Chapter Ten. Every garden has a snake.
Jareth had ordered a meal brought to his private dinning room. He watched Sarah as she sampled the cuisine. He could see it was not what she had been expecting. The sight of Fae and Elvin servants was also unexpected he could tell. "Not everyone who lives in the kingdom is a goblin, Sarah." He explained as they dined. "Sarah, we need to discuss court behavior, and what will be expected of you."
She looked at him over her water goblet. "Something wrong with my manners?" She seemed truly worried that she had done something wrong.
"No," He said gently. "Your manners are actually far better than my own." He sipped again from his goblet. "My court here is rather lackadaisical." He was not defending nor condoning. "However there are a few ground rules. Outside this chamber, you should address me by title. Your Majesty, Sire, or My King." He watched her face, she was listening carefully. "You are now a subject of the realm, privileged, but a subject none the less. "
Emerald eyes darkened. "I'm not a citizen of the kingdom." She protested.
"You may not have been born a citizen, but you do fall under the kingdom's charter as an immigrant." He seemed amused by something, letting it pass he continued.
"As long as you are here, you are a subject. When we are alone, or here in this chamber you may call me by my name."
She listened, "I think I understand."
"I will expect you to accompany me when I go about the Kingdom." He smiled.
"What exactly are my "official" duties during these tours of the Kingdom? I mean you don't expect me to sit around like a pampered cat do you?" She wanted to be clear on what he expected of her.
"Think of yourself as a personal assistant. You'll be learning about the Kingdom, and secretly we'll be fixing things that have gone off kilter." Jareth offered with a moment of thought.
Sarah leaned back in the large chair. "No one noticed?"
"With a Kingdom this vast, there are times when one end of the Kingdom does not know what is happening in the other end. For once, that was a blessing. There was no massive panic. Few venture into the Labyrinth of their own accord. In addition, we were able to limit the entry of mortals. We get few visitors, we are not one of the more popular Fae Kingdome, if you can believe it. " Jareth swirled his wine, there was very little that went on here that he did not know. "I'm a hands on King, believe it or not. I like to know what is going on."
"That explains how often you popped up when I was running the Labyrinth." Sarah pushed her plate away. "My complements to your chef. That was very good sole."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." He did not seem in a rush to leave the table. He watched the girl. "You will take your meals with me, unless I am unable to join you. Most of our meals will be here in this dinning room. You may have the freedom of the castle once you know your way about. You are also free to enjoy the gardens of the castle. I would prefer you did not venture in the Labyrinth with out me to guide you. Is that understood?" She nodded. "I think one of the first places you should see is the goblin village that surrounds the Castle. The goblins will welcome you and seeing you, they will want to protect you from outsiders. You already belong to them."
"I find that hard to believe." She mused. "I'm the girl who nearly destroyed their kingdom."
Jareth shook his head, "It was a game, they know that, they understand the rules of the game. They also know you won something that had never been done before and that makes the difference. It makes you special, a hero to them. Besides, you are here to set things to rights. They respect that." He shrugged. "To most, they seem like silly stupid little creatures. When you send time with them, you begin to understand how deeply they feel, and the vastness of the goblin heart. They have a great capacity to forgive and forget."
"And you don't think they'll find it…odd that you and I are... together?" she felt awkward asking.
His eyes smoldered as he watched her. "They find it more odd that we've been apart." He teased.
Sarah blushed. "So as far as the goblin population is concerned…The King gets the Girl, is that what you are saying?"
A wolfish grin formed on his lips. "Damn right he does." He snickered. "I'm the King…and win or lose, I always get what I want. Remember that."
"So tell me about the Kingdom." Sarah quickly changed the subject.
Jareth shook his head. "The Kingdom is better experienced." He rose from the table. "You've had a long day. I suggest you retire now, and I will take you to the village in the morning."
Sarah rose from the table as well. "As you wish, Sire." She bowed to him slightly.
"No, Sarah, a lady does not bow…a lady curtseys. Try again." He motioned her to begin again.
Sarah raised a brow, nearly protesting, then placed one of her heels behind the other foot and lowered herself for a quick curtsy. "Good night, Sire." She let her lashes veil her eyes.
"Better," he was still critical. "However, once you are properly dressed it will hide any flaws."
Sarah turned, intent on leaving the dinning room.
"You've not been properly dismissed." His voice halted her.
Sarah turned. "You told me to retire."
Jareth walked slowly to where she stood. "When you bid the King good night, Lady Sarah…you wait until he has bid you the same, or dismisses you."
Tipping her face upward, she pouted. "Am I going to get demerits?"
"Don't tempt me, you little witch." He taunted. "There will be a maid waiting for you when you arrive at my chamber. Do not give her a hard time. Good night, Sarah."
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The King's chambers were easy enough to find, and as he had said, there was a maid waiting for her. The goblin maid was nearly as tall as Sarah herself. Her skin was the color of dried gourds. Her hair was harvested wheat, and cut in a wild style that framed her round goblin face. Her features were typical of the goblins she had encountered here. Large round eyes, and full face, with a little chin.
The woman looked at Sarah and snickered. "So the King got the girl." She said aloud to herself. "Maybe now he'll stop sulking about losing the game." She approached Sarah, "I'm Millicent, you can call me Millie."
"Hello, Millie." Sarah offered her a hand, but the goblin looked at it as if the child had lost its mind. "I'm new to this lady's maid business."
The goblin maid now cackled. "So I see." She ushered Sarah into the large changing room the king had provided. "Come along."
Sarah was amazed at how soft and supple the goblin's hands were. How adept the creature was at working buttons and snaps. Millie made Sarah sit at a vanity while she brushed her long hair and braided it for bed. When she had finished, she escorted Sarah to the little sitting room and the bed the King had created for her. The goblin woman muttered something about silly games played by races not goblin.
Sarah lay in the dark on the featherbed. Her eyes grew slowly accustomed to the darkness. Though she was tired, she was finding going to sleep a difficult task. Her eyes kept going to the door of the chamber, and she wondered what time the King went to sleep. Sitting up in the bed she drew her knees up and placed her chin on them. "This is stupid." She said aloud.
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Jareth sat in the throne room, lounging over his huge throne as he often did. He was tapping his boot with the ever-present riding crop he had picked up years ago. He watched the clock as he tapped. He yawned once maybe twice, and stared off into the distance. The throne room was empty; all the goblins had gone to bed long ago. Only the King remained in the room, with its shadows and memories.
"Sire, you should go to bed." The odd old man shuffled into the room, dressed in a long robe and nightshirt. His ever present hat missing.
Jareth shrugged. "Soon." He promised his old tutor.
"Sire, the girl is here, and your work begins." The odd old man huffed.
"I know, I know." Jareth spoke into the hand covering his face.
"Have you told the girl?" The old teacher asked.
"Some." Jareth muttered. "Not all."
"Do you think that wise?" The old man hunkered down on a ledge.
Mismatched eyes peered over the gloved fingers on his face. "No."
"Sire…" the old one began.
"No!" Jareth stood up and pointed at him with the crop. "Not another word. I have to do this my way, or not at all." He squared his shoulders, "I'm going to bed." He announced.
"Sleep well." Quipped the old man.
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Jareth drew the crystal from the air as he stepped into the corridor. He focused, and the bedchamber's image filled the orb. He saw the girl sitting still on her bed, and he groaned. "Why aren't you asleep?" he leaned on the wall. "Are you trying to get yourself ravaged?" He tossed the crystal into the air and watched it vanish. It was getting easier and easier to use that bit of magic again. Soon he would have that power restored and he could create orbs to his hearts content again. For now, there was but one orb and he had to make good use of it and take care of how and when he used it.
He looked at the crop in his hand and groaned, it would not do for the girl to see it. The damn thing could set his plans back. He focused and sent it back to the throne. Having the girl present made the use of his powers easier. In addition, the closer he was to her location the stronger his powers became.
Entering his bedchamber quietly, he pretended he did not know she was awake. He moved to his dressing room and disrobed, slipping a dressing gown on before he exited. The main chamber was dark, and he hoped she had the decency to keep her beautiful green eyes shut. He removed the robe, slipped into the bed and fluffed his pillow. "Sarah." He said quietly.
"Yes?" she did not even try to pretend she was asleep.
"You needn't wait up for me. Often my duties keep me late into the night." He spoke soothingly. "There's no need for you to lose sleep on my account, my dear." Turning to his side, he whispered. "Good night, Sarah."
"Good night, Jareth." She whispered back.
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He felt more rested than he had in a long time. The softness of dawns light crept into his chamber. He always kept the balcony open at night, and the morning breeze fluttered the sheer curtains there. Listening he could hear the quietness of her sleeping. He pulled on his robe, and crept to her bedside. He had watched her sleep before, in owl form from a window, or in the reflection of mirrors. This was different; this was so much more intimate, and telling. With her hair fanned out on the pillow and her hand clutched under her chin she appeared more like the child she had been three years ago. Yet, this was no child, lying asleep under his watchful eye. This was a woman, innocent and pure, but a woman.
He knelt down, moving his face closer to hers on the pillow, gazing at her with intentness. Her eyes fluttered, then opened. She looked content for an instant, then she sat up pulling the coverlet to her modestly.
"What are you doing?" she asked tersely.
"Watching you." He knelt back on his haunches. "You look so young when you're asleep."
She moved her hand to her hair, making sure it was not too messy. "You have any idea of what it's like to wake up to someone staring down into your face…and so close?"
Jareth shook his head. "No, what's it like?"
Sarah was not sure if he were teasing her. Her eyes opened wide as he moved forward, taking a seat on the side of the bed. "What are you doing?"
"Sitting to converse, it's more comfortable than crouching down beside the bed. I like comfort." He pulled the dressing gown so he was discretely covered. "Did you sleep well?"
Sarah nodded, "Yes, thank you." She kept her voice still.
Jareth snickered. "You don't have to whisper, Sarah. The servants really won't care if we talk."
"I don't usually hold discussions in my bed, you know." She sniped.
"Yes, I do know." He stated with a measure of personal pride. "I know that you don't kiss on the first date. I know that you don't allow any of the males of your acquaintance too close." He watched her blanch and drop her jaw and begin to protest. "I know that you even spent most of prom serving punch rather than being mauled by the young man your father arranged to take you to the dance."
"You've been watching me." She accused hotly.
Jareth raised an elegant brow, "You'd expect less?"
"That blasted owl out side my dorm…that was you!" she burst out. "The owl on that country road… you too?"
"I told you, I keep a hands on policy on my kingdom, and its subjects." He mocked her with his grin.
"I was not part of your kingdom then!" Color rose in her cheeks.
Jareth confidently raised his arm and placed it over the girl's shoulder, drawing her closer to him. He turned his face and as hers came near, he spoke with determination. "You, Sarah Williams," his voice was seductive, "have been a subject of my Kingdom from the moment you began your quest on that windswept hillside."
"That is not the way it works!" she protested.
He smiled, showing his teeth, a smile that was icy. "It never ceases to amaze me how often you mortals think you know it all. Who says it does not work that way? What do you really know about how the Fae world works? Things you have read in books, fairy stories watered down, had all the teeth removed. Sarah, you've a great deal to learn." He growled softly. "I'm just the man to teach you." He began to lean toward her, intent on tasting her.
"How?"
He paused, blinked. "How what?"
"How did I become a subject?" She was mentally going over her steps when she had left her parents room.
Jareth growled softly, "You are not going to escape my desire to taste your lips, Sarah…" He eyed her hungrily. "Making me wait serves no purpose, there's no escape for you. There never was."
"How did I become a subject." She repeated, now her words edged with anger.
Jareth brought up his left hand and raised fingers as he gave reasons. "You accepted the challenge, you were bitten by one of my little swarm fairies…they have a nasty little bite! You started relationships with inhabitants of the Labyrinth, you then ate Fae food, and you danced in my arms. You let me sing to you." He licked his lips. "You want more reasons?"
"I'm in a nightmare!" she said.
"Nightmares can be far more entertaining, and revealing than mere dreams, Sarah." Jareth moved closer. "Not to mention more exciting." Sarah placed a hand out to stop him, but she missed the dressing gown and her hand connected with his chest. He pulled her hand, propelling her forward. His lips met hers somewhere along the way.
Before the King could take advantage, the door to his chamber burst open and three tall oafish goblin guards rushed in. "Your Majesty!" they cried tumbling over each other. Seeing the King in the little bed with the girl, they began to giggle.
Jareth looked up at them with exasperation, "This had better be important, boys."
The leader of the group nodded and pointed to the balcony. "It's happening!"
Jareth kissed Sarah quickly and bound from the bed, moving swiftly to the balcony. "By god it is." He looked back. "Sarah, come and look."
Sarah pulled her own robe on and stepped barefooted to join him. "What am I looking at?" she asked, not sure of what she needed to see.
Jareth held a hand out to her. "Look at the Labyrinth… what do you see?"
She looked to the snaky hillside, and the maze that covered most of it. "I don't know… what…did it just move?"
He nodded. "It wakens." He kissed her temple. "Your being here has wakened the Labyrinth!"
"This is good, yes?" she asked quietly.
"This is wonderful!" He corrected, Jareth looked at the guard. "When did it happen?"
"Just moments ago, Sire!" the three said in answer.
Jareth pulled Sarah into an embrace. "Our being together, that's what's doing it."
Sarah looked at him, "That seems a bit simple to be the fix."
"Simple is always the best fix." He informed her. "After breakfast, we'll go down to the village. I'm sure the goblins will want to thank you."
She looked at the three falling over themselves. "Yeah, right."
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Sarah was surprised at how normal some things in the castle seemed. Breakfast was not much different than one Karen would have made. With of course the exception of Jareth did not sit and read a morning paper like her father.
Millie had Sarah's clothes for the morning visit to the village set out for her. The goblin drew her bath, and left the girl alone while she soaked. Dressing was made easier by Millie's expert little hands. That goblin could fasten hooks and tie off ties faster than anyone could. She had chosen a demure day dress for Sarah, in a soft shade of russet. She tied a bonnet on the girl, and handed her gloves. Standing back the goblin shrugged. "I guess you'll do."
Sarah looked in the mirror. "I look like I stepped out of a Jane Austin novel."
"You look lovely." Jareth said from the archway.
Sarah turned. "You been there long?"
He shook his head no, but said. "Yes."
Sarah closed her eyes. "I'm not carrying a parasol, no matter what you say."
The Goblin King moved closer. "You did a good job with her, Millie."
The maid bowed and turned to go. "See to it you return her to me in the same condition!"
Sarah's eyes popped open. "What did she mean by that?"
Jareth shrugged, offering her his arm. "Shall we, Lady Sarah?"
"Delighted, King Jareth." She took his arm.
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Sir Didymus stood at the top of the steps to the carved door of the ceremonial entrance of the castle, awaiting their approach. He was dressed in his finest court tunic and a newly plumed hat. He had polished his sword, and looked very dashing. Sarah looked at him with fond eyes.
"Your Majesty." He addressed his King and then bowed deeply to Sarah. "My Lady."
"Good Morning, Sir Didymus." The King acknowledged the little Knight. "New quarters all right?"
"Adequate, Sire." The white mustache twitched.
"I am taking Sarah into the village, please attend." Jareth, with Sarah's hand still tucked into his arm began to descend the stair. "Sir Didymus will be with you whenever you are out of the castle, and a good deal of time when you are in the castle. He will be your personal guard, Lady Sarah."
"Do you have a personal guard?" She asked.
At the base of the stair, he paused. "I have an entire garrison full." He sounded irritated. He pointed behind them and Sarah saw the three that had fallen on themselves in the King's chamber come clamoring behind. The King leaned closer. "Moe, Larry and Curly there, are today's guard. They all get to take turns."
Sarah giggled. "Thank you for not saddling me with them. I love Sir Didymus."
"Anything to make a Lady happy." Jareth winked, smiling broadly.
The Goblin City, or rather village, was actually much more cozy then memory serve. Numbering only ten blocks of ramshackle houses hiding in each other's shadows made up most of the village. The houses and shops decorated in the style that was uniquely Goblin. Color combinations that were horrific if used elsewhere, seemed completely normal here. Now, without a war playing out in the streets, Sarah could look at it and find it almost charming.
Jareth watched her interact with the villagers, and accept bouquets of rancid smelling flowers as if she'd received Madonna Lilies. 'I'll never let you go.' He vowed silently.
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Riding the ridge the man in the hunting party looked over to where the great Labyrinth lay. He had long coveted a place in the court of the Fae. He longed for a bit of recognition. Holding out an arm, he waited until his hawk landed. When the bird of prey landed, he smiled to himself. Perhaps now with his daughter's return, he had something with which to tempt the King. Time would tell.