Elizabeth C-

I am actually a seamstress, tailor, corsetier, and theatre wardrobe Stitcher, and a historical clothing nut.. Some paying, some my hobbies.

While you are correct in your review, I will explain a few things. I tend to mash up the underground in a variety of eras from the medieval all the way up to the Victorian/Edwardian era. So Sarah wears a variety of clothing. I blame my wandering mind and love of different silhouettes. As for corsets-I am well aware that they always wore chemises under them and for the most part, as long as I didn't miss write it Sarah has. What I meant in Chapter 5 was an ivory under gown/smock/chemise (blame the multiple names for a simple garment). She would be wearing her chemise/shift already under her corset that she just tied off.

Her training stays are different in my mind, more of almost a young girl Victorian stays. Where they support, but don't necessarily manipulate the body as they are quilted or corded lightly to have any drastic effect than have the clothing sit properly.

I also wear corsets I have made for myself and even wore them to work on occasion for fun, for Halloween or a regular day at the theatre. I know that they make you sit practically ramrod straight, and you can't slouch in them. However, I have perched, swivelled and leaned back with my legs over the arm of a chair, that was like an old-fashioned circular wing back chair. Nevertheless, Pm, if you wish to talk more, and I would love to see photos!

As in, why doesn't Jareth teleport/shift or materialized placed. I like to think the Palace is like Hogwarts. You can't materialize within the palace walls, and parts outdoors because of wards, otherwise anyone could get inside the palace.

As always thank you for all the feedback, follows and favs You guys are awesome!

Chapter 11

She heard him chuckle before she groaned again as he hoisted her up in his arms, making things go fuzzy once more. She came back to consciousness with a splitting headache and the sound of Jareth's boots knocking against the stone floor as he paced. She was feeling everyone's worry and uncertainty of her fall.

"Nothing's seems broken, she keeps going in and out of consciousness," Jareth spoke in hushed tones.

"She's lucky she didn't snap her neck," she heard another voice she didn't recognize.

"You do realize I will never get her on another horse after this? Jareth spoke in the same hushed tone; his boots moved closer to her bed, the feeling of his hand running over her forehead.

"You don't know that Jareth," the other voice spoke up; she could almost feel the stony look that Jareth gave the man. "I think that lady is awake."

Sarah opened her eyes hesitantly finding both men looking down at her, confused by her surroundings that wasn't her bed as she took in the dark drapes that hung over the bed unlike her sheer netting, she had on her own. She struggled to push self up, only to have Jareth stop her.

"Stay lying down," his tone gentle as his arm blocked her from rising any further. "The doctor wants to make sure nothing is jarred or broken."

"Where I am? This isn't my room?"

"I didn't risk carrying you to through the tower so you are in my rooms as it was closer," Jareth explained to her as the unsureness of why he did radiated off him. "Just stay still," he added as the doctor stepped forward.

"Princess, I am going to double check over your bones. Does anywhere hurt more than other places?"

"I mostly feel bruised, and my neck feels tense," Sarah admitted after a moment of trying to access her own body.

"You had quite the fall," the doctor spoke as his hand hovered over her throat, then collar bone, frowning as he swept over with glowing hands. "Hairline fractures, do you feel any pain at all over this area?"

"It's pulsing and sore, but everything is sore," Sarah told him as her body automatically went to shrug off the question. She left out a yelp, as tears beaded up around her eyes now afraid to even more her shoulder back down.

"Just relax," Jareth spoke up it was just above a whisper as he whispered close to her ear brushing the stray hair from her face. He gradually helped her lower her shoulder back into place with a firm but gentle hand.

The doctor went on testing out of her legs and made sure she could move her toes and bend her knees up and down. Her one arm the wrist and elbow were sprained from trying to catch herself in the fall, which did not work well, but it was a miracle that they didn't break from the impact.

"You're a lucky lady," the Doctor concluded. "Your collarbone will be tender, but should heal easily and not affect your movement. Of course, you must take an easy and not do anything strenuous or any heavy lifting." Sarah gave a weak smile as the doctor made her drink some bitter tasting concoction.

"I will make sure she stays out of trouble," Jareth assured the doctor. "I assume it's safe to move her?"

"She resides in the tower?" The doctor asked Jareth, who nodded in return as Sarah found herself struggling to stay awake as she listened to them speak.

"Perhaps, in a day or two. For now, I suggest making up another room in the lower levels she doesn't have to deal with the stairs. She will be bruised and sore, so I also suggest hot baths to ease the tense muscles."

"I will make sure a room gets made up with a tub," Jareth spoke. "Thank you coming as quickly as you did."

Jareth looked over to his bed seeing that Sarah had fallen back asleep. He pulled the blankets up around before leaving to find the housekeeper who was hovering about the hall.

"I need you to make up the next room over Sarah until she was able to make it her own without much trouble and have a bath ready for her later in the evening." He instructed, before he watched the house keeper nod and scurry off. He skipped down the steps, finding his mother, sitting anxiously with Abby and Galahan and a few other Knights who stood awkwardly among the finery.

Everyone looked up as he entered the room, standing up with curious looks on their faces.

"She seems to be in decent condition; her collarbone is fractured, and her neck will be sore as she pulled a few muscles, her one arm has a sprain from the fall." Jareth spoke explaining the Sarah's condition.

"Oh, thank goodness," Petra let out a breath of air; she has been holding as she clutched where her heart was with her hand.

"Can I see her?" Abby asked.

"She's asleep at the moment, but I will need your help. If you can tell her maid to pack some nightwear and robes for her. Once she awakened I'm going to have her moved across the hall, she's in my room at the moment." Jareth explained.

"I will gather some things at once," Abby told him to nod.

"Thank you," Jareth dipped his head in thanks and turned towards his mother letting Abby kiss her husband for a moment of privacy. "She'll be fine mother," he said softly, trying to reassure his mother.

"I know; I just remember the tumbles you once took as a child," Petra said softly. "Broken bones, cuts and scrapes you gave me many heart attacks."

"I know and I had never been more afraid when I saw the horse rear," Jareth let out a deep breath.

"She's grown on you hasn't she?" Petra looked at him with a knowing looking.

"I still oppose this whole atrocity that was concocted," Jareth replied cooly, but he knew his mother picked up that he avoided answering the question.

"She'll be healed by the August?" Petra asked wondering.

"It will take a good few weeks for her collarbone to heel, but she'll be in fine shape for the wedding."Jareth started back what the doctor had told him.

"I guess she'll be restless being cooped up in the palace; I know you have taken to letting her learn sword fighting." Petra spoke letting him know she knew what they had been up to. "Don't look at me like that, you don't exactly hide it from me. I just choose not to say anything as you allowed it."

"There's plenty to plan so she won't be bored." Jareth stated. "I am going to check on Sarah, though the more she sleeps at the less pain relief she will need."

"I will send up a light dinner for both of you," Petra offered, slightly shocked that her son nodded in agreement before kissing her on the cheek before leaving.

He found Sarah still asleep; he sat upon the chair, looking over the papers he brought from his office. Wondering if this would be life after they were married. Her sleeping in his bed while he did paperwork, of course her maid was stationed by the open door chatting with the guard quietly, and once they were married the need for chaperones would end.

The shock and tonic must have been wearing off as he heard Sarah whimper as she shifted as she woke up. The blanket falling back, revealing that she was changed into a nightgown which revealed the bruising around her collarbone.

"Careful," He spoke up as she struggled to sit up her one arm caught up in a sling. "Are you hungry?"

Sarah shook her head as well as she could, as a blush ran across her cheeks. "I need to use the privy," she said after a moment.

"Of course, how about I bring you across the hall and then Tora can help you," Jareth suggested as she looked about the room, realizing she was still in his room her curious her eyes darted around taking in where she would reside after the wedding.

"Do you think you can walk?" He asked breaking the silence.

"I think so," Sarah said after a moment, she pushed the coverlet back of her legs; she was wearing long drawers underneath her nightdress, mostly for modesty because it was bunched up around her legs. She moved herself slowly until she was on the edge of the bed with her legs dangling over.

He held her up around her waist as she stood up for the first time testing out her legs making sure they would cooperate. They did and thankfully it was a short distance for them to walk too. Tora already had a bath ready for her was the water was kept warm by the fire. He was banished from the room shortly after passing Sarah over to her maid.

Sarah sank in a warm tub, relishing the feeling that soothed her aching body. Her mind went into his chamber; it was one room, she had never seen before. There was never a need for it, but waking up in his bed was unnerving and made her wonder what it be like when they were married.

He seemed concerned and worried over her more than she ever seen or felt for him; she wasn't sure how to even process that coming from him. Even across the hall, she could feel the strange emotions that filtered their way through her mind. It was something she wasn't used to feeling when it came to him. Her presence in his room really must have affected him in some way, from the way he was feeling. The relief and thankfulness, the strange undertones that bubbled up in him that her presence had caused. It wasn't the usual guilt and turmoil, but almost an uncertain calm contentment that her presence ignited in him.

God, he was confused; she shook her head blocking him out to get some peace. She reached for insignia realizing it wasn't around her neck. She frowned as she had been wearing it that afternoon, before she realized she had seen it on his night table.

She rose from the tub with help from Tora and dressed in a fresh nightgown and robe tied tightly around her. Her hair was brushed out and braided into a long tail down her back; she knocked upon his door.

"You have my amulet," Sarah started as her stomach rumbled at the same time. She watched him raise an eyebrow.

"I will order some dinner; I have yet to eat, as for you insignia I am not-"

"It's on the night table," Sarah interrupted him, pointing behind him.

"So it is," Jareth chuckled, moving effortlessly to relieve it; she held out her hand for it, but instead he placed it where it belonged around her neck. "Come, we will eat in the study," he commanded as he took her good arm leading her.

"So those curses this afternoon?" Sarah asked as she remembered her words outdoors as they sat down at a small table.

"I think that is permissible in the circumstances" Jareth brushed it off, which came as a surprise. "Though I won't object if you wish to stick to the punishment." He added with a smirk as he sat down across from her.

Sarah scowled, crossing her good arm with the one in the sling gingerly. "No thank you; I will take the free pass."

"You wound me, though scowling doesn't become you Precious," Jareth tutted as he leaned back in his chair amused as she stewed biting her lip. "Now don't go getting angry, we have no one to buffer us, and we have been doing so well."

"You caught on to Abby and Galahan as well," Sarah sighed, as the kitchen staff laid a plate in front of her. .

"It wasn't hard to see," Jareth replied, looking down at her plate of toasted bread, cheese and a side of fruit. "Do you not eat meat?"

"Not really, seafood makes me ill, and I have no real liking for most red or white meat." Sarah explained. "Poultry is fine generally though."

"I had forgotten the seafood intolerance," Jareth admitted. "What about bacon? Sarah made a face scrunching up her nose, which caused him to chuckle once more. They settled into their dinner, and the conversation died off. She whined in frustration when struggled trying to cut a piece of cheese in a smaller size with one hand that wasn't her dominate hand.

She watched him move closer, taking her knife from her hand and picked up her fork and cut up the cheese along with a few larger pieces of fruit silently before returning her fork to her.

"Thank you," she said softly. "Did the doctor leave anything for pain?" She asked as she felt her body pulse in the growing pain. It was beginning to become unbearable, but she knew whatever she took would make her lethargic.

"He left some laudanum for you," Jareth said after a moment as it was a strong pain sedative. "Is it coming back the pain?"

"I feel like every part of my body is pulsing and radiating pain," she told him truthfully she watched him get up and walk around his desk. He mixed it with her cup of tea before handing it over to her.

"Drink it slowly," he instructed.

She woke the next morning in the spare room; she must have fallen asleep on him as she didn't remember going back to her room. She remembered reading in his study as he worked on official matters at his desk. Hazy memories flooded her mind of Jareth carrying her to her room in her drugged state. She felt herself go red as she remembered asking him for a Goodnight kiss in her haze and the feeling of his lips touching her for a split second before telling her to rest.

She stumbled over her morning routine as best as she could manage and dressed simply in a light morning gown with help from Tora knowing he would be in study at this time of day.

"I'm sorry M'lady the king left the palace early this morning," the guard told her as she approached the study.

"Where did he go?" Sarah asked, frowning as she looked at the closed door.

"I am uncertain, and unsure when he'll be back," the guard explained sympathetically, "I'm sure he won't be gone long."

"Thank you," Sarah smiled weakly making her way back to the room across from his. Sitting gingerly down on the bed with threatening tears ready to fall. He left without even saying goodbye, it had to be important. But yet something nagged at her that she made him run from her.

Well, there you go!

A slightly sad ending. Oh, what is running through Jareth mind? I guess we shall see!

Tina.