Chapter 14. Resolutions and declarations
Sarah had a quizzical look on her face, but noticed that the house seemed to be feeling settled. She listened to the music that was coming from the Spinet under the graceful fingers of the Fae Lord Merck. His fingers gliding over the ivory keys gently, she allowed herself a quick glance at her friends, now minus Chuck. Ronnie sat with a dazed gleam in her eye as Perrin held her hand. Leeanne and Mike were listening in rapt pleasure, and Ruth alongside Johnny seemed unusually peaceful.
Jareth tucked Toby close with the arm that was wound about the sleeping child. His other arm was wound about the waist of his Sarah. He took a breath and began to speak as if he'd been telling a story; "Having traveled the hazards of the unknown, enduring hardships unnumbered and conquering all including the king, the beautiful maiden came at last to the steps of the castle…" The door opened, Robert and Karen came rushing in as yet another thunderous bolt of light came crashing into the ground near the Victorian. Jareth halted his tale and Merck stopped playing the notes of the classical piece.
The teens protested, as Sarah's parents came into the parlor looking most bewildered. Leeanne moaned. "Don't stop! You've taken us this far, you can't stop there!"
Robert, dripping water all over Karen's precious floors gasped. "Who are all you people?"
Sarah rose from the arm of Jareth's chair, racing to the mud room to grab towels for her parents. "Daddy, you're dripping," she admonished her father.
Ripping the towel offered from his daughter's hand he growled. "Who are these people and why didn't you answer the phone?" Robert demanded harshly.
Karen was at the phone and holding the receiver out cleared her throat. "Dead line, Robert… that tree must have taken the lines out when it went down." She replaced the phone on the cradle and then accepted the towel Sarah had brought to her. "Thank you Sarah," she said working to dry off quickly. "Was anyone hurt when the tree hit that van, do you know?"
"Startled," Jareth spoke up in a warmed honey tone; "Nevertheless not injured."
"Except the van is totaled," Odell with a smile mused.
Robert looked at Sarah, expecting her to fill in the blanks, which she did. "We made it home from the concert just before the storm broke. The gang came over, and we were going to watch an old movie… but the lights went out and while we were panicking trying to get the candles out Mr. King and his band came knocking on our door." She related the tale as she now saw it had to be told, not what had actually happened because no one else would recall it that way. "Daddy, this is Jareth King, of J.G. King and the Fairtones…. These are the Fairtones. Odell," she pointed to the fair haired Fae who was closest; "And Merck and Rafe, and last but not least…Perrin." She smiled coyly to her father. "You know my friends…"
"Your daughter has been a life saver," Jareth stated seated with the sleeping Toby in his arms. "Seen to our comforts and needs like a truly gifted hostess."
Robert frowned at the man seated a little too comfortably in his favorite chair cuddling Roberet's son as if the child belonged to him. Jareth looked at the father with a sheepish grin. "I see," Robert's tone was inhospitable and stark.
Karen shot him a warning look, before she turned to Jareth in the chair holding her little boy. "He must be getting heavy."
"Not at all," the Goblin King made no effort to rise or to relinquish the boy. "He fell asleep while I was telling a spooky old tale to these young people…I should hate to disturb him just now."
Merck turned on the piano bench, looked at Karen with a considerate smile. "Your Spinet is in perfect tune, I complement you on its care."
Karen blushed, "Thank you… you … play well," she hesitated at returning the complement to the stranger. "Wasn't that Grieg you were playing?"
"Yes," Merck admitted slyly. "My own arrangement of course, but it was Grieg. You know your classics."
Robert, feeling more disturbed turned to Sarah. "You just invited a bunch of strangers into the house?"
"Daddy," Sarah replied calmly, and a bit embarrassed. "Your tree destroyed their van."
Toby stirred, looked up at Jareth smiled and placed his head back on the King's chest. Jareth observed the uneasiness and anxiety that Robert was experiencing, and chose to put the man's mind at ease. "I must say," he addressed the troubled man directly. "You've a wonderful home. You're daughter was very kind to take pity on us." He shifted Toby's weight slightly. "And we are not exactly strangers…"
"Sarah was on stage with them tonight," Leeanne stated.
"Actually," Jareth remarked rather coyly. "Sarah and I have met before… briefly… about three years ago."
"Indeed?" Robert moved into the parlor, now that his wet coat had been removed. "I don't recall her ever mentioning you…." He folded his arms, looked at his daughter and wordlessly demanded a statement of concurrence from her own lips as to the man's statement.
Jareth preferred to keep the ball in his court however. "Yes, well she was a bit younger than… fifteen as I recall… And while I found her charming she was as you Yanks say… Jail bait." He could feel Sarah's temperature rise and the color form on her cheeks. "I doubt she really remembered our meeting… her life was a bit of a whirlwind back then and she was in the company of actors and actresses who had far more fame than we had at the time."
Robert seemed to mull over some thought. "Ah I see," his harshness was softening slightly.
"Although I didn't make much of an impression on her, she made one on me… Imagine my surprise when the winner of the drawing tonight was none other than the very girl I've been looking for." Jareth smirked.
"I wouldn't say you didn't make an impression…" Sarah whispered softly. "However, I was only fifteen at the time."
"You're not fifteen now," Jareth teased suggestively.
Clearing his throat, Robert looked about the room of young people and musicians. The candles glowing and the fireplace well light gave the room an atmosphere of magical proportions. "Well, I can understand her asking your band to come in out of the storm…." He acquiesced. "Soon as the lines are back up, and the storm has cleared, we'll have a tow truck come for your van."
"Of course," Jareth agreed. He stood up. "Perhaps we should get this one off to bed now. I'm sure he'll sleep soundly knowing his parents are home again." He handed Toby over to Robert gently. "He's a very sweet child. I envy you…" His voice was full of emotions he had kept a guard upon.
Taking the boy, Robert felt an urge to order the man from his home, but knew he could not. "I'm blessed in both my children," he said thinking it was the proper thing to say.
Jareth looked over at Sarah who was standing beside her stepmother. "Yes, you are." He agreed softly. "Everyman should be so blessed."
Karen blushed, as she moved toward her husband and sleeping son. "I'll just take him up to bed," she said taking the boy from Robert. "Sarah, perhaps you should start another pot of tea, this storm is still raging, and your guests might like more."
Sarah watched her stepmother carry her little brother up the stairs, and she drew a long breath. She had made a bargain with the Goblin King and knew he would keep it. Toby would remain here in this house, with the loving parents while she… She had no idea what was going to happen to her. She looked over her shoulder at where her father and Jareth stood side by side watching Karen move up the stairs. So far her father had accepted the idea of the storm, the broken down van, and the brief meeting of Jareth and Sarah three years ago. She wondered how the King was going to get her father to accept his demand to take Sarah away.
Jareth looked away from the mother carrying the child, to the father whose face was a study of composure at the moment. "Mr. Williams, might I have a word with you in private?" he asked quietly. Robert's reverie ended, and something in his eyes told the Goblin that he was fearful of this moment. "Please," the Englishman asked softly.
"Of course," Robert kept his tone assured and assertive, just as he would in a courtroom. "I'm sure Sarah and her friends will forgive our absence, my den is just down the hall here." He picked up one of the candles. "Shall we?"
Sarah looked at Jareth, her eyes pleading with the King to be compassionate and considerate of her parent. Passing her, the Goblin King pressed his hand to her arm gently. She watched them exit before turning her attentions back to her guests. Ruth was sitting quietly, glaring at Sarah. "Would anyone like more tea?"
Ruth stood up, "I'd like an explanation." Her tone was hurtful, and her eyes were filled with anger. "How is it you managed to get your name picked? Did you and that… Limmie arranged this?"
"Oh Ruth, grow up!" Sarah snapped having had as much of the other teen as she could bear. "How would I do that? I didn't even put my name in that drawing!"
"I did," a chorus of voices chimed in.
Ruth glared at her boyfriend. "How…why?" she demanded to know.
Johnny stood up, "Two reasons really," he said with a cat on cream smile. "One because I knew Sarah would never even think to enter her own name… the second reason was spite… I really wanted to see her win over you, Ruthie!"
Hurt and indignant, Ruth's face lost its veneer of self-assurance. "Why?" she whined slightly.
"Because of all you take for granted…" Johnny's hurt came pouring out. "I've been going with you for nearly a year… and all you wanted was to stand on stage with some rock and roller… and get noticed…. Ruthie, do you have any idea of how degrading that was to me?" His hand went nervously into his hair. "You make me feel irrelevant!"
Ruth felt the eyes of everyone else, self-conscious she seemed to try to shrink into her-self. "Johnny…" she stammered. "I never meant for you to feel…" she looked for a word mentally. "Insignificant…" She didn't like this kind of attention. "Honest."
"Well that's what I feel…" he groaned hoarsely. "Do you care about me at all?"
"Of course I do," she defended her self, but her eyes went back to Sarah. "But she's always had everything! Don't you see?"
"Everything?" Sarah moved forward. "Ruth, how can you say that? My mother left us when I was ten…. I don't get to see her as often as I'd like, and when I do go for a visit I have to be content with what time she can steal away for me…"
Ruth gave her an unconvinced gaze. "You hang out with famous actors and actresses… you've had your picture in how many papers?"
"My picture;" Sarah laughed coarsely. "Ruth, get real, I'm an incidental… the pictures are of the actresses and actors my mother works with… not me."
Still harping on wounds that she felt was inflicted, Ruth barked. "You think you're too good to go out with any of the usual crowd…."
"Ruth, most of the guys who've asked me out did so because they thought they could either make inroads with my mother's crowd or thought they'd get lucky and could get in my pants." Merck turned to the piano, embarrassed by the admission and began to play. Odell leaned on a wall and tried to look like he wasn't following the conversation. Sarah didn't bother trying to apologize.
"Oh sure," Ruth snarled.
"You think I'm kidding? Ask Leeanne, she saw me after the last blind date you all set up for me…" Sarah lamented. "Well excuse me Ruth if I don't play the whore for every Tom Dick and Harry!"
Ruth turned to Leeanne, expecting her to refute Sarah's claim, but the other girl's face was sad and full of remorse. "Lee?" She changed her mind seeing the other's face. Slowly she turned back to Sarah. "You mean… he tired to…"
"Take advantage of me, yes," Sarah crossed her arms akimbo. "Ruth I do have morals and scruples, some of these guys think that just because my mother is an actress… that I'm loose and free… well I'm not." She shuddered at a memory. "If that's what you call attention, you're welcome to it."
"But…" Ruth was running out of excuses and complaints. "Everyone thinks you're Miss Perfect!"
"Oh get off it," Sarah laughed coldly. "No one thinks that… everyone remembers that I was a real pain in the ass three years ago… you want to know why I kept to myself? I'll tell you… it was because I was afraid to let anyone get close to me… my mother left me… my father married again and I felt pushed aside when Toby was born…. It took me forever to understand that I wasn't… that I was given a real gift… a family…."
Karen stood on the landing, listening to Sarah. She looked back toward the second floor, and remembered three short years ago and the confrontation on the staircase. Her mother's heart went out to the girl defending herself in the parlor.
--
Robert had taken a seat in the chair behind the desk, wanting to appear indomitable. "What is it you wished to discuss?"
Jareth understood the man's attempt to keep the upper hand. His years as a ruler had taught him a thing or two about keeping up appearances. "Sarah," Jareth said tenderly as he took a seat.
"Yes?" Robert felt fear clutch his heart.
"She's grown into a beautiful young woman," Jareth stated boldly.
"She's still a child," Robert countered carefully.
One brow rose, "Hardly." Jareth took a seat across from the father of his intended Queen. He was poised, assured and calm, knowing that he had the power to squash this man like a bug, but not wishing to demonstrate. "She was a beauty three years ago, and because of her age, I backed away… however she is now of legal age, and I won't back off again." His voice was calm and reasonable. "However, I would prefer to have your blessings while I court your daughter."
"Court?" Robert frowned. "Won't that put a crimp in your… lifestyle?"
"Not at all," Jareth stated firmly.
Placing his hands on his desk, and clasping them together, Robert studied the man before him. "Young man, you must see that what you're suggesting is impossible… you're a rock star, and on the road…."
"I plan to get off the road," countered Jareth. "And this musical venture was merely the marking of time… I have other interests and obligations to see to…as do my band members. We were… sowing oats," he suggested calmly.
The explanation didn't set well, "Don't you think you're a bit too old for my daughter?" Robert growled.
"I am older than Sarah," Jareth admitted freely. "But as to being too old, no…In fact I think I'm the perfect age for her." He leaned forward. "What's more I think Sarah thinks so as well." He tried to calm the fears he was seeing rise in the father. "Sir, I understand your qualms, rest assure I have no intentions of rushing the girl into anything. I should rather enjoy getting to know her."
"Sarah is a very… inexperienced young woman," Robert confided. "She could be easily overwhelmed."
Jareth rose to his feet, "I assure you, my intentions are honorable… I intent to marry your daughter."
"Does she know of your intentions?" Robert asked carefully.
"She does," Jareth admitted. "I told her earlier this evening that now that I've found her I'll never set her free…."
"And she was accepting of this…declaration;" the distraught father challenged.
Standing with all his Kingly dignity, Jareth addressed the man who would one day be his father in law. "Sarah understands that she and I were fated to one another; however she is a dutiful daughter and wishes to have your blessing… as do I." He softened his approach. "I have no intention of coming in here and whisking her away from you… I would very much like to eventually be accepted into your family… as a member in my own right. I love your daughter," Jareth said gently.
"You've only just met her," Robert countered.
"I've loved her since I first laid eyes on her three years ago…." Corrected the King easily; "I've had no relationships, causal or otherwise since I met Sarah." He tapped his fingers on the edge of the desk.
Feeling slightly intimidated by the man standing over him, Robert cleared his throat. "Sarah's too young to marry."
"Agreed," Jareth resumed his seat. "That is why I think a courtship and a decent duration of engagement would benefit us both."
Robert mulled again, "What about her education?"
Thoughtfully the young King answered. "As my wife, Sarah will have a great deal of responsibility… I think an education would behoove her, a proper education is always a plus for a woman." Jareth mused. "My estates and holdings are rather like a mini kingdom, and I will expect my wife to take an active interest in how things are run."
"Estates?" Robert's ears perked up.
"Yes, didn't I mention them?" Jareth said coyly. "Oh dear, I thought I had… you see Mr. Williams, I'm a very rich man… Your daughter will never have needs… she will live rather like a Queen." He smiled at his private joke.
"Still," Robert shook his head. "She's never been… involved…"
"I understand your hesitation," Jareth leaned forward, as if conversing with an equal. "I suggest that you agree to allow me to keep company with your daughter…. And let us ease into the rest… She's young, and we've no need to hurry her down the aisle."
Robert began to smile; "Keeping company, that's rather an old fashioned term, isn't it?"
"I'm an old fashioned man at heart, Mr. Williams," Jareth mused. "Don't believe everything you've seen in the press. I don't do wild parties," he lied easily, thinking of the wild times in the Kingdom with the goblins and Fae refugees. "I rather like the idea of Sarah's innocents. She's disarmingly charming, and will be a treasure."
"If I agree to this, I expect you to obey the ground rules I'll be lying down." Robert cautioned. "I'll not have Sarah rushed or pushed into …"
"Agreed," Jareth stood up and offered the man his hand. "I will happily abide by any reasonable rule you see fit to place upon our time together, until Sarah is ready to wed."
"I'm not going to let you sweet talk her into…"
"Never thought you would," Jareth assured the father. "Besides, I rather like the idea of a bride who can wear white."
Robert looked at the extended hand, accepted it and shook it firmly. "Well then, Mr. King…"
"Call me Jareth," he suggested.
"Jareth… unusual name that."
"Indeed," the Goblin King mused as he shook Robert's hand. "Seems my father and you went in for unusual names… I mean really… Tobias?"
"That was Karen…;" Snickered Robert in a consistory tone. "I would have preferred Robert Jr."
"Toby does suit him," Jareth mused; "Just as Sarah suits your daughter."
Robert nodded, "And on that happy note I suggest we rejoin the party in the living room, before they think the worst."
"OH I doubt anyone here could think the worst," Jareth mused following the other man out of the study.