Perchance To...

Sarah dreamed. She was floating. The air was warm and smelled of green earth, spice and leather  with a tang of ozone running beneath. She felt safe and comforted, completely at peace.

Then she was lying down somewhere soft.  The scent left her and she felt the loss in her heart. She struggled to open her eyes. The lids were so heavy, sweet dreams beckoning to her. It was as if she was peering through a dense fog.  Her thoughts were disjointed and sleepy.   She just wanted to sink into oblivion. She was not even sure why she fought the compulsion.

Jareth was looking down at her with both tenderness and amusement in his mismatched eyes.

He smiled slightly at her. "Must you fight me at every turn? Rest, Sarah. Shall I sing you to sleep?"

Sarah thought she nodded but could not be certain. She could not be certain of anything really, other than that she was content.

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.

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The fox occasionally known as Lady Saishoku wove a sleeping spell between her three bushy tails.   Flicking the tails at the opening to the mine she felt the power flow out of her, leaving her a bit weaker for the effort.

On quick fox paws she moved downward in a long tunnel lined with metal tracks.   The deeper she went, the colder it became.  Her eyes were meant to see in the night, but down here there was no light from moon or stars to aid her.  Mostly her nose led her.  All around she odor of sweat, fear and pain had leached into the rock, but it was stronger up ahead.  Finally she saw light.  Torches were lit outside a heavy wooden door, where six well armed guards lay slumped as the sleep spell had overtaken them.

She changed back to human form and used a set of lock picks to unlock the large padlock. Then she lifted the wood beam that braced the door from outside.

She slinked softly behind the sleeping guards and into the damp, cold room where some fifty slaves lay huddled one upon the other. Most gave a hacking cough in their sleep, from rock dust in their lungs and cold, damp beds.

Now which was which? Oh Darkness! The best plan was to create general chaos and confusion and hope to go unnoticed in the process. If there was anything a Kitsune was good at, it was creating chaos and confusion.

In her human form she found the rock summoner, the easiest to identify due to his bulk. She guessed the little creature, 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 to his misery.

"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 left 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 was 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!" Her cry split the night. 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, his raised sword barely saving 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. Yet she still made good account of herself, as none of the men went unblooded, one even fell back with a scream, obviously Fae and suffering iron poisoning from her blade. Five to one; she thought it a good accounting, but she was weakened from her spell weaving and knew she couldn’t hold much longer.

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 right and she surmised Sir Didymus had joined the fray.

Could this possibly get any worse?

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.

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Consciousness returned with a wave of pain. She wanted to vomit, but held it in by a force of will. She wished the world would stop 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 to shift to fox form as to slip her bonds, but flare of pain wracked her body. Damn. They had bound her magic.

Hoggle glared at her from his hunched position in back of the transport. The unhappy dwarf made no secret of whom he blamed for their current misery. 

"Should known better than to listen to a Kitsune. Always quick to get everyone in trouble.  Never know when to leave well enough alone," it was muttered, but she heard well enough.

"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. Guilt wracked her, and she thought it was worse than the pain.  In fact, the fact that Ian was involved was the very worst part for multiple reasons.

"Fear not, m'lady. We shall prevail... Somehow."

She tried to coax a smile for Sir Didymus' effort at cheerfulness but failed.

This was not a trap set for her.  Oh no.  It was a trap set for Jareth.  Even if he was willing to admit he knew nothing of their plan and leave Sai and Ian to their executions, Sarah would not.  Sarah's kind heart would lead her to defend her friends.  And Jareth would NOT allow Sarah to pay the price.  So he would accept responsibility and be named breaker of hospitality.

"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, leaning heavily on the side of the wagon. "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 and hollow. She wished he could tug at her tails.

 

"If at first you don't succeed, do it the way your wife told you to in the first place," she offered a tiny, but false smile.

"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 both of us." Ian lay his cheek against his wife's hair.  She shook her head.  He might be, but Sarah was the key to this whole sordid plan.

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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, under a blanket.

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? It certainly didn't seem his nature.

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. This did not bode well.

She felt a warm tingle against her beringed finger and looking down to discover she was in another gown, one of green silk.  The ring sensed magic, she finally realized, or at least magic spells.

"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 an 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 bedraggled figures were herded 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 gray dust.

Sai and Ian were the last dragged in. Their hands were bound behind them. Both were bleeding, bruised and limping. 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. Your request is denied. I think I'll have you as a replacement miner after I deal out a more... personal punishment." Gwyn grinned, his eyes raking over Sai's figure lasciviously.  His gaze shifted to Ian as the man leapt at him with a roar, despite his bound hands.  A Guard threw him to the ground. "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 eyepatch 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, knocking the man's feet out from under him with a well-aimed sweeping 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 order thee to put a stop to 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 us such fools as to not know what this is truly about? Put an end to this, now, Gwyn," Titania's voice shook with rage and color tinted her cheeks.

"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."

"Shut up you little fool," Jareth hissed at her under his breath.

For the first time Sai let out a sob.  "Don't!"

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.  Every piece had fallen nicely into place.  Checkmate.

Sarah wanted to be sick.

 

Disclaimer : Lyrics of "Thursday's Child" written by David Bowie