Chapter 10

Day Eight

Waking up for the second day in a row in the arms of the goblin king was a heady experience for Sarah. He had been placing light kisses on her neck and shoulder for the last half hour trying to wake her up. At last he had succeeded as she stirred sleepily. Turning around, she looked up at him and smiled. Coming close he captured her mouth with his own.

A warm feeling that started in her stomach slowly burst through her whole being as the kiss deepened. Soon they had both rolled over so that Sarah lay on her back and Jareth was draped over top of her. Eventually they had to come up for air and so they separated, both breathing heavily. Jareth, recovering faster, began to kiss a trail starting at her ear and ending up at her collarbone. She sighed in pleasure as his tongue swirled a pattern on her skin. She brought her hands up stroking the bare skin of his back. He sucked in a breath at the feel of her gentle caress.

BOOM BOOM BOOM! They both almost jumped off the bed at the sound of a small fist banging on the door. "SAWA!" They heard Toby yell. "Will you take me to the playground?"

She wanted nothing more than to take himto the park and leave him there permanently after interrupting them. Looking at Jareth she saw somewhat of the same feeling written clearly on his face. Leaning down close to her ear he whispered fiercely, "It's not too late to wish him away." One glance at the half earnest look on his face and Sarah burst into amused giggles.

An impatient pounding came from the door again, and before Toby took it into his head to come barging in, she called out, "Yes I'll take you to the playground Toby. Just give me a few minutes." Returning her attention to the man resting on top of her she gave a sweet smile as she said, "He really is a charming child."

He gave her the raised eyebrow look that she loved so much and she pulled him down for another kiss. Slowly parting, she said to him ruefully, "It's hard to find privacy with a younger brother running afoot."

For a moment he was quiet as he contemplated something. "Sarah… There's only a few days left to the challenge." She opened her mouth to say something, but he placed a finger to her lips shushing her. "Hear me out love. I know you're not ready to give me an answer yet. What I propose is that you come stay with me Underground until the final day." At her surprised look he added, "It will give you a better taste of what I'm offering you and," he added with a knowing look in his eyes, "there will be no untimely interruptions from little brothers."

Sarah smiled at that, and then turned her face away from him for a moment, considering his proposal. This isn't a trap. Like I told him before, I trust him to keep his word. There's no harm in this right? And like he said, it would give me a better idea on what I would be accepting. Or giving up… Coming to a decision, she turned back to him and gave him a brilliant smile. "Alright Jareth. I accept!"

Joy coursed through his body and his eyes gleamed their triumph. Bringing their mouths together once more Jareth couldn't help but see this as a step towards his final victory. Their kiss was shattered again by Toby hammering at the door. "SAWA! C'mon!"

Sarah giggled helplessly at the murderous look Jareth threw at the door. Standing up, he held out his hand helping her to sit up. "I suggest you join the little beast before he tears down your door," he said moodily, making Sarah smile. Bringing her fingertips to his lips he kissed them gently and spoke huskily to her. "I will return this evening for you. I must go now and prepare my castle."

She could only nod as the feel of his lips sent little shocks of electricity racing up her arm and out through her body. Grinning wickedly at her, he slowly faded from sight.

Toby had the good grace to burst in her room after the goblin king had left. Stomping his small foot in irritation, he said, "You've made me wait for five hundwed minutes!" Sighing, Sarah thought to herself, I wish the goblin king would come and take me away right now!

Jareth had told Sarah that he needed to prepare the castle for her. But in reality, he was an important fae king, who was always receiving numerous visitors of varying races and social standing. The castle was more than prepared to receive a single mortal guest. What he had meant to say was that he had to prepare it's occupants for her.

The goblins that Sarah had met on her first visit to the labyrinth and also the ones he had sent to see her aboveground had all been from the younger, wilder stock. Their main positions were in his army and personal guard. What they lacked in manners and intelligence, they made up for in loyalty to their king and a willingness to follow his orders to the death.

Knowing that these particular goblins took a certain delight in creating as much chaos as possible however, caused Jareth to make the decision to banish them to the outer limits of the labyrinth for the next few days. He wanted Sarah's visit to be pleasant and as chaos free as it could be Underground. He kept only the steadiest and calmest of the lot to serve as the interior castle guards for the next few days.

The second kind of goblin that served in the castle was almost an entirely different breed. Physically they looked the same, if a bit taller, but in manners and intelligence they far surpassed their less evolved brethren. This group comprised all the domestic servants the castle needed, from the housekeeper, maids/man servants, and cooks, to the stable hands and gardeners.

He didn't really need to give any of them special instructions, they all knew their jobs and how to take care of guests. However, he did need to select a ladies maid for Sarah. She would know little of court manners and protocol, how a queen should dress, or even how to do her hair properly. If she accepted his offer, she would need someone to help her in all these things.

After conferring with the housekeeper and his own faithful valet, he decided on a cheery little goblin named Sweet Pea. He outlined some special instructions for her and then sent her off to oversee the preparation of Sarah's rooms.

In the midst of all of his preparations, someone watched the goblin king with hate filled eyes. How much lower can the fool sink? Lady Regna thought in disgust. She watched from the shadows as he went from room to room making sure all was in readiness for his "Sarah". A mortal! The mighty Goblin King desires a MORTAL! The beautiful woman's eyes were filled with contempt for him and for the mortal who dared to enter the realm of the fae. I will make him pay for this disgrace. Him and his little bitch.

Finally all was done to Jareth's standards. It's time! He thought excitedly to himself. If all went as planned, he was doing more than bringing Sarah for a visit. He was bringing his queen home at last.

Going to his chambers quickly, he changed into one of his more impressive outfits. Tall boots, tight breeches that highlighted his "assets", and a billowy shirt that left part of his chest exposed. All were in shades of dark blue that went well with his mismatched eyes. Topping it all off was a floor length cloak made of black velvet. He took a look in the mirror, knowing that he made an impressive figure. She may be stubborn, but she can't resist me. He smiled fiendishly at himself, conjuring a crystal. Looking into it, Sarah's bedroom came into clear focus. She was pacing, obviously impatient for him to appear.

With just a twist of his thoughts he was there in the room with her. She was so preoccupied with herself that she never even noticed him. Watching her for a moment he admired the gentle sway of her hips and bounce of her hair as she walked. "Are you ready my dear?"

Sarah whirled to face him, shooting him an annoyed look. "I swear I'm going to tie a bell around you. Let's see you sneak up then."

Smiling at her ridiculous threat, he walked towards her and captured her mouth for a quick kiss. "When you are my queen, you can ask me to wear whatever you wish."

A flash of annoyance passed over her face and testily she told him, "You mean if." At his blank look she sighed and continued, "We've been over this Jareth. My agreeing to come with you for the next few days doesn't mean anything."

Smirking at her he nodded in agreement. "Of course my dear! The thought never even crossed my mind!"

He's up to something, isn't he? This afternoon Sarah had been having second thoughts about going Underground with him. Now warning bells were sounding loud and clear in her head. But she had had a fight with her step mother this afternoon and it was making her feel reckless.

That argument had left a bad taste in her mouth. After returning home from the park with Toby she had calmly told her dad that she was going away with a friend for a few days. Unfortunately Karen had been within hearing range and had burst into the conversation, demanding to know where she was going and who she was going with.

"I'm 18 years old Karen! I'm an adult, I don't have to answer to you!" she knew she had sounded like a spoiled child, but she was tired of Karen butting in all the time.

"I just know she's going off with that man!" Karen had said to her father. "That creep is a thug or in some sort of gang, and way too old for her! How can you just let her waltz out of here?" Sarah's father had calmly said that Sarah was right, she was an adult. He had also smiled at her as he added that he trusted his daughter to make the right decisions.

Karen had been livid and unwilling to leave it at that. When Sarah had walked upstairs, Karen had doggedly followed, ranting the whole way. "That man is trouble and you know it! You're going to wind up pregnant, heart broken, or worse." Sarah had stopped and glared at Karen in defiance, not bothering to reply. "Just don't come crying to me when it's all over." After that she had finally left Sarah alone. Some of what Karen had been saying Sarah had also been thinking, but the fact that Karen was so adamant about her not going just gave Sarah the last push she needed to go.

Now looking into the goblin kings mismatched eyes, she still wasn't entirely sure this was the wisest course of action, but she had always been one to act first and think later. "As long as you promise to behave, I'm ready when you are."

Jareth smiled wickedly at her saying, "I'm sorry my dear, but I never make promises I don't intend to keep!" She opened her mouth to make a retort to that, but he was ready for her, kissing her before she had time to get any words out.

Sighing mentally, she looped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, willing to submit to him for now. His kisses always made her whole body tingle and now it hummed particularly hard, knowing that they would be spending the next few days alone together. He pulled her even closer to him until their bodies were pressed together completely. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her breast, and it matched her own. Breaking away from her lips he began to trail little kisses along her jaw and down her neck. Gasping in pleasure when he found a particularly sensitive spot behind her ear, her eyes popped open.

Realizing they were no longer in her room anymore, she took in her surroundings. They stood in a court yard, different than the one that led to the stables and much grander. There were giant flowering trees hanging over the paths and a gorgeous marble fountain in the center. It was walled on two sides, with a giant gate flung open into the labyrinth on one end, and long trailing steps leading to enormous double doors. Beyond those doors was the castle, a huge medieval edifice complete with high towers and open balconies.

Jareth had stopped his kisses and stood next to Sarah, watching her eyes fill with wonder and joy. He had purposely brought them to the main entrance of the castle so Sarah could see the beauty of it. Taking her hand, he bowed low and said, "Welcome to The Goblin Castle my lady." Her eyes were sparkling like a child's. She truly felt like a princess in a fairytale.

Curtsying gracefully, she was shocked to see that her normal jeans and shirt had been transformed into a beautiful teal dress. It was satin edged with white lace and underneath there was a delicate silk chemise poking through. He'll make a queen of me yet! She thought with amusement.

Tucking her hand into the bend of his elbow he said to her, "Would you care for a tour?"

Nodding in excitement she replied, "Absolutely!" Eagerly she followed him as he led her up the stairs and into his home. The doors opened magically as they reached the top step and Sarah paused a moment to take in the splendor of the interior. They stood in a large high ceiling hall. Everywhere there were infusions of color. Vases were scattered around the room filled with the most beautiful flowers Sarah had ever seen. At one end there was a fire place large enough to roast a whole ox that had a cheery fire burning brightly. In front of the fireplace was a grouping of several comfortable chairs and lounges. Two stair cases curved down meting in the center of the hall and led to the upper floors of the castle. On the level they were on there were many oak doors leading off to various parts.

It was all very grand and beautiful; not at all what she had expected the home of the goblin king to look like. She turned a questioning eye to Jareth, wondering where all this had been the first time she had come through.

Correctly interpreting her look, he explained to her, "The first time you were here, you came in on the goblin city side of the castle. That's a very small, simple, and easy to clean part. My more excitable subjects are only allowed on that side." He smiled teasingly at her. "That of course is the only side that the labyrinth will allow you to enter the castle from."

Sarah knew that the labyrinth could and did change around constantly, but she had assumed it was all random. Jareth however spoke as if the labyrinth had a mind of its own! Another thing to ask him about later.

Continuing on their tour, Jareth took her through several more rooms, some smaller than the great hall, but no less beautifully decorated. After seeing most of the ground floor, which included the main ballroom, but not the one we danced in before!, the dining hall, kitchens, public library, and a large and window filled room that Jareth referred to as the sun room, they took the tour to the second floor.

Here they encountered a lively little old female goblin. She introduced herself as Cherry the housekeeper. Sarah had already met several of the other domestic goblins and was happy to learn that they were a hundred times better mannered and more calm than the rowdy bunch of would be warriors she had met before. Cherry gave Sarah a respectful curtsy and smiled hugely up at her. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you my lady."

Sarah returned her smile, and nodded in greeting. "You maintain this huge castle so well Cherry. How do you mange it?"

"Ah my lady, that would be divulging house secrets!" Mischievously her eyes twinkled as she added, "Only members of the house are allowed to know."

Looking pointedly at Jareth, who had an angelic look to him, Sarah said, "Well then I guess I may never know how you do it."

Cherry looked crestfallen for a moment, and Sarah felt bad that she had said something to hurt the kindly woman. Jareth stepped in smoothly though and said, "It's alright Cherry. Sarah likes to make jokes now and again." Cherry's happy smiled returned at that, but she hastily curtsied again and made her excuses.

Alone with Jareth she turned to him with a frown. He lifted an eyebrow at her and said, "Should I have dashed her hopes then?"

Rolling her eyes she scoffed lightly, "Imagine the powerful and cruel Goblin King worried about the feelings of one lowly housekeeper!"

Chucking at her he responded, "No matter how powerful and cruel a King may be madam, I assure you they watch what they say to their housekeeper. That woman runs the entire castle single handedly and could easily make my life hell if she so desired!"

They went on their way and Sarah was escorted through the gallery, Jareth's personal library and study, and the solar. Along the way they passed several other doors that Jareth told her were spare rooms and they also saw several other goblins performing chores. All stopped what they were doing as their king walked by, bowing and curtsying respectfully.

Eventually they made their way up to the third floor and Jareth explained that there were only living quarters up here, but they were reserved for family members and the highest ranking guests. With a lifted eyebrow he told her, "You will of course be residing up here."

"Glancing at him suspiciously she asked, "And which category do I fall under? Family member or important guest?"

"That my dear," he stated blandly, "Is entirely up to you."

He walked with purpose to a particular set of rooms and Sarah assumed he was showing her to her room. However as the doors once again opened magically, she saw that they were decorated in very masculine colors and tone, blacks and midnight blues.

"Is this your room?"

He turned to her with a wicked gleam in his eyes, pulling her close. "I thought this would be a good place to end the tour," he said huskily. Sarah smiled in anticipation, pressing her body close to his.

Idly she played with the buttons on his shirt while she said, "I think you had the right idea." Tilting her face up, she kissed him playfully on the chest, above the opening of his shirt. He stood breathlessly still while she gave him little kisses all along his collarbone. As she continued, his hands went to work behind her back, deftly undoing several buttons. Dropping his head to her shoulder, he kissed the flesh that he bared as he slipped her sleeve down.

A loud sniff broke them apart in surprise, Sarah quickly pulling her sleeve back into place. Turning around she saw a tall, regal woman standing in the doorway. She was the first non goblin that Sarah had seen since she got here. The lady was slender and had an aristocratic look to her. Her features were very delicate and she had Jareth's long platinum hair. Her eyes were a dark brown, almost black color, and were very hard and cold, while her mouth was turned down in an almost sneer.

As soon as Jareth had seen who was at his door, Sarah had felt him stiffen. He spoke casually though as he said, "My lady, it's a pleasure to see you. I didn't know you were in residence this week."

The woman walked a few steps into the room and said in a pseudo pleasant voice, "Why Jareth! How could I stay away? I heard you were bringing this charming creature home and I just had to meet her." Coming with in just a few steps of the couple, she gave Sarah a cool look. Turning once more to Jareth she said, "Won't you introduce us?"

Stepping next to Sarah he said, "Lady Regna may I present Sarah Williams?" The lady nodded graciously and gave Sarah a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sarah, this is Lady Regna." He gave the lady a small mocking smile before turning to Sarah once more adding, "Who also happens to be my mother."