~I own nothing of the Labyrinth, only the characters of my own imagination. Much thanks to my fans and beta for sticking with me for so long. I've just realized that it has taken me nearly a year to write this and so many of you are still here. Thank you for that. We're almost done! For those of you that are looking for the missing chapter you can find it on the writers coffee shop under JHaines. Same story name and penname. If I haven't sent it you can google TWCS JHaines and it will pull up the "secret email chapter." I am having email issues so please feel free to read it there. It is chapter 20!~
The day dawned early and bright. The High court was in a flurry, people running this way and that as if pushed by invisible hands to move faster. The High King could be heard bellowing from the great hall, women's laughter tumbling out behind it. A soft crying from behind her brought Sarah's head around as a very pregnant Vale brought forth her son and daughter. Smiling Sarah cuddled them both in her arms and instantly the room became quiet again.
"You must behave today my loves." Snuggling their cheeks one by one Sarah lovingly attended to the twins. Her children were alive and well, flourishing under their parents love and joy. The Labyrinth had indeed been generous. Sarah, Champion of the Labyrinth and soon Queen of the Goblin Kingdom had been given a great gift indeed. Something she had, according to the Labyrinth, been born for. As the Fae race had lost more mothers and children in so many years it was now time for a peace. Sarah and her daughter were life breathers. Something that had not been heard of in years, a myth as it were, even in a land of so much magic and myth itself. The ability to pull Mother and child through the birth spread quickly throughout the kingdom. Just as Jareth had been given the gift of the Goblin Kingdom and the saving of wayward and abandon children of the above ground so his wife would be the savior of the underground. Together they would bring life to both realms, her for his, his for hers.
"It is time Sarah." Vale took the children from Sarah, exchanging grins. It had taken a good month but once Sarah was well again Vale had finally dropped her formality and began to call her by her given name. Hopefully that would not change after today. As the attendants entered the room with the most beautiful gown she turned and began to ready herself for a long morning.
Sophie, dressed in her sparkly blue gown merely smiled at her husband and promptly shut the door in his face. Jareth, Dorian, and Garin had spent the entire morning trying to sneak a peek at the bride. As it was custom usually it was an easy thing to achieve but with the High Queen in the room and her protective wards no one as yet had managed to "poof" in the room nor get past the door that would only open at a woman's touch. The High King, too busy shouting orders and causing attendants to drop things was far too busy to help the whining men.
Crossing the room she began helping Vale with Sarah's hair, The High Queen on make-up, and the attendants adding the last touches to the gown. Sarah's gown was something truly magnificent to behold. The bodice was tight like a corset with glittering stones all across the top and encircling her waist. The skirt was all satin and tulle, poofing out like a princess gown with diamonds sprinkled in patterns like the sun with swirling vines wrapping the entire fabric in a glittering array of white. Her heels matched, looking like glittering stars upon her feet. Her veil was also sprinkled with stars, Sarah refusing to wear it down in front of her face. The Royal party would all be wearing Royal purple, save for Sarah's attendants in their midnight blue gowns. When all preparations were finished Sarah stood and made her way to the doors with the others. Smiling the Queen whispered in her ear and quickly left the room.
Sarah waited in a side room listening for each opening of the great doors as one by one the High King, Queen, Sophie, and then Vale passed through the doors, making their way to the dais at which she would be finally wed. The twins were a month old today and would be somewhere in the front seats, watching with their Grandmother and Step-Grandfather as they no doubt bounced happily on their laps. As the music stopped she stepped into the hallway, walking before the doors her head held high.
A Royal Guard stood on each side of the doors ready to sweep them open for her grand entrance. Giving a momentary pause she giggled as she stared at them, wondering if perhaps their very veins had been starched as stiff as they stood. Rydin would be waiting at the front with the others, ready to give her over to her new husband. Fae traditions were a bit odd in that she had to make this final walk alone, proof that she accepted the marriage to her soon to be husband.
When the music began once more Sarah caught herself before she rolled her eyes, well at least not all the way. The Eerie music in no way reminded her of a wedding. As the door swept open she barely caught a smirk from one of the guards at her small lapse of eye rolling. As she swept slowly past the guard she gave a little wink and an "I saw that." That nearly brought the door too swiftly shut against her bottom. Had the whole Kingdom not been watching she'd have laughed aloud. Walking slowly forward she only had eyes for him, in his Regal Midnight Blue Coat and Black attire he looked like some dangerous deviant, smirking at the awe on her face. Struggling not to roll her eyes at the cat who got the cream look on his face she continued on her agonizing stroll until her hand met her Grandfathers. Beaming at him she barely heard his assent to the King that he willing offered his granddaughter in marriage to the Goblin King. When her hand met Jareth's all she could do was stare and pray that she spoke when needed. As if to put her attention on the ceremony Jareth turned to look at his father who had risen from his throne and began to speak in his loud booming tone.
"My Elders and Elden of the Realm, I give you the binding of Jareth, Goblin King and Keeper of babes to his Lady, Her Grace Saraelyn, and Champion of the Labyrinth. Let them be one as is true and good and rule their lands in peace and harmony. Jareth, His Grace Rydin, Hand of the King give you his granddaughter. Honor her, Speak truth to her in all things, give her thy hand and protection and let it never wither or break until the great fade take you both. May you be blessed with many children and much joy. Take this crown within your hands and place it upon thy bride's brow and name her as she was meant to be named."
Bowing Jareth took the silver circlet with its intricate twisting vines littered with Diamonds and Emeralds and placed it upon Sarah's head while speaking "From this day forth though shalt be my honored queen. No longer shall any title be bestowed upon thy name save this, Saraelyn, Goblin Queen and Breather of life."
He ignored the collective gasp that rose from the room, smirking at Sarah with a wink as she nearly groaned a loud. Turning back to the King he placed her hands before his father and a matching crown, though larger with thick branches intertwined and no emeralds, she turned back to him as the High King spoke " Saraelyn take this crown and place it upon thy husband's brow in acceptance of his love , giving him your name."
Smiling as he leaned down a bit Sarah carefully placed the crown upon his head. "I give thee this crown and accept thy name and take my rightful place as your wife and Queen. "
"Your Grace, Do you accept this exchange and give thee over your granddaughter?"
"I do Your Majesty." Stepping forward Rydin placed a kiss on Sarah's cheek, turning to clasp wrists with Jareth. Having done so he stepped down from the dais, the final act showing that Sarah now belonged to Jareth.
"My Elders and Eldens I give you the King and Queen of the Golbin City. Remember your duty to this realm and may the Gods keep you safe. What are you waiting for boy, Kiss her!"
The applause was deafening, Jareth laughing loudly as he swept her into his embrace, kissing her hard and long on the mouth causing her to practically melt against him as she clutched at his jacket. Laughing the family swept forward as the guards ushered the guests out the door and in to the Queens meadow for the Celebration. Sweeping their children into their arms they laughed and smiled with their family, loving embraces and kisses were exchanged. For once it seemed life was being extremely fair.
The Celebration was in full swing, the guests laughing and drinking on the High Kings mounds of gold. Each glass of wine that was served had a beautiful jewel in the bottom, the guests oohing and ahhing over their treasures. The only gloom that hung overhead was a very red in the face Genevieve hiding in the corner, glaring at Jareth and Sarah from her hiding place. She refused to acknowledge the party, furious beyond belief. Mumbling her congratulations she had shoved her way into the party and sat contemplating her next move. Though her mother and father watched her every move after her scandalous outburst before the King she still knew there was a way around this….there had to be.