DISCLAIMER: Characters, scenes, ideas, settings, etc, from the movie Labyrinth are (c) Henson, Lucas, Froud, etc, and ARE NOT MINE. OCs are mine, except where traits are borrowed from various cultural & mythological traditions.
A/N at the end.
With the Dawn, Jareth knew that he needed to return to the Goblin Kingdom. Sighing, he stood as he gathered his thoughts, emotions, and, yes, his Hope in preparation for the journey. One peripheral effect of the on-going quest was that the Labyrinth itself would summon its king if he had traveled such a distance that his return would be greatly delayed, or require too vast an expenditure of his own magic.
Considering the nature of interaction and communication with a non-sentient Being, Jareth was glad and relieved to have the Labyrinthine Alliance essentially on his side. He shuddered with the thought of having to face it as an opponent, and mulled his mother's counsel even more carefully.
Facing the East, the Goblin King bowed his head once, twice, thrice, and then stood as though within his throne room to receive a representative of the High Court, with full retinue, during a formal celebration. Thus he returned to the Castle beyond the Goblin City.
The first time that the LA had transported him, Jareth experienced travel shock for the very first time. His subsequent "conversation" with the non-Being Magic would have been quite colorful, had it been uttered. He quickly expressed gratitude for the transportation, and explained that the unexpected nature of it prevented any preparation, which led to his discomfort. Over time, they had together developed the pattern.
During the transportation itself, Jareth sensed any changes to his realm, great or small, and so was typically able to manage any situation immediately upon his return. However, due to the relatively brief nature of the Magic enabled journey, some returns had greater surprise than others.
This return was not one of them. On this day, routine prevailed.
His next return presented a comparable level of predictability.
The third return after seeing his mother compensated for the preceding normality, as a delegate of the High Court awaited Jareth with an Immediate Summons.
Having learned the nature of his subjects well, the land, and the customs, the Goblin King had trained various trusted subordinates in much of the daily running of the kingdom. Thus he was able to issue his Call-to-Service for that situation, and obey the Summons with an admirable, if unexpected, degree of promptitude.
His arrival at the High Court was so much earlier than expected, in fact, that none of sufficient rank and station was ready to greet him. Smiling to himself, Jareth accepted the welcome and apologies of the delegate who brought the Summons as well as that of the majordomo.
Upon inquiry, he learned that his father was at Court, so Jareth requested permission to send Ghervin a message of greeting. Gaining approval from the majordomo, Jareth's message traveled swiftly within a crystal to his father's quarters. While the message woke him before his accustomed hour, Ghervin was pleased to learn of his son's arrival, and hoped to accommodate his desire for a private meeting later. He did experience some concern at the Immediate Summons, and tried to determine the reason for it.
Having been shown into a well-appointed waiting room, Jareth allowed himself to relax and partake of the refreshments provided. Stretched out on a pleasantly-proportioned lounge, he considered the timing of the Immediate Summons; it had arrived a fortnight after he met with his mother. A slight smirk accompanied his thought process, as he considered the possible connection between the two events. The smirk came as he recalled that first interaction with Threstia, and their long-standing banter about being wise and so avoiding heedless mistakes.
Better to go in with your eyes open, my son. Better to have "erred" deliberately. Lose nothing to carelessness, for that is utter waste.
Even now he recalled her counsel, given to him so early in his life. An odd-sounding philosophy, even among the high-ranking Other population, Jareth learned from various tutors. Standard Fae counsel included many bromides that guided away from erring at all.
In fact, that advice from his mother also frequently came from his father. Jareth still did not know which of them taught it to the other, or if they shared it before their Bond.
Comfortable in his musings, at ease in his conscience, and wearied from corralling goblins through daily life, Jareth's relaxation led him into slumber, which handed him off to dreams.
A/N: Please review, comment, give feedback, INCLUDING whether or not you actually want/need to see Sarah at all or soon. And what's in Jareth's dream? Why would the High Court issue an Immediate Summons?