AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's the epilogue, enjoy it! I've decided to finish this story with this last chapter, then complete all the other stories I have in the making - mainly Flee, Fly, Floo, and Rising of the Elements. I'm also working on a revision of Sailors of the Elements . . . We'll see how that goes. ^^() When I'm finished with all that, this will be the first thing I'll come back to, and I already have a few ideas for a sequel or two to this . . .

Read it, review it, and, most importantly, enjoy it!

~Teller

Poisoned Crystals: Epilogue

"Welcome Home"

Sarah fumbled nervously with her necklace, hands trembling as she tried to fasten the clasp around her neck. Cool hands took the jewelry from her grasp, and she smiled gratefully up at Lirit.

"Thank you," she said earnestly. "I'm so nervous my hands are shaking!"

The Guardian smiled and kissed Sarah on her forehead. "Don't worry, dear, you'll be fine! And you look marvelous." She gestured to Sarah's reflection in the mirror. "Looking good always helps give a girl confidence."

Sarah nodded in agreement and sighed as she tugged at her skirts, looking impatiently at her reflection. She was clothed in what was apparently the dress of the Royal Nymphian family, and Sarah had to admit that there was some vague familiarity to it.

A long gown, pearly silver in color, swept down to the cobblestone floor beneath her silver-slipper clad feet, trailing behind her for almost a yard. All the Guardians wore silver (or gray) and white; their dress varied only in cut. Sarah's dress was very form fitting and low cut in the front, scooping down in a broad, elegant V. It was gracefully high waisted, with alternating layers of silver and white silk whispering softly down to the floor. The sleeves of the gown were silver to the elbows, where they split and fanned down to her knees. "Won't they get caught on things?" She grumbled as the Guardians dressed her. Her hair fell in glossy, chestnut curls down her back and was hung with silver and white ribbons and sparkled with jewels. Silver and diamonds adorned her every extremity, and the silver half moon sign of the Guardians was painted between her eyebrows. Sarah sighed heavily, nervousness still weighing in her heart.

She was about to make her first appearance in her home country. There was a lull in the civil war sweeping the Nympian lands due to several seasons of weak crops, and the Council of Seven had been called in the capital of her country. She was to join the Council - with Jareth and Lirit at her side, thankfully. Depending on how the conference went, she may also make her first appearance to the public.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Lirit hugged her impulsively about the shoulders. "Don't worry!" She commanded, meeting Sarah's blue-gray eyes with her own startlingly silver ones. "Your country has been waiting almost a quarter of a century for your return!" Sarah smiled, nodding and forcing her anxiety out of her system. Lirit took Sarah by the hand and led her out of the Guardian's Chambers and into the Library. Sarah shook her head, de ja vu sweeping over her as they walked down the stairs and to Jareth's throne room.

Jareth was waiting for them, as impatient as ever. His gaze softened slightly as it landed on Sarah, something that she found both slightly uncomfortable and thrilling. He had been increasingly kinder and gentler towards Sarah since she had decided to stay in the Labyrinth, and Sarah couldn't help wondering at the strangeness of it. He had even offered to help her learn how to harness her powers, along with the instruction of her fellow Guardians. He extended his arm, and Sarah took it, glad for the reassurance of his strength. Lirit walked on Sarah's other side, and the remaining Guardians fell into place behind the three. Jareth nodded, and in a dazzling flash of light, the entire group disappeared.

* * *

The voice that spoke would have reminded thoughtful listeners of a void; a vacuum, empty and dark. No emotion laced it: not happiness or joy or ecstasy, neither anger, greed, jealousy, or even hatred. But there were no listeners, thoughtful or otherwise.

"The plan has been set into motion, then?"

"Yes, my Lord. It is inconceivable that it should fail."

The sound of a harsh blow resonated through the darkened chamber, followed by the clatter of metal on stone, possibly the fall of a wine goblet - or a knife. The second speaker quailed in fear and pain, and sucked in his breath. If his master heard his cries, it would only lead to further punishment and ridicule.

"Fool. Failure is always conceivable."

"Yes, my Lord."

* * *

Sarah waited, pacing, outside the Council Chamber. The remaining six monarchs were already meeting within the huge double doors made of marble and platinum, but Jareth had bade Sarah to wait for her summons by the herald.

Inside the double doors, the Council was in somewhat of an uproar. First, the appearance of the Goblin King, who was not by any means a welcome guest to the Seven. His arrival was shortly followed by that of the six Guardians, none of whom had been initiated into the council yet and would not need to be for several millenia, due to the long life-span of the Faerie races. Now the seven of the un-invited guests waited patiently for the monarchs to stop their shouting and allow them to give their explanations.

They waited until silence reigned again in the Chamber, and Lirit stepped forward, bowing first to her parents on the council and then to the other royal families, greeting them with the formalities required of the various courts.

"I realize that our presence here is a bit unorthodox," she said after the proper introductions. "But we would not interrupt this Council without good reason." She strode to the center of the chamber, standing with her hands clasped behind her back, walking in small circles as she spoke.

"Since the disappearance of the last Nymphian princess and the death of her father, the king, almost a quarter of a century ago, the Faerie lands have been existing in complete chaos. This country was the center of all our operations, all our planning and building. When it's monarchy was destroyed and it dissolved into civil war, we were forced to shift the balance of power equally among the six remaining monarchies. Although we have learned many lessons in how the balance of equality should be set, any one of us can tally the price of the fall of the Nymphs. It cost each country a fortune not only in material values but also in lives. How many of you have wished so many times for the restoration of the Nymphain throne? How many search parties have been sent, and how many more lives have we lost in the attempts?" Silence greeted her speech. That was what Lirit had intended, and now she spread her arms wide, a broad smile crossing her face. "We have interrupted this broken council to inform you that it has been restored. Please, your Highnesses, welcome the return of the Lost Princess."

The double doors creaked and swung open, and the twelve rulers swiveled to look with wide eyes as the meaning of Lirit's words slowly sank in.

Sarah stood, outlined in the light of the setting sun, in the exact center of the threshold. She took a deep, steadying breath, and strode as confidently as possible into the chamber. When passed Jareth and the five Guardians by the door, they sank into low bows, which startled her. She reached the center of the chamber, and Lirit also bowed deeply. Sarah looked at the kings and queens around her and curtsied as gracefully and as deeply as she could, and did not rise from her bent position until she heard the rustling of fabric and saw out of the corner of her eye the rest of the nobles bowing to her in return. She straightened, and met the gaze of each ruler individually. One of them, an aging man, practically tripped out of his chair while hurrying towards her. He shook her hand vigorously, and Sarah was astounded to see tears in his eyes as he smiled upon her face.

"Welcome back, Princess," he said in a choked voice. "Welcome home."

~~A beginning?~~