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Chapter Thirteen
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"You're insane!" Sarah shouted for the third or fourth time once Jareth outlined his rather rough and swift plan to combat Cashel and Fiana.
"Sarah," Jareth tried grabbing her shoulders but she twisted away and continued storming around the throne room as Sal, Scarvy, Eric, and Alia watched anxiously. "This can work."
"Not if you're alone!" She retorted, her hand slashing the air during her laps. She'd barely heard his explanation begin before she exploded. Once Jareth stated he would use Cashel's crystal to follow him to his estate Sarah lost her temper and Jareth since had been unable to finish his plan's details, limited as they were.
"Sarah, I won't be alone." He announced in a firm voice bringing her to a sharp stop, her head swiveled to face him. "Eric will be going with me." Upon hearing his name Eric jerked, startled to be suddenly included in the conversation but showed no hesitation at Jareth's invitation.
"Damn straight I'm going with you!" Eric replied and strode closer to Jareth who looked at the Mortal with an approving glance.
"Eric? You and Eric are going to do what? Storm his castle? Gods Below, Jareth, you're giving them what they want." Sarah pleaded in a calmer voice approaching him, placing her hands on his upper arms. He smirked arrogantly.
"Not exactly, you'll remain here and under no circumstances are you to relinquish control of The Labyrinth to Cashel. I'll place spells of invisibility and stealth over Eric and transport him with me. They'll sense my magic but mistake it for myself alone long enough that he should be able to break away to search for Lizzie while I distract them. Being Mortal they won't being to sense him directly as long as he doesn't expose himself."
"You think you can find her?" Sarah focused on Eric and he nodded vigorously.
"I won't leave there without her." He vowed his blue eyes aglow.
"I'll give him a second crystal which should be able to track her location using her unique Bond with The Labyrinth, cancel any wards placed on her, and allow them to teleport back once he's in contact with Lizzie by also using her Bond with The Labyrinth like a homing beacon, that way I can keep the magic aura on him to a minimum. He should be able to escape with her and I'll finish off Cashel and Fiana." Jareth said and she warily eyed him.
"Are you sure you can handle them both and what if he has help?"
"Cashel's powers may have grown but mine have as well and I can hold off numerous during a magical attack with the Labyrinth's power supporting me." Sarah detected an additional note of arrogance in his voice.
"Jareth, it's probably a trap."
"Most assuredly, but without more time I'm afraid this is the best option we have, Precious." He replied. "Besides the longer I'm there the more time I have to discover the spells we need."
"The spells..." Sarah repeated dully. "You think you'll be able to find them?" She didn't want to doubt but the odds were against him. Jareth caressed her face and held her gaze to his.
"I have to, Sarah. We don't have any choice and I won't allow you to take this risk. This is my doing, I have to be the one to right it." And Sarah could find nothing do argue that.
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It took Jareth and Eric most of the remaining hour to prepare for their journey to Cashel's stronghold. Jareth conjured two crystals for Eric; one containing the invisibility and stealth and the other the locating and return spell. He explained to Eric that as long as he kept the first crystal on his person he would be unseen or heard by anyone, including Jareth. Eager to be away, Eric absorbed every bit of information Jareth imparted without complaint. Sarah, Scarvy, Sal, and Alia watched the two men and former rivals plan their emanate departure.
"Shouldn't I have a weapon of some sort?" Eric asked Jareth.
"Not likely, as long as you remain invisible and silent they'll have a difficult time locating you even if they suspect your presence." Jareth explained bluntly. "A weapon will only complicate things as you'll be unable to inflict any fatal injuries and only endanger yourself and Lizzie. You're only goal is to find her and escape. I'll take care of the rest." Jareth assured him and Eric believed the sincerity in Jareth's voice. Sarah approached the two men as they discussed their options and politely coughed.
"Sarah..." Turning to face her Jareth's heart tightened painfully at her expression of unlikely hope.
"It's nearly time." She said trying unsuccessfully to keep the emotions from her voice. Even Eric flinched a bit hearing Sarah's voice cracking. Jareth clasped her hands in his, holding them to his chest. "Came back...no matter what." She managed to whisper with a rapidly thickening throat. Eric stepped back to give them a moment of privacy but couldn't help watching as Jareth bowed his head lower towards Sarah's brushing his lips gently across hers, his light blonde hair falling forward to partially drape their faces from his view.
"I'll always return to you, Precious." Jareth whispered back just loud enough for Eric to hear. They stood clasping one another for a few minutes while the rest of the group stayed quiet. Then Jareth pulled away reluctantly and faced Eric.
"Ready?" He asked Lizzie's father.
"Yeah, when you are." Eric replied quickly. Jareth looked at Scarvy and Sal as he dropped Sarah's hands.
"Watch over her for me, assist her until I return." He directed them and both men nodded their assent without hesitation. Jareth looked to Sarah again and smiled.
Alia gripped Scarvy's shoulder tighter as she watched her King walk several paces away from her Queen, stand close to the Princess's father and grip his upper arm tightly. Jareth activated the invisibility and stealth crystal causing Eric to disappear from everyone's view and it appeared as if Jareth's hand gripped thin air. She watched as her King took the crystal provided to him by Cashel and smashed it upon the stone floor which produced a whitish smoke engulfing the two men. Once the smoke dissipated the King and Eric were gone and the group left behind exhaled, but not in relief.
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The teleportation to Cashel's stronghold took only a few seconds and as soon as Jareth felt the spell end he released his grip upon Eric's arm to present the illusion of him being the only arrival. Eric knew to separate from Jareth's side as soon they arrived and Jareth sensed his spell move a distance away and had faith that Eric had moved quickly. Jareth brought up a magical shield and crouched in a defensive position as he surveyed his surroundings and saw that he was in a large, white marble chamber facing Cashel a few feet away and several other Fae men whom he didn't recognize.
"Jareth, waiting until the very last minute I see." Cashel strolled up to him easily, glancing around. "Your shield is superfluous...but where is your Queen?" Cashel finished his sentence with a bite of venom. "I
was quite clear regarding both of your attendance on my terms, was I not?"
"Quite. I'm afraid I can't allow that, Cashel. This is between us." Jareth spat back. Cashel snarled his rage and snapped his fingers signaling his dozen retainers to attack Jareth. Cashel threw a conjured crystal at Jareth weakening his shield. Jareth growled and poured more power into his shield repelling his attackers and concentrating on distracting them as long as possible while Eric slipped away from the onslaught. Jareth sensed his spells in Eric's possession distance further from him and knew the initial phase of his plan was successful as none of Cashel's men nor Cashel himself seemed to notice the small amount of Jareth's magic drift away, not while Jareth poured so much into his defensive shield. Jareth prayed to the Gods that Eric could locate Lizzie and escape before he exhausted his reserves of magic and that he might yet succeed overcoming Cashel's revenge. Even with the Labyrinth's power he couldn't sustain an outpouring at this level for long and Sarah still needed her own source. All these thoughts and more circled Jareth's mind as he strengthened the magical force field protecting him from the dozen men attempting to breech it with their own magics and physical weapons while Cashel stood apart observing and directing their movements.
"This changes nothing, Jareth. You think I haven't considered your penchant for defiance?" Cashel taunted from the outskirts of the battle. "I will have the Labyrinth under my control and once your power fails, you too will be in my power." Cashel added before giving more directions to his men. "He is to be under attack at all times. It will take time to weaken him but under no circumstances are you to allow him time to rest or regain strength. I will be continuing with my remaining plans and when I return I want him utterly drained!" Cashel shouted to his men and one man in particular seemed to take command of the group and start directing them to a more organized method of forcing Jareth to defense while allowing them a rotation of attack.
"Cashel, what are you about?" Jareth shouted back while maintaining his shield without difficulty...for now. "This is between us!"
"Worry not, my old friend, I shall return in time with your Queen's head and The Labyrinth's heart." Cashel replied dispassionately from far across the room but Jareth heard him clearly over the din and sizzle of battle. "This time I will take all that is yours leaving you a shell of yourself as you left me...before I give you to Fiana to seek her own revenge."
"Cashel!" Jareth raged watching his former friend stride from the chamber and hearing him shout the names of other men to accompany him. Jareth's nebulous fears fully formed as he realized what Cashel planned. He'd gambled on Cashel's jealously and need for personal revenge against his desire for The Labyrinth once they were face to face, unfortunately Cashel's persistence finally flowered sometime in the last five centuries and Jareth's gamble busted leaving him essentially trapped for the present. He couldn't abandon Lizzie and Eric until they were free and safe and while he was fully occupied defending himself he couldn't spare any power to teleport away otherwise a stray strike could kill him with so many attackers. But he could spare a small bit to search for Lizzie's presence...faint, small, barely detectable but definitely within this structure.
'We're coming for you, Lizzie...whereever you are, whatever's happened to you, hang on we're coming for you!' Jareth mentally sent out hoping she might hear or sense him against the odds as he resumed his concentration on the small battle waging around him.
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Eric could hardly believe his eyes after his third experience at teleportation. The chamber of their arrival was lined entirely in a type of white marble with veins of gold and a large sun roof brought in the daylight and created a glittering, nearly blinding effect. Weren't the bad guys supposed to live in dank, dark caves or black castles? This room alone was fit for some type of god of light and righteousness. As soon as he felt the physical sensation of the spell end, a feeling he already was becoming quite familiar with as he'd experienced it twice previously in less than a day, he followed Jareth's instructions and darted away from him as quickly as he could hoping the invisibility and stealth spells worked. Eric huddled behind a nearby marble pillar catching his breath and his bearings quietly while witnessing the heated exchange between Jareth and Cashel. He still didn't really understand why this redheaded bastard wanted to use Lizzie against Jareth and Sarah so badly but he'd be damned if he'd allow it.
He watched Jareth defend himself against the attackers and fling verbal spars back and forth with Cashel but he didn't become truly concerned until Cashel left the area with a dark threat against Sarah. Whatever Jareth intended Eric could tell this hadn't been it because Jareth went mad with fury cursing Cashel and screaming at him as the redhead left Jareth to his fate. Eric forced his gaze away from watching Jareth knowing he must locate Lizzie and his time shortened every second he wasted. He withdrew the locating crystal from his pocket making sure to keep the invisibility and stealth crystal secure in his other pocket of his pants, can't be losing that. The locating crystal pulsed in a faint whitish light, its beat slow and steady in his palms and Eric resisted the urge to cover the light reminding himself that no one could see or hear him as long as he carried the other crystal.
"Okay, sweetie, Daddy's on his way..." He mumbled and set off in a random direction until the light pulsed a little faster then he concentrated on that direction, careful to avoid running into anything or anyone which might expose him. Invisibility was a strange state of being, Eric decided, he could see his body and everything around him but as long as he avoided those around him everyone else ignored him, very strange and a bit exhilarating.
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Sarah paced in the throne room awaiting the return of her family but with the passing time extending into an hour then longer a real sense of fear crept into her gut. Things had gone wrong. Jareth's simple plan had complicated and the wrongness of it pervaded the very fiber of her being.
"Sarah, calm down he'll kick that guy's ass and they'll be back any minute." Sal said in a lame attempt to reassure her, his voice echoing dully in the throne room. Even Scarvy and Alia rolled their eyes at Sal. "What?" Sal snipped at their exasperated looks. "I'm just saying...Jareth's really badass and you know...it's early yet..."
"Normally I would agree with you, Sal." Scarvy replied while one hand absent-mindedly stroked Alia's wings which she not only allowed but seemed quite taken with, "However, it's been longer than anticipated and my cop experience has been tingling for the last half hour. Something's not right."
Sarah ceased pacing and faced the two men, "I agree, something's happened and I...ahhhh!" Sarah's fists clenched at her sides and her body became rigid. "Not now!" She howled angrily. Sal and Scarvy started at Sarah's apparent pain and sudden transformation into her Formal Regalia.
"What's happening?" Scarvy asked Alia who hovered near his head.
"Her Majesty is receiving a Wish Invocation and will be departing soon to collect the Wished Away and perhaps the Runner." Alia explained rapidly in her high pitched voice.
"She has to leave? Now?" Sal and Scarvy both yelled as the ramifications sunk in then Sarah's voice rang out again in pain as she had just started to recover and her knees buckled forcing her to collapse, kneeling. Alia darted to the Queen leaving Scarvy for the first time since her return.
"Your Majesty!" Sarah clutched the sides of her head as the information flooded her brain causing a sharp migraine. "What's wrong?"
"Second...Wisher..."Sarah gasped between taut, bloodless lips, the migraine causing nausea to swell. She'd never experienced two Wish Invocations at once; it must be Cashel forcing them again.
"Oh no! Your Majesty!" Alia flitted about Sarah's head attempting to offer comfort but unable to while Scarvy and Sal approached Sarah kneeling at her sides.
"What can we do?" Sal asked greatly concerned by her obvious pain.
"Nothing...it'll pass...never been like this before." Sarah was able to answer as her pain quickly receded. She indicated for them to help her stand. "I must go, the Invocations must be completed but I'll return quickly. All of you stay here and defend the castle against...well...against whomever may arrive."
"You think that'll be necessary?" Scarvy said his tone wary.
"Unfortunately, I suspect this is only the beginning. Alia, show them the armory and prepare for my return." She instructed and the pixie bobbed her head obediently. Sarah grasped both men by their shoulders, her expression solemn. "I may be awhile. Whatever happens do not allow anyone unknown to Alia inside the castle. If necessary...kill them." Sarah stated firmly and both men gasped in surprise.
"But!" They protested in unison.
"I will explain as soon as I can but I must go, even now the magic is straining me. Alia, don't allow them to fail me in this else we'll all be at risk of death." Sarah stated again releasing both men with matching stunned looks on their faces.
"Your will is law, Your Majesty. I will do as you instruct." Alia answered and Sarah stepped away from the three of them before snapping her fingers and vanishing. Alia faced Sal and Scarvy, still hovering in mid-air.
"Right then...follow me to the armory." She announced before zipping away assuming the two Mortal men would scurry behind her. Sal and Scarvy glance at one another, both with raised eyebrows and open mouths.
"Should we?" Sal asked.
"Shouldn't we?" Scarvy replied.
"Hell if I know."
"Whatever is going on we can't allow this bastard to get away with it and they obviously need our help."
"Yeah, but killing...whomever enters the castle? What's that suppose to mean?" Sal insisted.
"I'm sure Sarah wouldn't expect anything that wouldn't be of the utmost importance. She never seemed casual about just...killing anyone or anything." Scarvy defended.
"Still...I'm a freaking paramedic...I don't kill people...you're the cop that's your job!"
"Thanks a lot, Sal."
"You know what I mean."
"Are you two coming or not?" Alia snapped at the two men from the throne room entrance as she landed on a wall sconce and buzzed her wings with irritation. "We don't have much time!" Scarvy shrugged and joined Alia, whatever was going on he figured he'd better help if he ever wanted them to zap him back home. Odd thought that, home, because the more Scarvy thought about going home the more he felt like he was already home.
Sal huffed and followed Scarvy. "Fine...I'm in, where's the damn armory."
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'Sarah, this is unprecedented.' The Labyrinth spoke to her as she teleported away from the castle, she could hear its voice fading quickly as she traveled the void.
'I know it worries me greatly.' She thought back in answer.
'This Cashel, he will do anything to possess me and my power, even taking me by force if necessary.' 'I've considered that.'
'Sarah...I must confess something of import to you, I conspired with this Cashel before when I was ignorant of his motives and of the many things which you have taught me. I do not wish to conspire with him again nor do I wish for him to control me.' The Labyrinth's confession surprised Sarah and yet at some level it did not. The Labyrinth's attempt on all their lives years ago was an awful time but they'd moved passed it and finally learned more of one another than Sarah ever thought possible.
'You're being true now? You do not want Cashel to succeed in overthrowing Jareth and I?' She asked.
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I am. I know you have much to doubt and I have much to prove. I am willing to do so. This Cashel is damaged; I can sense it more fully now that you have opened me to the greater magics in the world. He would do enormous harm to myself and the realm if he were to gain control. I will help you stop him any way that I can. This I swear to you my Queen.' 'I accept, Labyrinth and I am grateful. Watch over Alia and the others until my return. I suspect it will awhile.' Sarah replied successfully keeping her tone of voice in her mind serious rather than shocked. She felt the sincerity in The Labyrinth and knew it allegiance was true.
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Jareth's magic levels were weakening; he could feel the drain quick and feared he wouldn't last much longer, even with the Bond to drawn on. He strained to search for Lizzie, she was still nearby Eric had yet to find and escape with her therefore Jareth remained fighting his foes, the foes who only increased in number as focused solely on his defensive shield. The very shield thinning before his eyes, its blue glow fading gradually and with it his physical strength; how long he'd fought he didn't know only that it wasn't as long as he'd hoped. None of this was as he'd hoped, his arrogance yet again gaining the upper hand. And then the glow winked out as his reserve dried up and an attacker's club arced down upon his skull, striking him fiercely and knocking him to the ground, dazed. Jareth grunted in pain and surprise, throwing his arms up to protect his head from the proceeding blows he could see poised around him.
"Wait!" A feminine voice rang out and the men surrounding him, their weapons above in him a ring froze with various expressions of frustrated obedience on their faces. "Don't touch him!" The voice said and Jareth could tell that she was closer. Several of the men stepped back and away from him to allow the woman to approach and Jareth saw whom he'd feared to meet again.
"Fiana," He whispered and her eyes narrowed as she heard the mix of odd emotions in his voice.
"Jareth," She greeted and crouched next to him, her elegant dress wrinkling. Jareth attempted to sit up but her single hand on his chest stilled him. "I wouldn't move just yet. I know your magic is depleted and my men are eager for any excuse to be done with you." Jareth's eyes darted to and fro before meeting Fiana's again.
"Fiana, I just want Lizzie then—"
"Then what?" She interrupted. "You'll be gone again?" Fiana trailed her fingers over Jareth's chest and up to his neck and his heart raced with uncertainty. "No...You'll be staying this time, my love." She leaned down and placed a chaste kiss upon his still lips. "You'll both be staying I think for a long, long time." Fiana stood, a delicate smile stretching in her mouth as she directed her men. "Secure him in the room."
"Fiana! You don't have to do this. We can compromise, just release Lizzie and I'll do whatever you want." Jareth pleaded as the men wrestled his arms behind his back. Jareth knew without his magic and with this many against him he was helpless to escape for the present.
"And why should I do that when I have you both now? No, you're mine as you were always meant to be and your dear, sweet Lizzie will be my insurance. Away with him!" Fiana ordered and her men dragged Jareth from the dazzling, white chamber and she smiled hearing him yell and scream her name in protest and anger. Things were finally going to be wonderful again.
A/N: THANKS FOR REVIEWS FOR THE LAST CHAPTER, AND SPECIAL THANKS TO MOIRA FOR REVIEWING MY L/R DELETED SCENES. I'M CURRENTLY WORKING OUT ANOTHER FIC THAT I'LL BE POSTING HERE SOON! WITH SMUT!
