Myles calls for tea and we sit down to discuss matters in greater detail. It takes awhile to bring me up to speed since I'm unfamiliar with, well, everything. So I sit and sip tea and and listen attentively while Myles gives me a brief history of Underground government and his preparations to overthrow it. A large part of his "preparation" seems to have involved dreaming up horrific ways to kill Jareth and composing angry, judgemental speeches for when he takes the throne. Though he has managed to acquire a remarkably deadly army of those strange insects that set upon us at the waterfall. I remain impassive through all of this. It's when he lays out the specifics of his plan to take power that I react. I cross my arms and lean back scowling. His plan is to leave the safety of his valley, march across an enormous span of ground, (I'm not really sure how far it is, I don't understand the Underground system of measurement) and lay siege to what appears to be the most fortified structure on the planet. I don't even have to pretend, it's a terrible plan. If I just let him carry it out, he would undoubtly be defeated. But my inaction would carry a heavy price. Myles would slaughter Jareth in front of his family and many would die at the hands of his soldiers. So, even though it means promoting his self serving campaign, I give him excellent advice.
"Myles, this plan will get you killed! I can't allow you to sacrafice yourself like this!"
I choose my words carefully, to sound like I'm pleading, and only concerned for his safety. Fortunately, Myles takes my comments in stride. He clasps his hands in front of him and rests his elbows against the table. When he speaks, it's with an undertone of condescension.
"Sarah, you don't understand the way things work in this world. There hasn't been conflict here in what amounts to centuries. These people are terrified of war. They will easily succumb to my army."
"This isn't about starting a conflict between one kingdom and another. You are talking about a direct attack on the seat of government for the entire planet. Even with Jareth's gruesome death and the threat of harm coming to Easton fresh in their minds, there will be repercussions from such a bold move. The people will fight back. But..."
At this I rise from my chair and trail my fingers along the edge of the table as I circle it.
"What if there were a way to have your victory, without endangering yourself...."
I come to where Myles sits, watching me closely. I let my finger tips trail over him as well when I pace by.
"What if we take our revenge in a way that not only guarantees your supremacy, but also your safety?"
Myles is enraptured as I come back around and sit in my seat.
"What..."
His voice is just slightly hoarse and he has to clear his throat to continue.
"What did you have in mind?"
"As soon as you begin your campaign, you make yourself a target. Your army is trained to follow your commands, but they have no interest in pursuing a throne. And when the people figure that out, they will all be coming for you. Cut the head off the snake..."
"...And the body dies."
He finishes for me. The illustration sobers him, and his eyes turn glassy as he imagines a world war focused on taking his life.
"But let's say you do survive, and the throne is handed over to you. Now a world that was kept in line by the fear of war has seen one man sweep through their infrastructure with little resistance. Everyone with a grievance will have you in their crosshairs, and they will no longer be frightened by the idea of conflict."
I shake my head, dismissing his plan it's entirety. Then I lean in conspiratorially.
"Instead, let's use this situation to our advantage. Contact the the leader of the council directly. Show her your impregnable fortress and invincible army. Then let her know you have her beloved children. Make her your puppet. Command her to do anything, and she will have to agree. You will have complete control, and should there be a dissenter who doesn't like those decisions, then it will be her head on a platter instead of yours."
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Caveats And Cliches (A Labyrinth Fanfiction)
Fanfiction(Based on the 1986 Jim Henson film Labyrinth) It's been 17 years since Sarah was in the Labyrinth and she's doing pretty well for herself. But she can't shake her experience in the Underground or the effect it has had on her life. Now Jareth show...
