Chapter 14: Storm of Ice
When Sarah went to the dinning hall for breakfast the next morning, there were only a handful of people there. Annetha sat at the head of the table, with Mitsa, the lily spirits aunt, and three others who Sarah wasn't introduced to last night. She walked into the room as proud as she could manage. Earlier when she was in her rooms she decided not to chain her emotions so everyone who scanned her would know what happened. It was a thin defense but considering that she now had nothing to lose it was her best choice, and besides what better way to rub it in Anne's face then to make sure everyone knew?
The look on Anne's face was one of shock and curiosity, yet something like embarrassment lurked deep in her eyes. Some of the more confusing of Sarah's emotions were still hidden of course. She wasn't stupid and she wouldn't give anything that would make her appear vulnerable, and the people sitting around the table didn't have to feel flashes of insecurity, doubt and over bearing guilt… among other less easily defined feelings.
The guests sitting at the table stood, looking stunned and confused. They could sense the heated passion she and Jareth shared the night before and the same thought passed across their faces.
What a scandal!
Annetha smiled tightly at Sarah and, without getting up, gestured toward the seat beside her. "Sarah darling, come and break your fast with us." In a lower voice only Sarah would hear she added, "You will cause quite the scandal yet, girl, or have you not realized that you're open to being scanned?"
Sarah, her face placid and void of thought, replied, "Oh that. Of course I knew. I thought I would share your regard for your brother with everyone." She raised her voice slightly, allowing everyone at the table to hear her. "I hold no shame in what I've done after all it is my pleasure, not to mention my duty, to do as you have commanded of me."
Mitsa stood quietly and hurried out of the hall. Apparently the rumour saying lily spirits were sensitive to storms and enormous energy bursts was true.
Annetha frowned, then scowled, then became angry. The room grew colder and colder until the goblets of drink and platters of food became ice. Frost glistened over the stone of wall and floor. The wooden doors cracked, and the windows shattered letting in a burst of cold air, snow and ice chips to swirl about the room. The other guests fled, knocking over chairs and frozen plates. The door, being forced open in its current state broke in hundreds of shards, cutting guests as they ran through. Sarah tried to follow but a hand so cold it burned and blistered her skin grabbed her arm just above the elbow.
"Leave." Annetha said between clenched teeth. "Leave and do not return until I call you. If I find you within my kingdom before that time may come, your life is mine."
She released the girl and she practically flew from the room and down the corridor. The tips of her hair were frozen and they snapped off as she ran. She hit a dead end and assessed her location. Deciding, she turned back and took the next left turn stopping in front of a door. One thought kept her moving.
Jareth
She slammed open the door and came face to face with him, looking concerned and deeply worried. She grabbed his shirt in her small hands.
"Take me away! Right now! Please!"
She gripped the cloth harder until her nails pierced the cloth and her skin, sending rivulets of blood dripping and staining the shirt. He looked at the growing bloodstain and nodded, wrapping his arms around her, taking them away from the place which resembled the frozen depths of hell.
OXO
Everyone in the palace was in a panic. Annetha had yet to calm down. Thick layers of ice coated the floor and walls. Henry sighed and closed his door, sealing it with a spell to keep out the ice. There really was nothing to be done. He just hoped that whoever or whatever had caused this fit was well out of the queen's way. Annetha definitely was in no mood to be questioned so the only way to get answers was to wait and see…
OXO
Sarah sat curled up on the couch with a blanket and hot tea. She was still shaking. Jareth will return soon, she kept telling herself. He had gone to find a doctor of some sorts to help with the cold. A loose cloth was tied around her arm. She couldn't feel the burn anymore but her whole arm ached with numbness. She was frightened. What would happen to her? Would Annetha ever let her back into the kingdom? Would she have to stay here in the Labyrinth forever?
She shivered again. Even sitting close to the fire she was still shaking. The ice had seeped into her bones, not relinquishing its hold on her. Her once frozen hair sent tendrils of water coursing down her face, which upon contact with her cold skin, froze. She cradled the hot mug in her hands, eagerly soaking up the warmth.
The door opened and Jareth followed by another Fae walked in. "She's been this way ever since we got back two hours ago. Her hair has thawed but she is still an icicle."
The man knelt in front of the couch assessing Sarah. He reached out slowly and touched her cheek. It burned making Sarah shrike through clenched teeth. He jumped back and looked furiously at Jareth, "What happened? And don't you dare give me any of that Goblin Shit about this being caused by exposure to the elements in some forsaken far off land!"
Jareth set his jaw, refusing to acknowledge being spoken to in such a manor. Sarah sighed.
"Annetha. Queen from the kingdom of Scats. We got into... an argument you could say, and she became angered. Everything in the room turned to ice and she grabbed my arm." Sarah lifted the makeshift bandage and revealed the ugly skin. A blue tinge surrounded the burn and the tips of the broken blister had turned black. The doctor shrank away.
"Are you stupid or something? Don't you know about this family's temper issues?" He gestured to Jareth who was actually growling.
Her eyes narrowed. "Yes I am quite aware of this particular family trait. Be wary, man, about whom you call stupid. You have no idea what I have been through."
The doctor looked at her closely then sat back on his heels, shocked.
Jareth, still very much annoyed, threw his hands up in the air, "Yes! Are you happy how? You know everything!" he pointed at Sarah, who looked less angered and more confused now. "This is Sarah Williams! The Sarah Williams! The grand defeater of the Labyrinth, and heir to my sister's throne!"
She looked back and forth between the two Fae. "Didn't you know? Why didn't he tell you?" she looked to Jareth, "What's the big deal? If enough people gossip then everyone will know sooner or later anyway."
"I would rather it known later!" He looked at the doctor, still pointing at Sarah. "Do what you can for her then get out!"
He did. The doctor cut away the dead skin on her arm, put a thick lotion on and bandaged it up properly. He held his hand over the fresh bandage and closed his eyes. Feather soft warmth, beginning in her arm and spreading throughout her body chased the coldness away. She smiled, finally feeling warm and relaxed, not like an icicle.
The doctor dropped his head in weariness, clearly in need of rest, but Jareth pulled him to his feet. "Now get out! I charge you with silence, speak one word of this and I'll see you straight into the Bog!"
"Jareth!" Why was he acting like this?
Jareth only flashed a slightly guilty look then continued to drag the man to the door. "Get some rest while you're at it!"
"Y-Yes your majesty! A-at once sir." Sarah could see him stumbling down the hall before Jareth shut the door.
With a casual grace, Jareth pulled up a chair beside her, "How do you feel?"
"What was all that about? There was no reason for it, so what if he knows who I am!"
"It's the Goblin King's privilege. I don't want it to be public knowledge that you are here. Your reputation is at stake and there are also others to worry about. Well anyway, how do you feel?" he touched her hand and smiled. "You're warm now."
She jerked her hand away, "I-I'm fine." She stammered, blushing slightly.
Jareth sighed. "Sarah. I think we have to talk about this. Wha-."
"What happened, happened. There's nothing else to talk about!"
"Come now! You're being very childish. There are things to consider-."
"No there's not! It's not important!"
"It is! …No! Don't interrupt me, Sarah. If you are going to stay here we have to discuss this. There is no way I'm going to allow you to stay here and continue to dance around me!" Sarah bowed her head in defeat. "You're well aware of my feelings for you but I must know if…" he hesitated then raised both eyebrows. "Do you harbour the same?"
Sarah didn't look up. "Please. Don't ask me that. You're a friend really but… please. I can't deal with so much right now."
He stood his voice becoming emotionless, "Stay here. I'll get you some clean clothes. That dress is lovely on you dear, but you do need something warmer. The climates are very different and it's the storm season."
He returned a while later with the small goblin from when she first came to the underground. "If you want, Jenkil will show you where you can bathe. The clothes may not be to your present taste but it's the best I can come up with, having no other women in the castle does have some drawbacks."
She examined the clothes he gave her carefully and with a startled gasp said, "Their mine!" and they were. The black corded pants and a white sweater blouse from that fateful day when her life was decided for her. "I can't believe you kept these! I was sure they would have been destroyed or something."
He feigned shock, "What? Destroy such fine cloth! You, my lady are mad to judge me so harshly." He smiled charmingly and Sarah stepped back, extremely aware of the trouble his charm could lead. She wanted to trust him but last night was still too fresh in her mind.
She pleaded. "Jareth, please… Don't, not now."
His expression became guarded. "Jenkil will lead you to the room you stayed in your first night here. After that I will decide where to put you." he turned to leave. "Oh and Sarah," he said over his shoulder. "You won't have access to the Audience Hall this time. But you will be allowed to roam the corridors at will, if you so please."
Jenkil peered at Sarah in a curious way until she asked, "Miss, I never sees him do naught like that. What happened, if'n you don't mind me askin'?"
Sarah looked sadly at the small goblin. "It's alright Jenkil. It was something my queen wanted me to do and I had no choice about it. Things backfired and she exiled me, Jareth brought me here and it has created a bit of… tension between us. Nothing to worry about."
She straightened her shoulders and gave a false smile, "Now why don't you show me where that bath is, Jenkil? I want to clean up then see if these old clothes of mine still fit, eh?"