InsaneJournal

Who: Lirael/Jareth
What: Epic Battle Planning Things!
Warnings: Probably not.


The past had always fascinated Lirael. She'd had no connection to either of her parents, and was given no information about them from the Clayr that raised her. She had discovered the mystery surrounding her birth when she was eighteen, using her new-found power as a Remembrancer. Jareth was not one to discuss his past, however. Lirael had tried to tease it from him before with limited success. She knew he came to power by battle, but he would not part with the details.

Remembrancing allowed her to look much further into the past than a mere eighteen years. She had once looked back to the beginnings of a world, though the task hadn't been without risk. She had to travel into Death, and the further back she wished to see, the further into Death she had to go. A few generations was a simple enough matter, but caution had to be exercised the further back she went.

Entrance to the goblin kingdom was a simple enough wish to work off, especially now that Jareth took pleasure in Lirael's company. Often it simply involved finding the King and greeting him. A small detour, perhaps, could be illuminating. Never taking her safety for granted in his land, she cast a diamond of protection around herself, then stepped into Death.

The first precinct went back several generations, but not far enough. Lirael didn't even pull out her mirror until she was at the end of the third precinct. The Remembrancer mirror was attached to her belt with a chain, and she pulled it up to eye level. As she was taught, she watched the mirror with one eye and kept the other on her surroundings. You couldn't let your guard down for a second.

The scene in the mirror was chaotic. Bodies everywhere, with few goblins up and fighting. She wouldn’t be caught in their fighting, since they couldn’t see her through the mirror. There was no way for her to interact with them, she was just watching the past unfold. It was a wasteland, with smoke in the distance. There was little of use for her to see here. She let the mirror fall to her side and stepped into the fourth precinct, her hand on her sword hilt.

All seemed quiet past the third gate. She raised the mirror to look into the past. Here she saw a general commanding his army. There was something--that non-human quality--that reminded her a bit of Jareth, but in many ways he seemed the goblin king’s opposite. He was tall and lanky, yes, but he looked far more corrupt. His head was shaved bald, and when he gave his troops a wicked grin, Lirael could see that his mouth was full to the brim of sharp teeth.

There were battle cries of "Hail Oberron!" It sent shivers down her spine. The name felt wrong on her tongue, and the coppery taste of free magic burned her nose. True, Jareth tasted of free magic, but his was different--lighter, and mingled with flavor of peaches. Oberron’s scent was mixed with something rotting and decrepit.

Then, the Abhorsen saw something that made her blood run cold as the icy waters of Death. Oberron turned to look at her and grinned wickedly. No one was supposed to be able to see her through the mirror. She was so shocked that all of her focus was on the vision, neglecting her immediate surroundings. The waters around the fourth gate went silent as something came through. When she felt something wrap around her ankle, she dropped the mirror. It pulled her down, splashing in the water and fighting its strong current. She swung her sword downward, slashing at the dead thing.

Her foot freed, she looked up to see a tall figure approaching her, sword drawn, and she immediately knew who it was. She scrambled to her feet, running back toward the third gate. She felt hot metal slashing through her side, cutting through her chainmail like butter. It was no ordinary sword. She gasped, but swung around, blocking his second blow with her sword. She reached for a bell, ringing Saraneth to bind him. Oberron just laughed. Instead of attacking her again, he did a little jig just to prove he wasn't bound.

Lirael ran for the third gate, and the second, still hearing the laughter behind her. She crossed the first gate and collapsed in a heap on the dry cobblestone of the goblin kingdom, soaking wet and bleeding.