Disclaimer: They're mine... all mine. Muhahaha. ::cough:: Yeah... RIGHT. 
That honor goes to Jim Henson and Co.

Disclaimer 2: "Come By the Hills" is a traditional Celtic song. Thanks 
to Talarian for supplying the lyrics for me.

Disclaimer 3: Lyrics of "Thursday's Child" written by David Bowie, 
available on his 'Hours' CD. Used without permission. But go buy 
the album, people. It's your duty!

Special thanks to Amy and Clara Gerl for editing above and beyond...

Cast List:  Jareth: David Bowie
                 Sarah: Jennifer Connelly
                    Col: Kathy Bates
   Lady Saishoku: Tamlyn Tomita
                     Ian: Ewan McGregor
    Queen Titania: Michelle Pfeiffer
      King Oberon: William Hurt
                 Gwyn: Sting



Perchance to...
Part 1 : Dream a Little Dream of Me.
By Rhondda Lake


Shadows shifted upon shadows, barely discernable in the fog. The mist 
clung damply to her as her lungs filled with moist air. She did not know 
where she was or how she had gotten to this place. She did know she 
heard something moving, whispering just out of sight. The sound resembled 
the dry slide of a serpent gliding over stone or the shuffle of padded feet. 

She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered even though the air 
was warm. 

Then she caught it, a trace of a murmur, a breath of a word. Her name 
in a voice she thought she remembered from a dream. 

"Who are you?" Her own voice cracked from her lips, betraying her fear.

"You know me." Soft, so soft the answer, but it echoed through the mist, 
"...know me... know..."

She spun at the sound of flapping wings right behind her. Raising her 
arms to protect her face, she opened her mouth to scream. Her shriek 
was drowned out by the alarm clock beside her bed. 

Heart pounding, threatening to break free of fragile ribbed constraint, 
Sarah took in her familiar surroundings. 

Her apartment was dark and tiny, dingy. It consisted of one room, with 
a kitchen segmented off by a breakfast bar, and a bathroom. It was neat 
and organized, but the single window did not shed much light and the 
paint on the walls had faded to a cracked and uneven grey.

She slapped the alarm off, not sure if she should be grateful it saved her 
from her dream or angry it had stolen her answers. 

In the place of the alarm's teeth-jarring buzz was the sound of a siren
screaming in the distance. 

Sarah ran her hands through her long, dark hair and felt the dream 
images fade. It was time to go to work.

She got out of bed and crossed to close her apartment's solitary window. 
It was barred and on the third floor, which is why she felt safe enough to 
open it a fingersbreadth overnight to allow fresh, or what passed for fresh, 
air into the room. 

Frowning, she reached out to the windowsill and picked up a single 
large, white feather. The snowy plume teased at a remote memory. 
Sarah shook off the unfounded tremor of fear and excitment and forced 
herself to prepare for the day ahead.

--------------------------------------

Life was not at all as she had dreamed it would be when she was a child. 
It was not even how she believed it would be as a hopeful student. Back 
then, she knew what she wanted, so she went after it.

She never thought it would elude her. 

In college, she had excelled. She had starred in two productions and 
loved the applause. She was good. She was an actress. She was going 
to make it.

Or so she had thought.

She was not good enough. New York was filled with good actresses. 
Each was scratching and scrambling for parts so off Broadway you 
needed a compass to find them. 

Sarah walked two blocks to the subway, surrounded by people yet alone 
all the same. The press of humanity had been overwhelming at first, now 
it was all background noise, just part of life in the big city. In daylight the 
trip to work wasn't so bad. At night it was necessary to take precautions.

Sarah held the cold metal of the pole on the train, listening to the clacking 
wheels as it carried her further from home, further into the underground. 
Underground. 

Sarah shook off the tendrils of memory from a long ago dream, another 
dark tunnel, something chasing her and someone else. It didn't make sense.  
She exited the train at her stop, somehow further unnerved.

Her current way of paying the bills was so cliche she might have cried if 
she allowed herself the luxury. She didn't. She wouldn't. If she did she 
would be pulled under by her own misery.

Since graduating college she had been in three plays. Each time in a 
supporting role, never a star. Never even truly noticeable. 

She loved the stage, the lights, the people. But then the work stopped 
coming. She still went to auditions, still reported to her agency dutifully, 
but Sarah began to realize that at twenty-four she was not getting the 
roles she wanted and might never get them. The legendary casting couch 
was not one of her options. She wasn't about to screw her way into a role 
and that had hurt her chances, she knew full well.

So she turned her imagination and creativity to another form. As she 
waited against hope for the perfect role she began to write. Before she 
quite knew what had taken her she had completed a children's fantasy 
book. With crossed fingers she sent it to an editor, hoping it was good 
enough to sell. It was. The publishers had loved it, and asked if she had 
any other ideas.

So far the two children's books she had written barely brought in enough 
money to cover rent most months and those checks kept getting smaller. 
Her first attempt at a novel sat at home on her computer hard drive, stalled. 
It was writer's block, she rationalized to herself as she stared for hours at the 
screen, waiting to fill it with words. It was as if her imagination were drying 
up as she struggled to simply survive. 

She also felt a certain resentment when her editor, on reading the book's 
proposal, had suggested she add more romance to it. Sarah's few 
encounters with romance had not been anything to write home about, 
let alone a book. She could not write about something that she knew 
nothing about.

Sarah walked through the restaurant and hung her coat in the back closet. 
No roles meant no money. No money meant either giving up on her 
dreams and going home or living on the streets. She opted to take a job 
to pay the bills. With a sigh she straightened her white shirt and plastered 
on a fake smile. 

She put on the role of one more nameless waitress waiting to be discovered.

-------------------------------

Her legs were sore and her feet were killing her by the time she got 
home. Securing the door locks she crossed to her second hand 
answering machine. 

There was only one message from her brother. None about the audition 
she had a week ago. It had been the second audition for the lead in a really 
promising play. If she got a third, she was in. It felt like all her hopes lay 
on a single phone call.

Trying not to be too discouraged she called her brother to cheer herself 
up. She sat down, stretching out her tired legs as someone picked up 
the other end of the line.

"Hello?"

Sarah felt the first genuine smile of the day spread over her face. "Hiya, 
kiddo. How was school today?"

"Hey! It was okay, I guess. I hate American History, though. It's so 
boring."

"Just think of it as a story, an adventure story." Sarah settled in to 
take joy in the maundanities of her little brother's life.

-----------------------------

Afterwards she sat before her computer, grasping for the words, for the 
story she knew she could write. It simply wouldn't come. Her head pounded 
with the frustration of it.

Hours later, still damp from the shower, she crawled into bed. She felt empty, 
like she'd been striving all day for something yet in the end nothing was 
accomplished. She closed her eyes and willed sleep to come.

---------------------------

"Was it worth it?" The accented voice spread like warm chocolate through 
the night.

She sat up with a gasp. Someone was in her apartment. In the darkness 
something moved. She was afraid to do the same. If she moved whoever 
it was might attack. Damn, why couldn't she have bought a gun?

"I asked if it was worth it. I'm not prone to repeating myself." Light flared 
from the direction of her threadbare sofa, as if a bare lightbulb had been lit 
and exposed. No... it wasn't a light bulb. It was a crystal sphere, held in a 
black gloved hand.

She felt her throat tighten with some emotion. Nothing could sneak 
past the sudden paralysis of vocal cords and esophagus. 

He sat on the back of the sofa, one high booted foot planted squarely 
in the center of a cushion, the other splayed along the sofa's back. The 
man looked completely relaxed and at ease, as if he belonged there. 
He was seductively beautiful, still.

It all came rushing back, the echoes of a long lost dream, of childhood's 
fears and hopes lumped together in one terrible night. Oh God, it was 
real. He was real. 

A name, at last, escaped her lips.

"I'm flattered you remember me." Mismatched eyes mocked her. 

"What do you want?" A cracked whisper, she realized was her own.

"To see you wallowing in your victory." The crystal sphere floated to 
the ceiling and hung there, against the laws of nature, as if such 
constraints could ever hold him.

Sarah felt ashamed of the small, dank apartment as he looked it over 
with undisguised scorn. 

"You waited eight years... till I'd started to fail, before coming to gloat?" 
She felt her courage returning, not completely, but absurd as it might 
appear to anyone else, this was one threat she at least knew how to handle. 
Or she hoped she did. "How very petty of you. And yes... getting Toby 
back was worth it. All of it."

"Who was speaking of Toby?" Another crystal appeared and he began 
to spin it with lazy grace, tossing and rolling it in impossible ways. He 
had not changed at all. Not one blond hair, not one arrogant sneer. 

Sarah suddenly found herself comparing him to a spoiled child in grown 
up clothes.

Then she met his eyes. 

Swallowing, she felt that observation fade. He was much more dangerous 
than that, and he was no child... though judging by his attitude he might 
well qualify as a brat.

"What a drab and colorless place you chose to live in. Look at you. Even 
you've become pale and lifeless." His voice was tinged with derision. 
"Such a pity." The last was filled with some softer emotion.

"Have you said your piece? Can you leave now?" Sarah cocked her 
head to one side the last of her fear over run by her anger.

"Come morning your agent will call and tell you to come in for that 
final audition you've been hoping for. The part is down to you and 
two others. One step closer to your dreams." The crystal was stopped 
from its rolling dance and centered in a gloved palm.

"They always were mine. My dreams. You had no power to offer them 
to me. You never did. All you could offer was illusion." Sarah swept 
out of bed and reached for her robe, feeling chilled and exposed in her 
nightgown.

"Illusion? And this is so much better? Tell me, Sarah, what is real? 
Define to me the meaning of Reality." He jumped from his perch to 
stand before her, tall and intimidating, leaning too close.

Had he ever heard of personal space?

"I'm not going to discuss philosophy with you, Jareth." 

She stepped around him, heading for the small kitchen in the corner. 
She needed something to drink. Maybe tea. She considered offering 
him some then stomped the urge down. It was not like he was an 
invited guest.

"How about truth? Let us discuss the nature of truth, then." 

Damn it, she thought, how did he get between her and her cupboard?

"You wouldn't know truth if it reared up and bit you on the ass." She 
decided to ignore his game and reached over his shoulder to open the 
door and find her reserve of tea bags.

"Oh really? Tell me... when have I ever lied to you?" He crossed his 
arms and stared down at her.

For some reason this whole, surreal conversation was giving her a very 
real headache. 

"I don't know. And to tell you the TRUTH... I don't care." She lit a fire 
beneath her tea kettle with a flip of her wrist.

Suddenly a crystal was spinning before her, offered in the tips of Jareth's 
fingers.

"What do you think you're offering this time? And for what price?" 
Sarah met his fierce eyes again, refusing to flinch.

"I never said I was offering anything."

She looked at the shimmering orb being held before her. If she could trust 
Jareth to actually be telling the truth then tomorrow she would be one step 
closer to her dreams. Was he telling the truth? 

So what game was he playing? It was a game, of that she had no doubt. 
The Goblin King seemed to think everything a game, no matter how 
deadly serious the outcome. 

Sarah reached for the crystal, unsure why... perhaps to throw it in his 
face, perhaps to try to discern his trick this time. But it disappeared in 
a shower of sparkles, leaving only the offering of a gloved hand.

Swallowing from a throat suddenly gone dry, she took the offered hand, 
and felt his fingers close over hers.



Perchance To...: 
part 2: Welcome to my Nightmare

There was nothing to signal the change in location. One moment they 
were in Sarah's little kitchen area, the next they were in a stone walled 
room that could only be part of the Goblin Castle.

Sarah snatched her hand away, shocked only by her own lack of surprise.

"Now what?" She looked around at the messy floor just in time to see 
a furball with glowing eyes scamper along one wall before disappearing
through an archway. "Why did you bring me here? What's going on, Jareth?"

"Nothing is going on. We were discussing the nature of truth. When 
you have discovered it, talk to me again. I'd love to hear your views." 
He turned to leave.

"Where do you think you're going? Take me home, right now." Sarah 
stomped her bare foot in frustrated anger.

Jareth turned, a true hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're quite fetching 
when you're angry. However, tantrums will not work. You are in my territory 
now, and the rules are very different from the last time you dropped in."

"Rules?" Sarah crossed her arms before her chest and glared. "What 
rules? This isn't a game. This is my life and I'll thank you to stop jumping 
into it."

Jareth settled his gloved hands on his hips. "Once you've opened this
 particular door, it never closes completely again. As for the rest, life
 is a game with its own set of rules. Denying it doesn't change it."

"And you just love to twist the rules to your own ends, don't you? Well, 
it isn't going to work. I didn't ask for you. I didn't wish anyone away." 
Sarah refused to back down, her voice shaking with anger.

The Goblin King sighed, "And I told you, those rules no longer apply. 
I really am getting tired of repeating myself. You are not a stupid girl 
so stop acting like one. But then, acting is all you know how to do. 
Why not start reaching for some honesty, hmmm?" He turned away 
again.

"I honestly want to go home," Sarah called after him.

He turned and with a mock bow answered, "You have no power over 
me." 

He disappeared through the archway. Sarah ran after him, for the moment 
more afraid of being left alone in this awful place than of sharing breathing 
room with him. 

The hall beyond the arch was empty.

"JARETH!" Her own echo answered her back.

Mentally she railed. He left me here, her inner voice raged, that bastard 
kidnapped me from my own apartment, in my nightclothes, no less, then 
abandoned me!

A droopy-eyed goblin in clanking armor rounded the corner and 
spotted her, looking confused for a moment before getting a rather 
evil glint in its eyes.

"Don't EVEN start on me." She growled, pointing her finger at him 
before really thinking.

The creature let out a little squeal and backpeddled out of the hallway.

Sarah smiled to herself. Fine, if that is how it was going to be, Jareth 
was going to find out just what a mistake it was to leave her to her 
own devices in his castle.

In short order she discovered four things. Firstly, the stone floors were 
very cold on bare feet. Secondly, the Goblin Castle was larger on the 
inside than it appeared to be on the outside, from what she could remember. 
Thirdly, the goblins she ran into looked meaner than she remembered and 
a lot less laughable. However, on remembering the reaction of the first 
goblin she had met this day she let her anger remain visable and refused 
to show any fear. If nothing else Jareth had taught them to fear angry 
looking humans.

The final thing she discovered was that she had nothing to be ashamed 
of in her apartment, because it was clean and organized at the very least. 
The castle was badly in need of a good scrubbing. Dust and dirt lay 
everywhere. Cobwebs filled corners near the ceiling and rags and broken 
items littered the floors.

What damage could she possibly do in this mess? A wicked voice in her 
head told her she could clean, but she squashed it. She'd be damned if 
she let herself become Jareth's maid. Beside, the goblins would only 
make a mess again as soon as anything was cleaned. The disgusting 
critters were everywhere.

"Drab and colorless, indeed. Who did YOUR decorating, your high 
handedness?" She directed to the walls, getting only the snicker of 
some passing goblins as a reply.

After what had appeared to be hours of wandering aimlessly from room 
to room, many of which rivaled the Escher room in strangeness if not 
tidiness, she found herself drawn to a doorway emanating a cheery 
light and the sounds of a woman's scolding.

"No, no, no. Wash them first. Yes, in the water, you won't melt. Nog, 
don't cut away so much of the potato, we need that part."

Peering through the doorway with interest she found, to her astonishment, 
what appeared to be a human woman directing several dejected looking 
goblins at kitchen tasks.

There was a fire in an oversized fireplace over which one goblin, the very 
picture of boredom, turned a whole pig on a spit. One wall was lined with 
stoves laden with pots and pans of all manner. The smells alone drew 
Sarah forward into the room.

The woman stopped demonstrating how to peel a potato to one very 
small and confused goblin and turned, her kindly eyes falling on Sarah.

"Oh my! Well met, young lady." The woman appeared to be at least 
fifty, with long dark hair liberally shot through with grey pulled into 
a braid down her back and laugh lines around her eyes. She wiped her 
hands on a stained apron. "Whatever are you doing here?"

"I'd like to know that, myself." Sarah answered and held out her hand, 
"I'm Sarah Williams."

"Colleen Jasper, but folks around here call me Col." The woman's tone 
was brusque yet frindly as she looked Sarah over. "Oh, you poor dear, 
you have no shoes!" 

Sarah looked down to her chilled feet, embarrassed. "I didn't have much 
of a chance to grab a pair. Do you know where I can find Jareth?"

The woman tittered. "Himself? Gracious no. He hasn't been in here in 
ages, but he's sure to turn up in the dining hall for noon repast." The 
woman's lined face broke into a smile. "Sarah, is it? Not THE Sarah?"

"Just what is THAT supposed to mean?" Sarah's stomach twisted, 
weather it was from hunger or apprehension she could not tell.

"The only girl from the realm of Earth to defeat Himself's labyrinth. 
But then you couldn't be her, that was some time ago." Col grabbed 
a roll from a basket on a crooked wooden table and sliced a wedge 
of cheese from a wheel as she spoke. She offered them to Sarah. "Here, 
have a seat, dear." 

Sarah spotted a stool next to the table and sat gratefully. "Thank you. 
And yes, last time I was here I bested Jareth. I think I'm here now for 
his revenge."

A wooden mug was placed before her. "Well this IS an honor. I doubt 
you're here for vengeance,though. Rules is rules and you won fair 'n 
square if I hear tell right. He can't take vengeance for that."

"I'm not so sure." Sarah took a bite of the fresh roll and smiled, for it was 
delicious and still warm.

"I am. There are rules even in this place. His Majesty might try stretchin' 
'em from time to time, but he can't outright break 'em." Col bustled to the 
stove and began stirring a huge pot. 

"Well, I was kidnapped, practically straight from my bed, and promptly 
abandoned without explanation. I have no idea why I'm here, or how to 
get back." To Sarah's delight the cheese was savory and the mug contained 
chilled water.

"Well if you didn't ask to come here and made no bargain then you 
can't be kept here indefinitely. Eat up and I'll see if I can find you a 
room and some shoes."  Col turned and sighed. The goblin at the spit 
had fallen asleep. She approached him and shook his shoulder. "Come 
about Raggen,none of that on kitchen duty. You don't want to end up 
here on the morrow, do you?"

The goblin yawned himself awake and scowled.

"I thought not. If you ruin dinner the King is not going to be very happy, 
is he?"

The goblin made another face and began turning the spit once again.

"Domesticating the modern goblin." Sarah laughed.

"Hmmph, hardly. They barely remember what they're supposed to be 
doing half the time. These three hate this job and they got Himself angry 
with them over something, so here they are. They only listen to me because 
if there's one thing a goblin is loyal to it's his stomach and I promise not
to feed em if they cause trouble."

Sarah finished off her light meal and watched Colleen take all the pans 
off the stove. "Got to move these, otherwise they'll burn. These three 
dearies don't know how to watch 'em." She turned to the goblins and 
waggled her finger at them. "Now there had better NOT be a mess in here
when I get back, or no food for any of you."

Sarah followed the older woman out the door. "How did you get here, 
Colleen?"

"Col, dear, and I'm here because I asked to be." Two lefts and a right 
turn later the woman pushed on a wooden door, opening it easily. 

"Why would anyone ask to be here?" Sarah frowned.

"Now that's my own business, isn't it?" Col replied, not unkindly, as 
she swept into the room and announced rather loudly, "This room is 
now Sarah's."

A fire suddenly blazed in a small fireplace and several candles scattered 
about lit themselves.

The room was small but clean. The bed had a simple wooden frame, and 
it looked freshly made. Col crossed to a tall, wooden dresser and pulled 
open the left side door. Inside were several dresses and several pair of shoes. 

"These should fit. Through that door is a bath and facilities. This wing has 
hot and cold running water; just touch the red and blue crystals next to the 
tub and adjust as needed. To get back to the kitchen it's a left and two rights, 
or just follow your nose." Col smiled and left as abruptly as she had entered.

Sarah eyed the dresser's contents skeptically. How could the clothes fit?

She picked up a low heeled shoe made of gray suede and measured it 
against her dirty foot. It LOOKED to be the right size. 

"Curiouser and curiouser. Oh, wrong story." She sighed and peeked 
into the bathroom.

------------------------------------

Sarah looked in the full length mirror covering the inside of the dresser 
door. She was clean andpresentable again, even if she was forced to 
wear a dress. She preferred jeans, but there was not a single pair of 
pants to be found in the dresser. She had settled on a white, cotton, full 
length chemise with very full sleeves topped by a full grey skirt. As Col 
had said, everything fit, including the comfortable suede slippers. 

With no blow dryer handy Sarah settled for braiding her damp hair into 
a single rope down her back.

Soon enough she was retracing her steps back to the kitchen. The spacious 
workroom was now brimming with activity. Colleen handed platters of 
breads, fruits and cheeses to eagerly grasping goblins, who took them 
and ran out.

"What's going on?" Sarah moved against a wall to get out of the way. 

"Lunch. Those who carry the stuff out get to grab first choice after 
Himself. Lots of volunteers that way. Come have a seat. I don't suggest 
you eat in the dining hall. Tis enough to turn most folk's stomach." Col 
handed out the last wooden tray and sat down. Her three previous helpers 
were wolfing down their own meals in a disgusting manner. No one ever 
taught them to chew with their mouths closed.

"You said Jareth would be there?" Sarah did not take a seat.

"Usually, unless he's working on something important. He takes the 
noon meal with the others, but at dinner he dines alone. Even HE can't 
take too many meals in their presence." Col reached for an apple and 
poured herself a mug of something frothy.

"Well, I need some answers." Sarah started out of the kitchen.

"No! Lass, don't go in there all fury and spit! You can't be demanding 
ANYTHING from Himself. It just doesn't work." Col's voice sounded 
panicked.

Sarah turned to the ashen faced woman. "Watch me."

With her spine straight and her chin raised, she stormed down the hall the 
goblins had used. Soon enough she found herself in a large room filled 
with noise. There were goblins everywhere, eating with gusto, if not 
with manners. Whatever fell to the floor was snatched up by a team of coarse
haired pigs.

"Ah, Sarah, nice of you to join us." Jareth's voice rang through the 
revelry and the goblins at once fell silent. "Care for some lunch?" He 
tossed her a piece of fruit, which she deftly caught.

She scowled on seeing a peach in her hand and tossed it to the floor 
as the goblins and their master laughed at her expense.

"I WAS going to tell you that you lived in a pig sty," Sarah shoved a 
pig out of her way, "but this sorta makes my point moot. You might 
have more floor space here, but your cockroaches are bigger and you've 
crowned yourself king of them. All in all I'd say you're no better off than me.
So... can I go home now?" 

Jareth's face darkened. "If you continue to behave like a spoiled child, 
I'll have to treat you like one."

He waved his hand and the world went black.  
     

Perchance to...
part 3: Oooo, Foxy Lady.

Sarah found herself standing in the middle of the room Colleen had brought 
her to before. The fireplace still held a cheery blaze and the candles were still lit.

Sarah felt herself near the snapping point as she moved to yank the door 
open only to grasp at air. The doorknob was missing.

Taking a deep breath in a feeble attempt to calm herself she felt along the 
edges of the door. Nothing. She tried prying at the edges but the door 
would not budge.

"I don't BELIEVE he sent me to my ROOM." Sarah growled to no 
one in particular.

Chewing on her bottom lip for a moment Sarah forced herself to 
calm down and think rationally. 

Removing a candle from a nearby candle holder she went to work. 
Using the the handle of the holder as a lever she tried prying at the 
door again. Still nothing.

Her eyes moved to the door's hinges and she grinned.

---------------------------------------------

Sarah stormed back into the dining hall to find it empty of all but the 
pigs still shuffling through the garbage strewn on the floor. 

Her anger had moved to a slow simmering ball that tasted of acid in 
the back of her throat. If she got her hands on that man, she swore to 
herself, she would wring his neck with particular pleasure. Her fingers 
clenched, already imagining themselves around a throat.

"Oh, lass!" Col called out from behind her. The older woman rushed 
forward to throw her arms about Sarah's trembling form. "Oh... you've 
right to be afraid. Don't ever anger Himself like that again. I feared he'd 
tossed you in an oubliette, never to be heard from again!"

"I'm not afraid." Sarah stilled her shaking with an effort and eased 
herself from Col's embrace. "I'm pissed off. I'm imagining wringing 
a certain royal neck as I speak. I want to pluck that overstuffed 
peacock and shove the feathers up his ass. I'm just about ready to 
commit murder one and ENJOY it."

As Sarah spoke Col's face got whiter and whiter. The woman raised 
her hand to cover Sarah's mouth. "Hsst! He may hear you. You won't 
be doin' anything of the sort. Do you think the Bog of Eternal Stench 
is the worst thing that can happen to you? Are ya daft? Calm yourself 
and breathe deep." 

"I'm not a child anymore, Col. I won't be frightened by the boogey man." 
Sarah moved away, her swift movements speaking of her still simmering 
anger.

"No, ya ain't a child. So that what would frighten a child is useless. 
That thing out there," Col gestured to a window, "that labyrinth, it adjusts 
to whoever is travelling it. If you're a child, it uses childish tricks. 
Dangerous, yes, but still childish. As an adult what you'd get out there 
is adult terrors and there are worse things than death."

Sarah considered Col's words, the implications staggering her. 

"There, now you have it. Tis a good thing Himself likes you. He didn't 
send you far." Col nodded sagely.

"If this is how he treats someone he likes..." Sarah muttered.

"Right, you don't be wantin' to be his enemy. Keep that in mind." 
Col hooked her arm in Sarah's and steered her back toward the 
kitchen. "So, just where did you get off to?"

Sarah felt a blush stain her cheeks. It was humiliating. "My room," she 
mumbled.

At least Col had the grace not to laugh.

Once inside the savory smelling workroom Sarah sighed, her anger 
draining away to leave melancholy in its wake.

"No offense, Col, but I'm not about to help feed Jareth and his masses. 
I just don't feel like being particularly helpful to him." Sarah leaned 
against a wall.

"So what do you plan on doing with your time?" Col crossed to her 
work table and began mixing flour and other ingredients.

"You've heard of me before, right? Did you hear what happened to 
my friends, Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus?" Sarah moved to sit on 
the stool she had occupied earlier.

Col sniffed. "I may have heard a thing or two. I may tell you if you 
promise to keep your temper."

Sarah felt a wave of fear. "I don't like the sound of that."

"You shouldn't." Col began cutting in some butter and Sarah recognized 
the beginnings of pie crust.

"What did he do to them, Col?" Sarah gripped the edge of the table, hard.

"They were tossed out. Exiled. The lands beyond Jareth's kingdom are 
just as dangerous. More so to strangers. I don't know what's become of 
them after that. I do know they were lucky to escape with their lives." 
Col looked at Sarah, sidelong. "His Majesty was furious when he lost you. 
Impossible to live with for months."

Sarah felt the tears begin to spill. "Oh no." 

"Hush, child. Those three seemed a rescourseful bunch, and if they 
stuck together, they might well be just fine. I know who you might 
ask. Lady Saishoku." Col smiled a bit in encouragement.

"Who?" Sarah was prepared to grasp at any straws.

"Lady Saishoku. She has friends everywhere, it seems. She is here 
due to... personal matters. Occasionally she presents Himself with a 
sparring partner. Hand to hand, swords, she knows them all." Col 
waved a dough covered hand.

"Where can I find her?" Sarah was already on her feet.

"Most likely the gardens. She likes to help the gardener." Col's smile 
hinted at some secret joke.

"And how do I find the gardens?" Sarah didn't remember seeing any on 
her previous self guided tour.

"Nog, show Sarah to the gardens and I'll set aside a pie just for you." 
Col winked at the goblin currently trying to figure out what to do with 
a head of lettuce.

"Pie?" The waist high fellow immediately perked up and offered a 
semi salute to Col. 

"Just follow Nog, Sarah. He knows the way."

----------------------------------------

The garden was stunning. If the castle was a study in grey, then all the 
colors once held inside had been poured into the well tended paths and 
beds.

Flowers and plants of all descriptions, and many defying identification, 
grew in abundance. Sarah was pretty sure some of the plants she recognized 
did not usually bloom at the same time of year. The scent alone was heavenly.
  How a place of such magnificence came to be in the shadow of the castle 
was a mystery.

Sarah heard voices and followed the sound. It sounded like a man and 
a woman in conversation occasionally punctuated by laughter.

She found them among the roses. They both appeared human, which 
gave her pause. Counting Col this was three more humans then she 
thought lived here.

The man was wearing brown homespun pants and shirt, with a red vest 
covered in intricately embroidered vines of ivy. His hair was light brown 
and short. She could not judge his height since he was kneeling to plant 
a rose bush. 

Beside him was a woman wearing a traditional kimono of pale cream, 
heavily embroidered with flowers. Her long hair was a auburn, but her 
features appeared to be Asian, a startling contrast. She was trimming 
roses and putting them in a basket. 

Sarah knew this was the woman she needed to see. She politely cleared 
her throat and two faces turned to her with open curiosity.

"Ummm, my name is Sarah, and Colleen sent me to speak with a Lady 
Saishoku." She felt like fidgeting. The woman was beautiful and serene 
as she smiled knowingly.

"That would be me." She acknowledged Sarah with a slight bow, then 
gestured to the man next to her. "This is Ian. What may I do for the 
Sarah of legend?"

Sarah felt herself blushing again. Just how many people here had heard 
of her? 

When Lady Saishoku started to walk towards her Sarah immediately 
noticed she was not, after all, human. No human she knew sported three 
bushy red tails tipped in white protruding from her backside. The tails 
swished as she moved in a manner that let Sarah know they were difinately 
attached to the Lady.

Noticing Sarah's stare, the woman turned, spying her own tails. "Ah," her 
smile was one of amusement. "You have never met a kitsune before."

"A kits-what?" Sarah forced herself to meet the woman's eyes. It was 
rude to stare. 

"Kitsune. I am a kitsune, though only a lowly three tail. We are fox 
spirits. Were-foxes if you wish. How may I help you, Sarah?" Lady 
Saishoku tilted her head, regarding Sarah with a singular focus.

"Col, um, Col told me you might be able to tell me what became of my 
friends. I was told they were exiled. She said you have a lot of friends 
who might know something." Sarah felt awkward beside the pale beauty 
of the Lady.

"I know of whom you speak. I will make inquiries, but it may take some 
time." The Lady made a slight gesture and a pale pink rose appeared in 
her hand. She reached forward to tuck it behind Sarah's ear. "There, perfect. 
Though the rose pales beside the lady."

Sarah felt her cheeks flame. "Thank you."

"Come. Join us. It is good to touch upon nature. Unless you have other 
plans." The Lady returned to the roses.

"I don't want to intrude." Sarah started to back away.

"Nonsense." Ian spoke up for the first time. "Sai and I don't often get 
to hold intelligent conversations with anyone but mom and the King." 
He tugged insolently on one of the kitsune's tails.

"M-mom?" Sarah's eyebrows rose. "Colleen?"

Ian nodded. "The one and only. Stay a while. Pull up some dirt. Tell us 
how you came to be in the Goblin Castle." 

Ian was charming and Sai, as she insisted on being called, was lively. It 
took Sarah a little while to notice the double entendres Sai slipped into 
the conversation. They had been chatting for some time before Sarah 
also noticed Ian's wedding ring as he handed her a spade to start digging 
for the next rose bush.  Suspicious of the easy banter and sly familiarity 
between the two, a quick glance confirmed a matching band on Sai's finger. 

"So, you're basically here until you discover whatever truth the King wants 
you to discover." Ian wiped his hands on his trousers.

"I guess, but I resent the jerk thinking he has anything to teach me. I mean, 
look at the way he lives. I bet his best friend's three feet tall with a snout and 
curly tail." Sarah placed the tools in a pail.

Sai sighed and shook her head. "Jareth has few he can call friend. There 
is much you do not know of the Goblin King."

"Well, with his attitude it's no wonder. If he tried being nice once in a 
while he might fool someone into being his friend." Sarah dusted off her 
own hands.

"Perhaps there is something for you to learn after all." Ian stood and 
stretched. 

"But some things must be discovered, not learned by wrote." Sai touched 
an elegant finger to Ian's nose.

Ian followed Sai's gaze and nodded. "Right, that's it for today. It's been nice 
meeting you, Sarah. Feel free to come by and talk any time." Ian took Sai's 
pale hand in his work roughened one and they walked briskly down the path 
away from the castle.

"What, is it my breath?" Sarah muttered, turning to see Jareth leaning 
against a cherry tree in full bloom.

"I trust you're enjoying my garden." There was an edge to his voice and 
Sarah prepared herself for a confrontation while silently berating Ian 
and Sai as cowards.
                                              

     
Perchance to...
part 4: My Dream Swallowed Me Whole



"What have you done to my friends?" Sarah stood before Jareth, 
unimpressed.

"Ah, the traitors. I exiled them. I was lenient, for your sake. They 
should have been hung at a crossroad." Jareth looked tolerantly 
bored. "Once again, I was generous."

"I don't want to get into your idea of generosity again. What do I 
have to do to get them back?" Sarah resigned herself to pleading, 
if she had to. 

Jareth's eyes raked over her, slowly, and Sarah felt herself shiver. 

"Nothing. You see, I don't know where they are. I don't care to know. 
I will not be surrounded by traitors." Jareth reached forward and touched 
a gloved finger to the edge of the rose behind Sarah's ear. She flinched. 
He quickly drew his hand back. "Not even for you."

Sarah fought back the urge to cry. She refused to appear weak before 
this man. She would deal with her friend's safety when she had more to 
go on.

"Why am I here, Jareth?" Her voice was soft. She looked away from 
him, preferring to stare at the cherry tree.

"Because you sought out my garden after damaging the architecture of 
my castle. I should make you replace those hinges." He sounded amused, 
but she still refused to look at him, preferring her silence speak for her.

He sighed. "Very well. I want you to join me for dinner, tonight. I 
find myself in the mood for company."

Sarah turned toward her eyes to him at last. "Then talk to a goblin. 
I don't feel like entertaining you."

"It wasn't a request. Col will fetch you when it's time." He moved as 
if to walk around the tree, however, he never came around. Sarah 
followed his steps to find he had vanished once again.

--------------------------------------

Sarah  nodded as Col gestured her into the room. Jareth's private dining 
room was spotless. Complex and colorful tapestries covered the walls 
and the floor was adorned with a green and white rug bearing a maze 
design. A fire blazed in a marble fireplace even though Sarah couldn't see 
any wood or similar fuel at its base. Above the fireplace was a painting of 
the most exquisite woman Sarah had ever seen. 

Jareth had been seated at a dinning table of polished wood, but he 
stood as Sarah entered and looked over the room.

"More to your taste, I suppose?" He held his hand out to the seat 
opposite him, indicating that she should sit.

"It's lovely." She admitted, honestly.

"The main areas are over run with goblins. Cleaning after them is an 
exercise in futility. Only a choice few are permitted into my private 
wing. Most of them have learned which end of a mop goes to the 
floor." He sat only after she had.

"I see." She felt suddenly sheepish. She had raged at him this afternoon 
without all the facts. But then, she reasoned to herself, he hadn't given 
her all the facts, either.

Col entered the room bearing a large silver tray laden with food. 
Without a word she set plates before Jareth and Sarah before pouring 
them each a glass of white wine. Her duty done, she took her tray and 
left.

"So," Sarah poked at her salad, half afraid to discover something alive 
under the greens, "what truth do you hope I'll learn here that I couldn't 
learn in New York?"

"That would be cheating. The nature of truth is that most people don't 
believe it unless they discover it for themselves." He watched her over 
the rim of his ornate wine glass.

"So you're not even going to tell me what I'm supposed to be looking 
for?" Detecting nothing overtly harmful she speared a tomato wedge.

"No. It's more interesting that way, don't you think?" Jareth tore off 
a piece of bread.

"For me or for you?" Sarah glared.

He answered with an insolent smile. 

"You should try getting cable down here. It's much more entertaining." 
Sarah angrily lay into her chicken, hacking it up with particular viciousness.

"That's your opinion." He cut his own meal with cultured delicacy, 
once again pointing out the childishness of Sarah's actions.

She wanted to kill him.

"You need a hobby. Have you ever tried coin collecting?" Sarah's 
smile was saccharine sweet.

"No, but I did collect pressed fairies for a while." 

Sarah's jaw dropped. He was probably serious, too. 

---------------------------------

Sarah made her way to her room in silence, contemplating the dinner 
conversation. Jareth had been annoyingly polite, as polite as he was 
likely to get. That alone was bothering her. Why was he doing this? 
For his own amusement?

Stepping into her room Sarah was shocked to see Lady Saishoku 
seated on her bed. She was dressed in a form fitting dress of red silk, 
edged in gold. Her tails apparently had the night off, as there was no 
sign of them.

"Sai?"

"Shh." Sai held up a finger. "Something is happening. If you want to 
learn, then nod once and come with me. You must promise to remain 
perfectly still and perfectly silent." 

Sarah nodded once and found herself in a dark alcove overlooking the 
throne room. There was a stonework grate between her and the scene 
below. Ian was already there. She could make him out due to the light 
filtering in through the grate. He nodded to her, but remained silent. 
Lady Saishoku was no where to be seen. Sarah realized they were spying 
on whatever was going on below. 

A woman sat on Jareth's throne. She was exquisite. Her red-gold hair 
was thick and fell in heavy curls over her shoulders. A diamond circlet 
graced her brow and her dress seemed as if it were made of moonlight 
and mist. Sarah stifled a gasp. It was the woman whose portrait hung 
over the mantle in Jareth's dining room.

"The Queen." Sarah barely made out the breath of a whisper Ian placed 
in her ear. 

She flushed. Queen? Jareth was married? She bit her lip, unsure why 
she should care.

Ten others flanked the Queen. Three appeared human, the others 
were inhuman in their beauty, long limbed and fair with sharply pointed 
ears and large, luminous eyes. Their manner of dress was outrageous. 
Ruffles and frills, silks and lace, glitter and jewels, the designs the stuff 
of fairy tale dreams. It appeared each was intent on outdoing the other. 

The only one that truly stood out was the man to the right of the Queen. 
Tall and slender, he wore black, from his thigh-high boots to his velvet 
doublet. The only ornament he had was an ivory horn edged in gold. All 
the black made his face seem pale. Sarah noted his blond hair was shorn 
very close to his head. 

"He has to know you're here, your Majesty. I do believe he plans to insult you." 
The man leaned in to the Queen but did not bother to whisper. His accent was 
very much like Jareth's.

"It's you who insult me, Gwyn. In my own castle, no less." Jareth's 
voice rang through the throne room as he appeared.

He was dressed formally. Much as he had been during a half remembered 
dance a lifetime ago, Sarah realized. Only now his jewel encrusted 
jacket was green, not blue.

To Sarah's surprise he bowed before the woman seated on his thrown. 
"I am, of course, my Lady's most humble servant."

The Queen laughed, the sound ringing like the tinkling of crystal bells. 
"Jareth, I have never known anyone less humble than thee. Indeed, if 
thou spake truly of being mine servant thou wouldst not be HERE."

"Well, I'm yours to command, anyway." Jareth stepped forward to kiss 
the woman's hand.

"Very well. You are to attend me at this summer's Rade. I find myself 
missing your brand of wit and charm." Though she smiled, Sarah could 
see the woman's eyes were cold and commanding. Next to her the man 
known as Gwyn snorted.

"I have certain responsibilities..." Jareth gestured to the filthy throne 
room.

"Cancel them. I expect thee at Kincade Green on the morrow. Thou 
may, of course, bring what retinue thou wouldst. Thou art, after all, 
a King and will be given the respect of thine position." The woman's 
cold eyes fell on Gwyn, silencing the man before he could speak.

"I would be honored." Jareth bowed again, mocking her with the 
stiffness of
the gesture.

"Of course thou art. We will see thee by evening tomorrow. Do not be 
late." She stood and those with her made bows of varying degrees to 
Jareth. In the blink of an eye all of them were gone.

"Saishoku, I know you are eavesdropping!" Jareth turned, but did not 
face the alcove where Sarah and Ian stood, frozen in a moment of panic.

Sai appeared from a side door and gave him a slight bow. "You wish 
to discuss your options? As I see it, you have none."

"Amusing. Why did she pick NOW to interrupt my life after fifty 
years of silence? " Jareth smacked a gloved fist into his palm.

"It chafes, does it not, uesama, to be the amusement of another?" Sai 
lifted a delicate eyebrow. 

"Save the pointed remarks. We have much to do." Jareth produced a 
crystal and held it out to Sai. "Gather Sarah, Col and that husband of 
yours. You know what must be done."

Sai nodded. "Hai. And I know all of your reasonings, only a few of 
which I agree with." She took the crystal and proceeded to spin and 
roll it as adeptly as Jareth, himself.

"Do it. Have Ian prepare the horses. I'll get a detachment to act as 
honor guard." Jareth spun on his heel and left the room. 

Sai looked up to the hidden alcove. Sarah knew the kitsune was looking 
at Ian through the stonework and dark.

"Come on, Sarah, we don't have much time." Ian took her arm and pulled 
her back, opening a door behind them.

"Time for what? I don't understand." Sarah followed him, none the less.

"We have to get ready. We're attending a Rade." Ian's steps were brisk a
nd purposeful.

"A what?" Sarah shook her head, stunned by all she had seen.

"A Rade, a processional through all the Fae kingdoms. The Queen gave 
the order and Jareth must obey. Though he's bound to be a JOY to live 
with for the next few weeks." Ian rolled his eyes.

"Oh." Sarah still felt shell shocked. "I didn't know he was married."

"Who?" Ian had led her to her own room.

"The King." She made a meaningless gesture. 

Ian laughed. "He isn't, silly. That was his MOTHER."  Ian took off 
down the hallway, leaving Sarah standing, stunned, in the doorway 
of her room.


Perchance to...
part 5: Imagine that


There was a quiet knock at Sarah's door as she was about to get ready 
for bed. Peering into the hall, she discovered it was Sai.

"What's going on, Sai?" She opened the door to allow the other woman 
in. 

Sai shook her head. "A whole bunch of trouble. You saw most of it. 
Basically Jareth has been summoned to court for the first time in ages. 
So you, Col and Ian must go with him. Where Ian goes, I follow." 

"Why do we have to go?" Sarah frowned at this little disclosure.

"Because a full court Rade will last at least four weeks. The average 
goblin can't remember most things longer than two weeks without 
constant reminding. Meaning, any time Jareth is away for longer than 
that things around here get insane. They will not remember they were 
ordered not to hassle, molest or in any way harm the humans. To be 
honest, I'm not sure you would survive. The only one with half a chance 
of making it would be Col, as she feeds them." Sai folded hands together 
and, on opening them, brought forth the crystal Jareth had given her. 
"This is for you."

Tossing the orb to the floor there was a flash of light and Sarah found 
her room filled with trunks, rolls and baskets. Fabrics of incredibly rich 
textures and designs spilled over the edges of each container.

"Whoa, what's all this for?" Sarah reached out to touch a section of 
velvet in the richest midnight blue, with tiny crystals sewn to it in a 
sea of stars.

"Clothing, jewels and accessories. Col will be acting as your ladies maid, 
and I'll ride with you, as your friend." Sai stepped forward to pull out a 
dress of antiqued mint silk with a inverted triangle of dark green velvet 
overlaid with gold lace.The full skirt alternated with silk and
lace-covered velvet of the same pattern. Layers of black-gold lace ruffled 
from the sleeves. "This should do for the ride tomorrow."

"It's lovely. But I don't need all this." Sarah held her hands out to the piles 
of extravagant clothing.

"But you do. Unless you wish to be thought of and treated as a servant, 
meaning you will be at the mercy of any Fae lordling wishing to order 
you about, or do worse, you must appear the doted upon lady." Sai laid 
the dress aside and started rummaging through the trunks.

"Excuse me? Doted on lady? Why don't I like the sound of that?" Sarah 
crossed her arms.

Sai produced a pair of dark green riding boots trimmed in gold. "Because 
it means what you are thinking. For appearances sake you must act the 
part of Jareth's mistress. That way you will be treated with respect by 
ninety percent of the court. The other ten percent will either hate you 
out of jealousy or seek to use you as a pawn for political manuverings. 
However, it is the safest position for you at this time."

"I'd rather face the goblins." Sarah sat on her bed, unamused at THIS 
turn of events. "I'm not THAT good an actress."

Sai smiled slightly. "You must be better than you think. Truth be told 
there is no time for arguments. We must leave by first light to make it 
to the gate by noon. If we are not among the court by nightfall it will 
be seen as an insult to the Queen. She arranged it this way, so there is 
no opportunity to come up with excuses."

"Gee, taking away someone's choices, manipulating situations, now 
who do I know who operates like that?" The anger had faded to a mild 
headache. Sarah realized she could not remain furious forever. Disgusted 
maybe, but not furious.

"Don't let him hear you say that. He likes to pretend he is nothing like 
either of his parents. In reality he's too much like both of them for a 
peaceful co-existance." Sai smiled and started to straighten the trunks 
and bundles, packing things neatly.

"If this is such a big hassle he's free to send me home. One less human to 
fuss over." Sarah decided to help Sai pack things up if only because 
watching her work alone made her feel guilty.

"Whether you choose to believe so or not, I do not believe any harm was 
intended toward you. This is a complication to whatever Jareth is planning. 
I am not certain what those plans are, but I have never seen him give up." 
Sai looked at Sarah, a tiny crease between her brows. "Have you ever 
ridden sidesaddle?"

Sarah shook her head. "If you're talking horses, I've never ridden, 
period."

"With the role you will play you have two choices. You can either learn 
as you go on the most placid steed Ian can find, or you can ride before 
the King on his steed." Sai tied the last basket closed.

"What color is my horse?" Sarah stood.

Sai giggled.

--------------------------

Saishoku changed into her loose white workout clothes. Ian would 
be up all night preparing the horses and overseeing the packing if 
Jareth had his way. For that alone she was in an unforgiving mood.

Jareth was waiting for her the the middle of the circle. He never dressed 
traditionally for a practice session. Tonight he wore black tights and a 
very loose black shirt. Sai shook her head. The tights would give his 
leg movements away every time. To an experienced opponent that 
would give the entire move away.

He wanted to work out his anger at the current developments.

Sai fingered the hilt of her katana. "Your guest is less than pleased 
with the situation." She entered the circle with a bow.

"I expected nothing less. However, the current circumstances have 
their advantages." He bowed in return and drew his own katana.

"There are many times I don't like you very much, kyuushiki." She 
allowed the bitterness in her to flavor the ancient word for old friend. 
"Hajime." She ordered the practice to begin.

They circled one another carefully, each looking for signs of the other's 
first move. Sai saw the tightening of Jareth's leg muscles a half second 
before he moved, and blocked easily. Their swords rang together loudly, 
the sound reverberating off the stone walls.

He insisted on true and naked blades. In this he was unusual amongst 
the Fae she knew. A wound caused by cold iron was not easily healed 
by magic. The more of the death metal that entered the bloodstream, 
the more it affected one's magic, as well as physically weakening the 
body. With enough iron in the body or with a long enough exposure to 
the iron, death was imminent.

Most Fae feared iron. Jareth refused to fall prey to that weakness.  He 
used a katana when he was forced to fight, making any Fae opponent a 
nervous wreck from the start. Then he took the stinging cuts from Sai 
during practice in stride, building up a slow immunity and stronger 
resistance to the metal.

Sai admired this. He was a worthy opponent, even if he preferred to 
avoid physical battle in life.

Within twenty minutes they were both breathing hard, neither having 
drawn first blood. 

"Yame!" Sai called out the order to stop and both stepped back with a 
bow of respect.

"I thought you would be slower, from lack of practice." She pulled two 
towels from thin air and tossed one to the Goblin King.

"Wasn't it you who taught me to never underestimate an opponent?" 
Jareth used the towel then made it disappear.

"Since when did you start listening to me?" Saishoku smiled. "But since 
you are in the mood for listening, I would like Ian to get some sleep 
tonight if he is to be riding all day tomorrow."

"If he gets everything ready he can catch a few hours of sleep. If sleep 
is what you really have in mind." Jareth hung his sheathed sword on the 
wall.

"If you would not keep adding to his duties he'd be done by now. It was 
my decision, Jareth. Stop punishing him for my love." Sai snapped. She 
was sick of all the little unpleasant duties slowly added to Ian's plate.

She had turned down the Goblin King's advances because she did not 
play games of the heart lightly. She refused to be a passing fancy, no 
matter how skilled rumors claimed the lover to be. Jareth was a friend, 
and she simply did not feel anything but brotherly love for him. 

With Ian she had found silent devotion and lasting love. The passion had 
been a bonus.

However, Jareth did not take being rejected in favor of a servant with 
grace. 

"Love, what a over used word. Love makes fools of those who claim 
to experience it and makes those who witness it sick to their stomach. 
Give it a few decades, you'll get over it." Jareth sneered.

"So speaks one so wise in the matters of the heart. You have yet to get 
over your love of yourself, so why should I bore with my husband? Good 
Night, oh loveless one." Sai answered his sneer with one of her own. "Ian 
will be sleeping by midnight. End of discussion. I will see you an hour 
before dawn."

Sai turned to leave only to half run into Sarah, standing in her nightgown 
and robe in the doorway.

"Sorry. I couldn't sleep and I thought I heard voices." Sarah chewed on 
her bottom lip nervously.

"We're finished for now. Unfortunately, I must go help Ian so he may get 
some sleep tonight." Sai looked back at Jareth, standing imperiously in the 
middle of the practice room. She smiled at him pointedly. "Besides, I feel 
the beginnings of a stomach ache." 

She strode past Sarah, disappearing into the darkness of the hall 
beyond.

------------------------------

"I can help you to sleep." Jareth offered, walking toward Sarah.

"No thank you. I prefer a more traditional cure. I was going to get 
some warm milk from the kitchen." Sarah turned to leave.

"Why must you fight me on even the most simple things?" She heard the 
cultured voice behind her.

"You chose our positions the moment you snatched me away without 
my permission." Sarah responded quietly, over her shoulder, with a hint 
of regret.

"Oh really? Without your permission? I seem to recall you willingly 
giving me your hand." 

Sarah spun to face him. "How was I to know what you planned on 
doing?"

Jareth smiled slightly. "You could have easily guessed. Besides, offering 
me your hand denoted a certain amount of trust. Where is it now?"

"Trust has to be earned. I'm feeling more than a little betrayed right now." 
Sarah started back down the hall.

"Than I shall have to work on rectifying that." The sound of his voice 
followed after her.

-----------------------

Sarah did not sleep well, despite the warm milk. She wasn't really asleep 
when she heard a soft knock on her door in the wee hours of the morning.

She let Colleen in. 

"I'm to be your ladies maid for the next few weeks. They don't need a 
cook when with the court, no do they?" Col looked over the dress Sai 
had chosen the night before. "Oh, aye, this will be most fetching with 
those hazel eyes of yours."

Sarah winced, "She said I'd have to ride a horse, sidesaddle."

"You can't go riding astride with a dress such as this, now can ya?" 
Col found the undergarments to go with the dress. "You're lucky you 
don't need a farthingale with this, it's nigh impossible to ride in hoops. 
Now go wash up and we'll get started."

The process of getting into the dress was interesting, and explained 
the need for a ladies maid. It had no zippers but what was not laced 
up was managed by tiny gold buttons. The end result rustled as she 
moved to the mirror. She took in a breath. It was beautiful. Col 
approached and buttoned a green velvet cape to her shoulders. 

"I look like a princess." Sarah had to smile in spite of herself.

"Aye, that you do. No one will be able to insult your style or appearance, 
that's for sure." Col began twisting Sarah's dark hair into some sort of two 
stranded braid, weaving in a gold cord then clipping in tiny emeralds 
randomly. "Now for the finishing touch."

Sarah looked at the tiny emerald earrings and single emerald necklace. 
The were simple, yet lovely.

"Now what?" Sarah took in her appearance and held her hands out to 
her sides.

"Now we go to the stables. The goblins will collect the trunks and such 
and load them on a wagon." Col smiled and led the way.

Outside the castle the courtyard was swarming with activity even as the 
sun began to make its appearence. Goblins darted about laden with 
burdens or looking lost and confused. Eighteen horses and one - 
something else, stood silently.

The horses were stunning examples of their kind, graceful and tall, 
impeccable coats and high tails, arched necks and little to no fidgetting. 

The beast at the head of the line resembled a horse, black as night. 
However, its eyes glowed with a ruby glint, and it sported two 
wickedly sharp curled horns on either side of its head. As one goblin 
sped past it the creature snapped, revealing very sharp teeth.

"What is it?" Sarah turned to ask Col, only to find her friend had moved 
away to survey one of the wagons.

"It's a Nightmare. Don't go near her unless either the stablemaster, 
I or the King introduce you. She eats meat, and her favorite snack 
is raw beef." Ian answered her question as he tugged her sleeve to 
guide her to a soft eyed mare of pure white. Sarah thought it might 
be Arabian. "This is Starshine. She's the calmest beast in the stable, 
and next to Diabolique, the most intelligent."

Sarah eyed the strange saddle warily. "Let me guess, you hook your 
knee over that saddle horn and the other foot goes into the stirrup. 
It looks uncomfortable."

"Sai says it is. Sorry. The seat is well padded, though. I'll help you up." 
Ian cupped his hands. 

Sarah figured out how to get in the saddle on the second try. "Well 
that was embarassing." She looked down at Ian. 

"Actually you did pretty well." Ian stifled a yawn and pointed to the 
back of the line.  Four of the beasts were hitched in pairs to two 
wagons. Sarah recognized some of the trunks from her room being 
loaded onto the last wagon. "I'm driving the first wagon. I'll most 
likely talk to you on the way."

"Unless he's asleep." Sai urged her horse forward. She wore pants, 
the cheat. Her clothing was the picture of an English riding outfit, 
except for the three foxtails poking out from under the red coat's 
tails. "Like it? I decided I was feeling ironic this morning."

"Have to ride side saddle, huh?" Sarah made a face of distaste.

"My people are known tricksters. We're usually impertinent. And 
since this isn't MY court, I can be as saucy as I wish." Sai bent to 
ruffle Ian's hair. "Unless Ian smacks me back in line."

"Smack, never. Muzzle you? Now that has appeal." He grinned up 
at her and tugged on the tail nearest him.

Sai laughed. 

The courtyard become deathly silent as Jareth strode through the 
doors of the castle. He was dressed the same as when Sarah first 
saw him. A goblin knelt beside the Nightmare at the head of the line 
and Jareth used the creature as a stool to mount. Sarah had to admit 
to herself, man and beast made an impressive sight.

A dozen of the horses bore some of the larger goblins, dressed in 
matching armor and bearing several kinds of weapons. Two goblins 
rode before their King, four rode after, with the remaining six behind 
the wagons.

With a hand signal from Jareth the whole troop moved forward in 
the early morning light.
               

Perchance to
part 6: Fantastic Voyage


After only an hour of riding Sarah began to understand the true meaning 
of torture. The muscles of her right leg were cramping and the underside 
of her knee was chafed. Her inner left thigh was becoming raw from the 
movement of the horse. All in all, she decided, the sidesaddle was 
invented by a sadistic misogynist. 

The ride had started out pleasant enough. Their little procession had 
ridden through the goblin city to the gates. Once through the gates 
they did not enter the junk yard and the labyrinth, instead they faced 
a forest. 

Sai, who was riding next to her, shrugged. "Out is easy. It's in you 
have to work at. Unless you have the key." 

The forest was delightful and sunny. The beams of bright light falling 
through the canopy made interesting patterns on the leaf strewn 
ground and on the riders. The scent of earth and greenery filled 
Sarah's lungs while her ears were lulled by the rhythmic clopping 
of the horses hooves occasionally punctuated by a bump or grinding 
noise from the wagons in back. 

By the end of the hour Sarah did not notice much but her own 
discomfort.

"That's it. I'm either walking or riding with Col or Ian." Sarah 
announced, looking wistfully back at the wagons. "I'm prepared 
to kill for an aspirin or six right now."

Sai nodded. "I warned him, but would he listen? Stop your horse 
and wait until the wagons pull even with us."

Sarah did as instructed. She couldn't blame poor Starshine. The horse 
had an easy gait and was as calm as could be. With a normal saddle 
she would, no doubt, be a joy. 

Ian's wagon pulled even with them and stopped. Ian and the small 
goblin riding in the wagon at his side looked at them expectantly. 
"What's wrong?"

"Three guesses. The first two don't count." Sai frowned.

"Can I ride with you?" Sarah recognized the goblin beside Ian. Raggen, 
the spit turner from the day before.

"Come on over." Ian held out his hand.

Sarah found lifting her leg back over the saddle horn was much more 
difficult then she had thought. Of course, the cramps did not help. Sai 
uttered some words in soft Japanese and spread her hands. A faintly 
glowing web of blue wove between her hands. She gestured and the web 
draped over Sarah's sore legs, immediately erasing the pain.

Sarah smiled her thanks, then took Ian's hand, joining him on the hard 
wooden seat.

"You will have to get back on Starshine at least an hour before we reach 
the Fae camp. I'll do what I can to ease the discomfort. But that little spell 
is for healing something already present. It cannot prevent anything 
beforehand." Sai warned.

"Here," Ian tugged a tasseled pillow from the piles of goods behind him, 
"sit on this. Wagons have their own drawbacks. They're bumpy as hell."

Sarah took the offering. "Thanks."

Ian started the wagon moving again. Sarah considered the spine jarring 
jolts preferable to the torture device fixed to the back of her horse.

"You saw Gwyn ap Nudd?" Ian spoke up a while later. "It would be in 
your best interests to avoid him as much as possible."

Sarah nodded. "He doesn't seem to think much of Jareth."

"It's a case of mutual hate. Gwyn is the king of Annwn and the master 
of the Wild Hunt. As such he is the most powerful, and feared, Fae 
besides the High King and Queen, themselves. Usually. You see, when 
Jareth is around people remember that Gwyn isn't the next in line to 
the High Throne. They remember he's just as much the ambitious lord 
they all are. In fact, Jareth is equally feared and adored, which threatens 
Gwyn's entire view of himself." Ian offered Sarah an orange from a sack 
by his side. 

Sarah was suddenly reminded of her lack of breakfast and took it. "So 
where does the mutual hate come in?"

"Gwyn is always by the side of the King and Queen. He's their loyal 
little puppy, and while Jareth finds that contemptuous, there is also 
an amount of jealousy involved. After all, the High King and Queen 
let their favor of Gwyn be made known. They've even called him the 
son of their heart, publicly." Ian handed Raggen an apple, and the goblin 
bit into it gleefully.

"Ouch." Sarah winced at the thought.

"Hunter need a swift kick." The goblin spoke with a mouth full of apple.

"That's the opinion of some." Ian agreed.

"I understand. Stay away from the man in black." Sarah intoned in a 
deep, teasing voice.

Sai paced her mount alongside the wagon once again. "I'd better start 
teaching you the rules of etiquette for tonight." 

"When we see the Queen." Sarah ventured a guess.

"Yes. I was asked, politely if you can believe it, to teach you. First, 
don't be surprised at the form I assume. I'll be with you." Sai started. 
For the next three hours Sarah learned what she was expected to do 
and say. 

The party stopped at noon for lunch. The goblins jumped from their 
horses and scampered into the woods. Ian helped Sarah down from 
the wagon then moved to aid his mother. Col unloaded several baskets 
and spread out a cloth in the small clearing they had occupied.

Sarah sat on the cloth and opened the basket Col had placed on it. 
Inside was breads and cheeses, wine and fruit. Sarah had to assume 
this was usual lunch fare around here.

"I take it riding is not your preferred mode of transport." Jareth knelt 
beside her, reaching in to select a round of flat bread.

"No. Riding sidesaddle isn't. I'm sure a regular saddle would be much 
easier." She picked out some grapes and popped one into her mouth.

"Most likely it would. However, for appearances sake you must ride 
sidesaddle when we arrive at the camp tonight." He poured a glass of 
wine and handed it to her. 

"Let me guess, this is your way of getting even with me for calling you 
the king of the cockroaches, isn't it?" Sarah sipped the wine cautiously. 

"Actually, I had forgotten about that, but since you brought it up." He 
raised his glass in a mock salute, only to have it snatched away by a 
small hand. 

"Thank you, Jareth, why don't you get yourself one?" Sai smiled as she 
sat to the left of Sarah and sipped her newly aquired glass of wine.

The Goblin King scowled and retrieved another glass. "I'm going to have 
to teach you manners."

Sai continued to grin. "You already did. Where do you think I got mine?" 

"You obviously stole them from a troll." Jareth's tone was sardonic.

Sai stuck her tongue out, forcing Sarah to giggle, which in turn brought 
a small smile to the Goblin King's lips.

"Okay, what's going on here?" Ian sat beside his wife.

"You were late and I had to serve the wine." Jareth shifted to recline 
on one elbow. "While you were so occupied I attempted to seduce 
your wife."

"Oh yes, he tempted me with sweet words of love. I do believe he 
compared me to a troll." Lady Saishoku popped a piece of cheese in 
Ian's mouth.

"I am obviously in service to a blind man." Ian kissed Sai quickly on 
the lips.

"Now, now. No reason to make the rest of us loose our appetite." 
Jareth sent them a dissaproving gaze.

"I think it's sweet." Sarah defended. "It's so nice to see people in love 
and not afraid to show it." She smiled at Sai and Ian.

"Yes," Sai looked at Jareth, "others should try it some time."

Col finished passing out food to the 'troops' and sat beside Ian. 
"What did I miss?"

"Nothing of any importance." Jareth tossed her a plum from the basket. 
"We can finish everything here, we should be in time for dinner this 
evening." He dropped back to lay on his back. "We can rest for one hour, 
but no longer."

Sai finished her wine. "Oh, a nap does look good. I can never sleep on 
a horse." 

"Right." Ian lay down and placed his head in Sai's lap, passing her a bunch 
of grapes. "Feed me first."

"You are incorrageable." She grinned as she placed a grape in his mouth. 

"I'd like to think I'm encouragable." Ian wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Sarah stood and bent over Col, whispering in her ear, "Where can I go 
take a privacy break?"

"I'd try the other side of the road, dear. The goblins will have made a 
mess of this side." Col winked at her.

Sarah crossed the road and maneuvered around the sparse underbrush. 
Stopping some forty feet from the road and well out of sight Sarah found 
answering the call of nature was rather tricky in her current state of dress.

She was about to head back when a flash of white to the left caught her 
eye. That is when she saw it and she forgot to breathe.

It was the size of a horse but built like a deer. Its coat was a gleaming 
white and it seemed to glow from within. Its tail was like a lions and its 
fur lengthened at the knees, much like a Clydesdale. It sported a horses 
mane, long and silken, and a three foot long horn sprouted from its brow, 
iridescent as mother of pearl. 

Its doe soft eyes watched her with a startling intelligence.

"Hello." Sarah breathed at last, her heart seeming unnaturally loud in 
her own ears. "You're beautiful." She slowly raised her hand as if to 
reach for it, then remembered what was not far behind her, fourteen 
goblins. 

"Oh, shoo. Go away." She found herself waving her arms instead. She 
did not want to know what the goblins would do to such a magnificent 
creature. "There are goblins over there. Run. Hide." 

The beast took a tentative step towards her, then another.

"No. You have to go." Sarah felt her eyes fill with tears from the sheer 
beauty of it, and her heart fill with fear of what may become of it. "Don't 
you know what goblins are? They'll hurt you. Oh please, run away."

With a snort and a toss of its noble head the unicorn turned and vanished 
into the forest.

Sarah felt herself leaning back against a tree for support. Her breathing 
was quick with excitement. That, she realized, had to be one of the most 
incredible moments of her life, and she'd had some whoppers.

She didn't know how long she stood there before she heard Col calling for 
her. 

"I'm coming!" She called back as her eyes fell on something. She moved to 
where the Unicorn had stood and plucked the few strands of mane from the 
forest floor. 

Back on the road she swayed in her seat next to Ian, weaving the silken hairs 
into a braid and fashioning it into a ring.

"What're you doing?" Ian looked at her project with interest. 

"Making a ring out of some stuff I found in the woods." Sarah smiled, but 
kept the whole truth to herself. She felt it was private. That had been her 
moment, too special to share, even with a friend.

---------------------------

It was late afternoon when they approached the megalithic stones. Sarah 
was instantly reminded of Stonehenge. There were only three, forming a 
doorway in the middle of the forest. 

Jareth rode forward and began to weave a crystal.

"This is where you have to get back on the horse, Sarah. Sorry." Sai 
brought Starshine forward.

Sarah made a face, but did not consider it worth the argument. She found 
it was easier to mount from the wagon.

As the party watched Jareth tossed the crystal he had toyed with into 
the doorway made by the stones. The space was instantly filled with mist. 

The Goblin King and his guards rode through. 

"It's only a gate." Sai touched Sarah's hand, obviously noticing her 
nervousness. 

"Yeah, use them all the time." Sarah's voice dripped sarcasm as she 
urged her horse forward, into the mist. 

She was immediately overcome by the sensation of cold as blackness 
surrounded her.

Then she was in the middle of a field. Tall grasses whispered around her 
as Starshine continued forward. Looking back Sarah could see an other 
stone gate, and Ian's wagon emerging from it, followed by Col and her 
wagon, then the last of the goblin guards.

The sun was getting low and they did not even pause at the gate. In the 
distance Sarah could see a field of brightly colored tents encompassing 
every color in nature, and some outside that limited spectrum.

The closer they got the more Sarah could make out. It was a vast 
encampment, apparently set up in a wheel shaped arrangement. In 
the center was a white tent that rivaled in size any produced by a circus. 

Sarah could smell the savory aroma of food cooking, and the closer 
they drew, the more she could discern music, different strains coming 
from varying areas.

On the outskirts were guards of various species. Some looked human, 
others reminded Sarah of the courtiers attending the Queen yesterday, 
others still were dwarves and something resembling a moving tree.

They all bowed to Jareth and none called them to halt as they rode into 
the camp.

Sarah watched in wonder as the people and beings within the camp all 
stopped what they were doing and bowed as they passed. Everywhere 
Jareth went the sounds of music and revelry fell into silence.

Sarah let her mount take her to the central tent. An area next to it was 
suspiciously empty. Jareth motioned to that spot and Ian and Col and 
four of the goblin guards moved to it. Sarah noticed that Jareth, Sai and 
herself, not to mention the rest of the guards, continued to the huge, 
open flap of the central pavilion.

Just outside Jareth dismounted his nightmare. The gathering throng 
seemed to know enough to give the beast a wide berth. Sai wove a 
small spell, and Sarah felt the pains in her legs, which had returned as 
they crossed the field, dissapear once more. 

She smiled her thanks as the kitsune dismounted as well. Only now, she 
was not human looking at all. Lady Saishoku had transformed into a 
five and a half foot tall fox dressed in an elaborate kimono and wearing 
a geisha wig sporting gold tassels, her three tails fanned out behind her. 

Following Sai's earlier instruction on how to conduct herself, Sarah 
waited patiently as Jareth walked back to her horse. She felt all eyes 
on her as he reached up to help her dismount.

His grip on her waist was strong and competent as she slid to the ground 
before him. Sarah felt a sudden flush of heat, she was certain was 
embarrassment as Jareth took one of her hands in his gloved one and 
pressed his warm lips to her knuckles. In so doing her place was affirmed 
to all who witnessed the display. 

She looked uncertainly at the now fox-like Sai, who nodded encouragement. 

Together they entered the tent. Sarah carefully stayed to Jareth's right, 
two steps behind him. Sai told her this showed difference to his rank, 
while claiming a place of honor. 

A long path was cleared through masses of people to a raised dais bearing 
two thrones. The Queen sat on one, a handsome blond man of indeterminant 
age, obviously the King, sat on the other. To the Queen's right stood Gwyn 
ap Nudd, who grudgingly bowed as Jareth stopped in front of the thrones.

Sarah assumed a deep curtsy as she had been instructed, eyes to the ground.

"Mother, Father," Jareth's voice filled the silent tent, "I'm back."
 

Perchance to...
part 7: All the shades of Fae


Sarah hated looking at the floor. All she could see was the red carpet 
that led to the dais. But after Sai's warning's she was more than a little 
afraid to disregard protocol. Around her she heard the rustle of clothing, 
nervous titters and an underlying buzz of whispers. 

-----------------------------------

Lady Saishoku stood silently and observed. Sometimes, observation 
led to more revelations than doing something. With her hands demurely 
tucked intoher kimono sleeves, she looked on. She silently envied 
Sarah's inability to feel the heavy crackle of magic in the air. It was 
stifling.

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 lead to endless 
boredom. 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.

"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 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.

"But of course. I know how well you enjoy your well trained pets." 
Jareth returned with as much false sweetness.

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. Thine presence always adds to the festivities of the nobels." 
The Queen stepped past her son and off the dais, obviously thinking 
the same thoughts of near bloodshed having to be avoided. 

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.

----------------------------------

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. 

Sai told her it was unlikely she would even be acknowledged, let 
alone spoken to.

"This is Sarah." Jareth moved next to his mother. "She is my Lady." 
Sarah felt a shiver along her spine at the infliction Jareth used on the 
last word. She looked at him and found his eyes locking with hers. 

"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. She seemed a different woman from the one 
who had sat on Jareth's throne yesterday. 

"Nine 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.

"An oversite, 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 turned 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.

Gasping, she turned to find Jareth's face close to her own. 

"Now that WAS most unexpected." He practically 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, her whole being shaking inside of her own 
skin. "It's like tap dancing in a mine field."

Sai looked at her, her vulpine features managing to look confused. 
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 just that. I find it a constant wonder that there are those who 
would kill for the opportunity to join this passel of vultures." 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 what most concerned the Fae court 
was gossip. GOSSIP. Everyone had to know what someone 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 hand, the ring she had fashioned in the afternoon 
had sent a tiny 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. "It's only pomegranate juice. But if you sip at it thoughtfully 
you look like more of a player than standing around looking lost."

Sarah felt panicked again. This was not good, not good at all. She 
decided showing fear was the worst 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 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 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, 
yes." His hand was at the small of her back, guiding her away from the 
masses and towards a more secluded area.

Sarah bit 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 herself, 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 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 naivete while 
gracing the bed of the Goblin King?"

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 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. 

That had to hurt, Sarah mused. Then she noticed the fierce look on 
Jareth's face. 

"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.

"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. "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?"

------------------------------------

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. 

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. And I prefer not talking to you at all!"

"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."

Sai stopped, her featured 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." 

Sarah considered Sai's words as she entered their area of camp. Looking 
around she could see one really large tent, one medium tent and four 
smaller ones. Goblins were posted at each corner of the camp, and passers 
by 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.


Perchance to...
part 8: A Lack of Reason


Sarah entered the tent to find the front half made into some sort of 
public area. She could not imagine all of this stuff fitting on two 
wagons. More than likely, magic was involved. These people apparently 
could not breathe properly without it.

Against the back canvas wall, facing the entrance, was a replica of 
Jareth's throne. The area before it was clear. Next to the throne was 
a low, cushioned divan of gold trimmed in green velvet. To the left 
was a table laden with fruits, breads, bottles of wine and ale and glass 
and silver goblets. To the right was a vast collection of rich looking 
pillows and cushions surrounding a low table.

There were two apparent flaps leading to the back of the tent, one on 
either side of the throne. Col popped through the left one. 

"There you are. Come along, child, I've got a bath ready."

Sarah took a breath and ducked into the opening Col held for her.

She realized the tent was divided into three areas. There was another 
tent flap in the middle of the 'wall' dividing the back into two more 
areas. 

Looking around Sarah found this half decorated with silk hangings 
patterned with gold. Braziers gave off light, but no heat, in all four 
corners. The bed was a giant pillow covered in silks, velvet, and fur. 
The trunks, baskets, and rolls she'd seen in her room were piled neatly 
against the back wall. 

In the middle of all this was a copper tub, one end markedly higher 
than the other. From this emanated a wonderful aroma of lilacs and 
roses. A high table full of bottles, soaps, vials and fluffy towels sat beside 
the tub.

"This is for me?" Sarah's eyes darted around the room in wonder.

"Aye, nothing but the best." Col had already descended on her and was 
undoing the hairstyle she had done that morning. "An' I picked just the 
dress for you tonight. It's sure to make an impression. While you bathe 
I'll see if Himself needs anything." 

Sarah found the scented bath water most inviting. It looked hot enough 
to soak the tension away. 

-------------------------------------------------

Saishoku flopped onto a pile of cushions and covered her head with 
the nearest pillow.

"Have a nice time with the aristos, m'love?" She felt Ian flop next to 
her.

"What do you call ten members of the Fae court stuck in an oubliette?" 
Her voice was muffled by the pillow, she knew, but Ian understood.

"A good start." He answered for her. "While you were living the high 
life I was setting up camp and rubbing elbows with the other servile 
members of this little party. Guess what I found out." 

Sai tossed away the pillow and rolled onto her side. "Oh, do tell, I 
know the servants always know more than the courtiers."

"Queen Jaliana of Killcair and Duchess Kyrin of Caer both have had 
babies in the past year. A rarity indeed for the Fae." Ian toyed idly 
with a plain white ball. 

Sai growled; he should know better then to play with that.

"Yes, it is. Good for them. The children can grow up with someone 
their own age around." Sai plucked at Ian's pant leg and held out her 
hand for the orb.

"Both are Ladies in Waiting to Titiana." Ian handed the object over. 
"And the queen has repeatedly commanded the children be brought 
to her presence. She seems to like mothering them."

Sai, who had been cuddling the white ball, stilled then paled. "Oh no!"

"Oh yes. Reports through the royal housemaids are that she has been 
trying to conceive again." Ian lay back on the pillows. "So far no luck. 
But the woman is in the mood for babies."

Sai sat up. "If they have another baby, with the King still unhappy 
with Jareth, they'll name the new child as heir."

Ian nodded. "That's what I was thinking. Plus... considering just HOW 
Jareth got their Majesties so angry, and how he gained his current 
position, it doesn't bode very well for any future offspring, either."

Sai smacked her hand against her head. "Of COURSE! That explains 
Titiana's unexpected interest in Sarah! Ian, she didn't much care for 
the actual pregnancy and childbirth part of bearing Jareth from what 
I have heard. I think she'd be just as happy with a grandchild to coddle 
and spoil."

"It would solve the problem of Jareth's position. If he produced an 
heir, no one would doubt his place in the ascension." Ian folded his 
hands over his knee, meeting Sai's eyes. "Do you think he's already 
gotten wind of this?"

"I doubt it. Who would he hear it from? Those who attend his feasts 
and balls would never listen to the babble of servants. This is obviously 
news to you and Col, so he can't have heard it from you. Why?" Sai 
frowned.

"Because a quite beautiful and innocent young lady just happened to 
show up out of nowhere. Because you'd have to be blind to miss the 
way Jareth looks at her, and there's more than a little interest on her 
part, as well. Even if they both disguise it in sniping at each other. 
Because Jareth is a manipulative son of a bitch who is used to getting 
what he wants by hook or by crook. Because, dear wife, he can be a 
damned seductive bastard when he wants to be. I've seen him in action 
before." Ian had ticked off each point on his fingers.

"No." Sai shook her head. "I've known Jareth for three hundred years, 
beloved. He has no idea of this. At least not yet. You've noticed how 
he looks at Sarah, but have you REALLY noticed his eyes. There is 
more there than a desire for a brood mare."

Ian looked shocked. "Are you serious?"

Sai laughed. "Ian, he was unbearable for months after losing her. His 
words, not mine. Losing her, not losing TO her. She was only a child 
then. Now she's a very desirable woman. She's matured, and gained 
more depth, and she doesn't back down from him. He's never faced 
someone who won't take his crap. Except for me, of course. Oh, he's 
in love, all right. Darling, he looks at her the same way you used to 
look at me when I'd come to visit years ago."

"If this is true then we are facing some complications. Sarah isn't stupid. 
If she hears these rumors, and comes to the same conclusions we did..." 
Ian looked his wife in the eyes.

"Then she may suspect what you did and close herself off to him. Oh, 
Ian, this is a disaster! After all this time Jareth deserves a little happiness, 
and someone to smack him around a bit. We have to make sure Sarah 
never finds out." Sai sat up and walked her fingers up her husband's chest. 
"You are going to start a rumor."

Ian gulped, "I am?"

"Yes. We are going to use Jareth's reputation for his own good, for once. 
You are going to tell the servants that Jareth has heard the rumors and 
that if any servant ruins his plans by mentioning anything at all to Lady 
Sarah, they'll wish they had never been born." Sai leaned in to kiss Ian's 
mouth, chastely.

Ian flipped her over, pinning her to the cushions. "I'll spread your rumor 
in an other hour or two. Other plans just came up."

Sai looked down and giggled. "You really should get better control of 
those plans, they come up quite often."

"Are you complaining?" He kissed her.

"No. Just observing." Her eyes lit up.

-----------------------------------------------------

Sarah tried to ignore the sounds outside the tent as she pinned up her 
wet hair. Looking over the side of the tub to survey the array of small 
bottles and decanters on the table beside her, she opened one and 
sniffed. As she suspected, the fragrance of scented oil teased her nose. 
She found one that smelled of lilacs and poured a little in the water, 
swirling it around with her other hand. 

Sinking against the raised back of the tub she tried to relax and let the 
bath soothe her frayed nerves. 

What has Sai said? Try to examine why Jareth had been so upset. 
Well, he didn't want to be here. He obviously had a warm and loving 
relationship with his parents, Sarah snorted, softly. Right. 

He was mad at her for getting cornered by Gwyn ap Nudd. No, that 
really made no sense. She obviously didn't want to get cornered and 
Sai had intimated the King of Annwn had used a spell to separate her 
from those who could guard her back. She WAS thankful Jareth had 
shown up when he did. She wasn't sure what the penalty was for giving 
a King a black eye, but she'd been pretty close. 

And that's when she'd noticed Jareth to be really angry. Royally 
pissed off would be the correct term. But that anger was directed 
at Gwyn, not her.  He was angry that Gwyn had cornered her and 
practically assaulted her. 

She sat up in the tub. Had the jerk actually been concerned for her? 
If he was he needed to learn to direct his anger in the right directions. 
Yelling at her about it was not the way to go. It was irrational. But 
then, when was Jareth ever rational?

Maybe she would forgive him after all, she decided as the water 
became tepid. 

She climbed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a huge, soft towel.
 What she couldn't figure out was WHY Jareth would be concerned 
about her. Why had he even bothered to bring her back to the 
Underground? And while she was in the mood for wondering, why did 
he care how she was treated? Setting her up in this ridiculous role, while 
humiliating, was a form of protection. Besides, it was sure to cramp his 
style if he planned on getting any female company over the next few
 weeks.

Sarah felt a strange warmth spread through her body as she brushed 
out her hair. Could he actually care about her? If he did, how did she 
feel about him?

He was devilishly handsome, and he knew it. Sarah frowned. He was 
arrogant, cruel, manipulative and infuriating. Oh, yeah, there were 
loads to like there, she sighed and put down the brush. So why did 
she get butterflies in her stomach every time he touched her? Maybe 
it's the beginnings of nausea, she brooded.

"Why didn't ya call me?" Col interrupted Sarah's train of thought. 
"Let's get you ready." 

Col pulled out the midnight blue velvet dress Sarah had spotted 
yesterday. The thing looked like it would fit like a glove to the hips, 
then flare into an incredibly full, draping skirt. The hem was encrusted 
with tiny crystals. The crystals thinned out as they traveled up, 
disappearing completely at the waist of the gown. It only had one 
sleeve, cut to leave one arm and shoulder bare. The cuff of the single 
long sleeve was also encrusted with crystals.

"Most of the Fae woman try to dress in things all delicate and light. 
You will stand out in this." Col cooed.

"Who wants to stand out? Do you have anything that will make me 
invisible?" Sarah looked over Col's shoulder at the trunks.

"The revels are a feast with entertainment during and dancing after. 
You will be seated at the high table. You are going to stand out. Do 
it with style." Col insisted as she moved to find what would work 
best with the dress.

---------------------------------------------------

Sarah stepped into the public area of the tent to find Jareth reclining 
on his throne. He was wearing blue tights, black boots and jacket 
that matched Sarah's dress. It's dark blue velvet was studded with 
crystals at the edges, fading towards the shoulders. However, his 
jacket was strategically slashed in a seemingly random pattern to 
show the fine silk of the shirt he wore underneath.

"So, this was a set up." Sarah gestured to her dress, its clinging top 
making her feel self conscious.

"Semantics. I consider it well planned. You do look ravishing." Jareth 
stood and offered her his arm.

Sarah blushed, taking his arm with care. "Let's get this over with, 
shall we?"

They picked up Sai on the way.

---------------------------------------------------

Sarah felt awkward. She was seated at the High table, as Col had 
predicted. She sat to Jareth's right, and he was to the right of the 
Queen. To her dismay, the Queen placed Gwyn ap Nudd to Sarah's 
right.

Her nerves were strung so tight she was ready to snap. Jareth was 
tense beside her, and avoided conversing with his mother by giving 
her a running commentary on the members of court as they moved 
about. Of course, turning to talk to her also put Gwyn in his line of 
sight. How convenient, she thought.

Sai was seated at one of the lower tables. Her sky blue kimono made 
her visible among the crowd. 

The food was most likely superb, but it tasted like sand in her mouth. 
Luckily, the fact that she had to share a golden wine goblet with Jareth 
kept her from drinking too much. That little tradition just seemed way 
too personal, but she was trapped. If she demurred people would start 
to talk. She still wished she could have some plain old water to unglue 
the paste in her mouth. 

To top it all off, if Gwyn 'accidently' brushed against her one more 
time she swore to herself she would dump the contents of her shared 
goblet in his lap.

"What?" She missed something someone said to her.

Titania smiled patiently. "I asked if thou had yet to hear Jareth sing? 
He has been graced with a most remarkable voice. I honestly know 
not from whence it came. Not from mine family, tis certain."

Sarah remembered being swirled dizzyingly around, swaying to some 
far away music as Jareth's voice enveloped her.

"Yes." She nodded a bit. "I've heard him sing."

Jareth sighed. "I already know where this is leading, mother. I don't 
feel like being reduced to the part of minstrel to your adoring friends."

"Oh, come now, Jareth. Maybe you're losing that fine voice from 
screaming at hobgoblins all day." Gwyn smiled maliciously, then 
looked pass Jareth. "I'd be happy to sing for you, your Majesty."

Jareth threw down his napkin. "Faced with that as penalty, bring on 
the lute."

He stood to circle in front of the table. Sarah glared at Jareth for 
leaving her alone next to the detestable Gwyn.

"Lady Sarah, attend me." The Queen patted the seat Jareth had 
abandoned, neatly separating her from Gwyn. 

Sarah gave her a smile of genuine thanks. 

As Jareth tuned a lute someone had provided for him the Queen 
leaned to Sarah, her voice hushed. "Has mine son ever spoken of 
children?"


Perchance to...
part 9: Blithe Spirits


Sarah stiffened. That had been unexpected. She had thought the Queen 
was being nice. Did Jareth mention children? Just what she needed to 
be reminded of right now, she mused.

"Yes, your Majesty. I am aware of what Jareth does." Sarah felt 
herself grasping for words.

"Oh, that. Nay, my dear, you misunderstood. Hast mine son expressed 
any desire to HAVE children?" Titania's eyes glowed with interest.

Sarah bit her inner cheek to keep from laughing. She had been so in 
awe of how different the Fae were, she had forgotten to notice the 
similarities. The Queen was suffering from what Sarah's friends 
called 'grandmother syndrome'.

"Shouldn't you ask him?" Sarah tried to back out of this situation 
gracefully.

Luckily, Jareth decided to start singing at that moment.

"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun.
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

Come by the hills on the land where life is a song
And sing while the birds fill the air with their joy all day long.
Where the trees sway in time, and even the wind sings in tune.
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land where legend remains
Where stories of old stir the heart and may yet come again.
Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won.
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun.
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done."


The crowd had fallen silent as Jareth had started, all attention fixed 
on the solitary figure standing before them.

The tune was haunting and old. As the last strains faded applause 
erupted from throughout the tent. 

Jareth bowed, however, there was nothing submissive in the gesture. 
He was in control and was well aware of it. As he returned to the 
dais as some tumblers and jugglers came forward to entertain.

"I thank thee, Jareth. Twas lovely." Titania offered her cheek for 
kissing.

Sarah returned to her seat as the Goblin King returned to his.

"Bravo. I hear you can juggle as well. Perhaps you should have 
become an entertainer." Gwyn raised a glass to Jareth.

"No one could be quite as entertaining as you. I know I find you 
endlessly amusing." Jareth signaled a server to bring more wine.

Without preamble a person appeared, lounging on the high table. 
He appeared to be a child of twelve or thirteen, but with goatlike 
legs and two tiny horns sprouting from his temples.

"The bickering brats brave boorish battle to bedazzle the boundless 
host." The boy broke into a giggling laugh.

"Robin," Jareth smiled without humor.

"Hmm?" The boy batted his eyelashes at him.

"If you remain on the table I'll have to consider you part of the meal 
and begin carving you up." Jareth tested the edge of a silver knife.

"Oh, I'm frightened." He gave a mock shiver. "Actually I'm here to 
ask if this gorgeous girl wants to go without the goons and grace 
Goodfellow with a gavotte." The boys almond eyes focused on Sarah. 

"Did you just ask me to dance?" Sarah found this odd little fellow 
quite funny.

"Beauty and brains! Come along, dearie, party with ol' Puck." He 
took her hand and pulled her around, dragging her toward a place 
where some fifty people were dancing to some sort of jig or reel. 

"I'm not sure I should." Sarah stopped in her tracks. 

The boy looked up to her. "Do you always do what you should? How 
boring. I want to have some fun."

The child looked harmless, but Sarah learned years ago that apearences 
were deceiving in this place. And having read 'A Midsummer Night's 
Dream', she did have some clue as to who she was dealing with.
"I think I can spare one dance." 

She looked back at the high table to find Jareth watching her. She 
shrugged at him. What was she supposed to do?

Sarah felt the boy pull her forward with more strength then she 
would have thought him to have. Soon she was twirling around in 
a mad dance, the moves of which were to link arms and skip about, 
trading partners whenever you passed an empty arm.

It was insane, but fun. In no time she found herself spinning about 
on the arm of a familiar blue kimono.

"Sai!" Sarah laughed, suddenly not feeling the outsider in this mayhem.

The kitsune laughed as well. "I see you've discovered Puck. The only 
Fae to get away with anything he chooses at all times."

"Did I hear my name?" The boy danced between the friends then 
grabbed Sai by the waist, impossible lifting her to twirl around, leaving 
them both laughing madly.

"Be nice, dear Robin. This is Sarah, a friend of mine. Treat her kindly 
or I'll shave your bottom and paint it purple." Sai winked at the little fellow.

"A friend of yours? I thought she looked out of place between the royal 
pet, the royal pain and the royal mess." Puck kicked one hoof high and 
began to spin on his own, apparently disregarding the scant rules of this 
reel.

"The royal what?" The cool voice stopped Puck mid leap, causing 
him to crash to the ground.

"Oops." The imp looked up at the Goblin King. "Nothing."

"Mmm. I'm sure." Jareth ignored the hapless little man and held a 
gloved hand out Sarah. "I was wondering if the lady would like a 
more proficient dance partner?" 

Sai clutched at her chest, over dramatically. "The Underground has 
ground to a halt, Jareth wants to play. Grab your mate and lock the 
doors, the world is coming to an end."

"Yeah, this isn't exactly your crowd, your goblinship." Puck stood 
and brushed himself off.

"And tell me, good Robin, How would you define my 'crowd'?" 
Jareth's smile displayed his sharp teeth. 

"Uhhh... a better class of people?" Puck backed quickly away.

The music paused and a second reel began. Jareth looked at Sarah. 
She considered. Last time she took his hand she ended up here. 
Remembering her musings in the tub earlier she slid her hand into 
his and they began to spin. 

Sai took Sarah's other hand and grabbed one of Puck's, soon a circle 
of dancers was formed. They danced in one direction, that another, 
stepped out, then in. The circle dissolved into couples between one 
another. This dance had a more formal form, yet remained loose 
and free. 

Sarah held tight to Jareth's hand. She had to follow his lead if she 
was to keep from knocking others over. Her head was swimming 
and her breath was coming quick as the heavily encrusted hem of 
her dress beat against her legs. 

She could not help but grin. Catching Jareth's eye she saw an answering 
smile and her breath caught. It was a real smile, one that went all the 
way to his eyes. He was always a handsome man, but that smile made 
him breathtaking. 

--------------------------------------------

Sai stepped away from the maddening dance. She had released Robin 
Goodfellow to find another dance partner. 

Seeing the Queen raise a hand to her, Sai made her way to the high 
table.

As she approached her sharp ears picked up Gwyn's words.

"He's making a fool of himself before your entire court."

The Queen laughed. "Would that I could join them. I could turn 
a jolly reel in mine own day."

Sai stood at the Queen's side and bowed. "You could still, honored 
Majesty, if you would allow yourself. One must find joy in life where 
one may."

Titania gestured to the chair Jareth had occupied during the feast and 
Sai took it.

"Lady Sarah appears fond of thee, Lady Saishoku." The Queen 
observed, her quick eyes looking for something in Sai's.

"We are friends." Sai nodded.

"Tell me, does she make mine son happy?" The Queen could not see 
Gwyn's face twist with disgust as he walked away, but Sai could.

"I believe she does. He seems of a lighter spirit, even now, does he 
not?" Sai inclined her head to the dance area.

Titania watched the dance, a smile on her lips. "And hast they made 
mention of children? Doth they plan on producing an heir?"

Sai thought quickly. "Shhh. Your Majesty, Sarah's folk believe it the 
worst of luck to discuss such things while one is hoping. To even 
mention the subject, they believe, could prevent conception." Sai made 
a quick thanks to the Celestial Kitsune that Titania had not left the 
Underground in four hundred years.

"Ah. I know what power belief doth hold. But you have answered 
mine question in thine warning, dear Lady." Titania positively 
glowed.

Sai inclined her head. "I am overjoyed to be of service."

Dismissed, she stepped down, preparing to make her leave and seek 
out the comfort of her husband. Pausing, she turned to spy Gwyn ap 
Nudd in the shadows. He was glaring with undisguised hate at the 
Goblin King and his 'Lady'.

Sai shivered and made her way from the tent. She had to be certain Ian 
had started the rumor they'd invented and warn him of raised level of 
danger from the direction of the King of Annwn.

-----------------------------------------

Sarah had to call a stop when she developed a stitch in her side, and 
her cheeks ached from grinning. 

She had never expected to have enjoyed herself tonight. She had never 
dreamed that Jareth would be such fun. It seemed completely at odds 
with what she knew of him.

She was still trying to catch her breath when Jareth pulled them before 
the thrones. He bowed to the High King and Queen. 

"We shall take our leave now. My thanks for the hospitality."

The Queen's smile was knowing as she nodded. "We are pleased thou 
didst enjoy thyselves. We shall see thee both on the morrow. Good 
Nigh'."

Outside Sarah shivered in the cool night air. She wondered what time 
it was. The stars sparkled brightly overhead, millions of them. Many 
more than she had ever seen before; with the lights of civilization to 
block them out. She searched for any familiar constellations and came 
up empty, stumbling for her efforts. 

"It's usually a good idea to watch the ground as you walk." The 
amused tone reminded her she was actually walking arm in arm 
with Jareth, and it was not unpleasant.

"I never saw so many stars." She looked at him in the moonlight.

He smiled tolerantly.

"I actually had fun tonight. Not dinner. That was dreadful, but after. 
I never expected you to dance like that." She teased.

"You don't know me as well as you think. Thank you for making a 
terrible evening tolerable." He swept aside the tent flap. "And now, 
you need to sleep. We'll be riding out in the morning, and neither of 
us will enjoy the destination."

Sarah frowned. "Where are we heading?"

Jareth sighed. "Our first stop is Annwn."

Sarah felt her heart chill as Jareth left her to seek his own 
section of their tent.


Perchance to...
part 10: The Gates of Annwn



Sarah awoke to the sounds of the camp in action. Outside she heard 
people, horses, livestock and armor in motion. 

She tried to recapture the traces of a fleeing dream. In it someone was 
singing to her among the stars. It escaped her completely as she realized 
she was fully awake now.

Blinking the sleep from her eyes she slipped from bed to find a shallow 
bowl and pitcher of water adorning a small stand. Surmising its purpose 
she washed her face, the cold water washing the last remnants of rest 
from her but not easing the dull ache in her head.

She heard the rustle of tent flaps behind her and spun to find Jareth 
striding into her section as if he owned it. Belatedly, Sarah realized he did. 

He was already dressed in grey tights, riding boots, a white open 
fronted shirt and a familiar asymmetrical leather jacket. In his hand 
was a staff or a riding crop, the head of which was a silver hand 
holding a crystal.  He looked too damned chipper, to top it all off.

Holding the towel she'd used to dry her face before her she glowered. 
"Don't you ever knock?"

Jareth looked around, eyes wide with mock innocence. "And what 
am I supposed to knock on? This is a tent, you know."

"Well, ask to come in, or something. For all you knew I could have 
been naked in here." Sarah snatched a silk robe up and hurriedly put 
it on.

Jareth snapped gloved fingers, which was quite a trick. "Damn, another 
opportunity missed." He did not bother to hide his amusement at 
Sarah's discomfort.

"Are you just here to drive me to distraction, or is there a point to this 
visit?" Sarah was hoping Col would walk in soon to save her. Then 
she had to questionfrom what exactly she wanted saving? There was 
no obvious threat here, just annoyance.

"Do I distract you, Sarah?" Jareth sprawled lazily on the only chair 
in the room, watching her with almost predatory interest.

"No. I think annoy is the proper word, in your case. What do you want, 
Jareth?" She refused to be intimidated, or to give into the the 
butterflies beating furious wings in her stomach.

"We set out in two hours. There should be enough time to break your 
fast and prepare. Luckily for you the ride to Annwn will only take six 
hours with the gates. Sai did tell you the protocol for the Rade, didn't 
she?" Jareth lifted a filmy article of clothing on the end of his crop.

Mortified, Sarah recognized the corset that passed as bras around here. 
She angrily snatched it away, glaring at him for teasing her like that. 
"Yes, she did. Absolute silence. I ride toward the back with the minor 
nobles. No servants or baggage. The camp will be sent on to the next 
spot by magic. Does that cover everything?"

Jareth pointed to the undergarment still in Sarah's hand. "Oh, I doubt 
that does. Don't you risk falling out?"

He neatly dodged the cushion tossed at him by way of a reply. "Temper, 
temper." He admonished.

The tent flaps snapped open once again as Sai and Col entered the room. 
Col crossed her arms and hrumphed at Jareth. Sai was not as subtle.

"You." She pointed at him. "Out." 

"This happens to be my tent." Jareth tugged at his gloves, amusement 
showing in his eyes.

"It also happens to be Sarah's room, so go kick some goblins or frighten 
some children. She's going to lose enough privacy tonight." Sai glared.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sarah looked suspiciously at all 
three of them.

Col smiled an amused smile. "It means that Gwyn is obligated ta offer 
the best rooms in his castle to the King and Queen tonight, and the 
second best room to the Crown Prince. He can't slight anyone no 
matter how much he may wish to, because of the laws of hospitality." 
Col fingered her apron. "It also means, child, that you two will be 
sharin' a room tonight."

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "You knew about this?"

Sai nodded. "We saw no reason to worry you. I'm sure everything 
will be fine."

"Of course it will." Jareth stood and cocked his head to the side. "Are 
you afraid of me, Sarah?" 

She raised her chin, defiant. "Of course not."

He closed the space between them and reaching out, toyed with the 
tie of her robe. "Are you afraid of your reaction to me, then?"

Sarah snatched the tie away. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Then there should be no problem, should there? Good day, ladies." 
He made a jaunty bow and left.

Sarah turned to Sai. "Why do you put up with him?"

Sai smiled slightly. "Because he is fiercely loyal to his friends and those 
he protects. Because he has a strong sense of honor for a Fae.  And 
because he expects more from himself than he does from others." She 
sighed as sat in the chair Jareth had vacated. "Let me tell you a story."

Sai steepled her fingers and met Sarah's gaze, unwaveringly. "Once 
there was a boy working in Jareth's stables. He was oh, ten or so. The 
boy accidently dropped the heavy saddle of one of Jareth's guests in a 
unfortunate spot. Terrified, the child set about cleaning the mess from 
the saddle, but the saddle's owner walked in before the child was done. 
The Fae lordling took it upon himself to whip the boy with his riding 
crop until his back and arms were bloody with stripes and the poor 
child's cries could be heard within the goblin castle."

Sarah's eyes darted to Col, who was busily packing away clothing, her 
lips pressed into a tight, white line and her eyes tear misted.

Sai continued. "Jareth arrived out of no where, knocked the arrogant 
lordling on his ass into another unfortunate pile, then hung the man up 
by his wrists from a stable beam, handing the riding crop to the boy to 
repay the blood debt. The boy was too hurt, and to be honest, too good 
of nature to repay the debt. With a wave of his hand the boy was sent 
to his mother's care and Jareth paid the debt for him, then tended the 
boy's wounds himself. Jareth earned the hatred of a minor Fae noble 
that day, in defense of a supposedly worthless human servant. That 
noble now slithers after Gwyn, hoping for a chance to pay Jareth 
back one day."

Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Ian?"

"He got over it. These days if anyone tried to beat him he'd knock 
them flat and let Jareth know there's an asshole on the loose. Sarah, 
don't get me wrong. What Jareth did to Lord Giles was not pretty. 
I understand that Giles still bears scars and Ian stays well clear of 
him. As a matter of fact, Jareth probably went a bit far in his rage. But 
who is going to dress down the High Prince? However, Jareth does 
protect his own." Sai held out a mass of red cloth. "Anyway, I brought 
you this."

"What is it?" Sarah unfolded the full skirt before her.

"It's an illusion. I've told Ian to get you a regular saddle and this skirt 
has two flaps that hide the fact that it's actually very full pants. Titania 
seems to be favoring you. Use it to your advantage and ride astride." 
Sai winked. "We'll be riding in the back of the procession with some 
of the minor nobility. Jareth arranged for us to be flanked by six Fae 
ladies who are aligned with him and prepared to defend you if need 
be. I'll introduce you before we start out. Ladies Oriana, Macha, 
Lunid, Cariadwyn, Dana and Kalar all have been graced with children 
by Jareth." 

Sarah felt her jaw tighten. He certainly seems to get around, she 
thought to herself. "Thanks for the skirt." She knew her tone was a 
bit too brusque.

"Are you alright, Sarah?" Sai looked at her, as if nothing at all were 
wrong with dropping her in the middle of a passel of Jareth's past 
mistresses.

"I'm fine. Let's get this over with." Sarah gestured to the clothes 
Col had picked for her.

--------------------------------

Once free of the tent Lady Saishoku almost fell over laughing.

"You are an evil woman. I don't know why my boy married you." 
Col clucked her tongue then started to giggle herself. "Did you see 
the look on her face?"

"Oh yes. Let her stew all day. Maybe she'll begin to wonder why it 
should bother her. Before she takes it all out on Jareth I'll fill her in 
on his long history of adopting out his 'foundlings'. I do think I'd 
better go warn the ladies in question though. They'll find it most 
amusing, to say the least." Sai grinned.

"Oh, and how will their husbands be takin' it?" Col wiggled a finger at 
her daughter-in-law.

"They won't know until after, and then I imagine they'd be most amused, 
as well. Cariadwyn, though. I mean, she's a Glaistig. She'd more likely 
drain a man of his last drop of blood than bed him." Sai started to 
giggle again.

"Aye. But she does dote on Karen so. One could not find better mother 
material." Col looked wistful, then grinned. "Go, work your evil ways. 
I've got goblins to care for."

Sai kissed Col on the cheek then practically bounced off to inform certain
ladies of the Fae court of her latest trickery.

------------------------------------------

Sarah felt much more comfortable ahorse this time. Sai led her to a 
group of females close to the back of the procession. All were 
beautiful. Three were Fae, one an elf, one a dryad and the last 
appeared Fae but for the cloven hooves mostly hidden by her flowing 
green gown. Sarah found herself comparing her own features to the 
women surrounding her and felt herself coming up short. 

She stopped herself, wondering why she should care or bother. It really 
wasn't any of her business who Jareth slept with. 

By the time the silent procession started on it's way, she found her 
stomach in knots for no reason at all.

The ride was eerie. The only sounds being the clapping of hooves, 
the jingle of the silver bells on tack and bridles and the rustle of 
clothing. 

They troop passed through meadows covered in wild flowers. Passing 
into farmland, Sarah noticed that people, or rather beings, working 
the fields would pause to watch the procession pass. Sometimes a 
child would rush forward with wild blossoms and press them on Fae 
ladies who accepted with radiant smiles and a gentle touch.

The sixth time a child approached Sarah noticed something. Not one 
child had been Fae or elvish. Most had been human, with one dwarvish 
boy being the exception. She wished she could ask Sai about this, but 
kept her silence, as was expected. 

By the fourth hour Sarah's hips began to ache. Riding astride had its 
own disadvantages. Sai seemed to notice and she wove a healing 
spell. As the pain went away Sarah again noticed a tingling on her 
finger, coming from the unicorn ring. It wasn't the sharp shock she 
had felt the day before, but it was noticeable.

Ahead loomed another gate and the procession passed between the 
stones. It was dissconcerting to see the riders step through and not 
emerge again. At her own turn she felt the dark and cold, then she 
was no longer in a meadow.

Sarah gasped. The light here danced and seemed diffuse, darker. 
Her eyes traced upward and she saw fish. FISH. She was looking 
up from the bottom of a lake. Yet all was dry and the land 
appeared normal. She felt a pressure in her chest and the fear that 
the watery sky would pour down and drown them all. 

Looking about, panicked, she saw the others were ignoring this 
terrifying sight.

Sai reached out and took her hand. Sarah looked to her friend who 
smiled reassuringly. The ladies around her closed in, on each face a look 
of encouragement and acceptance. 

Ahead of them loomed a city, and a sprawling castle. She took a deep, 
shaky breath and nodded to the others. 

This was Annwn.


Perchance to...
part 11: A Faerie Tale


As they drew near Sarah could see the field of tents had indeed been 
transported to just outside the castle walls. 

The procession rode in silence through the dancing light of the sun, 
which filtered through the water above, until they reached the camp. 
Then the sound of chatter and laughter filled the air.

Sai grinned at Sarah. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" 

"No one said anything about that." She pointed up, indicating the 
lake water swirling above their heads.

"I thought everyone knew Annwn was the land under the lakes. I'm 
sorry. I sometimes forget that our ways are not your own." Sai 
looked properly apologetic.

Six people approached and Sai grinned. "Sarah, these are the children 
of our companions. Lady Oriana's daughter ,Mary." A pretty redhead
 who looked to be about twenty years of age curtsied to Sarah. Sarah 
was certain that Mary was human. "That's Kyle, Macha's son." Sai 
indicated a tall, dark haired man in his mid-thirties, also human. 
"Jane, Lunid's pride and joy." A fresh faced but plump girl in her 
late teens nodded. "Karen, Cariadwyn's daughter." A blonde child of 
ten smiled shyly at Sarah. "Thomas, Dana's youngest." The mocha 
skinned boy looked fifteen. "And Emmy, our newest foundling and 
Kalar's delight." The dark haired child was three or so, and she half 
hid behind Karen, who's hand she held.

"They're all..." Sarah paused, her surprise evident on her face.

"Human. Yes. I told you they were children from Jareth. What do 
you think he does with the little ones that are wished away?" Sai 
looked at Sarah expectantly.

"He told me he turned them into goblins." Sarah's anger was evident 
in her tone.

"I said no such thing." Jareth had brought Diabolique around to join 
the group. "You assumed that's what I said. I told you you had 
thirteen hours to complete the labyrinth or your brother became one 
of us forever. "Us," indicating that I was including myself. Tell me, 
Sarah, do I look like a goblin to you?"

"You mean right this minute?" She glared. 

The other ladies seemed to find Jareth's 'joke' on Sarah vastly amusing. 
They laughed heartily. Taking their leave of them, they collected their 
human children and faded into the camp.

"Let's not linger. We have to catch up with the others who are also 
residing in the castle tonight." Jareth clucked his tongue to urge his 
nightmare forward.

"Yeah, let's. I'm SO looking forward to it." Sarah urged Starshine 
to follow the others.

Once in the courtyard of the castle, servants rushed to take their 
horses. Jareth seemed amused as he watched one man try to figure 
out how to approach the unfamiliar nightmare. He seemed to know 
enough about the creature to be wary.

Luckily for him, Ian ran across the courtyard to fetch her reins. 
"I'll take her. You see to the rest." 

The man nodded thankfully and reached for Starshine's lead.

Inside the castle proper, Sarah and Sai followed a torch bearing 
servant up a flight of stairs while Gwyn led the High King, Queen 
and Jareth into what appeared to be the great hall.

Sarah lost track of the twists and turns as she walked past beautiful 
tapestries and paintings. The young boy leading them stopped outside 
of a intricately carved door and, pushing it open, gestured them inside.

"Your things are waiting, m'lady. Your lady-in-waiting is in the kitchens 
if you wish me to fetch her." The boy lit several braziers with a touch. 
Like those in Jareth's tent they were bright, but not with true fire. 

"That's all right. I can see to myself for now." She didn't really want 
to bother Col. 

The lad left and Sai looked at the huge portrait over the large bedroom's 
fireplace. Sarah followed her gaze and had to admire the workmanship as
well. The woman was stunning. 

"Now there's a nice little dig." Sai sat on the edge of the huge, canopied 
bed.

"What is?" Sarah noticed the room was lavish. 

Sai pointed to the portrait. "Princess Aifa. Shall I tell you a story?"

Sarah nodded and sat in a well cushioned chair, leaning forward to 
catch every word Sai spoke.

"I suppose I should start with once upon a time, then. Isn't that how 
tales of the Fae start? How trite. Actually, this happened about five 
hundred years ago, before even my time. But, I have heard the story 
many times, and from various sources who witnessed the events." 
Sai sat back on the bed and smoothed her skirts, making herself 
comfortable. 

"Princess Aifa of Annwn was surpassingly beautiful, even by the Fae 
standards. Her beauty was exceeded only by her appetite. She didn't 
crave food, mind you, but power and pleasure. She was determined 
to move her way through every willing male in the courts, from 
lowest to highest, by trading political favors for pleasure. It is said 
that in her three hundred years she had learned all there was to know 
of fleshly matters. It was then that she decided to have a goal. Her 
goal, it seemed, was to be High Queen of all Faerie."

Sai motioned to the portrait. "She determined that the best way to go 
about this was to snare the High Prince into marriage. Thus, when 
Oberon finally passed from this temporal existence, she would become 
High Queen through his son.

"Now, at this time the High Prince was very young, only one 
hundred or so. He was used to being flattered and to having his 
pick of women. After all, everyone wants royal favor. In under 
a week Aifa had gotten into the High Prince's bed. Her astounding 
knowledge soon drained his Highness of most of his operating brain 
cells. She was leading him around, and it wasn't by his nose." 
Sai snorted.

"Oberon saw what was happening and his warnings went unheeded. 
After all, what did an old man know of love. Love? Like Aifa knew
 the meaning of the word beyond its relation to herself." Sai checked
to make sure she still had Sarah's attention, then continued.

"To intercede, Oberon took it upon himself to teach both parties a 
lesson, and to have his own enjoyment at the same time. He began to 
openly seduce Aifa. It didn't take much. Her ambition over ran her 
common sense. Why wait for untold centuries with a spoiled princeling 
when she could have the High King himself? With her knowledge, she 
could convince Oberon to leave Titania, or so she thought.

"She left Jareth with a pat on the head and a mention of what a 
pleasant toy he'd been, and ran off to be with Oberon. THAT 
was the first part of the rift between Jareth and his father."

"Soon enough it became apparent that Oberon was not as entranced 
with Aifa as Jareth had been. He wasn't about to leave his Queen. He 
dismissed Aifa from Court. She immediately saw what had happened. 
She tried to win Jareth again, but he'd let the blood flow from parts south
back into his brain long enough to smarten up. After all, she'd left him for 
his own father."

"Furious, Aifa returned to Annwn with her ambitions shattered. She 
took up with some other men of the court who were moderately 
powerful nobles and kings, trying to incite a rebellion, no doubt. 
But no one was fool enough to oppose Oberon for the likes of her. 
She was soon discovered to be pregnant and kept the child.

"You see, the Fae women are only fertile once every twenty five 
years, and for some reason, the childbirth death rate is about fifty 
percent.  It's one of the reasons the Fae take human children. It was 
surprising to the Fae that she decided to keep the baby. But something 
in her snapped at his birth. Oh, he was a beautiful baby, by all accounts, 
but Aifa had used up much of her strength and magic in the birthing 
of him. She was lovely still, but not as lovely as she had once been. 
She went mad. There is actually much reason to pity poor Gwyn. 
For the first fifteen years of his life he was raised by an insane mother 
and his almost senile grandfather. When he was fifteen, Gwyn found Aifa. 
She had put an iron blade through her own heart."

Sarah gasped. "How horrible!"

"Exactly. She blamed the High family for the foiling of her plans, and 
no doubt fed such drivel to her son. A little before Gwyn was born 
Jareth had completed the split with his parents. There are those who 
say Aifa went to see Oberon to claim that Gwyn was Oberon's own. 
However, the High King refuted this, and told her he would not claim 
the child. After Aifa's death, the High King and Queen took pity on 
Gwyn, who was then just a child, and brought him to live at court. It 
fueled speculation that he was actually Oberon's. When Gwyn's 
grandfather died, Oberon declared Gwyn King of Annwn, and Master 
of the Wild Hunt.

"Gwyn has always, to all appearances, remained loyal to the crown. After 
all, they treated him well. And if he has heard the rumors he makes no 
mention of it. While it is possible that he and Jareth might be brothers, it's 
also possible they are cousins, or not related in the least. A score of 
courtiers and Kings passed through these halls between Aifa's affair 
with Oberon and  the birth of Gwyn. The only one who knew the truth 
of it was Aifa."

Sarah shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. "That certainly 
explains a lot." She considered for a moment. "Poor Jareth, being 
rejected by his first love and his father at the same time. I mean, there 
had to have been a better way to handle the situation."

Sai nodded. "Probably there was. But Oberon has something of an 
amorous history of his own. I doubt he could pass up the chance. He 
isn't the type to put anyone before himself, and certainly not his son. 
That, no doubt, is why her portrait adorns the rooms set aside for you 
and Jareth."

"What was the second thing?" Sarah looked at Sai.

"Hmm?" The kitsune looked confused.

"You said the Aifa incident was the first, and by the time Gwyn was 
born the split between Jareth and his parents was complete. What 
happened?"

Sai sighed. "Are you certain you want to know? It isn't very nice, 
Sarah."

"And that story you just told me was? Tell me, Sai." Sarah set her 
jaw, as if awaiting a blow.

"Have you ever heard of the play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?" 
Sai asked.

"Yes, many times. I made the connection as soon as I heard the 
names Titania and Oberon." Sarah said encouragingly.

"Well, old Will had most of it right. The part about the human lovers 
was pure drivel, mind you. But Titania and Oberon did fight for 
possession of a young Indian boy, three years of age. An exquisite 
child, so sweet and innocent. Oberon get custody of him by the very 
trickery the story claims. But there was no happily ever after." Sai 
played with her own fingers, stalling, until Sarah cleared her throat.

"Jareth was jealous. He'd been ignored, hurt, and now shoved aside 
for a human child. He stole the boy. When Oberon finally caught him 
he demanded the child back. Jareth told him, quite proudly, that he'd 
turned the brat into a goblin. Oberon was furious. He couldn't truly 
exile the High Prince, or he would have. He did the next best thing. 
He claimed he would teach Jareth responsibility. He declared that since 
he had such an affinity for goblins he could be their king. That his 
kingdom would be the goblin lands and the untamed labyrinth around 
them, and Jareth was not to grace the court with his presence unless 
called for. And as punishment for the taking of the child, whenever a 
mortal wished away a child, he was under a geas to take it, so he'd 
end up surrounded with unwanted children."

Sarah visibly winced.

"The irony is, no one expected him to succeed. No one could control 
goblins because they're too stupid, violent and unpredictable. But 
Jareth actually got them somewhat organized, and put the fear of 
himself into them. Jareth was already a very accomplished mage 
and he struck up a friendship of sorts with the Labyrinth, which is 
a living thing. He sees to its needs and it accommodates him. As for 
the problem of the children, nothing was said of him having to KEEP 
them. Those stories of the Fae stealing mortal children were true. But 
Fae kind abandoned the realm of Earth when the use of Iron became 
too popular among mortals. They had little opportunity to take human 
children as their own, as they had of old. Jareth has formed many 
allegiances with powerful families because of his ability to give them 
the children they desire. And, I must say, he has never handed a child 
to anyone who might not make a good parent. I must credit him with 
that much." Sai tried to judge Sarah's reaction to all this.

Sarah sat perfectly still. "That's a lot to take in. Thank you for telling 
me. I think I needed to know. But... could I be alone for a while?" 
She swallowed around the lump in her throat. 

Sarah wasn't sure what she was feeling. Horror, pity, anger, admiration 
all warred within her.

"Of course. I'll even try to distract Jareth for a while." Sai smiled 
wanely. 

Sarah closed the door after Sai and leaned against it, closing her 
eyes against the images the story she had just been told evoked in her.
                                                  

Perchance to...
part 12: Revelations


Sarah stared into the waltzing flames framed by the marble fireplace. 
Her mind was awhirl with too many thoughts. Her heart ached with 
too many different emotions. 

She had learned more in the last twenty minutes then she ever thought 
she would know of the Goblin King. Sai's story made many things 
clear. But above all else it drove home one thing, that Jareth was a 
person as flawed as the next. It was hard to remember that when faced 
with his unflawed beauty, his arrogant facade, his knowing looks. He'd 
made some major mistakes in the past.

Was he a monster? He had done monstrous things, yes. But he was 
not really evil incarnate. He was Fae, not human. He looked at things 
from a point of view Sarah knew she may never understand, an alien 
philosophy. 

Yet, if Sai was to be believed, he was as loyal as he was vindictive. 
He had a compassionate side. He had been hurt as often as he had 
been the source of hurt. And, she realized with sudden insight, he 
was honest. He really had never lied to her. He let her make wrong 
assumptions aplenty. He did not bother to clarify himself most of the 
time. But not once had he actually told an untruth.

Another revelation hit Sarah at that moment. Jareth treated her with 
a certain respect by doing that. He might be amused when she made 
incorrect assumptions, but he expected her to have the intelligence to 
determine exactly what he meant. 

So what did all of this actually mean in the grand scheme of things? 
And, she thought wryly to herself, am I just rationalizing things because 
when he's around my heart jumps into my throat and my stomach fills 
with spastic butterflies?

After all, why HAD she been so upset at the thought of Jareth having 
a virtual harem of beautiful women? That was what she had thought 
all day, and it had hurt. Looking at why it hurt was a different kind of 
pain. She'd have to peel away an old band-aid and prod at some nine 
year old scar tissue to get to the bottom of it all. 

---------------------------------------------------

Sai was making her way to her tent and husband when she was cut off 
by a small red fox, with two tails. She looked around quickly, to make 
sure he hadn't been spotted, then motioned to her tent.

Inside, Ian raised an eyebrow at their visitor. The little fox with black 
tipped ears twitched its nose and transformed into a young man, still 
sporting two fox tails. His clothing was simple, compared to Sai's usual 
attire, black pants, loose white shirt with full sleeves and low suade boots. 

The handsome, young kitsune bowed deeply. "Koushou Jourou 
Saishoku, I am Kuenai, at your service. I bring you news regarding 
your inquiries on the location of three noted personages." He looked 
nervously at Ian as he shifted from foot to foot.

"Speak freely. This is my honorable husband and there are no secrets 
between us." Sai sat beside Ian and nodded to Kuenai.

"Lady, the three are in this very land. They were taken just outside of 
Annwn. As none were of Fae blood and one was a rock caller they were 
imprisoned in King Gwyn's iron mines. They have been there for the past 
two years. Knowing the conditions of the mines, I cannot say what their 
health may be. However, their bodies have not been taken to the field of 
the dead, so they yet live." Kuenai fished a roll of paper from his 
voluminous sleeve with a flourish. "This is the location of the mine and a 
map of the shaft system itself. Your honored sister suggested you may 
have need of them."

Sai took the rolled parchment and nodded to the other kitsune. "You 
have done well, noble Kuenai. Please send my love and thanks to my 
esteemed sister Zenrei. You have both come through for me, and I will 
not forget it."

Kuenai bowed once more and returned to his fox shape. He slipped out 
of the tent and disappeared into the shadows.

Ian chewed his bottom lip. "This smells worse than the Bog of Stench. 
I have that prickly feeling on the back of my neck again."

Sai nodded. "Your sense of danger is rarely wrong, koimuko." She 
smiled at the endearment. "Gwyn is not a fool. If he knows who these 
three are, he took them for a purpose. If they were taken by a random 
patrol there is a chance Gwyn does not know what he holds."

"So, how do we determine which it is?" Ian touched Sai's arm gently.

"We only have this night in Annwn. Our window of opportunity is very 
limited. I will go there and scout the mines in fox form. If they can be 
rescued I will attempt it." Sai knew the risks but her hand was forced 
by circumstance. 

"You aren't going alone." Ian stated forcefully as he reached for a cloak.

"You cannot slip in or change your shape. But these three may not be 
able to run any distance after spending two years in the mines. Bring a 
wagon with a tarp. Hopefully we can load them init and sneak them into 
camp with no one the wiser." She unrolled the map and began to plan.

----------------------------------------------------

Sarah missed Sai at dinner. It was tense and full of false politeness 
and niceties. Where last night Jareth and Gwyn had traded barbs, tonight 
they were so polite her teeth hurt with it. It was a blatantly false civility 
and the air was thick with it.

Sarah quickly concluded that last night was on neutral ground, and 
tonight was the result of a forced host/guest situation. She seemed 
to recall reading somewhere that the laws of hospitality were sacred 
among the Fae.

The entertainments offered ranged from dancers to storytellers. The 
dancing was as free as the night before, but even Puck could not 
encourage her to join in.

Sarah needed to escape the oppressive atmosphere and begged a 
headache. She followed the feeling of a cool breeze on her skin out 
into a courtyard garden.

Fireflies, or something resembling them, sparkled brightly. Floating 
orbs of light, no doubt produced by magic, illuminated a path to a 
fountain depicting mermaids cavorting amid waves. Sarah stopped 
to admire a strange flower unlike any she had ever seen before. It 
was purple on the outer edge, fading to a bright yellow in the center. 
She noticed an abundance of the blooms and plucked one to hold it 
up to one of the light sources.

"It's called Desire and it's fragrance is quite intoxicating." Sarah 
spun to see Gwyn leaning against a low wall, watching her. 

Sarah felt panic flash through her. He seemed to sense it.

"Come, come, my dear. You are my guest. As my guest you are 
completely safe from harm." He cocked his head. "I'm even staying 
over here. I'm rather proud of those flowers; they were my mother's 
favorites. She made her own perfume from their nectar."

Sarah remembered the tale of Gwyn's childhood and she felt a 
momentary pang of sympathy. 

She carefully inhaled the scent of the flower. It was amazing. It 
made her head swim, and her senses come to life. It seemed to 
dance from her nose along her nerves with a wave of warm heat.

"That's why it was named Desire." Gwyn smiled at her.

Sarah sampled the fragrance again, suddenly feeling giddy. She looked 
at Gwyn and realized what an attractive man he really was when he 
wasn't being threatening. Tall and slender, much like Jareth. Sarah briefly 
recalled the rumor that they might actually be half brothers and suddenly 
didn't doubt it at all. 

He approached her slowly, and Sarah felt as if she were truly aware for 
the first time. Everything was suddenly so sharp and vivid. 

"Gwyn, the queen is asking for you." Jareth glared from the garden 
doorway. "I doubt you should keep her waiting."

Gwyn looked amused. "Tell me, Jareth, do you always hover over 
your ladies?" 

He bowed slightly to Sarah. As he passed Jareth, he spoke in a low 
voice. "Enjoy her. She's been sampling my mother's garden."

He left and Jareth looked curiously at Sarah. "Are you all right?"

Sarah smiled, seeing the concern on his face. "I'm fine." She crossed 
to him and could suddenly smell his scent. Leather, cinnamon, and 
something earthy. She leaned in to take in more of it.

"Sarah, you are not fine." Jareth seemed amused as he gently took 
the blossom from her fingers. "I thought as much. Do you know 
what this is?"

Sarah couldn't take her eyes off of his lips. They were thin, but well 
formed. She wondered what they tasted like. She felt herself leaning 
for them.

"Sarah." Jareth wrapped an arm about her shoulder and guided her 
to a bench. "Take a few deep breaths. It will help clear your head."

"But it is clear." Sarah sat as he directed, laying her head on his shoulder. 
"I feel like it's clear for the first time in ages."

"It's the flower. It has that effect on humans. On the Fae as well, to a 
lesser degree. It's how it got its name." 

"You are so beautiful. I always feel so plain next to you." Sarah's 
fingers reached up to trace along Jareth's cheek.

He closed his eyes for a moment, moving toward the caress, then 
shook his head.

"You're far from plain, Sarah." He took her hand to still her cool 
fingers, then caressed her cheek, mirroring her actions. "You are 
exquisite. And you are also under the influence of a Faerie flower."

Sarah gazed longingly into his wonderful, mismatched eyes. "Do you 
want me, Jareth?"

He inhaled sharply, releasing the breath slowly between clenched teeth. 
"You tread dangerous ground. You should beware the hazards."

"You make me feel things inside. Wonderful things. No one ever 
made me feel the way I do around you." Sarah realized there was 
no point holding back the truth. Why should she when the world 
was so perfect? 

"Sarah..." Jareth's voice dropped to a lower register. 

Her free hand reached forward, almost on its own, to trace along 
his lips. Her eyes focused there for a moment.

"What do you taste like?" Her eyes moved from his lips to meet his 
dark gaze.

Then his lips were slanting over her own. Her heart raced, madly. 
She moaned and traced her tongue over his lips. The kiss deepened. 
Heaven. He tasted of wine and chocolate, dark secrets and forbidden 
desires. 

Sarah clung to him, afraid of falling forever into this world of 
sensation she suddenly found herself in. Her head felt light while 
her limbs felt heavy. It felt as if she were melting inside and 
reforming into something new. 

The scent of him was intoxicating and his tongue was doing the most 
amazing things in her mouth. She did her best to respond in kind. 
She never wanted this to end. 

Moaning her encouragement she pressed herself against him, feeling 
the comforting solidity of his slender form. His arms were around her 
and she felt so safe... so wanted... so *wanting*.

Air rushed into oxygen starved lungs as Jareth broke the kiss. She 
mewled like a kitten denied its cream. Who needed air? It was over 
rated. She needed those lips, that mouth, something to quench this 
hot, pressing need settling into every cell of her body.

"Please." Was that her voice pleading, so far away? 

White hot, open mouthed kisses were pressed to her throat. She was 
glad she was seated, because her legs would have given out. Oh yes, 
like that. More of that. Her fingers tangled in silken hair, soft and 
cool against her heated palms.

Sharp teeth grazed her earlobe, then delicious suction. She cried 
out, helpless against this onslaught.

Then it stopped. 

She opened her eyes and looked with confusion into into his: they 
were filled with longing and regret. He actually looked pained.

"You would hate me come the dawn. This must be of your own will 
or not at all." His voice was full of sorrow.

A gloved hand passed before her eyes and she heard his melodic voice 
dance in her ears. "Sleep, Sarah."

Her unicorn ring tingled. Then there was blackness.

-------------------------------------------

Sai looked back to the trees hiding the wagon: Ian was staying down 
and out of sight. Good.

On four paws, she padded toward the dark open shaft before her. 
Beyond that were the iron mines. Gwyn was the only one in all the 
Underground to mine the metal the Fae feared. He used it for the 
Wild Hunt. 

In fox form her quick nose detected the smell of dirt and mold, of 
fear, sweat, waste and despair. Her small fur covered body shivered. 
The fur rose along her neck and down her spine. There were no 
guards. 

On swift fox paws she disappeared into the darkness of the open maw.



Perchance to...
part 13: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Sarah dreamed. She was floating. The air was warm and smelled of 
earth and spice and leather. She felt safe and comforted. 

Then she was laying down somewhere soft. Maybe a cloud. The scent
 left her and she felt the loss in her heart. She struggled to open her 
eyes. The lids were so heavy, the dream beckoning her. She was in the 
bed chamber of Annwn castle. It seemed she was peering through a fog. 
She just wanted to sink into oblivion. She was not even sure why she 
fought the compulsion.

Jareth was looking down at her. There was such tenderness in his eyes 
she wanted to weep. 

He smiled, slightly at her. "Don't fight it. Shall I sing you to sleep?"

Sarah thought she nodded, but could not be certain. Could not be 
certain of anything, really.

His voice was soft and sweet. It enveloped her, pulling her back into 
the warm comfort of complete surrender. 

All of my life I've tried so hard
Doing my best with what I had
Nothing much happened all the same

Something about me stood apart
A whisper of hope that seemed to fail
Maybe I'm born right out of my time
Breaking my life in two

  (Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh)
Now that I've really got a chance
  (Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh)
Everything's falling into place
  (Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh)
Seeing my past to let it go
  (Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh)
Only for you I don't regret
That I was Thursday's Child 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday born I was 
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday born I was

Sometimes I cried my heart to sleep
Shuffling days and lonesome nights
Sometimes my courage fell to my feet

Lucky old sun is in my sky
Nothing prepared me for your smile
Lighting the darkness of my soul
Innocence in your arms

Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh
Now that I've really got a chance
Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh
Everything's falling into place
Throw me tomorrow..oh,oh
Seeing my past to let it go
Yeah, throw me tomorrow..oh,oh
Only for you I don't regret
That I was Thursday's Child

The rest was lost as other dreams visited her sleeping mind.

---------------------------------------------
The fox occasionally known as Lady Saishoku wove a sleeping spell. 
She felt the power flow out of her, leaving her a bit weaker for the 
effort. 

She slinked behind the sleeping guards and into the damp, cool room 
where some fifty slaves lay huddled one upon the other.

Now which was which? Oh Darkness, the best plan was to create 
general chaos and confusion and hope to go unnoticed in the process.

She slid easily into her human form and found the rock summoner the 
easiest to identify due to his bulk. She guessed the little creature that 
was near kin to her kind sleeping in the crook of the monster's arm was 
another of the companions she sought. The haggard looking dwarf 
beside them must be the other. 

They were not in good shape. Carefully she woke the monster first, 
her tiny hand on his huge mouth all she could spare to keep him silent. 
Bright eyes looked at her in confusion.

"Don't speak." She whispered into one of its lop ears. "I am a friend of 
Sarah's. I'm here to get you out."

It nodded, seeming to understand. 

The other two were more of a problem. The gallant little fox, Sir 
Didymus, wanted to charge the guards and keep Sai out of the plan 
all together. The dwarf, Hoggle, just wanted to curl up in a corner 
and be left alone.

"None of that." She shook a finger at Hoggle's large nose. "We are 
going to wake up every slave and sneak out of here. Let the others 
run for the hills, I have transport waiting for us. If you stay here you'll 
be the only one and who will the guards take their anger out on then?"

That seemed to sink home with him but he looked far from happy.

Another spell unlocked the shackles from all the slaves. This took 
even more of Sai's strength, and she felt her knees wobble a bit from 
the effort. She mused that the iron shackles would have been proof 
against any Fae spell. Lucky for them all she was not of that ilk.

One by one they woke the others, Sai explaining her spell and that this 
was their only chance for freedom.

As quietly as they could the group crept past the first group of sleeping 
guards and followed the twisting passages of the mine to the outside.

Once under the dark watery sky the group splintered off, slaves 
running for every direction, some carrying their weakened fellows.

Sai led the three she had been after to the wagon. She was helping the 
dwarf get in when she felt her nerves aflame with warning. Spinning she 
saw them. A ring of twenty armed men surrounding the wagon.

Ian's eyes went wide and he grabbed the small wood axe he kept under 
the driver's seat.

"Get them out, Ian. Now!" Sai worked the small magic that allowed 
her to pull her katana from the pocket dimension she usually kept it in. 

She engaged the first guard before he knew what hit him. He fought 
quickly, to just spare his life. Then there were five swords surrounding 
her, and she had all she could do to spare her own hide, let alone press 
an attack.

The wagon wasn't moving. No! Her over gallant fool of a husband had 
leapt from the seat to attack the closest guard. She heard growling and 
barking somewhere off the the right and she surmised Sir Didymus 
had joined the fray.

Something exploded against the back of her head and the pain sent 
her to her knees. Blackness closed in and her last conscious thought 
was a prayer for Ian to fight himself free.

--------------------------------------------------

Consciousness returned with a wave of pain. She wanted to vomit, 
but held it in by a force of will. The floor was swaying. She looked 
quickly around. They were in a moving prison wagon. The back end 
was closed with brass bars.

She tried to move her hands and found they were bound tightly behind 
her. She spied Ian immediately.

She stifled a cry when she saw the blood matting his hair and running 
down his face. There was another wound along his arm, also bleeding. 
She let out a breath. In this case, bleeding was good. It meant he lived. 

She tried one of her emergency spells and felt a flare of pain wrack 
her body. Damn. They had set a spell of magic negation on her.

Hoggle glared at her from his hunched position in back of the transport. 

"Should known better than to listen to a kitsune. Always quick to get 
everyone in trouble."

"I'm sorry, Hoggle." She spoke softly. "You don't know how sorry." 
Her voice broke.

"Head, hurts." The low rumble came from the side of their prison.

She had misjudged. The whole situation had been a trap. Not only 
had she fallen right into it, she had pulled Ian in as well. 

"Fear not, m'lady. We shall prevail. Somehow." 

She tried to coax a smile for Sir Didymus' effort at cheerfulness but 
failed.

"Ian? Ian, love, can you hear me?" Sai wiggled closer to her husband's 
still form. 

"Just a few more minutes." He moaned.

"Wake up. We're in trouble." She nudged him with her shoulder. 

His eyes shot open, then his face twisted with pain. "Aaargh. I was 
better off unconscious."

"Well, I did it this time." Sai pressed her face into his shoulder. "Why 
wouldn't you run when I told you?"

"And leave you alone to face twenty men? You're good, oh sly one, 
but not that good." He struggled to sit up. "Any idea where we're 
being taken?"

She nodded. "To the castle of Annwn."

Ian groaned. "Oh shit."

"Exactly." Sai tried to will her headache away enough to form some 
sort of plan. She felt Ian lean against her, offering what comfort he 
could.

"Why couldn't you just do as I told you?" She sniffed back the onset 
of tears. 

"Did you really think I'd start listening to you now?" Ian's chuckle 
was forced. 

"You know why we're still alive, don't you?" She wiped her eyes on 
his shoulder.

"I have a good idea. I just hope Jareth's smart enough to wash his hands 
of us." Ian lay his cheek against his wife's hair.

-----------------------------------------------

A pounding woke her. 

Sarah sat straight up on the bed and looked round in confusion. Where 
was she? 

Then it all flooded back in a single tidal wave of memory. Oh, no. She 
hadn't... she didn't...

She looked down to see she was still wearing the now creased dress 
from last night. She was alone on the great canopied bed. 

Jareth was in the cushioned chair by the fire, asleep. His long legs 
were stretched before him, crossed at the booted ankles and propped 
on a stool. He was wearing another outfit, but was fully dressed. 

It took a moment for it all to sink in. She remembered it all. The 
flower, the results, her own mortifying actions.

The kiss. Oh, Lord, the kiss. A wave of heat spread through her at 
the memory. Had that all been the flower?

Why had Jareth been such a gentleman?

The pounding resumed and Sarah realized it was the door. 

Jareth snapped awake and looked at her.

"Open up. The King of Annwn demands your presence in the great 
hall, immediately." The voice on the other side of the door was rough 
and impatient.

"What the..." Sarah noticed the darkness outside the window. It was 
still night.

She felt a tingle against her beringed finger and looking down discovered 
she was in another gown, one of green silk.

"This cannot be good. Gwyn would not dare to summon us unless 
something urgent was afoot." Jareth crossed to open the door.

Four armed men stood on the other side. They looked grim. "Your 
Highness, our King demands we bring you to the main hall at once."

Sarah's heart sank into her stomach. 

Jareth did not look happy. In fact, he looked very imposing as he stared 
down the men. They seemed on edge and backed away slightly.

Sarah stepped behind Jareth and followed him in silence as he swept 
out of the room as if he were not surrounded by armed guards.

Gwyn sat on a throne in the Great Hall. Some six Fae stood behind 
him, all looking vastly amused. One of them was a dark haired man 
sporting a eye patch with a wicked scar crossing his cheek, marring 
a once handsome visage. Oberon and Titania entered from behind 
Gwyn, looking annoyed. Titania took one look at Jareth and Sarah 
surrounded by guards and her face grew dark with anger. 

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded imperiously.

"That's a question we would all like answered." Jareth glared at the 
King of Annwn.

"I'd like that answered, myself. It would seem someone has taken 
advantage of my hospitality." Gwyn motioned with his hand and 
five figures were dragged into the room.

Sarah gasped. Was it really them? Oh no! They were all filthy, thin 
and looking none too healthy. Hoggle looked ready to faint. Ludo's 
fur was matted and falling out in some places. Sir Didymus was barely 
visible under a film of grey dust. 

Sai and Ian were the last dragged in. Their hands were bound behind 
them. Both were bleeding and bruised. Sai saw the assembly and 
winced. Ian drew himself up to stand proudly, despite his condition.

Sarah looked back at Gwyn and felt sick. The man's eyes practically 
danced with glee.

"Your servant and his cohort broke into my iron mine, stole fifty 
slaves and tried to make off with these three, whom I have long 
suspected of being your spies. If they have done so without leave 
of you, then I have the punishing of them." Gwyn gestured to Sai 
and Ian.

"We were under no orders. I did this on my own." Ian raised his chin.

"No. It was my idea. Ian wouldn't let me go alone. I demand the 
justice of the Kitsune Court." Sai moved to stand beside her husband.

"Pleading diplomatic immunity serves you nothing here, my dear. You 
are not an official ambassador to MY court. You request is denied. I 
think I'll have you as the first of my replacement miners." Gwyn grinned, 
his eyes shifting to Ian. "And Lord Giles has offered to buy you from 
my prison system, human. If circumstances permit, I will accept his offer."

The man with the eye patch grinned evilly.

"No!" Sai struggled against her bonds, gaining a backhand from one of 
the guards. The force of the blow against her already injured head sent 
her falling.

Ian rushed the guard, sweeping the man's feet out from under him 
with a well aimed kick and shove with his shoulder. Two more guards 
entered the action and beat down Ian.

"Stop! It's me you want, Gwyn. Why continue with this charade?" 
Jareth crossed his arms, his stance defiant.

"This is no charade. This is law. Did you order your servants to 
retrieve these three spies from my mines? If you did, you have 
broken the laws of hospitality. If not, then these two are responsible 
for their own actions and will pay according to the laws of Annwn." 
Gwyn sat back in his throne, steepling his fingers before him.

"This is ridiculous. Gwyn, I demand that thou stop this at once." Titania 
bristled, her fists clenching at her sides.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but this is a matter of law. I do have the right 
to punish criminals in my own land." Gwyn smiled, his eyes never 
leaving Jareth.

"Do you think we are fool enough to not know what this is really about? 
Put an end to this, now, Gwyn." Titania's voice shook with rage.

"What shall it be, King Jareth? Did you give the order or did they act on 
their own?" Gwyn ignored the High Queen.

Sarah was very afraid. All of her friends lives were hanging in the balance 
here. She was not about to let them die, not when all this was her fault.

"I asked them to find my friends." Sarah stepped forward, head raised 
and eyes defiant. "I asked Sai to find Hoggle, Ludo and Didymus. She 
did. This isn't Jareth's fault, it's mine. If anyone is to be punished here, 
it's me."

Gwyn's grin grew wider. "Well, well. This is an interesting development."

"I gave the order, Gwyn. Release them all. No servant can be held 
accountable for obeying the orders of a master." Jareth's hand fell on 
Sarah's shoulder, pulling her back.

Gwyn's face was alight with victory. 

Sarah wanted to be sick.

Perchance to...
part 14: Judge, Jury and...


The guards closed around Jareth. 

"This has gone far enough." Titania  swirled about and faced Gwyn. 
"Thou hast no right to make judgement on the High Prince. Only the 
royal family has such a right."

Gwyn nodded. "Yes, and it seems to me you judged him guilty and 
tossed him as far from you as you could. I have the right of the Wild 
Hunt." Gwyn stood, a long, black cloak falling from his shoulders.

"I had hoped for bit more originality from you, Gwyn. Honestly, you 
needn't be quite so predictable." Jareth drawled, seemingly unaffected 
by any of the theatrics displayed so far.

Titania, on the other hand, paled. "Thou wouldst not dare!"

"I would dare. I do. As Master of the Hunt I may choose my prey. By 
law no one may aid said prey until the end of the Hunt. I mark Jareth. 
I think I'll have his head displayed over my mantle." Gwyn gestured to 
the great fireplace at the end of the hall.

Titania slapped him. The crack of her hand against his cheek rang 
through the hall. 

Oberon stepped forward at last, his own voice seething with barely 
controlled anger. "Do this, ap Nudd, and you will never again be 
welcome within the Court. I'll strip you of all I have given you."

Gwyn laughed. "You never gave me anything that wasn't mine by right 
already. This is my Kingdom by right of lineage. I am Master of the 
Hunt by right of blood. If anything you have DENIED me my birthright 
from my first breath. I am well within my rights, your Majesty. I am 
very well aware of every law and rule pertaining to this. If he had not 
broken the rule of Hospitality, then he would not have the breaking of 
law over his head." Gwyn pointed to Jareth. "I could not declare him 
prey. But by his own words he damned himself."

Sarah tried to understand what was happening. Hunt? Prey? Did this 
madman actually intend to hunt Jareth like some sort of animal? This 
was crazy.

"Release my servant and my friend, Gwyn. You have no power to 
hold them." Jareth pushed past his 'guards' as if they were no longer 
there. 

Gwyn smiled and gestured expansively. "I'll even gift you with those 
worthless slaves."

Sai and Ian were cut free, and they helped each other to their feet.

"I'm touched." Jareth's voice was flat. "But let's make this little game 
of yours more interesting."

"Oh, I doubt that's possible." Gwyn flopped back onto his throne.

"If I survive the night of the Hunt, you must complete my labyrinth." 
Jareth appeared bored. He conjured a crystal and began rolling it 
around his hands and arms.

"You won't survive." Gwyn looked irritated. 

"Then *my* little counter-challenge shouldn't phase you. Come come, 
Gwyn, surely the prospect of my childish Labyrinth does not make you 
anxious? That could not be. Unless, of course... you fear it to be a 
greater obstacle than your infamous Hunt?" The words were spoken 
with an air of superiority. They were deliberately baiting.

"I'll take your wager, but there must be something in this for me. Should 
I agree, and should you fall during my Hunt... I will inherit all your lands 
and titles." If he had seemed victorious before, Gwyn was practically 
salivating now.

"Done. If I live come the dawn of the Hunt, within the hour you will find 
yourself within my labyrinth." 

"You can't be serious!" Sarah spoke up at last. "This is... this is a farce. 
You know Jareth didn't break your stupid laws." She glared. "And this 
isn't some sort of game." She turned on Jareth.

"I'd almost think you were concerned for me." He cocked his head to 
the side and offered her a small, superior smile.

"You are impossible!" Sarah threw her hands in the air.

"And you are out of order, my dear. But this court will overlook 
your impassioned plea as the over emotional outburst it is." Gwyn 
looked completely content with himself.

"I wash my hands of you, Gwyn ap Nudd." Oberon sent a lingering 
look to Jareth with regret in his eyes before turning and walking from 
the Hall.

"You already had!" Gwyn called after the retreating figure. He turned 
to look at Jareth once more. "Tomorrow night, at sundown. You will 
have one half hour lead. Before sundown you will be brought to the 
hall for the reading of the Laws of the Hunt. Until then, you may grace 
my dungeon with your royal presence."

"No." Titania stated softly. "Mine son is still High Prince and accorded 
the full rank and privileges of such. He will stay in his chambers and be 
presented with meals befitting his station. Thou may place guards if thou 
art so paranoid, but he will not run." She looked into her son's eyes, a 
suspicious glimmer in her own. "The Rade is cancelled."

"Now you've gone and spoiled his fun." Jareth's tone was light but his 
eyes attempted to telegraph reassurance to the High Queen.

Sarah realized, no matter what differences separated them Titania still 
loved her son. Equally, despite the bitterness and taunting, Jareth still 
loved his mother. 

"This I will concede to you, Majesty. King Jareth, you will be held 
within your chambers, under guard. You may request what you wish 
for your last day in this life." Gwyn nodded and smiled with false 
sweetness.

"Then my request is not having to listen to your whining voice till 
next nightfall."  

Gwyn scowled. "Take him away." He gestured to his guards, then 
left with his rabble trailing after.

Sai, now free, moved to stand before Jareth. "I am sorry. I misjudged, 
badly." Tears fell freely down her bruised face. "I never meant for you 
to suffer for this."

"Oh, well that *does* change the situation, doesn't it?" Jareth looked 
down at her. "I have one request and all will be even." He offered her 
the crystal he had been toying with. "If, by some chance, I do not beat 
Gwyn at his own game, you are to take Sarah, Ian and Colleen to 
the realm of Earth. Letters of dismissal are included. Colleen's bargain 
was with me, no one else. If Gwyn does win my lands and titles, I 
want all of you as far from him as possible."

Sai took the crystal and nodded. "But this does not make us even. I 
am still in your debt. I don't know how to begin making reparations."

Sarah crossed to her friends and hugged each in turn. "Oh, Hoggle, 
Didymus, Ludo! I never thought I'd see you again."

"What just happened here?" Hoggle looked confused.

"Gwyn wanted to trap Jareth. It looks like you were the bait. Sai 
and Ian fell into the trap because I asked them to help find you. I've 
made a mess of things." Sarah wanted to cry.

"We are free, m'lady. For that we owe thee our thanks. But how doest 
any of this involve the Goblin King?" Didymus looked sidelong at 
Jareth as he spoke with Sai and Ian. The armed guards about him looked 
impatient, but wary of pushing him.

"Sai and Ian are his friends. And he's been... nice to me. At least lately. 
I think he's trying to protect us." Sarah bit her lip, realizing she was 
defending Jareth.

"Not us. He's only interested in himself. You can bet he's got something 
up his sleeve. You just wait and see. This is all gonna end up benefiting 
no one but Jareth." Hoggle crossed his arms and hurumphed.

"Head hurt." Ludo moaned. Sarah gave him an extra hug of support.

Sai approached them, looking totally defeated. "I'm going to take 
your friends to the camp now, Sarah. I'll see to it they get cleaned 
up, fed and have a healer attend them."

"Sai, has anyone ever escaped Gwyn's little hunt club before?" Sarah 
was almost afraid of the answer.

"Three times in the last four hundred years. The odds are not good, 
Sarah." Sai offered a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. 
"But if anyone can do it, Jareth will. Gwyn can only hunt him until 
sunrise. If Jareth evades them the Hunt can never mark him again, no 
matter what. Jareth has had a good teacher when it comes to confusion 
and trickery." Sai winced. "But then, look where she ended up."

Sarah gently touched Sai's bruised cheek. "It looks bad."

"It feels worse. But I've friends who are healers. It will be gone by 
morning. I only wanted to help, Sarah." Sai bit her lip.

"I know. I'm sorry this happened to you. How is Ian?" Sarah looked 
over to where Sai's husband leaned against a pillar. 

"Bruised. I think they cracked his ribs. We'll live." Sai looked at a loss 
for words. "I'll... I'll see you later." She looked at the motley group 
of former labyrinth dwellers. "Come along, my fellows. We all need 
to get cleaned up. Sarah will be fine."

Sai and Ian led the companions out. Sarah turned back to find the 
Guards and Jareth were gone. Everyone had forgotten about her. 

"Lady Sarah?" 

Almost everyone. Sarah turned to face the High Queen.

"We will be monitoring the hunt as it progresses. I do not trust Gwyn. 
Thou art invited to join us, with thine friends." Titania look old 
suddenly, as if the weight of all her years had settled upon her 
shoulders in the last hour.

"Thank you, Majesty." Sarah wasn't sure what else to say. The silence 
was awkward.

"If only I had not tried to bring mine son back. I had hoped that 
seeing Gwyn would push Jareth to apologize and all would be well 
once more." Titania's shoulders began to shake. 

Sarah decided protocol could go bite itself as she stepped forward 
to wrap her arms around the slender women. She felt her own tears 
rise. She was not sure who she was weeping for; Titania, Jareth or 
herself.

"I missed mine son and I underestimated Gwyn. What hast I done?"
 Titania clutched at Sarah, an anchor.

"It isn't your fault, Majesty. I asked Sai to find my friends. If the 
blame lies anywhere, it lies with me." 

The High Queen pulled away and she seemed to regain her royal 
composure. "Nay, Lady. The fault is Gwyn's. It is he who could not 
let rest a foolish grudge. If mine son falls on morrow's night, Gwyn 
will not live long to enjoy his victory." There was something 
completely ruthless in Titania's eyes as she spoke. Sarah did not 
doubt her words in the least.

"Go, attend Jareth. He will not show any uncertainty but he will 
need thine company. He loves thee, Lady. I have seen it in his eyes. 
Offer him what thou canst." Titania tried to smile but failed. She 
turned and swept from the Great Hall, every inch a Queen once more.

Sarah found her way back to the chamber she shared with Jareth, 
uncertainty faltering her steps. What could she say to him? It was 
still the middle of the night. She could hardly avoid him.

A pair of guards barred her way.

"Your business." One glared at her. His voice was gravely and 
filled with irritation.

"Sleep. This is my room. You really should be better informed." Sarah 
was not feeling very charitable herself.

Robin Goodfellow opened the door and stepped into the hall, a sack 
over his slender shoulder. "Evening to you, Lady. This lot giving 
you trouble?"  Puck eyed the two large guards. "Don't tell me you 
fellows are afraid of a wee lass like her. Is she going to murder you 
where you stand? After all, one can't know what trickery King 
Jareth's Lady might be capable of."

"Yeah, I might stomp on your foot and call you nasty names. Do I 
look armed to you?" Sarah held her arms out to the sides.

"Well she scares me." Puck giggled. "I volunteer to check under her 
skirts."

"Enough out of you." The guard took a swipe atPuck's head. The other 
grabbed the little man by the scruff of his neck.

"What do you have there?" The burly man grabbed the sack.

"Some of Jareth's possessions. He wanted to make sure they got 
sent to those he wills them to after your boss uses his hide for a 
seat cushion." Puck waved his hand and the sack dissapeared.

"I'd be happy to spill your guts on the floor, Goodfellow." The first 
guard drew a blade.

"Better than you have tried. Do you really want their Majesties more 
pissed off at you than they already are?" Puck danced out of the way. 

"Can I go in while you three stand around arguing?" Sarah sighed.

The door sprang open and Jareth leaned against the frame. "Sarah, 
I was wondering what was keeping you."

"Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber." Sarah shoved past the 
guards. 

Jareth closed the door on them. "I noticed they're terribly effective. 
With this quality of help I have nothing to fret about."

"Yours are so much better." Sarah shot back as she crossed to stand 
before the fire, hoping the flames would warm her chilled soul.

"At least the stench from my guards acts as sufficient deterrent to 
most." Jareth lounged in the chair.

"Have you taken a whiff in that hall?" Sarah grinned. 

"So you asked Saishoku to find the traitors." His tone was suddenly 
serious.

Sarah couldn't read his eyes and that disturbed her. "You wouldn't. 
If I remember correctly you said you didn't care."

"Now I have no choice. Why am I constantly suffering the 
consequences of your actions?"  Jareth crossed his arms.

"If you hadn't exiled them I wouldn't have had to ask for Sai's help." 
She glared back at him.

"You're right. I should have had them executed." 

"Why do you have to be such a bastard?" Sarah spun on him.

"My mother claims I'm quite legitimate. Why do you have to be 
the root of more problems than I care to recount?" He leaned 
forward.

"You could have left me in my apartment. I was happy there." Sarah 
was quick to point out.

"You were dying there. Your spirit was being leeched from you day 
by day. Eventually there would have been nothing but an empty shell 
trying to remember who she once had been." Jareth stood and turned 
from her.

The anger drained from her. When she found her voice it was small 
and soft. "Why should you care?" 

Jareth turned back and the lost look in his eyes spoke more then his 
words.

"I don't know."


Perchance to...
part 14: For Tomorrow We...


Sai winced. It was not from the attentions of Mira the Healer, however. 
It was because of the glare Colleen kept shooting her way.

Mira had finished with Ian first. His injuries had been more serious. 
A mild concussion on top of three cracked ribs and some broken 
fingers. Colleen had come as soon as she heard what had happened.

"I thought YOU, at least, had more sense than this." Colleen looked 
over Mira's shoulder to watch the dryad make Sai's black eye fade away.

"We were a little pressed for time." Sai answered back.

"And brains, I'd say. The both of you." Col shot a similar glare at 
Ian who shrugged it off.

"How are the others?" Sai looked at the brown skinned, green haired 
woman kneeling before her.

"Malnutrition, severe fatigue, sores from their chains and their eyes 
cannot take too much light. I'd say they are doing quite well for mine 
slaves." Green eyes focused on Sai. "I've done what I can for the 
malnutrition and the sores. The fatigue can only be cured by rest and 
their eyes must become acclimated to light slowly. They have had 
nothing brighter than lanterns for two years. I have limits."

"I thank you Mira. I believe I now owe you." Sai could not summon 
a smile to add to the sentiment.

The flaps of the tent burst inward with a flurry of activity. That activity 
was compressed into a small, slender package hefting a sack over his 
shoulder.

"Ian! I need you to introduce me to Jareth's nightmare well enough that 
I can ride her." Puck dropped the sack at Colleen's feet. 

"Are you insane?" Ian's brows knitted together.

"Some *have* claimed. But right now I'm off to cause trouble." Puck 
opened the sack and pulled out one of Jareth's shirts.

Sai's eyes opened wide. "Puck, I could kiss you!"

Robin Goodfellow grinned. "In front of your husband? Wanna have a 
threesome?"

Mira rolled her eyes and finished her healing, then left the tent with 
few words.

"What's going on here?" Colleen gestured to the sack.

"The rules of the Hunt specify no one may interfere once the Hunt 
begins on penalty of death. It says nothing of before the Hunt starts." 
Sai looked at Robin, her smile once more in place.

"Righto. And since I'm a Phooka, I can assume any shape or size I like. 
I make myself about Jareth's weight, wear his clothes," he pulled a white 
cloth stained red from inside his shirt, "wave about a cloth he's bled on 
and ride Diabolique through the forest of Annwn for hours on end. I tie 
a bit of clothing here and there for good measure, and toss some owl 
feathers judiciously about. With luck the hounds will not be able to pick 
the real trail from the one I'm gonna make all day."

"And if I know Jareth he'll lay as many false trails as he can while he has 
the chance." Sai actually clapped.

"Hold it, the Hunt can take place anywhere. How do you know for sure 
Gwyn will choose the forest here?" Ian seemed to like the idea, but was 
wary yet.

"Because of the *sky*, silly." Puck pointed up. "Jareth won't be able 
to use any learned magic during the Hunt but can't be stripped of 
anything he was born with. Including his own ability to shape shift. 
He has two forms he can assume beside his natural one. The owl is 
what Gwyn will try to cripple any way he can. Otherwise Jareth will 
fly so far Gwyn would never catch up in one night. The sky here is 
fairly low, it will limit the distance Jareth can cover in owl form. 
Trust me, Gwyn will choose here."

"Himself has two other forms?" Col frowned, looking puzzled. "I only 
ever saw the owl."

Sai smiled. "He doesn't take the second too often. Few outside his 
kin and close friends know its form." She raised her hand. "No, I 
will not say. Hopefully he will use it to best advantage."

"So what are we doing sitting around? Come along, Robin. You have 
a horse to meet." Ian stood abruptly, rubbing his hands together. "This 
promises to be fun."

"Fun? Fun got you in this mess." Col scolded. "Now go out there and 
bring down ap Nudd." She grinned suddenly. "Let's pray he gets what's 
coming to him."

"Ian, feed Diabolique well. Make sure Robin rests her, then leaves 
her in the woods." She produced a small knife, the length of her palm 
and offered it to Ian hilt first. "Hide this under the saddle. There is a 
sheath for it there. Robin, don't touch this. It is iron. Jareth will need 
every edge he can get tomorrow night." Sai winked at Ian. "And I just 
thought of another. You two go do what you have to. I have my own 
mission."

Sai stood with her back straight once more. This might be fun. But 
first she needed to make a trip to the royal kennels.

-----------------------------------------

"You don't know? By your description of my life I'm going to have to 
assume you've been watching me for awhile." Sarah's voice was soft 
but she stood her ground.

"Off and on. I get bored, you know. You're at least moderately 
interesting." Jareth waved it off.

"I'm touched." She made a face. "Was it boredom that kept you from 
taking advantage of the situation earlier this evening?"

"Technically it was last night." He crossed his arms and looked down 
at her, amused.

"Whatever. You're dodging the question." She placed her hands on 
her hips, her stance a challenge.

"Hardly. I seem to recall I did take advantage of the situation." He was 
far too smug.

Sarah hated the blush that rushed to her cheeks. "Not as much as you 
could have. Why did you cast a spell on me? Why did you sing me to 
sleep?"

"You ask too many questions." Jareth looked... was that uncomfortable? 
Sarah was surprised yet again. She'd never seen him look anything other 
than commanding and in control. Well, she had seen him dissapointed. 

"And you give too few answers. Why am I here if not to ask questions? 
You want me to find some truth or other, so questions are a must." Sarah 
was a bit uncomfortable herself. 

Titania's words echoed in her head. Could it be? No, he was not capable 
of it. Was he? Sarah chewed her lip with uncertainty. He had stopped what 
had happened earlier before it went too far. If she was just an amusement, 
or even a fascination, why would he do that? Why was he protecting her 
all the time on this visit? 

"Get some sleep, Sarah. It's going to be a long day tomorrow and a longer 
night." He gestured to the bed.

He was being evasive again. Sarah's eyes narrowed. 

It was time to make a decision. How did she feel about Jareth? Over the 
past few days she'd learned quite a bit. He had quite a few admirable 
qualities. Then there was her physical reaction to him, which didn't 
necessarily mean anything emotional. Lust didn't require anything more 
than attraction. Was it just lust? 

Time for the hard question, she decided. How would she feel if he died 
tomorrow night? A wave of nausea swept through her at the thought. 
Okay, she didn't want him dead. 

Then it struck her out of nowhere. The reason she didn't have any 
relationships. After one or two dates the prospects just never measured 
up. But she did not know what they were being measured against, until 
now. No one measured up to Jareth. Even when her idea of him was 
the half remembered dream of herself as a fifteen year old and him in 
the role of villain, at that.

Oh shit, she realized, I just got my answer. So, what was she going to 
do about it? She had yet to run and hide, in this world or any other. It 
wasn't her style. It was time to face things head on.

"You're avoiding me again." Her decision made, she took a step forward, 
then another. True to form, Jareth held his ground. He looked down at 
her with a hint of amusement mixed with surprise. She continued, 
"Considering your actions since I arrived, very recently in particular, I'd 
almost think you cared about me."

"Well, well. You are full of yourself, aren't you?" He tried to look 
intimidating once more. 

"That isn't a denial. It's another deflection. Are you afraid of me, Jareth?" 
It was her turn to allow a smile to play with her mouth. His reaction was 
amusing. She could see why he enjoyed baiting people. It was fun making 
him uncomfortable for once.

"I am afraid of nothing. It's you who should be weary. I'm not one to be 
toyed with." He wasn't looking uncomfortable any longer. He looked... 
predatory.

Sarah fought the urge to step back again. "I'm not afraid. Not of you. 
Not anymore. And I'm not the one who plays games." She wondered 
if honesty might not be the best tactic. "I don't want you to die, Jareth."

"I have no intention of doing so. But I'm touched by your concern." 
He didn't look touched. His eyes were dark with something else.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is I do care about you. Lord alone 
knows why, but I really want you to come back." She chewed on 
her bottom lip, wondering how the tables had turned. Now *she* 
was uncomfortable.

"What, exactly, are you trying to say, Sarah?" A gloved finger ran 
down her cheek and she couldn't hide her shiver.

"I'm not sure." The words left her in a half whisper.

"Aren't you?" As he spoke she felt his breath on her face, he was 
leaning so close.

Then his lips were on hers once more. 

She didn't pull away. This time she couldn't blame any strange horticulture. 
His lips were warm. She was warm. She wrapped her arms about his neck, 
pulling him closer. 

The kiss deepened as one of his hands found her waist and the other cupped 
her head.

And, oh, it hadn't just been the flower. Her heart pounded in her ears as 
she allowed her tongue to duel with his for dominance. He really had tasted 
that good. She really had felt this right in his arms. 

The kiss ended, once more, when the need for air interceded. Sarah felt his 
forehead pressed to hers. His own breathing seemed as heavy as her own. 

"Get some sleep, Sarah. We will both need it. This..." He raised his head. 
"This can wait until after I've thrashed Gwyn." He softly kissed her 
forehead and stepped around her, heading for the chair.

Sarah took a few moments to gather herself, then turned. "We could... 
we could share the bed. That chair can't be comfortable and you'll need 
your sleep more than I will."

A small smile was offered to her. "That would not be a good idea. I'm 
comfortable enough. Good night, Sarah." 

He took the chair, facing away from her. 

She looked at the high back of the furnishing and wasn't sure if she 
was relieved or upset.


Perchance to...
part 16: The Best Laid Plans


The rest of the night passed uneventfully. Sarah awoke sometime in 
the late morning. Jareth was having a talk with three of his goblins. 
They were Raggen and two of the guards, if she judged correctly by 
size. They were out of their armor and unarmed. 

She tried to stay still so they would not know she was awake. She 
strained to hear what they were saying.

"Don't *do* anything. Just wander around the forest." Jareth's voice.

"Dat no fun." One of the gobs grumbled.

"Very well, try not to cause too much havoc or they'll know we are 
up to something." Jareth again. 

"You can count on us, boss." One of the larger goblins saluted.

"I doubt that, but you'll have to do." Jareth waved them away.

The three goblins stomped out the door, one thumbing his nose at 
the guards outside.

"Good morning, Sarah." Jareth looked at her, his slight smile telling 
her that he knew she had been eavesdropping.

"What are you planning?" She sat up in bed letting the covers fall. 
She had stripped to her under dress, which resembled a white 
nightgown. She blushed at Jareth's appraising look but decided pulling 
the sheets back up was letting him win.

His eyes eventually got around to meeting hers. "Oh, this and that. 
Nothing that can be openly discussed within these walls. I'm certain 
Gwyn is listening to everything."

"You could talk with them." Sarah pointed to the door the goblins 
had exited through, her feelings definitely bruised.

"I told them to do something innocuous. It's only my understanding 
of their nature that makes it useful." Jareth gestured to a tray. "There 
is food, if you want to break your fast."

Sarah slipped out of bed and padded to the tray, eggs and bacon still 
hot, no doubt due to magic. "What about Puck?"

"What about him?" He asked innocently. Unfortunately for him, 
innocent just did not work for him.

"You aren't going to tell me anything, are you?" She bit into a piece 
of bacon.

"No." Jareth offered an insolent smile.

Soon enough Titania arrived with nine of her courtiers in tow. Sarah 
made her excuses and left in search of Sai, Ian and her friends.

------------------------------------------------------------

"They're a bit busy." Colleen ushered Sarah into the tent.

"Doing what?" Sarah looked around her friends' tent. It was 
decorated in a strange mix of Oriental and Celtic styles. A hanging 
of intricate Celtic knotwork provided the background for a 
lovely Oriental screen. A harp was propped next to a koto. Yet all 
blended to make an interesting whole, much like the couple they 
represented.

"Oh, this and that." Col smiled.

"There's a lot of that going around today." Sarah gave Col a 
frustrated look.

"Your three friends are in Jareth's tent. Sai thought it would be 
ironic to place them there." Col tugged Sarah's arm and directed 
her to the tent in question. 

Ludo pulled his face out of a huge bowl of something mushy and 
gave Sarah a smile that showed too many teeth. "Food good." 

"I'm glad you like it, Ludo." Col patted his furred arm. 

"Tis heavenly after the dreadful gruel we have known of late. Lady 
Sarah, glad to see thee again. Won't you join us?" Sir Didymus 
gestured to a large cushion.

"I am so glad to see you all. You're looking better than you did last 
night." Sarah took the offered seat.

"A bath and good food cures many ills, m'lady. As does the beauteous 
Lady Mira." Didymus set aside his bowl. Ludo, on the other hand, 
shoved his face back into his.

"Where's Hoggle?" Sarah looked around.

"Still sleeping, methinks. Lady Mira told us we must sleep as much 
as we could. I must say, seems a bit slothful to me."

"I'm sure there was good reason for those orders." Sarah admonished.

"Indeed." Col refilled Didymus's bowl of spice scented mush. "They 
all suffer from exhaustion. Even YOU, my dear knight. If you wish 
to help others you must first help yourself." 

"Yes, well, I doeth feel better then I hath in years." He straightened 
his feathered cap. 

Sarah noticed he was wearing new and very fine clothes. "You look 
very dashing." She offered with a smile.

Didymus looked flustered. If he could blush through his fur, Sarah 
was sure he would.

She spent a few hours catching up with her old friends. They would 
not speak of the mines, but before that they had gotten along as a 
band of performers. Hoggle eventually came out. He seemed glad to 
see Sarah, but didn't want to hear anything about Jareth. Sarah 
supposed she couldn't really blame him.

She was finally chased out by Col, who insisted the three try to sleep 
a bit more. Poor Ludo hadn't waited for Col's admonitions. He'd 
fallen asleep an hour into the visit.

---------------------------------------------

Sai tipped the glass vial enough to let a few precious drops of clear 
fluid fall on the base of yet another tree. The vial was half empty 
already, and the smell of the stuff had risen the hairs on back of her 
neck from the start. 

Not for the first time she damned her vulpine sense of smell and her 
baser animalistic instincts. It was a testament to her age and intellect 
that she could stomp down her reactions.

She eyed the rippling sky. The water was still bright and the shadows 
of larger fish could be seen swimming about. The sky itself rested 
some twenty feet above the tallest tree. She could see why Sarah 
seemed a bit edgy here. It had felt increasingly claustrophobic since 
she had learned of the location of Sarah's friends.

She walked a bit further and allowed a few more drops to fall from 
the vial, this time on a rock. One of these diversions had to have 
some effect, she mused. 

She turned quickly when she heard distant movement in the wood. 
She cocked her head to the side, listening for the noise again. Her 
nose caught the source of the scent. 

She was smiling before Ian sauntered into view.

"You look busy." He grinned.

"And you?" She looked down at Ian's boots, identical to Jareth's. 
Luckily they were of a size.

"Busy but in pain. How does he manage these damn heels?" He 
grimaced and sat on a nearby log. "What *are* you doing?"

"I went to the kennels after you left. Sure enough, there was a bitch 
in heat. Oberon's kennels are large enough that there usually is at 
least one at this time of year."  Sai tipped the vial again.

"You know, I almost pity Gwyn's dogs." Ian's face showed his 
approval.

"It isn't their fault their master is a bastard, in every sense of the 
word." Sai pocketed the vial and turned to her husband with a 
pout. "But save your pity for me. This stuff has me feeling 
aggressive and possessive right now."

"Aggressive, eh?" His eyes sparkled with interest. 

"Very." She shoved him backward off the log. "I feel like staking 
my claim. Do you have a problem with that?"

"None at all. Claim away." 

The rest was lost in a haze of passion and flurry of activity that was 
sure to leave one more scent to confuse the hounds.

------------------------------------------------

Col had made Sarah take a nap as well, to Sarah's amusement. Her 
reasoning was valid. Sarah would not likely sleep that night. 

When she awoke in Ian and Sai's tent she was aware of increased 
activity outside the canvas walls.

Peering outside she noticed people moving toward the castle and 
wished she had a watch. She hated not knowing the time, especially 
when it was slipping through her fingers.

Straightening her dress, she was about to leave when Sai and Ian 
returned looking rumpled and rather pleased with themselves.

"Where have you been?" Sarah looked from one to the other in 
exasperation.

They looked at each other and grinned. "Fooling around in the 
woods." Ian answered jauntily.

"It's almost time, isn't it?" Sarah was worried and looked it.

"Yes. Here." Sai gestured and Sarah felt the familiar warmth from 
the unicorn ring against her finger. She now realized this signaled 
magic being used on her. Looking down she found herself wearing 
a green dress decorated with leaves and twisting vines. 

Sai and Ian were also looking better dressed and much improved. 
"If we hurry we can get in to see Jareth before the public idiocy 
begins." Sai took Sarah's hand and the three of them moved at a 
pace close to running.

They arrived just as Jareth was being escorted from his chambers. 
He wore a loose shirt made up of hundreds of tattered pieces of 
cloth in various shades of green. It looked like he was wearing 
leaves. His tight breeches were streaked with differing shades of 
brown. His gloves and boots remained black. 

He smiled at Sarah's appraisal. "I'm not about to make it easy for 
them, now am I?" 

"I hope not." Sarah tried to smile back, but failed. She felt tears well 
in her eyes instead.

"With that get up you'll give me diabolical nightmares of being in 
the middle of a forest for weeks to come." Sai moved forward with 
a wink and kissed Jareth's cheek. 

Something seemed to pass between them and he nodded solemnly 
in understanding. 

"I suppose we should get going." Jareth gave his impatient guards 
a cool gaze.

Sarah stepped forward and pressed her lips to Jareth's. It was brief 
and sweet. Pulling back she looked him in the eyes. "If you don't 
come back I'll have to kill you." 

Jareth grinned and kissed her forehead. "Well then, I wouldn't want 
to get killed twice in one night. It would ruin my reputation." 

The guards had decided enough was enough and closed in. They 
pulled Sarah and the others back and moved forward, making 
Jareth move with them if he did not want to be shoved for not 
walking quickly enough.

Sarah let the tears fall as she watched them move down the hall.

"Save your tears for when they're needed." Sai offered up a hanky. 
"Let's get to the Great Hall. I hear Titania wants you by her side." 

Sarah just hoped she could stop shaking and look reassuring for 
Jareth's sake. 

Quietly she followed her friends into the throngs of people filling 
the Great Hall of Annwn.



Perchance to...
part 17: Let Loose the Hounds of...


Sarah wasn't sure how it had happened, but she somehow found 
herself next to Titania's throne. She looked about in confusion: 
Oberon sat beside his wife and the whole party was to the left of 
Gwyn's throne, which was centered on the dais. 

Sai smiled reassuringly at her from a few feet away. Ian was beside 
his wife, his arm casually flung around her shoulder. Puck was 
sneaking in from the side, his grin way too cocky. Something was 
definitely afoot.

Gwyn sat on his throne. At either side was chained a large white 
wolfhound, with glowing red eyes and ears as red as blood. 

Jareth was brought before Gwyn's throne. The crowd fell silent.

"Jareth, son of Oberon," Gwyn sneered as he spat the name, "You 
stand accused of breaking the law of Hospitality. As this was done 
under my roof I call forth the right of Hunt Master. You are named 
prey of the Wild Hunt."

Gwyn stretched forth his hand toward Jareth and green flame 
danced around his fingers. The flame shot out and engulfed the 
Goblin King, who stumbled backward a step.

The flames extinguished and Jareth wavered a moment, then 
returned to his stance of casual disinterest.

"I have just insured that you can not use any magic not born to you 
from this time until dawn. Likewise we of the Hunt will not use 
magic in the game. Any being who aids you from now until dawn 
is subject to death, and it will not be a swift one. You will have 
one half hour lead before we release the hounds." Gwyn stroked 
the head of the dog on his left.

"Are we going to get on with this or do you intend to bore me to 
death?" Jareth brushed non-existant dust from one glove.

Scattered chuckles and snickers echoed through the room.

Gwyn smiled patronizingly. "Joke while you can. The gates have 
been closed. Annwn is the choice of the Hunt. You will face me 
and five of my best hunters."

"Oh, and I thought I might have to worry." Jareth crossed his arms.

"Do you have any last words?" Gwyn  leaned forward in his throne.

"I usually have the last word." Jareth offered a wry smile.

"You have thirty minutes and counting." Gwyn stood abruptly, his 
anger getting the better of him.

"You know how to count?" Jareth dissapeared in a flurry of twisting 
green and brown fabric and a barn owl flapped its wings in his place.

The owl streaked unexpectedly towards Gwyn, who flung up his arm 
in time to deflect most of the attack. The the owl flew off above the 
crowd and out the window Sarah looked back at the King of Annwn. 
Two long, bloody scratches traced down his forehead and left cheek.

He scowled at the crowd then stalked from the room and was 
followed by five men, Giles among them while the hounds were lead 
on a leash.

"I do believe that first blood has gone to mine son." Titania smiled. 
"Not often does the prey bloody the hunter." Her bright eyes looked 
up to Sarah.

"I'm beginning to wonder who is hunting whom." Sarah muttered.

King Oberon offered Sarah a wry grin. "Now you understand the 
way of it. Gwyn is used to prey that runs in fear, both both man 
and beast. He is facing more of a challenge than he knows with 
Jareth."

The Queen rose and motioned to her court. "Come. I have a scrying 
mirror set upon mine son. I also set a spell to assure Gwyn does not 
do the same. If he attempts to cheat, he will find I have set a spell 
similar to that which he hast cast upon mine son."

The royal rooms were large enough to just handle the forty people 
who now occupied the receiving area. Seating, however, was limited. 
A large oval mirror was placed on a stand in the middle of the room. 

Titania waved a hand before it and the reflection in it dissolved into 
an image of an owl swooping low over tree tops. It looked too bright 
for the darkness Sarah knew was outside. One more convenience 
of magic, she realized.

Sarah found herself standing beside Sai and Ian. They did not rank 
seats in the close space of the room.

"Gwyn's Hunt will be setting out soon." Oberon gestured at the mirror 
and the scene changed.

Five horses and one nightmare rode through the gates of Annwn 
Castle at a canter. Somehow Sarah was not surprised to see Gwyn 
riding a nightmare. The man seemed to want everything Jareth had 
and, in his own way, emulated him. It was pretty pathetic, she mused.

At the feet of the horses were at least a dozen of the white dogs 
with their strange red ears and glowing eyes. They bayed loudly 
into the night air. 

Gwyn raised his left arm out to his side and a huge golden eagle swept 
from the sky to perch there. The bird was at least three feet tall. 

Sarah heard a general gasp from the gathered court. 

"He would DARE." Oberon ground through gritted teeth.

Sarah leaned into Sai. "Please tell me that isn't for what I think it is."

Sai shook her head. Her eyes were worried. "That is exactly what it 
is for." 

"The Hunt never used birds of prey before." Ian looked pasty.

"But there's no rule against it." Puck pointed out. "I'm just glad none 
of that lot can handle an uzi. There's no rule against *them* either." 

"You aren't helping, Robin." Sai hissed.

"No, I'm informing. But that's a bird of another feather." He moved 
away to sit at Titania's feet.

In the mirror the hunters had entered the forest. The eagle was 
launched  from Gwyn's arm with a shrill cry.

The immense bird cut through the air, skimming the treetops with 
great  snaps of its wings. Too soon it could be seen closing in on 
a barn owl.

Sarah gripped Sai's arm like a vice.

"Stay high." Sai muttered. "Stay high. It can't stoop if you stay high." 

Sarah understood. The water capped the sky. The easiest way for 
it to catch the owl was to swoop down on it. But if the owl kept 
as close to the water as it could, than that option was void.

Evidently Jareth was aware of this as well. The owl did not spook 
as any real bird would. Its pinions touched the water on occasion, 
sending a shower of droplets to rain down about it each time it did. 

The eagle tired of this game soon enough and sped up. Once close 
it spun, midair, its wicked talons grasping out.

The owl went into a dead dive. 

Sai removed Sarah's bruising grip from her arm and the two 
squeezed each other's hands instead.

As soon as it was in the trees the owl began weaving treacherously 
between branches.

The crashing of the eagle told of its pursuit. 

The owl doubled back with a flurry of wing beats. The eagle almost 
ended up embracing a tree, but recovered in time. 

Close to the forest floor the owl flew, its wing tips now skimming 
underbrush.

It dove under a fallen tree and did not reemerge. The opening was 
too small for the much larger eagle, leaving the raptor to scream its 
fury into the wood.

The large bird perched on the fallen tree and waited; sooner or later 
its prey would have to emerge.

It was not the prey it had been expecting. 

Jareth rolled out from under the tree, holding a four foot branch of 
deadwood in his hand.

The eagle hissed and snapped. Jareth swung, his face a mask of rage. 
The eagle took to the air so that it only took a glancing blow. It 
seemed to be enough to dissuade it for the moment. The great bird 
cried out somewhere above.

Jareth looked up and seemed to consider his options. 

Sai leaned to Sarah, whispering to her. "If he returns to owl form 
he'll still have to contend with the eagle. In Fae form he seems to 
have intimidated it for the moment."

Jareth seemed to come to the same conclusion. Keeping his primitive 
weapon in his gloved right hand, he headed into the woods at a 
brusque walk. 

"Now if he got my message..." Sai tried to determine the direction 
he was headed. "Yes, he did."

"What message?" Sarah's eyes flickered briefly to her friend.

"In the hallway I told him we had left Diabolique in the middle of 
the forest." Sai smiled. "We actually did a lot more than that."

In the mirror, Jareth stopped in his tracks and very carefully began 
walking backwards, in his own foot steps. Then he headed back the 
other direction. 

This made Sai frown. "What is he doing? The Hunt will be coming 
from that direction if they follow the eagle."

In the middle of the room Titania gestured and the scene changed 
to view Gwyn and his hunters. The hounds were hard pressed to 
keep up. They slowed and stopped, sniffing the ground. This made 
the hunters turn back. 

"They have the scent, m'lord." a red haired elf announced as the 
pack began sniffing the ground. 

Gwyn dismounted and examined the ground. "Nightmare hoof 
prints. His friends must have sent his damned mount out for him. 
They'd have done it before nightfall. I doubt they'd want to pay the 
price, otherwise." 

The dogs started to mill about, two set down one route and three 
down another. The others started sniffing out each other.

"What?" Gwyn did not look amused. "Holkane, you and Frikes follow 
that group. Leavy, take Jense and follow the others."

The Hunt split off into three groups, with Giles staying behind with 
Gwyn. 

"The prints overlap here." Giles pointed out.

"And here. He's set false trails. I wouldn't think he had the time." 
Gwyn shouted an order at the dogs who looked confused. 

"What now?" Giles sniffed.

"Patience, dear Giles. I have the feeling he will come to us." Gwyn ran 
a thumb down the gouges on his face.

Giles muttered a curse and shook his boot. "Goblins. He had his 
goblins run through the whole damn forest." He wiped the boot 
on the forest floor.

Gwyn frowned again. "Keep your eyes alert. Those creatures can't 
pass anywhere unsupervised without causing trouble. There will be 
traps about." He shook his head. "I should have expected as much. 
I'm slipping."

He looked up suddenly. "Sound the horn. Call back the others. 
I don't think it's a good idea to split up, just yet."

"You're saying he's hunting us? He'd have to be mad!" Giles 
drew his dagger.

"No. He's arrogant. And he's obviously making you nervous." 
Gwyn swung back up into his saddle. "If he were mad he would 
be unpredictable. His sanity is our advantage." 

Giles said nothing, instead he brought a curved horn to his lips 
and sounded a single note. 

In moments the others had returned, the dogs milling confusedly 
about the horses hooves.

The dogs started to snap at one another and the red haired elf 
cursed. 

"Back, damn you." 

The animals growled and twisted about. One lashed out at another, 
barely missing a throat.

"Control them, Gwyn," a blond Fae growled.

"Something's wrong." Gwyn's eyes danced over the dogs, one by one.

Without warning one of the dogs separated from the canine melee 
and launched itself at the redhead. 

The elf's scream was cut short as the hounds weight pushed him 
from his saddle, a spray of blood arching in his wake.

"Kill the dog! It's Jareth!" Gwyn notched an arrow and aimed.

The dog was gone before he could loose the missle. All that 
remained was the elf sprawled on the ground. His throat was 
missing.

"Yes!" Ian hissed over the cheers in the royal chamber.

Perchance to...
part 18: The Most Dangerous Game

Sarah was shocked at the brutality of the attack. She had lived in 
New York for years and was no stranger to news stories 
involving violent death. But then, she had never known the killer. 
Nor had she been among a crowd cheering the killing on.

Her eyes locked on the horrible wound shown in the mirror and 
felt sick.

Sai looked at her, alarmed. "Don't," she hissed in her ear. "Don't 
you dare. This isn't a game. This is them or him. They are out there 
for the express purpose of killing Jareth in cold blood. Those 
weapons they carry are tipped in cold iron, deadly to the Fae. In a 
kill or be killed situation, would you do any less? You must grow 
up. This is a world as fraught with danger as your own, perhaps 
even more so."

Sarah straightened and fought down the bile as the scene in the 
mirror abruptly changed. The view followed the hound as it ran, 
blood staining its white coat. Its glowing eyes filled with an 
intelligence beyond that of any canine.

The dog sped on, through the underbrush and over treacherous 
ground. One could hear the baying of the Hunt's hounds in the 
distance. In making his attack the hounds had picked up his 
fresh scent.

The dog disappeared in a flurry of fur and fabric, emerging as 
Jareth once more in a full run. He broke into a clearing and spied 
Diabolique standing not too far off. 

He clicked his tongue and the nightmare spun to face him. The 
animal cantered to him and stood still while he mounted. Then 
they were off, running into the night; man and mount moving 
with fluid grace.

"I wonder how *she* got out there." Titania turned in her seat, 
her eyes falling on Sai and Ian.

Ian shrugged. "I can honestly say I did not take her there, Majesty." 

Puck snickered from his place at Titania's feet.

The Hunt was on in full. It appeared that the five remaining hunters 
were either enraged or unnerved by the death of their fellow. Their 
faces had twisted into masks of rage and determination. The hounds 
did not pause as they unerringly chose Jareth's path. Soon enough 
they milled about the place where he'd mounted Diabolique.

Gwyn pulled his own nightmare to a halt and examined the ground 
from his saddle. That, alone, spoke of the terrifying accuracy of his 
night vision. 

"He's mounted now. However, we can't trust these tracks without 
the hounds. His friends have made sure the trail will be as difficult 
as possible." Gwyn looked amused. "All of which indicates the level 
of Jareth's fear."

The group rode forward again, following the hounds. The dogs 
stopped at the base of a tree. Heads thrown back, they snarled 
and howled while scratching at the trunk.

Looking up, Gwyn snarled a word in a language Sarah did not know. 
But by the tone, she doubted it was pretty.

Overhanging the group was a shirt wrapped around a branch. It 
appeared to be one of Jareth's.

One man rode forward. Something swung from the tree and hit him 
full in the chest with a rather loud splat. A huge stain covered his 
leather armor and something dripped from him. His face twisted 
with disgust.

The royal chambers erupted with laughter.

"What is it?" Sarah tried to peer closer at the mirror.

Sai was giggling. "Goblins. It's rather nasty. A goat's bladder filled 
with mud and excrement. Not deadly but very offensive."

"Something tells me Jareth told his goblins to go play in the forest." 
Ian smirked.

Sarah remembered waking up this morning to Jareth talking with 
the three gobs and knew Ian to be correct. 

The mirror was focused on the Hunt. Sarah wished she knew what 
was happening with Jareth right now. 

--------------------------------------------------

The baying of the hounds fell far into the distance, then faded 
completely. Exhilaration flooded through his veins. It was a 
shame, he thought, that Gwyn was Hunt Master. There was 
nothing that made one feel so alive as the pure thrill of the chase, 
the kill. 

Diabolique surged forward effortlessly beneath him. The best of 
her breed to ever be trained to saddle and he had taken pride in 
capturing and mastering her. It was easy to forget he was the 
quarry this night.  

The forest was alive with the scents of loam and moss. It filled his 
nostrils and he tasted its ripeness on his tongue, washing away the 
bitter copper tang of Holkane's blood. 

There was no noise but the pounding of Diabolique's clawed 
hooves. Any forest creature with a sense of self preservation 
had gone into hiding at the sounds of the Hunt. 

He doubled his nightmare back and began to cross his own trail. 
He had no doubt that Puck had ridden all over these woods during 
the day, but it was best to make double sure. Gwyn would not be 
easily thrown from the scent. Sidetracked, yes, but thrown... never. 
The tiny shiver of fear and anticipation heightened the sweet 
excitement. 

When he heard the baying in the distance again it seemed as if hours 
had passed. In truth, he was not certain of the time. He usually was. 
This made him suspect that the disconcerning lack of temporal 
knowledge was an added 'gift' of Gwyn's. 

Bowing low over Diabolique's graceful neck, he stroked her midnight 
mane. "I need you to run them ragged, my dear. Give them all the hell 
only your kind may."

The great horned equine head nodded up and down. 

One thing that made mastering a nightmare such a challenge and a 
reward was their intelligence. Now he put Diabolique's near human 
intellect to work.

Ahead was a section of forest he had passed through not long before. 
He remembered one of Puck's diversions set up there.

He withdrew the small blade from the saddle's hidden sheath. The 
heat of the iron was felt through his leather glove, making his palm 
itch. He wrapped the hilt in a piece of cloth also stuffed under the 
saddle. Tucking the wrapped blade into his boot he kicked free of 
the stirrups and began to balance himself with care. Standing in the 
saddle, he grasped an overhead branch in passing. The nightmare 
kept going while he pulled himself up into the foliage. It was time 
for his attire to come into play. 

He patted the cloak Puck had tied to the branch. Its red color would 
make it visible. 

Moving away from the cloak, he climbed higher into the sturdy tree. 
Once he saw he had a straight shot to the ground he drew the knife 
and he crouched, waiting.

Every muscle was tense with the effort to remain perfectly still while 
anticipating action. Waiting was something he detested on a personal 
level. He had mastered the art with the determination not to be beaten 
by his own worst habits. He much preferred making things happen. It 
was only the promise of some amusement that allowed this wait to 
remain bearable.

It was awhile before the dogs led their masters to this tree. Jareth's 
smile was the only movement he allowed himself as the Hunters pointed 
to the cloak and Gwyn examined the tracks. 

Jareth dropped. 

The jolt travelled up his spine as he landed behind the last hunter, a 
dark haired Fae. One arm wrapped around the other man's head as 
he pulled his head backwards. The other drew the iron blade across 
the exposed throat. The thrill of battle surged through him. 

Shouts ahead signaled that he had no more time. He held the spasming 
body before him as a shield as two arrows struck the dead man's torso.

He pulled the body with him as he fell from the horse. He felt his 
side bruise as he landed in a roll, already whirling into the underbrush. 
Arrows whizzed past him. A burning hiss at his ear bespoke one shot 
coming way too close.

After gaining his feet, he sheathed the blade and took off at a zig 
zagging run. No attempt was made to move silently. He could hear 
the hounds at his heels. 

Gaining enough breath he let out a shrill whistle.

As he ran he could hear a crashing to his left. Diabolique erupted 
from the foliage. She paced herself to Jareth. He reached out to 
grab her mane, pulling himself into the saddle at a run. If he were 
human, he mused, he would be a dead man. His superior strength 
was his salvation. 

Once in the saddle he braced himself as the nightmare lashed out 
at the hounds. There was a high pitched yelp as her back hooves 
connected with one body. She kicked and trampled, sending the 
hounds back far enough to gain a full run once more.

This time, however, the full Hunt was not far behind. 

The cool night air slapped at his face as they moved; rider and mount 
seemed to become one being. The surge of raw power that was a 
nightmare in full run was incredible. He was confidant he could 
outpace the mere horses of the Hunt. Gwyn, however, would be 
another story.

He was unfamiliar with Gwyn's mount. He did not know its speed 
or conformity. Yet he had never raced nightmare against nightmare 
before. It would be interesting. 

The eagle cried from somewhere far away. That was a good sign. 
He pulled the dagger from his boot and resheathed it in his saddle. 
He would not be able to transform it with him if he should need 
to shift.

Soon enough it became apparent he would. He could hear Gwyn 
crashing through the trees behind him. An arrow whizzed past, 
barely missing his arm. 

Putting his heels to Diabolique's flanks, he gained enough distance 
and willed the change.

The magic rippled through him. It was not a painful thing, this 
reshaping of self. It was a warm flow of pure energy moving 
through the very fibre of one's being.

Then he was airborne. The air caught under the force of his wings 
as he pushed upward, through the tangle of tree limbs. This was 
freedom. This was joy. To fly, to soar, only the raw passion of 
sexual bliss came close.

He cleared the tree tops and saw no hint of the eagle. He looked 
at the water sky and thought he detected a hint of light seeping 
through the depths.

Soon. Soon this farce would be over and he could extract his revenge.

Agony ripped through his shoulder, paralyzing his left wing in a 
fiery hell. A scream escaped him as he felt himself falling... falling...

The molten pain of iron poisoning traced through his veins as the 
ground approached at a horrifying speed.

--------------------------------------------------

Titania screamed. Sarah felt as if she would faint. In the mirror's 
magical depths those who had gathered watched in helpless terror 
as Gwyn's arrow found its mark. Sarah turned her head into Sai's 
shoulder, a sob slipping from her as she could not bear to watch 
Jareth plummet to the ground.