Penelope fumed as she sat in her ornate carriage, the soothing sound of racing hoofbeats easing her mind. The fools and their myths, a mere human child could never own the heart of the Goblin King or rule as Queen of Wishes. Penelope knew the story as well as anyone who'd lived in the Under Ground. A champion would be found and proclaimed heir to the Kingdom of Wishes. And its queen would join forces with the King of Dreams – Jareth.
She'd never bothered to worry about such a thing, because no one had ever won the Labyrinth. There were rumors about a runner who had done such a thing, but that had been years ago and the supposed winner had not claimed the throne.
Penelope closed her eyes and plotted. As a Troll noble, she had no claim to the son of the High King - but as Queen of Wishes, she'd be able to snare Jareth as her own and banish the little mortal girl back to the Above Ground. It really was for the best - humans didn't mix well with Fae. She was doing the girl a favor. She'd just talk with her uncle - the King of Trolls. He'd have a way for her to win that crown.
She leaned back into the cushions and smiled. Sarah Williams didn't know it, but her return had given Penelope the way into Jareth's bed - and the way to get his kingdom away from him. She'd still let him be her slave in bed, she was at least that kind.
As they approached the large grey fortress, guards rode out to escort her coach to the main entrance. The huge double doors opened and her coach was led inside, the doors slamming shut the moment she was safely inside the great courtyard.
Penelope walked purposefully to the throne room, not bothering to be announced by the servants. She threw open the door and walked up to the throne. It was carved from the bones of vanquished kings and it screamed death and despair if you only knew how to listen. Her uncle, King Famish looked upon her in slight surprise as she approached.
"Uncle - our plans have met an obstacle. They think they have the Queen of Wishes. We will have to change our path."
"Interesting. Have you met the girl? What tribe is she from, the Golden Elves of Faramore?"
"No," Penelope spat angrily. "She is but a human, a nothing. I wish her back to her home Above Ground so that I may claim my Jareth and that he will no longer have her anywhere near him."
"Jealousy in you niece? Amusing. Tell me - what is it you want from me?" The old troll leaned forward, his large eyes no longer anything like kind uncle and now fully vengeful king. He would destroy the High King and Queen from the inside, by having his niece as Goblin Queen. It had been his plan for a long time and it will come to pass. Penelope thought she desired the Goblin King, and that was fine for Famish - he cared not for the girl's love life - only that he could destroy all he was not allowed to have.
"I want a way to become Queen of Wishes and win Jareth's heart." Her vain voice rattled him but he merely nodded, lost in his own thoughts.
He could have been High King if he'd won against Doyle centuries ago. He could have had the glamour and the power over all of the Under Ground. But he was cursed to rule over filthy trolls. Once his niece was safely married to the Goblin King, they could kill him and take over the kingdom. Of course, he hadn't told Penelope that part of the plan, females were so unpredictable with foolish things like love and desire.
"I shall give you what you desire child. Do not fail me."
"Never, uncle," Penelope promised gratefully. "Jareth will be mine yet."
"And the Under Ground will be mine," Famish growled under his breath.
JSJSJS
The rest of the reception flew by with Sarah and Jareth dancing together, always touching, always smiling. Towards the end of the evening, Rinna ushered Sarah and Jareth into a private room to chat as the musicians played the last dance. There was much to discuss now that Sarah had accepted the challenges presented to her. Rinna had a bad feeling about Penelope but decided to keep quiet on her visions for now. Warnings were one thing, but full disclosure would not let the future unfold as it was meant to - and Rinna had a greater obligation to the Under Ground's future. She was, after all, its guardian.
Rinna kissed Sarah on both cheeks before motioning for the girl to sit on a large, red leather sofa. Jareth sat next to her, his arm possessively around her waist. The casual warmth of his fingers pressing against her reminded her vividly of their earlier closeness and she smiled, moving closer to him. Rinna made herself comfortable on a large overstuffed chair upholstered in red leather.
"Your first challenge shall be in the morning, your second the day after. If you succeed in the first two, the final challenge shall reveal itself to you when you are ready."
"When I'm ready? How will I know when I'm ready?" Sarah asked carefully. Rinna smiled but it did not comfort Sarah when Jareth laughed out loud.
"The Labyrinth shall know - and you will face your greatest challenge," Rinna explained.
"And you can't tell me what that is?" Sarah's eyes widened, a million different disasters going through her mind. Jareth chuckled next to her on the long couch.
"It wouldn't be much of a final test if you knew what was required of you, now would it?" Jareth smiled. "As I recall you did fairly well in our last encounter, you do seem to land on your feet quite easily. But let's not get ahead of ourselves - you do have two other challenges to overcome before that final battle."
"Well can I at least know the first challenge?" Sarah asked, leaning into Jareth's warm embrace.
"You will be meeting your subjects," Rinna grinned. Jareth's smile froze on his face and he coughed to hide the fact he was laughing again. Sarah could have sworn she saw tears in his eyes. She glared at him.
"What exactly is so funny?" she asked, irritated. He pursed his lips at her, making kissing sounds and she laughed in spite of wanting to punch him. He hugged her tightly, gazing into her green eyes with amusement and affection.
"Tell me, Sarah - when you wish upon a star, who is it who carries your wish to the heavens?"
"I guess I never thought about it, angels?" Jareth laughed out loud this time, Rinna joining in with her eldest grandson.
"Hardly - and you honestly didn't think you'd rule over those did you?" Jareth teased. Sarah shrugged, thinking. When you made a wish, it concerned the little people, didn't it? They listened to humans all the time and oh no. It was not possible.
"No," Sarah said, stunned. Jareth nodded and Sarah looked at Rinna for some escape from her logic. Rinna shrugged, looking pleased with herself.
"Fairies? Are you kidding me? They bite!" Sarah looked outraged, remembering the fairy she'd seen in the Labyrinth years ago, and Rinna tilted her head to look at Sarah closely.
"Sarah, they have been without a queen for centuries, they follow no one but themselves. Even I could not rule them. But you - as Queen of Wishes, well - you would have dominion over the Under Ground fairies. It is a huge responsibility listening to the wishes of your world and ours. The fairies have forgotten what it is to follow a wish and bring it into life. You must convince them that they must return to their work."
"But - they bite," Sarah said weakly.
"Being queen is not an easy thing, Sarah," Jareth said seriously. "You have responsibilities to all of your subjects, not just the ones who please you."
"Really? Is that why you can never get Hoggle's name right?" Sarah asked dryly. Jareth coughed.
"I know what his name is, but he likes the attention," he said not meeting her gaze. She shook her head and turned to Rinna.
"Fine, I'll do my best, but I have no clue how I'm going to convince the little beasts to follow me."
Rinna laughed outright and stood up, yawning. "You are the Champion of the Labyrinth and the girl who's managed to tame my wild grandson into submission." Jareth sat up straight about to protest, when Rinna put up a warning hand. "Hush, the girl owns you, get used to it." She turned to Sarah and smiled.
"Sarah, your destiny is your own and the first step is trusting in yourself. All will follow in harmony once you believe that."
Sarah didn't look too convinced, but smiled and nodded. "All right then. Fairy pep talk, tomorrow morning."
"Good, now both of you go get some sleep - and I mean sleep," Rinna said frowning. "No more magic running around here unleashed. Focus on the tasks ahead and I'll see you both in the morning." She raised her arms and disappeared in a blaze of glitter.
"Hmm, must be a family thing," Sarah said softly. She turned to Jareth.
"Good night," she said, starting to walk away. He grabbed her around the waist and transported them back to his room. They were both naked and he was kissing her as if he would never see her again.
"Jareth, magic, stop," Sarah sighed. Jareth lifted his head and smirked.
"Not on your life, Princess. Let them deal with our love the best they can because you are not leaving this bed until I've had my fill of you." He kissed her again long and hard. "And I don't see that happening any time soon."