Chapter 4

"All the king's horses and all the king's men can't put the past together again. So let's remember: Don't try to saw sawdust."

Jareth looked at her standing with her back to him, his mouth agape, looking very un-kingly in his astonishment. She was protecting him! This tiny slip of a girl was trying to protect him. Sarah Williams was so unpredictable; first she sends him to his destruction then comes to his aid. She looked so delicate, her long hair blowing, her shoulders pale and exposed in the moonlight, but he knew she possessed a backbone of steel; he would know, he had tried to bend her to his will and found her unyielding.

He felt an irrational burst of pride which was abruptly overshadowed by a stronger emotion; anger. She was a fool! He gently lifted himself to a sitting position, wincing at the movement. He glanced at the Dragon, looking annoyed, then looked away and struggled to his feet, hating that his breathing was so labored after such a brief exertion.

"Sarah come here." Sarah turned to look at him. There was no fear in his voice, his tone was easy and light as if dragons were unthreatening and a normal occurrence. Well, she paused, maybe it was. She met Jareth's eyes and was surprised to see anger there; surely it wasn't directed at her? "Now." Sarah had been about to go to him, worried as he started to wobble at bit before he caught himself, but that one added command at the end, the arrogance of it made her so mad.

"You are in no condition to order me about!" The wind suddenly quieted and Sarah glanced to the sky, taking a step back unconsciously as the Dragon flicked its tail creating a loud snap in the new silence of the night. She felt Jareth come to her side, his face expressionless and composed. She felt some of her fear of the Dragon abate at his obvious confidence, she glanced back at the beast cautiously.

The Dragon had spread it wings, the skin of the wings thin, illuminated by the light of the moon behind it, and was coming to the ground, looking fierce as it looked down on her as it came to land. Jareth didn't move so Sarah refused to show fear and step back even as the Dragon landed not seven feet from them. It was then that Sarah saw the Dragon was actually harnessed and lower on his back was two saddles and there on the first saddle sat a hooded figure, reigns in his hands.

The rider shook the snow off their hood before taking it off revealing them self. Sarah really couldn't help herself. She just stared at the man. Did the Underground only consist of beautiful men? He had disheveled black hair, high cheekbones and a defined jaw-line, thin lips, thick lashes that framed dark eyes that in the light she couldn't make out the color of. These eyes glanced briefly over her, giving her gown and wind-blown hair a cool appraisal, as he dismounted. She felt herself blush. Did Jareth know him? The man then looked to Jareth, a small frown touching his lips.

"What are you doing here?" The man asked.



"Must we do this now? I can barely stand." Okay, Sarah thought, so they knew each other.

"Another thing I am curious about. How did you get in such a state?" Jareth glanced briefly at Sarah, as if she explained everything, like it was her fault this had happened. What the hell was even going on? The man regarded her in a frank way that thoroughly unsettled her, while his eyes before had glanced at her in a cursory inspection now they were intently curious, actually looking at her.

"Jareth what was that look suppose to mean!?" Sarah demanded, "I've done nothing but help you since I found you. More than you deserve given what you've done to me." Jareth's eyes lit up.

"Done to you!?" He roared, and then cradled his side when the movement brought pain, then through gritted teeth, "Everything was done according to your wishes!"

"I don't believe I ever wished to have to fight for my life, to be chased and drugged! And if you cared at all for what I wanted you would have given back Toby when I had asked for him!" Jareth glared at her, he was not about to admit he could have given Toby back at any time but had needed an excuse to be close to her. Never again would he tell her something so honest, she was too good at refusing him.

"You can't un-wish a wish Sarah. Words once said cannot be retracted, no magic can change that. Don't act so childish, take responsibility for what you said." Jareth ground out.

"Childish?" Sarah shook her head, "justified anger and fear are the opposite of childish. And me saving your life, tell me, is that childish?"

"You standing up to this dragon," he waved absently to the beast besides them, "was foolish and had nothing to do with me. You like to play heroine. This is just another story for you, a little adventure, well this is real life Sarah, grow up." She felt tears of frustration, how could he be so cruel? Well if he thought she was childish, then childish she'd behave. Carefully, deliberately, she pulled herself to her full height and spit. Jareth stood motionless for a moment then grabbed her face, "careful Sarah, I only have so much patience."

"Damn you and your patience to hell." The rider was just standing there quietly through this heated exchange and he suddenly began to laugh. Jareth glared up at him, releasing Sarah from his grip, wiping his face.

"Quite a spitfire you found yourself here. I'm glad someone has finally decided to stand up to you." The man smiled at Sarah, and Sarah found herself smiling back. Jareth watched this innocent exchange with a frown. Jareth stepped forward shakily, drawing the mans attention away from Sarah,

"Can you be useful already? I grow weary of standing here." The man nodded, looking unabashed and took a step forward, closing the gap between himself and Jareth, eyes closed he removed his gloves and placed his hands on Jareth's exposed forearms. The moment he touched him his eyes snapped open.

"Jareth what the hell? I can't feel anything from you, no flow, almost as if…"



"I had become powerless? Very astute. I have. Now please continue." The man looked bewildered, but once again closed his eyes. A soft light illuminated the palms of his hands and his grip tightened on Jareth's forearms. Jareth's expression relaxed, as he felt himself being healed. After a moment the rider relaxed his hold and opened his eyes, looking relieved. The rider then walked over to the Dragon and patted it affectionately. Sarah felt a second of envy towards the rider, she had had to concentrate so hard to produce even the slightest magic and he had done it effortlessly, then she realized that it was effortless for him, he was a creature of magic, her envy was stupid, it was like getting jealous of a fish for breathing underwater, certain creatures are just born able and made to do certain things.

"That should make you feel better for awhile. I'll summon a healer later who will completely restore you, but I need my own strength to guide Suinaa here home." Jareth slowly pulled the robe that was still tied to him away from his wound, the dried blood sticking the feathers of his shirt to the robe as effectively as glue, but there was no sharp pain, the wound had been sealed, so Jareth ripped the fabric from the feathers in one swift movement, grunting as dried blood tore at the skin a bit.

"Thank you." The words from Jareth to the man surprised Sarah, mighty Jareth actually thanked people! Who would have thought the man had some manners. The rider nodded in acknowledgement, meeting Jareth's eyes and sharing a look she didn't completely understand. Sarah was doubly surprised when Jareth turned to her, the robe folded in his arms and he looked at her, "thank you as well." Their eyes met and Sarah found no trace of mockery in his expression. She nodded, finding that his gaze void of arrogance was unnerving.

"Well let's be off." The rider announced, and Sarah turned back to him, relieved to have an excuse to break eye contact with Jareth. Her eyes widened when she realized their method of transportation, half-excited, half-apprehensive.

"Can we all ride him at once?" The dragon, glanced at Sarah and she almost thought he could understand her.

"Yes. Dragon's are strong creatures, but first this Dragon is female and currently offended that you have assumed it was male." Sarah gaped at the rider; he just smiled and shrugged, "Dragon's are intensely loyal and very easy to provoke type of creature, I'd say 'sorry' if you want a ride anywhere."

"He—I mean she can understand me?"

"Yes, of course." The rider replied slowly, obviously surprised Sarah hadn't realized Dragons could understand her.

"Hello…Dragon." Sarah began awkwardly, "Sorry about me calling you a guy. I'm not really familiar with dragons and how to determine a dragon's sex." Sarah felt stupid talking to the giant beast. The Dragon's yellow eyes met hers for an intense moment then the dragon looked away, looking bored.

"She says it is fine, all is forgiven. And her name is Suinaa."



The voice out no where surprised her. She quickly looked to the rider.

"It was you!" He smiled and bowed dramatically in assent. Jareth had his brow drawn in confusion,

"And what is 'it'?"

"How did you…?" Sarah trailed off, fascinated, but not sure what to ask first.

"How do I speak without speaking?" Sarah had been watching the rider at this point and his mouth had not moved. Sarah nodded,

"Yeah."

"This is a gift I receive through my connection with Suinaa, without her I could not speak to you in this way."

"Thank you for helping earlier. I had no idea what to do." Jareth at this point was irritated.

"What are you talking about Sarah?"

"It was you who saved him. I merely told you how."

"Thank you, all the same."

"Sarah what--" Jareth began then understanding dawned on him, he turned to the rider, his lips set in an angry line "are you speaking to Sarah through your beast?"

"Did you not hear him?" Sarah asked.

"No I didn't. You can only communicate to one person at a time; it's not something that is broadcasted. It's a private method of communication."

"Come now don't be jealous, I spoke to her in this manner to save your sorry hide. Be grateful the girl listened to me at all." Jareth made an obnoxious sound and started towards the Dragon,

"I think it's time to be going." With that Jareth approached the Dragon and after a moment gracefully mounted the beast, taking the second saddle. Sarah hesitated by the beast's side, unsure how to mount it or even where to sit. The confusion must have shown on her face because after the rider mounted he looked down at her, after a moment the beast crouched lower in the snow, and he reached down to grab her by the waist and pulled her behind him,

"Hold on tight." Sarah knew she was beet red. This was so embarrassing to be pressed to close to him, a complete stranger, with Jareth only a few inches behind her. She felt Jareth's hand on her side when she tilted to the side as Suinaa beat her wings and began her ascent into the sky; his hand steadied her but remained at her side a few seconds too long. Even with magic flowing through her now keeping her warmer than she would be otherwise, the flight made the cold intensify, and she felt her 

face numbing, her breaths fogging before her. Her shyness gone in face of a greater need, she buried her face in the strangers back, seeking any kind of warmth. She felt his back shake and she realized he was laughing.

"Sorry you two, I forgot how cold it could get up here." Sarah turned stiffly to look at Jareth and she felt a stirring of pity for him, he was holding his arms to his chest, his teeth chattering. When he saw he look he glared at her,

"W-w-what?" He tried to sound scathing, but the cold stutters ruined the effect.

"This probably worse for you, huh?" She forgave him his snappiness given the fact that he was, well, freezing. Certain circumstances permitted one to behave badly justifiably. Jareth didn't answer her, just looked away. "Where are we going?" It occurred to her that she hadn't even hesitated earlier to get on the Dragon, it hadn't even occurred to her to think to ask before just now where they were going. She bit her lip at that, not liking how unsafe that was, to assume that Jareth or the stranger could be trusted. A bit late for that to occur to her though.

"To my Kingdom." The stranger answered Sarah's question even though it had been for Jareth.

"And where is your Kingdom? I'm not sure we can last much longer up here." Sarah asked, trying not to sound annoying, but she was getting really cold.

"Not much further." He assured. 'Not much further' turned out to be a solid two hours. She was grateful when the rider pulled two small blankets from a sack. Sarah eyed the thin blankets speculatively, but whatever they were made of seemed to retain heat surprisingly well. Jareth merely grunted when she passed him a blanket, but he wrapped it around himself quickly enough when she turned back around.

Sarah watched as seemingly endless ice sped below her, when she looked up to the horizon she saw the only smattering of color in the distance, a stark contrast against the endless white. It was a large grey –brown dot on the horizon and as they kept steady pace towards it Sarah realized that was their destination.

As they got closer Sarah saw the grey-brown dot was actually the beginning of a mountain range. The sky was beginning to lighten with the first touch of the sun, coloring the bland landscape in a soft yellow. The mountains were huge with snow covered tops and faint brushes of green foliage struggling to survive on the mountains. The Dragon began to descend, and Sarah almost panicked when Suinna didn't slow as they approached a mountain, but she saw the cave a second before Suinaa flew through it.

Sarah put a hand to her rapidly beating heart, calming herself. Sarah thought that they would dismount as soon as they entered the cavern but Suinna kept flying and in the distance Sarah could make out another opening in the tunnel and the dragon flew through it.



The first thing Sarah noticed was the warmth, she felt like she had just been engulfed in a thick wool blanket, the second thing Sarah noticed was the people below, first looking like dolls and as they approached growing bigger and bigger. Sarah glanced up, seeing endless black. It was a village inside of a mountain, as she glanced around she saw the grey stone façade of a castle carved into the mountain. It was a Kingdom inside on a mountain, she corrected herself. They landed by the castle front, the rider dismounting first and assisting her. Jareth refused assistance, muttering that just because he had lost his power that it did not make him incapable as a man. Suinaa flew away almost immediately.

"Where's she going?" Sarah asked.

"It's too warm in here for Dragons so they keep to their perches built on the outside of the mountains, and it's too cold for us to live out there." A man ran up to the rider, bowing. The man looked strangely at Sarah but his gaze lingered on Jareth, his face confused. He quickly looked back to the rider.

"My Lord, all went well with the traders."

"Good, good. Fetch Miriam and tell her to prepare two baths and make sure Edgar knows about the new training method I discussed yesterday. And call the healer immediately."

"Yes, my Lord." Another bow and the man was off.

"My Lord? Are you a Knight?" Sarah inquired, realizing she knew nothing about the man who had saved her and Jareth's life.

"Yes, of sorts, and I feel rude. Are belated introductions in order?" Sarah stuck out her hand, intending to shake his but when he just looked at her extended hand curiously she realized that he probably had never shaken someone's hand before.

"I'm Sarah Williams." The Knight took her hand and immediately dropped it, his eyes flying to Jareth. Sarah realized just like when he had touched Jareth and felt his lack of power he could feel her abundance of it. She had sat behind him for the past hour…was it only through skin contact that you felt someone's power?

"What in the world is going on here?" The man demanded. Jareth sighed, exasperated,

"Long story that I swear on the Seven Realms I'll tell you after my stomach is full and I can feel my hands." The man looked questioningly at Jareth, and after a long moment nodded. He turned back to Sarah and took her hand again, not dropping it this time but bringing it to his lips gallantly, finishing their introductions.

"And I am Edmund, King of the Dragons."

"King?"

"Honestly Sarah," Jareth sounded bored, "he is my brother."



"Brother?" She parroted, looking from Edmund to Jareth.

"Yes, and I have a father and mother too. Did you think I just sprouted out of nowhere? Or perhaps was always the Goblin King feasting on little children?"

"Ignore my little brother, Lady Sarah, as you can tell he doesn't have the best of temperaments."

"Please, just call me Sarah." It was strange to think of Jareth with a family. He had a brother; he had to understand why she was so outraged that he had stolen hers.

"Feh, younger brother? By but a few hours, and that makes no matter."

"You are twins?" She looked at them both closely, Edmund had clear green eyes, while Jareth had mismatched eyes, she could see the similarities, the same face shape, same lips, and the same unruly hair but that where the similarities ended. They couldn't possibly be twins. "So? You're twins? Paternal or something?" Edmund opened his mouth to answer then stopped and glanced over at Jareth, then looked away, looking at a loss. Jareth raised his brows, and asked her,

"Do you understand the term mistress?"

"Yes I understand what that means." For the first time Jareth smiled but it was more of a smirk than anything else, and it didn't reach his eyes,

"You were right about one thing Sarah, I really am a bastard." It took a moment for her to realize what he meant.

AN: Man, seriously this chapter just flowed from my fingertips, pretty much just writing itself. I really hope it made sense and that you liked it. Hahah sorry if you were looking for a gruesome dragon slaying/killing/eating/bloody/death scene.