In this place it seems like such a shame
Though it all looks different now,
I know it's still the same
Everywhere I look you're all I see
Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be
-Nine Inch Nails, "Something I Can Never Have"
"Your Majesty. She holds private court," the advisor informed him curtly, as if that should be the end of it, planting himself firmly in front of the great wooden door to the inner chamber, stretching his neck as if to gain any height possible over the irascible Goblin King. If Jareth could have transported into the chamber, he would have, but Maeve had wisely kept the room warded against teleportation. Jareth leaned menacingly into the advisor's face, thin lips curled in a sneer, eyes flashing with malice. "Now!" he roared, slamming a gloved fist against the thick wood just shy of the poor fae's head. The advisor, who was familiar with the queen's brother and his mercurial moods, stepped back against the door just as it opened, causing him to stumble to the floor in the inner chamber. Jareth stalked into the chamber, glaring at the throne's occupant. The advisor raised himself and tentatively skittered past Jareth back to the outer court.
Inwardly, Maeve smirked. Outwardly, she maintained a formal composure, slowly turning to face Jareth from the raised dais. She'd felt the notification spell activate the moment the two had come within a meter of each other. She'd witnessed the entire "reunion" in a crystal shard, and oh how entertaining it had been…entertaining, and informative. She had never seen such mixed emotions on her brother's face as when he'd looked down at Sara when she crumpled to the ground in grief.
One of the fae nobles who had obviously been in conversation with the queen, sneered at Jareth. "Majesty, this is most irregular," he complained, the others nodding at the sentiment. Maeve's blue lips twitched despite her efforts to hide her amusement. Oh goody, a cock fight. Jareth eyed the fae derisively, "You have no idea just how irregular this is, Kheelan," he retorted. "Perhaps Her Royal Highness would care to explain how this irregularity has come to pass." He glared back at his sister, who had propped an elbow on one arm of the throne, chin resting in her hand. Though seeing Jareth and Kheelan spar was entertaining, she had no doubt that Jareth had a weapon hidden somewhere on his person, knowing it was forbidden in the court chambers, and that Kheelan most likely did not. No amusement was worth bloodshed and discord in the kingdom, especially when her plans depended on peace in the Underground at the moment.
Maeve noted the stark contrast between the formally-dressed nobles in their colorful silk brocade and Jareth's dark leather ensemble. She shook her head slightly at her brother, knowing he had purposefully over and under-dressed for the occasion. She settled her black silk-gloved hands in her lap, her glowing eyes smiled benignly at the noble fae. "Lord Coolavin," she stated, her voice sounding both commanding and evocative of tinkling crystals, soothing the insulted noble. "We extend our apologies for this unfortunate interruption on behalf of the Goblin Kingdom." Jareth rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. She eyed him in warning while continuing her speech. He was already on thin ice. "We regret that we must end our session for today. You will all stay and dine with me this evening." The nobles exchanged glances, seemingly placated at the royal invite. Kheelan, Lord Coolavin, who seemed to be their unofficial leader, bowed deeply, hand on his heart in the show of fealty. "You are most generous, Your Highness," he relented. Each of nobles bowed and made a show of fealty. The queen nodded in dismissal. Maeve noted that Kheelan looked as if he was going to bump into Jareth, then veered slightly as he saw the king's hand purposefully reach in back of him, where daggers were often secreted. The last noble exited, and the door closed itself behind him. Maeve sighed heavily at her brother. Had he unsheathed the dagger in this room, she would have had no choice but to sentence him to the fade…
Jareth planted himself directly in front of Maeve. His brows furrowed as he glared up at her through unruly blond wisps of hair. His voice was low and controlled. "There is a human woman in my kingdom who claims you are responsible for her appearance." He paused as he attempted to control his emotions. She might be his sister, but she was foremost his sovereign. "Care to explain?"
Maeve sank back into the throne, smiling, throwing one leg over the arm carelessly. Her inky, black locks uncoiled themselves from the circlet, and she tapped her blue lips as if in thought. "Oh yes," she replied thoughtfully. "I do seem to remember being made aware of the poor girl's plight." Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned against the dais. "Let's not play games, Maeve. Send her back."
The Sidhe Queen released a slight "hmmmmm," as a goblet appeared in her slender hand. "I could do that, I suppose, but you do know that she will die within minutes of leaving the Underground." She kicked her leg languidly as she took a sip of the wine, smiling into the goblet. His response would tell her all she needed to know about how useful the girl could be.
"How did you know she was in danger?" he asked after a few moment's pause, knowing his interest might give away too much information. How could Maeve have sensed her when he couldn't? Why had she even bothered? Surely human suffering was far beneath her notice, unless…..Higlet! Maeve rested the goblet on one knee and looked at her brother thoughtfully. "A little goblin told me," she smiled, her markings sparkling with mirth. Jareth snorted. "You should know, brother, she was within moments of death when I first saw her." Jareth kicked off the dais angrily and turned to face Maeve again. "Then why send her to my kingdom? She's not my responsibility. You didn't even inform me. She could have presented a danger to my kingdom."
It was Maeve's turn to snort. "Oh dear brother, if the wreck of a human I first encountered could present a danger to your kingdom, then you are the weakest link in our armor." Useful – the girl would definitely be useful.
Jareth grimaced. "You test me, dear sister. She is not welcome in my kingdom, and I owe her no protection."
"Now Jareth," she chided him. "I'm sure you will think of something to do with her. Perhaps have her run your Labyrinth again for your adopted prince."
So she knew that as well. Fuck. He also did not fail to note the other innuendo…..it had been on his mind.
"By the way" she added, "Belenus has brought the little thing some type of human contraption to study small organisms." One brow raised in amusement. "Apparently, she wants to study the putrid sickness. I dare say you are in for exciting times," she quipped, raising her glass to her mouth.
Jareth was seething. He had to leave before he said or did something that earned him banishment….or worse. He made an almost imperceptible bow, just missing his heart in signing fealty, as he turned to storm out of the inner chamber, calling over his shoulder, "Don't be expecting any additional gratuitous shipments of wine from the Goblin Kingdom. So sorry, my liege, the supplies – they dwindle, the workers are difficult. I'm sure you understand."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Sarah," the dwarf's gravelly voice pleaded, "You ain't going to get better if you don't eat." He held out a bowl of some kind of stew for the fifth time in the last few minutes. Sarah smiled weakly at him from the bed, propped against extra pillows he'd brought to make her comfortable, her hair piled in a messy up-do, bags visibly punctuating her eyes. She felt as if she had a monster hangover. "Hoggle, we discussed this. I'm not sick. I'm just sad – I'm grieving, for Karen, for Toby, for my father, for me." Hoggle set the stew on a side table as he considered for a moment. "You should probably add me to your list then." Sarah chuckled. "Yes, you're probably right," she mused, considering the Goblin King's reaction at their last encounter. She grasped his warty hand. "I'm so sorry, Hoggle. I didn't mean to cause you trouble." Hoggle sighed, clasping his free hand over hers. "It was Hoggle's choice. I'd do it again," he stated resolutely. "Oh, and Sarah," he stated excitedly, releasing her hand and sliding off the chair, indicating the sleek, white, black, and chrome instrument on the kitchen table. "The healer brought the human scope thing." The microscope….
That was the day after Jareth had banished her to the storehouse until further notice. Hoggle brought food and supplies for the next few days, stayed and chatted for a while, and left for his duties. The goblin guards wouldn't even allow her to take her "coffee" out on the wall of the back lot, as she was accustomed to do. "King's orders," they always responded, blocking her way.
After a few days of moping about the storehouse, she began to feel restless. The initial shock of the grief had worn off, and she began to find purpose again. Get Toby home, find your place here. She eyed the microscope. For the last couple of days, she hadn't felt like thinking too deeply. Everything had still been a muddled mess in her head. I wonder why he hasn't come back to continue our "conversation?" She ran her hands over the microscope. Since she was so unfamiliar with the construction of the putrid sickness, she'd been afraid to try an electron microscope or a phase-contrast microscope, opting instead for the basic compound microscope. Start with the structure. She began experimenting with ways of providing light sources. Hoggle had promised to bring the sample soon.
She had to admit, even though she'd seen the Goblin King since she'd been brought here, speaking with him face-to-face had been another kind of shock altogether. It had been painful and awkward, and further drove home to her how isolated she was in this world, and how completely she'd been torn from everything she'd known. If it weren't for that, she'd been ready all along to chalk all of it up to a fever-induced dream. She wanted to talk to him again, and she didn't. He was such a prick, and so beautiful. And the last words she had heard from his mouth spoken directly to her had been, "Fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave…"
How am I ever going to make this work?
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
A/N: Remember mes amis, edit drunk, write sober; or, is it the other way round.
Props to reviewers:
ariella21: Thx, coming out of the other side
Sazzle76: Thank you! If you have insight or comments into the potential, would love to hear it.
annibale: Thank you, and thanks for reading!
xSeraphinexLightx: a better 2017 to us all. Thanks for reading!
Jediavenger: Thanks so much (still love the name)
tooralooryeaye: Thanks for the encouragement. Pet Czar for me! (and update Snow, dammit! ;-)
Guest: I hope the new year is kind to you and yours as well, my friend. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
LiteraryRhapsody: It got into my head. Sarah will totally go "code" before the end.