Chapter 14
Jareth stepped from the carriage to turn back to take Kina from Sarah and helped her down. His mother and father were smiling down at them from the doorway. He knew that one of them if not both were up to something. He asked them to stay their hand with this.
"Jareth?" Sarah was looking at him with a worried expression. "Something wrong?'
He shook his head, "Nothing, dear." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder leading her up the steps, "Let's just enjoy ourselves."
She nodded and smiled as they reached the top. Sheen was overjoyed at seeing her again. Though she had just seen her two days ago for tea at the castle. Jareth introduced her to his father who took her hand and escorted her inside.
Jareth was about to go after them, when his mother stopped him.
"Jareth I gave you three a suit as so you can keep Kina with you." She raised a hand to stop him from arguing, "A suit son, there are there rooms. The only thing that you will be sharing is a seating room." She shook her head, "Think better of me, Jareth. I will not dishonor her in that way."
He narrowed his eyes at her, "Mother, what do you have planned?"
She gasped at him placing a hand on her chest, "How can you even think that I would be up to something? I do have a question son."
He sighed, waiting for her to continue.
"How much does she know about you?"
He frowned, wondering what that had to do with anything. Then it downed on him. His mother was hoping that he take up the title of Crown Prince like she did every year. "No, mother, I will not do it." He walked inside finally handing Kina off to the nurse maid he had brought with them.
Sheena followed ordering a maid to take the nurse and child to their suit before leading her son into the sitting room. "Tea?"
He shook his head and headed for the cabinet where he knew his father kept the brandy. "I need something harder to drink. I have a feeling one of you if not both of you then one of you is planning something"
Sheena shook her head, "We just thought it be nice for you take your rightful place besides your father."
Jareth shook his head and threw himself into a chair "I think you thought of it. Father knows I refuse every year. Besides, unless Hogwurt and the others told her, I don't think Sarah knows. So I stress more then ever this year for the title Crown Prince be left out. I wish to tell her myself."
Sheena sighed, "What if these friends have told her?"
He shrugged, "She would have asked about it. My Sarah is a very curious thing."
"I believe that my wife and son have undermined you, my dear." Alfonso stated as the two walked the paths of the garden. He had asked Sarah what she knew of his son, wanting to know how far to go with talking with her. He was shock to hear her answer stated as clear as the day around them.
"He's an arrogant, temperamental King of the goblins, a full of himself nuisance Lord of the Labyrinth, and…a loving, caring Crown Prince."
"How ever did you find out?"
She smiled, "I added things together and ask a few friends to fill in the blanks. Like what title you and your wife carried. Once I found out, it wasn't hard to add it to him being your only child so he must be your heir."
He laughed, "A woman after my heart." He held a chair at a small stone table, "I ordered refreshments. I do hope you like tea and cake."
She nodded, "I take it that the sweet tooth Jareth has is from you?" she was remembering the sweet desserts that they have had after lunch and dinner.
"I will confess. My son and I love our sweets. But from what hear, you don't mind too much, indulging on the sweets as well."
She blushed.
Jareth kissed Kina's cheek when the nurse brought her out to say goodnight. It was the night of the Gala. He was waiting for Sarah in the sitting room. He had the ring waiting in his pocket. He still didn't have the words, but he knew that if it was meant to be then they would come to him when the time was right.
"Jareth?"
He looked up from the fire to see Sarah standing in her door way. She was stunningly beautiful. She took his breath away.
"Are you ready?"
He nodded and walked over to her, care of the chairs and table. He was afraid to touch her in fear that she would vanish, but when she took his hand and remained, he released a sigh of relief. He led her down to the ballroom where the servant was taking names for announcement.
"Jareth, what to do I tell him?" Sarah asked. She hadn't thought about announcements.
"Allow me."
He led her over and whispered something to the man. The servant was about to say something when Jareth narrowed his eyes at him stopping him."
She looked at Jareth knowing full well that her question was in her eyes.
"Jareth MacMastern, King of the Goblins, Lord of the Labyrinth and Sarah Williams, Lady of the Labyrinth." the servant announced as Jareth lead her down the steps into the ballroom.
"Lady of the Labyrinth?"
He smiled, "Of course, you made it through the labyrinth to the castle. You own the title now, besides you have the every goblin at your beck and call. I threaten bogging and kicking them. It wasn't until I told them that you could get hurt, that agree to keep you out of the cottage while they clean it out. I have lost the labyrinth's creatures all because of you." He teased.
She blushed. "I didn't mean to do that. I was just…I did…"
He chuckled, 'Not to worry. They still listen, I just have to word my orders and threats so there are no loop holes." He held out his hand to her, "Shall we dance."
She took his hand and let him lead her onto the floor.
"Can I ask you something?"
He nodded twirling her around
"How came you only used two out of three of your titles?"
He didn't miss a beat, "And what is third title I didn't use?" He glided her over the floor, loving the feel of her in his arms.
"The highest one of them all, the Crown Prince of the Underground."
That made him miss a step, though he quickly corrected it and guided their steps towards the doors of the garden. He waited in answering her until the doors closed behind them and they were out of ear shot. "May I ask who told you?"
She shrugged, "I added it up after meeting your mother. Hoggle explained who she was. She had told me you were the only child, so… I added it up to you being the Crown Prince."
He nodded, "I guess I didn't give you much credit, my love." He chuckled, "I was afraid of what you might think when I told you."
She gave him a small smile, "Why be afraid?" "It's not like you're going to ask me to marry you and become the Goblin Queen and Crown Princess." She tried her hardest to keep the tears at bay.
Jareth saw the sad look creep into her eyes. "Sarah?"
She shook her head and turned to look at the lights coming from the windows, "It's a beautiful Gala."
He nodded, pulling the box out of his coat. Now was the time she needed to know there wasn't going to be an end between them. He wasn't to lose her. "Sarah."
She turned to look at him. He had knelt down on one knee to look up at her, holding the box out to her.
"Would give me the honor of being your husband?"
Sarah was shock, she couldn't speak. Jareth opened the box and showed her the emerald encrusted silver band. He stood when she still didn't say a word. Taking the ring he took her hand and looked into her eyes.
"Sarah, my love, I know I have made mistakes in the past. I know that still hate me for doing everything ii did to you, but I love you more then I can put to words and believe me my father's lack of stationery can prove it." He smiled as she giggled.
Sarah looked at him with her eyes filled with love. "Yes."
Sheena smiled as she watched her son guide Sarah back to the dance floor. She had seen the flash of a ring on the girl's finger. She wondered if her son would get up set if she unveiled the two thrones she had hidden.
"Don't even think about it, dear."
She turned to look at her husband, "Whatever do you mean?"
He sighed and took her hand, leading her towards the dance floor, "They will tell us when they are ready. Let them enjoy their love. I mean there is no hurry. We already have a grandchild, don't we."
The High Queen's laugh echoed through the hall and out into the Underground.