No authors of this work own or profit from Labyrinth or it's characters. We just enjoy taking them out and playing with them a bit :)
Sarah didn't know what to expect when she received an invitation to an Ostara ball in the Underground. A courier from the High Queen dropped it off a few weeks ago, and tonight was the night. Was Jareth going to be there? Would she meet new interesting people? The possibilities made her giddy and nervous at the same time!
In preparations for the ball she had gone out and searched for the perfect dress. Opting for a dark plum number with lots of black lace accents. If Jareth was to be there she didn't want him to immediately recognize her. Sliding on her dark mysterious looking dress she grinned. She was in need of some adventure. This night promised it. Outside her apartment the thunder roared on and off adding and extra hint of electricity to the air.
She glanced again at the tiny impeccably gilded scrawl on the invitation. "Escort and transportation to be provided in good faith by the host. If you accept, be ready by 6pm and deposit this invitation in a basin of clean water."
Having followed the instructions, she now checked the time. It was nearing 6 PM. The thunderstorm crashed some more, her power flickering briefly but remained on. Sarah did one last check of her make-up. Everything was perfect.
She had wondered how the High Queen even knew of her. But knowing that magic truly did exist she figured the lady must have her ways. Perhaps she had heard of Sarah's run through the labyrinth defying Jareth's expectations.
Again, she heard a great rumbling from outside her window. But it was not thunder. Rushing to get a look, her feet stopped dead when she saw it was no longer a vibrant cityscape she saw on the balcony. In it's place a huge silver carriage had halted just outside the door. 4 large white stallions eagerly pawed at the earth of a verdant green meadow. With shaking fingers, she picked up her tasteful clutch and slid the door open. At the same time the door to the carriage was flung open from the inside, a dove grey gloved hand emerging in a silent offer.
"Oh!" Sarah gasped, startled. "Thanks..."
She took the offered hand and then pulled herself into the carriage, having not expected anyone. She almost screamed as the hand vanished into the carriage.
"Helping...hands?" She whispered, studying the walls of the carriage with a mixture of wariness and curiosity.
A group of hands tugged at the wall of the carriage and formed a smiling face. "At your service!" They chirped kindly.
Sarah relaxed and offered a smile, even if it did make her nervous. "It's good to see you again."
"And you, lady! Now, shall we get underway?"
Sarah nodded, smoothing her skirts and settling back in her seat, feeling the carriage begin to move.
The carriage seemed to shift and rock gently, before the hands formed a face and said, "Hang on. Here we go!"
The rocking smoothed out, as the carriage seemed to move faster, making her stomach shiver inside her. In an instant the carriage seemed to lurch forward, pressing her back against the plush seat. Peering out the window, she gasped, seeing the city streets seem to rush past so fast they were a blur. Faster and faster the carriage flew, until the buildings were nothing but colored smudges. When the carriage suddenly swooped upward, Sarah yelped, her shock making the helping hands guffaw good-naturedly.
"Nearly there...hang on Duchess."
"Duchess?" she asked.
They laughed harder, "Of course. You're the Champion. That makes you the Grand Duchess of the Goblin Kingdom."
She was stunned by this new revelation but didn't have time to contemplate it. For not a moment later, the carriage lurched to a stop in front of a crystalline palace that stretched towards the sky. Taking a deep breath, she quickly straightened her dress just before the carriage door opened.
"Well, come on feet..."
As she approached the palace, Sarah could hear music playing inside and found herself getting more and more nervous and excited with each step. Once she passed through the main doors, she could hear the quiet murmur of people talking. Slowly, she made her way up a grand staircase and watched from the doorway as people in the ballroom below danced gracefully, their dresses twirling around them as they moved in perfect rhythm to the music.
As she passed through the door, a herald announced her arrival to the room. "Presenting the Grand Duchess of the Goblin Kingdom."
The room suddenly became quiet and all eyes were suddenly on her as she started down the stairs. "So much for slipping in quietly." She mumbled to herself.
The room was filled with important looking people, most extremely attractive. Sarah felt very out of place, especially with the way they all were eying her. Part of her wanted to turn around and run away, but she didn't want to be rude and upset the High Queen.
From within the crowd, surrounded by the dignitaries of neighboring kingdoms, another set of eyes watched her entrance. As the herald announced her title, a certain Goblin King heard the ripple of surprised murmurs, the curiosity rising in waves as thick as honey from those nearest him as they turned to observe his reaction.
_
The Goblin King did not smile, but his expression of indifference was belied by the set of his jaw. Seeing as the girl arrived without an escort at her side, and given her introduction, he could deduce that the High Queen was meddling again. By attaching the girl to his kingdom, she would be expecting him to fill the role of escort out of duty and simple courtesy. He would have words with her about this later.
He stood a bit taller, gathering his dignity about him like a well-worn cloak as he tracked the girl's progress down the stairs. She looked stunning, he had to admit, and far more grown up than the last time he had seen her. He turned briefly to catch the eye of the High Queen, a nearly imperceptible nod of his head confirming he was on to her.
Jareth would, of course, play the Queen's game, but he would do so on his own terms. Resigned to playing this game. He walked to her through the crowd that was instinctively parting the way for him. As they met at the bottom of the stairs he gave a small courtly bow and extended his hand for her to take. Decorum was the only way to save her at this point. Left unattended, she was fair game to anyone's purpose. The notion breathed life into embers of anger. At least, he hoped it was anger.
_
The whole way down the stairs into the ballroom, Sarah fought down the wave of trepidation that threatened to drown her at the sight of the sea of eyes all staring at her. Her terror of how the Goblin King might react to her attendance was overtaken by the horrible discomfort of being scrutinized like a rare animal species in a zoo. Seeing the Goblin King approach her, a rush of warmth flooded her. It was only as he extended his hand that she realized it was relief. In this sea of strange faces, leering at her and devouring each breath she took, to see the Goblin King offering her his hand gave her a sense of safety - one she gladly accepted, placing her gloved hand delicately in his.
He guided her hand into the crook of his arm before he began to lead her into the crowd. Her relief was short lived as he began to rapid fire instructions to her under his breath. "Keep your back straight and your eyes forward. When I present you to Queen Titania prostrate yourself to the ground and wait for her permission to rise again. Do not accept food from anyone but me. And do not dance with anyone other than me without my express permission. And above all do not wander off by yourself. Do exactly as I tell you and do not leave my side. From this moment on you are a representative of the Goblin Kingdom, conduct yourself accordingly."
Sarah's green eyes flashed with irritation as she glared at him. "Thanks for the instructions, *Your Majesty*...but I don't recall agreeing to obey you when you asked last time. In fact, I think my exact response was..."
Before she could say anything further, he cut her off. "This is not about your previous visit, Sarah. This is for your own protection, silly woman... do yourself a favor and don't defy me...for once," he hissed back, as they stopped before the dais, upon which sat the High King and Queen.
Sarah's temper sobered up immediately into caution as she beheld the couple sitting on their opulent thrones. The King was a study in muted pallets, dressed in fine gray silks. But the queen, the queen was screaming color. Violet red hair framed deep green eyes that were unexpectedly cold and cunning. Sarah hardly needed Jareth's physical prompting as she fell to the ground on her knees in what she hoped was a curtsy. There was a small bloom of satisfaction when she noted that Jareth also knelt. If he was afraid too, so much the better.
_
The High Queen grinned mischievously as she studied the girl, or rather the woman before her. All in the Underground knew the name Sarah Williams and the story of how she had beaten the Goblin King at his own game. Only a few, Titania included, knew the full impact that this mortal had had on the mighty King. Standing, she stepped down from the dais and walked around the kneeling pair. "So, this is the famous Sarah Williams." She smirked. "Shame on you Jareth for never bringing her to one of my balls before."
Jareth gritted his teeth as he kept his head down. "Forgive me, Majesty."
"I may consider it." She said teasingly. "If you provide suitable entertainment for me tonight."
_
The air around Jareth seemed to hum, the sensation snapping against Sarah's bare shoulders. Keeping her eyes on the floor she hissed softly, "Does she have it in for you...or what?"
Just as quietly, if not more so, Jareth responded coolly and with no hesitation, "I could ask you the same of YOUR mother."
A true fear seized Sarah then, as she realized the implications of his words. How she managed to straighten up from curtseying and say in the most reverent tone she could summon, "Thank you, Your Highness. I am most grateful for the invitation you extended to me," she had no clue.
Jareth was impressed with Sarah's manners and couldn't help but mutter, "At least you've learned some decorum over the years. A pity you can't give me the same courtesy."
From the side of her mouth, Sarah replied, "The High Queen hasn't absconded with my brother as of yet, so I see no reason to have a quarrel with her."
This made Jareth grit his teeth in frustration, but he merely glanced at the Queen to see what her reaction might be, and cursing his luck when he noticed the gleam in her eyes which meant she had caught on to at least some of their interaction.
_
Standing, High King Oberon sighed. "My love, must you torment our son so?"
Titania glared at her husband, knowing he intended to ruin her fun. "Jareth why don't you dance with your Duchess. You had best take the opportunity while you can." She smirked. "After all she is very lovely and I'm sure her dance card will fill quickly. And of course, everyone will also wish for her to join them in the other festivities of the night."
_
Standing, Jareth nodded to his father before sending a glare at his mother. He knew what she was up to, there was only one thing she could be wanting to achieve by bringing Sarah here on Ostara of all nights. "The lady's card is already filled and I believe she will be declining to participate in other activities tonight." He responded before grabbing Sarah's hand and pulling her away.
As he roughly pulled her into his arms on the dance floor, Sarah couldn't help but notice how his snaked around her waist almost possessively. "What did she mean by other activities?"
Sighing, Jareth shook his head. "Do you even know what tonight is, Sarah?"
"Ostara right?" She asked, and the Goblin King simply nodded. "It's the Spring Equinox, the original celebration of Easter, right?" She couldn't see why he was so concerned that she not leave his side.
"You foolish girl, Ostara isn't a child's holiday with bunnies and candy like your Easter. Ostara is the start of new beginnings and most of those new beginnings start tonight. You've walked into the middle of a fertility festival."
Sarah's face paled. " Oh...I see." Nervously she allowed him to glide her around the dance floor.
"My Mother seems to have some ideas about you Precious. I believe she wishes to make you my Queen and perhaps get an heir to the throne out of you. " Jareth watched her, his eyes dancing in the ballroom lights.
Sarah's cheeked flushed and her ears buzzed at his words, the sudden heat that settled low within her startling her with its intensity. Fighting to keep her voice steady she feigned a disinterested air, avoiding his gaze as he swirled her through the throng of dancers.
"Then she'll have to be satisfied with disappointment. I'm sure that you are no more interested in bedding me than I am you."
Smirking, Jareth pulled her flush against him allowing her to feel how she was affecting him. "I never said I didn't wish to bed you, Precious." He practically purred in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "Especially with how stunning you look tonight." Before she could respond, he quickly dipped her and brushed his lips against hers as he pulled her back up. "Though if I'm not a suitable bed partner for you, I'm sure any other male in the room will be happy to take you to their bed, even if you don't agree to do so."
A quiet gasp slipped past Sarah's traitorous lips. "What makes you think I wouldn't be willing?" She murmured, cursing the breathy tone of her voice.
"Because, you most precious thing, not all Fae have had as many dealings with mortals as I have. You might find their tastes... questionable. Even if they turn out to be survivable. For many here, your arrival is consent enough." He spun her around slowly so that she might fully take in the ravenous attention she was getting. Purposefully holding her tighter to him upon her return to the circle of his arms. "But you are quite safe with me." The tone in his voice and eyes was almost...tender. And it threw her off something fierce.
His eyes caressed her, drinking in the delightful way the pink flush upon her cheeks extended downward to tease across the creamy swell of her breasts. Small pearl teeth worried her lower lip, leaving him with a desire to feel it plump up from a nibble of his own.
"Am I safe with you?" She challenged, her expression at odds with the nervous flush of her skin, as her green eyes snapped brightly. Dipping his head, Jareth pressed a gentle kiss against the sensitive spot beneath her ear, relishing the way she arched into his arms. "Unlike the others, I only take the what is freely offered. I will keep you safe, if you wish, precious Duchess of my Kingdom."
Sarah searched his eyes for any sign of trickery, but what she saw caught her off guard. He was looking at her with affection filled eyes, a soft smile upon his lips. "Am I truly the Duchess of your Kingdom?"
Nodding, Jareth slowly moved them towards the outer part of the ballroom, where it was far less crowded. "My title for you would be My Champion, but by the laws of my people you are now a Lady of the Court with proper title and the power that goes with it. Apparently, my mother decided that meant Duchess." He explained as his hand inched down her back to rest on her ass.
"Watch that hand." She warned even though the feel of his hand was not at all unwanted, and part of her wanted to protest when he returned it to her lower back.
"Apologies, Sarah." He told her as he nuzzled her neck. "I do believe having you near is affecting me more than even I realized." He took a deep breath, inhaling her scent. "Tell me Sarah, why did you come here tonight?"
"Well, when the High Queen issued an invitation I assumed it was more of a summons to appear than a true invitation," she laughed, then ducked her head at the feel of his hungry gaze.
Jareth nodded. "A very good assumption, especially with my mother, but had you refused I doubt any harm would have come to you, she is after all very aware of your importance to my Kingdom."
Lost in watching the other dancers as they writhed against one another in a musical approximation of sex, Sarah momentarily missed what he said. Blinking, she looked at him, her eyebrows knitting thoughtfully. "Importance? I destroyed the Goblin City? How does that make me important, Goblin King?"
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. "Those who have the power to destroy, also have the power to rule. When it comes to The Labyrinth, both are very few indeed."
"You're kidding... right?" Sarah asked drawing from his embrace.
"I don't joke about power and those who have the power to rule at my side," he replied. As she fought to form a reply, his eyes darkened into stormy seas that made her heart falter and her thighs clench with want.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance?" Purred a voice near her shoulder, as a gloved hand appeared. The sound of the man's voice made her breath quicken, her hand feeling an irresistible pull toward his. Unable to control herself, she raised her hand and placed it in his, only to find herself whisked away into the press of dancers.
The man who grasped her now was like day to Jareth's night. Not as tall, with a good deal of muscle, short, spiky chocolate hair, and dark eyes set in a handsome face. He was the epitome of a characterization of Prince Charming. "I must say, you look ravishing, my dear Duchess." The way he raked his gaze over her gave her shivers, but it was uncomfortable, almost like an itch you couldn't scratch. The crowd seemed to have moved in even closer, boxing the couple in. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Cailean, from the Dryad Kingdom. Might I have the honor of knowing your name?"
Something tugged at Sarah's senses, like warning bells going off, but they were faint. Still, she shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I have to keep some amount of mystery, don't I?"
Cailean grinned, his sharp teeth reminding her of a shark. His hand began to dip lower towards her ass, just as Jareth's had, and while her body was halfway responding to the desire of wanting him to, her brain was all but shouting at her against it. She felt as if she was in a fog. It was like...the peach dream, she realized with a start. With that revelation, she pushed his hand away, saying, "I thank you for the dance, but I must get back to my King."
"Is he yours?" The hand gripped tighter, thwarting her escape. "I haven't been made aware that you went through the bonding ceremony with him."
Fear turned into anger, as she stated, "Well I'm not yours either, so would you kindly let me go?"
"I don't think so," he answered with a menacing smirk. "I quite like you in my arms."
Sarah went into full blown fury then. "ENOUGH! You WILL let me go-NOW!" A sudden force emanated from her, coming between them and pushing her away from Lord Cailean. When she found herself standing still again, she was alone on the dance floor, with everyone gaping at her.
"Now why does the phrase, 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' spring to mind?" She grumbled to herself.
And where the hell had Jareth gone?
She got her answer as she looked upward. As she saw her would be suitor pinned to the ceiling by a flurry of black fabric, feathers, and lightning. Crackling energy arced everywhere from the powerful form of a Goblin King in the throes of righteous fury.
Torn between letting Jareth eviscerate Lord Cailean and the sure knowledge that doing so would have disastrous consequences for both of them, Sarah groaned, screaming inwardly. "Jareth! No...!"
In the next instant Lord Cailean was dropped unceremoniously in a pillow pit, and Jareth was once more sweeping her through the dancers, anger pouring from him. His magic snapped and crackled against her skin, eliciting a longing moan from Sarah.
"Well, my Lord. It appears I AM safe with you. " She said in a dulcet purr as she leaned into his ear and whispered, "But are you quite sure you are safe with me?"
"Oh... after that little display, I'm reasonably sure I may come away from this encounter with my fair share of marks," he chuckled. "Luckily, I don't mind a bit of primal fun. Although I assure you, I will give as good as I get," he added, abruptly spinning her through a set of heavy drapes and into a lover's alcove. One look at the couple currently occupying the alcove sent them fleeing, clothing still askew. Pinning her against a thick column, Sarah felt his firm thigh press between hers despite the layers of her skirt.
A tremor ran through her core as the smirking Goblin King bent his head to her neck. The tip of his nose brushed her skin, light and teasing, but a moment later it was replaced by a warm pair of lips. His kiss was only a whisper, the faintest of touches from that sinful mouth, but it left her cheeks flaming. She gave a low groan as Jareth brought his lips to her ear. "Tell me, precious thing," he murmured. "Where precisely would you like to start?"
"You mean we haven't started already?" She asked softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her fingers played with the fine hairs on the back of his neck.
A throat cleared from the entry to the alcove. Without looking up, Jareth snarled. "If you value your life, bugger off!" Giggling, Sarah let her arms slide down his shoulders as she peeked under his arm, only to jab him in the ribs. "Your father!" She hissed, trying to shift away from him. Turning, Jareth deftly pinned her to his side with a steely embrace that left her squirming. "Be still woman... " he purred, nipping her earlobe hard enough to make her gasp, and her knees wobble.
Jareth finally turned his attention to his father, silver-blue eyes identical to his own sparkling merrily at him. "You know what the alcoves are for, so I trust this is important, Your Majesty?"
His father laughed quietly. "I am well aware of this, my boy... but the Elf King has arrived and Diannara is in tow. She is on the hunt and by your own betrothal contract, you must make an appearance at her side at least...unless you are ready to declare the marriage suit null and claim another intended queen?"
'Betrothal?' Sarah gasped in shock, Jareth pulled Sarah closer to his side to stop her from fleeing.
"Damn it mother so this is your game." Jareth hissed under his breath. "I did not realize that the king and his daughter were invited to the ball this evening, Father."
Sarah was standing opened mouthed looking from Jareth's face to the kings and then back again.
Jareth was betrothed? She thought to herself. Well, he is royalty after all, so it's not at all impossible, but for him to lead her on like this to tease her in such ways, knowing full well his situation?
Sarah had enough. She needed some fresh air or a strong drink and just some space from the Goblin King who was holding on to her even tighter now.
'Yes, your mother thought it would be rude not to invite her future daughter in law to one of the finest balls of the year, I just thought I'd give you a heads up my boy." the High King said with a wink as he turned around and returned to the hustle of guests laughing and dancing.
Jareth sighed while turning back to Sarah "Precious I can explain…" Sarah put a hand over his mouth shushing him. His eyes going wide, he had never been shushed before.
That same fury that Jareth felt earlier roiled in her stomach, and a distant thought, that in retrospect, shocked even her, barreled its way to the forefront of her mind. A primal instinct that declared in no uncertain terms it's sole claim on the heart, mind and soul of it's chosen mate. The Goblin King was absolutely 100% taken. By her. Sarah Williams, The Champion of The Goblin King himself, and Grand Duchess of The Goblin Kingdom.
How dare she? How DARE she? HOW DARE SHE TOUCH WHAT'S MINE. JARETH IS MINE!
And in a deadly calm voice she said.
"Take me to her."
**********************************************************************************
LFFL Collective story #2.