Sarah turned bright red as the woman stared at them. She squeaked as she suddenly found herself wearing a beautiful silk gown. Forest green and threaded with silver, it flowed down to her ankles, sleeves hung just off her shoulders down to her wrists. A silver belt was wrapped around her waist and her necklace was once again around her neck. Looking at Jareth she saw he was now fully dressed as well.
Jareth gave her a sheepish grin before turning to the woman. "Good morning mother, I wasn't expecting you."
Sarah stared up at him. Mother? This was his mother? Oh god. Covering her face with her hands she hid her face in his shoulder as he gently stroked her back.
"Sarah? Come on now sweetheart." Not being able to help the chuckle that escaped him. Gently turning her around he pulled her back against him wrapping his arms around her waist as he introduced them.
"Sarah this is high queen Amara, Mother this is Sarah."
Still blushing she looked up to see his mother giving her a kind smile. She was beautiful with the same platinum blonde hair as Jareth though her eyes were both an ice blue with silver and red markings. "Nice to meet you your majesty." She greeted.
Queen Amara laughed lightly before responding. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you Sarah, even under such unusual circumstances." Moving forward her eyes widened as she saw the markings on her eyes before her gaze flickered to their wrists. Looking at her son she raised an eyebrow. "Jareth when were you going to tell me you were bonded?"
Sarah couldn't help but giggle as he shuffled his feet reminding her of a little boy as he blushed. "Ah well that, it's sort of complicated, we only bonded last night."
His mother put her hands on her hips. "What do you mean complicated? How complicated was it that I didn't even know you were seeing anyone let alone planning to life-bond?"
Confused Sarah spoke to her. "You mean you didn't know what was happening to him?" she asked as Jareth groaned.
"What do you mean child?" she asked.
Jareth interrupted her before she could reply. "I didn't want to worry you mother. I'm…"
The queen held up a hand stopping him before he could finish. "Jareth, you're not going to be able to twist your way around the truth this time so don't even try. Now Sarah tell me."
Jareth winced as Sarah started to tell her about her time in the labyrinth, how they had met, how she had come for her brother and how she had refused his offer. "… and well I didn't really understand it at the time but later I came to realize that he had really loved me and I'd broken his heart. I had no idea what I had done to him until I saw him yesterday." She finished.
The queen had listened intently throughout her tale. She was still for a few moments before pulling Sarah into a hug. "I can see how my son could fall in love with you. You are an extraordinary mortal to have gone through what you have and still be willing to sacrifice so much to save his life. Welcome to the family Sarah, I can already tell you'll make a wonderful queen." Giving her a sincere smile as Sarah smiled in relief.
Clapping her hands together she turned back to Jareth. "Well now, back to the reason why I came here. A fae couple has come forward and I believe they would be a wonderful fit for the new little girl. They've been trying for almost 500 years to have a child and would happily welcome her into their home. They're waiting to meet you downstairs."
"That's wonderful, she's a sweet child, but unfortunately the parents were quite abusive. When her babysitter wished her away I found several bruises on her arms and back and by the look of it her leg was broken at one time." He scowled as he continued. "It took quite a bit of my energy to heal her as much as I could and I was quite tempted to go back and teach them the meaning of pain."
Sarah's eyes filled with tears at the horror he described. That someone could hurt a child sickened her. "That's horrible, how could anyone do that to their own child?"
Jareth looked down at her with pride; he had almost expected her to condemn him for taking the child in the first place yet it hadn't seemed to even cross her mind. He took her hand as he answered. "I don't know Sarah, I've wondered that myself many times. Most of the children that are wished away have been victims of some kind of abuse at some time or another. Even your stepmother wasn't exactly affectionate where Toby was concerned. Quite often she would ignore his cries as your father or yourself took care of him."
Sarah was shocked as she saw the situation from an angle she never had before. She had to agree about her stepmother but she hadn't known that he knew about that when he took Toby. It gave her a glimpse of another side to him, which told her he truly cared for the children. She smiled as she fell in love with him a little more.
Looking up at him she gave him an affectionate smile as he led her from the room after his mother. Arriving at the nursery he squeezed her fingers before releasing her. Jareth knelt down next to the bed to wake the girl, not wanting to startle her he gently rubbed her back. "Wake up little one, there are some people that would very much like to meet you." Opening her eyes and seeing Jareth she smiled holding out her arms and hugging his neck as he picked her up. Tickling her she giggled as he carried her towards them.
Sarah's heart melted at the sight she had never expected to see. "Well well, I never thought I'd see the day when I would find that the great and powerful goblin king had a soft spot." She said as she tilted her head in amusement.
Jareth laughed at her before giving her a mock growl. "Tell no one, don't forget I can be cruel." Winking at her as his mother laughed and shook her head at their banter. He handed the little girl over to her as they left the nursery "This is Sarah, why don't you let her hold you for a while."
Sarah smiled as the girl came right to her and immediately became fascinated by her necklace. "Hello sweetheart." She bounced her on her hip and she giggled in delight. Jareth wrapped his arm around her waist as they came into the room where her new parents waited.
The couple both gave a bow as they entered. The husband spoke. "Your majesties, it's an honor to meet you King Jareth, my name is Aearion and this is my wife Lothiriel and may I ask who is this lovely lady beside you?"
He smiled his voice filled with pride as he introduced her. "This is my wife, Queen Sarah."
Sarah blushed as the couple gave her another bow as he addressed her. "It is a pleasure to meet you my Queen, allow me to congratulate you on your union."
Jareth inclined his head to the couple before speaking. "I'm afraid there are a few things you should be informed of before I release the child to your care. You will have to be quite gentle with her as she becomes frightened quite easily. She has been abused in the past and is still healing from her ill treatment."
At his statement the couple gasped in distress. "We've wanted a child for quite some time now. It's shocking that anyone could do such a thing. We can assure you she will be well loved and cared for in our home."
Her heart went out to the couple. "I can't imagine what it's like to wait so long for a child. From what I can tell the both of you will make wonderful parents to her. I'm sure she will be very happy with you." She smiled down at the girl and gave her a hug before handing her to them.
Jareth looked at her with pride and love as he watched her give them the child without reservation. Stepping forward he turned to the parents shaking his head and chuckling. "And she wonders how she managed to steal my heart." Wrapping his arm around her as the couple laughed when Sarah blushed again. "We wish you both the best." The couple bowed once more both of them cooing to the child as they left.
Queen Amara gave them both a hug before leaving. "We should have a ball in celebration soon and you will have to bring her to meet your father." She reminded him before leaving them alone.
Sarah let out a long breath once she was gone. "Well, that's one way to meet your in-laws." She said as Jareth burst out laughing.
After a moment his laughter subsided as he walked her down the hallway. "Why don't we go and get some breakfast."
