['What Do You Want From Me?' by Pink Floyd]
Queen Seraphina sat patiently upon her throne, acknowledging the two opposing accounts of quarreling goblins. Odel, and elderly male, was accusing his young female neighbor, Zalka, of stealing land from his family's property. Both owned farm lands on the outskirts of the city, beyond the rolling fields of grass and over the hill. They had inherited their estates from the many generations before them, and for the first time in all those many years, the two families where coming to petty odds over a mere arm's length of land.
"Then just last week", Odel debated his position, "she put up an unauthorized fence an' told me if I should take it down, she'd send 'er sons to my door. Them boys has Algorn blood in 'em, I just knows it!. They're huge!"
"I did no such thing!" Zalka protested.
"You did!"
"You lie!"
"My people", Sera interjected with a cool nurturing tone, raising a hand into the air as she had observed Kyan do so many years ago. Many of her diplomatic behaviors were a simulation of what she had learned from the Trystian woman. "We are a nation of peace. Let us not quarrel with our brothers and sisters over matters so insignificant. I shall have the plot of land in question measured and divided evenly between the two of you, and we shall hear no more of this." Her green eyes darted admonishingly between the fuming pair of goblins who stood with their arms folded into their chests like tempering toddlers. "Love thy neighbor as I have loved you, and this kingdom with flourish. Quarrel, and we shall perish."
Jareth stood by her side at her throne, working hard to suppress a smile. He was ecstatically proud of his queen. For all the innumerable accounts such as these, she had never once ruled unfairly or even raised her voice to her people in anger. To ensure that her judgments were deemed to be in favor of all parties, she had adopted use of a public jury to these proceedings. She preached a message of love and earned love in return. Her people adored her.
"All those in favor of this motion?" Sera addressed the jury. All hands raised a unanimous vote. Even Odel, who's vote did not count, expressed his approval.
"It's not fair!" Zalka insisted with a stamp of her foot. "This is what we get fer bowin' our empty heads to a fuckin' Skink an' 'er pet fairy!"
A horrified gasp spread throughout the room. Jareth took an indignant step forward, but Sera placed a hand onto his abdomen to stop him. 'Skink' was a derogatory term reserved for members of the Skalcus race. It was invented by the Algorn Clan and had not been uttered since the end of the war. But goblins were mortal and the war had ended many centuries before Zalka's time. It was well known that there remained small fractioned groups of Algorn supporters throughout the kingdom, but for their own good, they had remained relatively silent.
"Sister Zalka, where did you learn that term?" Sera asked quietly.
"I ain't yer sister…Skink."
A member of the jury stood bolt upright with a fling of his finger, "Cease her!"
"Treason!" another shouted.
Soon the room was erupting with a collection of angry voices crying out for justice, punishment, even death. Sera placed her hands into the armrests of her throne and shot up to her feet.
"ENOUGH!" A tremendous gust of wind penetrated the windows from outside, and the room fell silent, every eye on her. Jareth's infuriated gaze was focused onto Zalka who suddenly looked terrified. Sera could see her trembling where she stood. She lowered her voice to its gentle melody, "There will be no punishment. Zalka, I have disappointed you, and for that I am truly sorry. But I am the appointed ruler of this kingdom. My decisions are made in the best interested of all my children. Do not misinterpret my generosity for weakness, for make no mistake, I can be cruel."
She could feel Jareth's eyes turn to her, but she didn't acknowledge him. Her focus challenged Zalka's stare, unblinking until the goblin finally forfeited and looked to the floor in shame. The silence pulsed as she slowly returned to her seat with regal posture.
"That will be all for today", Sera said sweetly, yet with command. "We will deliberate further tomorrow on other matters. Jareth, will you measure and divide the lines between Odel and Zalka's properties?"
Her Trystian bowed respectfully and exited the room as others filed quietly out behind him, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She was angry, and the darkening skies outside reflected it. There would be a terrible storm soon if she did not calm her nerves. There was only one thing she knew of that could accomplish that mission successfully. Her sword hung in its sheath over the back of the thrown. She grabbed it and flung it over her shoulder, exiting the castle and out into the grassy fields far from the eyes of her people. Her fingers loosened her bodice and flung it aside. Breeze flowed through the freed fabric of her blouse, cooling her torso. Kicking her shoes aside, she pulled the middle of her long skirt up between her legs and tied it, creating a pair of makeshift pants. Her eyes closed. Her toes wriggled in the soft grass and she breathed in deep, relishing the scent of the earth beneath her.
['High Hopes' by Pink Floyd]
The toll of the evening bell began to sing over the horizon. She swayed to it, finding its rhythm with her body. The temperature outside had dropped considerably since her outburst, and cold wind whipped through her long hair, sending it flying in all directions. Unsheathing her sword, she took a slow step back with one leg, bending at the knee with the front one. Her arms lifted the shining blade over her, and on the last beat of the bell, the dance began. She twirled and spun with her weapon, slicing, leaping, cutting through the air with gentle grunts and pants of breath. A warm glow beat softly against her face and she opened her eyes to see that setting sunlight had banished the swelling storm. Fluffy clouds glided through the pink sky, painted in hues of yellow and orange.
She noted something approaching in her periphery and glanced to her left to see Jareth returning from over the hill. His nod indicated the job had been done. She sighed and began her graceful therapeutic dance once more. When he was approximately twenty paces from her, Jareth tossed a crystal orb into the air. She watched as it transformed into a long sword on its descent. He caught it with a smirk and took a defensive stance. Smiling, she turned to him and held her weapon at the ready. Their eyes challenged one another for a long time, then he took the first swipe at her. She dodged it gracefully, spinning about to kick him in the butt and send him staggering forward. Swordplay was not his strong suit, but he possessed something she didn't. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed an orb at her face. It burst and showered her with glitter like in the goblin play. She laughed heartily and wiped at her face, dropping her sword onto the ground. His eyes widened as she ran at him, shouting and leaping onto his back. Her arms wrapped about his shoulders and she found purchase at his waist with her strong thighs.
"Gailan The Brave!" she yelled. He laughed and grabbed her beneath the knees, swinging her about in countless circles. "Jareth! I'm going to vomit!"
He tried to find footing, but had dizzied himself into a drunken teeter. Down they tumbled onto the tall soft grass, giggling like children. Sera rolled onto her back, clutching her abdomen. Jareth crawled over to her and buried his face into her neck, chuckling against her skin. She ran her fingers through his strawberry hair and turned her face to kiss his head, the laughter dying down in her chest. His had quieted to a heavy rising and falling of his chest as he caught his breath. Sera opened her eyes to the dimming sky. The stars were beginning to ignite their small blinking flames, and the pastel colors of the heavens were fading into a rich deep navy blue. Jareth grew very still beside her, their breathing slowing to match the same calm rhythm, her fingers still tangled loosely in his soft hair. Gradually, he began to lift his head. His cheek brushed gently against hers. She felt him hesitate. They both began breathing more heavily again. He continued moving. The corners of their mouths grazed lightly. Sera closed her eyes and subtly tilted her head toward his, their lips now hovering just barely apart.
Then he kissed her. Simultaneously they seemed to release the breaths they had been holding and they quickly became consumed by inextinguishable desire. His lips parted on hers and they deepened the act with the tangling of tongues. Their arms wrapped about each other, holding tight enough to hurt. He kissed so sweetly, and yet with an insatiable hunger that stole her breath away. Sera had had lovers many years ago, long before the war, before her military service. Not of them penetrated her mind and soul the way he did. Vows be damned, she would sacrifice everything to be with him.
Jareth's actions were becoming increasingly intense, bordering on frantic. It was like someone had twisted the valve to a contained system that was now depressurizing out of control. Sera followed his lead, desperate to feel every inch of his body, to know him even deeper than she already did, for him to know her. She wanted to be his and only his. Forever. Her fingers fumbled with the fabric at the base of his shirt, dragging it upward and exposing his back to the cool night air. Dragging her nails lightly along his flesh, she felt him arch and pant onto her lips. It seemed to push him even further over the edge, shattering the already paper-thin willpower that dampened his agonizing need for her. He reached down between them with one hand and began working at the knot holding her skirt together. It loosened and he jerked it apart, moving his lips to her jaw line, her neck. Gripping the collar of her blouse, he yanked it aside and bit down on her shoulder. Not hard, just enough to cause her to moan and arch her supine up against him. Her hands found their way to the strings of his pants as he continued to torture her sensitive flesh with his lips, teeth, and tongue.
The fabric came apart beneath her fingers and she struggled to work it down over his hips. His lips returned to hers as he reached down with one hand to assist her, pushing the pants down just below his ass. The end of her skirt was tugged upward to her waist and he shifted his body between her thighs, entering her without a moment's hesitation, like he would die if he wasn't buried deep inside her. A strangled moan passed between them and he immediately began working his hips against hers. She wrapped her legs about him, clawing at his back. His face moved to her neck, short desperate pants of hot breath beating against her skin. Rocking her pelvis to match his rhythm, she keened and mewled, trembling as the growing pleasure already began threatening to tear her apart. She could feel his body shaking, he was close. After centuries of abstinence, it didn't take much for either of them to fall over the edge into ecstasy. She fell first, dragging him easily over with her. Sera all but screamed, throwing her head back against the soft ground. Jareth grabbed her face with one hand, forcing his lips onto hers with a loud broken moan. A fine layer of sweat glistened on their skin, their bodies finally relaxing into post-coitus bliss together. They panted against one another's mouths, catching their breaths, neither one willing to part their heavy eyelids. Night had now completely fallen around them, enveloping them in darkness all but for the dim light of the crystal moon above.
Jareth kissed Sera's forehead, lingering for a moment before rising off of her to stand and readjust his clothing. She shakily came up to sitting and he reached down to help her stand. Silence passed between them as he re-tied her bodice for her. She collected her sword and her shoes, and they returned to the castle without a word.
In case you missed it (or you're just not a Bowie worshiper like myself), Jareth's physical appearance is David circa 'The Man Who Fell To Earth' movie (and/or the Low album). Haven't seen it? Well, you must! You'll have to order it from Amazon and have it special-made. That's what I did. And yes, his prior appearance was indeed Ziggy Stardust circa the 'Aladdin Sane' album.