Chapter 20.

Quinn transported them to the throne room and they arrived ahead of the coach. He settled into the throne, pulled Sarah to sit on the steps, not taking any chances. The Goblin with the large staff appeared, brought it down three times and announced the guests. "Lord Hawthorne."

The Fae man was tall like most Fae, elegant, and graceful. He had long dark hair, which looked like silken threads flowing over his shoulders. He wore court robes, making himself look very official. He walked into the throne room as if he owned the palace. Everything about him was arrogant. His features schooled, he bowed as he reached the throne. "Greetings King Jareth." His voice dripped contemptuousness his eyes held scorn.

"Hawthorne what brings you to my court, uninvited?" Quinn's words were icy, as was his gaze.

Hawthorne looked at Sarah sneeringly, then back up at the King. "I've been told you lay claim to a Nephilim. By what authority?" The man was clearly not happy with the news. "You know I am to have reports all Nephilim who are found, yet you have not reported these new inhabitants."

Quinn pretended to ponder the question. "Well, let's see…I've several really, there's right of discovery, right of territory, and oh yes my favorite. I'm Oberon's son! As to reporting to you, I do not have to. I report to the High King and to him alone."

The Fae looked at Sarah. "And this one, is she also Nephilim?"

Sarah had the distinct feeling she had just been insulted. When Quinn rose to his feet and snapped she was sure of it. "Hawthorne, I'm sure your daughter told you I'd introduced her to my betrothed." The King's voice took on a stony edge.

Sarah glared at the man, "Oh, so you're the Lady Milliecent's daddy. Nice daughter you have there, be even nicer if you taught her some manners."

Quinn looked down at the girl. He was surprised at her quip, but pleased. He smiled warmly at the young woman.

"What do you mean by that?" the man demanded.

Sarah stood up, took a step closer. "Take a good whiff of me, you over blown fop! You will clearly sense my marking…and whom marked me…Your darling little daughter decided to proposition my man right in front of me." She crossed her arms. "I'm sure she ran straight to daddy to complain that she could not have what she wanted. Millicent strikes me as a spoiled brat. Flaunting her body to a man who is clearly spoken for, is hardly the trait of a lady. More the sign of a wanton strumpet."

Quinn sat down and tossed one leg over the arm of the throne, just as Jareth would. "Hawthorne go you may go home now. Your presence bores us."

The Fae looked at the pair of them. "We shall see about this Nephilim question, Jareth."

As the man turned to leave, Sarah called after him, "That's King Jareth, Lord Hawthorne. Give our regards to Millicent."

Quinn snickered. After the man stormed out, he stepped down, "Think there's any lunch left?" He took her hand in his. "What say we go see?" He was pleased with the look she gave him. "You, me and him…we could take on the worlds."

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Solea watched in the Scrying pool she and Cairbre had set up. She was taking notes on a scroll. Cairbre entered the chamber they were using. He smiled contently, "The Gods smiled on me." He said as he placed a kiss on her brow. "Giving me a wife who is as talented as you."

She looked up, "Hard day at the office, dear? She teased.

"Phineas is a fool!" her husband scoffed pouring himself a goblet of water. "Were you keeping watch?"

She nodded. "He's up to something. Even Sarah sensed it." She took her eyes off the pool for a moment. "What was all that nonsense he started with the couple?"

The bard paced a bit, "Oh just a bit of mental swaggering."

The Water Sprite shook her head; "It was as if he was trying to sever the bonding himself. All those questions have little to do with the state of things now."

Cairbre came to a rest behind his wife; his hand went to her shoulder. "Ah but his ministrations got him a good swift kick, did they not? He has no idea of whom or what the shattered soul really is. He had no idea they shared thoughts and experiences."

"Talbot enjoyed that." Solea remarked. "He really enjoyed Sarah declaring the session over. I thought Phineas was going to swallow his tongue!" She snickered.

The Bard sighed. "I would have spared her that if I could…." He sipped his water. "Where did she go…did he follow?"

Solea nodded, "Sarah retreated to the hillside just beyond the gate of the Labyrinth. Quinn followed her there."

"Oh dear," the Bard groaned. "Was it a bloody battle?" His wife handed him her notes on the hillside meeting. The Bard read it and looked at her. "Are you sure? How odd…So Quinn is progressing. How interesting…and Sarah actually said she was fearful of how easy it was to be with him?"

Solea nodded. "Husband there is a question that plagues me."

"What, my dear?" The Bard touched her face.

"Why would Hawthorne show up here?"

Cairbre's mouth dropped open. "He shouldn't have…when was he here?"

"Just now, dear. He came in and was very rude…hardly respectful of the King at all and openly hostile to Sarah." Solea touched the Scrying pool, and it displayed the events.

"When did you learn to do that?" Her husband was delighted. He turned his attentions to the waters. "Oh dear…Hawthorne must have been alerted by some one…and I've a hunch whom…." He smiled. "I'm so glad we kept your Scrying talents secret, my good wife."

"There's something so appealing about being one's husband's secret weapon." She cooed.

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The family was already seated; Karen was making sure the children were taken care of. She looked up as the pair entered the room. The King smiled at her, and she smiled back. Toby ran from his seat, much to his fathers' chagrin, the little blond boy ran straight to the open arms of the King.

"Well, hello little friend." The King held the boy close.

Robert frowned, "Toby, you know better than to run from the table." Karen, still feeding their daughter shot him a warning look. Which he ignored. "Get back in your seat young man."

The King placed the boy in his seat. "Your father is right, you should not run in the dining rooms. It could get you tangled under the foot of a servant. That would not be good for either of you. Now, be good and eat your lunch." He took hold of Sarah's elbow and escorted her to her seat. "We will be having guests for diner." He said to Giles. "I received an unwanted visitor just now."

Both Giles and Ryan looked at the king. "Whom did we receive?" Giles asked.

"Lord Hawthorne." The Fae said the name with dislike. He saw Robert smiled to himself, enjoying the annoyance the King was experiencing. Quinn added, "He was here to question me about my rights to claim the Nephilim." He said the last word very clearly.

Robert's smile faded, concern for the family's welfare fired up. "What?"

"Don't worry Robert." The Fae King said with force. "What is mine stays mine."

Giles shook his head, "Who in the world would have told him we have Nephilim in the first place?"

Leaning back in his chair, the King shrugged. "Someone with no ties to me, I would think. Everyone here in the castle is loyal to the crown. So it would have to be an outsider."

"That Healer." Sarah suggested quietly. "He's a very sneaky sort."

Robert turned; he had never heard his daughter speak with such maturity, or authority.

Anne looked over at the man she thought of as Jareth. "He was the attending physician at Quinn's birth was he not?"

The Fae nodded. "Aye, he was."

Ryan grumbled. "Do we ever get a break? First we are forced into a match with Robin, then we get his mother… now what?" he shook his head. "Unwanted guests now, and a wedding to plan…"

"Sounds like a normal day at the office to me." Anne quipped.

Robert looked at them. "You're children…not warriors. You should be out doing what children do…"

Ryan looked over at the man, "Contrary to what your eyes see, Mr. Williams…we are hardly children. WE four are the King's champions." He sounded mature beyond his years. "We gave up childhood on a night nearly two years ago. What you see are young warriors."

Robert looked disturbed at the King, "You did that to them? Stole their childhood…"

"No," Anne stated firmly. "Jareth didn't. A Fae named Robin Zaker did! Jareth came into a battle field to assist us." She raised her head defiantly. "There's a great deal about us you are not privy to. Don't be in a rush to judge, or place blame."

Robert was taken aback by her boldness. "You really believe that?"

"I know what I know," Anne stated.

Karen changed the subject abruptly. "Have you picked out a gown for the wedding?"

Robert shot her a glare. "What, you're going to play the game with them?" Standing up he pointed to Anne. "She's not old enough to know her own mind, let alone get married."

The King had been listening to the entire exchange. "Robert, how old do you think I am?"

The man paused, looked at the Fae and knew he had over stepped his bounds.

"I know I don't go around wearing a crown or a coronet," the voice was calm and forceful. "However, I am King, NOT you. I see the worth in these young people. Yes they are young. But they are not babies…and they have lived more in two years time, than most people do in sixty." He narrowed his eyes. "You will show respect to them. And you will show respect to your wife."

Robert backed down.

Under the table, Quinn placed a hand over Sarah's.

Anne looked over at Karen; she had always dismissed the woman before. Now she had second thoughts. "Mrs. Williams, would you care to help with the arrangements for the wedding?"

Karen's blue eyes misted over. "I'd be honored…Lady Anne."