Disclaimer: All Labyrinth-related characters, settings, scenes, etc, are (c) Henson, Lucas, Froud, etc. The angst is probably mine, and it hurt getting it out. My apologies for unequal distribution of it.
See end for A/N.
The magic inherent in the Labyrinth itself, while acknowledged as nearly a sentient being, was still fundamentally untamed. It recognized and welcomed the authority of Jareth, the Goblin King, who had the strength and focus to keep it in check. Being aware, as in fact all of the non-sentient magic of the entire Underground was, of Jareth's loneliness, the whole of the arcane underpinnings of the Goblin Kingdom began to search for a match, for a Queen.
Considering political alliance as no more relevant than a tendril of steam over a hot stove, the Magic tasted the Hope that Jareth could not quite contain, and knew that it had to act. So the Magic pondered what it knew. Do not dismiss the awareness of Magic outside of a Being; this represents some of the strongest, and rawest, power ever to exist. Typically without any centralization, it maintains itself and its surroundings. Once awakened and unified, the whole of the Other population would be loath to attempt to work against it.
Determined to succeed, the Labyrinth and its allies shared knowledge of Jareth's own history. For there to be a mate, a match, and for that union to succeed on all levels, the entirety of the Goblin King's background must be weighed. Jareth's father, a member of the High Court and esteemed personal advisor to the High King, was Fae-Elven. As in all offspring of mixed parentage, the Fae remains dominant, while the other fills in and strengthens. From his father, Jareth received his trademark uneven eyes, his confidence, and his physical build. Jareth's mother, location now unknown, was Fae-human-unknown. She was descended of a series of Fae-human encounters, with a component still undetermined. Known not to be goblin, dwarf, fiery, or sprite, but possibly Leprechaun, it was more widely believed that a Nymph was the unknown forebear. From her, Jareth received his deftness of movement, the seemingly uncontrolled nature of his hair, and his true smile. For when Jareth gave a genuine smile, few creatures could refrain from smiling back.
His musical skill was considered unremarkable for much of his life, as more Other Beings have this trait than not. The Labyrinth, however, knew differently, knew that Jareth's music was truly unique, but needed a catalyst for it to unlock.
Jareth wasn't the more than capable ruler of a nearly untamable Labyrinth for nothing. He was certainly aware that the Labyrinth had linked itself more fully with all the rest of Underground, and that for a purpose. He would have liked to consult with some of his fellow rulers, and perhaps even the High Court, but he hesitated, not wanting to admit that something barely sensed by him, and so possibly unnoticed elsewhere, was causing him unease.
And in that hesitation, he missed the opportunity to prevent it. All of it.
The Labyrinthine Alliance (or LA) was unable to disguise its purpose from the Goblin King once he was aware. And aware he was. For it was too late to retrieve his wayward Hope now, and he could follow the direction of the LA's search. The focus was Aboveground, for a mortal woman.
As a result, he did what any male of any race would do; he tried to take control of this search. Fortunately for him, and for all of Underground, he was unsuccessful. The LA, however, did agree to allow him to participate, realizing at some level that maintaining a secret from Jareth would now be counter-productive.
And so the Watching of the Aboveground began. And it lasted for more than a century.
A/N: Nope, no Sarah visible yet. Please review!