Labyrinth Pt. II

32. Breaking the Ice

After breakfast the tension grew. The court fae ate and fled the hall. The servants cleaned quickly, not wanting to deserve punishment from not fulfilling their duty.

Guards were posted outside every door at the order of the prince.

Jareth was finishing his meal and remaining silent. Many times I attempted to reach out with our mindspeak to ask what he was thinking, but all he responded with was to not worry.

Because that's possible in this situation! He's daft for even suggesting that to me. So I began to plan a course of action if things were to escalate to fighting. I knew I held no match to anyone in the room, seeing that I was human. My plan was to duck under the table and grab Hoggle's ankles, hopefully causing him to trip, and reach for one, if not both, of his daggers. I haven't gotten any farther than that but I figure I'll think of something if it comes to that.

"You've had your meal, Goblin. I believe it is time for me to decide what is done with you. My companion and I have toyed with you long enough." The prince speaks sharply.

"Is it that time already?" Jareth replies. "How fast time flies when you're having fun."

"Fun, indeed." Hoggle sniggers besides me, and now toys with his daggers close to my person. "Imagine how much more fun we will have soon. Aye, Sarah?"

"If that is what you want to call it." I quietly reply, just staring at Jareth.

"What do you have in mind, Youngling? A duel? A bleed out? A beheading?" He ponders coyly. "Oh! How about an old fashioned hanging?"

Jareth laughs at his suggestions while the ruling fae bares his teeth. "How about freezing to death? Slow and painful."

"That sounds fantastic. Too bad I don't have your powers. I am unable to cause... Sarah, what's the human term for it?" Jareth asks me. He winks at me.

Play along love. Be strong. I heard in my mind.

"Hypothermia?" I answer louder than I did before. I just wished my voice didn't squeak slightly at the end.

"Yes! Hypothermia. Quiet in to their fancy names for things, those humans are." Jareth chuckles. His aura has grown deadly.

"Enough games, foolish-"

"Quite right, infant. Enough games." Jareth jumps up from his chair and interrupts the prince.
Hoggle's daggers immediately touched my throat and my side. He growls aggressively and presses them in to my skin and draws a hiss from my lungs. A friend was was indeed.

Jareth's eyes pierce Hoggle's. His hand raises swiftly and twists. A horrible, bone cracking sound comes from behind me and the daggers fall in to my chair. I spin around to find Hoggle slumped on the floor with his neck twisted in an unnatural angle. I'm shocked speechless.

Nyx attempts to match Jareth's height but fails by two inches or so. "You are dead, Goblin."
A wave of ice flies from his chest and swiftly fly towards Jareth. He dodges and summons a broadsword with his magic. The light glints off of the deadly edge. His eyes are dark and menacing. His ears are pointed sharper than before. His teeth are pointed, two on each side of his mouth. He was terrifying.

The fae prince used his own powers to create a broadsword out of ice, looking equally sharp. With his own intimidating persona, he rushes to strike Jareth but is blocked. They parry with each other, forgetting about my presence.

I use this opportunity to familiarize myself with the daggers I now possess.

"Don't just sit there, girl. Barricade the doors!" Mr. Worm calls to me from atop my chair.