A/N: Hello, my faithful readers. I'm back again with another installment of The High King's Bride. Many thanks to those of you who are new readers to favorite and follow this story. Special thanks goes out to BexyLexi and Invoguewetrust who took the extra time to review. Please take a moment to share your thoughts in a review. I really do read all my reviews and many of your ideas make it into my stories.
Disclaimer: I have my own Jareth action figure, but I don't own the rights.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
Dinner was an awkward affair for Sarah. Not only was she curious about Cillian's warning to her and subsequent scheduled rendezvous, but Ryan was pointedly pretending they had not had an earlier talk. Sarah knew he was just trying to give her some space, nevertheless it was becoming a serious annoyance. She could have brought it up herself, but she still wasn't sure what her answer was going to be. It was safer to simply play along with him.
When dinner was finally over, Sarah tried not to rush from the room lest she raise suspicions. She told Ryan she was planning on taking a long bath and getting to bed early. He seemed slightly disappointed that she did not want to spend the evening with him, but he acknowledged her feelings. The deception and his subsequent understanding made guilt flare in her chest. She shrugged it off the best she could and allowed him to show her to her rooms.
Once she was sure he was gone, she tiptoed out into the hall and made her way to the gardens to meet with Cillian. As Sarah began to walk the paths lined with flora, she thought about what he had said earlier. He had told her that she was in danger, but could she trust him? She hardly knew anyone in this world, really. That thought brought a lonely shiver to the young woman and she set it aside for later.
Soon enough, Sarah found herself in the center and facing that same bench from earlier. Sitting on the stone bench, she took a moment to settle back into her thoughts. The sound of another voice startled her, forcing a small scream from her lips. Placing a hand over her mouth, she turned to see Cillian approach. He was trying to keep the smile off his face at her reaction.
"God!" she exclaimed. "You scared the shit out of me. Don't sneak up on me like that."
"I'm sorry, milady," Cillian replied, covering his mouth to keep from laughing.
"Sure, sure," she scoffed. "Now, what was so urgent that you had to come find me in my bedroom?"
Cillian quickly sobered. "My father has become a dangerous man."
Of all the things Sarah had been expecting, that was not even on her list. "What?"
"My father has always had a need for power, but it's gotten out-of-control since my mother died."
Sarah frowned. "What does that have to do with me?"
"Everything," Cillian replied. "You see, my father is so far gone that he is willing to commit treason to get the power he craves."
"He's the one that thought up that task for Ryan, isn't he?"
Cillian looked surprised. "You know about that?"
"Of course I do. Ryan told me this afternoon."
"Well, to answer your question, yes he did. He and his associate created a devious plot to gain power by putting his associate's daughter onto the throne."
"Sounds like I ruined their plan," Sarah concluded.
"Exactly," Cillian agreed. "That's why I came to warn you. My father has decided that he will seduce you away from His Majesty."
"I can tell you right now that's not going to happen. I have no interest in being with your father, especially after what you've told me."
"You might not have a choice."
Sarah's brow raised. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"There are ways to make a mortal compliant even against their wishes," Cillian revealed, fumbling awkwardly with his hands.
His meaning was quickly caught by Sarah. "You mean he's planning on drugging me?"
"Begging your pardon, milady, but we're in the Underground. A spell or potion would work better than any drugs you have Aboveground."
"Oh my God."
"Please be careful around my father," Cillian warned. "Right now, he has his sights set on seduction. If he senses that won't work, he won't hesitate to do something more permanent."
"Why are you telling me this?" Sarah asked.
"Because I am not like my father. I require neither position nor power. I can't just sit by idly and watch people get hurt.
"Thank you, Cillian. I promise to be careful."
Sarah watched as his gave a quick nod and disappeared. Heaving a sigh, she stood up and began wandering the labyrinth-like gardens. She went over the entire situation in her head. It seemed like the longer she stayed in the Underground, the more complex her life became. Last night, she'd only been worried about whether she should marry Ryan. Now, she had been told that she needed to be careful of a power mad fae.
One thing was clear in all of this, Sarah was finally having a real adventure. She also had a big decision to make. Did she continue on this path to marriage with Ryan or did she give it all up? Also, what should she do about her feelings for Jareth? As much as she wanted to forget him, she knew that would be impossible. While she thought about him, her hand touched the bloom he had given her earlier. She'd tucked it behind her ear before dinner as an adornment.
Maybe she needed to talk to him. They hadn't really had a meaningful conversation together outside of the few brief moments at the end of the Labyrinth. That really didn't count because Sarah still wasn't completely sure what he meant by his impassioned words. She could admit that she sometimes jumped to conclusions without having all the facts. What if he wasn't involved with that woman? In fact, what if he had feelings for her? The thought made her smile and that gave her all the information she needed to make her decision.
First, she needed to talk to Ryan. He needed to know what he was happening. After that, she needed to hitch up her big girl panties and talk to Jareth. Marrying Ryan was unfair to both of them while her feelings were so confused and jumbled. Having that settled was a huge relief to Sarah and she could feel a lightness come to her steps. Everything would work out in the end.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
Trahaearn wandered the gardens and stewed about his progress so far. Like most fae, he could twist the meaning of words and phrases to suit his needs. When Ryan kicked him out of the castle, he had said nothing about the grounds. He would just have to bide his time until Sarah came out of the castle again. Unfortunately, Trahaearn wasn't a patient fae by trade and he most certainly was not one now.
Once he had Sarah cornered again, he wouldn't waste any more time. Since his personality wasn't winning her over, he would have to apply the potion and let it give him a boost. When she was under his spell, he would have power over her to do whatever he wanted. The strain he felt in his breeches was a sign of his plans for her. He wouldn't just bed her, though. He planned to marry her and rub that in the High King's face. As a mortal, she'd die soon enough anyway.
His father hadn't thought him worthy of power. Trahaearn ground his teeth at the memory of his father telling High King Arliss that his son was not fit to rule a kingdom. After Ryan became High King, Trahaearn had tried again only to get passed over for the Goblin Kingdom. Instead, that whelp had taken over. It was maddening to want something so much and to be so close only to have it yanked away.
Trahaearn had tried doing things the proper way and had gotten snubbed time and time again. Lessons had been learned. He was not going to ever put his fate in another again. If he wanted something, he would simply have to take it. Plans continued to converge in his mind and a wicked grin appeared on his face. Soon enough, he'd have everything of which he'd always dreamed.
As he neared the center of the gardens, he could hear voices on the path ahead. Getting closer, Trahaearn was stunned to realize he recognized them both. One was definitely female, and he was sure it was Sarah. The other voice was as familiar to him as his own. It was his own son speaking to the mortal woman. What in the hell was up with that boy?
"Why are you telling me all of this?" Sarah asked.
"Because I am not like my father. I require neither position nor power. I can't just sit by idly and watch people get hurt."
"Thank you, Cillian. I promise to be careful."
Trahaearn could feel his blood begin to boil. His own son was a treacherous pissflap. After everything he'd done to ensure that his son would have the life that he never had, the bastard had turned on him. Trahaearn may not have known everything, but there was one thing that he did know: he was going to make that boy pay.
Right now, however, he had more important things to do. Watching as Cillian left the mortal woman alone, a new plan began to form. Trahaearn wasn't going to risk any more interruptions with Sarah. If she wasn't going to play nice, neither would he. As he continued to watch and craft his plan, she stood and began walking the paths of the garden. It was obvious that she had a lot on her mind. Things couldn't be more perfect for what he was about to do.
Sarah did indeed have quite a bit to mull over while she walked. She became lost in thought with every step she took. As she wandered the gardens, she had no idea she was being followed. That was just fine with Trahaearn, who lightened his footfalls to ensure that he would not be heard. When they were fully immersed in the flora, the man made his move.
A small gasp was the only noise Sarah could make before a hand was thrown over her mouth. She tried to wriggle away, but her attacker's arms were like steel around her. Hot breath bathed the back of her neck in moisture, making her double her efforts to try to get away. Fear took all rational thought away, as she thrashed in the stranger's arms.
"Hello, again, my dear," Trahaearn hissed into her ear.
The familiar voice had Sarah struggling even harder to get away only to be held tighter. She tried kicking back at her attacker, but soon found her feet bound by magic. A feeling of complete helplessness washed over her. There was no way she was going to break free on her own. Her screams for help were muffled by the hand that remained clenched upon her lips.
"Ah ah ah," he purred. "We'll have none of that. I think I'm done playing the seducer. I'll have to deal with my son later, but you shall be coming with me."
Trahaearn laughed as she tried once more to loosen the bands of magic surrounding her. This mortal woman was simply too amusing. He couldn't wait to see what she would do next. Would she continue to fight him until he could apply his secret weapon? He sincerely hoped she would. It would make breaking her so much more fun.
Without another word, he began to weave the spell that would take them away from here. If done correctly, it would also be nearly impossible to trace. He grinned as he felt the spell beginning to take form around them. The landscape seemed to melt away as their bodies shimmered before finally dimming away to nothing.
Widget watched as Trahaearn disappeared with the Lady Sarah. His hands wrung together in dismay. He tried to follow but could not determine where they had gone. Panic began to fill the little goblin. He'd have to tell the king about this and who knew what would happen to him. He could end up in the bog…or worse. Goblins weren't always known for their bravery, but Widget couldn't just leave the Lady Sarah to her fate. Squaring his tiny shoulders, Widget made his way back to the Goblin Kingdom. No matter what happened to him, he would do this for the Champion.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
By the time Shaun made his way to the Goblin Castle, he found a situation worse than he had imagined. Jareth sat slumped on the dirty stone floor of his throne room. In his hand, a tankard of potent goblin ale was gripped so tightly that it was in danger of being crushed. A cask lay off to the side, evidently emptied by the Goblin King in his quest to get mind-numbingly smashed.
"What the hell, Jareth?"
"She's a traitor…a harlot…a strumpet…a-a-a…"
"Enough!" bellowed Shaun, appalled by what he was hearing.
"But I still love her," Jareth whined. "Just answer me one thing."
Shaun rolled his eyes but decided to play alone. "What?"
"How is that fair?"
"It's not fair, Jareth," Shaun sighed. "But neither is painting the woman you claim to love as a common whore when you haven't even collected all of the facts. That makes me question whether or not you actually love her."
"Of course, I love her," Jareth defended, adamantly. Well, as adamantly as he could given his current circumstances.
"You're certainly not acting like it."
"How should one act when they see their beloved with another man? Answer me that or get the fuck out of here and let me get back to my business."
Jareth attempted to get another drink from the cask but found it empty. He threw his cup across the room and it hit the wall with a clang. Reaching into his boot, he pulled out an emergency flask he kept for such an occasion. He unscrewed the top and saluted the other fae before tipping his head back and allowing the amber liquid to slide down his throat.
Shaun reached down and snatched the small flask away from the inebriated man. "Why do you paint your supposed beloved with such a cynical brush? What did she ever do to you to deserve such scorn?"
Jareth attempted to grab the flask back, but Shaun kept it just out of reach. "She left me!"
"Because she won the game, you idiot. If my memory serves, she was just a young girl at the time. She probably had no idea of your intentions."
"That still doesn't explain why there was a man in her chambers," Jareth insisted, giving up on getting his flask back. "Especially since she is supposed to marry my father. Oh, Gods!"
Shaun looked at the other king with sympathy as he started to cry. "Things aren't always as they appear, you know."
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing," Shaun said, feigning innocence.
"What? Tell me, now," Jareth demanded.
"You're a bloody idiot. Your beloved Sarah isn't any of those names you called her."
"How do you know this?"
"You were so captivated by your own suspicions that you failed to see the Lady Meinwen lost in the shadows. She saw everything."
Jareth looked up at Shaun in surprise. The Sprite King could see that his eyes were almost completely bloodshot. Again, he found himself wondering how much the Goblin King had had to drink before he arrived. It was obvious that the man was in pain, but Shaun found it hard to feel sorry for him. He was creating his own problems.
"What did she see?" Jareth asked, his words coming out in a barely audible slur. The effects of the alcohol were beginning to fully take hold of him. If he were lucky, he would pass out soon enough and this confusing conversation would be over.
"She saw young Cillian coming out of Sarah's chambers with her."
"So that's the bastard who thinks he can steal away my Sarah," Jareth snarled. He tried to get up but barely made it off the stone floor before falling back down.
"No one is stealing away your Sarah," bellowed Shaun. "Meinwen saw him trying to warn her about his father. He's a good kid, despite his upbringing."
"What have I done?"
Jareth blanched and Shaun could see that he finally got through to the cranky king. He watched Jareth attempt to get up several times, but the alcohol stole his strength and grace. Every time he tried to stand, he would fall backwards. Shaun worried that he would seriously hurt himself. There was really only one thing he could do.
"You can hate me in the morning for what I'm about to do, but it has to be done."
Placing his hands to Jareth's head, he murmured a spell under his breath. The Goblin King's eyes began to droop until they closed completely. Slumping over, his breath began to even out until it was obvious that he had fallen asleep. A line of drool began to slide down from the corner of his mouth. Jareth let out a loud snore and Shaun laughed despite the situation.
Slowly, the Sprite King knelt and hauled the Goblin King over his shoulder. It didn't go unnoticed that Jareth was a lot lighter than he looked. With his personality not filling him out, he felt smaller than a child. The thought made Shaun smile. Jareth certainly acted like a child sometimes. He stood and realized he had no idea of where he needed to go.
"Goblins, attend."
Several goblins flooded into the room but skidded to a stop at Shaun's feet. It was strange to see their kingy asleep and wrapped around the other man's shoulders. In fact, it made them all begin to giggle. Soon the throne room was filled with the laughter and comments made by the tiny creatures. Shaun rolled his eyes at them.
"Your king is ill, and I need to get him to his chambers. Would one of you kindly point me in the right direction?"
"Kingy drunk," giggled one of the creatures. Shaun tried, and failed, not to laugh.
"I'll take you," said another, seemingly more intelligent, goblin.
Shaun followed him – or was it her – down the dark halls of the castle. He frowned, frequently, at the dankness. It really needed a woman's touch. Sarah would have her work cut out for her that was sure. That was if he could get his plan to work. The light man soon started to feel a lot heavier as they wandered down hallway after hallway. Did he really need to make his castle as confusing as his damned maze?
"Yous here," announced the small goblin, when they had finally come upon a mahogany door. The goblin bowed quickly before leaving him.
Shaun opened the door and was pleased to see that the personal chambers of the Goblin King were much more inviting than the rest of his castle. He walked towards the large bed and let out a sigh of relief when he unceremoniously dumped Jareth into it. He quickly tugged the other man's boots off and tucked him in beneath the down quilts.
Rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension, Shaun thought about what he needed to do. He created a clear crystal and inserted a message. Walking over to the window, he blew on the orb. The crystal began to float towards the high castle. Shaun looked one last time at the slumbering Goblin King before sending a prayer to the Gods that he had done the right thing. Taking a seat in the large chair by the fire, he summoned his book. It was going to be a long night.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
By the time the Lady Meinwen got home, her father had retired to his chambers. She thought about going in there and pleading with him to end his friendship with Trahaearn. Despite everything, she knew that her father wasn't a bad person. He was just looking out for her and their family. After her mother died, he found out that she had racked up a good many debts without telling anyone. She'd been very good at hiding her gambling problem. Connelly would do anything to secure his family's future and protect his wife's name.
Meinwen was the oldest of five girls. That many girls in one household had to be a large burden weighing on her father's heart. If he could place her into the role of High Queen, that would raise each girl's status in the courts. Once the other courtiers found out how impoverished they really were, it would be hard to secure good matches for them. However, Meinwen just didn't have the heart to enter into a relationship that was completely loveless. Then, when she had found out about Trahaearn's plan, she knew she just couldn't sit idly by and do nothing.
Now, once her father's part in all of this was discovered, he would be put on trial and probably convicted of treason. Her sisters would be alone in the world and their family secrets would be revealed. It was all her fault. Why couldn't she just have been the dutiful daughter and gone along with the plan? Why did she have to be cursed with this romantic heart?
Quickly transporting to her room, she threw herself upon her bed and began to sob. She didn't notice her sister slipping from her own bed and into the halls. Soon, she felt a familiar hand caressing her back. Soothing, shushing sounds came from a warm voice. Looking up, she saw her father's kind face staring down at her.
Sitting up, she threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, father!"
"What has my little dove so upset?"
"I've failed you father," she cried. "Everyone was counting on me, but I just couldn't do it."
"I know, child. It's okay. We have a new plan."
"Father, I don't like any of this. That man has brought poison to us all."
Connelly stilled at his daughter's words. Sure, he'd been having misgivings about everything, but he didn't realize the affect it was having on his eldest. To be honest, he felt a wrongness about this plan from the beginning. He'd almost been relieved when Sarah had agreed to marry the High King. Then, Trahaearn had said he wanted to get rid of her. Of course, the plan had been to eliminate the High King all along. However, Connelly felt sure that he could talk the other fae out of that idea. His own son didn't want to go along with it anyway. Now, he was talking about getting rid of an innocent woman. It sickened Connelly and made him realize how far he'd fallen.
"I know he has, little dove. I don't know what to do. I've made such a mess out of everything. I was just so desperate to take care of you girls."
"Can't you find a way to get out of it? We'll be okay. Even if we don't have much money, we still have each other."
"I'll think of something, my beautiful girl," Connelly promised. "Now, dry those tears and get some sleep. It's late."
Meinwen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and smiled at her father. With a wave of her hand, she was changed into her favorite nightgown. Connelly helped tuck her in to the warm quilts covering her bed. He placed a delicate kiss upon her brow as he did when she was a child. Checking on his other daughters, he did the same to all of them.
Once Connelly was sure that all his children were well, he made his way to his small study. There, he summoned several crystals. Placing every memory he had of his dealings with Trahaearn inside each one, he sent them floating towards the various councilmembers. He pulled out a piece of parchment and began writing a letter to his children. When that was done, he went back to his room to await the inevitable. Even though he feared for his family, he knew what he'd done was the right thing. He'd only hoped that they would understand. Everything he'd done, he did for them.
~~~~~J/S~~~~~
After dinner, Ryan went directly to his chambers. It was an unusual action for the High King. Most nights, he would head back to his study to do some more work before finally retiring. Tonight, however, he just didn't have it in him to read through treaties or proposals. The day had taken its toll on him and he just wanted to relax with a book and a glass of wine.
Ryan began to undress, preferring not to use magic as it gave him something to do. As he removed each article of clothing, his thoughts strayed to all that had happened today. He had thought Trahaearn to be duplicitous, but he never thought he'd go as far as seducing his betrothed right in his own castle.
Once he was changed into his silk pajama pants and dressing gown, he took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs in his sitting room. With a mere thought, a fire roared to life in the hearth. A glass of blood red wine, gifted to him by the centaurs, appeared on a small table. Ryan plucked his book out of thin air and began to read.
Silence descended upon the room, broken only by a chuckle by the lone occupant or a snap from the hearth. Every so often Ryan would take a sip from his goblet and sigh. He began to feel the tension of the day slipping from his body. The hours ticked away and, before he knew it, it was nearing midnight.
Ryan stood and stretched, his tired muscles protesting at the movement. It was about time that he got to bed. The day would start early for him and he needed to be rested to face it. He slipped the dressing gown off his shoulders as he moved into his bed chamber and placed it on one of the chairs.
Climbing into bed, he was about to extinguish the light when a crystal appeared before him. Sighing deeply, Ryan considered ignoring it. Unfortunately, it had to be something serious coming to him at this hour of the night. Ryan reached out his hand and the crystal fell into his palm. He looked into it and read the message from Shaun.
"Damn," he cursed, flipping the blankets off him.
There would be no sleep for him tonight. Ryan quickly changed his clothes and transformed into an owl. Taking flight, he began the trek towards his son's kingdom. The message Shaun sent him was cryptic and vague. 'Your son needs you.' Ryan only had one thought as he made his way through the sky. What had Jareth done now?