Chapter 10

Lady in Red

The dining room in the Illiera palace was as half the size of a football field. Its high ceilings were painted and carved with scenes of the Underground races in battle and everyday life. Huge golden chandeliers hung suspended above a long table that stretched the length of the room. There were no candles lighting the chandeliers, instead balls of magic sat in cradles made in the shape of elegant hands. A large feast was set out and nearly every chair was taken by the guests all eating and drinking, merry and loud. Along the walls male servants stood to attention in white and gold livery, the symbol of the High King etched onto their breasts. The shape was a mixture of the golden goblin symbol and a silver tree entwined. The person that symbol represented lounged back in a comfortable high backed chair at the head of the table. Outwardly he was listening to King Lucas talk about the problems his kingdom was facing from bad crops, inwardly he was thinking about Sarah; where she was, what she was doing and when she was going to get to dinner. He wondered idly if she would wear a red dress as he had asked or if she would defy him as she was prone to do.

"Your Majesty," King Lucas of the Brownies said, finally noticing that Jareth wasn't paying much attention. "Is it possible for me to create a petition or plead my case to the other races for aid?"

Jareth snapped to attention, realising how important it was. The Brownies were a hardworking, kind race that was always going to the aid of other races. Their monkey faces were covered in light brown hair, like down feathers on a duck. Their arms were very long, out of proportion with the rest of their body. Their king was very ugly, his face creased into deep folds, the hair making it very difficult to read his expressions but his large brown eyes were always clear and kind. They were the biggest feature in his face and always had a glint of laughter and compassion in the dark depths. Jareth liked him very much, he always heard perfect sense from the king and it was always in the best interest of his people and for the benefit of harmony and peace with other races, never for his own ambitions and pride.

Interest sharpened, Jareth sat up and leant forward clasping his hands together on the table.

"I believe you do both." He said seriously considering the good king's chances with the other races. "I think that you should present your plea at the next council meeting at the monthly Full Moon and present your petition then at the same time."

"So be it then," Lucas smiled happily and lifted his glass in a salute, "Thank you for your advice, Jareth, it is always helpful."

Jareth returned the salute with his own wineglass, grinning at his friend, "The pleasure is always mine."

"Lady Sarah Williams, Champion of the Labyrinth!" The Master of Ceremonies called out from the gigantic double doors at the bottom of the hall. The noise and eating didn't stop but everything seemed to slow down and sound muted as Jareth caught sight of the lady in red hovering a little insecurely in the doorway. He felt his mouth fall open and was powerless to stop it; he had never seen something as beautiful as Sarah, even when she was in her white ball-gown.

The red dress was the perfect hue for her pale skin, it set it off like alabaster and darkened her hair into black silk. The red colour of her lips matched her dress and pulled the green out of her eyes like emerald fire. That was nothing compared to the expression in her eyes when she saw him, a smile curved her lips and a mischievous glint in her eyes added an irresistible mystery to her air. He was not the only one to notice, the male races closest to her stared and some of them exchanged commentaries about her indiscreetly. Sarah kept her eyes fixed on Jareth and away from the table and admiring glances of the men. She refused to let a blush of embarrassment tint her cheeks and kept her teeth clenched in effort.

Alone she started into the room to find an empty seat to have her dinner. Satire got up and walked towards her a welcoming smile on his face. Sarah gave one in return and when he reached her took his offered arm.

"Hello, my lady fair," he smiled charmingly and Sarah looked away amused.

"Hello, Satire, how are you?"

"All the better for seeing you, my dear." He flirted, coaxing a laugh out of her. They reached a set of empty chairs and Satire pulled out one for Sarah. She allowed him to push in her chair and then looked around while a servant pushed in his. Jareth was at the far end watching them with a blank expression on his face. Sarah knew by now that that expression was hiding a myriad of strong emotions. A servant came past and poured them a glass of red wine each, not much of a drinker Sarah picked it up and sipped cautiously. It was surprisingly good, not like the Aboveground wines she had tasted and pretended to like. This wine was smoother, with less sour aftertaste, it was almost like a mixture of fruit juice and port. Lovely. Satire had been watching with interest as Sarah examined her wine in the light and sampled it.

"Do you like it?" He asked eventually after Sarah had finished half a glass, he had barely touched his.

"Very much."

"I'm not really a fan of wine." He confessed in a hushed voice, shifting himself closer to her, and catching her eye intimately.

"Why don't you like wine?" she asked puzzled, "It's amazing!"

"I'm afraid I'm more of a hard liquor type of man." he winked slyly at her and Sarah felt a smidge of dislike well up. She covered the expression in her eyes by turning her attention back to her wineglass. A man servant was suddenly between them, he had been absolutely silent. Sarah jumped a little spilling some of the wine onto the white tablecloth.

"Lady Sarah, you presence is required by the High King."

"Oh," Sarah got up and smiled at Satire, "I'll be right back."

The servant cleared his throat politely.

"The High King wishes you to dine with him as his personal guest."

Sarah didn't miss Satires eyes flash with something dark. She blinked and he was smiling at her, congenially. "Go on Sarah," he urged, "Don't keep the His Majesty waiting." There was a distinct insult in the way he said 'his majesty' that Sarah, and she didn't doubt the servant, heard. Quickly she extracted herself from the table and walked behind the servant as he moved efficiently through the space between where she had been sitting and the head of the table.

"Your Majesty," Sarah curtsied low and was bidden to rise quickly.

"Hello, Sarah." Jareth smiled at her and gestured for her to be seated on his right. A place reserved for his queen, or future queen. Nobody at the table missed the import of this gesture, except Sarah. She still didn't understand some of the etiquette and rules of the High Court. Jareth had just openly declared his intentions for her, and she was blissfully unaware. If she had known the outcome would have been different.

"Sarah, may I introduce an old friend of mine; King Lucas of the Brownies." He gestured to a very ugly, hairy man on his left and Sarah smiled at him instantly liking him, she saw kindness and compassion in his eyes, but also a firm resolve and strength that she admired.

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty." She said and bowed her head.

"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you," the king chuckled, "you are as lovely as he said you are."

Sarah blushed and Jareth sent his friend a friendly glare.

"Lucas, don't embarrass her!" he chuckled and Lucas turned his warm, mischievous glance on Sarah.

"Come, my dear, you are not embarrassed, surely? You are beautiful after all."

"Um, thank you?" Sarah wasn't quite sure what to say. How to respond to praise so undisguised.

"And so modest too! A fine woman, Jareth." He crowed and reached across the wide table with his long arms easily taking her hand in his. "You are the perfect balance for him, my dear."

Sarah glowed and Jareth couldn't help but smile at her while she tried to conceal her pleasure in his friend's honest attentions. She was a fine woman, honest, brave and beautiful.

The rest of the table watched them covertly, some with jealous eyes others with curiosity, most with contempt.

Sitting quietly and not talking to anyone Jezebel, Champion of the Faeries watched Sarah Williams smile and laugh with King Lucas and the High King. She marvelled at her audacity. The Labyrinthine Champion was so common, and an Abovegrounder! She was so far below their notice. Yet she had proven herself to be brave, and good in a fight. Her winning might have been an accident but Lady Sarah had lasted longer than Jezebel had expected her to, she had not given her two minutes in the area with the massive Harpy Champion. There was much more to the Mortal than she had originally thought.

Her mind thought back to that morning when they had been training with the Games Master and she had tripped, Sarah had stopped to help her, losing her place in the pack of running champions and making her fall behind, and fall prey to the Games Master's taunts and abuse. A curious person indeed, making friends with her would be hard.

00000

The night drew on, after dinner the crowd went to the beautiful ballroom for coffee and dancing. Sarah, a little fatigued from her long day, drew away from the dancing and against the wall. She followed it idly, running her hand against it and happened on a heavy curtain. Behind it was a glass door to a balcony overlooking the beautiful garden. She stepped through allowing the door to shut quietly behind her, and found she was alone, the noise of the party muted by the heavy curtain.

It was peaceful away from the crowd, and the watching. Sarah had been ignoring it all day, but it was something she could no longer be unaware of, everyone watched her. From the other royals to the servants, she was the one that had caught the High King's eye, and what made it worse was that she was constantly exposing herself by doing things that didn't coincide with the etiquette of the court, like stamping of the High King's foot and storming off in the middle of a dance.

Sighing she leant against the cold stone railing and breathed in the night. It was warm with a soft breeze that shuffled her hair and touched the trees below. A billion stars twinkled above her and a bright moon illuminated every shadow, every curve of the walkway below her and the balcony she was on as clear as day. The only thing that would make it more perfect would be for Jareth to come and talk to her. As much as she might not like the thought, she wanted to see him. Wanted was too soft a word, she needed, craved, ached for his company. It both irked and elated her, to finally admit to herself that she was in love with him hadn't been that hard, she had known it for years, to realise that he was in love with her, with no tricks and no falsehoods had been much harder. He loved her, the thought made her smile at the night, a little secret they could share until they could proclaim it to the world.

The door opened behind her and Jareth stepped out onto the balcony. He had gone looking for her when she had disappeared. She was constantly on his mind and when she wasn't in his line of sight, in his presence, he missed her. Not dreaming she was there, he had checked a hidden balcony behind the heavy curtain and had caught sight of her leaning against the white stone railing, instant joy filled him, making his heart pulse warmly.

She was alone, but didn't radiate loneliness as some people do when they are alone; a subtle cry out for sympathy and human companionship. Sarah was radiating contentment and Jareth was almost loath to disrupt it.

At the sound of the door shutting Sarah turned and saw Jareth standing hesitantly in front of the closed door. A bright smile curved her lips and she stepped lightly towards him.

"Jareth!" it was a soft cry of joy and welcome that made his intrusion worthwhile. He met her halfway gathering her into his arms with a delighted smile.

"How did you find this balcony?" he inquired holding her lightly against him. The skirts of the dress flowed out from her waist framing it beautifully. He was always so aware of how tiny her waist was when he held her.

"Just now, I happened upon it." she took his hand and pulled him towards the edge gesturing to the garden below them. "Beautiful, isn't it?" she sighed again with happiness and Jareth put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She leant her head against his shoulder and looked at the garden. "I could look at it forever."

"Yes, it is beautiful." He murmured and was silent gazing at the garden and then to his love. He adored the content expression on her face as she looked at the view. She turned her lovely face towards him and he lowered his head kissing her. Through the door strains of a melody flowed out so quietly it could hardly be heard. Gently the couple pulled apart and very close together began rocking to the music. It swelled and they started to dance a waltz in time, whirling around the balcony effortlessly. Both forgot everything but each other. Eventually the strains of the music got too soft to hear and the couple stopped close together, their faces millimetres apart. A intangible pull came alive between them, feeling it, Sarah smiled a slow uptilting of her lips seductive awareness of what would come next. Jareth answered that smile with a smirk of his own and lowered his mouth to hers still smiling. Laughing Sarah pulled away, eyes twinkling, and went forward for another kiss. This was what a real relationship was, teasing and flirting with all the seriousness of love. Joy in the presence of the one you loved. Not needing anything else but that person and the return of your love for theirs.

Watching through the railing of the balcony Jezebel hovered, her wings beating fast and silent. She had followed Sarah out of the ballroom and had been going to talk to her when Jareth appeared on the balcony. Now she lingered and watched the happy couple, filing it away for further thought and use later.

A/N: Sorry! Very busy week, I worked over 40 hours, had an assignment and my mothers birthday! It's a little shorter than normal, I'm still in the midst of chaos, but I wanted to get this to you this week.

Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed: takara410, TinkLuvr16, blood6theif, The Purple Eco Sage, daeth iscarif, kms5665, lonely 27, DestinChild, notwritten, hazlgrnLizzy, Ayjah.

Please let me know what you think. What you liked, disliked, questions and what you would like to see happen. It's always encouraging and interesting to read =)

Cassee