labyfic | Drabble #130: Grace

...we had a nice response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 129, with entries by

redwolf and me (your intrepid drabble proposer

jalenstrix), and comments by us both as well. As always, special labyfic love to

redwolf for adding entries and comments for many previous drabble prompts. Huzzah!

For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Grace

Is someone graceful? Granting grace to themselves or others? Is this a grace period, and if so, from what? Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.

Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit for this month of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:
Word count: # of words
Drabble: $your_beautiful_drabble

I'll aim to get the next drabble challenge out on the first Monday of next month (Sept 4).

I'm also very happy to take suggestions if something in particular strikes your fancy -- comment on this post or PM me with your suggestions. You can see our current collected suggestions here.

Remember: Feedback is LOVE. So do reply to your fellow labyficcers' drabbles if so inclined. (Though be careful of concrit unless specifically okayed by the author beforehand. Authors generally write for love.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Word count: 427

Jareth’s hand moved across his body in an elegant, familiar gesture that normally would have included a crystal rolling through his fingers in impossible, beautiful ways.

His hand remained empty, and he looked puzzled for a moment, but continued on with his testimony.

My heart squeezed into a little clump inside my chest. Breathe, just breathe.

Watching this was brutal. I knew it would be its own special surprise — each hearing in front of the judicial dragon always turned out to be. Somehow, I was never prepared for what Jareth had in store. The few weeks since the last hearing had been quiet, a definite grace period lacking in disjointed, jarring communications from him while he was off traveling only Faerie knew where. Any communication was currently mediated through my Faerie representative, a pixie with a monocle by the name of Lilibet who knew her Faerie legal stuff. But still. Lilibet had to pass along whatever Jareth had sent her for me, and the mix of iron-poisoned rants with the sly wit and deft consideration of the man I had known and still loved was….a lot.

Just breathe.

I wasn’t prepared for this hearing either. I heard his velvety voice echo in my mind. Never bored, Sarah love. You will never be bored with me.

I sure as hell wasn’t.

Neither was little Feanor. My heart squeezed again remembering his little three-year-old voice. I miss Papa, Mama.

I know, baby, I’d said. Me, too. I miss him so much.

The Labyrinth was also suffering terribly, its grief a dark river rushing through my mind. I sent it a little pulse of warmth, an image of my former kitty Beast purring in a little raft on the river.

The Labyrinth let out a sigh, and took a metaphorical deep breath.

Me, too. I know. And I’m here.

Sir Didymus had told me I’d need to grant myself a lot of grace for the time being, and he had said he’d get me off to a good start by granting me as much as he had in his possession. I rubbed my finger over my pocket, where the little white linen scrap embroidered with the word “Grace” was neatly tucked away.

It was good to have friends. The entire realm had rallied behind me in their quiet, slantwise way. We all held on to the tiniest sliver of hope that somehow, somehow Jareth would seek help for his condition.

Hope springs eternal.

It’s only forever, everyone. Not long at all. We will wait until there is no hope left.

That's one hell of a curse. I do hope the hand movement is something that prompts him to realise that all is not as it should be 🦊🧡

Drabble #130: Grace

Grace

Re: Grace