Chapter Twenty One

New Roles

Sarah's eyes fluttered just before she woke. Jareth opened his eyes, held her close and watched as she blinked to focus. He saw the thin line of a grimace on her lips. Watching he knew she was aware of his observation, he also knew she was trying to find words.

"Not fair," he supplied.

Green eyes popped wide, "Are you reading my mind?"

"No, I just know how your mind works, Sarah," he teased.

The young woman shifted, so she could look at his face. "You put a spell on me."

"Yes," he admitted freely.

"You're not even going to deny it, are you?"

"No," he shook his head. "I was too tired to argue, and a certain Fae's singing gave me a pounding head ache."

Sarah sat up. "God, that was awful!" She stretched. "Shame to desecrate so lovely an instrument as that lute." Smiling at the memory of the lute she sighed. "I've never seen moonbeams strung before."

"Who was playing the accompaniment to your song?" Jareth asked.

"Oona."

"She is very good," The man commented. "Your song pleased a good many of my guests. And made another quite aware of her lack of talent."

"You said last night that she used a potion on you," Sarah reminded him. "Just what kind a potion was it?"

"Similar to a potion called Love lies idle, but a bit more refined. It works only on males." Jareth let his bare fingertips 'walk' up her arm.

"But it had no effect on you?"

"None," he said.

"Because?"

Jareth held his bare hand before her face. "What do you see?"

"Your hand," she said calmly.

He winked.

Sarah knew there was more, something so obvious that she was overlooking it. She looked again. She'd seen his hand before had marveled at how dexterous he was balancing and moving crystals over the tips of gloves. Gloves…she grabbed his hand, "You're not wearing gloves!"

"Right."

"Explain, in simple terms that I can understand," she warned.

Jareth smiled. "Better to show you." He clasped her hand in his and both hands began to glow. "I am connected to you, no potion designed to enslave a man can effect me."

"Does she know you made this…connection to me?" She asked looking at the glow, mesmerized by it.

"No, that's why I replaced my gloves before they entered this chamber." He watched her, "Each time I touch you without the gloves, our connection grows stronger."

"And she does not know it… you're using me as some sort a safety net?"

"Not precisely, but close enough." He released her hand. "However, for the time being, don't say anything about this. For your own well being, as well as mine." Seeing her frown, he sighed. "What's wrong now?"

"My rooms down in the servants quarters are gone…so are my uniforms." She pointed to the light streaming in the windows. "I've got work to do. Children to bathe, beds to make…Why are you laughing?"

It had started with a snicker and a grin and then turned to a chortle, and migrated into a full laugh that the Jareth could not stop. He had tears in his eyes as he tired to end the sputter coming out of his mouth. Burying his face in a pillow, he shook with the force of the laugh.

"This is not helping!" she accused him. "I need my uniforms."

Laughed out he lay back, "You precious thing." He admired his possession. "I can think of no one else who would worry about uniforms and duties having just risen from a night in the King's bed."

"Jareth, did you hear me? I am going to be late to bathe the kids…Now where do I go to get a uniform… and where am I supposed to eat my breakfast?" She was looking at the man in earnest.

The Goblin King moved his hand over her hers. "In the room behind the hidden wall you will find a wardrobe, everything you need is in it. As for breakfast, you will be eating with the family."

"Thank you. Oh I am running so late, Calla will be having gophers." She hopped off the bed and walked to the wall that was not a wall at all. She gathered the items needed for the day and rushed into the bath.

Jareth saw her rush out of the chamber less than ten minuets looking fresh as a daisy. She had her hair pulled up with the little ruffled cap. He bit his lip to prevent the laughter that was threatening to spill out. He snickered to himself after she'd rushed out, running down the hall. "Only you, Sarah, only you."

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Sarah entered the nursery bath, and saw that Fee and Oona had begun to draw the bath water. "I'm sorry I'm late," she said rolling up her sleeves. "Are the children up?"

Oona looked at Fee then back at Sarah. "We didn't expect to see you…"

"Why?" Sarah asked, "Oh, I suppose you heard that Garthon tried to have me barred from the palace. Well, not to worry."

Fee blinked, "He did what? When?"

Sarah was getting the wash cloth ready. "From what I understand he sent guards to escort me from the grounds, and bar me."

Oona grabbed Sarah's hand. "Where did you sleep?"

"With… in…." Sarah pointed toward the Master's chamber. "There."

Fee looked at her. "But you're here this morning."

"Well of course I am. I have to bathe Toby and Claire. You know they won't let anyone else do it." Sarah looked at the maids. "Is there any reason I shouldn't be here?"

The maids looked at each other and shrugged. Oona went to fetch Toby, and Fee went to get Claire. Sarah was all smiles when Toby came sleepily into the bath. "Good morning sleepy head."

Toby smiled and readied himself for his bath.

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Adele had her breakfast served to her in bed, as always. Her personal maid went everywhere with her, and probably knew more about her personal agenda than anyone else did. She looked at the maid. "Sophia, I need you to mingle with the maids of this house. Learn all you can about this mortal girl."

"As you wish my lady." The maid wore the same smug look as her mistress.

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Calla was giving the morning assignments when a maid came to her side and whispered to her urgently. "I see." She waved the maid off. She wrote down something and handed it to a footman. "For the King alone," she said firmly.

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Sarah delivered the children to Nanny, and was making her way though the passages to the area of the King's study. She stepped out unseen and came to his door. Tapping she waited for the command to enter. When it came she opened the door and stepped in. Jareth was seated at the desk reading and a footman was waiting near by. The footmen bowed to Sarah and lowered his gaze.

Jareth turned and thanked the footmen and dismissed him. Then he motioned Sarah to be seated. "We've spies in our midst." He tossed the paper to his desk. "The Lady Adele has asked her maid to find out about you."

"Toby and Claire," Sarah rose to her feet. "Will they be safe?"

"This is not the first time you've put their safety above your own," Jareth mentioned softly. "The smalls are my children. Who would use them as a target?" Jareth frowned.

"Adele and Garthon. They don't like mortals, no matter whom they belong to. But if those two had any idea of the connection between me and the smalls…"

The Goblin King muttered something beneath his breath that she didn't understand. He sighed, "You're right."

"It's what keeps the smalls safe that matters," she reminded him.

Clasping her hands in his, and looked straight into her eyes. "To whom do you give your loyalty?"

"To my King," she vowed firmly. "And his Heir."