Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!
The goblin king sat at the head of the long table, deep in conversation with two other men seated flanking him. Suddenly one of them caught sight of her & cleared his throat as he rose hastily. Sarah blushed as she took notice of how Jareth's eyes gleamed as he looked her over as he & the other man stood also.
'He's totally checking me out! Hell they're ALL checking me out! Don't trip … whatever you do just don't TRIP!' Her mind screamed at her as the man to Jareth's right quickly pulled out a chair next to him for her to sit down in.
"Lady Sarah I presume, please give me the pleasure of sitting at my side. It seems as though Jareth was telling the truth when he spoke of your exquisite beauty." The man purred charmingly as he took her hand in his gloved one & pressed it to his lips. "My name is Argon, commander of the goblin army." He said as he bowed graciously before sitting down once more. Sarah found herself drawn to his striking yellow eyes. He was dressed in a simple black T shirt with light tan breeches, his complexion was slightly darker then Jareth's & his feathery emerald hair was styled into a spiky, punkish look.
"Forgive him, he's shameless. My name is Fallon & I am His Majesty's senior advisor." He said with emphasis, taking Sarah's hand & kissing it as well, his auburn eyes never leaving hers. Unlike his companions, his fiery red hair was cropped close to his head in a neat, clean cut style, though that still didn't stop it from spiking slightly at the ends; Sarah assumed it must be a fey trait. He was dressed more formally in a frilly satin dress shirt under a handsome black leather vest with matching breeches & boots.
"Forgive them both for they both are shameless. It was my original preference for us to dine alone, Sarah. But these two simply would not accept no … or a hint for that matter." Jareth said tersely, eyeing the two men sharlpy as he took a deep sip of his wine.
"Oh, come off it, Jareth. The labyrinth may have recognized her as Queen, but that doesn't make her betrothed to you … unless there is something you're not telling us." Fallon said slyly.
"Er … no … we're just friends." Sarah piped up, her face red.
"Now look what you have done, you oaf. You've gone & embarrassed the poor girl." Argon said, his expression was stern but his tone had an air of dry humor to it, Sarah stifled a chuckle as goblins appeared, bearing their food.
Supper that night consisted of a beautiful baked ham with a honey glaze, corn, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, & stuffing. It reminded her of Christmas dinner & a white hot stab of pain hit her as she thought of her family.
"Is something wrong, Sarah? You seem unwell, is the food not to your liking?" Jareth asked, his expression genuinely concerned.
"No, no, I'm good. I guess I'm just hungry, that's all." She said quickly.
Fallon & Argon seemed content with that explanation as they served themselves & dug in, but Jareth's mismatched gaze remained on her, it was as if he knew somehow that she wasn't telling the truth … & it freaked her out.
"Well, isn't this a touching scene." A cold female voice said as she & a large Siberian tiger watched their exchanges through a large crystal ball supported by a tripod of ice.
"So, Sarah, we have heard the events from Jareth's rescue from his point of view so many times we could recite it in our sleep, please indulge us by telling your likely more accurate version of the events that transpired." Fallon purred smoothly, his voice echoed slightly as it came through the crystal ball. The woman & the tiger drew closer to it, listening intently.
Both men listened emphatically, practically hanging on her every word as she recapped their adventure, thanks to years of babysitting Toby; Sarah had become quite the avid storyteller. Once she got to the part where Errol & Jareth had their duel however, that snapped Fallon & Argon out of their story induced stupor & they looked to Jareth, their mouths agape.
"You never told us that part." Argon said
"I wasn't aware that my private family matters were anyone's business but my own." Jareth said testily, Sarah's face reddened, as she realized she might have opened her big mouth & said something she shouldn't have.
"So Errol was willing to face his brother in a duel for this whimsical creature? Then perhaps she holds more power then I originally thought." The Ice Queen said as she waved her hand absentmindedly, her pale eyes never leaving her crystal. A pen & parchment appeared & began scribbling frantically. "Dink!" She barked, her voice cutting the air like a knife.
No sooner had she uttered the name, a small frail looking creature with thick leathery wings scurried into view, he cowered in front of her, his gaze concentrated on the floor.
"See this reaches Prince Errol of the Fey kingdom, it is imperative that I meet with him at once." She ordered, in a flash, the servant was gone.
"Yes, I think that the fey prince will be very interested to know that we now share a common goal." She said to her tiger as she caressed his huge head.
Notes: Wow! I'm sorry that got so long :P, but I think its partly because of all the new lines I have to make, but that's ok as long as its easier to read : )