Author's Note: As promised I have updated more recently than the previous chapter, as of the fact that I am on Spring Break this upcoming week I hope to have another chapter of this story posted soon. Now a special thanks to all of you lovely readers who have been giving me reviews! I LOVE you! As for this chapter i was able to make it a little bit more lengthy since I was feeling inspired. Also I realize that Sarah is relatively meek in this chapter, it IS intentional. She is still struggling with the stress she is faced with, remember it has only been a day. I hope you all enjoy this latest chapter, and please please PLEASE R&R! As I have said before I really do want to read your thoughts and opinions. Speaking of which be sure to check out the other short story that I posted it's called Merry Christmas Darling, and let me know what you think.
Please remember that I do not own, nor am I owned by any of the characters from the Labyrinth, i simply claim the credit for this twisted plot. Also please remember that this story is rated M and will continue to be so. Have a wonderful day and enjoy!
Chapter Four
Sarah stared at the Goblin King; fighting the fear she could feel creeping up into her heart. She knew that this was inevitable; he had been threatening her with it since she arrived the night before, and there was no escape for her. She could never go home…that was the deal, her for her brother. She only prayed that it was not going to be anything sexual, like being his sex slave, or mistress. She knew he kept reminding her of his own masculinity, simply by making the remarks he had been throughout her brief encounters with—
"Are you even listening to me Precious? If you're bored I'm sure I can do something to you that will be far more entertaining and pleasing for the both of us…" the King teased in a husky tone.
"I'm sorry…no thank you…" mumbled Sarah, suddenly placing her fork down, her appetite leaving her as quickly as it had arrived.
"Come, come Precious, eat…you'll need the energy for what I have in mind for you…" the Goblin King let the sentence hang in the air.
Sarah jerked her head up to stare at the Goblin King, not managing to stop her face from paling and her eyes from widening.
The Goblin King fought back a chuckle, he had been teasing her mercilessly since he had appeared in her room earlier that morning, and it was obvious that she now was not only aware that he was decidedly male, but also had all sorts of horrifying ideas of what he had planned for her. Which of course was exactly what he wanted, the more she feared him, the better she would follow his orders, and the less likely she was to get into trouble. Figuring that he had made his point and traumatized her enough for moment he continued, "Now Precious I'm sure by now you have all sorts of ideas running around in that pretty head of yours, so I have decided to put an end to all of your assumptions and tell you what my expectations are. Are you ready to pay attention this time?"
Sarah hesitantly nodded her head, terrified about what words were about to pass through his lips.
"First let me explain the terms of your agreement with me—I do not want any arguments from you later about your station in this kingdom and in my castle. You gave yourself to me, that means your life is mine. Running away will not save you, as I warned you earlier, if you run I will chase you, and if you hide I will find you. You are mine body, mind, and soul. Therefore whatever I say or order you to do is law. You have been marked by me—your life is tied to mine, which means that no matter what you try to do you cannot leave the castle grounds unless I give you permission to. As you are now a subject living in my castle subservient to my rule, and have given your life to me. While living under my rule you are going to being fulfilling certain duties within the castle and with its occupants.
To start with you will be given the task of being my personal secretary, with you around paperwork will be easier to deal with and I will be able to focus on more important priorities within the kingdom. Secondly, you are going to be my personal escort—any time there is a public event you will accompany me, serving the dual purpose of keeping away husband hunting mothers and their daughters. And last, but probably one of the more important duties that you will have will be cleaning and instructing the goblins on the cleaning of this castle. Long has it been layered in dirt and grime, but with you here I have high hopes that all of that is about to change. Of course the rest of your duties depend primarily on you and what you may be willing to give or do…" trailed off the King arching an eyebrow in her direction.
Sarah let out an unexpected breath that she had not realized she had been holding. Looking up from her hands, that she had clasped tightly she met the King's stare, and nodded her head once again, not quite trusting her voice to sound steady.
"Do you have any questions for me Precious?" asked the Goblin King as he continued to drum his fingers against his thigh.
"Only a few…" mumbled Sarah.
"Then ask away Precious, I don't want any misunderstandings on a later date." stated the Goblin King holding her eyes with his own.
"I've no training for either of the first two jobs you've mentioned, how will I be able to do them without causing more problems?" asked Sarah hesitantly.
"I will answer your questions as they arise during the necessary situations. Though I cannot vouch for your level of intelligence, I can promise you that unless you are a complete and utter idiot, you should be able to pick up on things fairly quickly. Although, you making the deal you did with me does not show much in favor of you being particularly bright." mumbled the Goblin King reaching for his goblet on the table and taking a deep drink.
Sarah sputtered indignantly at the barb, "It was to protect my brother!" she snapped outraged.
Jareth waved his hand, casually brushing aside her remark, before continuing, "Is there anything else you wish to ask me Precious?"
"No…" muttered Sarah still scowling at the king sitting arrogantly next to her in his chair.
"Good, then on to the next order of business pet, the rules of living in the castle. You have been given a private chamber, which of course you are entitled to enter when ever it suits you after your responsibilities have been met for the day, but aside from your chambers, there are few other places within these walls that you may venture into for your own leisure. My rooms are forbidden, unless you are summoned to them for some task, or you decide to enjoy my company on a far more intimate level…" said the Goblin King as he smirked at her.
Sarah furiously shook her head and once again began picking at the food on her plate.
"As for the rest of the castle, your main duties will place you in the throne room regularly, as well as the library. Once the goblins have been properly trained in the ways of cleaning, those duties will fall to them, but until that time you will be responsible for making sure that the public rooms within the castle are clean, am I clear?" asked the Goblin King tilting his head as he looked over at her.
Once again Sarah nodded and took another bite of the food on her plate.
"Aside from the castle, there are a few gardens which you are free to explore, as well as the orchards and stables, but you are not under any circumstances to enter the labyrinth found on the outskirts of the gardens."
"Is there something—" Sarah began only to be cut off.
"It is a dark and dangerous place, and is forbidden, do I make myself perfectly clear Precious? I have been kind and tolerant up til' now, but trust me when I say you would not like to see me when I am angered, and you disobeying my laws will put me into such a state. Beware pet for you have been warned and if I find out that you have gone against me you will see an entirely different side of me..." stated the Goblin King ominously his eyes darkening, showing the sincerity of his threat.
"I understand…" said Sarah as she looked up at the windows and into the sky beyond. The weight of what was about to happen to her life hit her fully in that moment; she was trapped in this strange new world, with these strange creatures, and customs. There was no possibility of freedom or escape for her…she was truly a prisoner. The only relief was that apparently she was not going to be forced to share a bed with the creature she had struck the bargain with. Regardless of how handsome he was, she was relieved to learn that she was not going to become his whore within the foreseeable future. Shaking her head to rid herself of her morose thoughts she looked around the banquet hall again, now with better lighting, only to find the Goblin King gone once more.
