Author's Note: Sorry I know it's been a little while and I'm sorry. I've been helping out with VBS and...the kindergardeners thought I was a toy. I was so wore out I couldn't think well enough to attempt this story. Anyway I know it is short but I promise to make up for it with the next chapter. Thanks for reading! Now on with the story!
Chapter 26
(Not too late)
Oberon and Darien quickly made their way toward the Goblin Kingdom. They knew their timing would have to be just right. There were only two options: get Sarah just before the ceremony or get her just after. They would prefer before but as long as the marriage wasn't consummated the marriage could be annulled.
"This is going to be close." Darien Remarked as they neared the Labyrinth from below. "If she…"
"It's not a problem so long as the marriage ceremony isn't finished." The Seelie High King announced. Oberon didn't even want to think about the consequences if they were too late.
Sarah stood before the closed doors in silence. In a moment the doors would open and she would walk down the aisle to marry a man she wanted nothing to do with. The Dark haired woman knew the moment she did any freedom she might have held would be gone. Sarah would soon be at Jareth's mercy and subject to his whims even more than she was now.
"Here we go," Queen Lorelei whispered as the doors opened.
One at a time the bridesmaids slowly walked down the aisle. A little girl then entered making her way down the aisle as the flower girl.
It was then Sarah stood at the entrance to the ballroom. She felt more than a little nervous as Jareth came into view. He looked at her and even from a distance she couldn't miss the satisfaction in his smug smile.
Everyone rose to their feet and the music changed. Feeling a slight push Sarah glanced back to see Talon. If she didn't walk on her own he'd force her down the aisle to his king.
Taking a deep breath she entered through the ballroom doors and slowly made her way down the aisle. Unlike above ground weddings Brides walked the aisle alone here. Sarah was nervous as so many UnSeelie fae watched her every move. She was thankful the veil would obstruct their view of her face at least a little.
The Goblin King took her hand as she reached the base of three stairs. Calmly Jareth walked up the three stairs and turned to face his dark haired obsession. He sensed she was uneasy and even anxious.
Gently he rubbed his thumbs over her hands in an attempt to calm her. Sarah knew what Jareth was trying to do but there was no way he would be able to calm her. She didn't want to be in the same room with him, let alone have him touch her hands while they became married.
"We can't wait any longer." Queen Benessa announced. "The ceremony has started. We have to start the distraction now and hope Oberon and Darien are there."
"Traiton…"
"Attack!" The King of light elves ordered.
"Pixies away!" Benessa announced. Raising her hand at the labyrinth she sent a burst of energy from her palm into the center of the Labyrinth. She looked at the other fae around her and immediately they began to randomly attack the labyrinth from afar.
"We come here today to bear witness to the union of King Jareth of the Goblin Kingdom and Lady Sarah Champion of the Labyrinth. In solving the Labyrinth she is worthy of a place at his majesty's side."
Jareth took Sarah's right wrist and she took his as a symbolic cloth was placed over their adjourned arms. "With this…" Hearing a screech everyone fell silent and all eyes went to the doors.
The Goblin King instantly felt the Labyrinth imploring him for help. 'Damn it!' He mentally cursed. "It seems we have unwanted visitors." Jareth said, annoyed. He looked at his bride and didn't miss the uncertainty in her eyes. "Talon see to the intruders. I'll be there soon." His guards bowed and quickly headed out.
"It seems we will need to make this rather quick." Jareth said and held tighter to the green eyed girl.
"With this binding King Jareth and Lady Sarah take the first step of bonding." Bishop Vaelz announced.
Looking at King Jareth the Bishop said, "Do you take the Lady Sarah to be your wife. To provide, protect, and keep for all time?"
"I do, for all eternity." The King replied in a firm pleased tone.
The bishop then turned his attention to Sarah. "Do you Lady Sarah accept your position as King Jareth's wife? Promising to be faithful and supportive in all his endeavors; remaining obedient to him as your husband and master?"
Sarah felt him squeeze her arm beneath the cloth in warning. "I do." The dark haired girl said defeated.
The bishop then placed a ring on each of their left fingers and places his hands over the now joined two left hands. "I pronounce these two beings as married in the eyes of fae law by their kiss. At consummation their bond shall never be broken. Long live King Jareth and Queen Sarah."
The Bishop removed the sacred scarf from their hands. Jareth then reached over and carefully lifter her veil. He could tell at some point she'd cried but ignored it. Taking hold of her by the back of her neck he coaxed her forward and kissed her, bringing the ceremony to an end.
Several cheers erupted as the UnSeelie court openly celebrated the Goblin King's accomplishment of claiming his obsession as his wife.
"Take my wife to my bedchamber." Jareth ordered. Looking at Sarah he said, "Once I've gotten rid of our unwanted guests will consummate and then join everyone for the rest of the celebration."
Guards immediately took the new queen and escorted her out of the ball room.
Jareth turned in time to see pixies fly into the room and drop berries and nuts on the wedding guests. Angered he went towards them but they quickly flew back outside avoiding the king's wrath.
Oberon and Darien reached the end of the tunnel. Oberon produced an orb of light that lit up the area. There they found a lever and pulling it the roof opened and stairs were produced. Quietly the two started to ascend the stairs.
As they got closer to the top they noticed the bed Darien magically moved the bed and they entered Sarah's room.
"What is…"
"They're attacking. The ceremony must be taking place." Oberon said sounding slightly disappointed. "It's still not too late. We can grab her as soon as they bring her back here. Jareth will personally see to any attack."
The two men waited patiently.
"Will he have her brought here or his room?" Darien asked after a few minutes.
"His room." They said in unison.
Quickly they went to the discrete door and opening it, entered Jareth's room. There they waited. Soon they'd have Sarah.
Sarah walked sadly through the castle. 'No one can save me now' the dark haired girl thought to herself. 'I'll never see my family again.'
As they reached Jareth's room fear entered Sarah's brain. She knew the King wouldn't be inside now but was well aware he would be later; Sarah knew what was coming.
"My Queen," A guard said and opened the door. "His majesty will…. Intruders!" The guard yelled seeing the Seelie royals.
Oberon sent out a burst of energy as Prince Darien grabbed Sarah. Not knowing who they were or why they were there the dark haired girl screamed.
The dream prince wasted no time and holding the struggling new queen firmly, he disappeared from Jareth's room appearing inside the open tunnel.
A moment later Oberon joined them. Replacing the bed and closing the tunnel they erased any evidence of where they'd gone.
"Who are you?" Sarah asked not hiding her fear.
"I am King Oberon. We're here to help."
"You're too late, Jareth made me marry him." She said and looked sadly down at the ground.
"No child, it's not. The marriage is not yet consummated." The Seelie High King said gently. "We must go. Your friends are waiting to know you're safe."
"Frie…Hoggle, Didymus and Ludo?" She asked hopeful.
"Yes. Come, we must go before anyone remembers this tunnel." Prince Darien warned. "Traiton and Benessa can't keep up the attack long."
"Agreed. All will be explained when we are safe." Oberon told her. Sarah didn't argue and began making her way through the tunnel back toward Oberon's kingdom.
"We've won. They're retreating." King Starvos said pleased.
"Majesty!" Jareth turned to see the guards he'd sent with Sarah.
"Why are you not with..."
"They've taken the queen."
"Who took her?" Ormond inquired.
"Oberon."
Jareth let out a roar. "It was a diversion!" He said angrily. The Goblin King knew something wasn't right about the abrupt attack. "How could I be so stupid?"
"We'll get her back." Acrisia assured the angry king.
"How did they get in?" Queen Lorelei inquired. "We should have sensed a power as strong as Oberon and we didn't."
"Good question." Ormond said and took a moment of thought. "How did they get through the Labyrinth undetected?"