Chapter 27
(All isn't lost)
Ishaan slammed his fist down on the table. "Damn it!" He yelled angrily. The red head angrily lashed out at the table knocking off a stack of books. "I should've had them accidentally killed!" He closed his eyes trying to calm himself and think of something. "All isn't lost. I just have to make sure Jareth gets her back and consummates the marriage in time. Ormond also needs to find a way…."
The cruel man fell silent as he remembered no one knew how Oberon had gotten in and out. "There must be a secret passage somewhere." Ishaan quickly left his room. It was time to find Jareth.
Jareth knocked several bottles off his bar in anger. "How the hell did he get her?" He yelled angrily. "I finally have her and the bastard takes her!"
"How indeed?" Ishaan inquired from the doorway of the King's study. All eyes fell on the immortal human. "Oberon got in and out without being detected. The only way that is possible is if there is a secret tunnel."
"We would've sensed his magic." Ormond retorted.
"Not if it was magically enchanted." Ishaan replied. "Somewhere in this palace is a secret entrance. One that is probably known by that little band of traitors you banished." He said looking at the Goblin King.
"Hoggle and Ludo know little about the kingdom at all." Jareth replied.
"What of the former knight?" Ormond inquired.
Jareth fell silent. Sir Didymus had been a very respected and involved knight for many years; as had the fox's father. "I suppose it is possible but why would he know more than me about my kingdom?"
"How does not matter." Ishaan replied. "We must find this tunnel or tunnels. They may be useful in retrieving Queen Sarah as well as gaining us access to Oberon once we have the means to entrap him in the Amulet."
"Then we start looking for the tunnels immediately!" Jareth announced. "I want her back now!"
"Not just yet." Ormond told him. "Find the tunnel yes, but we can use them to retrieve your bride and imprison my brother at the same time."
Jareth internally growled. He did not want to wait to retrieve his bride. Still, Ormond had a point. It was more advantageous to accomplish both tasks at once.
"Very well but we must hurry to collect that amulet." Jareth said not hiding his concern.
"You find this hidden entrance; I'll see what I can do about the amulet."
"Perhaps the tunnel might create access to both." Ishaan suggested. "It would stand to reason the tunnel must be beneath the labyrinth and lead completely out of this kingdom. Otherwise the Labyrinth would have sensed the presence and alerted you." He said looking at the King of Goblins. "Unless I am mistaken."
"No it would have alerted us if it had sensed a Seelie power as strong as a Fae," Jareth replied.
"Then we find this tunnel first." Ormond agreed.
Lorelei stood quietly on the balcony. She had mixed feelings about what was happening. Part of her was upset the girl was gone. The other part rejoiced. Sarah wasn't just some girl Jareth had become obsessed with and forced into marriage. The UnSeelie Queen couldn't explain it but she felt like Sarah was her daughter. The blonde woman wanted more for Sarah; she wanted her to be happy, even if it meant never seeing her again.
A tear rolled down her cheek. "Be safe my Sarah." She whispered. It wouldn't do for any of the others to know how she felt.
Sarah hugged her friends; delighted to see them again. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't do…"
"Now you don't need to be worryin none abouts us Missy." Hoggle told her.
"Are you alright fair maiden?" Sir Didymus asked with a concerned face.
Sarah glanced down and gave a small frown. "I'm afraid I'm not a maiden anymore Didymus; The Goblin King saw to that."
"You are our Lady." The Fox night said understanding what had happened to her.
"Told you, he is a dirty rat!" Hoggle said angrily. "It don't mean anything Missy; you're still special."
"Thanks Hoggle." Sarah told him.
"Would you show Sarah to her room?" Oberon asked.
"It would be an honor Majesty." Sir Didymus replied and gave the two royals a bow. "Come my lady." Sarah didn't argue and began walking through the halls with her friends.
Prince Darien waited until the woman and her friends were gone. "He raped her!" The Dream Prince said angrily.
"We don't know that." Seeing the Prince looked at him shocked he said, "Yes he's bedded her but we don't know the circumstances around it. She may have agreed to protect someone; Sarah is self sacrificing."
"If he did…"
"Then we will see him tried." Oberon assured him. "If he raped her I'll deliver the punishment myself."
It was late as Ishaan made his way down the dark staircase that led underground. The smell of moss and mold filled the air. He unlocked a door and entered a small underground dungeon.
"Hello gentlemen, I trust you have been able to keep each other entertained." The red haired man taunted.
"What do you want Ishaan?" Prince Tenaris asked tiredly.
"Come to finally kill us off?" King Eliseo asked tired and defeated.
"Why would I want to do that? I thought you'd be excited to know your daughter has gotten married." Ishaan said in fake kindness.
"My daughter died and you know it." Eliseo said with angry green eyes.
"No Eliseo. Your daughter Sarah is very much alive; you see Lindalynn took her to the mortal realm. Your daughter is now here and married to King Jareth."
"NO! It's not true!" King Eliseo said horrified. "My daughter would never…."
"You don't know your daughter." Ishaan countered. "Though I admit she only married him to save her friends. I'm sure you'd love to know one of the people she saved was Hoggle; the very dwarf that betrayed you."
Ishaan laughed cruelly at the pain he saw in the King's eyes. "When all is said and done I am going to rule the underground. Oberon and Ormond will both be under me, as it should be. Their power will be mine."
"You'll never succeed!" Prince Tenaris snarled.
"Oh no? I have kept you both prisoners for years and no one suspects a thing. Everyone believes your dead. Who's going to stop me?" Laughing the evil human left the dungeon.
"Sarah is alive." Eliseo said in quiet amazement. "My daughter is alive." Tears of joy entered the eyes of the girl's father. "We have to think of something Tenaris. There must be some way for us to get free. I have to save her."
"If Sarah's really alive maybe you can reach her." Tenaris suggested. "You're her father. It's the only thing we haven't tried yet. You and Sarah would be bound by blood. You couldn't reach Lorelei but Sarah…you might be able to."
"I have to try."
Author's Note: I know it's been a while and I'm sorry. I've had comp problems and thrown out several chapters. But I have already started the next chapter so I know I'm back on track. Hope everyone in the USA had a great 4th!