A/N: Thank you to everyone who takes the time to give my story a read, this is my first Labyrinth fanfiction, and I was nervous as all get out about posting it. There isn't going to a set schedule for me to upload the chapters as I have work and real-life issues to deal with.
Please leave a review if you have time, I would love the feedback. And without further ado…
I do not own anything except any OC characters that I choose to add into the story. Thank you.
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XXIII.
Sarah wasn't sure when she had let her eyes drift closed, but a soft tapping on her arm made her open her eyes. She blinked them blearily as she sat up, stretching from falling asleep hunched over on the table. As she stretched, she heard a soft feminine laugh and her gaze focused as she realized who was next to her. It was Jareth's younger sister Avalina, and standing not far behind her, was Cian's wife, Brei. Sarah jumped up from the chair, almost tripping on the hem of her dress, which caused Avalina to giggle again. "I'm sorry, your highnesses. Did you need something?" She asked, still a bit groggy.
Avalina giggled again, her smile evident. "Jareth told us to come find you, to make sure that you were not in trouble. Since you did not call for him, he was worried. He is still in that boring council meeting. I guess they have a lot to speak about because of the tournament." She answered.
"That was kind of him. How are you both, today?" Sarah asked, smiling softly.
Avalina grinned back at her, "I am well. Mother told me that I have to behave myself since there will be other royals coming soon." She said.
Brei returned Sarah's smile, "I am well, also. Cian is in the council meeting as well. I am also welcome, but I care not for dull political affairs." She replied.
Sarah nodded, then realized what Avalina had said. "Other royals?" She asked.
Avalina nodded, "To observe the tournament. There has not been a King's Tournament in almost 500 years. Everyone is excited."
Brei nodded, "There will be many a watcher. These events are not to be taken lightly." She smiled at Sarah, "Nevertheless, that is not the only reason we are here. Jareth also requested that we help educate you on the palace etiquette. Manners and such for the upcoming company. Though, it seems as though it will not be as difficult as I previously thought. Your manners at super last night were quite passable. We will be honing those skills to be impeccable." She finished, a glint of determination in her eyes.
Avalina giggled as Sarah made a face. "Don't worry, Brei knows what to do. She has tutored myself in some aspects of etiquette lessons because Mother seems to think I have not matured enough for my age. Shows what she knows. I choose to act this way." She huffed, but grinned.
Sarah wasn't quite sure what to make of Avalina, but she did like her. She was definitely a breath of fresh air and not at all like most fae that Sarah researched about for her books. "So, where should we begin?" She asked, not quite totally eager to start etiquette lessons, but she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of the other royals.
Brei smiled wider and motioned for Sarah to follow. "Come. We will adjorn to the lounge for tea and a light lunch before we begin. We can start there." She replied.
Avalina held her arm out much to Sarah's surprise, but Sarah link arms and they began the walk back towards the castle. "Sarah, may I ask a question? Albeit, you do not have to answer if you do not feel comfortable." She side-glanced at Sarah, her gaze curious.
"Sure, I don't see why not." Sarah answered, almost afraid of what Avalina was going to ask.
"How did it feel to beat the Labyrinth and my brother?" Avalina asked, her eyes filled with an unusual look, as though she wasn't sure how to feel about her question.
Brei stopped mid-step and whirled around. "Avalina! You do not just ask the Champion that kind of question!" She blurted out, her eyes wide with shock.
Sarah waved her free hand in a dismissive motion from right to left. "It's alright. I can try to explain it as best I can. Though I wasn't expecting that at all." Sarah took a deep breath. "In truth, I was terrified. I just wanted my brother back and had been given an ultimatum for him." Sarah let her gaze unfocus as she spoke, letting old memories wash over her.
Brei stepped in line beside Sarah, though not guiding her as Avalina was as they walked towards the castle.
"I was young, stubborn, and pretty much a brat. Looking back on it now, it was definitely one of the turning points in my life. That last step from childhood to womanhood." Sarah paused, her mind actively reliving her younger years rather quickly as she spoke.
"How old were you?" Brei asked softly, her eyes still wide with a curious gaze as she stared at Sarah.
"15. It had been a somewhat trying few weeks. My father and step-mother were going out almost every weekend and leaving me home with my brother. I felt it was unfair." Sarah's lips formed a melancholy smile as she remembered. Irene's image ghosted across her vision as she remembered a particular conversation.
'Your father and I go out very rarely.'
'You go out every single weekend!'
'I ask you to babysit only if it won't interfere with your plans.'
'Well how do you know? You don't know what my plans are. You don't even ask me anymore.'
'I assume you'd tell me if you had a date. I'd like it if you had a date. You should have dates at your age.'
'Ah Sarah, you're home. We were worried about you.'
'I can't do anything right, can I?'
"I realize now that was very childish of me, but if I hadn't acted in such a way, I never would have learned my lesson." She let her gaze flicker between Avalina's and Brei's before continuing. "I loved fairy-tales, but I didn't believe for one moment that my wish would actually be granted." The ghostly images of baby Toby and her parent's room passed across her vision as she remembered.
'I can bear it no longer! Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be, take this child far away from me!'
'I wish I did know the right words to say...'
'I wish the Goblins would come and take you away...right now!'
Sarah sighed, but continued. "Now...the Labyrinth, as I told your brother quite a number of times, was a piece of cake." Sarah was startled out of her reverie by the sound of raucous laughter.
Avalina had her head tilted back and her fiery red hair shook like flames as she laughed. "You called his Labyrinth a piece of cake?! Oh, he must have been furious!" She cackled.
Sarah smiled at Avalina's laughter as she recalled Jareth's reaction.
'How are you enjoying my Labyrinth, Sarah?'
'It's a piece of cake.'
'So, the Labyrinth's a piece of cake, is it? Well, let's see how you deal with this little slice!'
She was sure he had been furious with her, but at the time, it hadn't mattered. Toby had been the only thing on her mind. "I believe he was. But I was determined. I braved the hedge maze, the fiery forest, the Bog of Eternal Stench, the junk lady, and the Goblin City. I, with the help of my friends, made it to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, to take back the child that had been stolen." As Sarah spoke, her voice trailed off as the scene played in her head as though it were yesterday.
'Give me the child.'
'Sarah, beware. I have been generous up until now, but I can be cruel.'
'Generous?! What have you done that's generous?'
'Everything! Everything that you wanted, I have done. You asked the child be taken, I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time, I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?'
'Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City to take back the child you have stolen, for my will is as strong as yours-'
'Stop. Wait. Look, Sarah. Look what I'm offering you. Your dreams.'
'And my kingdom is great...'
'I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want.'
'And my kingdom is great...Damn...I can never remember that line...'
'Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave.'
'My kingdom is great...my kingdom is great…
...You have no power over me.'
"Precious?" A quiet, but familiar masculine voice cut through Sarah's memory.
Sarah's vision started to clear as she tried to focus on the scene in front of her. She was standing in the entryway to the garden and castle, with Avalina and Brei standing to her right with concerned looks on their faces. Sarah blinked a few times and realized the cause of their concern. As she slowly reached up a hand and touched her cheek, she pulled it away, and noticed it was wet.
"Sarah...are you alright?" The voice asked again.
Sarah's eyes snapped up and was met with the tender mismatched gaze of Jareth's, who seemed to be clearly worried. "J-Jareth?" She replied, her voice cracking roughly.
He gave her a gentle smile, took one of her hands in his, and stepped closer. He reached up with a leather-gloved hand and brushed the tears from her cheeks, the cupper her face, studying her gaze. "Avalina summoned me. She said that you and her were discussing a personal subject when you suddenly stopped and tears began to flow from your eyes. Both Ava nor Brei knew not what to do." Jareth answered, as he pulled Sarah into a tight embrace. He leaned down close to her ear and whispered, "You must have been discussing something very emotional, I could feel your distress as clear as a crystal. I would have teleported directly to youin the middle of the council meeting if Avalina had not come to fetch me." He rubbed small circles on her back as he straightened upright, and stepped to the side, not releasing Sarah's hand.
Sarah sniffled softly and Jareth gave her a gentle squeeze before he turned to his sister and sister-in-law. "Where were you headed to?" He asked.
Avalina smiled and was about to speak, but Brei spoke first.
"On our way to tea and luncheon, Your Majesty. We were going to start Lady Sarah's etiquette lessons today." She replied, giving a quick curtsy and a small smile.
"No lessons for today. Start fresh tomorrow. It seems that Lady Sarah needs more time to recuperate than previously thought. I will escort Lady Sarah to her room and make sure that tea and luncheon are brought to her. If that is acceptable?" He said as she turned to look questioningly at Sarah.
Sarah nodded, feeling much too drained to argue. 'A rest was definitely needed', she thought.
"Good day Princess Brei and Princess Ava. I shall see you both at suppertime, I hope?" He asked, flashing them a glittering smile.
Both women nodded and proceeded to walk away, not questioning Jareth or Sarah.
Jareth took Sarah's hand and linked it under his arm, pulling her closer. "Come, Sarah. Walk with me." He said, gently, giving her arm a light squeeze.