All that may be beloved

Sarah wrapped her arms around herself, suppressing a shiver despite the mild day. Jareth tugged her closer and she unfurled enough to hook an arm around his waist and lean into his warmth.

Joining them were several of the infirmary staff and a scattering of solemn goblins. The small group was gathered in the orchard to witness Thadie planting a sapling. With economical motions, she dug a hole, reverently placed a carefully wrapped bundle at the bottom, then placed the young tree into position with a crystal nestled in its roots, before backfilling and carefully tamping down the soil around the trunk.

Thadie stood up as she finished, brushing dirt from her gloves on her heavy apron, she tugged them off, tucking them into a pocket and bowed her head.

Jareth raised a hand and conjured a tiny rain cloud over the newest addition to gently water the tree.

“Thank you for taking the time to join us,” Jareth dismissed the group. He squeezed Sarah’s shoulder and walked over to take Thadie’s hands in his own. “Your service is always appreciated.”

“I sometimes wish it wasn’t,” Thadie gave Jareth a sad smile. “But this will be a fitting honour.”

“It always is.” Thadie nodded her thanks and left with the others, leaving Jareth and Sarah alone in the orchard.

The sapling was little more than a waist high stick with a few leaves, but Sarah knew it would grow into a magnificent tree. She looked across the orchard at the diverse mix of trees, each one was the final resting place of a wished away child that didn’t live long enough to be adopted.

Sarah tucked herself back into Jareth’s side. “Why couldn’t we save him?”

“He had suffered too much damage for even our magic to repair.” Jareth rubbed a hand up Sarah’s arm in a soothing motion.

“It doesn't seem fair that he was sent here for protection and we failed.”

Jareth turned Sarah in his arms, lifting her chin with a finger. “We did not fail him. For the short time he was with us, he was comfortable and in no pain.” He gently placed a finger to Sarah’s lips as she opened her mouth. “His parents did not fail him, because they loved him enough to risk wishing him away.” He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. “The ones who failed him are those who put him and his parents in such a position in the first place.”

Sarah sniffled a little. “There are rules about hunting them down?”

“Yes there are, darling.”

“That isn’t fair.”

“I have to agree, but that’s the way it is.”

Sarah nodded and wiped her eyes. “I wasn’t paying attention; why is this tree so far away.”

“Thadie said that it’s a mulberry variant and will be enormous. Like every other tree in this orchard, every time someone eats the fruit, they’ll dream of the child. Of how much they were loved and of their lost potential.”

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labyfic — drabble #226: heartbreak
Part of the Balance!verse