Oh God Not Again
By: Tal J. Smith
Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or any other Jim Henson creation.
Chapter 10:
She had requested an audience with the King on the first day back after Hector's death, but Jareth had been a tad bit busy. Jareth with speaking with Ulrich; filing a petition for the fae court to allow him to wed a noble woman from his own Labyrinth's court; and at the same time announcing formally he has a appointed a new knight of the realm (conveniently leaving out a few details of the origins of said knight). Sarah decided to learn more about her position.
She and Didymus spent the next several days going over what was required of a Noble member of the king's court, pouring through documents trying to find one instance of a human becoming a noble in all of the Underground. She hadn't found a thing, and thankfully, it was time for a workout with Cavin.
Leaving the little knight in the Library to stretch her legs, she was anxious to find out what was going on with Jareth's announcements as the castle was abuzz with wonder at the new developments…and she might be a little more than determined to share another kiss with the king, who by his own admission, was in love with her! She still could not believe that one. He'd just been testing her that day in his office about a wife wasn't he? The cruel bastard! 'He must have been trying to force me to say something to stop him from choosing another bride.'
She smiled. "That damn tricky fae." She strode to the practice salle where Cavin would be hosting her new training.
She entered the changing area, suited up in her whites stepping out of her new knightly uniform of soft leather breaches, high boots and a poet's shirt. Removing her swordbelt and hanging the "Damn Magic Sword", or DMS as she liked to call it, on the wall.
She heard Cavin through the wall, "Dame Sarah, young Master Toby and Lady Victoria wish to watch your training today."
"That's fine, I'll be out in a sec!" She replied making sure her long black hair was held up in a tight braid. Toby had come to regard her with a type of hero worship these past couple days. Rumors of her service to the king spread like wildlife. The only ones suspecting why the king needed saving were Didymus and Cavin. All others assumed Sarah just didn't take kindly to threats on her king and decided to take matters into her own hands.
She emerged in her fencing whites with anticipation; always enjoying the challenge the elder elf gave in their mock battles.
"We are going to be learning a slightly new technique which more suited towards the handling of the Sword of Truth. You will no longer be training in foils." Cavin handed her a practice sword. Sarah noticed the blades were live and very sharp.
She raised her eyebrows Toby whistled. "Ok, Um, Cavin, if we are training with live blades, why not use DMS?" Cavin winced slightly at the name Sarah had given her powerful sword.
The elf said sardonically, "You may not mind dear lady, but I would like to keep some of my thoughts private, and that sword has a tendency to loosen tongues." Toby and Victoria giggled and then hushed at a harsh look from their teacher.
Sarah barley hid a grin and nodded to her instructor, remembering when Seeta hesitantly interrupted a training session to deliver a message to her and she had inadvertently brushed against Cavin while holding the DMS. Cavin had blurted out how Seeta was "a cherished gem" of a goblin for her "wonderful" service. Seeta beamed, and Cavin cursed softly stepping away from Sarah looking at the DMS with distaste. Sarah chuckled, "Cavin you old softy, and I thought you just tolerated the goblins." Now the elf could not get rid of Seeta and her "thanks." She now gave him bigger portions at meal times, his laundry always got delivered first, special snacks were brought to his sessions, there was a servant always assigned to hover outside his bedroom door, and Seeta herself brought him a dessert every night.
Sarah understood his reluctance to touch that thing, but secretly wanted to use it to ask him more questions (which he refused to answer) about what was going on.
Cavin saw her look of exasperation and sighed. "The king would like an audience with you this afternoon in your office if you are available. He has something important he wishes to discuss with you." The black haired woman smiled like a Cheshire cat. I certainly hope so!
"Well, it's about time he remembered his newest knight." She struck a fast blow and the elf parried with a grin of challenge, Sarah's new speed was now testing his skills. The woman was learning in leaps and bounds, and was without a doubt a natural born fighter. Toby and Veronica watch enraptured as the two went on for what seemed hours before the elf caught Sarah in a dirty trick, stepping on her foot so she could not back away to parry a blow correctly, she lost her grip on her sword and cursed as it was flung across the room, his sword point at her throat.
"Do you yield?" The elder smirked, breathing heavily, recklessly removing his long braid of white hair from being wrapped around his sweaty neck and tossed it over his shoulder to behind his back.
Sarah smirked, using Cavin's gesture and momentary distraction to take action.
She moved swiftly, "The point sir is not to win." The knight spun using her arm to snap the sword from his grip moving the blade away from her neck, and came up fast with a hidden dagger from behind her bodice, held to his throat. The length of the knife settled across his neck and the tip of her dagger was almost touching a pointed ear.
"The point is too survive." She panted; sweat dripping off her chin, green eyes flashing. "Right master?"
Cavin looked at this wild amazon woman in surprise, his electric blue eyes flashing with shock. The knife held at his throat was cold and sharp, and held firmly in place. At the concentrated and aggressive look in her eyes, he could almost believe she would harm him if he made any move to attack. The woman had acted and moved without thought, doing what needed to be done to eliminate the threat, no matter what the cost or what was fair. 'Perhaps this was how she saved Jareth?'
"Well played your majesty." Cavin looked into her eyes which were shining with triumph, now showing surprise at his words. "No one other than Jareth has given me such pride in battle. You have my honor and trust." He held both hands up slowly in a gesture of peace, backed away from his opponent and bowed deep.
Sarah's adrenalin high started wearing off and she calmed, "You know, I've heard something like that from Didymus once, after a battle. He gained a brother that day." She stepped back into ready position, still expecting a counter attack.
"And I have gained a sister in arms." He gave her a friendly smile she'd not seen before. She gulped loudly, not knowing what to say.
"Your Majesty?"
Cavin winked. "Hopefully." He turned and bent to pick up his sword. "Master Toby, your turn, I think Sarah could use this time to cool down." The elf turned to Sarah, "We are finished for today."
Sarah grabbed the DMS off the wall and headed to her room in a daze. Your Majesty! She hadn't seriously thought about being queen, she mostly just thought about being with Jareth….. finally, and knowing he loved her.
She stripped off her whites and stepped into the steamy shower. "What if I'm not good at being a queen?" She sighed and let the warm water sooth her fears.
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Jareth stared at the council edict on his desk, concentrating on drafting a response that told them of his impending plans to wed a human noble from his own court, without giving too much away. 'Although if I know the council, they will put two and two together and figure my appointing a human knight and announcing I will wed a human noble, may come as a strange coincidence, and demand answers.'
His decision to wed Sarah was a bit rash and something he would have never dreamed possible at the time, but the excitement in his veins (and other body parts) as he realized he might be able to have her after all, was telling him different. When she agreed to become his knight knowing the implications, he did everything he could to keep the happiness from overwhelming him. Only his years of court training kept him from leaping for joy at the possibility she would now accept what he offered. He finally had someone to share his life with, who loves the goblins like he did, who understood his responsibilities…..and most important who loved him for himself and not his power or status.
The last letter and proclamation was signed, sealed, and sent; with the Goblin King looking hopeful for the future for the first time in 15 years.
There was a tentative knock at the door.
"Ah, Dame Sarah, thank you for seeing me." The king arose from his desk chair in greetings to his intended. As she approached, he moved closer to her. Sarah looked more beautiful now to him than ever before, he could not resist touching her, now knowing she allowed it.
She stood in the door in her favorite lavender dress, the DMS on a dark purple leather belt at her waist, not knowing what to expect or how a knight is supposed to enter the King's study. But when she silently approached the king and saw the raw hunger in his eyes, she could not help but reach for him.
When they touched their fingers entwined and their lips met forcefully. Sarah let go with one hand to run her fingers in the silk of his hair grasping the back of his neck forcing more bodily contact between them. One of his free hands roamed around her waist crushing her to him, her breasts pushing against his chest, their hips touching, the other hand grabbed a fistful of her dark brown tresses for dear life. They kissed like they were drowning, each other's taste was their lifeblood, and they could not get enough.
"Ahem."
Jareth spun, a crystal at his fingers, Sarah drew DMS with lightning speed, the point of her sword staring unwaveringly in between the older man's eyes; which was standing in the study silently observing them.
Jareth said menacingly under his breath, "Councilman Goodfellow, how nice of you to drop by." The king did not let go of Sarah nor did he extinguish his crystal.
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"Hello your majesty." The thin fea man seemed amused. He took in Sarah's sword now pointed at his neck. "Your newest knight I presume?"
Jareth finally dissipated his crystal with an annoyed look and gently pulled Sarah's sword arm down. She was not happy and acidly pointed that out. "Ya think you could knock next time buddy; you almost gave me a heart attack!" she sheathed DMS violently.
The man only nodded with a smile, "My apologies milady. I always like to keep my friend here on his toes, but I did not expect him to be in such a compromising position, with a mortal no less."
The king reluctantly disentangled himself from Sarah to move behind the desk. "You and I both know you have no friends Rob." He sighed and after conjuring another chair for Sarah beside him, sat down behind the desk.
She smoothed out her dress keeping DMS in front for easy access while eyeing this newcomer. He dressed as outlandish as Jareth but in a way that made you think of autumn, and spring. The rust colors of his vest and jacket sometimes caught the light and seemed to contain veins of green glitter. His face was angular and young and just a bit childlike, with a twinkle in his amber eyes that spoke of cunning.
"Of course I do Your Majesty, especially when they provide me with such intrigue as you have." He looked over the brown haired beauty.
The woman sat stiffly in the conjured chair never taking her narrowed green eyes off the newcomer and making it a point to keep one hand on the hilt of her sword.
The king saw her gesture and could not help but crack a small smile before he addressed his visitor. "So I assume you bring news of the council's reaction to my recent decrees. How were my notices received?"
"Well what did you expect Jareth? They had a list of manipulative brides chosen specifically for you; and the poor council now has to tell a number of lovely conniving ladies you are now spoken for by some unknown noble "mortal" from your court. I was the only one who kept reading the reports and noted the newest addition to your comrades in arms over there." He nodded with a smirk in Sarah's direction.
He continued after conjuring himself a glass of wine a taking a slow sip, "I am not the only observant one Jay, they will find out eventually you have appointed your own noble bride." The councilman took in Sarah; scrutinizing her up and down. " Not that I blame you."
The king said with force, "Within the laws of our people, she has earned it." Jareth took one of her hands in his. "I'll have no other." He pounded one fist on the desk, "She and only she will I accept as my queen" The woman smiled with a warmth that Rob felt in his soul.
"Can you prove she has earned this?" Jareth and Sarah exchanged uncomfortable glances. The king did not want the council to know how weak he had let himself become over a woman, and Sarah was not at all happy about ending a life.
"We can, but would not unless all is lost."
"Well then my dear friend, may I suggest some sort of test or challenge she may pass that the other candidates would not, because the rest of the council will be nulling your decrees as we speak claiming favoritism; and mark my words, the prospective brides will be forthcoming."
Sarah finally spoke up, "I thought those guys would be happy he's finally chosen a queen? They've been pestering him to choose once for forever, and now that he's chosen someone they don't approve of, they can just null the decision?"
"Ah, alas my beauty, you are a wild card, and not one the council has had a hand in choosing. I'm afraid in order to marry a very powerful royal; you must first have the backing of the council or an iron clad validation by completing a royal challenge." He looked apologetic, but something about him made Sarah distrusting.
"I had hoped by placating them with a choice of bride, they would leave me in peace. I incorrectly assumed the councils interest in what goes on in the Goblin Kingdom. So they want to be sure they or I can control Sarah if need be." The king stood up and started pacing. "I may have an appropriate challenge well suited for my choice in bride." He winked at Sarah who catching where his thoughts were headed, smiled and nodded in deviousness. The royal turned and looked accusatory at councilman Goodfellow, "Why then are you helping us Puck? Why warn me?"
Sarah's head snapped around at the name. "Puck?"
The men looked at her curious.
"THE Puck, as in Robin Goodfellow?" the councilman smiled villainously at Sarah's realization of his identity. Sarah shook her head in disbelief. "If the stories are true, I wouldn't believe a single word that comes out of your mouth." Jareth motioned for her to be silent, "I can't believe you'd trust that guy, I wouldn't, not as far as I can throw him." She finally quieted, but not without muttering under her breath. "How bout I sit next to him with DMS and let's see how trustworthy he is then." Jareth gave her a reassuring pat on the leg but cracked a small smile for her benefit.
The young looking fae grinned. "I like her."
"She's spoken for." Jareth smirked.
"Well to answer your question then, perhaps I was just looking for a good love story, or a bit of an adventure?" He took a pen and a notepad out of his vest. "Then again, perhaps a bit of a wager."
"Ah, I knew you were up to something you tricky sprite." The king sighed in resignation, "what are the stakes sir?"
"I thought you would never ask."
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