THE CONCLUSION
Around the table in the dining room was gathered a truly eclectic bunch. Deverell to the king’s right, where Turgomon once sat, Dalkeil at his side and then Hoggle and his wife, with little Sarah between them. At the foot of the table Winston and his wife. Jareth had not forgotten their hospitality during his trial through the Labyrinth. Next to them Mason, Didymus and Ludo. Arulan assumed her regular seat. The head was left open for Jareth and to his left an open space for Sarah.
Through the double doors, they came arm in arm, dressed in their best formal blacks, the king and his mortal. Pulling out her chair, the king waited as she stood taking them in. Tears filled her eyes until all she saw was a huge orangish blob, next to a tiny brown furry ball and three other Hoggle looking figures. Everything else was so small it escaped her vision entirely, but from that silent room where nothing looked like it should have, Sarah heard one distinct sound which rung gleefully in her ears. “Sarah Two,” the tiny child called as she waddled her way across the table to the waiting arms of the woman for whom she had been named.
“Sarah, angel, look at how big you’ve gotten ” she exclaimed.
“Why you always say that?” the wee one asked.
Looking at her, in awe of her innocence, the mortal explained, “Cause you always do.”
“Far to big to be walking on tables,” Drema chastised. “Now get down on the floor, walk over here and take your seat.”
Sarah took her seat as the servants came to fill everyone’s glasses. Jareth stood at the head, his glass in the air. “I would like to thank you all for coming. As you know, Sarah goes before the Triumvirate this morning. Neither of us,” he indicated Sarah, “wants her to go and I’m sure none of you does either, but come what may I wanted to thank each of you for all you have done to make her stay here comfortable and welcoming.” He lifted his glass and sipped from it. Those in attendance did the same.
When he finished Sarah stood. Her hand reached for Jareth’s and she said quietly, her eyes fighting not to cry, “You have all been incredible friends and though they tell me otherwise, if I leave here today, I shall never forget any of you or any of those who could not be here with us today.” There was more she had wanted to say. The words roamed around in her head the night before while she waited for Jareth to return, but somewhere between their lovemaking and having to see all the faces she had only imagined the night before, they’d been forgotten.
Everyone was quiet as they ate and it was the exact atmosphere Sarah had been looking for, just sitting there with all of them, having them around her. There were no words necessary for what existed between them. When the servants came to clear the table of dishes, suddenly, everyone had something to say. “Ludo....sad,” moaned the enormous beast.
“I tend to agree with my brother, milady,” the small fox joined in. “Seems as if we’ve only just gotten you back, it saddens me verily to see you go.”
“No one’s gone nowheres yet,” Hoggle reminded them.
Sarah One stood in her chair, “You’re not going are you Sarah?” When she got no answer, the child whined, “Are you?”
“Were it in my power, dear child, I would stay here with you all, forever.” Her words were full of sincerity and yet they lacked of any surety at all. Reaching deep, Sarah searched for something positive, “But Hoggle’s right, none of us knows anything yet. The Triumvirate are the ones who’ll make the decision and the best we can do is appeal to them.”
“If you don’t mind my saying,” Winston began, his tufted blue hair the only evidence of him from across the long table, “What if we all went to the Triumvirate?”
“Yes,” Mason agreed. “If we were all to go together, to tell the Triumvirate how much we care for milady Sarah and what good she’s done for this place, then maybe.”
Deverell reached into his interior vest pocket and pulled out a scroll. Handing it to Jareth he said, “The lot of us going only stands to infuriate them. What I know of the Gavel is enough to know he wouldn’t much appreciate feeling ganged up upon.”
“This is a petition,” Jareth said undoing the scroll. “Sarah has already agreed and if we’re able to sway the Triumvirate, she’ll stay here and help me rule this kingdom.”
“She’ll die,” Mason said.
“She’ll be christened fey,” Jareth countered.
“Sa...rah stay,” Ludo cheered.
Hoggle came to her side. “Are you sure this is what you want Sarah, what you really want?”
Kneeling, she took him into her arms. “To be with you and Drema all my life, to be surrounded by my friends, friends who are willing to die for me. Who wouldn’t want just this?”
“But it comes at a price, ya’ve got to be his queen. Do you want that?”
“I do,” she said looking up at the king. “I do,” she said again focused on the dwarf. “Hoggle, I’m in love with Jareth, truly in love with him. My world is empty without him in it. There’s nothing left Aboveground for me.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Hoggle threw up his tiny hands, “Suppose there’s no changin’ your mind then.” Sarah shook her head side to side. “Well if I can’t talk any sense into this one, I might as well try and knock some sense into this one,” Hoggle looked up at Jareth, wagging his finger wildly. “I’m warnin’ you, if I ever hears of you makin’ her unhappy, I’ll....I’ll....” With a grunt Hoggle lifted his stout little leg and kicked Jareth right in the shin.
“Ouch ” Jareth called as he held his shin, hopping on the other leg. “What was that for?”
“Just a warnin’ is all. I ain’t afraid of you, not when it comes to my Sarah anyway.”
Jareth looked down at Hoggle, he seemed taller, bolder, braver and the king knew he’d fallen prey to Sarah’s charms all the same as he had. She made them all better men, better mythicals. On one knee, the king met the dwarf’s huge uncertain eyes. “The next time you do that Hoggle, I’ll suspend you outside the Labyrinth gates and cover you in pollen for the flower fairies to collect. As for your warning, it is duly noted. Now, if I offer you my hand, do you solemnly swear not to crush my fingers.” Hoggle flicked his chin back and waited to see if the extended hand would really come. When it did, Hoggle put his tiny hand inside Jareth’s and shook it firmly. Rising to his feet, he addressed the gathering. “I’m very sorry to hurry you all away, but we must be going. Thank you all for coming and I hope to welcome you all here again, when my mortal becomes my queen.”
Taking his arm, Sarah prepared for their transport. Her free hand waved madly as her eyes skipped over her friends which had gathered together for her. In her heart this was her home and she didn’t want to be sent away. She only hoped it would be so easy for the Triumvirate to see.
***** ***** *****
The Gavel was the first face they saw when they popped up in the great hall. Sarah wiped her eyes quickly and tighten her posture. “Jareth, mortal,” the Gavel addressed them. Jareth bowed while Sarah curtsied at his side. Impulsively the girl moved to speak, but the Gavel hushed her. “Before either of you says a thing, let us speak. The mortal has been here nearly a week beyond that to which we agreed. We have been generous. The land is more than replenished and for that we grateful, but we have also lost members of our community and for the most part, as it is hard to care for Darien, we are heavy hearted. We three are in agreement, the arrangements made were temporary in nature and as we have seen, it is not always wise to go against what the Underground desires, so...”
Jareth stopped him short, “Before you go on, I have a scroll you must take into consideration.”
“Jareth,” the Cleric snapped, “let him finish.”
“Beg your pardon my grace, but please if you’ll read this,” he handed the scroll to the Cleric.
His eyes roamed the words on the parchment. “I see,” he began. “And you Miss Williams, are these sentiments yours as well?”
“Aye your grace.” Her legs shook as she curtsied to him.
“In light of what I read here, I can make only one recommendation. Gavel, brother, go on with your ruling.”
Devastated Jareth gawked at him, “Cleric, you? You would turn your back on us now when it was you who began all this, you who encouraged me from the start.”
“Gavel,” the Cleric urged.
“As I as saying, we three are in agreement. It is unwise to go against what the Underground’s desires, and so,” he left his throne and walked to where Sarah stood, looking down at her, seriousness in his eyes, “seeing as how this land has thrived in her presence,” he took her hand and sunk to his knees. She trembled head to toe, “we would be delighted if you would stay.” For a moment she couldn’t breathe.
From behind them Jareth asked, “What are you saying?”
“I’m offering you residency, partial or complete, it is up to you. You can choose the sector in which you wish to live and be it regularly or intermittently, stay there. What says you milady?”
The Cleric came to join them. “I believe the lady has other living arrangements in mind.” He handed the scroll to the Gavel.
“True love. You wish to petition us on the grounds of true love?” Sarah nodded and Jareth took up at her side. “Were you to have handed me this a month ago it would have been over a very hearty laugh that I denied you; however, my mother believed in true love and if she can do it, then her son should be able to as well.” He took his seat, as did the Cleric. “Know this, both of you, there are rules for this sort of thing and they are not particularly reasonable in your case, but if each of you is willing, I see no glaring objection to be made, other than the fact that you, Sarah, are mortal.”
“I’m willing to give up my mortality to be christened fey,” she said sternly.
“Oh that such were all you’d have to give up,” the Sage chimed in. “I’m afraid all mortal magic you possess would be lost to you.”
“I don’t care if all my magic is lost. Love and friendship are the only magics I need.” Indignantly she added, “Those are things not even you can take from me.”
“Jareth,” the Cleric asked, “I think you may have met your match in this one.”
“So, you are willing to become fey?” the Gavel asked.
“I am,” Sarah responded.
“Do you accept my offer of residency?”
“I do,” she replied.
“Now there is a question of your two being united.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne. “As is the law, the approval of both sets of parents must be sought and obtained. We’ll deliver scrolls to the castle in the next day or so. You’ll have two weeks, one for each family. Sarah, because your family is Aboveground, you’ll also need to get their permission to permanently leave their world.”
The king’s mouth fell open in surprise at their expectation, “Both my parent’s are dead ”
“And I’m far beyond the age of consent in my world,” she pointed out.
“And yet here, you’re little more than eight by comparison,” he told Sarah. “And you Jareth, your mother has never been the quiet type. I’m sure with a bit of work you can get her shriek of approval.” He looked at both of them, their faces heavy hung with concern. “I never said it would be easy or pleasant. Our pasts are often hard things to face. Take the deal or leave it. You’re choice has no impact on me.” He waited, but no one added anything. “If you’re able to get permission, you’ll need to prove yourself worthy to be a queen, you’ll need to come up with a plan to improve the Underground. Assuming you’re able to do that, the two of you will be asked to make a sacrifice, the giving of something you cherish to show your loyalty. Normally a royal would be leaving behind a fine home, servants, livestock and that sacrifice is considered enough in return for the throne. In your case it will be more complicated to choose a sacrifice, but at such time as one becomes necessary, we will have chosen it for you.”
“And then we can be united?” Jareth asked.
“And then,” the Sage continued, “in honor of the mortal’s customs, we shall set an engagement period. A time for observation to assess whether or not her plans for the Underground have truly brought a change for the better. After that, you may be united.”
“More hoops than a poodle show at the circus,” Sarah whispered to the king.
“I’m willing to jump if you are love,” he whispered back.
“I, Sarah Williams of the Aboveground, agree to your demands and humbly thank each of you for the kindness and generosity you have shown me.” Sarah genuflected.
“So be it,” announced the Gavel. “You are dismissed.”
Jareth gathered her up, fighting hard to not show his real emotions so brazenly before his superiors. “Wait a minute your majesty,” the Gavel said gruffly when he saw them preparing to go. “My mother and brother are waiting in the garden. They thought it might be nice if we all had tea to celebrate. I was hoping you’d join us.”
The Cleric came up on Sarah’s free side and took her hand. “If you ask me,” he told her quietly, “you’ve already made this realm a better place.”
“I’d have to agree,” Jareth added as he smiled down at her.
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