A/N: Many thanks for your reviews! I enjoy hearing your thoughts and speculations over what's going to happen next! Sorry about the late post today. I had an early morning work meeting that I barely managed to roll out of bed for. Yeah, I work nights. Me and sunshine tend to be non-mixy. Not to mention the entire pale-skin-that-turns-red-if-I-even-think-about-the-sun thing. Anyway, enough about me! Not a whole lot of plot happening in the section, but we do get to learn more about the wished-aways!
Year 6 Part 3
Sarah
Sarah and Toby explored their rooms thoroughly. Toby's was decorated in blues and golds. There were fantastical tapestries and paintings on the walls, and shelves full of old fashioned toys and unique Underground storybooks. There were also things like a weapon and armor rack, already holding Toby's sword and bow, and a wardrobe of clothes in his size. A window set into the wall revealed an awe-inspiring view of the constantly shifting Labyrinth that Toby found fascinating. He thought his room was amazing. Sarah felt something strange in her heart as she watched her brother excitedly running around the room. This was a room designed for a prince. He could have been a prince if she hadn't brought him back. All the goblins treated him warmly, calling him "King's son!" and "Prince Toby!" She uneasily wondered the cost of her "saving" her brother from the clutches of the Goblin King. Would he have been happier living here as a prince, than as an average kid Aboveground?
She shook off her discomfort as she stepped into her own room through the connecting door. Her room was decorated in cream and violent. Instead of toys there were shelves full of books, and a vanity with a variety of products she was hesitant to try. She too had a window, but though it was set in the same wall as Toby's, it had a completely different view. Instead of looking over the Labyrinth, it showed an extensive flower garden instead. Toby's eyes widened, and he ran back and forth between the windows, trying to figure out how each showed a different view, though they were so close together.
She found his antics amusing, even as she wondered if the different views meant the rooms were not as close together as they appeared. She didn't want to say she was suspicious of Jareth, but she was uncertain about his motives. She knew he wasn't as evil as her run in the Labyrinth suggested, but she didn't like how he still took children from their families. It occurred to her that he might have called them down here to lure Toby to his side forever. She still had to give permission for her brother to remain, and Jareth had promised no tricks or traps, but she felt unsettled.
The difference between her room and Toby's was obvious. Both were luxuriously furnished, but where Toby's looked like it had been waiting for him forever, Sarah's was bland, more like a hotel room than a room someone might actually live in. She didn't know if it was a sign that Jareth hadn't planned for her to come, and the room was an afterthought, or if he simply didn't know her well enough to personalize a room for her like he had for Toby.
She had been prepared to come to the Underground and defend Jareth's right to call Toby his son. She had not been expecting to confront his child-stealing exploits, or that he would want to draw her into them. She shook off her malaise and pretended to be excited for Toby's sake, but inside, she was off-balance and already slightly homesick.
She managed to pin Toby down and get him changed out of his pajamas. The wardrobe in his room was full of clothes in fine fabrics obviously fit for royalty. Everything was exactly Toby's size or slightly larger, to account for his rapid growing. Despite her doubts about Jareth's fashion sense, nothing looked too outlandish. Mostly it was a bunch of things she'd expect to see out of a history book.
Once her brother was dressed, she returned to her room with trepidation to find attire for herself. She really just wanted a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but somehow didn't think that would be available here. Sure enough, when she opened her wardrobe, it was filled with long, jewel-toned dresses. She had to admit the dresses were very beautiful, ranging from simple, clean folds, to lavish ball gowns that reminded her of a certain dream she once had. When she was younger, she would have loved to play dress up. Now she just tried to find something not too complicated for her to put on by herself.
She settled on a blue velvet dress that draped her frame nicely. It had a little silver trim at the hems and a silver braid around her waist, but otherwise was fairly simple. She found a hair brush on the vanity, and put her hair into some semblance of control. She tempted briefly by the unknown items on the vanity, but in the end decided against them. She was not trying to dress up for the Goblin King. There was no one to impress here.
She invited Toby back into her room. He wanted to jump on her bed, since it was bigger than the one in his room. She barely managed to persuade him against it when there was a knock on her door. Before she could stop him, Toby ran to the door and flung it open. A goblin stood there, a female by her dress. She bowed comically low.
"King's son, Lady Sarah," the goblin said, "Breakfast is ready, if you are."
"Awesome, I'm hungry!" he shouted. The goblin giggled, and led the way down the hall. Sarah followed behind them. Toby looked around at everything, asking a dozen questions in every breath. The goblin answered some of them, but more often he was too excited to leave time for her to respond. He didn't even go quiet when they rounded the corner and saw Jareth and Neiven waiting for them outside a door.
"Daddy!" Toby sprinted ahead.
Jareth laughed as his son bowled into him. He swayed in place, but didn't take a step at the force of the boy hugging him. He returned the hug one-handed, his other arm holding the baby girl still. Sarah shuddered slightly. Wasn't there a nursery where he could have left the baby?
Neiven watched her, and his eyes narrowed as if he'd guessed her thoughts. She raised her chin and refused to be intimidated. He might be Fae and used to the Goblin King stealing children, but she was human, and this was one aspect of Jareth's kingdom she couldn't agree with.
Jareth and Toby finished catching up, which most consisted of Toby listing everything he loved about his room—which was everything—and Jareth trying to get a word in edgewise to make sure it was all to his liking. He finally looked up at Sarah. She felt self-conscious in the dress, as though she was caught in someone else's clothes. Jareth glanced at her, and then took a second, longer look. It was subtle, but someone who knew him well would have realized that he just did a double-take. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
His pupils widened slightly, making his bi-colored eyes look darker. "Sarah," he greeted her. His voice was neutral, but his eyes smiled at her. "You look good."
He came forward, caught her hand and pressed a kiss to the top of her knuckles. She blushed, and suddenly wished she had taken time to explore the cosmetics a little. Then again, if Jareth already thought she looked good, then maybe it was best she had left them off. Neiven was frowning again, but this time it was at Jareth. The Goblin King pretended to ignore him.
"Shall we go in to breakfast?" he asked lightly, and opened the door to the dining room.
It was larger than Sarah was used to, but not so large as she feared. It held a single long table that could have easily held a dozen people. The room itself was big enough for three or four tables, so the lone table looked almost dwarfed by the room. One end of the table was set. Jareth sat at the head with Neiven on one hand, and Toby on the other. Sarah sat next to her brother. The table had a selection of surprisingly familiar foods. There was a bowl heaped high with fluffy eggs, as well as bowls of sausage, bacon, and toast. There were platters of French toast, pancakes, fresh fruit, and even bagels. Carafes of milk, orange juice and water beaded with condensation. Butter and cream cheese had their own plates. Everything was laid out on delicate crystal dishes, surrounded by bright silver utensils. It looked like something from a fancy buffet. It reminded Sarah that Jareth was, after all, a king. He could afford such a vast, scrumptious spread.
Toby helped himself to some of everything. Sarah contented herself to a bit of toast and butter. She was feeling strangely nervous about being here. She didn't know what to expect, and between the child in Jareth's arms and Neiven's disapproving look, she felt she didn't belong here. Was it a mistake to come? She'd had no other thought but to help Jareth when he asked, but the situation was more complicated than she could have guessed.
Neiven was eating an English muffin with jam, while Jareth had a bagel with cream cheese and lox. However, the Goblin King was doing everything with one hand, since he refused to put the baby girl down. Even his struggles were elegant, as if this was the most natural thing in the world to him. If they were at home, and Jareth was one handed because he was holding Toby, Sarah would not have hesitated to help him. Now she remained quiet, watching without knowing what to do. It was as though Toby's second father had become a stranger to her.
"I can hold her, if you like," Neiven suddenly offered. Sarah glanced at him, and jumped at his pointed—and unhappy—look at her.
"No, I have her," Jareth immediately assured his friend, tucking the baby closer to his side.
"I am a father, I do know how to hold babies," Neiven said dryly. "You left me with her before."
"But I had no choice, if I was to fetch Sarah and my son." Jareth's voice was sharp enough to draw everyone's attention.
Neiven's head rocked back, a look of hurt crossing his face. It made Sarah like him a tiny bit better.
Jareth sighed, and rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I apologize," he said. "I did not mean to doubt your ability, or imply that I did not trust you. When one of the wished-aways needs help or healing, I have found it is best to hold them as close to me as possible."
Sarah was confused, but Neiven nodded in understanding. "Your presence heals them?" he asked.
"It is one of the powers granted to me when I have a wished away child. I make sure they are in good health before going to their new families." Jareth spoke stiffly, and he didn't look at her. He was trying to avoid the subject for her sake, but she was intrigued despite her conflicted feelings on it. She felt a twist in her stomach when he talked about healing the children. Somehow, she knew it meant more than any simple childhood scrapes or the sniffles.
"Did the girl need healing?" she asked without meaning to. Brief silence fell on the table, broken only by the sound of Toby eating as he deemed the conversation uninteresting. Jareth still didn't look at her, but Neiven was watching her keenly. For the first time she didn't see outright disapproval in his eyes.
"She was… somewhat undernourished," Jareth hedged. He cradled the girl closer to him, an unconsciously protective gesture. Even more than when he was with Toby, she saw what a good father he was. He was just good with children. If only she could find a human man with half of the Goblin King's ability. Preferably one that didn't go around kidnapping said children…
Neiven snorted. "Mostly starved to death, don't you mean?"
Sarah gasped. Neiven gave her a curt nod. Jareth didn't answer until she prompted softly. "Jareth?"
"Something like that," he muttered through clenched teeth. He glared hotly at his friend, but Neiven was not done yet.
"What was the worst one you ever had?"
"This is hardly an appropriate subject," Jareth growled.
"Why not?" Neiven demanded. "Don't you think she should know what her own kind does to their children?" He gestured to Sarah, making her jump. "She blames you for taking the wished-aways, but how many of them would have died if you weren't there?"
"If you cannot keep a civil tongue, I must ask you to leave," Jareth snapped. Neiven appealed directly to Sarah.
"Ask him," he said, meeting her eyes. This was a morbid conversation, but curiosity got the better of her. She turned to Jareth, who was resolutely staring at the baby girl. He'd not looked at her since they sat down for breakfast. What was more important, holding a grudge against the Goblin King for taking human children, or finding out the truth and helping the man she knew was honest and kind?
"Jareth?" she asked. He didn't move. She was tired of him not looking at her. She stood and moved around Toby's chair. She reached out, hesitated, then placed her hand resolutely on his shoulder. He flinched from the contact, and she felt awful about it.
"Please look at me?" she pleaded. He raised his head slowly. His expression was raw, his mismatched eyes full of pain and fear. She hated that she made him look like that, but recognized that he was exposed to her. Whatever he said would be absolute truth, no matter how much it hurt, or how harsh it sounded. She didn't know when she had earned such absolute truth from this noble man, but it honored and shamed her at the same time. She began to understand why the other Fae was so antagonistic to her; she didn't deserve Jareth.
"How many would have died if you didn't take them?" she echoed Neiven's question. She saw the shadow of old memories flash in Jareth's eyes, and a hint of the rage he'd felt at such abuse to the children.
"I can think of… at least three that required my direct intervention to live," he admitted reluctantly. "There are probably several dozen that, if not in immediate danger, probably would not have survived much longer in their current conditions."
She was stunned. Her hand fell away from his shoulder as she staggered back. "So many?" she whispered in horror. He caught her hand and anchored her to this world with his warm touch.
"Not all are bad," he assured her. "Toby was in perfect health when he came to me. Many of them are like that."
His words were reassuring, but somehow she felt he was merely trying to lessen her shock. He was glossing over the horrors he must have seen for her sake. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Neiven rolling his hand to tell her to continue. She took a deep breath and braced herself. She gripped Jareth's hand tightly, grateful for his support.
"What was the worst one you ever had?"
"No," he responded gently. "I will not talk of it while my son can hear us. Nor do I believe it is something you truly want to hear. I will say, though, that I spent many hours resting in bed with that one, more than the thirteen I am required to keep them. Skin to skin contact is best for that, so I did whatever I could to keep that one alive. I almost lost the child. It is another power of mine to erase memories of the previous family. Most children are too young to need it, or their early memories are not too unpleasant. But that one I did not want any chance that they might remember what had happened, even in nightmares. By the time I was done, the family received a happy, healthy child that does not remember anything but the family they are with now."
She could see how bad it had been in his eyes. She shivered, and could picture it clearly: Jareth lying in bed with his shirt open, a limp child sprawled over his chest. She imagined him humming to the little one, pleading with them to live. What kind of monsters would do that to a child? Furthermore, she knew that practically every week was a different story on the news about some horrific abuse inflicted on children.
How many of those could have been saved by Jareth, but weren't because no one wished them away? For that matter, what kind of person would wish away a child? Sarah had been tired and spoiled, and yes, jealous of the new baby. But the others, the ones Neiven wanted her to know about, as awful as it was to wish someone away, it was better than abuse and death. Even Neiven was stunned by this news.
"Who is it?" the other Fae asked in a hoarse voice. "I know almost all of the children you've placed into homes…"
Jareth shook his head sharply. "No. I do not want even a shadow of what happened to touch this child, even in the knowledge of strangers. I will preserve their anonymity always."
Sarah smiled faintly. "You didn't even say if it was a boy or girl, or how old they were," she said. He gave a sly smirk.
"I did not," he confirmed. Neiven chuckled as well. Jareth's smile slowly faded as he watched her. She became away that they still held hands, and there was a question in his eyes. He was holding the baby against his chest, and now it didn't seem like such a big thing. She could understand why he could not abandon them to a nursery and the indifferent care of a nanny. After witnessing such horror, the children deserved to be loved, maybe for the first time in their lives.
And he did love them. Toby was his only semi-official son, but she bet he remembered the name of every child that had been wished away, and hand-selected the families that adopted them. She looked down at the baby girl, so innocent in the Goblin King's arms. She reached with her free hand and gently touched the faint wisps of baby hair, so fine they were almost invisible.
"I think she's in good hands," Sarah admitted quietly. Jareth let out a breath, squeezing her hand hard. This was so important to him, she was ashamed she had withheld her approval.