A/N: Thank you all for continuing to read this fic. I am especially grateful for those who followed or favorited my fic. I am especially grateful for those who left reviews for it.
Special Shout out to my beta RMBiehl, thank you so much for how you helped me with this one.
So the main event has finally come. We finally get to the trial of the King Orin. I know how most of you feel about him, I hope that this chapter gives you some satisfaction. Thank you for reading please review.
Sarah made the trip to the capital for this council meeting with Jareth and Hoggle much the same way that she had for the last one. This time, however, they were joined by Talbot, Gruff, and Gimpy as well as an increased group of well-armed guards. Like the last time, Jareth wanted her nowhere near his father, but her attendance was mandatory being the alleged victim. Her change of status both as Queen of the Goblin Kingdom as well as Jareth's wife made her able to attend and testify. Something that she was barred from doing simply as a human from the Above, no matter that they had been betrothed.
He, as the last time, would not have a vote on the council, but this time as the accused his father wouldn't either. Jareth was concerned, however, his father had many allies on the council, and even with all their evidence, there were no guarantees that anything would happen to his father. This might all be for naught. If that happened he would have to seek vengeance on his own. Something he was more than willing and able to do, though he would not involve Sarah or anyone else in his plans.
He looked at Sarah, he had promised her that his father would pay for what he did to her family. That he would pay for what he tried to do to her and her brother. He told her he would never lie to her, and now he worried that this would be the first promise that he was going to have to break.
Upon arrival in the capital, Jareth took them straight to the inn. A different one this time from the last, but he was under no illusions, everyone in the capital knew where he and those from his kingdom would be staying. His mother offered lodging in the High Castle, but he turned it down. There was no conceivable way he or Sarah would ever stay a night under the same roof as his father. Hell, he didn't want him breathing the same air as Sarah or Toby, and he would take steps to do just that, starting tomorrow.
Jareth had insisted everyone stay in their rooms unless they were with others from their group. No one was to venture outside the inn unless they were all together. There were far too many who were involved in this in some way and had disappeared and as of yet none of them had been found. Jareth was determined that it was finished as of now. He would not lose anyone else in his father's campaign to shield himself.
They had a quiet evening. No one was in a room alone, and at least one guard was stationed inside and outside each of their rooms. Dinner was ordered, delivered, and eaten in their rooms after first being magically checked for toxins or poisons.
Sarah insisted on spending some time with Hoggle, and while Jareth wanted to keep Sarah away from everyone he had a hard time denying his wife anything. He also knew that he owed Hoggle his and his wife's lives, so he begrudgingly agreed. This also meant that Gimpy joined them as well. Sarah took an instant dislike to the dwarf who had helped the fairy queen trick her friend, but since he and Hoggle were in a room together when Hoggle came to their room Gimpy went as well.
No one slept well that night. The cause of was the same, the council meeting the next day, but each had their own reasons. Jareth was worried that his father might try one last attack on Sarah foolhearty though it might be. Sarah worried about standing in front of a group of people many of who hated her simply because she was human. Hoggle worried about saying the wrong thing and causing Jareth's wrath and be banished again. Gimpy didn't want to have a lifetime ban on chicken ownership, and Talbot worried that the high king would do something to him or worse to his family. He trusted Jareht and knew that he would try to keep his family safe, but he knew how vicious the high king could be.
The next day they walked to the council chamber. This time, Sarah was the Goblin Queen, and though she was still human, for now, that title gave her standing with the council. While not part of the council, she was able to be there to testify and to witness the proceedings.
Jareth knew that this hearing before the council would be set up differently. He as the accuser should also witness the proceedings. Now that Sarah was recognized, she was also listed as an accuser. Since their accusation of his father included crimes that dated back to when Sarah was sixteen, she would need to testify as well. Jareth was aware that there would be an objection by his father to having anyone on the council floor before they testified. He could actually see the point in this: no one wanted testimony to be influenced.
Jareth was willing to compromise in as much as he would testify first, and then Sarah would have her say. They would each testify without the other present. After their given testimony, they would then be free to witness the rest of the events inside the council chamber. He was nervous to be separated from Sarah during that short time that he would have his say and she hers, but he had to feel secure in the belief that those from the Goblin Kingdom as well as his guards would protect her.
He also insisted that his personal guards would be placed in the witness waiting area. Any other representatives could be there as well as long as his subjects were kept together and kept safe under his guard. Those two conditions were requirements as far as he was concerned. As they walked to the council chamber, the group was led by the Goblin King and Queen and they made quite a statement.
Appearance was important to Jareth on any given day. This day the impression they gave was vital. He had approved what everyone wore, including the goblins, and they were not comfortable. With Jareth threatening the bog if they deviated from it in any way, the complaints ceased.
His wardrobe took next to no thought. He wore his goblin armor proudly. The only change was the cape around his shoulders; this one was black leather as well and free of any sparkles or glitter. He looked dark, a bit sinister, and incredibly sexy. It was all Sarah could do not to jump him when she saw him. When this was all over she had plans for that armor.
Most of Jareth's attention was spent on Sarah's clothing. There was no time to have them custom-made as he wanted, so Jareth did the next best thing. He designed and magically dressed her himself. Using his own armor as an inspiration, he created a unique Goblin Queen armor for Sarah. The entire outfit was made of black leather. The sigil of the Goblin Kingdom was embossed on her breastplate but was accented in silver. They were a matched pair; hers was just more feminine, but delicate was not a word he would use to describe it.
The only thing missing from either of their ensembles was the lack of weaponry. She should have a sword on her hip and a dagger strapped to her leather-covered thigh. While her armor seemed incomplete without them, he also wanted her to wear them simply for protection. It was forbidden to bring any form of a weapon into the council hall, and Jareth would submit to that directive, even if he did not like it.
Once they were inside the council hall, Jareth would not allow his contingency to break formation until his conditions were agreed upon. The council head had felt coerced by the Goblin King, but the image they brought made no one want to oppose them. When his requirements were met, Jareth allowed Sarah to lead the rest into the room where he and Hoggle had waited the last time they were there.
Jareth followed the council head into the main council chamber. He stood at the designated spot. Looking across the chamber floor, he saw his father standing there. While giving testimony himself, as the accused, his father had the right to face all his accusers. The hatred between the two kings was palatable.
Jareth was forced to tear his eyes away from his father when the council was called to order. The charges against the accused were read.
"High King Orin you have been accused of the murder of the mortal humans Robert Williams and Karen Williams of the Above. You have been accused as well of the attempted regicide of The Goblin Queen Sarah Williams, formerly of the Above, and her brother Tobias Williams of the Goblin Kingdom, formerly of the Above. Finally, the attempted regicide of Jareth the Goblin King." The council head had not finished reading the charges when Orin started objecting.
"Point of Order, the girl was not Goblin Queen when any of the events I have been accused of took place. As far as I and anyone else are aware, she was a mere human at that time. In fact, she is still simply a human, a human with a fraudulently obtained title," he stated with a sneer.
"High King Orin is correct, while Queen Sarah holds her current title at this time, the only title she held at the time in question was that of Labyrinth Champion. The record will be corrected to reflect the appropriate terms," the head of the council decreed.
Jareth frowned. He did not want his father to win a single concession during the proceedings. Especially this one. Without her title, the crime was lessened on its face. It would also make it easier for some on the council who would want to support his father to vote the high king's way simply because the killing of humans was seen as a minor crime at most by some in the Underground. Including some of those here in the council chambers today.
Jareth was the first to give testimony. Stepping out from behind the table, he walked to the middle of the room in front of all the council members. He told the story of how Sarah conquered the Labyrinth. He made sure that he mentioned her completing it well before the allotted time limit and the relationships that she had made with his subjects. He then told about how she had left and the report from Hoggle of the deaths of her, her brother, and their parents. He made sure to mention the way that his kingdom mourned her loss right along with him.
He then retold the events that brought her back into his life. That she agreed to allow him to court her while she still lived in the Above with her brother. At that time there was a second attempt on her life. He told about Toby calling for him and wishing them both into his protection, thereby allowing him to bring them both to his castle and kingdom where Sarah was healed of what might have been life-threatening injuries.
He reported the attempt that he himself witnessed the day of their engagement ball. There was an objection that since Sarah was not even in the room how could her life be threatened? Jareth argued that the perpetrator thought she had been there, and his father was accused of planning and ordering the attack. It was again ordered that since the attacker was not there to testify no one knew what he was thinking. In the end, that charge was considered for dismissal but not until the hearing was completed. Jareth was not happy. He was sure that his father was influencing the decisions that were being made. He could not prove it, however.
Centering himself and schooling his face Jareth testified about the final attempt on both their lives at their binding ceremony. This charge was added by him when they arrived. Objections had been raised, but the council agreed to hear testimony about it. Jareth just hoped that Hoggle would be convincing. With the charges against Sarah lessened the only one that might give them justice by punishing his father as he deserved would be the attack on a sitting monarch namely him.
Jareth stepped back and he had a feeling in the back of his mind that something was just not right. He did not know what it was, but he would be happy when this was over, and his father could not get to Sarah, and he could finally relax. Sarah was called, and he watched her step into the chamber. She moved to the center of the room, to the spot he had just vacated it. Jareth wanted to go to her, but he knew that would be the worst thing he could do. She stood there with a straight back, looking graceful and stoic. He couldn't have been more proud.
Once Sarah had walked into the room he was forced to leave until her testimony had finished. He wanted to be in there to support his wife and to protect her from those in that room who wanted to hurt her. HIs father wasn't the only one.
Sarah began her testimony. She told about the attack on her family when she was sixteen. That she saw someone she assumed was fae throw a crystal ball at the car she was in and it exploded. She explained how she found Toby and ran.
Next, she talked about the attack the day she was walking to work, the last time she remembered being in the Above. She had little memory of what happened. She remembered taking the shortcut through the alley. She felt what could only be a presence, and the next thing she knew she was waking up in the Goblin King's castle.
She was about to give her version of the events that happened the night of their engagement ball. Before she could start, she was told that her testimony would not be necessary. This confused Sarah, but she stopped talking and waited for direction from the fae in charge of the council. That was what Jareth had told her to do.
The council asked her questions, wanting detail about her attacker on both occasions. Sarah had to admit, she did not see the first attacker clearly, and she did not see the second attacker at all. She was also asked about the use of crystal balls and when she saw them used. She admitted, except for communication, the only being she saw use crystal balls to perform magic was Jareth. She wanted to argue that she knew Jareth was not her attacker, but she held her tongue because Jareth had told her that anything that could be seen as emotional would look bad in the eyes of the council.
She was dismissed and walked over, her head held high to stand in the designated pace for the accuser. Jareth was there immediately next to her, she didn't even see him enter the chamber again. He wanted to reach out to her, to touch her hand, to do something to reaffirm their connection and give comfort to Sarah. They could not do that, they could not even speak. That would have to wait until a break. In here perception was everything, and they needed to appear stoic and unemotional.
The next one to be called was Hoggle. He shuffled in, and even Sarah could see him trembling. He relayed how he had kept in touch with Sarah after she returned to her world after her run. When she had not answered him after a few days, he had used her portal and that was how he had learned of the death of her and her family. He had taken that news straight to the Goblin King, who appeared shocked and disbelieving at first. Well, as shocked as a fae could look.
He had not mentioned Sarah much after her memorial until Tiana the fairy queen had asked him about Jareth. He relayed his first meeting with Tiana, the trip to her castle, and her request that he find out what was troubling the Goblin King.
Hoggle told about his meeting with Jareth where he was told that Sarah was still alive. He then told the council that he decided not to go to Tiana because Jareth feared for Sarah. Realizing that his friend was alive, but that someone might want to harm her had made Hoggle so upset that he went to a tavern in the Goblin City to have a drink or two or more. He chose to drink goblin ale, a drink he was familiar with. He did not remember talking with Tiana again and was only made aware that that meeting had indeed happened recently.
He admitted to meeting with Jareth and wanted to help him and Sarah. He reported what he had learned from the human towns and settlements. All they had said was that the king was wanting volunteers to go Above not long after Sarah left. All they would tell him was it had something to do with the champion.
Hoggle told them that he and another investigator were sent later and that was when it was discovered that the king who they had mentioned might be the high king. They found out that the fae looking for those to help was indeed Kai.
Then he told them that after the canceled council session he had started working in the High Castle to try to find evidence that King Orin had wanted to harm Sarah. He talked about viewing King Orin reading books on plants. Being a gardener he made a point to look around in as many gardens in the castle as he could. He had the opportunity to look in the King's Garden; he found a bed that had hellbore cockles planted in it.
He joined the group of servants that traveled with High King Orin to the Goblin Kingdom for King Jareth's wedding. He was in the room when King Orin gave his valet a scroll which turned out to be a map of part of the Labyrinth. Worried for Queen Sarah, he hid where the wedding was taking place. When he saw the chalice, he was convinced that she was about to be poisoned. He left his hiding place and grabbed the cup. The next thing he knew he ended up in the healer's chambers with hellbore cockle poisoning. The healer had said it had come from the cup that King Jareth and Queen Sarah were about to drink from.
Hoggle was questioned on the fact if he knew which king was mentioned by the humans in the settlement, and if there was proof that it was indeed King Orin. Hoggle had to admit that he could not. One of the council members suggested that Jareth being a king could be the king mentioned. Hoggle insisted that Jareth had denied that he had been involved and that Hoggle believed him.
They asked about Jareth's perception of Sarah after her run and after she had left. Hoggle had to admit that the king was hurt and angry. That he wanted Sarah to stay with him, and had tried to ensure that during her run, but she thwarted his every attempt.
Hoggle was asked about if King Jareth had him spying on King Orin, and Hoggle said that, no, he had done it on his own. They did get him to admit that when he did it he hoped to be able to return home. When asked why he couldn't return home, he admitted that it was because he was banished. They asked about his residence status now, and Hoggle said that his banishment was lifted. They asked if it was because he seemed to save the queen, and he admitted it was. Then he was asked who else had handled the cup. He told them the cleric's assistant and Jareth. Jareth inwardly moaned. It looked as if Hoggle might have orchestrated it to return home. And he inadvertently pointed the finger toward Jareth as the one who might have been guilty of the poisoning.
Hoggle was excused and returned to the room he had come from. He could have left at that time, but as they had all agreed with Jareth, everyone in the group would leave together.
Tiana was called next. She testified that she had become more and more worried about Jareth as his demeanor had changed. She had heard rumors that there were others considering invading the Goblin Kingdom. Since her lands bordered his, she was understandably concerned that this posed a threat to her Queendom. She met with Hoggle and tasked him with finding out what was causing the change in the Goblin King so that she could ascertain if it was a threat to her and her Queendom.
She allowed that she had sent two of her own royal guards to come and escort Hoggle to the Fairy Castle. Tianna said that she discovered that Jareth had been traveling to the Above and meeting with Sarah. Tiana worried about Jareth having such a close connection with a human, and one from the Above. She told the high king and queen out of an abundance of caution and concern for her friend.
Tiana was asked if she had coerced Hoggle to give her information, and she said no, she simply asked for it and told him that she was doing it out of care since he was a friend. She was asked if she gave him anything that would cause Hoggle to act against his will. Tiana denied giving anything to Hoggle.
A break for lunch was called. There was no mixing between the groups. Conversation was supposed to be held to a minimum. Sarah saw the worry on Jareth's face and remarked that things did not seem to be going as well as they expected.
"Not going well?" Jareth said. "So far you admitted that the only crystal-wielding magic user you know is me when you were attacked by one. Hoggle let them know that I was handing you the poisoned cup and that he would do anything to lift his banishment. Tiana diverted any blame and looks like nothing but a concerned friend."
Sarah tried to look on the bright side. "Well, our next witnesses might move things in the right direction."
"Sarah," Jareth said. "Our next witnesses are goblins."
"Oh no," Sarah groaned.
The next witness up was Gimpy. Jareth smiled. This would take care of the testimony of Tiana. That could only help their case. If the goblin didn't get scared, pee his pants, or cry that he wanted his chicken. That was when Jareth started to worry wanting more than anything that he did not have to count on the testimony of a goblin.
Gimpy said that he was walking into a bar in the Goblin City. Two big fairies stopped him and gave him some glitter to put in Hoggle's drink. He was Hoggle's friend. Big fairies said it wouldn't hurt Hoggle. They told him it would make his drink pretty and pretty drinks tasted better. He did it, and Hoggle acted weird and would not walk. Big fairies took Hoggle. They gave him money for a chicken.
Gimpy was asked if he ever saw Queen Tiana. He did not know who Queen Tiana was. The council took that as a no. When they asked if anyone made him tell his story, he said yes. When he was pressed about who, he started crying and said that Kingy said if he did not tell, he would never get to have a chicken. Gimpy was excused because by this time he was hysterical and could barely breathe, much less talk.
Jareth inwardly shook his head; this was getting worse and worse. Well, at least they would get the goblin testimony over with. He loved his goblins, but they were quite unpredictable.
Gruff was up next. He came in slowly, looking around with a worried expression on his face. They asked what he knew, and Gruff said he knew plants. When he was asked what he knew about plants, he said lots. Jareth wanted to bang his head against the table, or bang Gruff's head against the table.
Finally, a couple of brain cells in Gruff's head decided to start working. He told the council that Kingy sent him to find a plant that Hoggle wanted. It was a special plant for Queenie. Gruff liked Queenie so he wanted to get a plant for her.
When he was asked what he found, he told them holes. When they asked him to explain, he said he did not find the plant, only holes. So the council pressed the plant that Hoggle told him about was not in the High King's garden. Gruff said no it wasn't.
Their last witness was Talbot. When he was announced, Jareth's father objected, which Jareth assumed he would. The high king argued that Talbot was banished to the Above for not following the law of the Underground. He further argued that his testimony would be tainted and should not be allowed.
Jareth admitted that Talbot had been banished and Talbot would address that in his testimony. He admitted that he had given Talbot and his family sanctuary in the Goblin Kingdom and there they had stayed. This was his right as king unless the council deemed otherwise.
The council decided that Tablot's bias against the high king was too much to allow him to testify. They would have to disregard all of what he said. Jareth argued vehemently that Talbot's testimony was necessary and would tie everything together. His arguments fell on deaf ears.
They did ask about his banishment, and when they were told it was to allow him to be with his family, the council relented and allowed him sanctuary in the Goblin Kingdom. Once he was back within the borders of Jareth's kingdom, he was safe unless he left. If he did, the high king could send him back.
There was another break called, and Sarah wanted to rant and rave. "They wouldn't let Tabot testify that's not fair," she hissed at Jareth.
"This time, Precious, you are correct, it is not fair," Jareth told her, wanting to put his arms around her.
They had little time to talk as the council was called back to order. Jareth reminded her not to let her disappointment and frustration show. Sarah nodded and did her best.
The high king was called in his defense. He explained that he and Jareth had never been close. He worried about his son, especially when he became fixated on the human girl. He did not think it was the right thing for his son, but he did not try to kill the girl or her family.
When Tiana came to him worried about Jareth, he began to look into what was going on in his life. Kai helped keep him apprised, and he became more worried when explaining just how much responsibility he had to take from Jareth because he was so distracted and spending so much time Above. He cited proof of the last council meeting where Kia reported of his work on the trade negotiations and the yearly planting and harvest reports.
He had no personal knowledge of the girl. Did not know where she was in the Above. He never discussed her with anyone. She was not anything for him to spend his thoughts on.
As to his plant preferences, he left the gardening to the gardeners. He testified that he often had the gardeners move plants around and change the beds. He had never touched hellbore cockles and had certainly never poisoned anyone with them.
When asked about the scroll that Hoggle had seen him hand to his valet, Orin admitted to it readily. He said that he sent his valet to the area where the wedding would take place. He wanted to make sure it was all ready. He was not sure that Jareth and his human could put together an appropriate space. Jareth was his son as well as the crowned prince, this celebration would be a reflection on him as well. He did not want to leave it to chance that Jareth and his human would mishandle the affair.
When asked about Talbot, he admitted that he had banished him. Talbot had mated with a human and brought her to the Underground without permission to live in opposition to fae law. He married her there and out of great compassion, Orin allowed him to be banished with his wife to live in the Above with her until she died rather than just send her back and have him kept from her, which was his right.
With Kai, both of the assassins, and Orin's valet missing, there was no one to refute what he had said. Jareth's mood dipped lower and lower. He hoped for a miracle though.
There was a small break where the council prepared its verdict. When everyone was called in again, Jareth steeled himself for the results.
"The High Council after hearing all testimony and considering all that was said clears High King Orin of any wrongdoing against King Jareth and Queen Sarah as well as the Goblin Kingdom as a whole. This meeting is adjourned.
Orin smiled as he stared at Jareth and Sarah. Jareth turned on his booted heels and marched out of the chamber, his queen beside him. He collected his subjects, and they left immediately. He tasked two of his guards to pack up and oversee their luggage back to the kingdom.
They left so abruptly, he did not see the figure in the back of the room. The fae stood for the first time and looked around. There had been a travesty of justice in this room today and that was a wrong that needed to be righted. With long strides, the lone figure left the room to do just that.
A/N: So Orin got away with it all. Who thought that would happen (checks for hands)? Jareth is determined that his father will pay what do you think he might do? And who was the figure in the council chamber? The end of this story is near and all questions will be answered,