They came as a swarm of black and gold against the orange sky. Thousands of falcon, eagles, owls, and ravens carried members of the fairy militia, led by their captain, Clarice. Sarah watched as they flew in formation, circling overhead with war cries piercing the calm of sunrise. It made her shiver in anticipation. Something in their cries touched Sarah's soul, as if they were calling her to answer, but she stood, transfixed by the flock. The birds landed softly in the fields of green grass, black eyes trained on Sarah's face. She took a deep breath. It was really happening, this was real. As the birds landed all around them, the fairies also stared at Sarah, some in confusion, some in mistrust, but all with curiousity.
Clarice dismounted from her falcon and flew to look Sarah in the eye. Jareth held Sarah's hand tightly, lending her his strength.
"You are the human born Fae who thinks to claim the throne?"
"I - I am," Sarah said, suddenly very nervous. There were murmurs throughout the regiment, Sarah could hear words like pretender and human rustle through the crowd. Clarice glared at Sarah and nodded. Rinna stood behind Sarah, watching.
"Why?" The question was simple and unadorned. Sarah was surprised at her bluntness, but Jareth squeezed her hand and Sarah cleared her throat. She was so nervous, she hoped she would say the right thing. If anyone had told her even a week ago that she'd be pledging her life to a bunch of hand biting fairies, she would have kicked them out of her house without a second thought. My, how times had changed, she sighed and started to answer.
"I love the Labyrinth, I love my friends here. I love my king." Jareth smiled a bit at that. "I don't know if I will be a good queen, but I will honor my subjects and my realm if I'm deemed worthy."
"You speak of why you need us, but why do we need you?" Clarice asked harshly. Sarah paused, how was she to answer that if she wasn't sure they did need her.
"For the same reason," Sarah said slowly, gathering her thoughts. "You need a queen that puts her subjects first. Someone who loves this world and will try her best to guide them, protect them. I haven't been the same since I left. I've dreamt of this place, wondering why my heart ached. I've spent years travelling my world, searching out mysteries and places said to have magic - but I can't recreate this world. I belong here, I think I always have. I just didn't want to believe I could return."
"And you believe now?" Clarice asked, watching Sarah's hand holding onto Jareth's. "Does the Goblin King have anything to do with your change of heart?"
"Jareth is my heart," Sarah answered honestly. "And I was meant to be with him, with all of you. I only ask that you give me the chance."
"And if you win the tests we put before you, what then?"
"I'll expect you to pledge your loyalty to me. And to your duties - carrying wishes to me and guiding lost souls to their dreams. You are all very important and you've been neglected. But you've neglected your duties as well. It's time to repair the damage and rebuild a strong kingdom - together. Will you allow me to try?"
Clarice gave her an appraising stare then turned to her troops. They seemed to be talking to each other by telepathy and Sarah could hear the buzz of conversation in her mind but in a language she did not recognize. After a few minutes, Clarice turned back to Sarah.
"It is decided, you may try. But know this, Sarah Williams, it will not be easy and we will not be easy on you simply because you think you wish for this path. It will be dangerous at times, for a true queen must know battle. Do you accept?"
Sarah nodded slowly. "I do."
"Wait," a voice came out of the darkness. Penelope appeared, dressed in dark black tights with silver ankle boots. Her blouse was loose and a shade of dark blue, a poet's shirt not unlike the one's Jareth favored. Jareth swore under his breath. She was carrying some sort of bag with her. He could only hope there were no weapons inside of it.
"Penelope, you have no business here," he said but Sarah held up a hand.
"I want to hear what she has to say," she said, eyes glowing softly.
"I, by right of my bloodline challenge the human for the throne. I will be Queen of Wishes." She did not meet Jareth's angry gaze but instead, stared at Sarah who watched the woman walk up to them, bitterness on her lovely face.
"I was born here, I belong here. I understand this place better than any human girl could. And I would be a strong leader - ruthless and decisive. What say you?" she asked Clarice who was stunned at the woman's audacity.
"Our challenger has been chosen. However, if Sarah allows it, you may oppose her in this first test only. If you lose, you may not challenge again. Sarah?"
"Sarah, send her on her way, she only means to cause trouble," Jareth growled. Sarah released his hand and walked up to Penelope.
"Why do you claim what has not been offered to you? Jareth does not want you, and the Labyrinth has chosen me. Why do you really want this?"
Penelope's eyes narrowed. "You have no understanding of our world. Or its dangers, but if you follow this foolishness, you will know more than you thought."
"You dare threaten my queen? I could have you executed for even thinking it," Jareth said, standing in front of Sarah to shield her.
"She is not your queen," Penelope shouted. "I am to be your queen."
"Enough," Sarah said. She turned to Clarice. "I allow it." At Jareth's incredulous look she continued. "But on my terms."
"Name them," Penelope hissed.
"If I win, you never come near me or Jareth again. You exile yourself from our kingdoms and never set foot outside the Troll territories for the rest of your life."
"Done, and if I win, you forfeit the other challenges and the fairies proclaim me queen. You go back Above Ground and never return."
"Clarice?" Sarah asked, not taking her eyes off Penelope. The fairy nodded.
"It is acceptable."
"It is ridiculous," Jareth sputtered. "Penelope, I don't love you."
"I do not need your love, only my crown. And joining with you in our marriage bed will be but a bonus of sorts as I claim your magic into my body."
"That's a lovely sentiment, but I've already shared it with Sarah," he said. "Repeatedly and in many obscene ways. Shall I describe all the ways to you?"
"Then I will kill her when I win and you shall be free to wed me," Penelope said, her voice flat.
"Enough," Rinna broke in when it looked as though Jareth would kill Penelope where she stood - "let the first challenge begin. I shall return when it is completed." She hugged Sarah, giving a warning glance to her grandson.
"Believe in yourself Sarah, and in your love of our world." And in a rush of glitter, she was gone.
"Now," Clarice said grinning. "The first challenge may begin. King Jareth, you know you may not interfere, being the witness." Jareth nodded.
"A queen must be cunning, brave - fearless," Clarice said, watching Sarah and Penelope closely. "But she must also be accepted by her subjects. All of them. The first challenge is to go to the top of Mount Orthom and claim your battle steed."
"A horse?" Penelope scoffed. "I've been riding since I was three."
"Not a horse," Clarice said sweetly. "What we all ride," she waved her hand back to the flock of fighting birds.
"But we wouldn't fit on one of those," Sarah said, confused. Clarice waved her hand again and Sarah felt strange. Her eyes closed and when she could open them again, Jareth stared down at her, a giant.
"Jareth, you grew?" Sarah said still in a haze. He smiled, kneeling down to pick her up gently in his hand.
"No my sweet, you are the size of the fairies now. For this challenge, you must earn your steed the same way your subjects do - and at the same size. When you do, you will be able to ride as they do, with a surprise I cannot reveal as yet. But you will be most pleased."
"What about me?" Penelope shouted from the ground. Jareth glanced down to frown at her.
"I'd wish you luck but, well - I don't," he said archly. He set Sarah back down.
"I can only observe and not aid but I will not be far away," he said, changing into an owl and flying towards the mountain.
Sarah watched him fly off and sighed.
"Well feet," she said, "looks like we go on another adventure."
Clarice laughed. "We can take you both to the top of the mountain, as is our custom, but from then on - you are on your own. Make no mistake - the birds are not tame and will attack you if they sense a threat to their young. Are you ready?"
"Yes?" Sarah said nervously. Penelope walked past her, determination on her face.
"Then let's get moving, I have a bird to catch."