Chapter 21
I don't know why I bother announcing the anticipated number of chapters because it is rarely right - every time I go over my expectations. I know the next couple chapters are hard to predict. We are nearing the end, but
-XXX-
"-My lady?"
Sarah nearly toppled into the stream, startled by Didymus's question. She had been day dreaming, remembering the events of the afternoon before. Cheeks burning, she steadied herself on in her seat on the bridge.
"Sorry, Didymus," she said quickly, adjusting the string of her fishing pole. "I was lost in thought."
"It's the kind of day for it, Lady Sarah." His tail twitched as he applied another worm to his hook. "Spring is settling in."
"So it is," she agreed. "And just in time."
It was a nice day. The light fluttered through the bright new leaves above. Crocuses lined the bank of the stream, their pastel colors set out against the rich earth. Sarah loved spring. Everyone always went on and on about autumn and all of its colors, but Sarah looked forward to the relief of spring. She loved the rain and the breeze and the tender green grass. When the frost had cleared and the gloomy skies drifted, she immediately turned to spreading out blankets and reading in the sunshine. Daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and cherry blossoms greeted her every morning during the season - care of Karen and her passion for gardening. Sarah was fond of picking handful to place about her room.
But even the loveliest of days could not prevent her distraction. The memory of the two hours spent kissing and nuzzling and stroking captivated her. She had kissed Jareth before. But before had been nothing like yesterday. Before had been seconds or maybe a minute. Yesterday had been a glorious stretch of time after which her lips had been sore. Jareth had laughed at her and kissed her again, lightly running his tongue over her lips. He must have infused magic into that kiss because the ache faded.
She had pushed him into a chair, straddling him while thinking "what am I doing?" Then, gleefully, ""what am I doing?" Jareth bit her neck gently and Sarah suddenly couldn't think anymore.
Afterwards she had blinked up at him as they nestled in the loveseat (formerly an armchair that he changed into a small sofa for them to sink into), fingers combing through his hair. Up close she could make out the varying shades - the gold, the silver, the brassy strands shot throughout. It was tame that day, the volume lessened so it did not look nearly so mane-like. She liked it. He did not look nearly so wild.
The crown sat on the desk, glinting. When it had began to topple from her head he plucked it from her head and set it aside, then scooped her up for another round of kissing.
"It suits you," Jareth had murmured, looping an arm around her as he shifted. "I cannot wait to crown you with it."
At this her cheek had grown hot, but she did not feel the sinking in her stomach as she usually did when the subject of her potential rule came up.
"When will it be?" she asked softly.
He pressed her face into her neck. His breath tickled and when he spoke she could feel the vibration of his voice. "Soon, I hope. But I can't be sure."
Sarah almost asked why he could not know. But she refrained, figuring it would just be one of those things he would be mysterious about.
Her pole jerk suddenly and Sarah was pulled back to the present and back to the task at hand. She began reeling and yelped when a fish was flung from the water, scales flashing in the afternoon light. Didymus shouted for her to catch ahold of it. From the bank, Ludo let out a low sound, as though to cheer for her. It was slippery, almost slimy, and Sarah was having difficulty maintaining a grip. The green and grey creature wriggled in her hands, mouth gaping. Steeling herself Sarah worked the hook from out.
"Shall we keep it, my lady?" Didymus asked. "Cook would make a fine dinner of it for you."
But Sarah let the fish slide from her hand back into the water with a small splash. "No, I'll leave him be. This is just for fun for me, anyways."
"Seems a waste," grunted Hoggle from when he lazed across the bridge, propped up against one of the rails. "Perfectly good fish."
"And I'm perfectly happy to let him go," she replied lightly. "That puts me in the lead, Didymus."
Didymus held the lead for some time, however, until Ludo surprised them all but scooping up eight fish with nothing but his hands towards the end of their fishing venture. Didymus put them in his basket, promising to cook everyone a delicious dinner. Sarah declined. She had not seen Jareth since last night and she was looking forward to dinner.
Meldy was waiting for her when she returned to her room, bath drawn and fresh gown waiting. Her eyes rolled at the sight of the two inches of mud covering the hem of her pants. As Sarah shucked off her boots the maid gestured to the bed. "There is a message for you from his majesty."
Indeed there was on the table a folded note with her name on the front. Sarah unfolded it as Meldy clucked over the boots and combed out her hair.
"He wants me to meet him in his apartments?" she asked aloud. "Why?"
"If the note doesn't say, I surely do not know."
Fair enough, Sarah thought. She let Meldy push her towards the bathroom and didn't think much else of it.
-XXX-
He was holding the tarnished silver mirror, a grave expression upon his face. She had not seen the mirror since Samhain, when he had used it to show her family. That gift had touched her and put her in a good mood for several weeks. Was he going to show her them again today? Why now?
"Will you sit?" he asked, motioning to the chaise beside the fire.
Sarah sank onto the grey velvet, spreading out the skirts her blue-green gown delicately. Meldy had opted for a springy color tonight, pairing the gown with aquamarine eardrops. The empire waist dress was loose and comfortable, yet displayed her bosom to its best advantage with a low-cut neckline and a panel of embroidered silk covering her chest.
"This seems a little risque," she had said, brows raised.
Meldy had smirked slightly as she finished with the buttons, moving to sweep up Sarah's hair with an enamel comb emblazoned with a dragonfly. "Sometimes one must take risks to gain rewards," said the maid primly.
"Or, as my grandmother would say, you gotta risk it to get the biscuit," Sarah replied dryly. "Though I don't know what the biscuit is in this situation."
Jareth did not seem to notice or appreciate her maid's attempts at seduction. He stood before the fire, turning the mirror in his hands slowly. It flashed as it hit the light and Sarah had to avert her eyes.
"What's with the change of venue?" she asked, fiddling with a bracelet. "Are we taking dinner in here?"
"Dinner will be a little late this evening," Jareth said simply. "Though it will be in its usual place. There is something important we need to do." With that he held out the mirror to her. Sarah accepted. When she peered inside, all she could see was her own reflection and the black spots of age on the mirror's backing.
"You father had a heart attack last night," the king said quietly. "He's in the hospital with your family. I would have called you here sooner, except I was only just informed myself. He is stable. I thought you might wish to see him."
She felt very everything in the scope of her senses narrow automatically. All she could really sense was his words. They came at her sluggishly.
"What?" she asked, hazy.
Jareth cleared his throat then he spoke again slowly. Sarah blinked up at him through eyes welling with tears. Kneeling beside her, the king coaxed her into looking into the mirror and concentrating.
"Can you see them?" he asked softly.
Sarah pushed back a few locks behind her hair that escaped from her updo. "Just Toby and Karen," she replied, voice strained. "They're...they're in a hospital waiting room."
She could see the industrial carpeting, itchy upholstery, and a few vending machines in the background. Toby looked simultaneously bored and anxious. Karen was gripping his hand, knuckles white. She just looked anxious, with heavy grey bags beneath her eyes that Sarah did not remember from before. Both were in sweatpants, the kinds of things one would throw on in a hurry in the midst of the night.
"I'm glad Marvin called us," Karen was saying. "I know I complain about your father's golfing buddies, but if they hadn't thought to call -"
She stifled back a small sob. Toby squeezed her hand even harder.
"I'll be okay, Mom," the child said. "The doctor said they'd know soon, and that they caught it just in time."
Karen did not look reassured. Sarah remembered that it was only two years ago that one of her father's best friends and an associate at his firm died of a sudden heart attack. He had only been 51. Her father hadn't openly cried, but did not go into work for a whole week. And, she recalled with a wince, it was only six years ago that her grandfather Miles had passed of an unexpected heart attack, even though he was a marathon runner in his early seventies. The expression on Karen's face told Sarah that she remember these two things all too well.
A few more moments passed before a doctor approached. The dingy white lab coat didn't inspire much confidence in Sarah, but she listened attentively as Karen rose swiftly.
"He's stable right now," the woman said. Her hair was in a messy bun, a few loose strands surrounding her face. She rocked back and forth of thick-soled sneakers. She looked tired. Then again everyone here looked tired. "And you can go in and see him for a bit. Quietly, he needs a calm environment. Tomorrow when he's had some more rest we'll run a few more tests."
"Will he need surgery?"
The doctor was very patient with Karen, speaking with a measured tone. "We won't know until we run addition EKGs tomorrow. For now, he is in the clear. He's hooked up to a heart monitor and he'll be under staff supervision for as long as he is with."
Karen inhaled deeply. Toby took her hand again as he picked her purse up off the floor. "Come on, Mom."
A nurse in teal scrubs lead them down several widing and stark-looking hallways. They turned into a room dully lit by some florescent lights set into the wall. One half of the room was curtained off to another occupant. Karen looked like she was about to collapse at the sight of Robert, pale and attached to several monitors with wires and cords. She settled for approaching tentatively to kiss his forehead.
Sarah ran the back of her hand over her cheeks, pushing aside tears. Scooting closer to the mirror her knees ran up against the toes of Jareth's boots.
Robert smiled drowsily. He wiggled a few fingers against the pale blue blanket, eyes on Toby, who stood back to allow his mother a chance to say hello.
"How are you feeling?" Karen asked lowly.
Robert tilted his head. "My chest hurts a fair bit, but I'm fine."
She could tell by the way he shifted uncomfortably that he wasn't fine. He was probably sore and scared. Sarah pulled the mirror closer, straining to hear. They were murmuring now - promising to spend more time together, sharing their combined thankfulness and hope. Toby sat on the edge of the bed, clutching his dad's hand - something that he had not done in ages, if Sarah remembered correctly. Relief was coloring Karen's cheeks again. She didn't look happy, per se, but now that she had seen Robert her shoulders sagged with the release of some of her stress.
"When can you come home?" Toby asked finally, putting his head lightly on his father's shoulder.
"The doctor said maybe tomorrow, after some tests," Robert said, ruffling Toby's blonde mop. "So we'll see. Hopefully soon, I don't want to miss your soccer game Thursday."
"Aw Dad, it's not even an important game."
"We'll both be there," Karen said firmly. "And if you father can't be will video him in."
"That's not a bad idea," Robert said, attempting to sound bright.
The family stayed huddled for a few more minutes, calm and weary. Sarah put her head against the seat cushion, breathing deeply as she watched them. Had Robert nearly died? In those moments had he thought about her? The thought that any of them might live and die without knowing her, knowing that they had lost her, brought an ache to her chest. But perhaps it was better that Robert didn't know that sorrow.
A nurse with piles of hair on the top of her head and wrinkles framing her mouth like parentheses from too many smiles came to them, quietly explaining that Robert needed rest. They could come back in the morning. Everyone there would keep a close eye on him tonight. He would be okay.
Without protest Karen rose, crossing to kiss Robert then putting an arm around Toby's shoulders. After they left the room Sarah's view remained. She watched as the nurse took vitals, help Robert into a reclining position, then turn out the lights.
-XXX-
With a slightly hiss, Jareth retracted his power, collapsing against the back of the armchair. He had been at it for nearly an hour, patient as Sarah cried into the images projected in the mirror's glass surface. Now he appeared ashen, drained through the effort. An hour was a long time, she supposed, to hold a scrying session. Especially in another dimension or realm or whatever it was. She knew little of magic, however.
"His pain ought to be lessened," Jareth sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "While the door was open I sent him as much comfort as I could manage. And I sent your stepmother and brother a charm to give them reduced anxiety. It should help all of them sleep tonight"
Stunned, Sarah's head snapped up. No wonder he was weary! Managing two pieces of magic at once, seemingly complicated ones at that, was a lot of work!
Sarah looked up into his mismatched eyes, suddenly feeling a bit breathless. This man, this brilliant and lovely man had worn himself out for her and her family. He could have easily kept her father's illness from her. Instead he had not just told her of it, but let her see her family. It made her heart swell. He really did care for her, despite everything
The words fell out of her, sounding more intentioned and of a greater gravity than was perhaps wholly true.
"Jareth, " she said, honestly. "I love you."
His gaze dropped upon her, wide and surprised. And then, as if prompted, the Goblin King fainted.
-XXX-
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