This chapter nearly did me in. Rough sailing.
One more word and you won't survive
And I'm not scared
Of your stolen power
I see right through you any hour- Blue Foundation
Did you now that darling is derived from an Old English word meaning "minion?" Sarah asked after a few minutes of tense silence.
The women burst into a fit of laughter.
"I think that having Jareth as a minion would probably be more dangerous than a lover," Honor chuckled merrily. She could understand entirely why anyone would be captivated by the young woman beside her, she wanted to keep her herself.
"Very true, he would be absolute rubbish as a minion. He would do everything wrong on purpose and then convince you that it was all your fault," Sarah giggled behind a hand.
"Scary thought, that. I have a feeling you would, one way or another, end up his minion in truth," Honor inhaled deeply and returned to her senses.
"Probably," Sarah agreed. "I am not sure what I should do."
"Upon my honor, I am not sure there is anything to be done at this point," she tapped a finger against her cheek. "Unless…"
"Yes," Sarah leaned toward her new friend.
"I wonder if we could trick him into making a wish," the woman whispered, mischievous glee causing her hazel eyes to appear more green than brown. For a moment Sarah could see an otherness about Honor that hinted at the truth of her earlier words.
"You want to trick a trickster?" Sarah said incredulously.
"Why not?" Honor sat back and stared at the fireplace. "I am not saying it would be easy...or even that it would safe. We...or you rather...would have to lure him into a false sense of security, catch him with his guard down, that sort of thing. Then, you would probably need to do some word-smithing or phrase twisting, followed by some outright deception and manipulation," she brought her hands together beneath her chin.
"That sounds like a risky game to me," Sarah frowned.
"Yes, but if you can trick him into making a wish that is agreeable to you, then you will be out of his power, and you will have some control over the outcome of the wish. All of which would be highly advantageous to you," Honor pursed her lips in thought. "He has weaknesses. He is arrogant and proud."
"He is also clever and unscrupulous...not to mention disarming," Sarah looked down at her hands which rested in her lap.
"Do you fear him?" Honor cocked her head, eyes searching Sarah's face. "He will know if you do, he will use everything that you are against you."
"I don't fear him in the sense that you would fear a maniac or a serial killer...I fear him the way you fear the dark. It never harms you, but it steals something from you. I don't know how to describe it," Sarah sighed loudly.
"Ah, you don't have to explain that to me my dear. I've inhabited the same realm as Jareth for centuries. I know all too well how he can make you feel, and it's not limited to those weaker vessels such as you and I. Even my darling fears the Goblin King. I just want you to be prepared."
"I've not agreed to anything," Sarah ran a hand through her hair.
"No, but you are already playing his game, my dear."
Immediately, an impish face appeared smiling in the little window above the kitchen table. Honor frowned at the visage of her beloved but his grin never faltered. Slowly she moved over to the window and threw it open with a bang.
"What do you want?" she squinted threateningly.
"I felt a change in tone when you were thinking of my name, turtledove. I thought, perhaps, you were ready for me to come home. I do so tire of this dreadful existence were you are not by my side. Where I cannot properly adore you and worship the very ground upon which you walk, or at least, I tire of doing it from a distance," he gave her rakish look.
Honor sighed loudly and turned back to Sarah, "Do you see what I endure daily," her wispy bangs floated about her head as it shook farcically.
Sarah tried very hard not to laugh.
"Come in, then," the slight woman slapped the window shut and in a second, with the sound of a snap, Rumpelstiltskin was standing merrily beside Sarah's chair eyes all a twinkle.
"Hello, Ms. Mortal. There is someone hiding in the tree outside. I suppose he is there laying in wait for you."
Sarah's face blanched.
"Oh dear, no need to look so chilled. It is only our benevolent ruler. He is much more approachable in avian form, I assure you," mischief danced a polka across his impish face.
Honor did not look amused, but Rumpelstiltskin was quickly across the room, pulling her into his arms and chastely placing a kiss upon her lips. His eyes were soft and adoring as they perused her face. "I feel as though I've lived a thousand years in solitude these past few days. You are so very cruel, my love."
"And you are very stupid," Honor lifted her chin jauntily, challenge in her eyes.
"I know," he smiled.
"I am ever so sorry to interrupt this rather disturbing display of affection, but may I come in," a cold voice jeered from the now open doorway.
Sarah swallowed hard and her hosts lost a little of their previous joviality.
"Of course, you may, cousin," Rumpelstiltskin recovered quickly.
Sarah's eyes refused to tear themselves away from the Goblin King. He looked very similar to the way she had left him in the throne room, chest still tantalizingly bared by the unfastened shirt, hair a little tousled, and he wore a self-assured smirk.
"I don't mean to intrude upon your reunion, but I've come to collect what's mine," his eyes flashed as they settled upon Sarah.
He noticed her eyes narrow in fury. Villain it is then, he thought to himself.
"Come, Sarah" he extended a gloved hand to her. Wary eyes traveled from that hand to his bare forearm and the rolled up sleeve of his frustratingly unbuttoned shirt, they stopped at the icy set of eyes. Though they were arresting, they were also frosted with good humor.
"Fine," Sarah stood poised to take his hand when Honor rushed to her side and yanked her forcibly into an embrace.
With her lips very close to Sarah's ear she whispered, "Be careful and remember what I've said." Honor withdrew beaming unassumingly and returned to her darling's side. "It was so nice of you to pop in Sarah."
Rumpelstiltskin waved good naturedly.
Sarah waved back as she was pulled through the door of the little cottage and out into the sea air.
"You don't have to drag me all the way back to the castle you know," she grumbled trying to keep up with his lanky strides. He did not reply, but kept tugging her along until they reached the part of the beach were the unicorns rested. Stopping so suddenly that Sarah nearly ran into him, Jareth pointed at the white beasts with uplifted eyebrows.
"You did this," though his tone was accusing the expression that accompanied it was deliciously devious.
"What?" Sarah crinkled her nose.
"Do you think that Unicorns belong in the Underground, never mind the Goblin Kingdom?" Dropping her hand, he stood with his own resting upon his hips.
"I don't know," she said simply.
"Well, I do and they don't," his eyes drilled into hers. "They have languished Aboveground for such a long time. I never would have thought to bring them here...I am not sure that I even could have," admiration flickered behind the ice.
"However, the natural habitat of a unicorn is neither a labyrinth, nor a seashore," he flicked an eyebrow skyward.
"What are you saying," Sarah asked.
"Do you trust me?"
"You wish," Sarah said unthinkingly.
Jareth's eyes narrowed as he skillfully caught her chin in his gentle, but firm grasp.
"Sarah, your flippancy with words landed you in quite a deal of trouble with me once already. Do mind your tongue. I wish no such thing, it would simply make things easier," his grin was malicious.
"I am sorry," she whispered. Her face was far too close to his for comfort. She felt her heart began to stir, its beat increasing rapidly.
The unicorns had stirred as well. They edged up curiously to the couple, their cloven hooves making delicate imprints wherever they roamed. A young one, possibly the only young one, was extremely close. He eyed Sarah eagerly.
Jareth deftly removed a single glove as he let go of Sarah's face. She was so shocked by the sudden appearance of his long graceful fingers that she barely registered the words that he spoke to her.
"See there, he likes you," Jareth smirked at the young unicorn. Sarah simply gaped until Jareth's uncovered hand darted toward her own.
"What are you doing?" she asked with wide-eyes.
"I am using you," he snatched her hand intertwining her fingers with his own.
Closing her eyes at the contact, Sarah gasped. Jareth pulled her close to him, she hadn't been so near to him since the ball and his sudden proximity mangled her senses. Too many things were happening too quickly. The place where his hand melded with hers tingled, and the rest of her was far too eager to remain close to the rest of him. It was mortifying.
"I need you to think, Sarah. Think of an old forest with tall trees and streams that reflect the moon on clear nights," he rasped into her ear.
She was willing to do anything, regardless of how absurd it sounded, that would take her mind off of his body against hers, off of his bare chest beneath her free hand. So she thought of forests from fairytales-old ones, German ones, that cakes were named after.
The tingling in her hand spread throughout her body and she felt fragile, sensitive, like a limb that has only just fallen asleep. Her mind attempted to interpret what exactly was happening, but she experienced feelings of being both invaded and drained alternatively. She thought she was going to die when he finally let her go.
Sinking to the ground, on her hands and knees, Sarah tried to think straight, "What did you just do to me?" she mumbled.
"I told you. I used you. Look," he tilted her head up with a re-gloved finger. The plain that once stretched between the Labyrinth and the shore was gone. In its place stood a looming forest, tall and ancient. Already the unicorns were rushing from the beach into the cover of the woods.
The young one dared to extend his head toward Sarah even as his companions retreated. Avoiding Jareth he crept to her side and placed his head in her lap. She was so tired, but she stroked his silky mane anyway. Jareth simply watched, a possessive expression coloring his sneer. He did not like to share.
"They like you. I could have brought the forest into existence on my own, but they prefer your magic to mine, and it would have drained me as it did you," his head swiveled to a new angle as he spoke to her. He pointed at her other hand, where the crystal still rested. It churned opaquely, in a similar fashion as it had done when Sarah first arrived in the Underground that morning. "I've used up all your energy, I'm afraid."
"I think you've killed me," Sarah gazed dully up at him.
"No, I wouldn't want to kill a girl who owes me a wish. That would be wasteful. You simply need to rest which coincidentally was my next idea. You will certainly be more persuadable in this state," he laughed lowly.
Jareth shooed the young rascal of a unicorn away from Sarah and reached for her hands, instantly they were back where their adventure had begun, staring at the errant love-seat.
Scooping her up, for the second time in less than a week, Jareth tossed the young woman into bed, though this time it was his own.
Sarah wanted to protest, but even before he climbed in beside her, she was drifting off. Yet, she managed to mumble, "Keep those magic hands to yourself," before darkness enveloped her. The last thing she heard was his low chuckle.
When her eyes wandered open many hours later, the chamber was dark. She could discern the multicolored stars blazing prettily in the sky outside the large windows. A strong arm was draped around her waist. Slowly Sarah turned over, coming face to face with the sleeping sovereign.
Green eyes shamelessly raked over his deceptively innocent face, in sleep he lost that haughtiness that usually clung to him. Sarah felt the oddest desire to touch him, though she knew that was probably not a good idea. A devil-may-care hand slowly rose, seemingly, of its own accord and pushed a feather light lock of hair from his temple. In the space of a heartbeat his icy gaze locked onto her. His eyes were hungry.
Don't tickle sleeping dragons, don't touch sleeping kings. Words to live by.