W.i.L.D Part Two
Sarah awoke slowly, she blinked against the light as her eyes and brain woke up from sleep. Something sifted beside her a weight that moved. Blinking a few more times Sarah reached up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up.
She was in a room, large and inviting but rather empty of things. She sat in a large bed that could easily have fit three people, its sheets soft and the carvings of vines up the four posts detailed. The bed was at the furthers away from the door, in the middle of the wall. Across from the door was large windows with the sun pouring in – these lead to a balcony. To her side was a vanity table with a large polished mirror, a closet parked beside it. "Sarah," turning her head down Sarah saw Urkle sitting, "You been asleep," he said climbing up and hopping down to the ground. Sarah moved swinging her legs over the edge he bare feet hitting the cold brick floor. "Wait here, I'll go tell maid," and in a second Urkle was gone.
Gone were her plain white shirt and pants, now she wore a nightgown that hung to her ankles that had wrinkles from where she'd slept. Sarah scratched the side of her head, her eyes wide. She felt more awake than she had in awhile. Standing she took a couple of steps. She was back, back in the Underground. Stopping she looked at herself in the mirror; a mess of brown hair that partly resembled a lion and shadows of bags under her eyes. Sarah was sure if she was happy about being back or not. She rubbed her arms, they still felt tingly.
She walked sharply from the mirror onto the balcony. Rapping her arms around herself she took several breaths of air and looked out. There was no Labyrinth and panic started to rise in her belly. Instead she saw a garden beneath her stretching for awhile before ending at a wall and then to a orchard –line of trees before disappearing into what looked to be a river. To the right of her she could just see the edge of a city the bustling road with tiny ant like people there. Where was she? She wasn't at The Castle beyond the City, not at Jareth's castle – she was somewhere else.
She panicked, her arms releasing her body like the wings of a startled bird she ducked back inside. She flitted on the spot for a second thinking of her next move but she could take a step towards the door it flew open crashing against the wall. In the frame stood a short, fat, red-faced, panting woman. She had her brown hair pulled into a bun with flecks of grey coming in at her temples, her nose was very big and very round on her face. "Oh sorry," she said her voice old but soft, she brushed the front of her apron smooth and made a face as Urkle shot between her legs and onto the bed. "See I told you she was wakin," he said proudly stuffing a finger in his ear.
"So you did," she said gruffly before turning to the wide eyed girl. "Oh calm down dear," the woman said strongly and took a few sturdy steps inside. "Where am I?" Sarah demanded.
"Lady Nashi's castle dear," explained the lady
"Lady who?" Sarah's eyes scrunched in confusion, the sturdy woman went to open her mouth before Sarah cut in, "Who are you?"
Sighing the woman curtsied, "Fregar Kitther at your service my lady."
Sarah stood watching the short woman straighten from her perfect curtsied. Standing there Sarah made herself breath slowly and think. Her brain worked through last night's jumbled events, processed the information she knew and needed to know.
"Who is this lady Nashi?" Sarah asked, she needed to know whose castle she was in.
"Lady Nashi is The Well Keeper," Fregar seeing the confusion of Sarah's face the servant continued, "It is a Fae title Miss Williams, it is Lady Nashi's wish that she explains everything to you." Sarah nodded.
"Where's Jareth?" was her next question
"King Jareth is at his home – The Castle Beyond the Goblin City. He won't be seeing you anytime soon I'm afraid." The dwarf lady watched as the human's expression twisted into a hurting sadness. A small 'oh' escaped from her lips.
"Don't worry Sarah," Urkle said by her ankle, she bent and picked up the leathery creature "King shocked is all, once he over it he come see you." Sarah gave a small smile to her friend that wriggled just a little bit and got comfortable. "Lady wishes you attend afternoon tea in the dining room." The dwarf explained already half out the door. Sarah looked up, it'd be rude to say no, and so she said "Ok, let's go."
The dwarf made a small face and then said, "After we get you ready." Twisting Sarah caught a glimpse of herself and her bed-swept hair and dark shadows under her eyes. "I'll bring some warm water and clothes. There is a brush in the drawer." Fregar explained. Sarah watched as she curtsied and hurried out the door her steps fading.
Sarah walked and sat at the vanity placing Urkle on top of the smooth desk. She sat for a moment before she went to grab the brush from the draw. Her hand shook slightly and instead of opening the draw she pressed her palms against the vanity's surface. She took a few deep breaths.
It didn't take long before Fregar was back. With a warm water jug and a flannel the dwarf scrubbed Sarah's face, and with sharp tugs and few apologise the dwarf tamed the rest of Sarah's brown hair. Fregar had brought back a plain brown and green dress and plain shoes for Sarah to put on. But it was slightly too long and tight around her chest and hips and the shoes too big.
Fregar frowned at the fitted material and how Sarah had to walk dragging her feet in the floppy shoes while holding the hem at her ankles. "Forget the shoes," she instructed "Let's go."
"What like this?" Sarah stumbled out of the shoes.
"Yes," and Fregar ushered her out the door.
Sarah followed the dwarf down the hallway. Its walls and floor were smooth stone, beautiful tapestries hung and candle holders held tall candles. Transparent, light curtains framed the large windows that displayed the beautiful surroundings of the castle. But Fregar walked briskly and Sarah had very little time to stop and look.
Slowly the hallways became a little more elaborate and decorative and the two walked through a door and out into a lovely porch. It out looked a sunny garden, an open area of green grass, a stone path wound out of view, flower bushes filled the area with a soft, fragrant smell. Sarah's looked out amazed, completely missing the Fae that sat at the small tea table.
"I am glad to see you like the garden Miss Williams," the Fae said smiling. Sarah's head snapped towards her eyes widening at the sight of the lovely woman; white hair long in a single braid that fell over her slender shoulder, sharp cheekbones and even sharper eyes that weren't threatening but more wise and clear. Lady Nashi.
Her hand twitched sharply and she twined them behind her back, "It is lovely," she said once she found her voice. It was hard the Fae was staring intently at her. "Please have a seat," she gestured to the seat next to her. Sarah sat; her arms erupted in goose bumps.
A moment passed.
"Please have something to eat," the woman said her voice smooth. Sarah glanced at the bowl of fruit on the garden table. There were a few that she recognized the rest she did not. Carefully she reached for a pare.
"Uh-uh," came the smooth voice. Sarah's hand withdrew and she looked up to see the Fae smiling warmly at Sarah, reaching over with long fingers the woman picked a strangely coloured fruit from the bowl and held it for Sarah to take.
It was tear dropped shaped and had a smooth gradient of deep orange at the bottom and matching purple at the top. Sarah stared at the strange fruit, "It is fine Miss Williams, trust me," Lady Nashi gave a small gesture with her hand and Sarah accepted it.
"I take it this is not your first time in the Underground," Lady Nashi said as her hands folded in her lap. Sarah frowned a little and turned the fruit in her hands, "No. It's my second but the first time-"
"You were a Runner running the labyrinth."
Sarah looked up through her eye lashes and nodded.
"Eat it will make you feel better." But still Sarah hesitated.
"Last time," she paused again and swallowed was it just her was everything... was everything just... just... more. "Do not worry," there was a small chuckle in her voice; "It is not an enchanted peach."
Sarah's head flew up confusion written on her face "How?" The smile on Lady Nashi's face was cheeky, cunning and warm all in one curve of her mouth, "Dearest, everyone knows what happened. You are The Runner, the one that ran the labyrinth and won. You beat The King of the Goblins." In the back of her mind Sarah felt there was more but it slipped from her mind.
"But for now, eat."
Sarah turned the fruit once more before taking a bite. It was juicy and the first bite caught Sarah off guard causing it to dribble down her chin. She wiped her chin quickly a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she swallowed. Warmth felt like it was spreading from her stomach out. She took another bite and she felt warmer. Another bite and another, and soon all that was left was a small oval seed.
"Feeling better?" Lady Nashi asked. Sarah nodded she felt more awake. Better.
"Yes thank you," Sarah said holding the seed in between her fingers. She fidgeted as the Fae made a gesture to someone behind Sarah.
"How long am I going to be here," Sarah watched as Lady Nashi's face fell. Sarah's body stiffened her breath hitching; she continued "I am not sure Miss Williams."
"Wha-"
"There is much to explain," Sarah's face twisted her jaw tightening, "and I am not the right person to explain." And before Sarah could ask again, even though she knew the answer, the lady continued, "Jareth is the one who should explain things to you."