Disclaimer: Everything I have written, I have written for you...and yet I still own nothing. Bummer.
A/N: Special thanks to Nyakai, notwritten, caughtinblackseyes, hazlgrnLizzy, and myladyswardrobe who are all amazing reviewers. Enjoy your holiday present!
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Groaning in exasperation, Sarah had only one thought upon arrival.
I should have kept my damn eyes closed.
She blinked twice to steady her vision. If the peculiar mode of travel hadn't been startling enough, the sight before her certainly was. Whereas Jareth's castle had been dusty, cramped and bleak, her current surroundings boasted a much different picture.
Sarah was relatively sure she was in an entrance hall of some kind. But she couldn't be certain. In her modest twenty years she had never seen an entrance hall so extravagant. From the pearly sheen of the roman columns to the diamond frosted chandeliers, the room oozed of a wealth found solely in fairytale castles. It was difficult to resist the urge to twirl an imaginary gown and dance through the chamber, but Sarah's sensible side pleaded that such an action was misplaced.
Sensibility was overrated.
Fortunate for her pride, the action proved physically impossible. Even after mere seconds of sight, the illusion of passive elegance gave way to immeasurable power. The panoramic wave paralyzed her tight on the spot.
An extraordinary sense of purpose permeated the room and Sarah was taken aback by the force of the magic seeping from the walls. She was still in the Underground; of that much she was certain. No where on Earth could such enchantment exist.
Then again, seeing the small fox emerge from a room to her left was enough proof in itself.
"Sir Didymus!" she found her voice, quickly calling to the frail beast. "Boy am I glad to see you."
He angled his head in acknowledgement before wordlessly continuing his trot.
Sarah turned to hound him with questions but caught only the flick of his tail as he descended a circular staircase behind her. In seconds, he was out of sight.
Well that was odd. Probably deserved, but still odd.
"Look, Goblin Ki—" she started, looking for her travel partner. He was not to be found.
Figures. The one time I actually want to talk to him, he disappears.
Rash irritation broke her from the room's spell, and she balled her fists by her side. One fist at least; the second was reminded of its holdings by a sharp paper cut.
"Owh", she pushed her finger to her lips, sucking at the fresh wound while she opened the letter with her good hand. A flowery script covered the page.
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To the Lady Sarah,
Your presence is requested at Elder Tower posthaste. Preparation is unnecessary.
Upon arrival, please follow the awaiting Watcher to your assigned holding room on the 11th floor. Refrain from contacting other guests or veering from your Watcher in the time prior to the Preliminaries. Failure to do so will result in brief power wave activation and imminent Game repercussions dependent on the severity of the incident.
Game Ceremonies will begin at precisely 13 o'clock midday today where further orders will be given. While you are waiting within your hold, please feel free to utilize any provided necessities.
We will be watching.
May Orion align in your favor,
Their Majesties High King Cáel and Queen Amarette
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"Holding rooms? Watchers?! Where the hell am I…prison?" Scowling, she crushed the note in distaste.
"Hardly, Lady Sarah. You are at Elder Tower, as requested. Prison would be much less gaudy. Although possibly home to friendlier beings."
The girl in question found herself face-to-face with a grinning figure. Although dressed in a simple blue tunic and beige breeches, he still possessed the raw power which smothered the Underground. Pinned over his heart in exquisite detail was a golden representation of the three star insignia found stamped into her letter. Sarah eyed the symbol warily and said nothing to the new guest. She had met enough otherworld beings to last her a lifetime.
She wasn't particularly fond of 'repercussions' either.
He chuckled at her obvious discomfort. "There's no need for silence, you are free to speak to me as you wish. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Eran, your Watcher." He bowed deeply, soft chestnut hair falling over his face.
Sarah blushed rose at the formality. No, she thought, definitely not a prison guard.
"I apologize for the abrupt meeting, but I'm afraid we must be off. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to your room." He turned on one polished heel, and walked towards the grand staircase at room's center, checking over his shoulder only once to ensure she followed.
She jogged to catch up with him as he ascended the third step. "Look Eran, I think there may be some kind of mistake. I never agreed to play this game and I don't plan on signing up anytime soon. I was brought here against my will by that twisted ass Jareth and I just want to go home."
He paused and looked back once more. "As your Watcher, I recommend you keep your calm during the Preliminary Run, Lady Sarah. The elders will not appreciate you damning a royal son. Especially one such as His Majesty the Goblin King."
"But I don't plan on running at all! Don't any of you people listen?"
"People?" He smiled. "I'm sorry to confuse you more, but we aren't people in the sense you believe." Seeing her tense, he elaborated. "People, or mortals, have delicate and predetermined life spans. We follow no such rule. In your world we would be known as Fae, or Fair Folk." He paused for dramatic effect. "Immortals."
The pronouncement, combined with the haunted look in his midnight blue eyes, sent a single shiver down Sarah's spine. In her mind's eye, she recalled a brief mythological account she had read years before.
Immortals. Fae. No wonder this thing was such a big deal. It's in their nature to love games and challenges.
This could be a bigger problem than I thought.
Damn.
"I still don't see how I am a qualified competitor. I can barely get my stepbrother to listen to me never mind an entire kingdom. That hardly counts as 'rightful'."
He didn't appear convinced.
"And I won't be much fun to watch anyway, the other entrants will probably just zap themselves right to the end!" she complained at the unfairness of the prospect.
This proclamation was at least met with a single raised eyebrow and a telling roll of eyes. "No challenger is permitted to use his or her magic to bypass a challenge, or regarding a challenger for any purpose apart from food, drink or shelter."
"Great. They'll just stuff poisoned fruit down my throat and be done with it" she mumbled.
"Come again?" he questioned.
Shaking her head in frustration, she followed Eran from the top of the staircase down a carpeted hallway. On either side of the ruby covered floor, portraits of ethereal beings graced the walls. Each face was distinctly beautiful but boasted comparable expressions of pride and relief.
I wonder if these are winners of this game. Passing a particularly daunting image, Sarah's uncertainty faded. These beings were champions, she was sure of it.
"Yes, they are magnificent, aren't they? I do apologize for jumping in but you are correct in your assumptions. Preparations for The Game are done in the Hall of Victors, the Game's past champions." He waved both hands to the framed walls. "It is where the holding rooms are always kept."
Obviously, immortality was not the only talent Fae possessed. Sarah was not all comforted by this knowledge. With my luck, next they'll be walking through walls and shooting beams from their eyes.
Eran wandered to the end of the hall and gestured to a modest wood door on the right. "Here we are, holding room nine. You should find everything you need to prepare for the start of The Game inside. I will wait—oh, excuse me a minute."
Stepping off to the side of the hallway, Eran pulled out an iridescent sphere the size of a golf ball from his pocket and cradled it between both palms. "Yes…room nine, that's right. No, I—no, no problems at all. Now? Are you sure?...Very well, tell His Majesty I will be there shortly."
He stuffed the odd device back into his tunic pocket and patted the spot a few times as if the action would keep the sphere from leaping out. Unlocking the door with a flick of his wrist and pushing it wide open, he shooed Sarah inside.
"You must pardon me, Lady Sarah. It seems there is a situation which calls for my attention. Please, feel free to settle into your room and make good use of anything you find." He hesitated a bit before finishing. "I'm afraid I have orders to lock the door in the meantime. You understand of course."
"Oh…sure…" she sighed.
Satisfied with her answer, he bowed low once more and turned back towards the hallway the pair had traveled.
"And again, anything you feel will help you in preparing, anything at all, take advantage of." The last phrase was emphasized in such a peculiar manner that Sarah couldn't help but wonder if there was more to his words.
She watched the door slam upon his departure and Sarah found herself alone. She didn't bother testing the locks and instead faced her temporary home.
If the brass grandfather clock within the room was accurate, Sarah found she had just under four hours until midday. Plopping herself down on one of the chamber's cushioned loveseats, she let her face fall into her hands to consider her predicament.
Oh Sarah, what have you gotten yourself into? And just what are you going to do now?
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Eran hurried to the lower throne room on the fifth floor and announced himself to the attendant standing there.
"Eran of Elder Tower to see His Majesty" the tiresome guard monotoned once more.
"Eran my friend! Come in, come in." King Cáel beckoned to his subject.
Walking into the chamber, Eran quickly realized why the call had been so urgent. The Keeper of the Game itself, Jareth, was leaning against an arm of the High King's throne. And he did not look pleased to see him. Not in the least.
"I apologize for keeping you from your lovely participant, but it appears we have a bit of a situation here." Cáel elbowed the foreign arm off his throne and continued. "It seems Jareth here has requested Watcher duties. And for reasons I still do not understand, he has demanded the Lady Sarah."
"Dear Cáel, there's no need to villainize me after I asked so nicely."
The High King snorted. "The day you simply ask for something will be the day I eat my crown, old boy."
"Forgive me High King, but I'm not sure I follow. His Majesty Jareth is Keeper of the Labyrinth, of the very Game itself. If that is not a conflict of interests, I'm not sure what is."
"The only conflict of interests is you, boy." Jareth leered at the unsuspecting subject.
Hoping to avoid a violent clash between the two men, Cáel cut in. "I have checked and double-checked the ancient books but nowhere have I found a rule preventing any Fae from Watching. Keeper or not, Jareth is still Fae, and a King in his own right as you well know. Watcher privileges come first to those who have dealt with them prior." He shrugged apologetically. "Perhaps next Game, Eran."
The chestnut haired citizen knew this to be his cue to leave. He bowed before the High King, and after a slight hesitation, the King of the Goblins as well before leaving the throne room.
On his way out, Eran reflected on his lost charge. He may have been demoted from her Watcher, but he vowed to keep an eye on her on his own time.
The High King shifted towards his powerful friend. "I do hope you know what you are doing, Jareth. I doubt she will accept your help without a fight. She seems to be quite the spirited mortal."
Jareth grinned broadly. "Ah, but Cáel, that is what I am counting on."
Without further articulation, he disappeared in a customary burst of glitter.
Spitting the particles from his mouth, Cáel called after him. "I'll have you know, I just had this hall dusted!"
His complaint was followed by an onslaught of fresh glitter.
"Show off."
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Sarah's thinking position was giving her a cramp in her neck. Lifting her head from its perch on her lap, she decided taking a proper look around would be more beneficial than wallowing.
Apart from the two cushioned loveseats and accompanying coffee table positioned in the center of the room, not much else was to be found. A long wide dresser was pushed to one side and a few various trinkets lied haphazardly on top. From her distance, nothing looked like helpful preparation. There was some kind of thin bottle containing a honey colored liquid capped by a cork. Two glowing spheres similar to the one Eran used, but slightly larger, rested alongside.
Opening the dresser's thickest drawer, Sarah found sets of comfortable looking tunics and leggings in various colors folded neatly into rows. The drawer above contained more clothes, this time old fashioned undergarments and tights. She pushed the rows aside, searching for something more economic, and instead grazed the end of something sharp. Pulling the object from the bottom, she regarded it in the light.
A dagger…? Is this what Eran meant by helpful? What exactly goes on in this game?
From the larger drawer, she pulled out a hunter green tunic and leggings in a rich brown and shrugged off her day slept-in jeans and mock-neck. At least now if she tried to escape, she wouldn't appear so obviously foreign.
As she slid the dagger into the elastic of her leggings, the shimmered spheres caught Sarah's eye once more she wondered if she could contact Eran and beg for release. It was at least worth a shot.
She attempted to cradle the first sphere as Eran had and spoke down at the device.
"Hello? Anybody there?" Nothing. "Eran?"
She shook her hands a couple of times for good measure. It always seemed to jar other electronics into starting. "Oh I wish this stupid thing would work!"
That seemed to do the trick and Sarah heard a low response.
"It might work better if you used it properly. But I shouldn't be surprised. Anything you figured out last time was due to pure luck."
The voice sounded too close to be coming from the bizarre communication device, and Sarah spun towards the direction of the criticism. An unwelcome guest stood in front of the grandfather clock.
"You! I was trying to contact Eran! He's been much more helpful, why, he hasn't even tried to kill me yet!"
Jareth smirked. "It appears there was a minor mix-up with Watcher assignments, and Eran had to be… relieved. In the meantime, I have kindly offered to step in."
"Great. Just great." She stormed to her loveseat and fell ungracefully upon it. "Well, I hope you are a quiet Watcher person, I really am not in the mood to talk with you right now."
"Indeed. In that case, good luck figuring out the Preliminaries on your own…." He turned slowly towards the door.
"Wait one minute buddy. Preliminaries? Is that what this 13 o'clock meeting is all about?"
He smiled, revealing two sharp canines. "Perhaps."
Sarah mulled her options over, before forcing out her statement. "I may not like you very much. Scratch that, I can't stand you at all. But I figure the faster I can finish this stupid game, the faster I can get out of here. I'll worry about passing off whatever rights the winner gets later. Kingdom or not, I don't want to run in your maze the rest of my life. So, start prepping me or doing whatever a Watcher is supposed to do."
His expression turned thoughtful. "Certainly. The Preliminaries are how the elders gauge your innate talents. As you may have guessed, it is done here in Elder Tower before the actual Game begins in my Labyrinth. You will be placed within a room with the other competitors to be viewed."
"Viewed? That's it? They just watch us stand in the room?"
"Basically." He shrugged one shoulder. "At least, that is all you will be doing."
"I'm not going to enjoy this very much, am I?"
Her worry rose when his only response was a wide, but knowing, smirk.
Wonderful.
Sarah spent the remaining hours in the room counting the stones in the floor and had reached two hundred and forty-three before she lost track. Bored stiff, but not excited about speaking with the devil himself, who had she had caught staring at her for the past two hours, she stood to thoroughly check the drawers in the chest.
It was a good thing she did. In a small cabinet near the bottom, she pulled out a cloth pouch which could be tied around her midsection. She slid in the unusual crystal spheres that she had yet to figure out, and dropped in the corked vial for good measure. As she attached the bag to her person and pulled the tunic on top, a deliberate knock broke the silence.
"Lady Sarah, Your Majesty." A wiry youth stepped in and bowed. "They are ready for you at Preliminaries."
"Excellent. Come Sarah, you wouldn't want to miss opening festivities, now would you?"
She rolled her eyes at the happy prospect. "Whatever. I could use a change of scenery anyways."
Sarah was so absorbed in thought as she followed her captors back down the hall that she completely missed the familiar face hanging in the Hall of Victors.
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A/N: Poor Sarah. Can't figure out what to do with the spheres. And I wonder whose face it could be on the wall...