Chapter 10: Cinderella

Toby's watched as the festivities took place around him. How he ended up in a fairytale was anyone's guess. He didn't even recall a tornado whisking him and Daniele away. He watched in shock and amazement as Sarah glided smoothly around the dance floor attached to the arm of the imposing tall blond. His sister was… alive and happy by the looks of it. He used to badger his mom to tell him stories about Sarah and his father. She was very reserved with what she told him about the latter but with Sarah… her stories were vibrant and seemed so real he could touch them. She told him a story about a beautiful young girl who was always made to stay home with the baby. He always thought that this was the most fictional of them all but seeing her in the arms of the reputed Goblin King, Toby decided that that one story might have been the most real. The other girl, his niece, sat beside him. Her eyes were following the same couple as his. The expression on her face, however, was not one of bewilderment like on his but one of pleasure and a sneakiness that really shouldn't have been there. Toby leaned over and spoke to her.

"What are you thinking?" he asked with a level of authority since she was three years his junior.

Maggie looked at him and flashed a quick smile. "My parents. Aren't they magical together?"

Toby frowned slightly. "They're not even together. Not really anyway. Sarah told me she wasn't married…"

"And I doubt that she would ever get married but look at them. They love each other."

"And? Look at those two," Toby pointed to another couple twirling a few meters away from Sarah and Jareth. It was Jessie and her husband, Mitchell. They had been dancing from the start and had hardly looked away from the other. Their bodies moved seamlessly together as if they were meant to be. "They seem to be even more in love…"

Maggie scoffed. "They only seem like that because they are spiritually joined. What my parents have is something… deeper and more profound then that. It's like the two scats were only meant to be together for one lifetime. They," meaning Sarah and Jareth, "are meant to be together every lifetime."

Toby resisted the urge to scratch his head. "How would you know?"

She turned and smiled. "My teacher, Ainvar, taught me to see connection within people. My mom didn't get those lessons or she would have had access to her past lives. She's had only two. This one and her first life when she lived as a princess during the time of King Arthur."

Toby wrinkled his nose. "Can you see my past life?"

Maggie's smile was heart-breakingly sweet. "I can but I won't tell you. In your case, it would only distract you. Maybe one day I'll tell you."

Toby rolled his eyes. "Alright then." He looked at the dance floor then at his niece. "Would it be weird if I asked you to dance? I can understand if you wouldn't want to…"

"Of course it wouldn't. It would be rude if you didn't ask." Maggie stood and held out her hand. "Let's go rock the floor uncle!"

"Ugh, that makes me feel old!"

OXO

Sarah leaned on the supportive shoulder of her partner. Dancing in Jareth's arms is something that she hoped she would never get used to. Getting used to something meant that it was becoming a habit or a routine. Dancing was something she didn't ever want to grow tired of. They swayed side to side in a fluid motion. Her hips flowed in time with his as the pressure of his hand on her waist directed her to where they traveled next. She only needed the lightest possible touch, she was so attuned to him.

She glanced at his face, the smooth line of his jaw and the cut of his eyes and nose. He looked down and flashed her a smile. He was happy, it seemed, for the first time in a very long while. Annetha had taken her aside to warn her of the depression Jareth seemed to undergo when she was thought to be killed. Sarah felt guilt at first then a rush of unexplained joy. She truly did love him. All that second guess work and running away for nothing. Now all she felt guilty for is how great a father he could have been but hasn't been able to prove. She tried her best with May Gwen but there was only so much a single mother could do. They got into more fights and some were bad enough for Sarah to fear that she had lost her daughter's trust and belief. But they managed to pull through and become a small but happy family.

Speaking of Maggie… Sarah spied her approaching the dance floor with Toby. She hid a smile in Jareth's shoulder and when he looked down and silently questioned her she inconspicuously pointed to the pair. Jareth looked then chuckled.

"It seems that Toby needs some lessons in dancing." He whispered in her ear.

Sarah shivered deliciously and nodded. "Yes, I think he does but so does Maggie. Look, she's trying to lead."

They continued their whispered commentary and when the song ended, neither of them stopped swaying. They kept moving through the titters and laughs of the court until the next song started up.

Finally Sarah stumbled slightly and Jareth led her to her seat then went to fetch a drink. Sarah scanned the floor until she saw her daughter in the arms of another man while Toby was flirting with some of the lily sprites.

Sarah was frowning by the time Jareth returned.

"What is it?" he muttered as he sat, handing her the goblet of wine and setting down his own cup as well as the flagon he carried.

"Toby abandoned my daughter to the lecherous advances of that man." Sarah growled out.

"What man?" Jareth questioned as he too searched the floor. He found them quickly and let out a laugh. "My dear, that's not a lecher. That barely a man! That's Shawn my dear, Jessie and Mitchell's oldest child."

Sarah had the time to appear bug eyed for a brief moment until she hit Jareth in the arm, "Don't lie to me! That can't be! He would be sixteen at most."

Jareth chuckled. "Scats mature at a faster pace… much much faster…."

Sarah felt her face go red. "I don't think I like this Jareth!" She said a bit panicky.

Jareth sighed. "Don't worry. Shawn has better sense then his parents. He will find a nice healthy Scat woman to join with then have a family. There is no way he would risk his culture by joining with a half human fae…" he looked sideways at Sarah, "nor the daughter of the reputed Sarah Williams…"

She took up her wine and sipped it. "I guess your right. What about Toby?"

OXO

Toby grinned at the giggling girl. He leaned forward and sniffed her hair to prove his point. "Just like lilies! I knew that fragrance was familiar."

Brena, the lily girl, blushed a rosy red. "Are you truly Lady Sarah's younger brother?" she asked with a coy flick of her eye lash.

Toby blinked at her, not having heard her as his eyes were glued to her cheeks where the pink enhanced the porcelain complexion and the slow movement of her lashes.

She giggled again. "Well are you?"

"Am I what?"

"The younger brother of Lady Sarah, silly." She mockingly hit him on his arm.

He shook himself lightly. "Yes I am, well we share the same father. He married my mother a few years after Sarah's mother passed away… Why do you ask?"

Brena looked down. "I was wondering if you were the babe…"

"Who?"

"The babe. The child she journeyed to the centre of the labyrinth for. We all know this story."

Toby frowned, no longer finding the girl's looks to be a distraction. "Why on earth would she have to journey to the centre of a labyrinth for me?"

Brena looked in horror, "You didn't know? You didn't know that she wished you away when you were only a bouncing babe?"

Toby shook his head, "No I had no idea," he looked over to the table in which now sat Sarah and Jareth. He tried not to glare but he was pretty sure they didn't see him anyway. He turned back to Brena. "Lady Brena, may I have this dance?"

She giggled once more before she swept him in a fast joyous dance. It was all Toby could do to not stumble over his feet. He passed Maggie who was twirling with ease and felt a stab of jealously but nothing overly malicious. She knew these dances and has probably been dancing them for years already.

Brena, the beautiful lily sprite that he befriended, spun around him, her white dress flaring out around her legs.

OXO

Sarah poured herself another glass of wine from the flagon. Jareth had disappeared a few minutes ago to find Daniele. It was almost time for Toby to get back home. Maggie was dancing and Sarah was pleased to note that her lessons had come in hand after all.

Toby was still flirting with the lily sprite whom Sarah was fairly sure she recognized from her welcoming ball. Brena was the girl's name if she was correct and the girl didn't look like she aged one day since. Sarah had thought the surprises would stop coming to her but she was dreadfully mistaken.

Jareth entered the ballroom again with Daniele in tow. He motioned over to the dance floor and Daniele took off in that direction. Jareth made his way over to Sarah.

"Come, my dear. It's time." Sarah glanced at the clock. It read 12:35. They had twenty five minutes before midnight. "Daniele is collecting Toby." He nodded his head in the other direction. "Maggie comes now."

Sarah stood. "Let's get this over with."

The five of them traversed the halls until they arrived at Henry's office. His office was the closest and the easiest to get into to. He didn't usually bar his office against intruders even after the infamous Jessie affair and the burning of the tapestries. Toby was looking around in amazement at the semi-disorganized atmosphere. Maggie just followed meekly and quietly.

Toby turned around and looked at everyone. "So is this my goodbye committee?"

Sarah was the first to speak. "You can't tell Karen any of this. I'm sorry because it probably seems like your deceiving her but its necessary. If she knew the truth, that would put her in danger."

Toby flinched away from that. "She's already in danger! The mafia already got to her."

Daniele laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "She won't have any harm befall her, not if you put up the illusion of helping us. I'll protect you from going in too deep but you need the front of at least trying to cooperate."

"If things get too rough all you have to do is call someone to you. One of us should be able to make it."

Toby looked from Jareth to Daniele to Sarah. All having the same concerned face. He shook his head. "I still can't believe you're alive." He muttered to Sarah. "You've been gone for so long…"

"I'm not coming back." Sarah said sadly. "I can't. So no one can know I still exist."

Toby nodded. "Yeah I got it." He looked at the clock and squinted. "Does that really say thirteen o'clock?"

Jareth turned. "Well technically it's one minute to. It's time to go."

Toby whistled lowly. "No wonder I feel like Cinderella. No one would believe me if I wanted to tell anyway…" Quick goodbyes later and Daniele took Toby's hand and they vanished in a shower of silvery glitter. Sarah sighed and leaned against Jareth for support.

"Shall I escort you and Maggie to your room?" He asked softly.

Sarah smiled and closed her eyes. "Please…"

The halls were quiet but music and laughter could still be heard from the ball room. The fae did indeed enjoy their parties. The servants' quarters were silent. A few of the rooms were occupied except one. The bedroom in which Sarah had once shared with Fern and Jessie now belonged to three new girls. They were in charge of the cleanup and were permitted to sleep late in the morning. The position of chambermistress was filled adequately by Mel but she opted not to stay in the designated rooms for that position. Instead she opted to have the room at the very end of the hall. It was the smallest and the only other girl in there was moved into the one across from it. Her reasoning was that the servants couldn't sneak away as easily or as unnoticed as before. The chambers at the end of the hall have remained empty since Sarah.

Jareth stopped at the door and Maggie disappeared inside. Sarah waited for a moment. "Thank you, Jareth, for everything."

"Your very welcome my dear. Sleep well, Sarah." He leaned in and kissed her once on the forehead. He smiled softly and turned away, preparing to leave. A clearing of a throat brought him up short. He looked back, "Yes?"

He was suddenly assaulted. Sarah pressed her lips hard to his and tugged slightly with her teeth when he didn't respond. He chuckled and wrapped her in his arms.

A moment later they pulled away breathless. "You didn't think I would let you leave without a proper goodnight kiss now did you?" She asked.

"Of course not." Jareth agreed. "Good night, love."

"Good night." She followed her daughter to bed and Jareth made his way out of the corridor. The last door on the left opened and a head popped out.

"Next time just ask to stay the night! It would be quieter!" Mel scolded the king. Light giggles were coming from behind the other closed doors.

At least Jareth had the decency to leave without comment. No need to get on the wrong side of the woman in charge delegating the making of his bed…

OXO

Maggie brushed out her hair and braided it for night. Her mother was soaking in a tub behind a privacy screen. All that could be seen was her head that was thrown back.

"Mother?" she asked quietly in Dranavix. "I like these people…"

Sarah opened her eyes and looked at Maggie. "I do too," she replied in the same language. "What brought this on?"

Maggie looked down. "I don't think I can betray them…"

Sarah sighed. " oh that. You don't have to worry about that darling."

"But Ainvar said-."

"Don't listen to him. He says a lot of things. He won't bother you. All he wants to do it try and give the dragons a voice that wasn't there before. You will do that, especially once you invite them to come to court."

"Why did he go through all that trouble to get me though? Even before I was born…"

Sarah smiled bitterly. "That was my fault not yours. He didn't know who I was until I told them. I had just found out I was pregnant with you when I was brought there. He saw the opportunity and took it, that's all."

"Is he the bad guy?"

"No Maggie. He's not the bad guy. The bad guys are the ones who forced your uncle to hunt us. The bad guys are Antonio and Marco and Robert. That's all." Sarah climbed out of the tub and pulled a sleeping gown over her wet skin. She moved to sit at the mirror. "Go to sleep dear. It'll be morning before you know it and its just two more days until your coronation."

"Yes mom. I can't believe I'll be queen…"

"And I don't envy you a bit. Go to bed." She had started to untangle her hair. Maggie sighed and climbed into the big bed, moving to the far end so her mother could get in unobstructed. The pillows were soft as was the blankets and Maggie fell asleep almost immediately.