Disclaimer: Obviously the Laby and it's respective parts are the property of it's original creators and the fiction characters not mentioned by their story line are of course my own creation and thusly belong to me.
Note: Sorry for the late reply, I had to move to my mothers due to a violent domestic disturbance at my old place. The next chapter shall be rated R for a dream I shall be making our lovely Jareth have. Sorry for any typos in this…the damn spell checker doesn't listen to a single thing.
The imperial feel of the massive gray stone castle was only surpassed by the frigidness that emanated from the thick walls. Even the long faded portraits that hung delicately by their thin wires seem to withdraw from this haunted feeling. Sentari wondered to what caused this abnormality with the Labyrinth for everything else had been so perfectly remodeled. As their steps brought them ever closer to the Guest Wing, the mysterious feeling lessened a great deal. There was no question wither Mae felt it as well for Sentari had kept a close watch on her lady-in-waiting and the poor woman was absolutely trembling with nervousness were once strength resided. Those tall almost colorless walls felt imposing, restricting on one's body and soul. Jareth had long been accustomed to the castle even with it's new darker side, it reminded the king of himself, captivating, magnetic and above all else, deadly.
They paused at a very characterless door that looked more like a gateway to some unknown tome in the times of the ancients. The only appealing feature was the dark wood that had been long robbed of it's former glory. Jareth looked to the figure of the woman and figured her and the door had a lot in common then he pushed the door open effortlessly. The slightly impressive room that it opened to was traditional for a higher ranked hireling or assistant such as Sentari's beloved chaperone. It was clear that Mae would take up residence here during the time that they'd be spending here. A quick reserved look around gave all the information that could possibly be gathered. Sentari made a mental note to have the room given more colors and the odd plant to help circulate clean air for the colder months.
"This is very impressive in size though it does boarder on lifeless but that shall be corrected in time no doubt. A fine gift My Lord." the young heiress commented as they moved on.
"The original room for her was to be much closer to the royal suites but it appears when those apartments where Remade the servants quarters were morphed into the three native chambers. They've already been named the Groom's flat, the Bride's Suite and the Royal Apartments so obviously I can not give any of them to your lady-in-waiting. But I assure you that this is the largest and closest room that may be given to her." Jareth responded using the same formalities that Sentari seemed so found of using.
"Acceptable I suppose." came her icy reply.
Eventauly the lengthy hallways at last turned to one massive walkway that forked into three different pathways, each leading to one of the three prodigious rooms. Two of the doors were nearly identical in design right down to the glossy silver paint upon the expensive oak wood. The third and most central room held a impressive double door entryway etched in the familiar sights of the kingdom and painted in actual gold flake. Jareth guided Sentari by grasping her elbow and directing the stubborn woman to the door on the right hand side. This room was nothing remotely like anything Sentari had witnessed before in her entire life-span. Everything was done in unison, all matching a shade of red almost equal to the hair of the young woman who was to reside within it.
"Now this is more suitable…almost inspiring Jareth!" said Sentari breathlessly.
The sudden dropping of the stiffness was surprising for those who bothered to notice which was first and for most the Goblin King was paying sharp attention to the slim lady who happened to be walking around in awe of the fine decorations that where placed all about the large room. Sentari felt so small compared to everything in the Bride's Suite, the joy upon the beautiful face of his lady was moving. Jareth nearly lost his regal composer in simply watching her walk about gently touching a fabric here or admiring a statue. He wondered what it would be like to have those hands maneuvering his manhood or to sample a look into her eyes as they became one. A quick stirring in the king's trousers reminded the man that he had yet to persuade the woman into opening her heart. So far one slip on the tongue was hardly anything to pride one's self on but the room had allowed the girl beneath the jewels to shine through.
"I saw to the furnishing myself as well as the coloration and almost everything you see here apart from the building of the room. The Labyrinth did that part on it's own." Jareth commented.
"Then I must applaud your tastes then for I am greatly impressed. To be honest rumor had it that your tastes apart from bed partners have been…very simplistic as of late."
The lovely response from the all to famous warrior queen that was hidden beneath lace and polish jewels. Her chaperone gasped at the harshness of the younger woman's words and the meaning behind them. All of the Seelie courts had the odd man who was favored by the women and gave to them a night of pleasure and a life time of disgrace. The high-courts believed Jareth to be theirs despite having no proof of his actions. More often then not a close friend of the Goblin King would take a woman who had been wined and dined by Jareth when she noticed the fabled "Royal Member" was not in their grasp after all. Quickly when Sentari came within his reach Jareth moved her so that they stood face to face.
"My dear girl, I had a woman once many years ago when I was the same age as my brother. We were to wed until the night before our engagement was to be announce. You see we met every night under a tree to exchange kisses or endearments but when my lady failed to meet me I grew worried. I went to her estate and found my way to her gardens and when I looked up I saw her in the arms of some servant. The only woman since her had dismissed me after defeating the labyrinth. Now do not mock me concerning relationships my captivating lady." Jareth muttered darkly, his eyes shinning with anger.
Sentari took a step backwards in shock at the hurt that also poured forth from those mis-matched orbs. At least he had passed one of her tests of his character for now she knew should they be married and bare forth heirs to both their lands and would not need to worry for the sudden appearance of a bastard child from some random little woman thinking her get had a right to the inheritance of Sentari's future children. She breathed a sign of relief at the thought but still kept her guard up around this man.
"I believe you, forgive me but there was no other way to ensure that…" Sentari trailed off, her voice barely a whisper.
"Understandable my dear. Until this day we've hardly been able to speak to one another and being from different levels of courts bred doubt. I am not the monster others speak of…but do not let my lack of experience fool you. I know my way around a woman." he replied before leaving the two women.
-
Darkness descended upon the kingdom so quickly that no one noticed it coming upon them but all had been occupied with the preparations of the tours a head. Millions of tiny glittering stars sprinkled across the velvety black night skies. There was even a refreshing light breeze that flowed ever so sweetly across the kingdom. Many saw this as a sign of the times to come for this night appeared so perfect. Sentari felt the total opposite now that it seemed the man who was her intended was rightfully made at the hoarse words spoken from her own lips against him. She supposed that Jareth would do the bedding after their wedding to seal the marriage entirely then keep his distance from here until it was time to try and breed heirs. Though this was a more favorable action to her, Sentari still wished there was some way of making this easier after all she was only testing the man to prove his worth. When Mae entered the room both tucked away the assorted things that had been put to use then tucked the Labyrinth's queen-to-be in bed to think further about the day ahead.