DISCLAIMER: If it's a character, setting, idea, scene, etc, from the Labyrinth, it's (c) Henson, Lucas, Froud, etc.
OCs are my own.
Stay tuned at the end of the chapter for the A/N.
In his Nocturnal roaming, Jareth followed a pattern. Depart from the balcony of his personal rooms, flying due East until passing the boundary of the Labyrinth. At that point, the Goblin King would begin a free-fall, and the LA would redirect him, placing him Above. Using this method, Jareth had traversed many of the places that mortals still recognize as being magic, but also many considered as hopelessly mundane. He sometimes wondered at the possibility of his bride coming from such locales; he underestimated the Magic and depth of the perception of this non-Being.
For, given the passage of time, the Labyrinthine Alliance had begun communication with Jareth's father, Ghervin. The love Ghervin still carried for his wife, Threstia, enabled her tracing. For when immortals with Fae heritage wed, especially for mutual love, that bond is permanent. The reasons for their separation are deeply rooted in Underground politics and not completely relevant to this tale; however, the story of his parents' love and the true nature of his mother's ancestry are, and the LA knew that Jareth would have to understand and accept that which had been predominantly unknown to him before.
On this particular new moon night's flight, Jareth found himself soaring through the open sky of Montana, heading for Canada. (It's true that, given enough time, interest, and resources, anybody can become an expert in any subject; Earth geography was that for the Goblin King.) After a few hours, he felt a difference in the air, and followed it.
Finding an unexpected, small clump of trees, he landed, intending to rest and observe the surroundings. Noticing an arrangement of rocks, and a fountain, he descended from a convenient branch, returning to his accustomed form. As he approached the basin, he suddenly remembered his mother's scent, and turned slightly in his approach.
Knowing that he couldn't know the situation in which he would find himself on these excursions, Jareth typically made sure that he was as well-rested as possible. Given the population over which he ruled, that did not always describe a well-rested king. He also enacted various additional spells: of perception, of defense, of hungerlessness, and of smooth walking ground. Further, his riding crop always came, too, and would transform into a blade suitable for fencing or as a broad sword, as the situation warranted.
Given that, he was alert and curious, but not actually wary at this turn of events. Had he permitted himself, he would have felt excited at the possibility of information about her, as it had been long years since he last even had word of his mother. She had not been Underground since Jareth finished ascending to the throne of the Goblin Kingdom, and Jareth had not seen her since his own triskaidekagonal ceremony.
While he had been curious about his parents' marriage, and his father's unwavering loyalty to his long-estranged wife and mate, Jareth had never asked. His senses of sympathy and embarrassment jointly prevented his asking Ghervin anything more than cursory questions as to his well-being, and the High Court would have put a halt to Jareth investigating on his own, barring a good reason. Apparently, the curiosity of a son would have been insufficient justification.
So when Jareth knew that he would see Threstia again, he was, understandably, nervous. There was also some concern about repercussions from the High Court; somehow, Jareth didn't think that he could bring in the non-Being Magic to speak on his own behalf, should the need arise. He permitted himself a wry smile and a dry chuckle at the thought of the High King demanding that the Labyrinth and its allies answer questions about any of this.
Reaching the point of the fountain toward which he had turned in going after the impression of his mother, Jareth tossed in a coin, contributing luck to this oddly-placed fountain, and so allowing for some deserving mortal to receive a granted wish. This was not required, nor was it out of superstition; the Goblin King had interacted with mortals over enough centuries to know that helping one without direct contact made life in the Underground easier. Unexplained boons encouraged a belief in the unexplainable, which strengthened the Magic that held everything together, mortal and im-, Above- and Underground, Mundane and Arcane.
"Wise beyond your years, even now, my son." She stood beside him, without a ripple in the air to explain her appearance.
Careful to look only at her reflection in the strangely still pool, Jareth smiled. This was a conversation held many times during his formative years.
"Surely you don't mean that you'd rather I make heedless mistakes, mother?" This question always provoked a laugh, and Jareth was glad to see that one thing, at least, had not changed.
A/N: The names of Jareth's parents are made up; I have no idea where they're from, if they're even remotely close to anything from any language. If they're close to anything real that's hilarious, strange, vulgar, or something, please let me know!
Please also let me know your ideas, reactions, and about any typos that you spot! (Internetz to those who help.)
And still no Sarah. Sorry if you were counting on seeing her. (If you're inclined to wager on when we see her, resist the temptation. I seriously don't know if / when she'll ever appear.)