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Chapter 10
Sarah was still slightly dazed when Jareth helped her to her seat and Toby came bounding up to throw his arms around her neck in greeting. She shook her head to clear it and smiled at the boy.
"Look, Mama, new pants!" Toby held out his leg for emphasis and to get her to look. Sarah was pleasantly surprised to find that he was now wearing a pair of looser-fitting pants made of the same strange material as her own.
"I like them, hon. They look a lot more comfortable," she said, with a raised eyebrow at the Goblin King who just shrugged and smirked at her. Sarah turned back to Toby and asked about his day.
Toby had sat down and started to play with his empty plate and silverware as he said clearly, "We ruled." Slightly confused, Sarah asked for clarification while Jareth seemed to suddenly find the darkening sky fascinating. Toby scrunched his face as he tried to remember, "We went to book-room forever and then went and yell at gobbies til lunch. Oh, we did letters, too!" Toby leaned over and whispered loudly to her, "I like Jareth, Mama, he fun."
Jareth reached and ruffled the boy's blonde curls, "You are a wonderful companion, young Toby. I have had the most fun these past days than in years."
Sarah was suspicious, "What have you been showing him, exactly?"
Jareth shrugged, "Just the day-to-day functions in the Goblin City. And I thought he might like to see the Library considering how much he loves books, something he gets from you, I am sure." He gave her a look that she could not quite figure out, somewhere between a smirk and a leer.
"Why are you showing him what goes on in the castle?" Sarah's voice held the beginnings of a sharp edge but she didn't care, she wanted to know what the Goblin King was up to. He did nothing without a reason and she had a sinking feeling that she would not like them. And she did not like being out of the loop, especially where her brother was concerned.
Jareth smirked and raised one eyebrow, "I believe that one should always know what is going on around them to better adjust to situations as they arise. Do you not want him to be prepared or have the basic knowledge that the youngest goblins do?"
When he put it that way, there was no way Sarah could insist on keeping Toby out of the affairs of the king without seeming like a smothering, jealous parent. Sarah realized that was her problem: she was jealous of the developing relationship between Toby and Jareth. She wanted to be the one to teach him everything he knows and to be on the receiving end of his love. She was afraid that Jareth would take some of Toby's love away from her...
Jareth was surprised at her quiet reflection, he had been expecting (and hoping) for some of her temper and fire. She was glorious when she was in a rage. He was absolutely shocked when she said, "I guess you're right, it never hurts to be prepared for anything."
"Come again? I must not have heard you right, Sarah." He honestly thought he must have heard wrong, he never would have thought she would say that.
Sarah pursed her lips and looked over to Toby (who was paying no attention as he had pulled some goblin figurines out of his pocket and was launching an attack on his plate) and said softly, "You heard me, Jareth."
They sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts until supper arrived by way of the Goblin Express. A line of about ten goblins marched down the steps of the castle each carrying a covered tray heavier than they were.
Toby immediately started clapping as the goblins began what could be determined by some as a dance. Sarah had to admit to herself that it was very amusing to watch them weave in and around each other while carrying their loads. It was even more amusing when one bumped into another and they started bickering while they continued their dance and not a single goblin dropped their dish. By the end of it, Sarah was very impressed and clapped along with Toby while Jareth just smiled indulgently.
With the tension between them broken, talking finally resumed at the table. Nothing of importance was discussed, just light conversation but both Sarah and Jareth decided that they needed to have a serious discussion with the other.
Sarah wanted to discuss Jareth's intentions regarding her and her brother more fully and to set some ground rules. Jareth was dying to know what had happened to them Above since she defeated the Labyrinth. However, both knew theirs was not a discussion to be held in front of Toby.
When the meal was over, Toby wanted to show Sarah something in the Garden. She noticed the look he had sent the Goblin King before asking and that he waited for his nod. Curiosity and suspicion warred within her as she allowed her brother to pull her along at his fastest pace while he giggled like crazy with his secret. Jareth followed at a more sedate pace (a king does not flounce about the grounds!) as he waited for her reaction.
A few rows into the Rose Maze, Toby stopped at an elaborate archway of interwoven branches of purple roses. Sarah touched one gently, "I've never seen purple roses before."
Jareth just shrugged with an arrogant look on his face, "Some things Underground are more...exotic than Above, dear Sarah. I thought you would have figured that out by now."
Exotic...yeah, that's one way to describe you, she thought.
Toby tattled on Jareth, "These use be pink but Jareth made 'em purple for Mama." Toby pulled her down to whisper (yell) in her ear, "I help, told him Mama's favrit color."
Jareth looked like he was trying to fight a smile as he put his hands on his hips and said, "I thought you could keep a secret, Toby!"
Toby immediately looked at the ground, remorseful. Sarah was about to scold the Goblin King when he squatted down to pick the boy up and smiled at him. "Very good, Toby. You should not keep secrets from Mama. Now, that does not mean that we can't surprise her every once in a while, but you should never keep a secret from her."
"No mad?"
"Of course not, son. Now, do you want to show her the rest of the surprise?" Toby grinned and wiggled down to the ground.
Sarah frowned at Jareth but followed Toby through the archway and stopped at the sight she saw. There was a beautiful private flower garden with a seating area off to the left. There was a low table with comfortable chairs and couches grouped around it. In the corner was a brazier for chilly weather with a tinderbox and crate of firewood next to that. There was an assortment of flowers including more roses, lilies and orchids as well a lot more she did not recognize. The majority of the flowers were various shades of purple with some pinks and whites mixed in for contrast.
The most soothing part of the area though, was the four-tiered fountain in the opposite corner from the seating area that splashed the most enchanting melody that caused the listener to instantly relax. To top it off, the area was covered with a glass ceiling to protect the furniture from the elements. Sarah looked up to see the star-covered night sky and felt completely at peace for the first time since she had woken up this morning. The entire Garden was hedged in with the purple roses that formed eight foot walls.
Sarah closed her eyes and just breathed for a minute. She could practically feel Toby vibrating, waiting to see if she liked her present, but she just needed a minute. As she stood there, she felt...hopeful; it had been a long time since she had felt that way. Smiling, she opened her eyes and turned to her impatient audience, "It's beautiful, I don't even know what to say. Thank you."
Jareth pulled Toby into his arms and smoothed his hand through the boy's curls, "I think Mama likes her surprise, Toby, what do you think?"
Toby nodded vigorously as tears sprang to Sarah's eyes that she blinked away quickly. She was again struck by the sight of them together and their similar coloring. She walked over to them and wrapped her arms around her brother and a very surprised Goblin King.
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A/N: Thank to everyone who has reviewed, followed and favorited this story. I know this was another fluff piece, BUT there is going to be that talk next chapter and soon (maybe chapter 11) we will have some trouble in paradise to make things a bit more interesting...