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In A Time Of Winter	By : Jetredgirl Category: G through L > Labyrinth Views: 5645 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from Labyrinth or it's characters in any way. The Original Characters ARE mine, but I don't profit from them either :)

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Yay! Happy to see me? Yes, I'm alive! Here is your next installment of "As The Underground Turns." ;)
In A Time of Winter 6
The Goblin Kingdom.
Merkle was annoyed. Not just a little annoyed either. He had ended up enjoying the first night in The goblin Kingdom, as he just stayed in Hoggle's cottage and visited with his brother. That wasn't so bad.
The next day however, proved to be much different. He accompanied Hoggle on his duties within the garden, and this irked him. Why was Hoggle so happy to be leashed to a queen, even a formal mortal queen? Merkle would ask him why he was doing something and the answer invariably would be "Sarah asked me to" or "It's important to make sure Sarah's garden is taken care of. That my job."
Merkle ground his teeth together hard to hold his tongue. It was important he did not show his ire to anyone. He needed to get what he came here to get and go home.
"Hoggle, aren't you allowed to go inta' the castle?" He asked slyly.
"Well yeah, now an' then. Don't like ta hang around there too much though. Jar..er..His Majesty likes it better if I stay here." Hoggle answered, sounding a little resentful.
Merkle noticed this and thought maybe he could use this angle.
"Why should you. This queen, she is yer friend right? You should be able ta see 'er." Merkle told him.
Just then, said queen was coming down the path, her voice making Hoggle smile and Merkle cringe.
"Good Afternoon Hoggle! Sorry if I have not been able to come out here the past couple of days. It's always something." She said, smiling. She noticed the other dwarf and smiled wider.
"You must be Hoggle's brother. Please forgive my rudeness. I should have come yesterday to greet you. But I was so caught up in family drama I simply could not get away."
She crouched a little and stuck her hand out to him.
Merkle eyed her hand suspiciously. An immortal wanting to touch a lowly dwarf? There has to be something more to it. Immortals were not nice to whom they considered lower beings.
He figured he should play along and swallowing hard put his hand in hers. She clasped it warmly and laid her other hand on top of his, her large green eyes open and friendly.
"Merkle, this is the Lady Sarah, The Goblin Queen and my friend." Hoggle announced, puffing his chest a little in pride.
Merkle nodded and she let go of his hand. He took a deep relieved breath. He looked the woman up and down, noting her unusual clothing. Since when did immortal women wear pants?
Hoggle was speaking to the woman. "It's okay you weren't able to get away, Sarah. You gots young ones and they take up most of yer time. Don't need to be botherin' with us. We can fend fer ourselves. Did His Majesty and the princess leave?"
Sarah nodded. "Early this morning. Harmony was actually excited to go, which is odd. Then again, she was going with Jareth so I should not be surprised. He will watch her like a hawk. What are you two up to? I would like to stay and help today, but as I am on double duty and I have way too much to do."
"I understand Sarah. Would it be alright if I showed Merkle around the castle? He was wonderin' about it." Hoggle asked. Jareth was around so he thought maybe this would good time to do so.
"Of course you can!" You know you are always welcome Hoggle. I know why you usually don't but the coast is clear." She gave him a knowing smirk and a wink. "Come ahead whenever. I will leave word with the guards. Stay for dinner too."
Sarah bent down and gave Hoggle a tight hug and smiled at the other dwarf, then with a wave returned the way she had came.
Merkle watched her walk away, then looked at Hoggle's smitten expression and sighed, annoyed at his older brothers' obvious love for the woman. She acted nice, certainly, but it was an act. She was nice because she wanted Hoggle to remain loyal to her and doing her bidding.
"See, she IS my friend, like I said." Hoggle told him shaking his finger. "She was born above ya know."
"Uh..yeah Hoggle. She's real nice." Merkle answered, not wanting to blow his chance to get into the castle. "When we goin' in?"
Hoggle looked around. "Soon as I finish here no more than half hour or so. If ya help."
The two dwarves set to work, one oblivious, and the other plotting.

_
Talystra: The Council Hall.
Jareth threw open the door to The Goblin Kingdom's quarters and guided Harmony inside, and then with a nod to his guards he shut the door behind them.
Turning to face his daughter, he took a few deep breaths to stamp down his rage at Prince Elsian.
It would do no good to take it out on his daughter.
After all, it was mainly the fault of him and Sarah she was so sheltered from such things.
"Father...I'm sorry. I didn't know." Harmony said, staring at the floor.
"It is not your fault, child. I am going to take it up with the head of the guard here that such a lax in their duties happened. He should not have been left to his own devices for even a minute."
He walked to stand in front of the girl, placing a hand on her shoulder and using the other to tip her face to his.
"I am sorry as well, daughter. You should have been told what to look for. Please don't cry."
Jareth said, noticing her eyes tearing up. Even though they were a different color, her expression was
So like Sarah's. Those large soulful eyes looking into his. Time to change the subject.
"It has been brought to my attention that you have been having nightmares. Would you like to tell me about them?"
Harmony's expression changed from sad to suspicious instantly. "Who said that? How..ugh. Never mind. Lily, of course. I was stupid not to see she would figure it out. She knows me too well."
Jareth led her to the table and chairs, gesturing for her to sit. He waved his hand over the table and a pot of warm tea and pastries appeared.
He poured them each a cup of tea and continued as they sipped. He decided it would be a good idea to sit with her for few minutes unit her distress passed.
"I am here, if you would like to tell me. Maybe it would help. If not me certainly your mother." He pressed lightly.
Harmony thought for a while. "I don't know what it is, father. It is always the same things. Death, and blood and fear. Like I told you a while back in the gardens. I just feel like something bad is coming. Then again, maybe nothing is. Maybe I'm just scared."
"Scared of what, exactly?" Jareth asked.
"Growing up. Moving away. Leaving home, being an adult. Changes." She answered, shrugging.
He nodded as he answered. "As I told you, I feel something too. Foreboding, as it were. We can only deal with things as they come. As for the other, I would like nothing more than for you to remain a child for eternity. To protect you always. Even I cannot keep the inevitable from happening. You will all eventually go on to your own lives, whatever they may be. I do not know if you will be Queens and Kings, or go on to a simple life. All Sarah and I can do is wish for all of you to find happiness wherever your paths may take you."
"What about you father? Will you remain a King forever?" Harmony asked him. She had never approached the subject before, but she often wondered if her parents would leave their thrones someday.
Jareth smirked. "Not forever. For a long time to come. I have no immediate plans of abdicating. I foresee a day where your mother and myself can live a quiet, happy retirement from public life. I do not know when that will be. Being a Keeper is the most sacred of responsibilities in this realm."
"I've always wondered this. Can a King and a Keeper be two different people? I mean, if you wanted to remain one, would also have to be the other?" Harmony inquired.
Jareth thought back. "It has never been this way. I suppose it is possible, but I would be afraid that if I remained Keeper but there was another that was King in the same kingdom, it would create a terrible power struggle."
Harmony silently agreed. It was possible, but in the end, her father would not be one to hand over the kingdom and still want power over it. That would be difficult.
Jareth sat his cup down and stood. "I better get back to the situation at hand. I want to get this whole thing over with so wean go home. It would be best if you stay here for now."
Harmony stood and stopped him. "I know what he did was bad, but I have to admit to you he didn't seem evil or anything like that. He seemed sad and resigned. Maybe you could..."
Jareth stopped her with a stern look. "Harmony, don't be fooled. You know as well as I people are not necessarily what they seem to be."
"True." Harmony answered. "But doesn't that go both ways? Maybe he isn't as bad as he is made out to be, either." She reasoned. At first, she was angry when she found out who he had been. She could not deny she found Elsian intriguing.
The Goblin King stood, huffed and paced back and forth a few times. She was right but he could not say that. He had an inkling his child was treading in dangerous territory. "Sometimes. Not this time daughter. I implore you to heed my words. I swear you are as stubborn as your mother is. Just stay away from the man. Is that understood?"
Her father was giving her such a look of insistence she agreed with a slight incline of her head.
He narrowed his eyes. "I mean it. Don't defy me."
"I know you mean it." She said, nonplussed.
Jareth left, not at all convinced of his daughter's assurances.

_
Elsian was led to rather small suite of rooms, shoved inside and the door locked behind him.
He threw himself onto the bed, staring unseeing at the ceiling.
"My Lord, are you alright?" Drell, coming out of the bathroom, asked.
Elsian sat up and looked forlornly at his friend. "Just grand. I mean, the girl talked to me, how was I supposed to know she was The Goblin King's daughter? Of all things. I assumed anyone related to him would want to kill me as much as he does."
"Wait, what? The Goblin King's daughter?" What happened?" Drell asked his eyes widening as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Elsian relayed to the elf the incident downstairs.
"You better watch what you do here, My Lord. The Goblin King is volatile." Drell wagged his small finger at the man lying on the bed.
"I'm well aware of that, thank you Drell." Elsian growled. "Like I said, she spoke first."
Drell was curious. "Hmmm. Was she pretty?"
Elsian sat up and looked the elf. "Does it matter?"
"Not really. I was merely wondering, Sire." Drell replied.
"If you must know, yes, she was quite beautiful. Different. Must be due to having a mortal born mother." Elsian sighed. "Not like it makes a difference. I seriously doubt any man will get anywhere near the girl, least of all me. Poor thing will probably end up locked in a tower like a human fairytale, the way Jareth acted." He laughed at his own words, but it was a bitter laugh.
Drell's large fluffy brows knitted together. "But the girl touched you?" Unusual."
"Yes. Yes it was. "Elsian agreed. "She was bare handed as well. Fortunately she touched me over my jacket."
Drell held back the slight smile. While his charge was certainly no innocent, and this was after all a woman forbidden to him, he had been deprived of female attention for a very long time now.
"Damn it!" Elsian stood up suddenly and started pacing. "I cannot be thinking about some woman now. I am not some silly adolescent with a crush. Enough with this now."
Just there was a loud knocking on the door. Elsian stopped and hung his head, defeated. "I suppose that's the father of the bride now. Or my father. Either way if I could jump to my death at this moment I would be tempted."
Drell snickered at Elsian's sarcasm. "I would imagine so. Good Luck, My Lord. I will make sure there is food waiting for you when you return from seeing your mother. Please give her my regards."
The guard opened the door. "Prince Elsian? Are you awake?"
Elsian supposed his hesitance at opening the door was making all who were waiting unnerved. He looked around the room. What could he do? Tie his bed sheets together and shimmy over the balcony? With no magic, no weapon and a drop that would be sure to break bones, even if he could open the window, he was not that stupid.
He straightened his clothing and nodded to the elf. turning to the guard at the door he answered "I apologize, I dozed off. I'm ready." He held his head up with as much confidence as he could muster and strode past the guards out into the hallway, the door being closed behind him.

_
Merkle followed his brother around the castle, while the older dwarf pointed this and that out to him. He had no interest in knickknacks, portraits, and whatever else he was being shown. He was looking for something he could take back to the trolls.
He hated goblins. Disgusting vermin. He did see that many of the guards were some form of taller more humanoid goblin. They were still as ugly as could be. He shuddered as one eyed him as they walked past.
"Hey Uncle Hoggle!" They heard and turned around. Two young immortals that looked remarkably alike were coming up behind them. Large smiles on their faces.
"Boys. Lord Perryn, Lord Robert, this is my brother, Merkle." Hoggle introduced, waving his arm towards the other dwarf. "Merkle, these are The Princes, Perryn and Robert, sons of the King and Queen."
"Umm. Hi. Good to meet ya." Merkle grumbled. More immortals. He rolled his eyes inwardly. Uncle? Pheh.
"What are ya boys up to. Stayin' outta trouble I hope." Hoggle said as he put his hand on his hips and faced the two much taller young men.
They looked at each other knowingly. While Hoggle was no threat to them, they grew up knowing he was someone to whom they were supposed to listen. He was one of the very few trusted to watch over them when they were smaller. It was automatic now that he still looked out for them.
He loved them as dearly as if they were his own children. Sarah's offspring were as dear to him as she was.
"We were on our way to the library. Auntie has some books waiting for us that we need to read for our studies. Why don't you come along? I bet your brother has never seen a royal library like ours before." Perryn said. He was the talkative twin. Their special connection gave them the ability to communicate silently quite well, and Robert usually let his brother do most of the talking for them both.
"You want to see the library, Merkle?" Hoggle asked his own brother.
Merkle shrugged. "Whatever ya think. Don't read much but might be something to see." He just wanted the tour over with so he could figure out his next move.
"Here we go then!" Perryn said. Merkle felt a hand on his shoulder and after a moment of dizzying blackness they were standing in front of two huge wooden doors.
The boys each pushed a door open and the dwarves followed.
Merkle's jawed dropped in spite of himself. He had never seen so many books. He didn't even realize so many books even existed.
A willowy redheaded woman turned as the door opened. "Hello boys, Hoggle, and..." She gestured to the dwarf she had not met.
"Merkle. He's my brother." Hoggle replied. "Merkle this is Lady Justinia, she is The Goblin King's sister and the Royal Librarian."
Merkle merely grunted a greeting. "Can I looks around?"
Justinia smiled. "Of course. Be my guest. If you need assistance please ask."
As the two young men and Hoggle conversed with the woman, Merkle walked around trying to figure out a way to get away from everyone. He was unhappy being around immortals so much. Even Hoggle was getting on his nerves with all his bowing and scraping to the royal family. He was, frankly, disgusted.
He wandered around looking at nothing really, just wasting time until he could figure out his next move. He had given up finding anything of use when he came across a small display table with an ornate stand on it holding what appeared to be a crystal ball.
"What's this 'ere?" He asked, curious.
Hoggle walked over to where he was looking. "I don't rightly know." He answered crinkling his face. "Looks like one of Jareth's crystals, but never seen 'im keep one like that."
Justinia came up behind them. "It is Hoggle. They never told me the whole story, but Sarah did tell me once it had something to do with them both and some sort of magic that occurred not long after Harmony was born. Sarah said it was unbreakable."
Finally! Merkle thought. This was exactly what he needed. Now how to get a hold of it without anyone knowing. Not to mention getting it out of the castle and most importantly, out of the kingdom. He needed another day or two to figure it out.

_
Jareth followed behind Prince Elsian and his father, silently staring daggers into the younger man's back.
After settling Harmony in their rooms, he hurried to catch up with the Elf Kingdom group. He caught up with them just as they were leaving Elsian's rooms to go up to the infirmary floor, where The Elf Queen was being watched over.
He felt bad for the woman, despite everything. She did not deserve the suffering that these events had brought her. They had been unable to have children of their own, so to adopt the twins had been a miracle. It was rare immortal children were orphaned underground. This was why his kingdom was so vital to their people. He had no knowledge of their origins however; no one did outside The Elf King and Queen. He knew they were not mortal born.
Jareth also heard that Eriol had plans to remarry once his wife had passed. No one spoke of it officially of course. To do so would shame Eliana while she was still living.
This made him think of his own life. He could not imagine taking another wife if Sarah was gone from him. The thought made him long to be with her now.
They reached the door to Queen Eliana's rooms and stopped.
King Eriol turned. "I believe it would be best if my son saw his mother alone. So many would be distressful to her."
Jareth inclined his head. "Of course. Please, continue. As this will take time, I will leave you now. I believe I can trust Elsian to be returned to his rooms without my presence."
He turned on his heel and left, his two goblin guards trailing closely behind.
He would go back to his kingdom's royal suite. He had a dinner meeting with some council members anyway, and needed a break from all this drama beforehand. He would check to make sure Elsian was where he was supposed to be later. He would not dare try anything anyway. Not with The Goblin King nearby and so many that would gladly see him dead.
Prince Elsian was shown into his mother's rooms. The healer's aide gestured towards the bedchamber and bowed. "In there, my Lord. I must warn you, she is much changed from how you may remember her."
Thank you." Elsian answered. He walked as quietly as he could into the room where his mother had been staying.
The healer was not exaggerating. His beautiful robust mother was very thin and pale. Her eyes found him immediately, and she smiled.
"Elsian, my beautiful son." She gasped out, her voice hoarse.
He went to her bedside and sat so she could give him a weak embrace. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes but he held them back and smiled as brightly as he could.
"Mama it's so good to see you. I've missed you so."
She placed her small hands on his face and looked into his eyes, her bright blue ones full of happiness.
She had always loved him blindly. Completely. He knew that. It made him feel horrid he had shamed her in such a terrible way.
"You are well?" She asked.
He nodded. "Yes, Drell takes good care of me."
She asked him as any questions as she could think to ask. They chatted for a while and she never let go of his hands. Elsian could tell though, she wanted to talk about something more than gossip or the weather.
"Elsian.." She sighed lying back against the pillows. "There are things I must tell you. First. I want you to know something. I am not barren. I chose not to bear children. This disease, it is a wasting disease. It is hereditary among the women in my family. Men are not affected. I did not want to take the chance of passing it along, so we chose to adopt. We had thought we would end up with one of The Goblin King's wish aways but something happened."
Elsian leaned in eyes wide. "You mean you know who my parent's were?"
She signed. "You parents, well, your mother, she was my sister. Older than me. The disease took hold while she was carrying you and your sister. She died giving birth. She was not married, so we concocted a story for that you where from a small village in the kingdom and your parents were killed by trolls. They do get in and wreck havoc now and then so no immortals ever questioned that."
Elsian was shocked. His mother was his aunt? "But what about, do you know who my father is?"
She stopped and stared out the window. Then turned back to him. "I don't know who he was. I am sorry. She disappeared for years then showed up pregnant and sick. She would not speak of it. All she told me is that she was not married and had no one else. She wanted you, I know. She loved you very much."
Elsian did not know what to say, he was so shocked at this bit of news.
"Son, I want you to know, I have loved you as my own from the day your were born. Never for a moment did I think of either of you than anything but my children. Maybe if I hadn't spoiled you so much, your sister..." She could speak no more as she started to cry.
He took her into his arms. "Mama, our choices were our own, not yours. I should have stopped her, should have stopped myself. To this day, I do not understand why I did what I did. We cannot change the past. Please forgive me for heaping this misery upon you."
She slipped out his arms and laid back. "It's almost time for me to leave, Elsian. I am so tired of fighting. You must try to have a good life now. I swear I will always be with you. I forgave you long ago. Find a nice girl, have a family. Do not worry any longer about kings, queens, and courts. Your life may be a simple one but it does not mean it you cannot enjoy it."
Elsian did not know what to say to that. He hoped that would be the case.
"I love you, my son." Eliana finished with a little smile. She sank back into the pillows further, exhausted.
"And I you, mama." Elsian replied, failing to keep a few tears from falling.
His mother reached up and brushed them from his face as she did when he was a child.
"No more tears. Promise me." She whispered, to tired to speak any louder.
He nodded and sat there holding her hand as she fell asleep. Then continued sitting there as long as he could. Eventually the healer's aide made him leave, so she could perform her duties.
He was escorted back to his room, where a tray of food was waiting. He told Drell what had transpired as they ate, and then retired early. Of course, he could not sleep, so he just stared at the ceiling most of the night, letting the tears fall freely as his the full force of his regrets fill his mind.
Early the next morning there was knock on his door, it was the healer and his father.
"What is it?" He asked noting the look on their faces.
Eriol stepped to face his son and put a hand on his shoulder. "Your mother. She passed to the Summerlands just within the last hour. I believe she was waiting until she could see you."
Elsian was not surprised. Saddened, but he had a feeling it was coming. "I am sorry father."
Lord Eriol's face was stone. "Nothing that could have been done. She is at peace now. I will speak to the council to extend your stay two days. There will be a Queen's memorial ceremony here before we take her home so she may lie in state and her subjects pay her tribute. That is where I am going now."
"The Goblin King will protest." Elsian answered.
"I expect that he will, but as a King he understands the necessity of proper rites for a Queen of the Underground. He will formally protest, but in the end I do believe you will be allowed to stay and attend."
Elsian inclined his head, but h e was skeptical. He could hardly believe after what happened the day before, Jareth would be happy about his presence in Talystra being extended.

_
Sarah was at her desk going over several things with Caolin and Sherryana when a messenger delivered a crystal from Talystra.
As soon as she grasped it it disappeared, an envelope in its place. Her name and title written in her husband's handwriting. Mildly alarmed she quickly opened it and read.
"What is it?" Caolin asked, also worried. The king was due back that afternoon.
"Oh no." Sarah said, dismayed as she read the note. "Queen Eliana has died. Prince Elsian's stay was extended two days. Jareth is choosing to stay as well. Should I go?" She asked looking up questioningly to the two assistants.
"If you would like, My Lady. As The King and princess are there The Goblin Kingdom is well represented, but we can watch over the kingdom for few days." Sherryana said, looking at her husband who affirmed her words with a small nod of agreement.
Sarah tapped the note on her chin as she thought. "I still have some things to finish up today, but I will go in the morning and return with Jareth and Harmony the next day. Of course, Jareth will be irritated with me, but I need to pay my respects to the woman."
The couple across from her smirked at each other. Irritated was putting it mildly, but they knew Sarah could go toe to toe with Jareth anytime.
Later at dinner, Sarah outlined her plans to her children and family. Hoggle and his brother were also there, invited to dine with the family.
Merkle poked his brother and whispered. "So, who is planning' on running things?"
"Seems Lord Toby has been picked to watch over things. He's the queen's brother. Course, Sir Caolin and Lady Sherryana can handle most of the paperwork."
Merkle smiled inwardly. Both the King and Queen would be gone, it would be a perfect time to get that crystal out of the castle and get out of The goblin Kingdom.
"What are ya smilin' about?" Hoggle leaned in and asked him.
Merkle's smile turned back into his usual frown, and then leaned towards his brother. "Errr..nothin' brother Hoggle. Just thinkin' it's been nice seein' yas. Most likely will have ta be headin' home soon. Maybe tomorrow. Gotta be gettin' back. Things to do."
The talk at dinner turned to other things, and Hoggle turned his attention elsewhere. Merkle sighed with relief.
Tomorrow, he thought. Tomorrow I can get what I need to get, give it to the Trolls, and be done with this whole mess. Then he would have his gold and wouldn't have to deal with any of these immortals ever again.
Thank you thank you thank you to all who read, rate and review all my stories! You are all awesome!
This was sort of a "bits and pieces" type chapter. I need to accomplish two things at once in the storyline, so that the parts merge sometime in the next chapter or two. Forewarning there is going to be some unhappy stuff happening in the next chapter. There needs to be a catalyst to get things moving.
No need to worry, I will finish this thing no matter how long it takes. My muse was getting lazy hehe. I need to kick her in the butt! Okay, yeah, the whole anxiety disorder thing gets in the way sometimes, and a few things happened in my everyday world that didn't help. Real life is sooo annoying ;)
Muah! Love to all!
PS-was thinking about creating a private/closed FB group specifically for Labyfic writers, to lend support and have people to talk to who get why we do what we we do. But I don't want to do it if there is little to no interest.
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In A Time Of Winter