When they entered the dining room two goblins were grinning as they started setting the table. "Morning your majesty." Taben said as Gobbet poured them some orange juice.
Jareth cocked his head. "What are you two doing here? You never work in the kitchens." He asked as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
They both giggled as Taben answered him. "We thought we would do something nice for the new queenie that's all."
"Really? So you're not just making sure I won't throw you into the bog if you say her name?" he said as he raised an eyebrow.
They gave each other a look that said "Uh oh, we've been caught" just before running out of the room as Sarah laughed.
Jareth rolled his eyes and shook his head in exasperation. He gave her a half smile as they sat down. "Sorry about that, some of them can be quite a handful. Watch out they like to hide things." He warned her. "And when Cerin comes out try not to talk to her directly she's a brownie so she hates that."
She took a sip of her juice before answering. "How do you not talk to someone directly?" she asked.
"Well let's say you want some syrup on your pancakes but there isn't any set out. Instead of asking her for some you say to yourself "I wonder if there's any syrup in the kitchen." and she'll go and get it for you." He shrugged. "I know it's a bit strange but you get used to it, but most of the time you don't have to ask for anything, she's very good at what she does. Plus she gives great advice and she's been here for quite some time now."
She blinked at him as she replied. "Oh alright I'll try to keep that in mind." Her eyes widened as a small 3 foot tall woman with bushy hair came out of the kitchen with a platter of blueberry pancakes, syrup and some fresh fruit.
As she sat it on the table she spoke in a squeaky voice. "It seems the rumors are true, the king has taken a wife. I hope the new queen likes her breakfast. She seems very nice and she is quite beautiful."
She thought for a moment before trying to reply as indirectly as possible. "The pancakes look like they're delicious and I hope Cerin knows that I'm grateful for the compliment." Smiling as Jareth sent her a wink.
Cerin let out a squeaky laugh. "The king has chosen a very sweet and polite woman for his wife. She makes him smile which is something I haven't seen for some time." She bowed to them before she returned to the kitchen.
She giggled at the absurdity of the conversation as Jareth chuckled. "That was interesting."
"You did quite well; she certainly seems to like you." He said as they began to eat. Not being able to resist teasing her he offered her one of the peaches.
She tried her best not to laugh at his innocent expression. "Think your funny don't you? You know I still don't know if I've forgiven you for that yet."
He gave her a sheepish smile. "I am sorry about that but I had a very good reason for doing it."
She rolled her eyes. "Really? And what was that?" she asked incredulously.
He sighed before answering. "Well, didn't you ever wonder why you ended up nearly a mile closer to the castle right outside of the gates?"
Her eyebrows knitted together as she realized he was right. "I never really thought about it."
Giving her a sad smile he explained. "The part of the forest you almost entered is crawling with mngwa, a vicious breed of cat. Incredibly strong, a single swipe from one of their claws would've killed you instantly. They move so silently they could be inches from you and you wouldn't have heard a sound. They only kill humans so your friends were safe from them. I tried to keep you from going to that side of the labyrinth by having the dwarf take you back to a different path but when he didn't I had to find a different way. So I gave him the peach and made sure he'd give it to you before you reached that part of the forest. As it was he almost didn't give it to you in time. I saw one creeping up on you less than a foot away just before the spell took hold. I was so close to losing you I very nearly had a heart attack." He shuddered at the memory as he finished.
Sarah stared at him in shock pressing her hand to her mouth as she realized just how close to death she had come. Tears filled her eyes as she thought of what he must've gone through in that moment. Getting up she moved over to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. Burying his head into her shoulder he wrapped his arms around her pulling her onto his lap as he continued to shudder. She held him close for a moment. "You really aren't the monster I thought you were back then are you?"
Pulling back a little he brought his hand to her face. "Not when it comes to you." He said softly, giving her a gentle kiss.
She smiled at him. "How many other times did you save me that day?"
He sighed. "I'll tell you the rest some other time, for now I need to get to my duties. I've put them off too long already. While I'm working why don't you go visit your friends for a while? I'm sure they would love to see you." He conjured a detailed map of the labyrinth, drawing a safe path for her to follow before handing it to her.
Taking it she looked back at him. "What do I do if the walls change on me?"
He chuckled. "Don't worry precious; they only change when there's a runner going through it. And even if you were to get lost all you have to do is ask any of the creatures. They all know their way around; they only say they don't when they come across a runner. I'm sure by now the entire labyrinth knows about you." He laughed at her when she groaned. He pointed to the markings on their wrists. "These are more than just decoration; it allows us to sense each other's emotions. I'll be able to feel it if you need me."
Sarah tilted her head. "Really? Then why haven't I felt anything from you?"
He shrugged. "You've already had to deal with so much in very little time. I didn't want to overwhelm you with my emotions as well so I blocked them from you." Smiling he pulled her to him. "I have to go now precious. I'll see you later today." Giving her a passionate kiss he let her feel the full extent of their connection before leaving her.
His emotions hit her with the force of a tidal wave as he kissed her. A heady mixture of desire, tenderness, and joy but the most overwhelming was his love for her. Stunned she quietly watched him leave as his emotions continued to swamp her for a moment before slowly calming to a mere shadow at the back of her mind. Taking a long breath to steady herself she headed out to see her friends. Deciding to see Sir Didymus first she followed the map he gave her and was stunned to find herself at the bog less than 15 minutes later. Covering her face at the horrid stench she called for him.
Poking his head out of a tree he answered her. "Is that you my lady?" He called just as Ludo came out from behind a rock and lumbered over to her.
"Yes it's me Didymus, hello Ludo. Why don't we go over to Hoggle's to talk this smell is already making me feel sick." She told him.
Nodding they followed her back out of the bog. "How did you come to be here my lady? His majesties gift didn't trap you here did it? If he has harmed you I will fight him to the death!" growling he swung his staff around.
Sarah laughed. "No, I chose to come here and he hasn't hurt me in the least, he's been nothing but kind to me actually. I'll explain everything when we get to Hoggle's."
Didymus raised an eyebrow in disbelief as Ludo looked at her in confusion as if he hadn't heard her correctly. "If you say so my lady but I don't trust him myself."
Before long they found themselves coming up on Hoggle's tiny cottage on the outer edge of the labyrinth.
Spotting them he hurried over to them before bombarding her. "What are you doing here? It's been all over the labyrinth that you've married that rat Jareth; I tried to tell them you would do no such thing but no one would believe me. I'd like to give a piece of my mind to whoever spread that lie."
Dreading his reaction she winced as she knelt down and uncovered her wrists. "It's true Hoggle we are married."
His eyes widened in shock as she heard Didymus and Ludo gasp behind her. His face twisted into a look of pure anger as he shouted. "What! Why would you tie yourself to that monster! Did he threaten you? Argg I think I'm going to be sick."
She sighed as she sat on a nearby rock before answering. "It's complicated but no, he didn't threaten me, I married him under my own free will." Hoggle looked like he was about to faint as she continued. "I broke his heart the last time I was here. He was dying and he gave me a choice, to stay aboveground or to save him and come here. I couldn't let him die when it was my fault. I've started to get to know him for who he really is. He has shown me nothing but kindness, love and understanding since I've been here. Please give him a chance he's not the monster we thought he was."
Sir Didymus spoke up. "Milady, normally I would trust your judgment implicitly. However something about this situation of yours smells funny, and as you know my nose is quite keen. Are you sure he has not placed you under a spell of some kind?" He asked as Ludo nodded behind him in agreement before giving her a questioning look.
Sarah sighed, she'd known that they might think something along those lines and she attempted to explain but she was interrupted by Hoggle.
Instead of calming him down her explanation had only infuriated him more. "He must've cast a spell over you there is no other explanation! He's a despicable, disgusting rat! He stole your brother, threw you in an oubliette, drugged you with that peach and nearly got you killed by those goblins! I thought you was better than that but it turns out your just as much a rat as him!" He screamed at her furiously.
For a moment she was shocked into silence before her own anger sparked to life. Narrowing her eyes she stood. "Hoggle! How dare you speak to me like that after all we've been through? I have been nothing but a friend to you since we met even when you didn't deserve it!" She clenched her fists as she struggled to control her temper. Suddenly sparks started to shoot out of her fingertips as the electric current running through her peaked. Shocked she watched a bolt of lightning strike the ground next to her as Hoggle fell back. Terrified she desperately tried to control it as they stared at her in disbelief. She felt Jareth's concern just before he appeared beside her.
