REVERSAL
CHAPTER ONE
I own nothing.
From everything Sarah had read in her teens, fae were very sexual beings. Which was probably why Jareth was so right out there with what he wanted from her. Fae would do just about anything to get what they want. It upset her to think that sex was all the king had wanted from her. For that reason, Sarah had vowed to never return. However as soon as she was eighteen she spent weekends partying in the realms of Fae. When the realm needed a champion, Sarah found herself a job.
Sarah found it amusing that she was being paid by Jareth but he had no clue. Hoggle had even set her up with a room in a remote part of the castle. Jareth had a room in the tower while Sarah's was ground floor looking over a small garden that Hoggle kept for her. Nothing was better than getting good news from Didymus and Ludo on a bright day in the capital. Today was one of those days.
Sarah, only had one thing weighing on her mind. Jareth was throwing a ball for the visiting royalties during the bi-centennial treaty talks. For some reason she was invited without her name being on the invitation. By the gods she wanted to go. Problem she had nothing to wear. There was no one here that she could talk about it so she headed out to town. Madam Curry would have something nice for her.
Of all the people that Sarah had come to love in this realm Madam Curry was her favorite. The hunched goblin was in her early millenniums and would stand for nothing but the best. Sarah could sit there for hours with the woman slapping fidgeting hands as she pinned hems. Madam Curry had sort of taken Sarah on as a granddaughter. That was where Sarah was when Princess Nyla found her.
Princess Nyla of the Elven Nation was out shopping when she found Sarah in a dress store. "You didn't need to come Princess. My boys were just packing up to bring the gown to you." Curry bowed. Sarah followed her example.
"No, it is all right. I needed to come by for a hat." Sarah turned back to the mirror. There was something off with the dress she wore. If Sarah figured out what it was she would feel better. Curry would fix it. Nyla had given her advice freely on fashion in the five kingdoms.
"Sarah, dear introduce yourself properly to the princess." Curry scolded.
"I'm sorry Curry." Sarah bowed to the princess. "I am Sarah Williams." Curry gave a frustrating sigh when Sarah didn't give the title the goblins had given her. Champion of the Labyrinth seemed a little much for Sarah to say with her name. Nyla introduced herself, protesting at Sarah's bow.
"Are you the fabled Sarah that beat the maze that the king holds so highly?" The princes exclaimed.
Poor man isn't going to live that one down. "That was many years ago. Now I am just Sarah."
Nyla bowed to her leaving Sarah confused. "That is hardly true." No one in the goblin kingdom bowed. "Its not every day you befriend the Champion of the goblin people." From there they were the best of friends. "Is that for the ball?"
"No, I just wanted a new dress. I can't really go to the ball tomorrow. Jareth can't be allowed to see me. I don't think he knows I invade his kingdom." Sarah explained. Nyla left it at that. Sarah was kinda sad that she had just pushed herself out of the ball.
Thinking about it when she went to sleep that night she only wanted to be his Cinderella. At the same time she was his general of his army without him knowing. She worked hard to keep the goblin nation running. What harm could one ball do? When she woke from the dream of Jareth, a dazzling cream and lilac gown greeted her. Where had it come from? It bothered to all day as she sent letters to her commanders.
Nyla promptly appeared at five, which hadn't been planned. "By Oberon's beard Sarah this is gorgeous. Are you sure that you won't come with me? You could wear a mask. Not even you mighty king will know you when I am done." Who was she to deny a princess her wish.
That night Nyla and Sarah entered the ballroom. It wasn't as gray as she remembered it. More golds from dancing candles. Silvers from twinkling mirrors. White polished marble. Various shades of purple accents. Jareth's crystals floating in the air. Each one a little crystal ball casting rainbows around the room. This was what Sarah wished for as a teen. Now everything in the ball room was twisted to her. As beautiful as it was it was all a lie. Nyla plucked down a ball before Sarah could protest.
"They are safe. No royal is to do magic on another during trade talks." She turned it. Showing them the image of a man in royal blues and golds. "That will be the first man to ask me to dance."
Sarah gingerly took one. "Last time he gave me one it was a snake, a poisoned peach, and Cinderella's Ball. He called them my dreams." Sarah tried not to sound spiteful.
"This time it is more innocent. Think of it like a dance card." Sarah turned it over and saw nothing. Sarah sighed. Then the fog started to clear she saw Jareth smiling like the devil. Her heart stopped. Did he know that she was there?
"Princess Nyla, welcome." Jareth spoke sweetly. The princess stole a glace at her stiffening friend. Sarah refused to turn. "I had a fear that his holy highness would not have you here to dance with."
"Please Jareth, you know Justin can't do anything without me." Sarah snicked at the thought. "Majesty, I would like you to meet my friend." Sarah sighed turning to the king, forcing a smile. One look and he was holding his hand out to her. He grinned just like in the crystal. Sarah paled. He knew. How could he not know? Those mismatched eyes could always find her. When she took it he pulled her in.
"You look radiant tonight My Sarah." His breath was warm on her neck. "I request the first and last dance with you." Sarah stepped back. Shit, he did knew her. He grin was sweet but his eyes sparkled with anger. His hand took her to kiss it. Sarah began to glare to his smirk. "Now ladies have a good night. It is bound to be entertaining." He left. Long black trousers with matching long coat. Was all she saw of his outfit.
"I need to get better at disguise." Nyla lamented.
"No, Jareth always know where to find me." Sarah smiled at her friend. "Its like he has a tracker on me." Nyla tried to smile. "Come since he knows lets get me in as much trouble as we can."
"How do you mean?"
"Introduce me to all the sexy men of the fae world." Sarah said with a wink. Nyla frowned. "He fancies himself as my owner or something." Sarah said taking the wine from a tray. "I don't get it. I beat him. He should have forgotten about me. Four of our years is twelve here."
"I think he is in love with you." Nyla gasped. Sarah spit out the wine. One of the goblins ran to her feet. A tiny thing wearing one of the new dresses Sarah had commissioned from Curry so all the castle goblins would look more presentable. Her spotty blonde hair was pulled back into a pony tail, tied with a matching ribbon.
"Lady Sarah did not like?" Sarah knelt down to the girl goblin's side. "Mally will get Lady Sarah wine she likes."
"It wasn't the wine, Mallica. The princess just made me laugh." The goblin smiled with her toothless mouth.
"What did the Princess say Lady Sarah?"
"That our king is in love with me." Sarah said helpping Mally clean the wine on her dress.
Mally stood aghast. "But the king does Lady Sarah. That is why he asked for your favorites tonight." Sarah blinked taken back with the information. No way Jareth would really be in love with her. Normal human girl verses so many gorgeous fae. No competition.
"Who is cooking tonight?" Sarah asked as she helped clean up the wine off Mally.
"Mally's hubby, and Trafic." The goblin puffed up with pride. Sarah smiled at the goblin girl.
"Is your husband making chicken?" Sarah clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Just the way the Lady likes it. The king requested it." Mally stated proudly. Sarah kissed the goblin on the head. "Lady Sarah looks like a queen tonight. All the goblins are talking about how pretty you are." The goblin stood up. "Kingy must really like the way you look. He hasn't stopped looking at you." Standing she was as tall as Sarah kneeling. "Happy day the day that you really become queen." Sarah laughed thinking that the day. Mally ran off. Nyla forced a smile.
"Even the goblins want you as their queen?" The princess snarled.
"Hoggle says there is a whole growing movement around it." Sarah looked at the hem of her dress. The hem had soaked up some of the wine but due to the purple print there was not way to tell. "That I tempered the temperamental king. I think they are crazy." Sarah wiped the wine off her lips. Much to Nyla's approval. For a moment Sarah forgot she was with a princess. "No matter what I say to them they seem to love me more. I can't blame them."
"Do you think Jareth wants you to be his queen?" Nyla asked.
"No, its more like I am his favorite toy." Sarah said. Cat ate the canary smile on her friend.
"I know the perfect way to make him jealous." Nyla winked. "He hates my brother. They have been rivals in love for years." Nyla pulled her friend to a man dressed in silvers wearing a unicorn mask. "Mycle?"
"Nyla." They hugged. "I was wondering when you were going to show. Justin has been waiting ever so impatiently." The man turned to Sarah with stunning silver eyes. "Who is this radiant creature?"
"Sarah, Champion of the Labyrinth, this is Mycle, my brother and king of the elves." Mycle lifted his mask to kiss his hand. "With him are the High prince of All fae, Justin, The troll king, Barth, and Crown Prince Cornelius of the Pixies. Gentlemen this is Sarah, The Champion." Shock covered all the faces but was quickly replaced with smirks, uneasiness or narrowed eyes.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Sarah." Mycle said smiling. "I know that Justin will have claimed my sister's first dance. May I have your first dance?"
"Jareth has claimed it." Sarah said. Mycle took her orb. The elf smirked waving a hand over the ball.
"All of them? Really? Jareth must really care about you." He said. Mycle smiled. "Well lets fix that. He can't have the prettiest woman here to himself. Even if he is your king." By the time these four men were done, all twenty dances were filled and the only one left to Jareth was the seventh. Nyla claimed the eighth so she could gossip.
She was still with Nyla and the men when the announcement was made for the dancing to start. Jareth smile bitterly as Mycle pulled her away. Sarah tossed the orb at him. "I guess now is as good of a time as any to tell you I don't know how to dance in this realm."
Mycle picked her up with no effort. Sarah's heart stopped. Her elf partner was amazingly strong. "You are as light as a bee to me. Just place your feet on mine." He leaned into her. "If the goal is to anger him you just need to enjoy yourself." It was Nyla's goal not her own. "Besides it's not like I am going to be serious about you. You are mortal." Sarah thought that was the sentiment of most fae.
"I wanted to come have fun without Jareth finding out I was here." Mycle frowned. "I just want to have fun." Mycle spun her to see his face. She watched Jareth shatter her orb in one hand. Blood rushed to her face as she looked to the ground.
"Then ignore him. We are friends now. We are at a party." Mycle pulled her back into him. "Eat drink and be merry."
"For tomorrow we die?" Sarah laughed. "I'm sure that the hangover I will have will make me feel like it. If Jareth doesn't out right kill me for this slight."
"I don't think that he would kill you Sarah. I have seen that look before. That is not murderous intent. Don't worry we all will take great care of you." Mycles grinned wildly as he spun her around as if she were nothing.
Sarah remembered this feeling. The sway of a heavy gown as she moved to unearthly music in the arms of a fae, only to find that it was too short of a time. Was it the magic of this realm? Last time it had been Jareth's warms hands on her. Now it was this elf. Not even close to Legolas. Still conceited as that elf but with cold hands. Then it was over. She was being walked to the group again.
Cornelius came out next. Sarah was more serious. "Lady Sarah." The prince bowed. "How was your first dance?" This royal was just like Sarah's little brother, Toby. Short, blonde and energetic. He had a smile that could go for miles. Sarah instantly liked this tiny prince. Yet she missed Toby. Taking a quick glance at Jareth, she saw him soften, as if he could read her mind. Maybe Jareth, too, was reminded of the child he lost. Jareth gave her a slight hand wave.
Sarah turned back to the prince. He wasn't angry so maybe she could enjoy herself. "His Majesty is an excellent teacher, Highness."
"Please call me Corn." Sarah smiled at the prince. "Times like this I wish I wasn't married." Corn sighed. "Pretty lady in my arms and my wife not ten meters from us. I must be getting old."
Sarah laughed. "Don't let me get you in trouble with your other half." Corn pointed to a red head with angry eyes. Nyla was talking to her. "She will probably kill me with that look."
"I will introduce you at the end of the song." Sarah turned see the shock on the face of the crown princess. A hand covered her mouth to cover her laugh.
"Maybe it was a bad idea coming." Sarah whispered as Justin took her out for the next dance. The Faery prince was the dream of every girl. Black well kept hair, sapphire eyes, respectful though not much of a talker. Until Jareth came for the next dance. "No Jareth, she is mine again."
"I kinda would like a drink Highness. Being a mortal I don't have the stamina of you fae." Sarah was lead away to the refreshment table. "Thank you, Highness."
"Please anything to see him in discomfort." The man suddenly smirked. Sarah felt a warm hand on her naked back. Shivers and goose bump inducing. She stepped back to feel the pressure but it vanished. Only one hand made her react like that.
She turned to see why he didn't stay, only to see him glaring at the high prince. "Why? I mean I have no love for the man but this seems overboard." Sarah questioned Justin while turning away from Jareth.
Justin started laughing. "He is my little brother." Sarah almost dropped her glass. Justin smiled. "It is true. Jareth is a half brother. His mother ruled the Goblin nation with a stern hand after her husband was slain by some mortal hero. My mother died giving me life. So my father took his mother to strength the bonds between. He was the product of that marriage. We all grew up together. Jareth being the youngest save Nyla makes him the butt of all jokes." Sarah laughed. Poor man was screwed for life.
Nyla joined them at the table. Justin turned to kiss her. Sarah turned back to the scowling Jareth to smile. "So did my consort treat you right on the dance floor?" Nyla inquired.
"Justin is an excellent dancer." They all were. Something told Sarah that their tutors would be proud.
"Good because after supper you have to dance with Jareth." Sarah smiled knowing she was safe to pester him. "You should totally sit with us."
"Sarah is sitting at the head of the table. With me." Before she could protest she was being pulled away by Jareth. "Hoggle will be punished for this, precious." He said out of ear shot of the others.
"What does he have to do with this?" She snapped ripping her arm from his.
"How else are you getting here?" His arms crossed over his chest.
"With my own will." That made him stop. She continued to walk to the head table. "I told you that I was just as strong as you. I bought an antique mirror as tall as me. I step through and I am in my bedroom here. Hoggle didn't even know until last year when I had to-" Sarah glared at the king that was unaware of the hardship in his nation. They continued walking right up to the table. Jareth sat her down, sitting next to him.
"Maybe I will punish him just for the hell of it. I told him he would be a prince of the bog. Maybe I will follow through with that."
"Damn you, Jareth." She hissed. Why was he trying to make her angry? "What could I have done to you that would warrant your stupid mood?"
Jareth leaned into her ear. His breath sending shivers down her spine. His arm snaking around her waist. "You refuse to be in my arms, where you belong." Belong? To say that Sarah was shocked at his gall was an understatement. Since when has she ever been his? This is what she get's for thinking now she was a grown up things would different.
"You are a jerk. You know that?" She forced and even tone.
"So you keep saying." Sarah picked her glass up to throw it at him. It was being pressed down so she looked to see a lithe silver gloved hand covering it.
"Sarah, dear you are requested at our table. Are you free?" Mycle asked over her shoulder. Sarah narrowed her eyes at Jareth smiling.
"Perfectly free, my lord." Mycle took the glass from her hand so that he could pull her down from the dais. "It has been enlightening, Your Majesty." Sarah snarled at the king. "Thank you my lord." She said to Mycle when they were away from the table.