Chapter 14: Act II, Scene III (I): Games of Chance- Blackjack
Sarah's head was spinning. It was difficult for her to concentrate on much. She felt rather sluggish, which, she surmised, was likely the objective. Escape was next to impossible in her current condition.
"Your Majesty," the hobgoblin stated. "The Seelie patrol saw that we're here."
Sarah noted that Jareth looked briefly at the treetops before taking the time to put his gloves on. "Good. Just as expected then. I anticipate a confrontation soon."
"Aye, Sire. They take great offense to anything they think flies in the face of their Code of Chivalry. They'll be ready," Robin Goodfellow responded.
"So will we," Jareth said in a definitive tone. "Take the girl, won't you?" Then, Sarah distinctly saw Jareth pause as Robin Goodfellow made to move toward her. "Wait- I'll take her myself."
It was as if Jareth suddenly realized that Robin Goodfellow would actually have to touch Sarah in order to move her. He really was rather possessive, she supposed. If Sarah felt like herself, she would have told Jareth to get the hell away from her. However, she couldn't do more than protest with a weak 'leggoahme' when Jareth picked her up and carried her in his arms. He ignored her protest. "You can take her horse," Jareth added.
"Wanted to do that from the beginning, if you recall, Sire," Robin Goodfellow laughed.
Jareth snorted.
This time, Sarah found herself straddling Jareth's horse, with him jammed up right behind her. Her entire back was flush against him and he reached under her arms to grab the reins. It was not romantic. How could it be when they were obviously quite upset with each other?
"I suggest you attempt to hold on," Jareth told her brusquely.
Sarah barely got a hold of the horse's mane before Jareth started forward.
"Your Majesty?" Robin Goodfellow asked hesitantly, as the entire group started back on their journey. "Ah- since we'll reach the Seelie Court today, do you think we'll be needing glamour?"
Sarah couldn't see Jareth's smirk, but she imagined it was one of his more infuriating ones. "Why?" Jareth asked slyly. "Wanting to play the courtier for the ladies, are we?"
Robin Goodfellow, whose horse was next to Jareth's, actually blushed. "Er- not at all- Sire!" the hobgoblin stammered endearingly. "The Seelie- they're not all that keen on using glamour so often—"
Sarah thought she sort of liked Robin Goodfellow and would have told him as much were she in any condition to really do so. Instead, she settled for having to endure hearing Jareth laugh at him.
Jareth stopped his horse and everyone else soon followed suit. "Yes- their rules on such things are rather stifling. I was planning on glamour anyway- but since you're so enthusiastic—"
Sarah was mesmerized as she watched a crystal materialize in one of Jareth's gloved hands right in front of her. He held it aloft and threw it up in the air. A fine sheen of glitter came down and with it a completely different form of glamour. It was as different from Jareth's previous foray with glamour as could be. Whereas before, the goblins had looked like harmless brownies, now they looked even more fierce and frightening than even their usual states afforded them. Their armor was dark, their weapons sharp and deadly, and a menacing air of evil fairly radiated from the entire company. Even Robin Goodfellow looked like a much darker version of himself.
Looking down, Sarah found herself changed once again. She may have still felt the need for a shower, but she looked as if she had absolutely no need of one. She was wearing a simple white gown in the same style as the green dress, but with the addition of a silver girdle sitting low on her hips. She could tell that her hair was pulled back and up on the sides in elaborate braids of some sort, while the majority of her hair was still down. It wasn't lost on her that she was the only one who stood out from the group- light to their dark.
She was rather glad that she couldn't see Jareth. She was certain that he had made himself look quite grim and menacing. The only parts she could see of him were his arms- and they were clad all in black-, which was just as she expected.
Even poor Boggle looked changed along with them, though he was just as much of a prisoner as Sarah was. Jareth had looked at Boggle murderously and declared that he would be dealt with later. There was, apparently, an expected banding together of everyone against the Seelie. Everyone acted as if this was normal, but it only confused Sarah more. Obviously there was the idea of 'enemies with common enemies being friends until said common enemy was dealt with' mentality they all adhered to.
"I'd wager to say that we're suitably offensive enough to Seelie sensibilities," Jareth said with dark humor.
Robin Goodfellow looked nonplussed. He was obviously not expecting this particular result.
Sarah managed a small sigh and it didn't go unnoticed.
"Whatever is the matter, Sarah? Aren't you pleased? We must waltz straight into their Court and provoke them to war. Perhaps you'll even meet your family. Won't that be pleasant," Jareth said dryly.
"Why- are- you—" Sarah croaked out.
"Doing this? Tsk! You are under the impression that I have a choice," Jareth bit out through clenched teeth. "Take heart though. I did say that I would get to the bottom of your dilemma. I will make sure you discover the truth of your parentage."
"Don't- have to- take it out- on me."
"Yes- because having my generosity thrown back in my face by someone who would lie and betray our agreement at the drop of a hat engenders good faith," Jareth growled into her ear. "You wanted me to play the villain, so the villain you shall get, Sarah."
"But—"
"Don't strain your voice," Jareth said dismissively.
Obviously, there was more going on here with Jareth than even him acting like a bastard to her. That he had a particular hatred of the Seelie was something he had repeatedly reiterated. That he didn't like Mab either was something even Mab had commented on. It appeared to Sarah that Jareth was caught in some kind of Underground political quagmire. Unfortunately, she had become an unwitting player in the game.
The afternoon was spent riding through the Seelie lands, obnoxiously and openly declaring the very Unseelieness of their presence. Each break was taken with a cautious regard for the surrounding area. All of the goblins had their weapons at the ready.
It was during one such break that the Seelie patrol made their presence overtly known. A single arrow was sent as a warning shot. It landed in a tree right next to Robin Goodfellow's horse.
Jareth gave a dark smirk. "Come out, come out, wherever you are," Jareth said in a menacing tone.
A hawk came dashing down from its perch in a tree above them- only to materialize as a brunet man entirely clad in brown leather. He had a bow in his hand and a quiver of arrows attached to his back. "Halt! You're not welcome here. Our queen is not in the habit of entertaining the Unseelie. Turn back," the man said seriously.
"But we have a proposal for a trade. My queen wants one you hold as prisoner and is willing to hand over this girl to get him back," Jareth said lightly.
The man didn't look impressed. "Unseelie trickery!" he hissed.
"Is it?" Jareth asked conversationally. "Poor girl- to die so soon after discovering her origins. Avenge the wronged; protect the innocent; champion right and good against injustice and evil? I do wonder what has become of the famed Seelie chivalry you boast so much of?"
Jareth's goading caused a flicker of uncertainty in the man's eyes. "I'll inform the queen of your proposal. I make no guarantees that she'll even see you."
However, that wasn't the answer Jareth was looking for. "Tell her the Goblin King sends his regards." That he had placed a dagger at Sarah's throat as he said it was what really made Jareth's point for him.
The flat part of the blade was cold against her throat, and Sarah was hesitant to breathe, much less swallow. Sarah momentarily closed her eyes. Jareth wouldn't really kill her, would he? The display was convincing enough for the Seelie man in front of them.
"Follow me then," their Seelie contact said with a look of utmost loathing on his face.
Then from out of nowhere, they were surrounded by a group of Seelie soldiers on horseback. None of them looked friendly- but Sarah wasn't expecting that they would- especially as the goblins kept giving them nasty smirks that promised equally nasty consequences. The Seelie soldiers sported equally stoic and disdainful expressions.
Jareth kept the dagger at Sarah's throat the entire time. He urged his horse to the front of the group. The whole dagger at her throat thing was just making Sarah nervous. One slip, accidently or on purpose, and she was gone.
Soon enough, the trees cleared and Sarah saw an amazing sight. It appeared to be an entire castle made of trees. She had never seen or imagined the like of it before. It was beautiful. The trunks of countless trees were twisted and twined beautifully around each other and reached far up into the sky, where the rooftop was a canopy of green. It was simply enchanting.
Their Seelie guide held up his hand, encouraging them to stop. "We must dismount and go on foot from here."
Jareth, in turn, made a motion to his goblins to stay put, however, he did motion for Robin Goodfellow to accompany him. He didn't say anything. Somehow, Jareth was able to dismount with Sarah in tow and the knife at her throat the entire time. Sarah wasn't quite sure how he managed it and maintained the casual grace he always did.
Sarah did manage to get her first look at Jareth and let out a gasp. He was wearing his black armor, but his hair also had black streaks, and his eyes were lined in dark kohl, which only served to heighten the disparity between his eyes. Jareth had a firm grip on her- and it was just as well- as she likely couldn't have walked completely on her own anyway. Yes- even though he looked dark and menacing- he still managed to cut an impressive figure.
Robin Goodfellow fell into step behind them, like a dark bodyguard, and the three made their way behind the Seelie soldier and into the castle of the Seelie Court itself. The massive door, which was made of intricately carved wood, swung open to allow them entrance.
Sarah's nervousness was taken to new heights. They walked into a long hall with a cathedral ceiling. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Sunlight fell through a leafy canopy, which made an intricate pattern of light and shadow on the floor. It was disconcertingly quiet. Sarah felt on edge.
They made an interesting procession, at any rate. The Seelie soldier who had spoken to them was leading them; head held high, back painstakingly straight- and he gave the impression of being a very stern individual. Then, she and Jareth followed. Sarah knew they must make an interesting tableau- and was certain that Jareth had planned it that way to show off their contrasts. He was walking casually at her side, one arm around her waist, while his other hand held the dagger at her throat. And, though she couldn't see him, Sarah heard Robin Goodfellow's boots behind them.
It was only once they were halfway into the hall that Sarah realized they weren't alone in the room at all. They were virtually surrounded by a multitude of still and quiet members of the Seelie Court. Sarah's heart just about stopped upon realizing this and she was extremely disconcerted. They were as breathtaking in their beauty as the castle itself. Their motionless faces betrayed nothing but disapproval. All the ladies wore intricate dresses and each of them seemed to have a face that could give Helen of Troy a run for her money. The men were in full court dress, with polished weapons at their sides, all staring down their noses as they passed. More than one fan was flipped open in a disdainful movement as soon as they passed. Still, they kept walking.
They approached a raised dais where two thrones were situated prominently. One throne was more intricate than the other. Sarah couldn't even make out the pattern, but it was almost beautiful beyond words. Upon the most intricate of the thrones sat a woman. She was entirely bathed in a mote of sunlight. Her long hair was so blonde it was almost white, her eyes were the loveliest shade of blue that Sarah had ever beheld, her skin was as pale as alabaster, and her dress was a gauzy and icy shade of blue. There was a man on the other, less intricate, throne. He was classically handsome, like every tall and dark faerie tale prince Sarah had read about, and was clad all in light grey.
Finally, their Seelie guide stopped and dropped to one knee with his right hand over his breast and his head bowed. He stayed there and didn't move, obviously waiting to be addressed. The queen and king didn't move either. They simply sat there and were still, looking them over dispassionately. To Sarah, they looked as if they could have been carved from stone. Their beauty was cold, haughty, and proud. They made quite a pair.
"Well, Titania. Have you nothing to say to your brother?" Jareth asked with casual nonchalance.
This got a reaction from the Court. Gasps were heard. Even Sarah gasped. From the corner of her eye, Sarah could make out that Jareth's face had a look of unholy glee at the reaction he received.
"Silence, Unseelie filth!" the king's voice boomed. "How dare you speak the Seelie Queen's name?"
Titania merely held up her hand to stop her husband. "I have no brother," the blonde queen stated calmly.
"I confess, I was not looking forward to our little reunion either, sister," Jareth spat contemptuously. "You always were a bitch and marrying Oberon has done you no favors."
Their Seelie guard had roused himself from his stance of deep and contemplative respect. He had exchanged his bow for a sword and had it trained in short order on Jareth. "Foul knave! You dare?"
Sarah was pulled back more roughly against Jareth and he brought up the dagger from its previously lax position. He smirked wickedly. "Ah- ah- ah! Of course, I dare. I'm not content with the hand I was dealt. I'm willing to risk a hit to gain more."
Well, really, Sarah thought- that explained a lot.