Chapter 11

Sarah watched with a heavy heart as two goblins carried her rocking chair out the front door to throw it onto the pill for burning. She had found that the warp wood had been worst after they started cleaning. All of the furniture was ruined, though they were going to be able to repair a few of them. She was just upset that the rocking chair wasn't one of them.

She bent her head back down to the crate filled with odds and ends that the goblins gather as they clear out the cottage. Her plan of being in the middle hadn't gone as she had plan. It seemed Jareth was few steps ahead of her. He had ordered the goblins not to allow her in the cottage while they were clearing out the big items.

As she had found out, goblins may respect her, but they followed his orders, having one guard the door and one that ran around for Sarah. One of the goblins that brought him over to her said his name was Gkas. He carried the crates back and forth to get refilled or sorted. She found him more like a cat, then a goblin. She had tried to talk to him, but all she got was a big silly grin and him curling up next to her like a kitten until one of the goblins set other crate outside a window.

Shaking her head and patting his head as he snoozed next to her, she wondered Jareth would let her keep him and how he would like a bath. She laughed under her breath and restarted digging in the crate. She tried to be careful of the broken glass, but she sucked in a breath as a sharp pain came from her palm. Slowly pulling it out, she watched as the blood started to seep out of the inch long gash.

"Damn."

Gkas lifted his head at her curse frowning when he saw the blood. She smiled down at him telling him that she was find. He didn't seem to believe her as he followed her to the well in back yard. Before she could try to pull the bucket up one handed, Gkas jumped up and turned the crack.

She smiled and scratched his ear before washing the gash. She looked around and tried to think of something that she could wrap her hand. She shook her head and walked back the front for the scissors she had saved from one of the crates. She hated to have to cut the dress. She had just found them when someone cleared their throat.

She looked behind her to smile up at Jareth as he looked down at her. She stood up holding her hand palm up to her chest and the scissors in the other. She was about to greet him, only to have him grab her hand.

"What happen?"

She smiled, "Nothing just got cut on some glass while I was digging in the crates seeing what I can salvage."

She took her hand and care of the gash and blood, she went to cut a strip off her dress's skirt.

"What are you doing?" He ask stopping her. He pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket taking her hand to wrap it. "I will have to order they be more careful of the glass in the crates."

She smiled at him, "You worry to much." She heard a squeak behind her and looked down to see Gkas staring up at her. She reach down and patted him on the head.

"So they did find a job for him. I was worried there wasn't a place for him."

She smiled, "He is sweet, like a kitten."

Jareth frowned, "They didn't explain?" He sighed at her shaking head, "Gkas was in an accident a few years before. He hasn't been right since."

She had bent to scoop the creature up into her arms standing to look at him.

"He's able to be simple task, simpler then what most goblins do anyways."

She smiled and patted his head, "He seems to so pleased to do the simple tasks. He carries the crate around for me, since the rest of them think I shouldn't help inside."

He smiled, "Lunch?"

She sighed and shook her head, "I just don't know about you, Jareth, but I can't. I want to get as much done as I can today."

He gripped her hand as she started past him to head back to the unsorted crates pulling her towards him. He bent his head and silenced her protests with his lips. When he pulled back to look into her dazed eyes. "You need to eat, my dear. The goblins have taken to their meal as well." He waved a hand and they vanished.

Sarah looked around to see that they were now standing in a grove. A small waterfall trickled over into a small pond. The smell of sweet flowers floated on the air. A blanket was spread out on the soft grass near the pond with a basket. He took her hand leading her towards the blankets. Gkas, who had grabbed her skirts when they had transported, scurried behind them.

Sarah knelt and watched as Jareth sat across from her. He started unpacking the food from the basket keeping an eyes on the goblin curled up next to Sarah.

"Seems like he has a found a permanent place." He looked at her, "That is if you want him around?"

She smiled, "I would love to. Though do have to ask you," she leaned forward, to whisper, "How does goblins like bathes?"

He smiled and shook his head, "I will have some of the other goblins give him a bath, Sarah." He went back to unpacking the basket. Handing her a plum he took a peach for himself and leaned back on the blanket. Sarah looked up to watch the light flicker between the leaves of the trees. She felt so at peace, that all her problems seem to melt away. She felt relaxed.


Sarah yawned as she wiped her hands on her apron. The sun was setting, painting the sky with pale orange and pinks. She looked at the cottage to see goblins still carrying things out. She stood and looked down at Gkas who stood at her feet with one clawed hand gripping her skirts.

"Put the crate with the rest and dump the bucket on the burn pile."

The creature nodded and hurried to do as she had ordered, which she found out worked better then asking. She started for the door where the goblin on guard stood tall.

"Not allowed, ma'am."

She smiled, "I know, Kubaxr. Just send the message that we're done for the day."

He nodded and stuck his head in to howler at the others. She turned and walked to the back yard, calling for Gkas. She stopped at the well and waited as the goblin crank the bucket up. He just loved to do the little thing.

"I do hope that the goblin leaving because you're done?"

She turned to look at Jareth and Kina standing behind her. She smiled and nodded. "We can't work in the dark, well…"She thought for a moment, "I can't see in the dark." She turned back to the bucket to wash her hands and splash water onto her face. She wiped her face dry with her apron.

"I'm glade, I was afraid that I would have to kidnap you again just to get you to eat." He smiled and kissed her, "Though kidnapping you wouldn't be that bad."

Sarah giggled and playfully slapped his armed, "Oh, you!"

He shifted Kina who was trying to wiggle her way out of his arms, "Shall we, my dear? Dinner is done and waiting for us." He held his arm out to her.

She nodded and making sure Gkas was clinging to her skirt before taking his arm with a smile. And for the second time that day they vanished from the goblins' sight.


I wish thank those that have stuck by me during this tale. Your repeated reviews have kept me writing.

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TinkLuvr16

Midnightblue1992

Petite sums - i bite-

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