They materialized in her father's study… and the outcry was instantaneous. She was ripped out of Tremane's arms and enveloped in a tight embrace by her mother, both of them crying their eyes out. Helena was babbling… apologizing and sobbing at the same time. Her mother just kept saying "You're home… you're home…"
No sooner had her mother drawn back than she was yanked into her brother's arms. "Goddess, it's good to see you, Sis…" he said as he squeezed her tightly. She smiled at him through her tears, seeing Anduin come across the room to clap his brother around the shoulders, both of them grinning. Then Madeline embraced her, tears pooling up in her eyes as she smiled in joy. Helena looked around the room, her eyes widening when she saw a purple-haired Fae male standing near her father's tactical table. His smile as he beheld her was just as wide and happy as her family's. Seeing her gaze, Jacen turned her towards the Fae.
"King Caelan, may I present my sister, Princess Helena?"
The Fae's smile got even wider as he took her hand, kissing it lightly. "It is my absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness. I feel privileged to be in the presence of someone so brave."
"I… appreciate that… I…" then her gaze narrowed. "You're Illiana's father…"
His countenance grew soft as he nodded. "Yes. And she told me about the lovely Goblin lady she'd met at the Butterfly Festival. She will be quite relieved to hear of your safe return."
Helena smiled at the Fae king sweetly, "I… was honored to have met her. I hope to see her again someday… under better circumstances."
At that point, Drozz 'popped' into the study. He walked up to the Fae king, executing a shallow bow. "Kingy say you not a hostage no more. I can bring you to the manor if you want. Some of your soldiers be there."
Caelan nodded, then turned to Sarah. "Your Majesty… with your permission, I shall return to Iftanzel. King Jareth and I will need to coordinate our case before the High Court."
Her mother nodded gravely, then surprised all of them by taking Caelan's hand. "Thank you. I… just…"
"As one parent to another… no thanks are necessary," he said gently as he kissed her hand. He picked up his traveling bag and turned to the others in room, bowing gallantly to them all. Turning to Drozz, he said "Whenever you are ready, Sir Goblin." Drozz took hold of the king's arm and they both vanished.
Madeline laid her hand on Sarah's arm, "How about I go inform the Council of Helena's safe return?" Sarah nodded gratefully. With a last tearful smile at Helena, Madeline hurried out the door. Her mother then turned to look more closely at her. "I'm taking you to Melina. Let's see what she can do about those bruises on your face…"
Before her mother could drag her to the door, Helena turned to Tremane. With both hands, she ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him in for a kiss. He let his fingers trace her cheek gently before he pulled back. "Off with you… let Melina take care of you for now."
She nodded, letting her mother pull her from the room.
The air shimmered as Caelan was transported into the courtyard of the Perian manor. The afternoon sun cast stark shadows across the scene of barely-contained chaos. The grounds bore the scars of recent conflict… scorched patches of grass, jagged chunks of stone torn from the path, and the faint smell of blood lingering in the breeze.
Caelan's silver robes, edged with subtle gold embroidery, reflected the light, lending him an almost otherworldly aura. The little Goblin that had transported him gave a little bow and then moved towards his brethren, who were currently standing with Sir Didymus. Caelan swept his golden gaze across the scene with a calm, commanding presence that belied the storm of emotions within him. His soldiers, a cluster of Fae warriors surrounded by disciplined ranks of Goblin troops, stood with unease etched into their elegant features. They clutched their weapons tightly, but it was clear that they had no intent… or energy… to resist further.
The Goblins, in stark contrast, stood steady and vigilant. Their dark armor gleamed, each soldier an imposing figure of quiet strength. Caelan noted their nods of respect as they parted silently to allow him passage. He strode forward without hesitation, his boots crunching softly on the gravel.
As he neared the central gathering, Caelan caught sight of Jareth, standing at the head of his forces, his imposing frame exuding quiet authority. Beside him stood Toby, Garthan, and the Lord Martial. The four were locked in discussion, their voices low but intense.
Caelan took a measured breath, suppressing the knot of tension in his chest. Though he had allied with the Goblins to facilitate the rescue of Princess Helena, he knew that what came next would be critical to ensuring lasting peace… or igniting further discord.
He walked with purpose, his steps deliberate as he approached the Goblin leaders, all of whom gave him a formal, respectful nod and stepped aside to make room for him. The Fae soldiers watched this intently, their expressions a mixture of hope and apprehension. One younger warrior, his pale face streaked with dirt, clenched his sword so tightly that his knuckles were white. Another older soldier leaned subtly toward his comrade, whispering something that made his shoulders relax slightly.
He glanced briefly toward the manor, noting the faint plumes of smoke rising from within. He turned his attention back to the task at hand, coming to stand beside Jareth. "Let us begin," he said quietly, his golden eyes briefly meeting Jareth's steely gaze. It was a silent exchange, but one of mutual understanding.
Caelan turned to face his soldiers fully. His presence here, along with Jareth's clear deference to his authority over this soil, seemed to steady the fear in their ranks. As he prepared to speak, he felt the weight of the moment press upon him. This was not just about salvaging their honor… it was about preventing a war that could destroy both their peoples.
His warriors were disheveled, their once-pristine armor dulled by dirt and the strain of battle. Their faces were a mix of confusion, fear, and weariness. Despite their shaken state, they straightened instinctively under his gaze, their training and loyalty to their king overriding their uncertainty.
Behind him, the Goblin ranks remained silent, their discipline an unspoken reminder of the stakes. The air was taut with anticipation, the stillness broken only by the rustle of the breeze through the trees and the occasional clink of metal.
Caelan's voice, clear and resonant, carried across the courtyard. "Soldiers of Iftanzel, hear me."
The words stilled even the smallest movements. The Fae soldiers, who had been glancing uneasily at the Goblin ranks, turned their full attention to their king.
"You have been drawn into a plot against not only the Goblin kingdom but against our own homeland." He let the weight of his words sink in, watching as confusion flickered across their faces. "The battle you have fought today was not an act of war between our peoples but the result of a deliberate manipulation to ignite conflict."
A murmur rippled through the ranks. The younger soldiers exchanged wide-eyed glances, while the more seasoned warriors furrowed their brows, their disbelief mingling with concern.
One of the officers, a middle-aged sergeant with silver hair and sharp, angular features, stepped forward. His voice, though hesitant, was steady. "Your Majesty, we were told that the Goblins were preparing to invade our borders. That this was part of a preemptive strike to protect Iftanzel."
Caelan turned his sharp gaze to the officer. "And did you question the source of this information? Did you ask yourself who would benefit from such a conflict?"
The sergeant hesitated, his jaw tightening. "No, Your Majesty. I trusted my superior. But…" His voice faltered as he glanced at the surrounding Goblin soldiers. "When I saw the girl… I began to suspect that something was amiss. None of us were told the true purpose of her captivity, and no one could give me a straight answer when I asked."
A ripple of agreement passed through the ranks as other soldiers nodded or murmured quietly to each other. Their unease was evident, a growing realization that they had been pawns in a larger, darker game.
Caelan raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "You were deceived, that is true." His tone softened, but his words carried a weight of authority. "I do not blame you for following orders, but I do hold you accountable for your actions going forward. There will be an accounting of what happened here, and those who acted in good faith will be exonerated."
The soldiers straightened, a mixture of relief and determination flickering across their faces. Caelan's words offered them a lifeline, but they knew the road ahead would not be easy.
At that moment, a faint whistling sound pierced the air. All heads turned as a crystal, glowing faintly with a pale blue light, arced through the sky and landed squarely in King Jareth's outstretched hand. The Goblin King caught it effortlessly, his expression unreadable as the crystal dissolved, leaving behind a rolled parchment.
Jareth unfurled the scroll, his eyes scanning the text before passing it to Caelan. "It's from your daughter," Jareth said, his deep voice low but firm.
Caelan took the parchment and read it quickly. Illiana's message was concise but clear: at Jareth's request, she had dispatched a battalion of loyal Iftanzel soldiers to secure the captured troops and escort them back to the capital for Caelan's disposition. They were under her strict orders to cooperate with the Goblins in the transfer.
It was a gesture of trust, one that Caelan recognized. Jareth's troops could have simply slaughtered every Fae on the grounds and might well have been tempted to, under the circumstances. But they did not. While many Fae lost their lives here, Caelan was inwardly grateful that the Goblins had exercised enough restraint to refrain from such savagery. More than that, by turning these men over to Caelan for justice, he was demonstrating for all that this was a joint operation between them.
Caelan folded the parchment with a decisive snap and addressed his soldiers once more. "A battalion of my most loyal troops is on its way to take charge of you. You will be escorted back to the capital, where the truth of this plot will be revealed. If you have served with honor and in good faith, you have nothing to fear. But know this: those who conspired to bring us to this point will face the full weight of justice."
The Fae soldiers stood straighter, their expressions a mix of relief and resolve. The sergeant who had spoken earlier saluted, his voice firm. "We will cooperate fully, Your Majesty."
Caelan nodded, then turned to Jareth. "I trust this arrangement satisfactory to you, King Jareth?"
The Goblin King inclined his head. "It is."
The tension in the courtyard eased slightly, though the underlying unease remained. The soldiers, both Fae and Goblin, began to shift as the weight of the moment settled over them.
Caelan turned back to his troops, his voice firm. "Prepare yourselves. The battalion will arrive shortly. Until then, you are to remain under the supervision of King Jareth and the Goblin Army. Treat them with the same respect you would show me."
The soldiers saluted in unison, their movements crisp and determined. Then, one by one, they stepped forward and dropped their weapons into a pile. Caelan allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. The crisis was not yet over, but the first step toward resolution had been taken.
The clamor of little feet and the high-pitched voices of the Ughlánas echoed through the courtyard as a disheveled figure was dragged forward. Caelan noted with some satisfaction that Xensor was a shadow of his former self. His black hair hung in ragged tufts, some patches conspicuously missing, as though they had been torn out in the struggle. His black leather armor was shredded, and bruises bloomed across his pale skin. The bites on his arms and legs from the Ughlánas were unmistakable, their sharp teeth leaving raw, crimson wounds.
The Goblin and Fae soldiers alike turned to watch, the silence broken only by the scuffle of Xensor's boots against the stone. The Fae troops shifted uncomfortably, glaring daggers at the man who had nearly dragged them into an unjust fight. Whispers rippled through their ranks, and though no one spoke outright, the disgust on their faces was clear.
Caelan regarded Xensor with cold fury. His golden eyes seemed to burn as he took in the defeated form of the man who had nearly brought ruin to Iftanzel and the Goblin Kingdom alike. Xensor, despite his condition, met Caelan's gaze with a flicker of defiance. His lips curled into a crooked smile, a mockery of confidence.
The Ughlánas threw Xensor to his knees before the two kings, where he sneered up at them. "So, this is the great alliance of the Fae and the Goblins," he spat. "How noble. How quaint."
Caelan's expression hardened, his voice like ice. "Xensor of House Dai, your actions nearly brought our kingdom to war with a people who have done us no harm. You kidnapped an innocent young woman, a Princess of the Goblin Kingdom, for the sole purpose of provoking that war. You betrayed not only your king but also your homeland."
Xensor laughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "Betrayal? I did what was necessary! The Goblins are a threat, whether you see it or not. No Iftanzel court would convict me for acting out of fear of them."
Caelan's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile, and for the first time, Xensor's confidence faltered. The grin that had played on his face froze as he caught the look in his king's eyes. "You may be right, Xensor," Caelan said, his tone almost conversational. "It's possible that no Iftanzel court will convict you."
Xensor blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "What…?"
"You won't be tried in Iftanzel," Caelan continued, his voice laced with steel. "You will face judgment at the High Court of the Underground. Let the heads of state, who you tried to drag into this war, determine your guilt and punishment."
The color drained from Xensor's face, but before he could muster a protest, Caelan delivered the final blow. "And rather than keeping you in an Iftanzel prison, you will be turned over to King Jareth's custody in the meantime."
Jareth stepped forward, his towering presence casting a long shadow over the kneeling man. His blue eyes gleamed with a mixture of satisfaction and disdain. He leaned slightly closer, his voice low but cutting. "I'm sure you'll find the accommodations familiar, Xensor. I've had the cell cleaned since the last time you were in it."
A ripple of quiet laughter ran through the Goblin ranks, and even some of the Fae soldiers allowed small smirks to break their grim expressions. Xensor, for his part, glared at Jareth with all the venom he could muster, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable.
"You can't do this!" Xensor spat, his voice rising in panic. "I am a noble of Iftanzel! I have rights!"
"Your rights," Caelan said coldly, "were forfeit the moment you endangered our kingdom and its people. Take him."
The Ughlanas wasted no time. They hauled Xensor to his feet, their grip unyielding despite his struggles. He shouted curses and threats as they transported him away. None of it moved Caelan or Jareth in the slightest.
As Xensor disappeared, Jareth turned to Caelan with a slight nod of approval and a tiny smirk. "Well handled, Your Majesty. I'm beginning to believe that we're on the same side."
Caelan allowed himself a small, wry smile. "Maybe we should get used to it."
Jareth chuckled softly, his gaze returning to the courtyard where the last remnants of Xensor's operation were being dismantled. Despite the day's tensions, a sense of relief lingered in the air, shared by Fae and Goblins alike. The war that could have been was averted, and justice, it seemed, was going to be served.
Helena sat in the padded windowsill of the observation tower, looking out over the Labyrinth. She savored the sight, thankful that she got the chance to lay eyes on it again. She hugged her knees to her chest, rocking slightly as she watched the twilight creeping over the landscape.
It was… so good to be home. So good to see her family again. She hadn't realized just how much she missed them, loved them, until she thought she'd never see them again. While she was at the Healer's suite, tending to her bruised face, she held on to her mother's hand, unable to let go. Before Melina had even gotten started with her examination, Karina had swept in like a whirlwind, throwing her arms around Helena, both of them laughing and crying at the same time. Their voices competed with each other, trying to apologize, pouring out tearful forgiveness, reassuring each other of their love and care. In the end, all three Danaaru women ended up with their arms around each other, silently offering a prayer of thanks in between their tears.
Tippy had Healed all of Helena's internal injuries, leaving only the remnants of the bruising from Xensor's punch to her face. As Melina was examining her, she'd taken Helena's hands in her own, quietly inquiring if there were any other injuries that needed attention. Knowing what kind of injuries Melina was asking her about, Helena assured her that she'd only suffered a beating and not a sexual assault.
It was at this point that Tremane had entered the room, freshly showered and wearing a simple black woolen tunic and pants. His eyes flickered over her, seeing something in her expression that disturbed him, although he masked it smoothly as he chatted with Sarah and Karina. Melina gave her a quick scan, then sent some of her Healing magic to the bruising around Helena's eye. Both of them had agreed that all she needed was a bit of an acceleration to the healing and that there was no reason to expend too much magic on it. Any residual bruising could easily be Healed by Helena herself in the morning.
Her mother and sister exchanged glances and soft smiles when Tremane suggested that he should take Helena to her chamber to get ready for dinner. Once again enveloping her into bear hugs, both of them promised to stop by her chamber to check on her later. Tremane took her hand gently and led her out of the Healer's room. They had only gone a few steps when she'd stopped and whispered to him, "Tre… I don't think I'm up to the dining hall tonight. I… I'm not hungry. Could we just…"
He lifted her hand and kissed it, "Of course, love. Where would you like to go?"
She thought about it for a moment. "I'd like a shower. Then… the Observation tower?"
He smiled, knowing that it was one of her favorite places in the castle. He led her back to her chamber, waiting patiently in the family solar as she scrubbed herself almost raw under the stream of hot water. She reemerged after a bit, clad in a simple gown with her hair tied in a ribbon.
As everyone was no doubt in the dining hall, they were able to make their journey to the Observation tower without running into any Othánas. When they'd passed through the main hall to the guest wing, Tremane had asked one of the Ughlánas servants to have some wine, cheese, and fruit sent up to the observation chamber. They climbed the stairs in silence. Helena must have opened her mouth to speak at least a dozen times, but each time… the words wouldn't come.
He'd just gotten her settled in her window seat when a knock at the door indicated the arrival of the wine. She could hear him bustling around behind her, then her eyes focused on his hand, holding out a cup to her. She took it, sipping it slowly and keeping her gaze on the view through the window. He sat himself down on the seat beside her, and she could feel him watching her over the rim of his cup. They sat in silence for a time, until she'd emptied her cup, and he took it from her, setting it aside and placing his hands gently on her shoulders.
"Talk to me, Hellcat."
She tried… she really did. But, how to say it?
"You lied to Melina," he said quietly. "When you said he didn't… sexually assault you. That was a lie."
She glanced up at him for a moment, then back down. "It wasn't a lie. He… did not. He would have… but… he did not."
"Helena. I know when you're not telling the truth. You aren't telling the truth to me now."
"You don't understand…" she whispered, refusing to look at him.
"Then help me to understand."
She took a deep breath. "He… Xensor… he liked me… sort of. Wanted me. I could see it. I had the feeling that he was going to try something… so I used my Healing magic to boost my resistance to drugs and drink."
She felt Tremane nod, "Smart move. He probably didn't even think that Healing magic could be used that way."
"Oh… I did more than that," she whispered. "I was right… he'd put something in my wine. From the taste of it, I figured it was darkroot. So… I mimicked the signs of being under the influence of darkroot." She sighed, still not looking at him. "He… started to… um…" she took a deep breath, "I let him think I was willing… and… he was shielded from combat magic but not Healing magic… so… I used my Healing magic to… manipulate… um… finish him off, so to speak… before he could…" She shuddered a moment. "And then I put him to sleep. That's how I was able to use the communication array. I… dragged his unconscious body to it and used his hand to activate it." She kept her eyes on the darkening view outside. "I wanted to kill him. I almost did. But… I knew they'd kill me, and I thought that maybe… I could get more information. Maybe even my location. So… I stripped him and pulled him back into the bed. Then…" she glanced up at him quickly, then looked away again. "I put some marks on him, to make it look like we'd had sex. Then I stripped naked and got into the bed. It worked. He… thought we'd had a passionate night, judging from his bruises."
She didn't see Tremane's expression, as she still couldn't look at him. But she heard him make a sound. Almost like… a guffaw.
"Well, I admit… I never thought it could be used that way. I think you've hit on something new, Hellcat." His voice sounded amused. For some reason, this upset her even more.
She met his eyes gravely, "I don't think you understand, Tre. I had no idea if it would work or not. I honestly didn't think it would… and if it hadn't… I would have submitted. Pretended to enjoy it even. I had to get word to Dad… somehow… and I would have bedded him, hating it the whole time, but bedded him all the same." She glanced away, her countenance grim. "I would have bedded another man… no matter how it turned my stomach, despite my heart-bond with you. And you… you would have hated me for it…"
"Why don't you let me be the judge of what I would hate or not?" he said, quietly. "What… do you think you're the only Othánas woman ever to be in that situation? I have news for you, Helena… how do you think our women survived while under the thumb of the Fae?" She turned and looked at him, incredulous. "Oh, yes. What were they supposed to do when the Lord of the house wanted to amuse himself? Fight it? Risk being killed and her man dying right along with her? How many of them simply shut up and endured? How many pretended to like it in order to protect themselves and their husbands? Remember… back then, if the men knew what their women were going through… they'd kill the bastard that violated them, without counting the cost. How many of those women kept silent so their husbands wouldn't know… wouldn't take vengeance and die in the process?"
He took her hands in his and squeezed them. "You were in a terrible situation… a dangerous situation. You did what you had to do, not only to survive… but to find a way to get word to your father… to everyone… and you single-handedly destroyed that bastard's plans. Do you really think I would hate you for it? Whatever you had to do?" He shook his head, his gaze boring into hers. "Not bloody likely. If anything, my admiration of you is even greater." He then wrapped his arms around her, one of his hands coming up to smooth her hair. "Don't you dare feel guilty for this, Helena. Don't you dare. You did what you had to do. Thousands of lives were saved because of you. Don't you ever forget it."
At that, she began to cry, softly at first, then with great gasping sobs. With each sob, she felt a little lighter… a little cleaner… as if a poison that was in her heart was finally leaving her body.
And for the first time since she'd been abducted from Surinar Vale, Helena felt a measure of peace.
Author's Notes:
One of the rules in dealing with the Fae (as I mentioned back in 'Kingdom') is that you do not say "thank you", since the Fae consider it to be a sign that you are under obligation to them. In this case, Sarah felt that she was in debt to Caelan for his help. By telling her that no thanks were necessary, he was letting her know that he did not consider her (or Jareth for that matter) to owe him anything. He did what he did because at heart, he's a decent man.
Tremane was absolutely correct when he recounted how the Othánas women dealt with the sexual predation of the Fae. Some women fought it, with tragic results. Others suffered in silence. Some took it a step further, ingratiating themselves with their Fae 'masters' and waiting for the time to get their revenge. Tremane did not see what Helena had done as infidelity at all. Even if she'd had sex with Xensor, he would not have considered her to have been untrue to him, given the circumstances, and he wanted her to know that.
I also wanted to demonstrate the rather tricky situation at the manor and the way that both Jareth and Caelan handled it. Jareth and his troops, by showing their deference to Caelan's authority (they were on Iftanzel soil, after all) was a way to show the Fae soldiers that their king was indeed a partner to the operation. It was also a demonstration of trust in Caelan personally, which (given the history between Goblins and Fae) was rather extraordinary.
Also, the rank-and-file Fae soldiers weren't in on the plot (Helena had even noticed this when she wandered around the grounds of the manor). They had no idea that what Perian had told them was a lie. They were acting in good faith, defending their land against what they thought was a Goblin attack. They didn't deserve to be punished for it.
And... notice how Caelan and Jareth neatly sidestepped the possibility that Xensor would be acquitted in Iftanzel? Neither one of them were willing to take the chance that Xensor either had judges in his pocket or could somehow spin what he'd done so that he was deemed 'innocent'. Sure, he could have just been turned over to the Goblins for justice, but both kings thought that this was bigger than just the two of them, and it needed to be seen by all the Underground.