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Chapter Four
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At the zenith of the tallest tower of the Goblin Castle a room existed; a moderately sized room of round dimensions created and used for one purpose since the Game began. Every wished away who became a permanent resident of the Underground were first enchanted into sleep and placed in the Transformation Chamber. The wished away's age determined the amount of time spent in the Chamber since the magics of the Chamber erased every personal memory of the wished away until they forgot their life and identity Above. This forced amnesia was replaced with implanted personal memories befitting the new life they would be living with the Fae family pre-assigned to receive them.
Many Fae families waited decades and occasionally centuries as they gradually reached the top of the waiting list; reproduction was difficult for the Fae. Most families who produced one genetically related child over a millennia of concerted effort considered themselves fortunate. Occasional wars between kingdoms and rivalries between political and personal factions caused numerous deaths every decade; and the occasional natural death still occurred thus an urgent need existed to replenish the bloodlines before the Fae society died out in the next thousand years.
Materializing directly into the Transformation Chamber, which possessed no doors in which to allow mundane travel, Jareth carried the still sleep enchanted Beth peacefully in his arms. Sarah appeared next to him and they both remained dressed in the formal Regalia. Jareth walked to the center of the large room to a raised circular stone dais and carefully arranged the young girl upon it which instantly activated an overhead glow bathing Beth within it.
Sarah sat on the edge of the dais and leaned over the girl's supine form, brushing the hair from her face; the magic of the Transformation Chamber ineffective on either the King or Queen. Jareth watched Sarah caress the new wished away lovingly, aware of how deeply this process affected her. She always sat with every wished away as their previous life was forcibly removed with magic. The first time she completed a Summons and the following Transformation Sarah cried for days afterwards, sobbing that it could've been Toby. Inconsolable to Jareth's ministrations, nevertheless he did his best to comfort her then and through every Summons henceforth the last seven years.
"Sarah," He spoke softly to gain her attention as he stood on the opposite side of the dais; she looked away from Beth up to Jareth. "Sarah, I grow apprehensive at the dramatic increase of wished aways these last few months."
She nodded, "Yes, I know, every month it gets busier and the risk increases."
"True, but that's not what I refer to; previously in this modern age it was unusual to receive more than a Summons a month from the Above worldwide. However, recently the Summonses have sharply increased and in all my previous centuries as King I never experienced such a striking change." Jareth began pacing next to the dais and between one step and the next his swagger stick appeared in his right hand; he began rhythmically thwacking his leather clad thigh under his cape as he pondered the situation.
"What are you saying, Jareth?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I just know that something is very singular with these Summonses. This child, for instance, is unusually old for a wished away." Jareth paused pointing his swagger stick at the girl and Sarah looked at Beth again as she slept. "And the circumstances of these last several Summonses—there was something odd, something just out of my reach but..." He resumed his pacing, stick thwacking again.
"But what?"
"I just don't know." He snapped. "All the magic felt correct, untainted, but there was something hazy at the edges of the wish invocations...something obscure...I've never sense this during wish invocations before."
"Why didn't you say something earlier?" Sarah snapped back, her irritation rising with his. How dare he withhold information from her, she was the Goblin Queen, responsible for fulfilling the Summonses. But he possessed the extensive experience both in magic and as Goblin King. If he sensed something altered in the magic he should've informed her immediately.
"I was uncertain, Love," He ceased his pacing and faced her directly realizing through their Bond exactly way she was angry. "With my status so modified and since I no longer sense the Summons directly, I couldn't be sure I was interpreting the magic properly." He shrugged. "I'm still not sure what I'm sensing but at least I know assuredly that it is altered."
Sarah relaxed at his reasonable tone and felt his sincerity. He hadn't wanted to unduly alarm her until he was positive of his knowledge; she couldn't fault him for that. Her expression softened and she nodded her understanding but before she could response Beth thrashed and moaned. The Transformation magic grew difficult for her.
"I'm so sorry, child." Sarah held Beth's clammy, grasping hand. Jareth felt and watched Sarah calm and knew she accepted his explanation. He disliked watching her torture herself over wished aways. She wouldn't leave Beth's side until the magic concluded and automatically transported Beth to her new Fae family; and he wouldn't leave Sarah's side. Given Beth's age that might be hours.
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Several hours later an exhausted Sarah teleported from the Transformation Chamber to the main Castle near Lizzie's room; after waiting with Jareth at her side until the magic teleported Beth from their presence. The magic attached to Beth's Summons informed Sarah of the child's safe arrival with her new family and her successful adjustment to her new life. Sarah would likely never see Beth again, just as she rarely ever saw any wished away again. After a Summons and Transformation Sarah always felt very protective and maternal and found Lizzie with an intention to spend time with her.
Sarah knocked on her daughter's door, "Lizzie? Are you in there?" She knocked again before entering and saw her daughter sound asleep in her bed, tucked comfortably under the duvet, the moonlight illuminating her bedroom. Ruefully Sarah considered how long Beth's Transformation must've taken and regretted missing Lizzie all night. Sarah sat on the edge of Lizzie's bed much as she had sat next to Beth and caressed her face and hair. She was growing up so fast, even with the Fae changes slowing her aging somewhat she still looked and acted more like a fifteen year old Mortal.
Sarah leaned down kissing Lizzie's forehead, "I'm sorry I missed you tonight, Honey. I'll spend more time with you tomorrow, I promise." She whispered and added a second kiss before leaving her daughter to sleep peacefully throughout the night.
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The next few weeks passed quickly as they prepared for their journey to the Underground capital city of Camlann; Alia and Sir Didymus traveling along as both company and guardians en route while Lady Aspenasxerasfena would meet them at the Council Complex to act as Lizzie's formal guardian at Camlann. Because of the time slips teleporting anywhere outside of The Labyrinth was risky, especially with Lizzie, therefore they choose to travel in a more mundane fashion. They packed their bags and vanished them into the Ether to travel with them—Sarah's favorite magical convenience—and informed Hoggle, as her Chamberlain, that he would be acting in Sarah's stead while they were away, except for Summonses.
Jareth still found it immensely diverting that Sarah appointed Hoggle as her Chamberlain and teased him at every available opportunity, even at risk of Sarah's disapproval. Hoggle assured her that he would care for the kingdom's concerns while they were away and that they should enjoy Lizzie's first visit to Camlann as much possible, even as it involved dealing with the Council. The palanquin prepared, their party boarded and set off for Camlann which was a full day's journey non-stop through the Wastelands; a desolate land occupied by dangerous creatures better left undisturbed.
A full day and several frazzled nerves later, the party crossed the Camlann River which marked the official boundary of the Capital of Camlann. The jagged path of the wide antediluvian river wound around the far edges of the city, its smaller creeks branching off into the city proper. Lizzie's head and upper torso hung out the palanquin window admiring her first view of Camlann.
"I can see it! It's gigantic!" She exclaimed and Sarah and Jareth smiled as they watched her backside and legs wiggle inside the palanquin to accommodate her upper torso's weight; her hands supporting herself on the window's edge. Alia buzzed just outside the window above Lizzie's head, her excited squeaks and squeals could be heard above the noise of the palanquin. Alia was a very young pixie, only twenty years old, and she'd never left the Goblin Kingdom before either.
"Quite, the city is tens of thousands of years old; its expansion has occurred gradually but without specific architectural plans, Lizzie." Jareth explained. "Therefore, its appearance is actually larger than some of the actual usable space but it is impressive."
Glancing over her shoulder at Jareth during his explanation, Lizzie once again returned her view to the capital city and its mix of glowing white and dark gray spires; tall crenellations surrounded the entire structure with a variety of colored pennants flapping in the late morning winds. Their palanquin gently crossed over one of the three large stone bridges spanning the Camlann River and Jareth caught the unique scent of the fresh water roiling beneath them. It reminded him of his youth, both good memories and bad.
"Are you alright?" Sarah had watched Jareth's expression turn vaguely maudlin before as they passed over the Camlann River but this occasion seemed to bring out a softer, sadder look to his eyes than she'd ever see before. He pulled himself from his long ago memories and into his present, removing his hand from his mouth and focused on his Sarah.
"Quite alright thank you, Love." He answered quickly to forestall further questions while she nodded and continued to watch him subtly as Lizzie babbled on about her observations.
"Did you know that Camlann means 'Crooked Bank of a River' from old Brittonic, which is likely derived from the Fae language? I researched it before we left; the castle library has some amazing records!" Lizzie announced to whoever was curious. "I think a long time ago when the realms interacted more often, that Camlann was considered a special place by Mortals."
"You're correct, Princess. Approximately a millennia ago Camlann once was considered a place of perfection by Mortals. There are many versions written of the Underground in the Above and one such version calls Camlann by the name of Camelot."
Sarah's eyes widen at this news, "Seriously? This is Camelot? You never told me that."
"To some it is considered to be so but there are other locations in the Underground that hold the same title by Mortals through their changing imagination and documentation." He expanded further casually waving his hand towards the direction of the city.
"Verily, it is so my Liege. I, myself, did witness Arthur Pendragon and his Knights ride through the gates of Camlann when I was but a pup." Sir Didymus stated boldly, his whiskers twitching with pride.
"Wow, really?" Lizzie said with a great amount of awe. Her head still hung out of the window but she now sat inside the palanquin after the topic of Camelot began. "This is so cool! We're visiting Camelot!"
"You didn't see King Arthur?" Sarah asked Jareth. "You're old enough to have been around then."
He smiled thinly at Sarah before answering, "While it's true I was alive then I was very young, Precious and lived a great distance from Camlann. Unfortunately, the opportunity to meet the legendary Pendragon never presented itself to me." Jareth tensed as the terrible memories abruptly battered him.
"Your parents' death." She whispered and cast her eyes down as she reached for his hand to comfort him, which he accepted gratefully their Bond flaring. Lizzie felt the shift as well and grew quiet.
Sarah had forgotten they'd been killed by a rival childless family hoping to obtain guardianship of Jareth in order to add him and his early remarkable magical genetics to their bloodline and purloin his inherited wealth. Fortunately for Jareth distant relations and close family retainers were able to save him from the murdering Fae couple; who were given over to the Council of the time and put to death for their crimes—murder by magical means outside of a formal duel being in violation of the Foundational Governing Laws of Magic.
The festive atmosphere of the palanquin shifted dramatically to a gloomier air as its occupants followed their King's emotional cue. Sir Didymus's whiskers drooped as he was reminded of his former liege's sad beginning.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, it was not my intention to remind you of sadder times." The old knight stated.
"It's quite alright, Sir Didymus." Jareth replied waving his hand dismissively resuming his relaxed position on the padded benchseat. All conversation ceased for the remainder of the trip. Lizzie continued her vigil at the window and watched in speechless wonder as they passed through the enormous five stories tall, silver inlaid gates of Camlann. A tremor of anticipation thrilled over Lizzie's skin at the adventures she would discover behind these gates.
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Lady Aspenasxerasfena met their party at the entrance of the Council Complex, which provided private accommodations, dining, and entertainment for all Council members and the various visiting rulers and dignitaries of the Underground. Sir Didymus and Jareth exited the palanquin first, turning to assist the ladies from the vehicle. They were all dressed for travel in casual clothing of simple linen tunics and leather pants and waistcoats in various colors. Even Sarah, as Goblin Queen, dispensed with her day dresses when traveling as she preferred comfort over appearance.
"Your Majesties! Sir Didymus! How wonderful that you've arrived safely." Lady Aspenasxerasfena's deep, hawkish voice bellowed from the Council's Complex courtyard. Sarah focused on the Lady gryphon as she stepped from the palanquin; gladden to hear one of the few voices friendly to the Goblin Kingdom.
"Lady Fena! It's good to see you! It's been too long." Sarah said happily as she met the extremely large gryphon midway in the mosaic lined courtyard. Jareth remained at the palanquin assisting Lizzie, who had Alia perched on her shoulder, before the rest of them joined Sarah greeting Lady Fena. Lizzie's eye goggled at her first site of a gryphon; a creature who stood on all fours taller than her mother. Lady Fena's fur shown with a golden sheen of quality brushing and her folded white feather wings appeared to be powdered with gold.
Lizzie froze several feet away observing her mother hug this great beast whose bright carnelian, razor beak was larger than her mother's head, however the Lady Fena seemed more inclined to preen Sarah's midnight hair than decapitate her. She'd heard stories of the Gryphons before and Fena specifically but to see her in person was a far different reality.
"Jareth, whom do you guard so closely there?" Lady Fena asked in her strange avian voice.
"My Lady Aspenasxerasfena, it is my great pleasure to present the Goblin Princess Elizabeth to you." Jareth bowed low before Lady Fena as Gryphons were an honored race to the Fae and she was a great friend to Jareth and Sarah in particular; that being an entirely different tale. "Elizabeth, the Honorable Lady Aspenasxerasfena of the Golden Gryphon Pride."
Having been coached beforehand on proper behavior and greetings, Lizzie ably attempted conducted herself before Lady Fena through her flabbergasted state which the Lady took pity on when she how stunned the young Fae Princess presented. The gryphon approached Lizzie cautiously and knelt on all fours so that she may better meet her, afterall Lady Fena was supposed to be Lizzie's primary guardian while at Camlann so it wouldn't do to frighten the poor girl.
"Lady Aspenasxer...as..." Lizzie stumbled over the gryphon's complex name, her cheeks flushed and she felt mortified after spending hours practicing the Lady's name. Lady Fena watched the Princess's face turn bright red and her hands fidget.
"I am told that you are often called Lizzie by your friends, is this true?" Lady Fena inquired, her head tilted at an angle and Lizzie nodded silently careful not to dislodge Alia from her shoulder. Alia who had burrowed deep within Lizzie's hair once the gryphon drew closer and was currently peeking out from between strands, her blue hair contrasting sharply with Lizzie's brown.
"If I may be considered your friend I would prefer to call you Lizzie and you may address me as Lady Fena. Would that be acceptable?" Lady Fena requested as she dipped her great beaked and feathered head below the level of Lizzie's and yet still several feet away. Lizzie nodded again as Lady Fena's deep, trilling voice seeped past her shock and into her consciousness.
Jareth and Sarah stood nearby watching their interaction with positive, matching expressions. Requesting Lady Fena to act as temporary guardian to Lizzie had been Jareth's idea and Sarah felt pleased at the initial response. The gryphon would be a great friend and influence while assisting in her safety tremendously. Sarah had never seen her daughter so thunderstruck before.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Lady Fena." Lizzie finally spoke and offered a belated curtsy, grasping the edges of her tunic as if it were a dress. "May I present my friend, Alia." Lizzie nudge Alia with her head gently until the pixie stepped from her hiding place in Lizzie's hair and spoke in her chiming voice.
"L-Lady F-Fena." The pixie stammered before ducking back into Lizzie's hair. Fena chuckled lightly in a half squawk, half roaring sound that made Lizzie's stomach clench when she remember why Alia was so scared. Pixies were snacks for Gryphons.
"You won't eat her?" Lizzie exclaimed which elicited another chuckle from Lady Fena.
"On my honor, Lizzie, your friend Alia is safe from my dessert plate." Lizzie heard Alia squeak whether in relief or fear she couldn't be sure. "Come; allow me to escort you to your accommodations." Lady Fena stood to her full height and turning from Lizzie greeted Sir Didymus as well.
"Sir Didymus, many years it has been since I have last seen you. How fare you?"
"I am well, Lady Fena. Verily, the Kingdom dosth prosper with our new Queen." Sir Didymus replied as he bounded along next to the gryphon.
"I have seen the result of such happiness. Indeed, Queen Sarah has Balanced our King Jareth's Heart has she not? The Goblin Kingdom owes much of its current prosperity to her generosity and spirit." Lady Fena loud voice rumbled unconcerned that all others in their group overheard her. Jareth and Sarah kept their faces stoic but their lips twitched on occasion, and Lizzie just groaned.
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Their accommodations were located attached to Lady Fena's, an arrangement Lady Fena prepared as she required larger quarters than average and needed to be near the Goblin Royal Family in order to act as guardian to Lizzie with Sir Didymus's assistance. The quarters they received combined an intricate set of suites with a large central living area hub where all persons could meet.
Sarah and Jareth shared a luxurious bedroom and bath, and arrangement they were used to when attending Council meetings for their purposes or other Council requirements. Sir Didymus and Lady Fena each had their own quarters, of course. And Lizzie and Alia were given a room located between her parents and Lady Fena; they were the only ones unfamiliar with the Complex.
Lady Fena helped them settle in, ordered a meal delivered and they spend the day becoming familiar with each other. Lizzie discovered Lady Fena to be very friendly and entertaining once one got past her intimidating physical presence. The first meetings of the Council were scheduled to start tomorrow and Sarah wanted Lizzie to sit in with them through the initial informational meetings. Lizzie moaned and groaned out of habit but knew it was a lost cause; her mother and Jareth wanted her to learn the appropriate methods for dealing with the Council before she started her free time.
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Barely able to sleep for the excitement, Lizzie was up early the next morning and dressed in her finest conservative gown of russet, long sleeved, a-lined satin with a cream lace trim. Alia helped arrange her hair in a simple but elegant updo, her chestnut hair dripping in ringlets and curls.
"Lizzie, you look like a Princess today! You will stun the Council with your beauty!" Alia gushed, hovering next to her head as they looked at each other in the vanity mirror.
"All thanks to you, Lia. You've done a beautiful job this morning, mom will love it! I'm just sorry you can't join me in the Council Chambers."
"That's all right, Your Highness. I'll occupy myself well enough until tonight." Alia landed on the vanity top and patted Lizzie's arm. "You'd best be off, I'm sure your mother is nearly ready to leave."
"Okay, I'll see you later." Lizzie agreed, stood and left her bedroom and finding her parents waiting in the living area. Her mother wore her very best formal gown of royal purple silk adorned with small golden images matching Jareth's pendant, while Jareth wore black leather pants, boots, and trim waistcoat with a royal purple silk poet's shirt.
They made an imposing and austere sight as they strode the hallway together; thought Lizzie as she trailed closely behind them. Her mom had hugged and kissed her cheeks as she complimented her on her choice of gown and her hair and Jareth smiled warmly and declared her a beautiful, young woman before kissing her lightly on the forehead. Initially, Lizzie felt very confident and royal as they walked regally through the private accommodation hallways, various passersby nodding and backing away in deference.
However, once they exited the private section and entered the main complex where the larger, public crowds gathered Lizzie felt a sudden stage fright as all eyes swiveled to them. Jareth and Sarah appeared unfazed by the precipitous attention of hundreds of persons of various species but Lizzie felt her stomach drop. She watched as her parents held their hands together at shoulder level between them, their heads high, backs rigid and she heard her mother whisper to her.
"Just ignore them and walk like you don't care, Lizzie." She'd been warned about this but can one ever really prepare for this type of scrutiny? Taking her mother's advice, Lizzie tighten her posture, held her head high, kept her eyes straight ahead making sure to stay a few feet behind Jareth and Sarah as they strolled through the crowd; which parted before them, whispering, pointing, and muttering the entire way. She felt on display, harassed, and ridiculed all at once. It was not a pleasant awareness.
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"Who is that unsullied, delectable bit of Fae trailing behind them?" Fiana wondered aloud to be answered by her flame-haired, tall, male companion. They stood apart from the general crowd in the second story balcony overlooking the procession of the Goblin Royal Family.
"I believe she is the Goblin Princess, daughter of the new Goblin Queen." Cashel answered looking over at his love, Fiana and admiring her bright, golden hair which hung straight from her crown to her knees in a perfect braid.
"Indeed? The Queen is foolish to allow her young daughter in public before her Fae transformation is complete. Her magic reeks of temptation. I'm surprised Jareth failed to warn her, but then he's always
so good at warning those he cares for." Fiana licked her lips as she inspected the fresh beauty of the Princess, both her physical and magical beauty.
"Fi...What are you thinking, my Love?" Cashel asked his tone conspiratorial. Fiana neglected to chastise him for his 'my Love' slip which told him she was deep in thought.
"I'm thinking how delicious it would be to include the lovely Princess in our plans. I'm sure Jareth would appreciate the irony of her new future." Fiana's silver-gray eyes brightened as her lips curled upwards; her heart quicken at the thought of her revenge's addition.
Cashel stepped closer to Fiana and brushed her ear with his fingertips before leaning down to kiss her neck; he was eager to take advantage of her good humor as he knew she would allow his physical affection for a short time. "An excellent idea, Fi, I'll leave the details of the Princess's downfall to you, just inform me when you need any assistance." Fiana bent her neck permitting his kisses for a time before she tired of his warmth and pulled away, suddenly cold again.
"Very well, the Princess is mine and Jareth as well. You will deliver him as promised." She stated in a frigid tone and Cashel withdrew his attentions.
"As promised, Fiana, as promised." Cashel sighed and swallowed his frustrations once again.
