A/N: Okay so I'm terrible and I haven't updated since January. SHOCKING I KNOW! What can I say... Life got away from me. I'll try to post more regularly from now on. As always, please R&R, reviews make me happy and I post faster :D
A white feather, its tip tinged with gold, spiraling as it fell slowly through the empty air of a cloudy sky as its former owner flew over the sprawling desolate land below it, accelerating over the sparse topped mountains with dark amber eyes flashing with fury. The wind whipped past the owl like knives as his wings beat viciously in his haste to speed onward past the looming towers of rock in his path, protecting and shielding the horizon from his eyes at every turn. The anger that thrummed through him fueled his adrenaline, both of which at this point were the only things keeping him airborne. The journey was perilous at best even without the weather working against you, and he had been in the sky too long to recall what time he had departed. His only thought was to reach the expansive grounds and fortress of the High Council before the sun embarked on its descent or else he would freeze; and none would find him.
Leaning left, his wing dipped and he soared around another formation of crumbling stone, the sun catching the gold on his tips and sending it flashing blindingly in reflection until he dipped back into the shade. The others would have been alerted to his presence now even though he had neglected to send word ahead, and he hoped they were ready for his wrath when he landed. In his talons he gripped a single scroll tied with a royal blue and gold fringed ribbon which continuously caught the wind and slowed him every time he turned. An inexperienced flier might have been sent off course from the drag, but then again an inexperienced flier would not have dared a trip to the High Council for fear of being turned out and banished from their midst. Only the best got to speak with them, and only Jareth dared to approach them with his ire on his sleeve and his intent drawn clearly upon his face. Some queried how he hadn't been disgraced and shunned for his actions and decorum thus far, and those were the ones that would never amount to anything from displaying such evident ignorance.
As he peaked, catching an updraft to carry him above the final chasm, the White Spire suddenly appeared in front of him like a beacon of pure light from behind an overlarge outcrop. The central point of the Fae Government, the marker alerted travelers that they had arrived before they could look below or beyond it and blinded those unworthy of entering within the wards and the walls of the Great City. For this reason no Mortal could chance or happen upon the uncharted territory should they find themselves in the wrong realm, nor could they escape if they were delivered unto the citadel for crimes extensive enough to merit a meeting with the High a mortal, to come this far meant near certain death. For Jareth it was reason to tuck in his wings and dive as he became streamlined, ripping through the vacant air towards the fortress that sat proud upon the precipice of a great cliff waiting for him sending the wind whistling and howling past him like a distant banshee. Below the White Spire lay Teraurumalis; The City of Crystal, where any Fae whether of high standing and blood ties or normalcy to the Southern and Eastern borders were brought up and where the members of the council dwelled.
Which naturally meant he was looking upon the place where he had grown up and trained as not just a soldier, but a Lord and King, and instead of feeling sentimental or nostalgic, his mood worsened until the black shadow of anger was almost tangible beside him like another shadow. Another updraft of air lifted him above the blanket of clouds once more and he lost sight of his childhood home for a few moments giving him time to shake the muddling protective wards from his mind as they tried to settle upon him. A moment later a symbol lit up on his breast in ultraviolet rays, eliciting a cry of pain as it stole his breath, but just as soon as it appeared it was gone again within the confines of his downing. Dipping back under the misty blanket, his now glistening wings carried him as he circled around the bell tower and the upper district as the beams from the sun sent blinding glares his way once... twice... before he descended further to alight upon the top of the marble steps.
As he touched down with another flash, the water from the nearby waterfalls and rivers pooled and surged and began wrapped around him in another protective wave and a last line of defense and admittance. He could feel his power dampened as the water drew back again, leaving boots where there had been talons and a head of blonde hair where a crown of gold feathers had sat seconds before. Flicking his hands out to the sides derisively with a snap, the last of the water droplets were sent flying to the flagstones underfoot where they splashed and halted. The scroll appeared in his hand from the back of his boot as his mismatched eyes flicked between the posted guards... then he momentarily turned on his heel to look upon the city that draped along the land as far as he could see from his vantage point, looking to where it merged on the horizon with the level of clouds that hid the treacherous map of sharpened but broken stone spikes and endless crevices that would lead anyone foolish enough to attempt the route to their imminent and agonising death. Upon thinking that final thought he smirked, the expression growing as his mouth twisted into a dark toothy smile and he ducked his head.
When he had been young... naive... he had imagined himself standing where he stood now as the ruler of their central axis, the leader of the Fae in their dominion. How he would have pulled the Country he now stood in back to its feet and from under the thumbs of those now controlling it, starting a new age for them all. But...That had been before... and that mattered to him and to others no longer. His smile disappeared like it had been slapped from his face and he span around once more to leave the breathtaking scenery behind him at his back. What mattered now was that he was a ruler and a leader like he had imagined, of a far greater land. No one else had been fit to take over the Country and land he now held under his title. None had been able to wrest control from the frankly horrific beasts that had occupied the domain until he had been assigned it as a fools task. And in doing so he had won it in more ways that one and had merged his magic and his soul within it, becoming their and its King and he their eternal servant. There was time enough to appreciate what could have been, but for now he wasn't here on a sight seeing trip fit for reminiscing or for a social call. This was strictly business. And justice. Stalking past the guards, he didn't even spare them a glance as he strode past them with his hands clenched in fists by his side and disappeared into the gloom beyond the open golden doors. Above him, the marker sent out a final flash of light then settled dormant yet again.
The Halls of Aurea were vast, far greater than what its exterior told, and far more lavish as well. Tapestries and crystal figurines adorned the walls where the stone was windowless, sconces burned white in their 4 foot tall holders along the floor. Expansive twin sprawling staircases greeted him upon first walking in, but he ignored them too in favour of continuing off to the side where another set of Guards were stationed. When he came into view they immediately swept to the side to let him pass, heads nearly touching the floor as they bowed deeply in respect, but his eyes stayed forward as he entered the door they had left vacant and slid across the mesh guard with a vicious swipe of his hand before they could attempt to aid him. A moment later the golden laced cage slid upwards, leaving the men behind, and leaving him with no option but to look upon the shrinking city once more. His parents were down there, somewhere, lost among the rest of the occupants of the Upper district. He had no desire to see them, though he knew they would be alerted that he had entered Aurea upon his departure. No doubt there would be an influx of letters once more too. It was just as well he was running low on kindling for the fire otherwise the idea of that might have annoyed him.
The scroll in his hand was tapped off the top of his thigh as he waited impatiently for the cage to ascend to the highest point of the building and take him to the court he had summoned. The ribbon was very much still intact as was his official wax seal, and he eyed both with mild interest so he couldn't be forced to look upon the over-celebrated place vanishing from view below him. Not too long later he drew to a halt, and before the officials waiting for him could react the grate had been yanked back and he was striding along across the carpeted marble floor towards the ivory towering doors at the other end of the hall. A troupe of guards flanked him, forcing him to slow his pace much to his agitation, but he did his best not to let it show. Glancing to his left, his old friend Xavior walked with his chin high and his expression proud... but a moment later it broke into a grin as he turned to look at Jareth.
"Your feather's are more ruffled that usual, my friend. I hope you are remembering that assault of any council member is treason and stands for grounds of banishment?" He greeted him jovially, the others behind him looking between themselves worriedly before looking forward once more.
Jareth broke a smile finally but otherwise he didn't move to confirm or deny. Not content with silence, the redhead tried again with a slightly softer expression as they rounded a corner and nearly knocked a servant and her duster to the floor. Catching herself, the woman scurried off and the sound of a closing door met his ears as his old comrade sighed.
"Whatever has happened, I'm sure you'll get it resolved. You always do. But might I ask that this time you refrain from insulting our King and ranting on his questionable or not practices? Maybe take a moment to visit your parents? Your Mother, Lavanya, she grows increasingly concerned with each visit of yours that passes without a visit. Some of my men are late from their border patrols because she waylays them in order to try and ascertain word from her son. It really is growing rather tedious, I have to say." He continued, his face turning forward too as they neared the doors.
A pang ran through Jareth at mention of the former lady but he grit his teeth to stave it off. Xavior was one of the few still alive that had grown up with him and for that reason alone talk of his Mother was permitted, but that did not mean he was going to enjoy the conversation. Swallowing the words he wanted to say forcefully, he took a moment to pull his cuffs slightly further over his gloves and and straightened his back.
"Now is not the time for pleasantries and social calls, Xavior. She had her chance, many a time before now. I am not at fault if she ran out of chances. Now if you'll excuse me, a matter of higher importance awaits me than an emotional wench. Insults or not, this matter is of great importance. And it cannot stand to be brushed off or go unheeded this time. I simply will not allow it."
He allowed the group to escort him as far as the doors, which groaned as they opened inwards with a gust of cold air to spill yet more light into the vast chamber before them. Then he broke from their ranks without a farewell and continued on past the Thrones that sat proud on top of the dais at the far end of the room to a nearly invisible door on the the right. The blond paused momentarily outside it to steel himself, then with a rap of his knuckles upon the wood to alert them of his presence he pushed the handles inwards and walked into the private solace and the group of Lords and Ladies waiting. Jareth had a volatile relationship and place within the hierarchy as it was already and it was questioned each and every time he graced these very halls with his presence. More often than not he was only there to aid in casting his vote for himself and his subjects, or giving his opinions on matters of security, their land and their people, and of their separate leaders. The balance on which this meeting was resting on stood to be overturned if one or the other set one foot wrong and yet once more he was the one entering their palace with an aggressive purpose. He knew in his heart of hearts that doing so was a fools folly but it did little and less to settle the turmoil within him.
Tobias Williams was not in any position to be breaching the recesses of his mind, breaking through the walls in his mind to render him at an emotional and literal disadvantage while he slumbered. And as a mortal, there was no way it could actually have been the boy; meaning someone or thing had managed to rip through his defenses. As a matter of personal and greater security it could not go unaddressed. And if they tried to abstain from action this time his hand would be forced. Looking around them his expression hardened, and he stepped further into the room. His gloved hands slid from the handles and the doors swung shut behind him with a rather decisive thud truly bringing the conversation within the room to a halt. The High King sat with his Wife Yennifer on his right around a grandly carved table depicting scenes of peace and harmony, looking thoughtfully up at Jareth as he drew himself to his full height and lifted his chin. The Captain of the Guard slid into the room a second later, and Xavior shot a frown at him as he took his seat. His first Lieutenant was seated across from him with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and a smattering of the Rulers who ran the neighbouring kingdoms to his own were in evidence as well. Walking forward with his seething rolling off him in waves, he all but threw the scroll in his hand at the King and watched as the heads turned to follow its course as it landed right between the man's arms.
"So I finally have your attention, my leige."
He snarled, pulling out his designated seat and dropping into it. The older man drew back from him with narrowed eyes and he had to fight a wicked grin as he glanced from his Wife to Xavior then back to Jareth. The scroll rolled back and forth slightly before stopping and the breaths in the room had visibly caught as they waited for Eanraig's reaction.
"Please, open it. Now. While we're all present." He added a moment later, leaning forwards as he bit out the words.
Eanraig continued to watch him from his seat, his finger tapping occasionally on the solid wood he rested on causing Jareth's nostrils to flare in agitation. Minutes passed, then cream gloves picked up the scroll and handed it backwards to their herald to read it out.
"Let it be known that my Herald Kaen will read out the cause of this council's summoning, in light of Lord Jareth's-"
Jareth held up his hand and immediately interjected, "King Jareth's, actually..."
Eanraig's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing at the interruption before he reluctantly inclined his head in agreement.
"My pardon's. In light of King Jareth's accusation's against his King and Council, as well as fellow Ruler's and Protector's of our kind, for... what is it exactly?"
He broke off as he suddenly sat up straight, displacing his wife's calming hand and looking at Jareth as if he'd dragged them in there to discuss the Weather. Xaviour sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth and snapped his eyes to lock onto his friend's for a moment before sending a glare his Majesty's way. Queen Yennifer moved both hands into her lap and looked around them all benignly as Kaen finally slipped off the ribbon and broke the wax seal. The moments of silence that ensued while he gave it a cursory once over were tense and loaded, the glares and pointed looks bouncing between them heated enough to warm the chilled room. With a short cough to clear his throat, the Squire chanced a look up at them before returning his eyes to the script and took in a deep breath.
"Jareth Kingston, King of the Goblins and Ruler of the Goblin Kingdom and Surrounding Labyrinth and lands, hereby accuses the High Court and Royal Hierarchy of... Mind Breaching, Treason, Assault and Security Breaks. If the Court is found innocent of these crimes then the perpetrator must be found and dealt with henceforth, and His Majesty Jareth will resume connections and law abiding from the Crown. If found guilty, the main perpetrator must be held accountable. No exceptions."
Yennifer's brows shot up as she looked between her husband... down to her Nephew. Lord Lachlan was starting to laugh over by the King's right hand side but this was quickly drowned out by Lady Patrycja's indignant response from beside Xavior. Jareth ignored them all as he continued staring intently at Eanraig and waited for his reply. The seconds stretched out into minutes and Kaen excused himself to depart through the nearest door, letting the laughter ring out until the man was silenced by his own wife. Jareth pushed his chair back and stood finally drawing their eyes and in doing so missed the look of satisfaction that crossed his Uncle's face as their gaze was cut.
"One week ago, I was attacked while resting within the walls of my own Castle. I was brought to a Mortal of whom I have not seen in many years who was standing within the borders on my realm."
He stated bluntly, sweeping his gaze across their faces. No one met his eye besides his Uncle and Lord Lachlan, the latter of who raised his own hand while his expression was positively amused.
"Are you sure you weren't merely dreaming, my lord?" He asked, earning a few titters and chuckles from the small congregated party.
Even Eanraig cracked a smile though Yennifer looked rather stony faced. Jareth's smile was sharp and mirthless as he rounded on the weedy man, his hands once more tucked his back.
"Quite sure, Lachlan. You see, dreams are things I specialise in spinning and manipulating, or have you forgotten? Dreams, sir, don't leave behind things like footprints and mucus miles from where you sleep. Do they?" He fired back.
The laughter died and the other man had the decency to lower his gaze with an admission of 'no'. Looking around them again, Lady Patrycja then raised a hand with a simpering expression and batted her eyes at him to get his attention.
"You haven't been yourself for quite some time, my lord. Perhaps... perhaps it was one of those dear Runner's of yours that so enjoy running around in your little maze?"
Xavior groaned as the temperature plummeted, but she just continued to smile and simper at the blond who's face had twisted into ugly displeasure. A crystal ball suddenly appeared in Jareth's hand, it's contents rapidly filling with dark smoke as he ground out a response.
"My little maze, hm? No, Patrycja, it was not a runner. It was an adolescent boy who was once wished away as an infant. The only one who's wisher ran and completed my Labyrinth without giving up, running out of time or horrifically dying. I am appalled at just how terrible our memories are becoming... perhaps this Council is unfit for this let alone running the country we find ourselves in."
Throwing the ball upwards without warning, it grew and inflated like a bubble until the scene of Toby's most recent venture to the Goblin realm was visible to them all. Immediately Lachlan protested with phrases like 'Impossible' and 'Treason! Lies!" but Yennifer silenced him with a small pass of her hand. They watched until the orb grew dark once more and burst then their Queen turned to her Nephew with glistening eyes. Standing from her chair, she ignored her Husband's queries as she swept over to him and pulled him in for a slight embrace. Her platinum blond curls hid his face as he bowed into her hold and he could feel the wetness clinging to her lashes as she blinked against his neck. It was over as soon as it began, but she didn't retreat further than a couple of steps.
"That was neither of our doing, but I assure you my husband will deal with it. But Jareth... darling, I saw no malice in that boy. Are you sure it wasn't... him?" She lowered her voice at the last few words, but Jareth snapped his head to the side in refute.
The woman bowed her head and curtsied, stepping away and back over to her her chair where her hands rested along its carved back.
"Very well. Let it be known the Council has heard these claims and assumes responsibility for finding it's cause. This matter will be discussed among the habitual council members and King Jareth is granted permittance to return home."
With a chorus of acquiescence, the other Lords and Ladies stood up and bowed to each other before excusing themselves and filing out. Xavior nodded at him on his way out and tapped his breast pocket where he carried his pocket watch to signal he'd see him later before Jareth departed once more from Aurea and by extension Teraurumalis. Eanraig watched the doors fall shut then sighed, letting the tension fall from his shoulders as the last one disappeared. When he lifted his gaze back to his Nephew it was with a broad grin.
"Business, how I hate it so. Come, Jareth, I haven't seen you in many a moon's turn. Let's leave your Aunt back to her studies; I'd like you to take a walk with me."
Jareth nodded stiffly and walked around the table with graceful speed, falling into step beside the older Man as they were shown out of the Solar and into the gardens. As a child these very same grounds had worried him as he hadn't understood how plants could survive at such a height, but now as an adult and a man in his own right he dismissed the thought from his mind. His Aunt Yennifer loved these gardens and tended them herself, often joking she was doing their god's work. They walked along together in companionable silence, their hands clasped behind their backs and their heads bowed. Passing another lady the both bowed and averted their eyes until she passed out of respect, then resumed their pace past the cordealias and towards the Moonflower mantle towards the East Wing. He let his mind wander as his feet carried him easily, his boots clicking quietly along the flagstones.
His Aunt had given him food for thought. Was there a chance it could have been Toby? He didn't imagine so. What could possibly cause him to have means of reaching his lands and realm without magical aid now after all these years? His lack of recollection of where he had been had been painful and it had cut. It was plainly obvious that S... that Sa... that his sister had neglected to bring him up with the story, the truth, of who and what he could have been. What should have been. The doorway he had gifted her hadn't seen light for nearly 10 years in her world, far longer in their own. And with each year that passed he was expected to choose a consort to replace his plan and to take her as a wife before his land and crown was deemed unnecessary and he lost his title and place within the council. As if reading his thoughts, his Uncle cleared his throat pointedly to draw his attention. Scratching at his jaw, he smooth his fingers over his beard for a moment as he chose his words and Jareth steeled himself for what was to come.
"...Jareth... I know I have been hard on you in recent years. Since your father lost his place here in Aurea, I swore to take you on as mine own. I'd like to think I haven't done too badly with all things considered." The man began.
His low gravelly tones carried slightly across the grounds but they were blissfully alone save for the insects and the birds that had taken up residence long before. Walking under the beautifully masoned arches Jareth stayed silent but inclined his head, opting to stay silent while he organised his thoughts and listened. His Uncle sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose, but he persevered and pushed on.
"This business with that Mortal... I had hoped that it would disappear. And partially it has. The main source of the problem that plagues you is gone, son, and instead of moving on from it you have let it consume you until now She still has a deep rooted place within your soul. Your land and your subjects are suffering from it, Jareth. I can stand by and watch you ruin both it and yourself no longer."
His deep blue eyes swiveled round to look at him again but Jareth merely bowed his head and looked away, his gloved hands closing and unfurling a few times. The breeze coming in from the surrounding plateau was brisk and cold, stirring the flowers and the shrubs beside them as a few leaves blew past by their feet. The sun was now embarking on its descent behind them and he focused on drinking in the image of how it lit up the garden in blazing red and gold while he chose his response. How did one speak of the untold and puzzling yearning he found within himself even after all this time? All for one girl. One that had originally been too young to understand what he had been offering her, willing to sacrifice and give her had she given him the chance. His hand came up to grip his jaw for a moment, his eyes clenching shut while his mind fended off the onslaught of the closed up emotion and the memory of Her.
"...Then don't watch, Uncle. For I see no way out of the void in which I have fallen into nor do I care to find one."
Eanraig nodded solemnly, then placed a hand on his shoulder to steer them towards the marble fountain over to their right. The flagstones underfoot turned from cream to sandstone, each embossed with the emblem of the Fae which lit up in the dying light to wink up at them. An all too familiar bench appeared and he was pushed into it a moment later quite firmly before the Higher King took his place beside him. And for a while they sat in silence watching the rays catch the cascading water colouring it in breath taking colours and listening to it trickle and fall continuously. In some ways Jareth likened it to time, which was one of his unique powers within the council. How it flowed. It was quite like water without the solidity or assurance of being reachable and it was often ignored. In the quiet his thoughts wandered once more, but this time they traveled home to where he had recently left for this journey. His Labyrinth had long fallen into disrepair from lack of runners and personal neglect on his part, though it had been crumbling from the walls ever since Sarah had come, shaken everything to the core, and left.
Her "friends" who had aided her had served their sentences in his dungeons and were free... but they had all but lost who they had once been too. The fire she had evoked in them had long died, and after years of sticking together they had splintered off one by one back to their old places to live out the rest of their lives alone in solitary. He had had two runners since the Williams duo, but neither had bowled him over or achieved any great feats. The first had ran out of time after falling foul of an oubliette and had consequently given up instead of fighting Jareth like Sarah had, going home with his head hung low and his tail between his legs. His baby sister had been turned the same day before she could work out what had happened and sent to live in the Goblin city. The second had gotten as far as the Entrance, taken one look at Hoggle killing the sprites and had balked. She had walked away from her twin cousins with a derisive laugh and had he not been magically binded from doing so it would have been her that he'd taken and kept to turn into another of the Goblin Horde.
"By doing so I let you forfeit you place in this Kingdom and our council, so alas I cannot. You see... It comes again that time that I must press you to do the right thing. The needed thing, if you as well as your kingdom and lineage is to continue and prevail like your parents, Aunt and I hope it will. You understand my position, don't you? I cannot be like this in front of others unless you accept who you are and stop humiliating yourself and the rest of us. It's time to move on."
Eanraig sat with his hands clasped between his knees, his own armour bulking his already large and rounded shoulders as his hooded features pulled into a frown. He didn't understand, that much was and always had been clear. Why 'fall' for a mortal when he could have so much more? Why risk everything he had and was for one measly little girl? It was foolish. It was incomprehensible. It defied everything they knew as a species. But the answer was simple; it was because Jareth had felt he could. Because for once he had been challenged and had felt alive for 17 hours and 12 minutes instead of the 13 hours he should have given her. He had bent the rules, reordered time, turned the world upside down all over the head of a 15 year old girl with an attitude problem and no sense of self preservation. When it was laid out before him he could see it plainly, though it did nothing to alleviate the feeling within him. However, contrary to popular belief in the rumour mill in Teraurumalis, it wasn't exactly love he felt for the girl anymore- or rather, the woman. It was anger. Aggravation. Contempt. Utter unadulterated frustration and agitation. Love was not an emotion he had ever claimed to have or to experience.
But he couldn't refute there had been a bond of sorts that had risen its head and he was damned if he knew what it was. The older Fae turned his head finally to look directly at him, his black hair speckled hair falling over his shoulder as his silver eyes latched onto Jareth's, his brow quirked expectantly. Jareth kept from blinking as he looked down at him, his nostrils flaring again as he finally accepted what had been coming for years. Centuries. His responsibilities had finally caught up with him, and there would be no shirking them now.
"You want me to take a wife." He finally spoke, his husky voice carrying slightly across the evening breeze.
It carried across the garden slightly but they were the only two to hear it as the birds had since departed. His white shirt billowed slightly as the wind picked up a little, stirring his blond hair and pushing it from his face to show off his angular features now made more prominent with the growing shadows. His admission panged painfully, but even as he said it the same part of him that had always protected him from personal destruction or true emotion rose up and swallowed it till he felt numb again. Eanraig sighed but nodded, looking down at the ground between his feet.
"It's what's needed of you now, Jareth. Expected, in fact. Your Aunt has had quite the task of finding Ladies of repute that she deems worthy of her Nephew. If I recall truly, your Mother helped as well."
The words rang out simply, softly, his accent lilting and melodic as the authoritative edge was well and truly lost. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled up at him, letting out a huffing laugh as he shook his head.
"Women, Jareth. What marvelous and miraculous creatures they are if somewhat scheming and hard to understand, hm?"
The sound of Xavior calling to his men from inside the castle could be heard distantly, drifting in on the wind and dying away again making the blond finally smile a little.
"Your journey here was as entertaining as always, by the way. Xavior could be heard laughing from the bell tower hours before you crested; he thinks you amusing if somewhat dramatic even still. I'm glad the two of you are still good friends. It gave him enough time to alert the servants to make up your room for the night and to tell the cook's to change their dinner plans to accommodate your palette. I must say I've never had Gregaiovic Wine before but is sounds... intriguing."
This time it was Jareth who laughed, the sound of which brought a sparkle to his Uncle's eyes and stopped the shouting from within the Keep's wall's in its tracks. It had been a while since anyone had heard him let alone seen him anything more than mildly irritated or bored in his own kingdom let alone in Teraurumalis or Aurea.
"It is an... acquired taste. I told him of it once when he visited years back, Year of Limune, and he got it into his head that it's considered a delicacy. Tomorrow morning shall be entertaining indeed... I will have to loiter around and stay for breakfast to share in the hilarity. Your captain might be unfit a trip to the lavatory let alone your army, however."
Eanraig grinned, his teeth glinting as he nodded to himself.
"Never a boring day with you around, dear Nephew. Now come along; we can enjoy Xavior ruining himself before you choose your bride tomorrow. Yennifer simply won't let you leave until you've at least perused the collection of Ladies she has pulled together for your inspection."
Rising to his feet, he clapped him on the shoulder gently and stepped away to lead the path back towards the fortress. Jareth watched him for a moment with his face expressionless but stood a moment later to follow in his wake. Not for the first time he cursed the gods for his existence and the situation that had followed and now caught up with him but there was little to be done for it now. He was no longer a child and as such had no excuses or need to foil the plans and ideals of the council any longer.
And without notice from either fae, a single crystal ball fell from their retreating backs and smashed soundlessly into water droplets on the stone behind them, and thousands miles away in a separate world Sarah Williams woke up with a start in her University dormitory with a scream.