Chapter 21

(Seeing with new eyes)

Arium was more than a little surprised by the princess's request. While part of him wanted to tell her they could discuss any questions she had tomorrow, many years as a teacher told him to listen. "As you wish." He replied.

"Do you play chess?" Ari inquired. The pale blonde haired man raised an eyebrow clearly caught off guard by the girl's question. "It might be easier to talk over chess. She suggested.

"I do." He replied. "Come." Ari followed him to another window on the far right side of the library. There they both took a seat on opposite sides of the chess board.

Since Arium was sitting on the white side of the marble chess board he made the first move; moving a pawn in the center one space. The teacher remained silent waiting for his new student to begin.

Ari moved her pawn while trying to silently figure out how to begin and what exactly she wanted to say.

A few more moves were made and the teacher couldn't stop a smile from crossing his face as the teenage girl captured one of his pieces. "You're very good. I don't think I've ever had such a wonderful female opponent." Air looked at him and the teacher knew he'd said the wrong thing.

"Forgive me Arianna, my words were not meant as an insult." Arium assured her. "There are few women who are truly skilled at games of strategy in the underground. I would have to say you are the best."

"Thank you." Ari said accepting the compliment. "I'm sorry it's just…" The blonde girl gave a huff. "I hate it when people believe I can't do something because I'm a girl." She sighed and moving a piece captured her teacher's knight. "Look I ….I know I haven't been fair to you. I just…I hate history and…I'm not a mean person by nature. I'm really not. This is just a lot to take in."

Arium watched sadness wash over the teenage girls face; even as she captured yet another of his pieces. "You have been put through a lot it is true."

"A lot." The tomboy scoffed. "My whole life is a lie Arium." The Dark Elf Princess looked up from the chess board into the eyes of her teacher. "I spent years thinking I lived with my aunt. I didn't know she was my grandmother until last summer. I found my birth certificate and…some things in a box about the Underground."

"I imagine you must have been very angry." The Elvin man commented.

"Actually I was confused. Then I started digging around." Arium continued to listen as his student continued to both speak and beat him at chess. The master teacher wasn't a bad player by any means. He was actually very good. Ari was simply very gifted at strategy.

"I read my mothers diary. She was devastated when my father didn't come back."

"So you allowed your anger to cloud your judgement." The elvin man summarized.

"Maybe." She replied looking at the chest board and making another move; capturing her opponents bishop. "I've been told my mother wouldn't have died if I'd been born here. Is it true?"

"I regret to say that it is. The complications your mother suffered were unnecessary." Arium said with a solemn face. "Your father came back in time for your mother. She was in fact gone and he did search for her."

Ari listened to him with an open mind. Slowly she began putting the pieces together of what she knew and what she'd now been told.

"Did my grandmother know Soren was seeing my mother?"

"She found out the last time Soren met with your mother. When he came back Evelyn and your mother were gone." Arium said gently.

"My grandmother really did steal me. She stole us both." The blue eyed girl said sadly. "She let hatred cost my mother her life."

"I am sorry princess." The teacher said sympathetically.

"Check mate." Ari announced knocking her teacher's king over.

"So it is."

Ari sighed keeping her eyes on the fallen king for a moment. "I can't say I'll never do anything again to you; I'm a prankster by nature." The princess began. Looking up at him she said, "I won't put fish in your soup again though."

"That would be appreciated." Ari laughed seeing the teacher shudder. Arium smiled at the young woman before him. He knew the girl was stubborn and that coming to him had not been easy.

"While I don't wish to reap your wrath, you do need to sit down with your father."

"I know. I'm still mad at him for bringing Sarah and my friends into this though." The princess said openly honest.

"I understand but…Perhaps they are meant to be here." He replied. "Jareth does love Sarah a great deal. He had a hard time when Sarah left." Ari looked down without reply.

"Do you remember what we discussed yesterday?" The teacher inquired. Ari bit her lip and looked very guilty. "Would I be correct in assuming that would be a no?"

"Well…."

The teacher sighed. "You do need to learn to focus." Ari smiled and gave a slight guilty shrug. Arium internally sighed. 'It may be too early to hope for this.' He though to himself. "Fae are not quick to love but when they do it is very deeply."

"Why do I feel like you're telling me something and I'm missing it?" The teenage girl questioned.

"When an immortal falls in love they will do anything to obtain the one they love."

"Even accept a deal. Is that what you're telling me?"

"As hard as it will be for you to accept yes. King Riodan fell deeply in love with Lady Dahlia and did whatever it took to obtain her.

"The way you say that I have a feeling I'd get really mad if I knew what led to her becoming his wife."

"Indeed princess." He agreed. "However I tell you this so that you will also be cautious around Fae you meet here. There are fae that will use whatever means to obtain a simple desire of lust. King Jareth would only go so far but he only has eyes for Lady Sarah now."

"So I might have to knock a few Fae's heads?" She questioned.

"Keep certain things about yourself hidden at first. Your sense of strategy for example."

Ari nodded. "Alright. Thanks Master Arium." The elf nodded and watched as the princess rose to her feet and left the library.

It was late as Sarah roamed the castle halls. Jareth weighed heavily on her mind. She felt torn on the subject of the Goblin King. Sure he had conspired with Soren to have her kidnapped but…she'd never forgotten him.

The ball she'd attended was still fresh in her mind. Jareth had looked so handsome in midnight blue. She'd never truly let herself think about the dance but, here and now, she had to admit his arms had felt right. If the other occupants hadn't scared her she might never have left the ballroom.

The dark haired girl walked outside and leaned on the balcony. "Why do things have to be so complicated?" She said with a sigh.

"I wish I knew."

Surprised Sarah looked back to see prince Amador sitting at a small table in the back corner of the terrace. "Your Highness." She said quickly.

"Nevrmind that." He said waiving his hand at her as she went to curtsey. "Unable to sleep as well, I see." The High prince gestured to the empty chair across from him. "You're welcome to join me Lady Sarah."

Sarah thought to decline at first yet she couldn't help but notice Jareth's brother looked and sounded a bit on the depressed side. Curious as to what could be bothering him she walked over and sat down.

"I know why I can't sleep, why can't you?" The green eyed girl dared to inquire.

"I tried to play a prank on Ari but it didn't end well." Amador replied.

"You played a prank on her?" Sarah said openly amused. "How did it not end well? I can't see Ari getting mad at a joke."

"It was supposed to be played on Ari." The prince admitted.

"Supposed…" Sarah gasped as realization dawned on her. "You're the reason Princess Nala ended up wet!" The dark haired girl couldn't help but start snickering before finally openly laughing about the incident. "Does she…."

"No and I don't really want Nala to find out." Amador said and crossed his arms in a pout.

Sarah giggled at the prince and then quickly stifled her giggles. "I won't tell, but it is amusing."

The dark haired prince just looked at her. "Oh come on Amador. She was practically throwing herself at you. The fact you drenched her is priceless!"

Amador thought about it and deciding that little fact made it more amusing he smirked. "I suppose you have a point. Although my father might not think so if he found out."

"He won't find out from me." Sarah assured him. "More than likely everyone is blaming the goblins…or Ari." The prince gave an exasperated sounding sigh. "You like her don't you? You like Ari."

"She's not like other women here. I've never met anyone like her before. She…entrances me. I suppose this is how Jareth feels where you're concerned."

"Jareth has talked to you about me?" The dark girl questioned.

"My brother isn't one to talk about or admit a lot of things. Although we do both admit things to each other we never would to anyone else." The High Prince told her. "Jareth and I are close in a lot of ways; though I admit I avoid his kingdom."

"The goblins?"

"Yes. I'm afraid I've never had an appreciation for the mischievious little creatures." Amador admitted. "I have to say watching you and your friends with them I am gaining a new perspective. They can be quite helpful."

"Especially if you need out of an exam." Sarah remarked. "Or a fire."

"Yes, Torch. My brother was quite furious when he burned down the brewery." A smile graced the handsome fae's face.

"He burned down our school cafeteria as well." Sarah informed him. She laughed as the prince openly chuckled at the news.

For a few moments the two sat in silence.

"Are you going to give my brother a chance?" The High Prince questioned breaking it. There was almost pleading in his eyes as he looked at her. "You won't regret it Sarah. He loves you and will be good to you."

"I'll think about it." She replied. "What are you going to do about Ari?"

"I don't know. Your friends suggested a prank but…I don't think I'm very skilled at that." The prince confessed. "There must be some other way I can gain her favor."

"Arium is going to be starting to discuss tournaments with us. Ari has an interest in it. Maybe Arium could take her to see some of the weapons used in tournament and you could just happen to be there." Sarah suggested. "You could offer to teach her something she shows interest in. I could suggest it to Arium."

"Thanks Sarah I'd appreciate that."

Sarah smiled and got up from her chair. For whatever reason she felt at peace. Perhaps it was because she'd silently decided to give Jareth a second chance. "Good night Amador."

"Good night Sarah." The prince watched as his brother's lady entered the castle and disappeared. She'd given him hope. Maybe he could still catch the blonde willful girl's attention after all.

Ari was up bright and early. She knew her father was scheduled to meet with King Riodan as was Jareth. The tomboy had thought about a lot of things over the last day and a half. Now it was time to make her peace.

She left her room dressed in her basketball outfit and headed for the king's private study, knowing that's where the three men would be. The teenager couldn't help but be amused as some of the castle staff quickly moved well out of her way or abruptly changed direction to avoid her. She'd stayed in her room and not wanted to see anyone.

Reaching the king's office she saw guards posted. She internally smirked as both fae had a look of dread cross their faces.

"I'm here to see them." She said. The two men looked at each other unsure. "Unless you want to end up in taffy or…" The tomboy didn't get to finish her threat as both guards opened the two doors without a word. "Thank you." she replied, a smile on her face as she walked past.

"I do not…" King Riodan was more than a little surprised to see Arianna enter his private study.

"I won't be long." Ari began. She looked at Jareth. "You fucked up majorly but I think I understand it better. If you hurt her again I'll break you in half." She warned. Calmly she turned her attention to her father. "I'm still pissed you involved Sarah, Jenna, Lola and Brandy but I'm willing to talk to you. I get that everything wasn't your fault." Barely sparing herself a breath she looked at the High King. "I don't know why you can't send my friends back but maybe I can help you figure it out. I accept you aren't simply trying to hold them hostage. Maybe all Fae aren't the devil's spawn." Turning on her heel she walked out of the room leaving three very surprised kings and one surprised prince she hadn't noticed was in the room.

The three kings stood in silence and blinked at the spot the girl had once stood.

"That sounded promising." Amador commented. The three men looked at him and then at each other.

"I'm not sure I'm pleased with her threatening us but…it does seem to be a step in the right direction."

'Not to mention I may actually have a chance in hell.' The High Prince thought to himself.

Silently Soren agreed with The Goblin King. Perhaps now his daughter would give him a chance and not derail any chance Jareth had with his Sarah.

Author's Note: The next chapter will focus on Lola, Brandy, Jenna, and their inability to leave the underground. I haven't forgotten them. I needed to walk Ari through accepting not everything was Soren's fault. That doesn't mean part of Sarah and Ari aren't upset still. They are simply allowing themselves to look past their anger. They have both been faced with things neither wanted to face. Including that subconciously Sarah did have feelings toward Jareth. Yes Ari will stop giving such a hard time to Arium. Arium is an elf and not fae. It is why she decided to go and talk to him.