Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or any of the characters.

Chapter Sixteen

But Enemies Accumulate

"The dark Elves are not truly as evil or malevolent as my father made them out to be. Their King sent for me to say that he was returning my Queen, because he no longer thought it safe for her. When I went to get her, they were under attack, under none other than Madoc Morfryn," Jareth explained. An outburst of whispers followed his explanation; the only two who didn't look confused were Eve and Feyore.

"That's impossible," A bright crystalline voice said. Looking down the table, Sarah watched a blonde Fae woman dressed in a puffy, light blue, sparkly dress. "What interest would they have!?"

"Easy Krystas," The head of council said evenly. "Please continue Jareth."

"Are you really that blind?" Jareth rolled his eyes, his cool arrogance blatantly obvious in a room of his fellow leaders. "They want to take control of them so they have the extra power source they need to take us down!" Jareth paused, either for effect, or to think out his next statement. "They had just barely won the battle, and no doubt Madoc will not give up so easily. I have an idea that he underestimated them greatly."

"Have you any proof? Will your Queen stand and speak for them? You know we cannot even consider this without two other members to back her story," a dark haired Fae said in a droll voice. He looked older, and had many scars about his face, and a long bushy beard.

"Yes, I will speak," Sarah said standing beside Jareth. He smirked slightly and gestured with his hand, giving the floor to his Queen.

Sarah then recounted everything of importance that happened during her stay. She told them of their village, and how kind they had been towards her. She made a point to tell them everything Verdant had said about Jareth's father, and how it had only been a small group of vandals that had caused all the problems. She then spoke of her ability as a seer and how she warned the king of a traitor. Many Fae had been confused as to why the Dark Elf King would just send her away with out any warning of danger, but this part of Sarah's story explained what Jareth had said earlier. She then told them about waking up while the battle had started and how Verdant had protected her and let her get away with Jareth.

"I believe them, if they were truly cruel, would I be standing whole before you now?" Sarah asked. Her hands were balled behind her back, shaking from nerves. "Was it really just to torture a whole village of people just because of what one group has done?" She looked around the table imploringly. "If you do not wish to help the people for the sake of saving them, then do it for yourselves, your kingdoms. Do you really want to subject your own people to a war if it can be avoided?" The court remained silent as she spoke; showing her respect that normally would have taken months to build. With her story told, she gave one last pleading look around the table before sitting down beside Jareth.

"Very interesting tale Queen of Goblins," the head of council said. "Please, would all who believe her stand so that we may make a final decision?" Sarah's eyes darted around nervously, relieved when Eve practically jumped out of her seat with Feyore standing a bit more regally beside her. She felt her stomach drop looking at all the sitting Fae, but then another Fae couple at the end of the table stood, and then another, and then finally one more. Lastly the head of council stood. Sarah watched him, wide eyed. "Very well, this is more than enough support to send in the face of another attack. I don't believe Madoc would start full war without gaining his final chess piece."

"Thank you King and Queen Feyore, King and Queen Pherinze," Jareth said beginning to thank all those who stood in their support. Sarah looked at the Fire King's wife, she had long flowing fiery red hair to match her husbands, and they looked a good couple. "Thank you as well King and Queen Rivern, King and Queen Flinde, and also you Council Ruler Hydren." Bowing once, Jareth sat back down, as did the other members who had volunteered their assistance. Some of the other Fae did not look very pleased, but kept silent. Queen Krystas remained stubbornly in her seat.

"The Kingdoms who agreed to provide assistance will convene here in one week's time. Start preparing your armies, your people, everything that you need. We will begin planning at mid morning. As for you King of Goblins, write our new ally and tell him to rest easy," Hydren said with a little smile. "Dismissed." With that said all the Fae, angry, indifferent, interested, or happy about the situation, left.

Sarah took Jareth's arm as he walked her to the door, but they were stopped by the council leader.

"You spoke very well today Queen Sarah," Hydren said.

"Thank you," Sarah replied with a small blush. "I didn't know what to expect at all, I was glad that we had a few people willing to be allies."

"Ah, allies come and go, but enemies accumulate dear Queen. Very good Sarah," Hydren said walking away from them. Sarah stared at him, being left in his wake. Very good Sarah. Perhaps she had done right after all. No amount of seeing power could have prepared her for speaking to a court of Fae, all just waiting for her to say the wrong thing.

"Are you alright?" Jareth asked. He looked down at Sarah worriedly.

"What? Oh, yes I'm fine, I just, I think we did the right thing." Sarah smiled at him, as he led her outside and transported them both back to the castle.

"Jareth?" Sarah asked.

"Yes love?"

"What did Hydren mean when he said enemies accumulate?" Sarah turned her gaze to meet his mismatched eyes. Jareth sighed before explaining.

"A lot of Fae on the council are still loyal to my father; they believed him completely right in his actions. They were blind fools, and it didn't surprise me that they remained as such. They may not be enemies just yet, but they are certainly not on our side…"

"I see," Sarah said almost disappointed.

"Don't worry yourself about it," Jareth replied, pulling out a piece of parchment. Sarah sighed, changing into a more comfortable dress as Jareth wrote his letter to Verdant. She missed him, but thought that if she made this known too much it would upset Jareth. Verdant was after all, one of the only friends she had up there, even though it was his fault that she was there at all. She couldn't help but miss his company and hope that he wasn't too lonely with out her there.

"Sarah, if you would like to write to him, do not hold off for my sake," Jareth said watching his wife fret unnecessarily over the tie that came back around her sides to fold into a neat bow at the small of her back. Sarah turned and smiled at him.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Sarah asked. Jareth sighed and rolled his eyes.

"We've been through this love, yes I do mind, but he is your friend. I couldn't bear to make you depressed by denying you correspondence," Jareth said in a bored voice. Sarah knew he was only doing this to keep her pacified. Smiling she went over and kissed him gently.

"Not today, I think he will be too pleased with hearing that he has some support to be worrying about me," Sarah said.

"Somehow I doubt that," Jareth replied, taking a hold of her hand and lifting it to his lips to place a light kiss upon her knuckle. This kind of treatment always made Sarah blush; even though she was married to the man from whom she was receiving the affections from.

With the letter written and sent off with Dydimus, Jareth suggested that they take a late lunch and eat in the garden. There weren't any matters of great importance to attend to right this minute, and he still felt at a loss for the month that Sarah had been stolen from him. Of course she loved this idea and quickly slipped on matching light blue slippers to match the summery dress she was wearing. It was august, and she knew she would be running out of time to wear them once winter came around.

While she and Jareth walked to the dining hall to gather the food, Sarah couldn't help but think of Asura. She had not heard from her since the warning of a traitor being around the castle. Perhaps she had to figure the rest out on her own, and Asura was only getting her in the right direction.

"Are you alright?" Jareth asked.

"Hmm? Oh yes, I was just thinking that's all," Sarah replied with a smile. She wanted to ask if he had found any leads on removing the curse, but thought that it may be asking a bit too much right now. He clearly wanted to spend time with her, so she wouldn't push it.

With the food ready, Jareth put an arm around Sarah's waist and transported them to her favorite place in the garden. Throwing the blanket down, they sat together and watched fish jump out of the glassy surface of the small lake, before helping themselves to some of the food.

Days later Verdant had been pacing his room when two knocks sounded at the door. Flinging his arm dismissively in the direction of the heavy stone doors, they flew opened to reveal Feryia standing there with a piece of parchment. For the first time since Sarah had been gone, his dark red eyes widened, actually showing some expression as he hurried over to take the letter.

Feryia dismissed herself as Verdant unrolled the parchment and began reading.

King of the Dark Elves,

Both my Queen and I spoke at your defense at our most recent court meeting. Most Fae attending there were not thrilled with our news, but we had managed to gain five allies to our side. We meet next Wednesday to discuss plans at mid morning. I think it would be wise for you to attend so that we know what is going on in your Kingdom. Since you are technically still banned in the minds of those against us, Sarah and I will escort you to the court building. Please be ready to leave early morning. Sarah gives her kindest regards, and as I'm sure, will write to you herself soon enough.

Respectfully,

Jareth King of Goblins

Verdant heaved out a great sigh of relief; he knew that Sarah would pull through for him some how. He also knew that the Goblin King's pleasantries were nothing more than a show to keep her happy.

"She was never truly mine to have," Verdant said quietly. Though he repeated that to himself everyday since her absence, it did not quell the raging jealousy that burned within his chest at the thought of Jareth romancing her and having all her attentions. There was nothing he could do, he would never challenge Jareth. That sort of thing was done only when the Queen was truly in danger or could not live with her King any longer. Since this was not the case, he had to remind himself that he would only be hurting her for his own selfish desires.

Verdant resumed pacing his room. At least with this meeting, he would be able to see Sarah again, if not only to admire her from afar. He assumed that the only other court members that would be there would be those who chose to be allies.

Verdant slumped down in a chair at his desk. He did not need light to see in the dark, his glowing red eyes allowed him to see through it. Besides, when lighted, his room was filled with beautiful golden gilded mirrors. He had been so vain before the curse, but Sarah had proved that at least to one person in the underground, looks did not matter.

There had to be some way to get out of this depressing lull. Ever since Sarah had gone, with her she took away the happiness and companionship that had come with her. She had been the only woman to ever take notice of the man behind the beast. Verdant didn't know that he would ever find that again unless the curse was broken.

With another sigh, Verdant sat down and began writing his reply to Jareth. Once finished it read:

Jareth King of Goblins,

Thank you for all that you have done. I know there is still much to do, but none of it would have been possible without your support. I will be sure to be ready and awaiting you at the front gate. You may assure Sarah that all is well here.

Yours in Thanks

King Verdant Xulance of the Dark Elves

With that done, Verdant sighed yet again. Sealing the parchment and summoning Feryia to send it off, he walked the halls of his castle. His feet automatically led him to the room where Sarah had stayed. They often betrayed him this way. Opening the door, everything remained untouched, even by the battle that had ensued before and after she had gone. Closing the door, masking the pain reflecting out of his glowing red eyes, he returned to his room.

Author's Note:

Poor Verdant, he misses Sarah, but at least now he has some allies should stupid jerk Madoc try to attack again. Sarah misses her friend, and doesn't want to irk Jareth too much, but it looks like Verdant is starting to miss Sarah in more ways than "just a friend" should. Oh goodness, I am evil, or so I tell myself. Any who, keep on reading and reviewing. As always a big, huge, GIANT thanks to all those who have reviewed so far!