Apologies again for not posting in like forever hopefully you like how the story is going. It's actually getting near that end and thats slightly weird. I started writing this in my first year at uni and now, over 3 years later, I have 3 weeks to go and still isn't quite finished. Thanks go out to all my loyal readers and reviewers who've stayed with me.

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Cheers

Chapter 29

The High Council occupied a vast and ornate hall within the palace structure. The five members were amongst the oldest and most politically powerful of the ruling fae class. They would sit in five large gilded chairs upon a dais at one end of the room. Thalia and her retinue were gathered on the floor before them.

There was no sign of Sarah yet and that had the Goblin King worried. The Royal family had a private balcony where they could oversee events but the separation and wait was killing him. Oberon hadn't appeared either but as he was the only one able to use magic to transport into the councils chamber that wasn't a problem.

When the High Councillor, the Speaker, entered the room a deathly silence fell. He was one of the most revered of the elders and he cultivated an image to match his advanced age. Long robes and beard gave the impression of wisdom, hopefully he held actual wisdom and sense too.

Despite the hush in the room order was called for. A bell tolled as he took his seat, signalling the beginning of the session.

Jareth knew that as a fae he was immune from stress induced heart attacks but if Sarah didn't appear soon he felt as if his heart would explode from its pounding.

Titania laid a hand on her step sons shoulder in reassurance. "Don't worry, she'll make it, safe and sound."

Sarah could feel time running out on her like grains of sand filtering through her fingers. The Palace was a huge complex of interconnected buildings and the way to the council chambers was heavily guarded but obviously the word of her powers hadn't spread and while time consuming, they were unchallenging to take out.

The crystal in her hand was starting to pulse madly hopefully signalling the end of her journey. Large, heavy, intricately carved wooden doors stood in front of her.

As did over a dozen guards.

"Who claims this child?" The Speaker's voice, still strong, rang out from the dais.

As Thalia stepped forward the chambers large doors slammed open and a dozen guards flew across the room followed at a more stately walk by a woman who visibly shimmered with magic.

"I do! Give me the child." A wave of gasps had spilled through the room at Sarah's entrance and her voice cut across them.

"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond this Shining City to take back the child that you have stolen, for my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great..."

Jareth was glad that that speech wasn't being aimed at him this time and slightly turned on by the power his love was channelling through her. The skin tight leather helped too.

"You have no place in this human." The Speaker intoned calmly.

"You took my son without permission. Ask the Goblin King what I did to get my brother back. I suggest you give him to me now and avoid any unpleasantness."

"Goblin King," He addressed the Royal Balcony. "Who is this woman?"

Sarah could feel the magic flowing through her she was glad to have made it at the right moment. Her crystal guide had dissolved when she crossed the threshold. Trying to keep her temper in check was becoming difficult though, despite the show she was putting on, she knew she was beginning to weaken. Though Jareth did provide a little distraction from her problems, appearing from the balcony in a shower of glitter.

"May I introduce the Champion of the Labyrinth, my wife to be, well whenever she finally agrees. The mother of my heir, Sarah Williams." He took her hand and held it against his lips briefly.

"Goblin King! It is forbidden to gift magic to humans!" The Speaker raised his voice in anger for the first time and it was directed at Jareth.

"I'm still here you know." Sarah pointed out to the two males who were now ignoring her. "And my powers and how I came by them have nothing to do with this, We are here to discuss you returning my son to me."

Thalia choose her moment to step forward and confront Sarah on the matter. "He isn't your son. He is my husbands child and unwanted by the birth mother."

"Yes let's talk about your husband." Sarah retorted, "He travelled above and broke laws that are in place to protect our children. My cousin Lily was under-age when he tricked her into bed. He then abandoned her to face pregnancy alone."

"The laws of the above are not relevant here, champion." The old fae had finally regained his calm.

"What about the rules of your own world? Are they valid?" Sarah goaded.

"What a pointless question. This council exists to rule within our laws."

"I want my son back." She was adamant

"The High Council has gathered to decide the child's fate. A claim has been made by the wife of the boy's father."`

"I was chosen by his birth mother, Lily, to raise him."

"And his father is to have no say in the matter?" The slight raising at one side of the old man's lips gave Sarah the impression that he thought he'd won a point.

"He lost that right by knowingly abandoning Lily to face pregnancy alone."

Jareth squeezed the hand he still held, to gain her attention, "It doesn't work that way here, Sarah." He looked pained at the admission.

She turned to give him her full attention and looked into his eyes, "Explain to me how Eric would have been allowed to claim my baby from above."

"The fae are always allowed to take abandoned children. We can always feel those who have been wished away, to give a child away gives them the same feel." Jareth answered.

"And the same rules apply to any wished away child? Whether they are verbally wished away and taken or not?"

Another council member spoke in answer. "Correct, therefore Lady Thalia's claim is valid. The child was wished away, so we could take him."

Sarah smiled inwardly, "Jareth dear, tell the nice man what I had just done again the night our baby was conceived."

The glint in his eyes told her he had cottoned on to her plan. "I felt the wish on the boy and took him." He turned back to face the council. "Sarah ran the Labyrinth for him, and won."

Sarah let the smile on her face grow, "Therefore, I believe, under your own laws you had no right to take him from me again."

"But he isn't really your son." Talia's whining voice was really starting to grate against Sarah's ears

"Neither was Toby but I ran for him."

The look on the old man's face was priceless, Sarah hadn't known a being that old could still pout like a five year old. A different councillor had to answer. "Lady Thalia, the Human is correct, she won the right to take the boy home. He will be released back into your custody."

"But he should be mine. That human tart has got one of her own on the way already, why should she have mine?" Thalia's strident voice broke out again.

Jareth almost felt sorry for Thalia, almost. He could feel Sarah gathering the power to retaliate. He pulled her slightly closer and advised, "I wouldn't use magic against others in here, precious, the wards will make it turn back on you."

"I was just going to improve her voice a little bit. No one would notice if she squealed like a pig instead of talking." She replied.

"No they wouldn't, would they." He took Sarah into his arms so he could taste her smile. Before he could the Speaker called for order again.

"Jareth, King of the Goblins, for gifting magic to a human you must be punished, and the mortal stripped of her powers." The old man did not like being thwarted especially not by a human.

He put Sarah away from him, "One moment precious," Jareth turned back towards the dais, "I think you'll find it wasn't me that gave her power."

"Guards seize the Goblin King!" The Speaker's voice rang out through the room.