DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN SARAH OR JARETH OR ANY OTHER LABYRINTH CHARATER. I DO OWN ALL OTHER NAMED CHARACTERS IN THIS CHAPTER THOUGH.
A/N Ok guys sorry this took so long to update I had a case of writers block concerning this story. I would also like to thank all those that have reviewed this story, favorited it or story alerted it you guys are the best. well onto the story...
Chapter 14: Eric Duke of Sinea
Late one night Eric stared out over the lands of his vast estate and again wondered if he would ever find his mate. He looked down at the letter in his hand again and shook his head. He wasn't sure why the Goblin Queen had requested his presence at the castle but she had and as his queen he had to obey. Shaking his head he headed for bed so that he would be fully rested for his meeting with the queen.
However his sleep was plagued by the face of a beautiful woman, one he had never seen before but wanted to. Badly. Awaking with a start he tried to keep the image from fading but with no success. Sighing he got up and prepared himself to meet the queen.
He arrived on the outskirts of the Labyrinth only to see the queen awaiting him on a hilltop. He made his way over to her and bowed before her, "Your Majesty"
"Ah you have arrived sir. May I tell you why I have sent for you?"
"Yes, of course your Majesty. I have been wondering as too why you requested my presence here today"
Sarah smiled at the young man. 'yes he will do' she thought to herself She then said, "You have been searching for your mate for some time have you not?" at his nod she continued, "I have had a vision concerning you and I would like to see it come to fruition. I would like to know if you would be up to the challenge"
"What challenge your Majesty?" though he had a pretty good idea as to what it was and was honored by it.
"Will you run the Labyrinth?" the queen finally asked
He was not surprised in the least and said, "Yes"
'Good' she thought 'for your mate awaits at the castle.' Aloud she said, "Then if you wish to run it you will have Nine hours and twenty three minutes to do so." with those words the queen vanished and he was left to wonder what had just happened.
"Well can't stand here all day" he said and started down the hill.
Sarah reappeared and Alyana immediately asked her mother what was going on. Sarah merely smiled and offered a short reply to her daughter's inquiry.
"Mother, is it true then. The man I told you about. Is he really out there within the Labyrinth as we speak?"
"Yes" was the only answer Sarah would give.
Alyana could barely contain herself. She knew that she was going to be restricted to the castle during his run but that didn't mean she couldn't see him or he her. Grinning she bowed to her mother and left the room a plan forming as she walked to her chamber.
Eric reached the gate to the Labyrinth and managed to pull it open. He stepped into the outer corridor. After looking both ways he chose the right path and began to make his way through the long corridor. He knew that he would have to keep a look out for the hidden passageways and so as he walked he kept his eyes glued to the wall. Finally he found one and turned into it and he continued his journey.
Alyana sat in her chamber watching the Fae's progression a crystal. She smiled when he finally found the passageway she had purposely allowed him to find. (Hey who ever said that her Father was the only one who could manipulate the Labyrinth?)
"Hoggle?" she called and moments later the aging dwarf appeared before her. "Hoggle I know we will both get a scolding for this but I need your help"
Hoggle looked at the Goblin Princess and shook his head, he knew what it was she wanted of him and because like her mother, he was a sucker for a gentle face, he would agree to help her, knowing full well the trouble he was going to get into. "Yes yer Highness?"
"Hoggle I know mother doesn't want you to help a runner unless she asks it of you but my mate is out there and I need you to help him. Just don't make it too obvious so mother doesn't find out please?"
"I will try yer highness but ye knows yer mother she will find out"
"I know and I will make sure that you are not harmed in her wrath and thank you Hoggle"
Jareth watched his queen with suspicion she was up to something this much he knew. "Sarah, what is going on?" he finally asked
Sarah turned towards her husband and smiled, "Nothing dear"
He knew she was lying but why he didn't know. "Sarah" he put as much authority into his voice as possible and it got her attention immediately.
"Fine there is a runner in the Labyrinth" she said on a sigh. She hated when he used that tone of voice with her.
"Let me guess…a human."
"No, he's Fae. A lord in fact. He's Alyana's mate and yes she knows he's running. I do declare I think I shall have to stop myself from letting them see each other. It's going to happen anyway." she sighed again.
He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Sarah relax. If he is her mate as you say and I have never doubted your word love then he will make it here in the appointed time." he spoke softly trying to calm her down.
Sarah turned and looked up into his mismatched blue eyes and smiled, "You're right darling" before placing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Hoggle found the poor Duke in the oubliette. He helped him as far as the underground corridor and told him how to get out from there then left the Fae standing alone in the tunnel. This is how she found him. "Hello" she said softly and he whirled around at the sound of her voice.
"Who are you?" he asked surprised to find a woman standing before him.
Alyana smiled and said, "You really don't have any idea as to who I am"
Eric shook his head in answer before it dawned on him who this beautiful creature was. He was mentally cursing himself a fool for not sensing it sooner. A Fae knew his or her mate on sight and he had been so absorbed in her beauty that he had not sensed it at all. A smile grew and he retracted his earlier nod with, "Forgive me but yes I do know who you are your Highness," he bowed to her as she was a royal and he wasn't.
Alyana smiled at her mate and thought that he was possibly the handsomest man she had ever laid eyes on outside her brothers of course."I have come to remind you of your time limit" she stated as she said this the clock appeared behind her. She knew what the hands said so when she said, "You have four hours remaining. Don't be late," before fading she couldn't help the smirk that had appeared on her face.
The time limit was almost up when he reached the Castle. He managed to open the heavy door and went to find the Queen.
Sarah sat in her throne surrounded by her family when he arrived in the room. Upon seeing her he bowed before her, showing his respect.
"Your Majesty"
"Eric, Duke of Sinea, arise sir"
He rose to stand fully before her and awaited her orders.
"You accepted my challenge to you and have won the hand and heart of my eldest daughter. Are you willing to enter into the most sacred of our bonds with her?"
Eric looked over at Alyana and then back to his queen. "I do Your Majesty, if she will have me"
Alyana nearly squealed in delight and ran over to her soul mate. She saw her mother nod slightly and smile and she finally spoke, "I do."
That was all she managed to get out before she was caught up into a crushing embrace and disappeared.
