~I dont own the Labyrinth, My Beta is awesome (Thank you Joie Cullen!) and here is the second slice, for your patience :) ~
Since Jareth couldn't go to the High court till later that night he sent a missive for his father instead. Pacing back and forth down his study he barely controlled his rage.
"All would be answered tonight. Damn the fates!" His father refused to come and all he sent in his stead was a letter stating that all would be revealed that night at the ball. The bloody foolish ball. He hated balls. The court used it as an excuse to plaster every eligble maiden on him they could find. Here he wanted answers about why in the gods names Sarah kept returning to the underground and all he got was a bloody letter! "Curse and rot him!" Flinging the letter in to the fire he went to change, as was his duty as a King of the Underground.
"I feel like a stuffed turkey. Vale, if you pull those strings any tighter my eyes will surely pop out of their sockets and roll about the floor. Since I see no Fiery's here to help me you had best hope I can at least breathe once you are done."
"I am sorry your Gra…" She cut off at Sarahs glare with a grimace then continued "I'm sorry milday Sarah but a corset is required. The Queen would have my head if I did not lace it properly. Now come, your dress is laid out on the bed." Turning they went to the bed. There, laid carefully amongst the covers was a lovely emerald and silver dress that the High Queen had chosen for her. Her first choice of course had been Jareth's gift but Sarah, knowing she would see him tonight, has refused to wear it. She might as well throw herself at him! She was already wearing the jewelry he had given her. Vale had argued about the tiara, stating that it was her right as Arch Duchess of Winter to wear it. UGH. Allowing Vale to place the dress over her intricately curled and twisted hair, she truly was amazing, she tied hard not to fidget. Vale disappeared amongst the folds, making Sarah giggle, to slide her shoes upon her feet. Once done she sat still while Vale artfully did her make-up. A little coal on the eyes, some rouge on her lips and she was done. Opening her eyes she smiled at Vale in the mirror. "Milday, a true Arch Duchess you are. You will rival even the Queens beauty tonight. Oh how I wish I could watch the dancing!"
"Is it permitted Vale? Might I bring you along with me?"
"Really Milday!" Sarah flinched a little at her squeal of delight, shaking her head to clear her ears of their ringing. Laughing softly she nodded and went to her closet, giddy as a school girl playing dress up. She pulled out a beautiful gown of rainbows. It gliimered and shimmered and was one of her favorites. Vale should at least be as beautiful as she. "Oh Milday I couldn't! I'm sure I could gather something proper to wear from the seamstress."
"Nonsense Vale. You shall have this one, along with a pretty silver bracelet and earrings. Perhaps a necklace too. Come, let's get you dressed." Vale shook her head in astonishment. Tears pulled at the corners of her eyes.
"Thank you Milday. I have never been allowed to attend the royal functions. "
"It is permitted isn't it Vale?"
"Yes Milday. Many a court member bring their hand maidens to assist them should they have need of anything. I would be glad to assist you milday!"
"Tonight Vale, you are my friend and nothing more. You will dance if you wish, and chatter if you wish, and I will have none of this Milday. You will call me Your Grace as I am sure everyone else will but you are my friend Vale. Not my servant. From now on I should like us to be friends. You can still assist me as I understand that is your job and how you support yourself but that is it. You should have time off, time to play too. When we go home in the morning I should very much like to set you up in one of the Family rooms. We shall all eat together as friends and family. No more talk of position."
"Oh but Milday I couldn't!"
"You can and you shall. You said anything I have need of I only have to ask. I ask that you be my friend. Come now, no more tears. Shake on it that you will allow us to be equals. I shall talk to the Queen about elevating your rank as well. Perhaps we can better your situation."
"Oh Milday!" Barely able to contain herself Vale, for once, forgot herself and threw her arms around Sarah in a huge hug. "But I don't want anyone else to attend you Milday!"
Laughing Sarah patted her back and stepped away. "Then no one shall. But I would like for you to have a better name than hand maiden. I shall talk to the Queen tonight. Come, let's go dance!"
Smiling she helped Vale to dress, tsking her through her tears. When they were finally ready a knock sounded on the door. Rushing to answer it Vale pulled it wide and grinned at Sophie. "Milday you are most beautiful this evening!"
"Thank you Vale. You look lovely as well. We shall make a wonderful set the three of us. The Ladies of Ivy!"
"Oh not you too Sophie!" Laughing Sarah walked to the doors. "So you are staying then?"
"I have nothing to go home to Sarah. The King has assured me that should I wish it I may stay. Exciting isn't it? Balls, lavish life styles, Castles, and Kingdoms! It's a fairy tale come true."
"And all you need now is a Prince." Dorian smirked as all three ladies turned in his direction. He glanced over each of them with appreciation, lingering on Sophie. He pretended to miss her blush out of courtesy, offering his arm to her and Vale. "Sarah, I would escort you but it seems I have neither enough arms, nor the courage." At Sarah's odd look he nodded behind them all and Sarah turned, mouth dropping open like a fish, only to see Garin stiding towards them. Dressed in all black finery, a deep Emerald overtone to everything he wore, he looked like some Dark Prince come to carry her away. The way he looked at her made her feel as if she had just become the main course of the evenings meal. A shiver racked her frame and she bravely stepped towards him, smirking.
"Prince Garin, you look dashing this evening."
"Ah, Your Grace. I shall be forced to cut off the head of some troll tonight, I just know it. I've brought you something." Smiling he watched as the other party made their way to the ballroom, Vale glancing back to act as chaperone. Pulling a box from his coat, he opened it slowly and reveled in Sarah's gasp of surprise. "Tis a broach Milday. To place at your waist to signify your home of Ivy. It almost wasn't ready in time but thankfully the jewler owed me a favor."
Sarah stared at him for longer than he could stand, he nearly squirmed under her gaze, then she carefully reached out and plucked the broach from it's case. An Emerald, in the shape of a Unicorn, reared it's beautiful body up into the air in an act of spirit, it's mane and tails Diamonds, matching the other jewelry she wore. It fit easily into the waist of her dress, about the size of the palm of her hand.
"Thank you Your Highness, I shall treasure it always. It's beautiful."
"As are you, Your Grace." Without warning he leaned in just as she looked up and their lips met. A squeak of surprise was all she could manage before she responded in kind, her arms moving about his neck as his wrapped her waist. Her mind was screaming that it was wrong, but her head didn't seem to care. As a throat cleared behind them they broke apart, only to see Sophie, staring in shock, and Dorian, grinning in appreciation though he pretended to stare at the ceiling.
"Come brother. I have a need to dance and you are keeping me from showing the Flanagan how we move." Sophie giggled while Vale frowned at Sarah. Taking her arm in his as she had yet to comment, or speak for that matter, Garin escorted Sarah to her waiting party and they walked the long trek to the ballroom.
At some point, rational thought would return right? Dazed and a little out of it all Sarah could do was walk and listen to the giggling group ahead of her and Garin. When she turned to look at him he was watching her. Akward…
"Your Highness…?"
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"You kissed me."
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to."
"That's not a very good reason."
"Do you love him?"
"I don't know."
"Then I have a shot. I don't know if I love you Sarah, but I would very much like to find out. You aren't like the girls here. Maybe it was your time here. But I can promise you one thing Sarah, I shall never be cruel."
Well how in the name of hades was she supposed to respond to that? "I don't know what I feel for you Garin. Don't you think it's a little unfair to pit brother against brother?"
"Not if I have a shot. I initiated this Sarah, not you. I will take the blame for that. However, I would like the right to court you. I shall ask your grandfather this evening. If that is agreeable to you?"
"I'm not sure how I feel about that." There were no sparks, no burning heat when he touched her like there was with Jareth. He was honestly all she had ever known. It seemed so wrong. But it also seemed unfair not to at least let him have a shot. "Alright Garin, but on one condition."
"Yes Your Grace?"
"Don't kiss me again unless I ask you."
"You ask too much of me." Laughing he did not agree to her arrangement which Sarah didn't know if that infuriated her or made her want to laugh with him.
"Fine, but you can deal with your brother."
"Now that is something I can agree to."
As they stepped in front of the doors Sarah flinched at the sound of trumpets. Dorian stood facing a large ballroom and had released Vale and Sophie who stood to the side.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Dorian of the High Court."
A royal announcer practically shouted from the side as Dorian walked through the doors straight to the dias where theHigh King and Queen sat. Dipping into a deep bow before his parents he moved to stand next to his mothers chair as Garin released Sarah and moved to stand before the doors. The room seemed to be full of people who all bowed and curtsied before them.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Garin of the High Court." All heads turned once more as the dark prince walked into the room. Following his brothers steps to his parents and repeating the process. Sophie was next, looking a little nervous.
"Her Ladyship, Sophie Flanagan of Clan Flanagan and the house of Ivy." Sophie walked, head straight, ignorning the sudden murmers that rose up from the crowd. Sarah was a bit confused, what was the big deal anyways. After Sophie's bow she chose to move to the side of the ballroom, watching Sarah and Vale.
The King stood from his throne, moving down to the bottom of the stairs and the room went silent. Jareth looked up from his place at the side of his fathers throne, having already arrived. A curious gleam in his eye, he noticed that the doors to the ballroom had suddenly been shut. He glanced at Sophie, who in turn just smiled at him. His palms grew damp and he gripped the back of the throne in front of him. Holding his breath he waited for his fathers next words.
"Elders and Eldens of the realm. I have gathered you here tonight in honor of a most welcome guest. Having finally come home to her family here, I present to you Grandaughter of Rydin, Arch Duke of Winter and Hand of the King, Her Grace, Arch Duchess of Ivy, and Champion of the Labyrinth, Sarah Williams."
A collective gasp went through the room as the doors opened and in came Sarah, Regal in her beauty. Her emerald dress flowed about her in waves, her shining mahogany hair curled and twisted into an intricate design about her head. An Emerald tear-drop tiara gleamed against her hair to match the sparkling necklace at her throat. Her Grandfather Rydin escorted her, beaming in his pride. Jareth froze, ignoring the quizzical gaze his mother gave him. She recognized those jewels. As they approached the dias the High King returned to his seat. He chuckled at Jareths look before turning to nod at a curtsying Sarah and a bowing Rydin.
"You are most welcome here Your Grace. Rise, come and speak with me." Aireya, High Queen merely smiled and waved her sons away, dismissing them as the music began. Rydin moved to escort Vale to Sarahs side who was hiding against a wall.
"Your Majesty, I am honored that you would welcome me home in such a fashion. Thank you."
"How do you fare Your Grace? I hear you are to finally see your new home on the morrow. I am excited for you my child. Ivy is a beautiful place. I had once hoped it would be my home but I am much happier here."
Sarah laughed with her, and glanced about the room, watching as the dancers took their place on the floor and began a mesmerizing dance. "I am wonderful Your Majesty. Merely anxious to see my new home. While I know that my Grandfather is much needed here I am gratefull that he can escort me home. "
"We would have it no other way Your Grace. It is our wish that you might enjoy this night. Dance and be merry. We have granted your request to take the Lady Sophie with you that she might make her home there as well. I understand that Vale is much to your liking?"
"Oh yes! She is most wonderful. I would like to ask a favor of Your Majesty."
"Proceed." The King watched the exchange, smirking slightly. The girl should have been born a royal.
"I would like to ask Your Majesty's permission to grant Vale the title of Lady. She is a great comfort to me and I should very much like to see her elevated so that she might be in better comfort. She is my friend."
The High King and Queen shared a smile before the Queen spoke, nodding her head in approval. "I grant your request Your Grace. Lady Vale of Ivy she shall be. From hence forth it is your right to do as you wish with your people. Your rank gives you that choice. Should you have need of me though you may ask at anytime."
"Well I was rather hoping you might visit me, Your Majesty, once I am settled."
"I would adore it your Grace."
Smiling Sarah waved Vale forward, taking a black box from her hand and curtsying once more, she opened it before the King and Queen. She couldn't help but hear the gasp that rose in the room. Nestled inside were a Blood Diamond and a Moon Diamond. Identical in size and shape. They were roughly the size of golf balls, and without a setting.
"You honor us with your generous gift Your Grace."
"Your Majestys have honored me from the moment I came. It is my wish that you should accept these as a token of my gratitude for your kindness, your generosity, and my most humble thanks." Sarah, much to Jareth's shock, had found a second set of the stones within her bag. Saving them he had no idea she intended to give them to his parents as a gift. She was already turning out to be an amazing courtier.
"Thank you Your Grace, now go. Dance and be merry and we shall see you once again, in Ivy."
Smiling Sarah passed the case to the paige and moved down the dias, leaving a beaming High King and Queen behind. Moving over to stand next to Sophie, she glanced at Vale out of the corner of her eye.
"Lady Vale, are you enjoying youself?"
"Yes Your Grace. Very much so…Milday you should not call me such. It is not proper."
"Not proper? But I have granted you the title with the approval from the King and Queen. Will you not accept it?"
"Really?" She couldn't help the squeal, and blushed as Sarah laughed regardless of the eyes turned their way.
"Indeed, you are now Lady Vale of Ivy."
"OH thank you Milday!"
"You are most welcome. Now go. Dance. I see a handsome man coming this way."
Grinning she gave the bowing man permission to escort Vale to the dance floor, beaming as she blushed becomingly. "Ah Sophie, it's going to be an amazing night."
"You don't say…." Sarah turned at Sophie's odd remark only to see her staring across the floor. There staring back at them was a fiery red headed man who looked just as shocked as Sophie. He began to move through the crowd, stopping to bow before Sarah, then turning to Sophie.
"It canna be. Tis truly my wee lass Sophie?"
"Grandad?" Sophie stared in shock. Was this truly possible? Reaching out she squeezed Sarahs hand to keep from fainting.
"Aye Lassie! Tis me. But how did ye come to be in the underground? Yer safe are ye not?"
"Aye Grandad. Safe I am. Her Grace has been so kind as to offer me a home with her. What are ye doing here granddad? We thought you were dead or somethin."
"Nah, Been livin here in the underground meself. Followed your aunt I did. Married a Fae. Seein as how I needed to be keepin an eye on 'er I came along. Stayed. It's right excited I am to see ye! Will ye be stayin lassie?"
"Aye Grandad. Her Grace is my dearest friend and has offered me a home with her in Ivy. Will ye not come Grandad?"
"Aye lassie, that I will. Fergive me?"
"Always Grandad." They embraced, Sarah wiping at her eyes with a handkerchief. She noticed that Dorian watched the exchange with a smile, leaning against the wall across the room he raised his goblet to her as if in toast and winked. A set up. Crazy Fae's. Chuckling she chatted with Sheamus Flanagan, as she was hastily introduced. Sophie seemed to be taking it rather well. No flighty tears or boiling anger. Just happy. Must be nice. As the dance ended another, slower, methodic tune began to play and Sarah nearly fell to her knees.
There's such a sad love…deep in your eyes…
The words of the song hit her instantly. Searching for him amongst the crowd she saw him there. Moving through the parting masses he approached her much as he had at the mask. He seemed to move with intent, but she stood her ground, lifting her chin in silent challenge. He bowed before her, she curtsied. Taking her arm without words he escorted her to the dance floor, wrapping her in his arms only closer than he had before. They moved as if one, him leaning in to quietly whisper the words of the song in her ear.
~Hahahahha. Okay. Stopping it here! Enjoy!~