Chapter 6: Act II, Scene I (I): Games of Chance- Rock, Paper, Scissors
Wait. Labyrinth? More importantly, the second thing Jareth had said was intolerable. Pet? Sarah pushed against Jareth's chest, attempting to break out of his hold. "Pet?" Sarah asked peevishly.
Jareth merely caught Sarah's hands and held them against his chest. He certainly wasn't letting her go. He smirked. "Merely an expression, Sarah," he soothed. "Perhaps you'd like to see the view from the battlements?"
The quick change of topic was meant to be a distraction and Sarah decided to let it drop for the moment. She rolled her eyes. "Fine, Goblin King. Let's see the battlements," she conceded.
The next thing Sarah knew, she had been transported to a tower battlements, whilst still in the Goblin King's arms. He let her go this time when she pushed against him.
Sarah immediately walked toward the parapet with the intent of looking at the view the nearest crenel provided. The crenel was a very large gap of many on the tower and was large enough that Sarah could stand on it to get a better view, especially if she held onto the merlon to her right. Not being afraid of heights, Sarah wasted no time in hoisting herself up on the crenel. It was a long way down, however, the view was nothing short of amazing. "Oh! It's lovely," she sighed in appreciation.
"Mhm. Indeed, it is lovely," was the Goblin King's reply.
Even though Sarah was facing out toward the Labyrinth, she could feel his eyes on her back. She had the distinct impression that Jareth wasn't speaking of the view from the battlements. She was determined to ignore the increase of her heart rate. It had been one kiss and nothing more. Sarah wasn't planning on there being any others.
Sarah practically jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand rest on her right hip. She glanced down to her left only to see Jareth next to her, staring straight out into the night.
"You should really be more careful," he murmured softly.
Though if his practically whispered warning was for falling off of the battlements or for another reason, Sarah didn't know. She chose not to comment. She had more pressing matters with which to contend. She was determined that the Goblin King would not affect her. If she pretended that simple touches didn't bother her then they wouldn't. He'd eventually get the hint and bugger off. It didn't help that one of his thumbs was making circles from its position at her waist. She just couldn't think clearly. "What are they doing down there?" she asked quietly.
Sarah felt that her nervousness was showing through. It was rather cold, and the wind was whipping her hair around wildly, while also serving to plaster her dress tightly against her. The juxtaposition of being cold and hot all at once was a rather new sensation. Sarah went very still as Jareth moved closer and rested his right cheek against her left side. This left her in the awkward position of not knowing what to do with her entire left arm. Hesitantly, she lifted her arm and placed it gently on his shoulder to brace herself. His blond hair was soft against her hand. Her touch was light, almost fleeting, and Sarah could scarcely breathe she was so nervous.
"Bonfires," Jareth responded simply.
Sarah could feel his hot breath against her side, and she was almost certain he had turned his face more toward her side than before. She was reminded of a cat, but one that definitely had more of the predator about him. Sarah knew she had to rally and regain her equilibrium. She took a fortifying breath. "Yes, but what are they doing down there? I see them throwing things in," Sarah insisted.
"Bones. It was a day of slaughter." Jareth didn't specify what kind of bones and Sarah wasn't insane enough to ask, as she knew she might not like the answer.
She wanted to think the goblins below had slaughtered livestock, but she had the horrible feeling that perhaps that wasn't all there was to it.
After a significant pause, during which Sarah surmised Jareth was obviously waiting for an exclamation of disapproval, he continued. "Some will go souling Aboveground later tonight. I imagine it is quite the surprise to hapless folk to think they're entertaining those who are guising only to invite in goblins unaware," he murmured with dark amusement.
Sarah could only imagine that this goblin version of trick-or-treating wasn't nearly as amusing to the victims. She shuddered in revulsion at the thought.
"Don't fret. They wouldn't harm you. I daresay the little scabs would all find themselves clamoring to achieve each and every one of your exhausting whims."
That wasn't what Sarah was concerned about, but now that Jareth mentioned it, perhaps she was lacking somewhat in the self-preservation department considering that she hadn't thought of the dangers to herself at all. Despite herself, Sarah huffed.
It was this moment when a clamor arose behind them.
"Yer Majesty!" a gravelly voice called urgently.
Sarah could hear the goblin stopping to regain his breath. "Majesty- the Court. They're here!"
Sarah felt Jareth stiffen slightly. His voice was measured when he spoke. "Boggle. Go prepare rooms for them and escort them to the throne room."
Sarah couldn't surmise anything of the Goblin King's mood from that statement.
"Sire," the gravelly voiced goblin responded in a frightened voice. "They're already there. Mab is already there!"
At this, Jareth swirled around quickly, spinning Sarah down from her perch. Sarah was dizzy from the movement, and were it not for Jareth's arm around her waist, she would have fallen. "Is she, Boggle? Tell me, how I am just now hearing such news?"
Sarah got her first look at the little goblin. Despite the little creature's obvious terror, it didn't look at all docile. It was a ghastly looking thing with jagged teeth and buggy eyes.
"The Mab. She said not to b-bother you, Sire. She said- she said she'd see t-to her own," the goblin stuttered.
"Did she? And you just thought you'd be ever so helpful and go along with not informing your king, is that it?"
"Yes, Sire! I mean- no! I mean that Mab said—"
"Mab! You answer to me!" Jareth hissed quietly. "For this, you attend Mab for the duration of her stay."
Sarah never imagined she could see a goblin go pale, but this Boggle creature managed it.
It immediately began groveling at the Goblin King's feet. "No! Please! I'll take the Bog! Please don't give me to Mab! I'll do anything—"
"Quite eager to play the loyal servant now, aren't you?" Jareth said scathingly. Sarah noted a cruel glint in his eyes when he spoke next. "However, as you were more than eager to do Mab's bidding, then she can be your new mistress. Consider it—a promotion."
Boggle was weeping piteously.
"Come, come, Boggle! You mustn't keep your new mistress waiting. She despises tardiness in her retainers."
With that pronouncement, Jareth transported Sarah and himself to just outside the doors of his throne room.
Sarah had no idea what to say, but she was becoming more than a little concerned. Jareth straightened himself up as if he hadn't a care in the world. He was wearing a jacket of the darkest midnight, his breeches were a dark grey, his riding boots were gleaming, his white shirt was open in a look of artful neglect, and his queued hair was half undone in a look of sexy dishevelment. Sarah felt positively dowdy standing next to him wearing a dress that was more to Irene's taste than her own. He placed Sarah's arm in the crook of his elbow.
"Say nothing unless spoken to," he told her quickly, shifting his eyes to hers to ascertain she understood.
Sarah nodded.
With no further explanation or instructions, Jareth twisted his hand and the doors opened. He escorted Sarah into chaos.
The Spartan throne room was entrenched in shadows that writhed. Sarah resolutely didn't stare at the various spectacles as they passed through. However, she wasn't ignorant as to what was likely going on. There was raucous laughter, raucous drinking, lewd dancing, noises from the corners that either hinted at death or orgies or both, hideous looking creatures, lovely looking creatures with scars ruining their beauty, and in the middle of it all sat the most innocent looking girl on the Goblin King's throne.
Sarah's gaze was immediately drawn to the figure on the throne. She looked positively out of place among those surrounding her. She seemed like an innocent amongst the wolves. She looked younger than Sarah herself. Untouched by the ravages of time sat a mere girl. She could have been thirteen, she could have been fifteen, she could have been any number of ages- all hinting at youth and vitality. Her skin was fair, her cheeks and lips were rosy, her eyes were the green of summer, and her hair was the loveliest shade of red that Sarah had ever beheld. It was long and unbound, curling slightly at the ends. She wore a delicately woven simple shift of gold colored silk with matching slippers on her feet. Her feet didn't even touch the ground, but the girl was swinging them back and forth merrily from her perch. She didn't bother with a crown.
The girl looked at them and smiled. Jareth swept a regal bow and Sarah took it as her cue to execute a poorly done curtsy. When the girl laughed, it sounded like tinkling bells, all clever and perfect. Sarah was enchanted. The entire hall grew quiet.
"Jareth!" the girl exclaimed happily. "You know I don't stand on formality."
"Mab," Jareth intoned seriously. "It is always an honor to host your exalted presence."
The redheaded girl laughed again. "Oh! And you have company. I hope we haven't disturbed your plans for the evening," she said kindly.
"Not at all. I was merely going to escort her to her room and then return—"
"Nonsense, Jareth! I won't have you neglecting your guest on my account. Why, she can stay here with us," Mab beamed at her own cleverness. "It is no trouble."
"Of course," Jareth muttered obligingly.
Sarah was getting the distinct impression that Jareth was less than happy with Mab's presence, but the girl queen seemed so nice. Perhaps that was why Jareth didn't want her there.
"And a lovely thing she is too. I can see now why you wanted to keep her before."
At the Goblin King's surprised look, Mab laughed again. It was the loveliest sound in the world to Sarah's ears, despite the content of her words.
"Well, of course she is the same one who ran your Labyrinth before, is she not? You're simply not the sort to give up your obsessions, Jareth," Mab stated matter of factly.
"You are, of course, correct," Jareth conceded humbly.
Sarah was merely confused. She was too confused to be properly angry, but to have the Goblin King's apparent want of her so casually stated and him so readily agreeing to that state of things was odd for Sarah to hear.
"A little birdie told me she may be more than she seems," Mab said in a singsong voice.
"I admit that it was my intent to discover if this was so," Jareth volunteered.
Mab clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oh, a new game! I do adore a good game. It might even lead to a war- and those are ever so exciting- don't you agree?"
"They're certainly not dull," Jareth answered dutifully.
"Well, that would defeat the point, wouldn't it? And don't think I haven't noticed your lack of enthusiasm there at the last. We thrive on chaos here. We need chaos. We want chaos. Jareth, you are in extreme danger of becoming boring," the girl ranted and pouted simultaneously.
"Then I shall have to endeavor to prove to you that I am not dull," he replied sullenly.
"Yes, yes. You certainly shall. If you're very good, I may even give you my blessing to keep her," Mab stated magnanimously.
Sarah was quickly learning to dislike the perfect laugh. Mab was sounding more sociopathic by the moment- like some demented child of the corn.
"You're too kind, Mab," Jareth responded dryly.
"Never let it be said that the Seelie outdo us in this area," Mab stated scathingly. "My dearest hope is that your creature is of their stock. I fancy seeing them horrified at being bested by my Horde, even my most trusted Lieutenant, no matter his lack of enthusiasm. We shall defile their precious changeling, if that is indeed what she is. The scandal of turning her will be delicious." With that, Mab's look of anger abated and she gave Sarah a sweet smile. "My dear, you never gave me your name," Mab said in an equally sweet voice.
The smile seemed very sincere, but Sarah had been learning that nothing was as it seemed, and this Mab was no innocent girl. "Sarah," Sarah replied quietly.
"Oh, we're going to become very good friends, Sarah. Best friends," the redheaded girl queen stated. "Now, come sit at my feet, while my Lieutenant demonstrates for us his excellent sword play." Mab pointed to a place at the foot of her throne, and Jareth swiftly escorted Sarah over to sit next to her. "Why, the last time, Sarah, Grant over there lost an eye! It was such a beautiful display of blood and gore. Jareth really is quite talented," Mab raved gushingly.
Sarah didn't even know what to say to that, so she said nothing. She was holding on to Jareth's hasty warning for all she was worth. She had a difficult time not flinching when Mab actually proceeded to run her hand over her dark silky locks repeatedly, as if Sarah was nothing more than a dog.
As Sarah looked on she beheld a horrifying spectacle. Boggle was thrown in front of Queen Mab by a group of goblins.
Mab beamed. "Oh, Jareth! You shouldn't have. I was just thinking that it would be nice to have a goblin for a retainer, what with being here in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City and all," Mab gushed to Jareth, who had begun practicing with a well-balanced épée. She turned to the little goblin. "Boggle, wasn't it? Boggle, I want to have fun tonight and you're going to help me. Why all you have to do is take up that mace over there and fight for your life. I'll find it ever so entertaining. Now go on. Shoo!"
By the end, Sarah was distinctly sorry for Boggle. Nobody deserved what Mab insisted Jareth make the poor creature endure. Sarah cried. She vaguely noticed that Jareth didn't look at all happy with the turn of events.
"Boggle isn't very good, is he? This is boring me to tears too, Sarah. I know! Let's play a game. Paper, rock, scissors. Best two out of three. If you win, Boggle gets to live. If I win, then I get to see if you're wearing glamour. I'm powerful enough to take it off if you have one. Not many can say that!" Mab boasted.
Sarah wasn't in a position to refuse. Plus, it was a game that she could perhaps win and thereby save Boggle's life. She had to try. "Of course. I'm always up for a game," Sarah said bravely, even though she was terrified and didn't feel very brave at all.
Mab giggled. "I knew I liked you!"
Sarah looked at Jareth only to find him staring back at her seriously. He nodded at her approvingly. She didn't want Jareth's approval after this nor was she reassured. Sarah narrowed her eyes. The dark haired green-eyed young woman glared at the Goblin King.
Mab noticed. "So many games being played here! I knew I was right to come here tonight. I do so adore games!"
Queen Mab's Unseelie Court laughed. It wasn't a pleasant sound. Sarah held back a shiver of revulsion. She felt sick.
Notes: Souling is quite possibly the precursor for modern trick-or-treating. People would go around door to door saying prayers for the dead and receive Soul Cakes in return. The practice dates to the Middle Ages. Also, if you've not caught on, all of my goblins are named by what they are. Bucca Boo, Brag, Boggle, and Grant are all types of goblins.