass from female to female and Sarah has already shown that she can handle herself by becoming Champion of the Labyrinth I see no need to be concerned about giving her the large estate. Of course I will remain Duke of Ivy, saving the title of Arch Duke for Sarah's future husband and right hand of the High King if it pleases your majesty. I am releasing my title of Elder and granting it to Mordin. He has long awaited such a gift and he has served our family well. It is my wish that all might be so." He did not, however, miss the infuriated squeak of his youngest granddaughter as Sarah was granted her title or the furious blush that rose in to her cheeks. "Your Majesty it is also my wish to continue to secure the title of Genevieve Lady of Winter as was bestowed upon her as her birthright."

The High King stood and motioning Rydin, Sarah, and Mordin forward gave them each a piece of paper to sign. "I grant said wishes Rydin, Duke of Ivy." Rydin bowed and moved to his forms, signing each one in the most beautiful handwriting Sarah had ever seen. Next came Mordin, who was practically bouncing in place and flush with excitement now that he was Elder of Winter. Sarah stepped forward last.

"Sarah, understand that with these papers you agree to accept your title and will act as the Arch Duchess should. You are the highest ranked member of the Fae court save my family and your Grandfather. You will receive some training on our customs for this. You will be expected to attend any and all royal function health permitting. Any betrothal must be approved by myself OR my lady wife. Now don't glare at your King your Grace. At least you get to choose."

"Sarah, your majesty, I wish that you might call me Sarah, in private of course."

Nodding his assent, the King showed her where to sign, nearly growling in frustration when she hesitated, he nearly boomed a command for her to sign.

"You will….require that I marry?" She heard her sisters snort, but refused to acknowledge it.

"No Sarah, your changing is a most delicate time. You would need a very strong man for the final days. It is merely something that bears considering. Your mother can better explain it. Now we are late Sarah. You must sign for it to be legal dear. "He ignored her snort and picked up the pen, handing it to her once more. "Seralyn, Duchess of Ivy, right here." He pointed to the document and groaned aloud in frustration at her confused look.

"Seralyn?"

"It is the underground version of your name. Although you are not required to use it in company all legal documents must be signed as such. "

Nodding Sarah picked up the pen, closed her eyes, and signed.

"It is done! Let us feast!" The king wrapped the documents into rolls and handed them to his clerk. Offering his arm to Lady Genevieve who beamed like a princess, he moved for the door. Sarah's grandfather came to take her arm within his, his free hand resting over hers. Her mother was escorted by her husband of course. It was all simply too much to take in. Staring at the floor the whole trip to the dining room she felt a squeeze on her hand and looked up to see a set of double doors open into a huge room. The table looked as if it could seat sixty but only, from what she could tell, had about twenty people there now. There were crystal and gold everywhere. As soon as their feet passed the threshold all stood before the King.

"My Elders and Eldens of the realm! I would like to introduce you to a most important guest staying here with me in the Palace. We have long awaited her arrival and are overjoyed that she has taken her place amongst us. May I present to you her Grace, Arch duchess of Ivy and Champion of the Labyrinth, Sarah Williams. It seems that her Fae bloodlines are near as strong as mine!" Laughing the High King moved to his seat ignoring the shocked glances that were quickly masked by his subjects.

If her grandfather had muttered something about jealousy she might have barely missed it.

Sarah was seated at the right hand of the Queen and her grandfather was seated at the right hand of the King. The irony of it did not miss her. Course after course Rydin watched Sarah sink further and further into herself as if in shock. Concern overwhelmed him. Something about her was so genuine and kind. Traits his own bloodlines were seriously lacking. As the meal ended and they moved in to the sitting room for drinks and entertainment Rydin decided she had had enough.

Taking Sarah's arm he escorted her over to the King just as the scantily clad dancers entered. "Your Majesty, I find that her Grace is extremely tired due to her recent travels. Might she take her leave early this evening? Forgive our wish to leave such a joyous celebration in her honor but a few days rest and she will be on the mend and ready to make preparations for the ball."

The High Kings voice boomed out over the room. "You may be excused your Grace. You shall have two days to recover and then we shall have a ball in your honor!"