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Perchance To...	By : Rhondda Category: G through L > Labyrinth Views: 5268 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth or any of the characters seen in the movie. There is no money being made by this story

Chapter List
- 6
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- 8
Sarah hated looking at the floor. All she could see was the red carpet that led to the dais. It was a very nice carpet, but its particular shade of red was too reminiscent of the color of blood. After Sai's warning's she was more than a little afraid to disregard protocol. The Fae were, by nature, capricious. Their moods changed with the wind. One did not lightly offend the High King or Queen. Around her she heard the rustle of clothing, nervous titters and an underlying buzz of whispers.
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Lady Saishoku stood silently and observed. Sometimes, observation led to more revelations than doing something possibly could. With her hands demurely tucked into her kimono sleeves she looked on, silently envying Sarah's inability to feel the heavy crackle of magic in the air. It was stifling. It felt as if all her fur had been rubbed the wrong way, sending a static charge through her being. It could not be ignored by any who were capable of feeling it. There were too many beings with magic in their very essence for the individual types to do anything but clash in the air around them.
The Queen rose from her golden throne and held her arms out to Jareth. "We art well pleased, my son. You are welcomed by all."
That was laying it on a bit heavy, Sai mused. Queen Titania was always playing a game of sorts, usually testing her courtiers against one another. Such long lives as the Fae led often lent to endless boredom and how they relieved the tedium was not always pleasant. It seemed this time she was positioning Jareth on the playing field.
"By all, mother?" Jareth cocked his head to one side as he took the Queen's hands and kissed each one.
"Yes, by all," the King at last spoke up. Oberon hid his displeasure well. The High King was known to hold grudges forever. His cold gaze indicated he still held one against his only son, no matter his words.
"Then I am blessed, indeed, Father. All you ever had to do was ask." There was a forced cheerfulness that rang false in Jareth's melodic voice.
Sai had to keep from smiling. In this form it would look like a baring of teeth. Muzzles were not formed to smile. The pissing match had begun in earnest.
"All thou had to do was but obey," Oberon smiled slightly, an expression eerily mirrored by Gwyn. That was not good.
"But of course. I know how much you enjoy your well trained pets." Jareth returned with as much false sweetness, his eyes flickering to Gwyn in case any should mistake his meaning.
Gwyn's smile faltered. Sai thought this was getting fast out of hand.
"Lady Saishoku Tenjoukai, it is an honor to have thee grace our court, as well. Thy presence always adds to the festivities of the nobles." The Queen stepped past her son and off the dais, obviously thinking the same thoughts of near bloodshed having to be avoided, if only to spare the rug.
Sai was surprised, but hid it well. This was honor, indeed. She bowed low from the waist. "Konnichiha, Kisaki. The honor is all my own."
"Who is this lovely creature?" The Queen's smile was genuine as she approached Sarah. That alone alarmed Sai.
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Sarah felt a cool, gentle touch on her chin. She looked up into the eyes of the Queen. For a moment she felt blind terror. Those eyes were old, yet at the same time, ageless. There was a depth to the blue eyes as they searched Sarah's face for something. There was palpable power as well in those too sharp eyes, giving an air of danger. Sarah’s brain was telling her to run, but her will held her firm.
Sai had told her it was unlikely she would even be acknowledged, let alone spoken to. She was uncertain how to proceed now that she was literally in the High Queen’s grasp.
"This is Sarah." Jareth moved next to his mother, but his gloved fingers wrapped around Sarah's hand. Possession and warning conveyed. But whether to his mother or her she wasn't certain. "She is my Lady." Sarah felt a shiver along her spine at the inflection Jareth used on the last word. She looked at him and found his eyes locking with hers. She took comfort in the look of reassurance he was bestowing on her.
"Ah. Human, art thou not, child?" The Queen drew Sarah's attention once more.
"Y-yes, your Majesty." Sarah wished her voice wouldn't shake so.
"And how long hast thou known my son?" The Queen's smile was soft and her eyes kind now, reminiscent of a wish-granting fairy godmother. Sarah had to recall that fairies bite here. She seemed a different woman from the one who had sat on Jareth's throne only yesterday or who had gazed so imperiously into Sarah mere seconds ago. Fae didn’t turn on a dime, they turned on a pinhead.
"Eight years," Jareth answered for her. It was the truth, barely.
"So long? And yet, I was never informed?" Accusing eyes darted around the gathered courtiers. It seemed her spies and rumormongers would be spending an uncomfortable night.
"An oversight, I'm sure," Jareth sounded droll.
Titiana's eyes narrowed as she inclined her head. "Thou wilt both attend tonight's revels, of course. Lady Sarah, I look forward to speaking with thee."
Sarah heard the intake of breath around her. "I am most privileged, your majesty."
"Till the revels, then.," The dismissal was clear.
Jareth released her hand and strode to the sidelines. Sarah followed Sai's instructions and backed, carefully, after him. She was never to turn her back on the High King and Queen at formal court.
She knew she'd reached the edge of the crowd when a firm hand took her elbow in an almost painful grip.
Gasping, she turned to find Jareth's face close to her own.
"Now that WAS most unexpected," he whispered into her ear, his breath warm on her cheek. "Titania just gave you a title. You're to be considered a Lady in your own right, now." He moved slightly away and began a hushed conversation with a matronly looking woman with green skin and hair.
Sai linked her arm in Sarah's. "It was most likely to piss Jareth off. You see, now people must refer to you as Lady Sarah, not Jareth's Lady Sarah, or The Goblin King's Lady or even The High Prince's Lady. In a way it keeps them from having to hear his name and title repeated every time one speaks of or addresses you. You have been most honored and Jareth has been slighted all in one simple phrase. Be wary, Sarah. The political games always move like that. Weigh what you say and do carefully."
Sarah felt her hands shaking to mirror her whole being shaking inside of her own skin. She was not cut out for this. She was bound to make some misstep she wasn’t even aware she made until it was too late. "It's like tap dancing in a mine field."
Sai looked at her, her vulpine features managing to look confused, her whiskers twitching. Sarah tried to find a better analogy.
"Like crossing a rotting bridge. One false move..." Sarah shrugged.
"Ah yes, and all comes crashing down around you. Very perceptive. It is exactly that. I find it a constant wonder that there are those who would kill for the opportunity to join this passel of vultures. Now, the Kitsune Court plays politics as well, but never to be cruel. We enjoy fun and joy too much." Sai's whispered commentary ended with a delighted cry. "Lord Thomas! Wonderful to see you again. Have you composed any new epochs for us?"
Sarah could see the invisible mantle of practiced court navigator settle over Sai's shoulders. She decided it was in her own best interests to stay as close to Lady Saishoku as she could and to keep her own fool mouth shut.
Soon enough Sarah discovered the one thing that most concerned the Fae court was gossip. GOSSIP. Everyone had to know what everyone else was doing, saying, sleeping with, outmaneuvering or outwitting.
She turned around once and soon found she had lost Sai. She felt betrayed. How could her friend leave her to swim alone in the piranha tank? She gasped and touched her ring finger. The ring she had fashioned in the afternoon had sent a tiny, burning shock into her hand. She looked at it, puzzled.
"Have a drink." A glass was pressed into Sarah's hand and she looked up to see none other then Gwyn ap Nudd. The man smiled insolently at her. He looked like a cat who had just cornered a mouse. "It's only pomegranate juice. But if you sip at it thoughtfully you look like more of a player than if you stand around looking lost." His voice held the same clipped accent as Jareth's, but was deeper and slightly more nasal.
Sarah nearly panicked. This was not good, not good at all. She decided showing fear was the worst thing she could do. Maybe the friendly approach would work. It seemed the one thing she had yet to witness in this viper pit, and it might be enough to throw him off balance.
"Thank you. Is it that obvious that I'm new to all this?" Sarah sipped the juice, finding it a bit acidic and tart for her taste.
"Horribly. You appear to be the rose among the thorns." He gestured to the court around them. "Jareth should be ashamed of himself, letting you get out of his sight like that."
Sarah found herself choking. "I don't think he's ever ashamed of himself," she answered honestly.
"I see I've struck on a habit that annoys you. You can do much better, my dear, than a court outcast and stealer of children." His voice was lilting, and his eyes fierce. He was leaning in too close.
Sarah took a step away, maintaining her space. "Oh really? I don't suppose you have anyone in particular in mind?" Oh God, less than an hour and already she was sounding like them, like one of the wolves.
"I could name one or two that could properly pay attention to a lady, in more ways than one, yes." His hand was at the small of her back, guiding her away from the masses and towards a more secluded area. She felt her skin almost crawl as that guiding hand started to trail up her spine.
Sarah chokied down on a biting reply. She refused to lose the essence of herself amidst such petty people. It was hard, but she determined to be true to her soul, then and there. She didn't have to play these games any more than was prudent for self-preservation.
"Did you ever consider that I might be happy?" She honestly meant the question, aware of how it could be read.
Gwyn seemed taken aback by something in her eyes. "You are an innocent, aren't you? However did you hold on to such charming naiveté while gracing the bed of the Goblin King? I understand he has some rather unusual tastes. Pain does heighten the pleasure, though. I'll agree with him there." He looked her over, insolently, as if eyeing a meal.
Sarah felt herself flush. She hated this. She didn't want to play the role of some little slut.
"But I've embarrassed you! How amusing. How utterly charming." He leaned into her again. Something predatory stirred in his pale blue eyes. "Does his casual cruelty arouse you, my dear? Oh, I understand he's very good, but I promise you, I'm better." His arm encircled her waist and started to draw her in before she realized it.
She moved to shove him away at the same time that he was abruptly pulled from her. The arm that had trapped her was twisted behind Gwyn's back. Jareth stood behind him, one gloved hand pinning Gwyn's wrist a bit too high against his spine. Sarah could see how ruthlessly he was held, his arm twisted near to breaking.
That had to hurt, Sarah mused. Then she noticed the fierce look on Jareth's face, a predatory mask. It was actually frightening.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you it isn't nice to touch what doesn't belong to you?" The Goblin King sounded more amused than upset, even though his face telegraphed a different message.
"Oh, the Lady belongs to you?" No trace of pain entered Gwyn's voice, his tone equally amused, even though the tightness of the sinews in his neck and the twitch near his eye betrayed his discomfort.
"No," Jareth looked at Sarah, his odd eyes pinning hers. "She belongs to herself."
Sarah's body went numb. That was the last thing she had expected Jareth to say. Only a tugging pressure made her aware of someone pulling on her hand.
"Sarah, there you are. I'm so sorry I lost you. It was almost like someone had cast a spell," Sai's fox eyes looked at Gwyn as she spoke. "One minute you were there, the next you weren't."
Jareth released the King of Annwn, shoving him forward and making his rival stumble. "No harm done, we've found her again. Our tents should be up by now. Why don't we go prepare for tonight's revels?"
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Outside Sarah drew in some grateful breaths of fresh air. The three, flanked by the goblin guards who had waited outside the tent, moved swiftly to the area where they were to camp.
Jareth's stride was stiff and brusque until he turned around and glared down at Sarah. "Do not put me in that kind of situation again."
Sarah's jaw dropped as he turned back around and headed for their tents.
It snapped closed again and she caught up to him, yanking on his arm and spinning him around. "ME put YOU in a position? You arrogant, self-absorbed asshole! You drag me away from my own world, force me to come with you on this happy little jaunt to Middle Earth on crack, ruin my reputation, then ABANDON me among the very people you are obviously oh so happy to see in the first place! Just WHERE is any of this MY fault?"
"You will not speak to me in such a manner in public." Jareth crossed his arms and looked very intimidating. He was frightening, but this time she did not cower.
Sarah noticed the people around them watching while trying to look like they weren't.
Sarah licked her lips and crossed her own arms. "At this point I'm ready to run through the streets shouting at the top of my lungs that you stuff a sock in those tights. Considering what you've pretty much told everyone, they'd take me as an authority."
"That's very mature of you. Do as you please. You will anyway, no matter what I say." He continued on his way, not bothering to see if Sarah and Sai followed him.
Sai pulled Sarah's sleeve. "Oh, that went well."
Sarah walked stiffly. "He started it. He needs to be put in his place." True.
Sai stopped, her features melting from those of a fox into those Sarah was more familiar with. "His place is here, in this court. His place, as you put it, is direct in line to the High Throne of Fae. His rightful place is exactly where Gwyn so smugly stands with ease."
"You're defending him?" There was hurt in her tone.
"I'm making you realize what you are saying. Truth is truth despite what you may wish. I am not saying he was right to speak to you as he did. I am saying that perhaps you should examine why he is so upset,” the kitsune tilted her head to the side.
Sarah considered Sai's words as she entered their area of the camp. Looking around, she could see one really large tent, one medium tent and four smaller ones. Goblins, chosen for the deadly and evil look they bore, were posted at each corner of the camp. Passersby seemed to make a wide berth to avoid them.
"Which one is mine?" Sarah gestured to the tents.
"The big one, of course. Just go right in, everything will be set up for you," Sai headed for the medium sized crimson tent.
"Hold it. Isn't the big one Jareth's?" Sarah caught up to Sai.
The Kitsune sighed. "Think, Sarah! As his Lady, did you truly expect anything else? It would be terribly conspicuous and set tongues to wagging if you had a pavilion of your own. Now grow up and go to your tent. Col will be there ready to help you prepare for tonight."
With that she left Sarah alone outside her tent.
Biting her lip, Sarah approached the large pavilion as if walking to her own execution.
- 6
- 7
- 8
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