The Goblin Kingdom
Chapter 2
"She is here." Sir Didymus sat on a small overturned bucket in front of a little table. A chessboard before him. He was engaged in a battle of wits with his opponent. And losing most grievously.
There was a grunt in response from his adversary. A gnarled hand made a move that put the little Fox in check, and the owner of the hand told him so.
"Are you not going to see her?" He asked and skillfully moved his King out of the way, behind one of the only pawns he had left.
"No." The owner of the gnarled hand said in a gruff voice.
"Why ever not?" He asked and then growled in frustration as the fellow put him into check again.
"You know why. And I don't got to explain it to you!" He watched Didymus maneuver himself right into his hands. He made his final move. "Hoo Hah!" He laughed. "Checkmate!" He said claiming victory.
"Sir Hoggle, you can't keep holding her accountable for a foolish fight you had with her, when she was but sixteen, I doubt very much if she even remembers. By virtue of her very youth, she was bound to say something you'd both regret at some point." Sir Didymus chided.
"She defended that rat, and then she wished I would never speak to her again. I was only doin what she wanted!" Hoggle shook his fist at the little fox. "It ain't no business of yours anyhow!" He said.
Sir Didymus sighed. "As you wish." He said, then extricated himself from the bucket. "Well played Sir Hoggle. I expect a rematch, same time next week?" He asked.
"I'm willing to beat your furry butt anytime you like." Hoggle grunted. "Now sod off." Hoggle busied himself with straightening up his dirty underground hovel.
Sir Didymus shook his head in amazement and then left Hoggle to his misery. Outside Hoggle's door he patted Ambrosius. "Sir Hoggle has no idea, how much he misses her. Else he does and he believes me fool enough not to notice. Come Ambrosius, let us meet yon fair maiden and tell her of our latest adventures, shall we?" He received a bark of agreement from his loyal steed.
"Jareth?" Sarah hissed. "Where are you?" Where ever it was that Jareth had transported her to, it was dark. Without moving about she could tell that she was somewhere with a stone floor. Her still damp feet were shouting at her that it was fricken cold too.
There was a small explosion and Sarah dropped down on her stomach and covered her head as a fire erupted in the hearth. The absence of falling debris and flames everywhere made her lift her head. Rather than destruction everywhere, her eyes settled on a pair of boots standing directly in front of her.
She looked up to find their owner fully clothed and smirking. "Interesting reaction, Precious. I've never seen a woman move so fast in naught but a towel." He squated down and held out a gloved hand to help her up.
She scowled at him. "You might have warned me first." She sniffed, trying to regain some of her dignity. Noting with some irritation that it was extremely hard to do when one was still damp and mostly naked. "Do you think I could trouble you for something to wear?" She asked.
He looked her up and down. "Have you a preference?" He asked.
"Something comfortable." she said and then added as an after thought, "If you poof me into that ball gown, I'll beat you."
Jareth chuckled and made an imperious gesture with his hand. Sarah looked down to find herself in a long black silk night gown that was a little tight in some places. She closed her eyes and counted to ten, so she didn't resort to violence on his royal person. After all, it was mostly comfortable. "I guess I should have been more specific." She muttered.
Jareth walked over to the door and opened it and spoke briefly to the guard outside, affording Sarah an opportunity to take in her surroundings. Oh my God....She was in Jareths bedroom. It was huge the center of the room held a large bed. It had black silk sheets and a midnight blue duvet, numerous similarly colored pillows made the bed seem very inviting. Very inviting indeed. Sarah blushed. Damn that man! She jumped as a pair of arms encircled her waist. "Do you like it?" Jareth purred in her ear.
Sarah's breath quickened and rather than say 'Hell, lets try it out!' She managed to bypass her animal instincts and sputter, "Y-yes. I hope my room is almost as nice as this."
Jareth laughed and nipped her earlobe, "Don't be foolish. You'll be staying here. No amount of pretended prudery is going to keep me from you now, darling." He purred into her ear. "I know better than to believe that what you did back there, was based solely on the need for stealth. You enjoyed it just as much as I did."
Feeling his lips trail their way down her neck and nip gently at her collar bone. Sarah's body betrayed her and she leaned into him, tilting her head to the side to allow him better access to her skin. A knock on the door made Jareth growl low in his throat and he released Sarah and swung around to face the intruding noise, "Come in!" he bellowed.
The door opened cautiously and a butler pushed in a cart with a silver tray holding food, goblets and a bottle of wine. Jareth smiled suddenly, "Ah, good." he turned to Sarah, "Hungry, love?"
Sarah's stomach growled in response, "Yes actually" She said in surprise. It was only barely past two in the afternoon when they left the base. And now it was dark out. How long had travel taken between worlds?
The butler brought the food in, and set the small table Jareth had in the room. Speaking a few words to the servant, Jareth dismissed him when his job was done. Then he held out a chair for Sarah. "Its dinner time, obviously. Come, sit down before it gets cold." He commanded.
Sarah sighed and complied. She had to admit that it did look delicious, even if it was a dish that she did not recognize. When Jareth sat down she started eating, finding that it was in fact, delicious. "This is wonderful Jareth, what is it?" She asked.
"For now love, I think its best if you just eat whats put in front of you, without questioning what it is. Goblin cuisine is delicious if a little unorthodox." He set down his fork and looked at her seriously, "I believe we have some serious things to discuss. I think it would be wise for us to set the rules for our relationship and define exactly, what we are to mean to each other. Don't you agree?" He asked.
Sarah put more food into her mouth to buy herself time so that she could think. Finding that she was unable to think much past her earlier steam filled encounter with him. She found herself musing upon the odd twist of events that brought them seemingly almost full circle. Love, hate, sexual situations. Would love follow? He had proposed to her, almost had her killed, and now he what? Wanted to know if there was any future? "What do you want me to mean to you, Goblin King?" There, that ought to keep him busy. She thought happily.
"Answering a question with another question, though a very good deflection tactic, is not in fact an answer." He stated. "Care to try that again, love?"
Sarah deflated, 'Or, maybe not.' She thought. She put down her fork and took a sip of her wine. Maybe it was time to stop playing games. He was putting them aside, perhaps she should as well.
"I can't deny that I am attracted to you. And that I......desire you, Jareth." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I just can't switch gears after all this time and just fall into your arms expecting marriage and 2.5 kids." When she opened her eyes she expected to find him glaring at her angrily. On the contrary, he seemed overly pleased with himself, and Sarah could have sworn that had he been in owl form at that very moment. He would be preening himself.
"Sarah darling, I think that is a marvelous suggestion!" He grinned mischievously.
"What? Jareth, I didn't suggest anything!" She went back over all that she had just said to verify that she hadn't given him any ideas whatsoever, and nodded in satisfaction when she found that she had not.
"You just said that you desire me. Did you not?" He took a sip of his own wine and set it down. Leaning back in his chair he removed his gloves and threw them lightly on the table next to his discarded linen napkin.
Sarah frowned. "Yes, I said that." He brows knitted together, "But-"
"I think that becoming lovers is a wonderful idea." He rose and offered her his hand indicating that he was finished.
Sarah looked down at her near empty plate and realized she had only eaten the last few bites for the pure fact that it was there and it tasted good. She decided she was finished also. At that moment what he'd just said sank in through her skull and throttled her brain. She started to protest but was silenced immediately by Jareths lips.
Sarah made a little noise involuntarily, as she found herself responding to the tender ministrations of the Goblin Kings lips. Before she knew it, her hands had buried themselves in his hair and she herself was deepening the kiss. When he gently pulled away he chuckled and tightened his arms around her. "Had I but done that sooner." He mused. "Are you tired?"
Sarah blinked dazedly and tried to regain some sense of conscious thought beyond, 'Dang lets do that again.' She found herself shaking her head no, she was not tired.
Jareth chuckled and released her. "Well, then perhaps we can find a way to amuse ourselves until we are tired enough to fall asleep?" He reached for her hand and took it, squeezing gently.
Sarah finally found the words she wished to say, "Jareth, are you certain this is a good idea?" She was unsure that this would be helpful at all, and might in fact complicate things.
Jareth nodded and then said, "No." Grinning in delight when she scowled.
"Oh now, Sarah darling. I won't force you. You can say no." He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her once more. Then he again started kissing her neck. Soon his breath tickled her ear and he purred to her, "But I think that we both know you want this as much as I do."
Sarah realized at that moment, two things simultaneously. First, he was right. Know it all bastard. Second, he'd pulled her with him towards the bed. They were in front of it now. The backs of his knees resting against the mattress. Sarah smiled inwardly, 'Since its going to happen. It might as well be on my terms.' She brought her hands up to Jareths chest and pushed, hard.
Jareth was knocked off balance and landed on his back. Looking up at her from the mattress, "Ah. Whats this then, my love?" He tried to get up only to be pushed back down by Sarah as she climbed onto the bed with him.
"This is a little game I like to call, 'Yes mistress.'" She said as she swung her leg over him so that she was straddling him. Both her knees planted firmly on either side of his slim hips. "In case you're confused. I'm the mistress. And you are not." She laughed as he raised an eyebrow at her. "It can be your turn next time if you want."
Jareth laughed then. "If you say so Precious, I-" He jumped as Sarah leaned down and bit him on the chest, rather hard. "Sarah! What the devil was that for?" He growled.
"The proper response is, 'Yes Mistress.'" She took both of his hands and pinned them above his head. "Should you refuse to respond otherwise, you will be punished. Understand, Goblin King?"
Jareth grinned. 'Oh you little minx.' he thought. "Yes, Mistress." He said. He let her take control of the nights activities. After all being constantly in control of everyone, did get rather tiresome at times. And his Sarah definitely was a commanding little mortal. He would let her have her way, for now.
He moaned as she licked the hollow of his throat.
Ludo watched Hoggle spray the nasty little fairy's with his pesticide sprayer. Hoggle was complaining to Ludo about Sarah. Hoggle always complained about Sarah. Ludo would tell him that it was tiresome, if he could just master the blasted English language. Unfortunately he was limited to simple phrases, which were not suited to explaining complex concepts and feelings. He sighed and sat himself down heavily on the log next to the pond outside the labyrinth.
"Well?!?!" Hoggle had stopped spraying and was glaring at Ludo.
"What?" Ludo asked in confusion.
"Did you hear anything I said?" Hoggle eyed Ludo in aggravation.
Ludo scowled, no he'd been ignoring Hoggle. "No." Ludo confessed.
"I was saying that Sarah's back at the castle. Sir Didymus has gone to see her." He waved the sprayer in the direction of the castle.
"Hoggle, not go?" Ludo asked curious as to whether or not the little man could put aside his pride and go and at least tell Sarah hello.
"No, that's what I just got done telling you. I'm not going! So don't go tryin to convince me!" He said and then sprayed a fairy.
"Why not?" Ludo asked and then picked up a rock and cooed to it.
"Because she's the one who doesn't want to see me. I ain't going up there just to be thrown out again!" Hoggles face turned red with aggravation. "And I don't have to tell you what she might have Jareth do to me, if she's got him wrapped around her finger." He kicked dirt over the fallen fairy, and then was startled to hear a loud rumbling coming from Ludo. He regarded the beast suspiciously, and he realized that Ludo was laughing. "What's so funny?"
Ludo got up from the log and stretched and regarded Hoggle with gentle monsters eyes, "Hoggle, moron." He stated simply and lumbered away, leaving a stunned Hoggle to stare after him.
Hoggle watched Ludo walk away and then he scowled. "Fine! Who needs you, you big orange Yeti!!"
He shouted shaking his fist at the retreating figure of his friend.
Sarah stood on a ledge in Escher room looking down over the edge. "Toby!" She cried out as the baby in red and white striped pajamas crawled once again out of reach a level below her. Sarah looked around desperately. There was no way to get to him in time if she doubled back. She squeezed her eyes shut and then stepped off the ledge. Instead of falling and hitting the ground as one would expect, she found herself floating downwards. Soon she landed lightly on her feet.
She took a few steps forward and a fog enveloped her. "Toby?" She called out holding her hands in front of her she searched the mists, trying to find a wall, a door, anything to guide her. She slipped her feet along the floor, not wanting to take a wrong step and fall down a flight of stairs.
Some time later, she came to a spot where the mist seemed to thin a little so that she could see several feet in front of her. A familiar figure stood in the distance with his back to her. "Jareth?" She said. Yes, it was the Goblin King. He was wearing the same white feather cloak he had on, when they had their final confrontation. If he heard her, he made no acknowledgement. "Jareth?" She said again and took a step toward him.
"Stop, don't come any closer." He said. He kept his back to her.
Sarah frowned. This was not right, it hadn't happened this way. "Give me the child." She said and took another step.
"Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered. I have fought my way here...."She paused as Jareth turned around. His face was ashen. Even more so than that day, as though death were not long off from claiming him.
Sarah looked down and screamed. He held out his hand to her and in his hand was a heart, bloody and beating. His chest was a gaping hole as though someone had literally torn into him. She could see the shattered bones of his ribs and sternum. The blood spilled over his pristine white poets shirt, and it had splattered over his amulet as it swung over the hole, like some grotesque clock pendulum. "Look Sarah, look at what I'm offering you." He said smiling sickly and held the heart out to her.
"No!" She stumbled backwards and fell, pushing with her feet she tried to get up and run away but she was unable to get her body to respond correctly. And then he opened his mouth to laugh and blood spilled down his lips. Sarah screamed, and screamed, and.....
"Sarah!" Jareth shook her. "Sarah, darling wake up."
Sarah woke up with yet another scream, "Jareth! No!" She was surprised to find herself pulled into his arms and hearing his voice telling her that she was alright, rather than telling her to take his offering.
"Its alright. You're alright darling, I'm here. You're safe." He said, cradling her to him as if she were a small child. He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "You were having a nightmare."
Only with this confirmation did Sarah relax and she wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his chest. She expected to hear his heartbeat within and heard nothing. "No." She said and pushed him away. "Jareth. Where is your heartbeat?" She asked.
"Sarah." He said tiredly, "Can this wait until morning?" It was still dark and though he'd hinted at this before now, to explain while he was still half asleep would only confuse her more.
"But-" She started to protest that he shouldn't be alive and to tell him of her horrific dream.
"Sarah, I promise that I will explain in the morning and you can question me to your hearts content, precious." He reached out in the darkness and stroked her cheek. "You see, I'm alive, and I'm warm, and I'm really here. I'm not going anywhere." He laid down and pulled her with him. "Just go to sleep love, I promise you are safe."
Sarah frowned but leaned back. She couldn't say that she was well versed on the anatomy of fae but she felt certain that he should have a heart. Then again, he was a magical creature. Maybe he didn't have any organs on the inside. Maybe he was full of feathers and crap. She chuckled. Certainly full of crap.
"Honestly woman, first you're screaming and now you're laughing. Are you starting your moon cycle, oof!" He rubbed his side as Sarah's elbow jabbed him sharply.
"Quiet, your Majesty. I'm ready to go back to sleep now." She giggled.
"Yes Mistress." Jareth purred and nipped her earlobe, snuggling into the blankets with her.
Sarah giggled again and then let Jareths steady even breathing calm her. Still, it was a long time before she was able to regain a hold on sleep. Her mind replaying her nightmare over and over.
Sir Didymus approached the Castle gates. Happily he found brother Ludo already there, trying to explain awkwardly that he wanted to have an audience with the fair damsel in question. Dismounting from Ambrosius, he lead his trusty steed up to the castle, to see if he could aid his brother in reasoning with the obstinate royal goblin guard.
When he reached them, he snarled to himself. They were big, they were ugly, and they were miserable creatures. And Ludo was no match for them verbally, "Greetings Brother!" He hailed his comrade. "I see you've come to visit the fair maiden as well?"
Ludo turned and looked down, when his eyes settled on his little fox brother he relaxed visibly and nodded. "Sawah, friend." He gestured to the gate and then to the guard.
Sir Didymus nodded, "Quite. Are they giving you trouble my good fellow?" He asked.
"Yeah." Ludo said sadly.
"Well, then. Allow me." Sir Didymus marched up to the guard and thrust his tiny paws against his hips. Lifting his muzzle in defiance he sneered. His canine lips pulling back from his white ferocious teeth. "We are here to see the lady Sarah!" He declared.
The guard narrowed his eyes and glared down at the little fox who was a good two feet smaller than him in comparison. "Now see 'ere pipsqueak. The King 'imself says that he and 'is lady ain't to be disturbed. Now be a good dog and get yerself, and that orange fur bag on out o' 'ere." He made an exaggerated shooing motion.
Ludo growled, "Ludo." He said. Indicating that his name was not in fact "fur bag".
The guard laughed, "Wot eva you say, slappy." He said. "Just get out o' 'ere."
Ludo looked down at Sir Didymus in defeat, "Come on." He set a finger on the little fox's shoulder to pull him away and Sir Didymus shook him off.
The little fox set his paw on his sword (which was really a dagger) and growled. "Good Sir. I must insist you at least take a message to the Lady Sarah, informing her that we came to call on her."
The guard closed his eyes in exasperation. "A'ight, shorty. Just get lost will you?"
Sir Didymus bowed and left the odious guard to retrieve Ambrosius. Ludo went with him, the two walking together amiably.
"Ludo, thank you." Ludo said as his little fox friend vaulted himself into his saddle.
"It was an honor to help you, brother Ludo." he turned his gaze up to the castle where the fair Lady Sarah consorted with his King. "I suppose we'll have to wait for Sarah to come to us." He said.
"She will." Ludo said sagely.
Sir Didymus was often surprised, and pleasantly. With how truly intelligent Ludo actually was. "Well said brother. Come. Join me, we'll get some Ale, and you can tell me what Sir Hoggle is up to."
They headed off in the direction of the Goblin city as Ludo snorted in derision, "Hoggle, stubborn. Not see Sawah." He said.
"Yes." Sir Didymus stroked his little fox chin. "Stubborn indeed."
Jareth sat at his desk, he had moved into his bedchamber. Sarah had been very exhausted after they're love play last night. The nightmare she'd had only served to magnify it. Not being one that needed much sleep in the first place he'd woken with the dawn. He sighed in exasperation at the mountain of royal decrees and declarations that had piled up in his absence. A rulers work was never done.
He found himself staring at the dark haired beauty lying half covered in his bed. Ah how pleasantly she had surprised him last night with her skill and passion. He'd quite expected that after her ordeal she would be adverse to sexual relations. It seems she'd healed quite well psychologically. Which was very convenient for him, as he did not have to coax her into sharing his bed. In fact she'd become quite adept at being sexually aggressive. He frowned. Perhaps it was but a coping mechanism? If she feels in control then she can enjoy herself? He shook his head sighed. Complicated things, relationships.
Then there had been her nightmare. He would have to question her about it at length. Her near violent reaction to the absence of his heartbeat was unnerving. And he had suspicion that it was part of her dream.
He couldn't deny to her that she possessed his heart. Though, it was alright in her care. It may horrify her to know that it was within her. He'd warned her. Sang to her in the Escher room. Unconsciously he sang the words softly, as he gazed upon her sleeping form:
"How you turn my world you, Precious thing.
You starve and near exhaust me. Everything I've done
I've done for you. I move the stars for no one.
You've runs so long, you've run so far. You're eyes can be so cruel.
Just as I can be so cruel. Though I do believe in you. Yes, I do.
Live without your sunlight. Love without your heart beat. I, I, I can't
live.... within you."
He sighed when he saw her eyelids flutter and open to look at him. "Sarah." he said quietly.
Sarah rolled over onto her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows, resting her chin on her palms. Her hair fell over her shoulders framing her face. "Good morning, My King."
He grinned, "I could get used to hearing that from you, Precious." His grin grew wider. "Or should I call you Mistress?"
"Precious will do, for now." She got off the bed and strolled languidly over to him, comfortable with her nudity she let his eyes feast on her flesh the way his lips and hands had the previous night. She came to stand behind him and she leaned down, kissed his neck and wrapped her arms around him.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
Enjoying her closeness he let his eyes close a moment and breathed in her scent. "Contrary to popular belief, love. Ruling a country consists of more than juggling crystals, terrorizing dwarves and beautiful young brunettes with a fondness for defiance and odd tastes in clothing. Ouch!" He exclaimed as she pinched his arm. "Minx!" he growled.
"Fop." She countered. "Do you have a bathroom?" She asked.
"Right through that door, there is a bathing pool and other amenities. If you shout I'll come and help you wash." He leered as she headed for the door he indicated.
"Maybe." She called over her shoulder and closed the door behind her.
At that moment there was a knock on the door. "Enter." He called.
A guard trudged in and saluted. "Sire, Sir Didymus and his beast friend, Ludo have requested audience with Lady Sarah." He said.
Jareth nodded. "Ah." He sat back in his chair and regarded the bathroom door. It may be good that she see friends. It may dispel her fears and help her to adjust. "See that they are here for lunch with Lady Sarah in the gardens. You may go." He dismissed the guard.
"Yes, Sire." The guard trudged back out and set off to find the little fox and inform him.
"So, Agent Brixby." The President leaned forward to fix a penetrating gaze on Brick. A mostly smoked cigar sat clamped between his teeth. "You can see why we need to recover Agent Williams from her assignment. She has vital information concerning the Goblin King's plans for invasion. Can we count on you to go in and retrieve her for us?" He asked. Knowing that the answer would be and must be yes. After all, he had slept with the Williams woman before and seemed to still be on speaking terms with her. Obviously he had some feelings for her.
"Yes, Sir." Brick said firmly. "I will be provided with a map and credentials, for after I am through the rabbit hole as well?" He knew this was standard procedure, but still the old song and dance of confirmation must be followed.
"Yes, yes. And a fine pair of prosthetic ears and contacts. You'll be a jolly elf by the time you get there." The president grinned. "Make sure you get there and bring her back here within 72 hours. We don't have long before he plans to bring his reality into ours. Its us against them, Agent Brixby. Remember that." The president got up from his chair and shook hands with him.
After he left the Presidents office he found himself standing in the doorway of Sarah's quarters. The room had no pictures or posters, and no prominent furniture other than the bed and dresser. "What have you gotten yourself into, eh Panther lady?" He crossed to her bed and sat down heavily. Looking over to the one thing that adorned her room, he picked it up. A family photo, her and two older people he assumed were her parents and a small toe headed boy. From the little Sarah had spoken of her family, Brick assumed this was Toby.
He turned his attention to the figure of Sarah. How different she was then from the woman she was now. She seemed almost spoiled and overly sure of herself, to the point of arrogance in the picture. Now, she was strong, quiet, scarred and beautiful. Did he love her? Hell yes. Did he have any delusions as to his chance at being anything more than a fling to her. No.
She was too good for him. And she knew it. It didn't bother him that she knew it. It was only the truth after all. Although, certainly no one else was good enough either, especially that arrogant piece of shit Goblin King.
Brick took the picture out of its frame and tucked it into his jacket pocket. He then opened the side table drawer and took out a pack of cigarettes. No doubt she'd be jonesing for those by the time he got there, he grinned. Sarah without her nicotine, he wished the Goblin King luck. He'd certainly need it.
Hoggle sat in his little dirt hovel underground. He regarded it angrily. He'd first met Sarah here. She'd fallen through his ceiling.
'Who's there?' She'd said, she'd been frightened. She had every right to be. He'd lit a candle and said, 'Me'. And he'd laughed. Why? Because hedelighted in her fear. Every bit as much as Jareth did. There was something about that girl. You either wanted to torment her, or be as close as possible to her.
Maybe it was her youth or her spirit, but something about her made you feel alive. Jareth never being one to make friends, sought only to possess her. And Hoggle being a short, ugly and miserable old coward, finally chose to befriend her. He snorted, "Friends." he sneered. "Fat lot a good being my friend did her." He said.
Suddenly a pain gripped his chest and he clutched at it. "Gah!" He grunted, trying to breath evenly. "Dammit, not now!" He growled as the pain also shot into his arm.
Authors Note: Jinkies. Well I guess I should have asked for more than ten reviews to give myself more time to update. Lol You guys rock. I do believes in reviewers, I do, I do! I hope you enjoy the second installment and tell me what you think. Also to those of you that mentioned Artemis fowl. No, I actually never heard of the series, and now that I have. I am curious. AFTER I'm done writing this fic, I'll pop round to the book store and take a look. Seems it may be an interesting read. I'm not going to say I'll update after ten reviews this time. I want to give the third chapter the proper attention it, and you deserve. But it shall be soon.
