Chapter XIII: Dance With Me
Jareth and his father teleported to another room in the bright, vast castle and the rest of the fae court went along with the rest of their business. Eion lowered himself quite gracefully into a large, plump chair that Jareth assumed was stuffed with the best goose feathers found in the realm. Jareth sat in a smaller, yet similar chair that was placed in front of his father. For a moment the two fae men studied one another and finally Jareth closed his eyes and leaned back into the chair.
"The legends of the past are true, aren't they?" Jareth asked and heaved a heavy sigh.
"In most of the important aspects, yes," his father reclined in his own chair and watched for his son's impending tantrum. Jareth always was one to have a dramatic flare.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jareth asked calmly with his eyes still shut. He was trying to hold down his temper. He didn't want another unneeded fight with his father. Not over something that could save or destroy his kingdom.
"When you were a child, I had hoped that you would never have to come across them," Eion admitted and got up from his chair to walk to the wide window that looked over the main gardens. He placed his hands behind his back and stared straight toward a middle fountain by one of the largest willow trees, "I had locked them in what I saw as a prison of which there was no escape. I was wrong and for that I am sorry. For now, I have possibly caused my eldest son his demise."
"There has to be a way to lock them away again," Jareth said and opened his eyes with a bit of surprise from his father's apology. He was still settled back into the chair and placed one on his legs over the side of it as if it were his throne, "And it's more than just that. My subjects are dying and suffering. Soon enough I will have no one to rule over and everything will become dark. There was a way that your prison was undone; there must be a way to do it again."
"That is something that you have to find for yourself," he turned back to Jareth, but still stood next to the window, "Water weakens them, yes- but apparently, it is not their defeat. I cannot lock them away in something that they know they can escape from… there is something greater that will lock them away. There has to be, my son."
"So what do I do in the mean time?" Jareth asked and stood up as fluidly as his father had. He joined him by the window and watched the water drop into the small pool, "Watch more and more of my subjects fall? Wait until all my power is drained?"
"No," Eion shook his head and put a hand on Jareth's shoulder, "You fight with what you have."
Suddenly Eion looked back out the window and looked down at the fountain again, "Your mother loved to sit there on the ledge of the fountain. She would read her books and talk to the goblins around her."
"That's why you had her fountain and tree moved to this palace from my kingdom," Jareth never moved his eyes from the fountain, "You wanted a reminder."
"I wanted one of the only memories that I cherish," he sighed and looked at Jareth closely, "Your Sarah is a very special mortal."
"Just as mother was," Jareth nodded and saw his father's face soften a bit. Out of curiosity Jareth asked, "How did you seal them away before?"
"With a good amount of magic, and will…," Eion nodded and looked again out the window, "And a sacrifice that will never be made again."
"The legend said that it was your magic and will alone that locked them in the pits of the great lakes," Jareth quoted from memory.
"Legends are just that," Eion chuckled a bit to himself, "A lot of fiction with very little truth."
"What was your sacrifice then?"
"You do not want to seal them away with a flawed plan," Eion shook his head, "I will help with what power I have against them, but you must find your own way to defeat them completely."
Jareth paused and shook his head, "Is that all the help I can receive from you on this, father?"
"Unfortunately, that's all I can give," he patted Jareth on the back, "Come, let us get ready for this ball. I am eager to know more of this Sarah that has attached herself so well to your side."
"Toby Williams!" Sarah stomped her foot and Toby stopped dead in his tracks. She was the only one to ever get him to actually do as he was told. True, it took her some time, but she was the one that could ever do so. His parents couldn't even say the same. Heir to the Labyrinth or not, he was still her little brother, and he was going to listen or there would be a piece of Hell to pay.
"What is it Sarah?" Toby put his hands behind his back innocently and gave her his most innocent grin.
"Don't give me that, kiddo," she waved her finger at him, "You knocked poor Grindle to the ground. Now let her fix you up. If you are to meet the High King of the fae then you are going to look proper enough for it. Now, apologize and get it done. It will only take moments and you are dragging it out into an hour."
Toby rolled his eyes and went up to Grindle who was still holding a brush and what looked like a hand full of glitter in her other hand, "I am really sorry for knocking you over Grindle."
"I accept your apology, Master Toby," she nodded and motioned for him to sit down.
"But…" Toby pouted and sat on the chair, "Do we really have to use the glitter?"
Sarah chuckled to herself and heard the giggle from behind her. She turned to see the beautiful woman that was sitting next to Jareth's father at the throne settings. Her hair was a bright chestnut color and her eyes were a bright yellow. Her dress was a deep golden color that reached and covered her legs and shoes. It made her seem like she glided across the marble floors.
Sarah had never seen anything or anyone quite like her. But as Jareth had said, he was the only fae that she had ever seen or met. And what did she know? Maybe a good portion of fae women looked like that. The only thing was that she didn't see anything of Jareth from this woman.
"Ahem," the woman cleared her throat and looked pointedly at Sarah.
Sarah shook her head and blushed, "I am sorry, your highness. I must have been staring."
"You were trying to find the similarities between I and your Jareth," she corrected and sat down on a small couch in the chambers that were given for Toby's use. She patted the cushion next to her for Sarah to sit. Sarah hesitantly sat down next to her suddenly very nervous, "I will tell you one thing, Lady Sarah… You will find nothing of Jareth in me. For I am not his mother."
"You are the queen, right?" Sarah asked a bit confused.
"In a matter of words, yes," she laughed again, "My name is Gossimer. I am his majesty's second consort."
"There has been another before you?"
"We fae are very fickle about mates," she explained, "King Eion and I… well, he had already lost his one love and he needed more heirs other than Jareth, although Jareth is the one to take his place in time. I, on the other hand, was of a very fertile family and very trustworthy. Fae have a hard time conceiving, but luckily I have given him two other children that rule other lands."
"Have you lost your one love as well?" Sarah asked with a small frown.
"I doubt I have one in this existence of mine," Gossimer explained, "And I wish to stay at Eion's side as long as he will have me."
"Will he send you away?"
"No, I don't believe he will," she shook her head, "But sometimes, I still see him think back and see her face over mine."
"Who was she? Is she still here in the Underground?"
"I believe that is something that you will discuss with Jareth when the time is right," she patted Sarah's hands, "The young master is ready from the look of it. Are you ready to accompany your Jareth?"
"I believe so," Sarah nodded and both women helped one another up.
Gossimer held up a hand to stop Sarah from going out the door, "I will fetch his majesty and send Jareth to you and young master Toby. It will only be a moment."
With that she flashed away in another swirl of glitter. Toby came up to stand next to Sarah. She looked down to find him with the biggest pout on his face and glitter strewn about carefully in his hair. Sarah laughed a little under her breath at her brother's pout.
"What's wrong, Toby?"
"Boys aren't supposed to wear glitter," he picked up his hand to pick at his hair until he caught sight of Grindle who had another handful ready for him. He quickly dropped his hand and then crossed his arms over his chest, "That's only a girl thing."
"I would hope not," Jareth suddenly appeared before them. He wore the same outfit that he arrived in, but he had glitter in his hair as well. Sarah also noticed a few red streaks and the absence of his cloak, "Are you two ready to make your appearance once again?"
"Sarah doesn't have glitter in her hair," Toby mumbled as he nodded.
Suddenly there was a small puff of glitter over her head and Jareth smirked, "Now she does."
Toby smiled a little even though he was trying really hard not to.
"Now, I must go over just a few more things," Jareth took a deep breath, "I know that the majority of them won't, but there are some fae who look down on humans. This will be more targeted at you, Sarah, since you are fully human. Toby is changing fairly quickly. I tell you now, pay them no mind, for I will steer you clear of them as much as I can."
Sarah nodded, "Should I still wait until they speak to me before I speak back?"
"That is only for court," Jareth shook his head, "This is a little more informal."
"Informal, huh?" she picked at her dress and looked pointedly at him.
"As far as conversations go," he smiled at her and placed a hand on her lower back, "And this will be a perfect time for my father to understand you like I do."
"You never understand me," she laughed a little to let him know she meant it as a joke.
"Better than you know, my love," he whispered and pushed Toby a head of them. She only gave him another secretive smile and walked beside him down the hall.
He settled one hand on her opposite hip and held her other hand with his. As they walked through the halls Sarah saw how many of the servants of the castle bowed to them as they passed. She thought she would never really see any magic ever again, and here she was dressed up like another princess being escorted through the halls of a castle by a king. Sarah noticed that they stood in front of the same set of doors as earlier and she took a deep breath.
Jareth leaned toward her, "Just be yourself, Sarah. It doesn't matter what they think. I still love you."
She smiled and stole a quick kiss from him.
Toby stuck out his tongue and looked up at Jareth, "What am I supposed to do?"
"One of my distant cousins has had prosperity in their household and has a few children your age. You may join them for the ball if you would like."
"Are they girls?" he asked with his hands on his hips.
"And what's wrong with girls?" Sarah asked and mocked his pose perfectly.
Jareth wrapped his arms around her waist and put his chin on her shoulder, "Absolutely nothing."
"Oh brother," Toby blew some glitter from his bangs and walked toward the doors. Both Jareth and Sarah shared a quiet laugh and looped their arms through one another as the doors finally opened.
As Jareth had said, Sarah noticed some of the stares from the fae that surrounded her. Some gentle- others, not so gentle, and others could only be described as death glares. Sarah held on to Jareth's arm tighter and he patted her hand in a comforting gesture.
As they reached the center of the room, Jareth found his father and Gossimer excusing another servant who was passing around the wine. Eion waved his son over and Jareth brought both Sarah and Toby to him.
"Now, let's try this a little more civilly than the straight laced court appearances allow, shall we?" he asked as they approached. He smiled down at Toby who stood in front of Sarah and Jareth, "Did my son actually put glitter in your hair, my boy?"
"Actually Grindle did," he said and got a look from his sister than seemed to scream 'watch your manners'.
"Ah, the young goblin you brought along, yes," he nodded with a knowing twinkle in his eyes, "Well, just to give you further warnings for future engagements such as these… glitter is not required."
Toby smiled and looked up at the king and the gentle queen that he had met earlier, "Sir, I really like you."
"And I have to take a liking to you, Young Master Toby," he held out his hand to Toby and Toby shook it. The king then straightened up and looked toward one of the far corners, "This must be dreadfully boring to a spirited fellow as yourself, why don't you join the other children in the corner? I hear they are excited to meet a new heir to a kingdom."
Toby looked back at Sarah, "Can I?"
"Yes, Toby you may," she nodded and he politely bowed to the king and walked quickly to the corner mentioned.
"And now, for you, Sarah Williams," Eion moved his eyes to hers and carefully took her hand in his before he kissed the top of her knuckles, "A pleasure to finally meet you in person."
Sarah seemed a little taken back by the sudden change in emotion, but smiled at him gratefully. This wasn't going as bad as she thought it would have, "The pleasure is mine, you highness."
"I very much doubt that," he shook his head with a friendly laugh, "For much to my son's disappointment, I am to steal you for the first dance of the night."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth he plucked Sarah from Jareth's grasp and swept her to the dance floor. Jareth watched in half amusement as Sarah's face went from absolute horror to uncertainty.
He looked back at the queen that was left to stand on her own and he bowed to her, "Gossimer, you are lovely tonight."
"Thank you, Jareth," she curtsied back.
"Would you like a dance since your husband has run off with my partner?"
"I would love to," she nodded and took his out stretched hand.
Meanwhile, out on the dance floor, Sarah tried her hardest not to step on King Eion's feet in her attempt to waltz. She sighed as she missed stepped once again. She heard his low chuckle and she almost laughed herself as it reminded her of Jareth's.
"You can breath, Sarah," he said to her in a comforting voice, "I am not going to throw you to dragons."
"That is a relief, your majesty," she bowed her head in embarrassment.
"And enough of that 'your majesty'," he chided her and spun her around, "I use that in court and to intimidate. I don't like to use it over my guests. Call me Eion."
"All right then, Eion," she nodded her head.
He turned his head just slightly as he caught sight of Jareth and Gossimer. His wife was trying so hard to talk with Jareth, while Jareth's attention was on Sarah. Eion looked back at Sarah who seemed a little distracted from her dancing by Jareth as much as Jareth was distracted by her.
"So, exactly what is between you and my eldest son?" he asked straight out and she felt herself stumble through another turn.
She bit her lip and turned away from Jareth to look into Eion's eyes, "I believe with all my heart that I am in love with your son."
"That's a mighty big statement to say," he searched her eyes, "Are you sure that is one that you want to make?"
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life."
"Then you defiantly have my blessing," he nodded and she blushed. He put a finger under her chin before she could duck away, "The Gods know that you are more than beautiful enough to rival any fae woman- and the will and strong head to face against him, of which he needs more than anything."
She smiled and began to laugh. She paused for a moment, "I was just wondering… you mentioned a magic in me that I haven't unlocked yet. What did you mean?"
"A bit of self discovery, I think," he smiled like he was keeping a secret to himself just like Jareth has done in the past.
"He is a lot like you," she mentioned.
"He is a combination," he shrugged a little, "But yes, he does get his charm from me."
Suddenly Toby rushed by her skirts and as she opened her mouth to shout after him a young fae girl that looked around Toby's age chased after him. The fae couples that surrounded Sarah and Eion began to laugh at the children's antics and then began to dance again.
"I love youth," Eion said as his eyes followed Toby and the young girl, "Where the cares of the world consist of candies and their guardians. Be it parents… or sisters."
Sarah nodded, "I agree."
"Excuse me," Jareth appeared to their side and looked up at his father expectantly, "May I cut in?"
"By all means," Eion nodded and placed Sarah's hand in Jareth's, "Thank you for the dance, my lady."
"You're very welcome, Eion," she bowed her head and he smiled back at her before he took his wife's hand and began to dance again.
"My father's taken a liking to you," he said as he took her hand in a position for a waltz.
"That's good to know," she smiled and then looked at their hands, "Are you sure that you want to do this? I made a complete fool of myself with your father. I think I might have killed his right toe."
Jareth laughed lightly and then leaned over to whisper in her ear, "Just dance with me, Sarah. It's not all that new to us."
As he leaned back she had a small smile on her face and their feet began to move together with the music. Suddenly they fell into a perfect waltz much like she remembered from the time she was fifteen. The music even felt familiar and she smiled wide up at Jareth as he began to hum with it. Suddenly the only thing that Sarah noticed was his voice humming to the music and his eyes looking into her own. There was no one else, nothing else, but just the two of them in their own dance together.
"That was me, you know," he said quietly and interrupted his own humming.
Sarah still continued her dace with him as if they were talking the entire time, "That was you where?"
"In your dream," he clarified, "And I told you the truth. I lost my heart to you there. As you searched for me in the mass of goblins dressed as royals, I found that my heart followed you around the room and when we danced for the first time… I couldn't stop it from staying with you."
Sarah only smiled and laid her head on his shoulder as they changed directions and continued their dance with one another. They danced with only the music and one another to guide them. Moments passed, and as far as Sarah was concerned a whole century may have passed for them, but he promised that time stood still and in a way he was reordering time just for her once again.
He put his cheek to the top of her head and whispered to her, "My father has the insane notion that we are in love with one another."
"Now, where would he get an idea like that?" she leaned back and placed a small kiss to his lips which he returned.
As Sarah and Jareth continued to dance into oblivion, Eion and Gossimer looked on with interest, "So you think that she is the one?"
"She is his champion," he offered, "And she does love him. Truly, I saw it in her eyes."
"It will be hard for him once you tell him," she said and tried to hold him closer to her as in comfort, but he shook his head, "You do intend to tell him, don't you?"
"Yes. He needs to know the risks," Eion sighed, "I will not let my son be destroyed. Not by shadows and not by losing the one thing he has ever loved in his life."
As they too danced through the rest of the dancers, Eion picked up on a few of the mumblings of the other faes on the dance floor and gritted his teeth.
"She's mortal…" one female said to her dance partner as they spotted Jareth and Sarah.
"Well, she is just like his mother in that aspect, so it fits," the other answered.
"But what if she grabs the same fate as his poor mother?" they both paused and Eion strained to hear as he kept dancing, "The same fate as the last Goblin Queen…"