Chapter 12
They reappeared in the hall outside her room seconds later. He waved at two goblins standing just a few feet away. He had ordered a bath for Gkas. After they had lead him away, Jareth turned to Sarah.
"I thought you would like to freshen up before dinner."
She nodded and raised up to kiss his cheek, "I'll be down soon." She closed her door and hurried to bath and dress. She had chosen a beautiful deep green overdress that covered a cotton homespun plaid skirt. She quickly braided her hair and slipped on a pair of flats.
She was about to ring for a goblin to lead her down to the dinning room when a knock sounded at the door. The two goblins from earlier were standing there holding Gkas's hand. He was a pale green color and the little amount of hair on top was damp and combed back. He didn't look happy at all. As soon as he saw her though he had scurried towards her clinging to her skirts.
"Goblin King told to bring him back to you."
She smiled and patted Gkas head, "Thank you."
She was going to ask if one of them wouldn't mind taking her to the dinning room when the door across the hall opened and Jareth stepped out dressed in a black poet shirt open at the chest, black leather pants with his knee high boots.
In his arms he was carrying Kina, who wore a simple pink dress, in his arms. He looked from the goblins to her and then down at Gkas. the goblins bowed and left them standing in the hall. Gkas had tried to bow, but had come closer to falling on his head. Sarah smiled down at him.
"Shall we?"
She nodded and step out to shut her door, Gkas still clinging to her skirts. Jareth held his arm out to her and waited until she took it before starting down the all.
The dinner was just as tasty as all the other meals she has had there. Kina was even behaving well, letting Jareth feed her. Gkas sat at her feet eating from a plate mix for him by the goblins. They talked about the cottage and what need done after it was cleaned out.
They were just finishing dessert when Kina gave great yawned. Both Jareth and Sarah smiled and quietly stood. They left for their rooms, stopping to put Kina to bed. Jareth stopped in the hall facing Sarah who had opened her door to let Gkas rush inside.
"I will bid you goodnight, Jareth."
He smiled and lead down, coming close to her face. He looked in to her eyes, taking her hands in his own. "I wish to ask you something, my love and I want you know that you may refuse if you so wish."
She nodded.
He took a deep breath, never feeling so nervous in his long life. "My parents throws a gala every midsummer eve, which is in less then a fortnight, and I was hoping that you give me the honor of escorting you?"
She smiled and touched a hand to his cheek, "I would love to go with you." She frowned, "I afraid I don't have anything to wear for a gala." She was mentally going through the wardrobe in the room behind her.
"I will take care of everything, my love." He took her into his arms kissing her. His month feasting on her lips. He pulled back looking into her eyes, "I must bid you sweet dreams, my precious." He opened her door wider and waited until she had walked in and turned to him before giving her one last kiss and shutting the door.
Sarah placed a hand on the door and waited until she heard the door across the hall close before turning away. Gkas was looking at her from the bench at the foot of the bed. She smiled and grabbing her night grown she went into the bathroom to change. She came out to find Gkas still waiting for her.
She crawled under the covers and patted the spot next her letting the creature scurry up to curl up. She patted his head and blew the candles out. That night while Sarah dreamed of the crystal ballroom, Jareth sat at his writing desk working on his plans.
Jareth smiled as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes. He stood at the gate leading to the cottage watching as the goblin who was ordered to guard the door of the cottage argue with Sarah. He shook his head and started forward when he heard her voice.
"The place is cleaned out. I need to see what other damages there are that might have been hidden by the wreckage before repairs can be started."
Jareth bit back a laugh as Kubaxr shook his head.
"Lady no allowed until King orders."
Sarah groaned, but stopped and looked around at the other goblins. "What was the orders of the Kings?"
Kubaxr thought for a moment, "Lady Sarah is not allowed in the cottage while we clean out."
She nodded, "And are you done clean out?"
He nodded.
"Good, then I'm allowed in."
Sarah floated past the goblin has he thought over what she had said. Jareth frowned and knew he would have to word his orders better. He may have been a few steps ahead of Sarah in the beginning, but she learned how to catch up quick. He sighed and step forward causing the goblins too turn to look at him. As soon as they saw who it was, they started running around like chickens.
He sighed and walked past them, stepping over them as he headed for the door. He stepped in from the sun shine into the dark musky living. He looked around to see that the room was empty. The floor had water stains scattered across it. He looked up to see the same water stains mark the ceiling.
He shook his head knowing that it was going to have to be redone. He knew that even if his plan worked the cottage will still have to be repaired. It was going to be awhile until Sarah moved into his Chambers at that castle. His mother would see to that.
Sarah's voice sounded from the kitchen causing him to follow it. He stepped up tot eh doorway to watch her has she knelt on the floor her head in a cabinet. She was arguing with something.
"Get back here you little…Oche!
He watched has she pulled back holding her head.
"Damn you, Gkas. It was just a cat for goodness sake." She growled
Gkas stuck his head out and shook it before ducking back out of sight.
"Fine, stay there, but if you're not out by the time I leave, you're staying here."
She stood up and brushed her skirts. She was wearing a brown dress and an white apron. She had braided her hair and pinned it up. She rubbed the back of her head where she had banged it, wincing.
"Damn goblin. If he wasn't so cute, I…I." She growled.
"That's not very lady like, precious."
Sarah turned and sighed when she saw Jareth standing there. She waved a hand at the cabinet.
"Oh like you never said worst."
He smiled and lead against the doorjamb, "I can truthfully say that I have never cursed at the goblins."
She looked at him with wide eyes. "I don't believe that.."
He nodded, "Honest. I have never cursed at them. I dunk them in the bog."
Her shock look faded into a smile, "Oh you!" She walked towards the stairs only to have him block her path.
"I don't think so, love." He turned her around and pointed up to a hole in the ceiling. "The floors have began to rot. A goblins fell through that two days ago."
She turned to look at him, "I saw it. I was just going to the door to look at the damage that we couldn't see before with all the debris."
He shook his head, "Not a chance I'm willing to take." He pushed her towards the back door.
"Come on, There's not much else to do today. The supplies wont be here for a few days." He stopped at the door and turned back to the cabinet, "Gkas!"
The goblin poke his head out slowly before scurrying across the floor, past Jareth straight for Sarah. Jareth just shrugged as the look Sarah gave him. She shook her head and waited until he stood in front of her before looking into his eyes. They seem to shine and sparkle in the sunlight.
"Don't you have goblins to sire over or bog?"
He shook his head, "Not right now. I have a nice lunch date with the most beautiful lady in the Underground." She barely had a word out before they vanished. She narrowed her eyes at him as they reappeared in the dinning room. "Come love. There is nothing else you can do there. Everything is sorted. The goblins can move the junk to the burn pile outside the city. Besides…"
He turned her around to where she was facing the windows. Sarah looked out to the garden. A female elf sat on a bench watching Kina play on a blanket in front of her.
"Kina is waiting for us, as well as a very nice lunch in the gardens."
