Chapter 21.
"Repeat that," Sarah's jaw had to be hulled back as it had fallen. "What did you just say?"
"A rich~ Brit," Ann's eyes narrowed, "Did you tell Rex about the contest?" her tone was full of accusations.
"Are you nuts," Sarah shouted back. She slumped back into the passenger's seat with images of Rex and that painting… that blasted painting, "I'm gonna be sick," she warned.
"You're going to be sick," mocked the artist, "I'm in double shit trouble," Ann grumbled.
"Your folks," Sarah asked and her friend nodded, "But I thought they supported your artistic efforts."
Ann sighed, "So had I," she frowned deeply as her head slumped to the steering wheel, "You would think I offered up national secrets to an enemy country the way my father went on. Oh and don't be surprised if when you get home your father threatens to ship you off to a convent…"
"Your father is calling mine," the other girl asked reluctantly. "Oh shit," she closed her eyes thinking it would improve things, it didn't.
"Oh don't worry, Phinny isn't blaming you," Ann grumbled darkly, "He's saying this mess is my fault. I should have read the fine print," she said in a mocking tone.
"What fine print," Sarah sat up bolt right.
Taking a deep sigh the artist stated, "On the contest entry from there was some little blurp about them being free to sell the piece that was submitted. I get most of the money; they get a seller's fee cut."
"Dare I ask what it went for," Sarah's eyes widened.
"Let's just say I'll have no worries about buying art supplies," Ann hedged.
"A rich Brit," Sarah repeated.
"Yeah," Ann nodded, sat up and lit up one of her herbal smokes, "Want one?"
"Yeah," Sarah looked over at the school, "At least no one there knows about this…yet." Ann gave her a look that told the Sarah that she had her doubts, "Who would know?"
"The art department head, and the art instructor," Ann furnished the unwanted answer.
Sarah slumped further into the passenger's seat, "Damn," she muttered. "What are we going to do?"
Snubbing out her cigarette and picking up her books Ann huffed; "Go to class like nothing happened."
"Can my life get any worse," Sarah asked mimicking the snubbing and getting out of the car. "I mean it; can my life get any worse? Jason tries to sexually attack me, Rex plays hero and now I find out he's just as big a pervert as…"
Ann stared at her from across the top of the car, "As who?"
Remembering that Ann was not privy to her past Sarah shook her head, "Never mind." She could feel Ann's narrowing gaze and muttered, "Just when things were going so well…"
Jareth admired the masterful strokes and amazing likeness in the painting of his Sarah. He had whisked the portrait back to the Goblin Castle, and to this hidden chamber. The idea of her beautiful body on display for just anyone to see was not what the Goblin King wanted. Here in this hidden chamber she would be safe from public view, and he could admire the painting as well as the subject matter. Here it would rest along with other objects that pertained to the girl.
He looked at the room's contents; a ball gown on a mannequin looked ready to be donned once more. On a pedestal sat a domed toped display holding a crystallized peach with a bite taken out of it. Jareth had toyed with the thought of stupefying his three little traitors and keeping them in here as well. Having second thoughts he abandoned the idea. Slowly but surely the room was becoming a mini shrine to Sarah. It was not what he'd planned… not exactly. He had only wanted to preserve her gown and shoes. Finding the peach shortly after the girl escaped him was unexpected. He had taken care to preserve it, turning it back into crystal of sorts. Instead of a perfect clear sphere, it was still beautifully peach colored but was now captured in Citrine with the exception of the missing bite.
Jareth took his leave of the room, there was still much to do, and so little time in which to do it.
Sarah found she couldn't think straight during her classes. The only thing on her mind was the painting and the Brit who bought it. 'I'll kill him,' she thought to herself during science lab. The instructor's shout of 'Miss Williams', brought her back from the brink of her dark thoughts, just in time to prevent a tragedy. She looked at the chemical vial in her hand, "Sorry Mr. Kenneth, I'm not all here today." She lowered her hand carefully.
The man's face was white with fear, "Are you trying to blow us all to Kingdom Come?"
Eerily calm she looked at the man in the white lab coat, "Sir if that was what I wished it would have happened, and not you or anyone else in this realm could have prevented it." Sarah heard her words as if listening to a radio program, unable to stop them.
"I suggest you take yourself down to the dean's office," the man glowered.
"As you wish," she said, gathered her books and marched out.
Hoggle ordered all the garden gnomes in their duties; some were more willing than others. All resented the fact that a dwarf with questionable loyalties was in charge. It was known among them that Hoggle had poisoned some of the swarm fairies that dwelled at the gate of the Labyrinth's outer wall. This was an offence that they didn't take lightly. To the garden gnome a garden fairy was as useful a tool to the health of a garden as a spade or a bucket of compost. The very idea of anyone intentionally setting out to poison one was to them insane, and so in their eyes Hoggle was not to be trusted.
Jareth watched from a distance, not wanting to interrupt the work. He observed the dwarf with his parchments full of sketches and notes ordering the workforce. He knew of course that the garden gnomes were suspicious of Hoggle, but it would seem that they were able to put those distrustful apprehensions aside in favor of working to spruce up the gardens and topiaries. In the quiet he listened to the orders being given and the workers asking for clarification on one or two items, but not once did the King hear anyone refuse.
His stormy eyes gazed about the privet hedge maze; he had to admit that it was looking more like it had when he'd taken over as King. The last few Fae Kings who had sat upon the throne had been more content to play with the garden than he had. Under his reign the garden had fallen into disrepair, and now he regretted not having been more diligent. He vowed that in the future his duties would include making sure the kingdom didn't suffer because of him. It was a vow he was sure his Grand Sire would approve of. After all, the health and welfare of the Kingdom was as much his responsibility as the gathering of the unwanted was.
Soft footed he strolled into the space where Hoggle was concentrating, "Are we on schedule?"
Hoggle was not even startled, "This garden is nearly ready," he informed the King with a touch of pride, "It will be in full bloom for the ritual."
"You've served me well, Hogs nose," Jareth teased.
"I'm not doing this for you," Hoggle warned, "And if I thought I could prevent it…"
"This was foretold long before you or I ever existed, and to try to avert fate is folly." Jareth stated without emotion. "Sarah Williams is the Labyrinth's choice, and I concur."
Hoggle shook his head, "All because of carelessly spoken words."
"No Hoggle," Jareth corrected the little man, "Even before the words left her lips she was mine." He looked about that the ritual space where his life and that of the girl would be joined forever. "No one can stop what Fate and the Gods desire, not Seelie, not UnSeelie… not even Sarah herself can put a halt to this… it is as it was meant to be."
"Fate and the Gods be damned," muttered the weathered little gatekeeper. "You too Jareth, you should be damned for this."
"I am," Jareth assured him with a wicked smile, "But so is your precious girl." Before more words of protest were uttered he added, "Think of the alternatives, would you prefer to be under the rule of my Uncle Oberon? Of perhaps the rule of my cousin Maliki?"
Shuddering at the very thought Hoggle shook his head, "You're bad enough, and I'll stick to the evil I know."
"It is the will of Au Dagda that I join with Sarah; that we bring the Goblin Kingdom back…" Jareth stated as if he had no part in the decision.
"It may be the old one's will, but I can smell your hand in this too Goblin King," Hoggle growled. "Were it not for the Kingdom's good…" he let the threat go unsaid.
"The hour of Beltane will dawn, and Sarah will come to the garden," Jareth mused. "This time she will not escape me."
"Poor Sarah," lamented the dwarf as he went back to his duties.
Sarah looked at Ann as the other pulled up to the curb, "Is that your father's car?"
"Shit," spat out the artist, "He came in person… I didn't think he'd do that."
"I guess I had better go in and face the music," Sarah moaned.
Ann turned off the engine to the little compact she drove, "Hang on Sarah," she said with determination. "We're in this together," she unbuckled the seat belt. "I'll face the music with you."
"You don't have to," Sarah assured her.
"Yes I do," Ann said but there was no hint of remorse. She stood like a Amazon ready to go into battle, and there was even a hint of a smile on her lips. "Let's go toots, I'm ready for them."
"You got something up your sleeve I should know about?"
"Just let me do the talking when we get in there," Ann warned. "I've been thinking about this all day, and I'm ready for them."
"Them," Sarah repeated, "They are our parents, remember, they are not the enemy."
"They are our opponents," Ann stated, "But I've got more ammo in the way of information than they have so trust me Toots, neither of us is going off to a convent school." Linking arms with her model the pair advanced on the stairs of the front porch. "Follow my lead."
Ann entered the house and advanced into the parlor where Phinny sat across from Robert and Karen, making apologies for his daughter's lack of… "Phinny what are you doing," she demanded.
The man turned to look at his daughter, "I beg your pardon," he mouthed.
Ann and Sarah entered the room, taking control, "Don't you dare make excuses for me," she barked at her father, "I will not allow it," she saw him stare at her in shock before she looked at Sarah's father who was just as shocked. "Mr. Williams," she addressed him as an equal, "I came here to explain the situation, and I fear my explanation may not jell with all the information that Phinny has given you. But then my dear father is not aware of every aspect of this tale, so I'm asking you as a legal expert to hear me out."
The expression on Robert's face shifted from shock to amusement, "What have you to say Ann?"
"As you may be aware I've been studying art for quite some time, I've taken private as well as public lesions. I'm considered something of a protégée in some circles." She stated as if she were giving an accounting of her achievements. "I've won awards and have even been offered several very nice scholarships. This contest that I just won is not my first," she assured the lawyer she now stood before. "I needed something that would stand the snob judges on their ears so to speak." She pointed now to Sarah, "Sarah is perhaps only the second most stunning person I've ever seen. She agreed to pose as the embodiment of a muse, a river goddess, in all the glory which her body encompasses." There was no remorse, no contriteness, and no apology. "We worked on the canvas during our winter break. And I'm pleased to say our efforts were rewarded, the painting took first place."
"Where is the painting now?" Robert asked still amused by the girl's moxie.
"In the possession of a very wealthy collector," Ann stated almost pridefully with her head held high.
"I see," Robert stood up, his hands clasped behind his back as he observed both young women, "And that does not disturb you?"
"Why should it," she challenged.
"A painting of my daughter, nude, in the hands of a stranger…" Robert argued the obvious objection.
"Excuse me Mr. Williams," Ann interrupted abruptly, "What is it you object to, Sarah being nude or the painting having been sold?"
"What," he asked.
"I mean surely you don't object to nude art," Ann kept her tone respectful. "So I can only deduce that it's the fact that the painting has sold."
A smile played at the corner of Robert's mouth, "I object to the painting having been made without my permission."
"I had Sarah's permission," Ann said flatly, "Surely you believe she's capable of making dictions with her own body… it's not like I sold her on the open market… like chattel."
Karen put her hand up; covering the smirk she couldn't hide.
Robert frowned, "Ann this is not about Sarah's ability to make choices about what her body should or should not do."
"Isn't it," Ann challenged. "Sarah and I did nothing wrong," she continued. "She posed, I painted, and our painting took first place."
"Ann," Robert answered in exasperation, "Did you consider Sarah's reputation?"
"Her status as an Ice Princess is intact," Ann quipped.
Karen's chuckle frustrated Robert, he shot a look at her and she collapsed into peals of laughter, leaving Robert feeling like a bit of a fool. "Ann some stranger has the painting…."
"He paid a very good price," Ann boasted. "The judges of the contest made sure of that, and he has no information as to whom the model is."
Robert took his seat again, "I give up," he muttered staring at the pair.
"I thought you might after hearing the whole story," Ann stated before she looked at her father, "Phinny here means well, but he only had part of the story."
"Just how good was that price," Robert asked quietly.
Ann giggled, "It was so good, I may never have to look for funding again."
Sarah looked at her father, "Are you okay with this daddy?"
Robert frowned, "I don't like the idea, but yes, I'll live."
A tapping at the door sent Karen toward the sound while the others in the room worked at covering the chinks in their collective armors. Karen cleared her throat, "Robert Rex is here," she warned.
Dealing with the Brit who'd announced his intentions of marrying his daughter was not on the agenda for Robert. He closed his eyes and missed the exchanged glances between artist and model. Sarah turned to look at the man who had a file of papers in his hand; there was ice in her gaze.
Rex blinked innocently before addressing the master of the house, "Robert, I do apologize for interrupting whatever it is I'm interrupting," he held out the file, "I'm not sure what to make of this…" He stared at Sarah, his face a mask of confusion. "What is this desist order?"
Robert stood, opened the file and began to grind his teeth, "It would seem someone objects to the use of the old mill… Let me get on this," he was reading the first page with a serious expression.
"I'd appreciate it," Rex answered. He looked at Sarah again, and found both girls staring at him, "Ladies," he said to them as he turned to exit.
"Wait," Sarah placed a hand on his sleeve, "I've something I need to discuss with you…" she looked at the audience, "In private," she led him toward the hall and out to the porch. Once they were outside she began to accuse him, "How dare you?" she demanded hotly. "Did you think I wouldn't realize it was you?"
"I beg your pardon," he said smoothly, "What is it you think I've done?"
"Oh Come on," she barked, "I knew you were in the city, you're going to stand there and deny it?"
"I was in the city," he admitted, "I have business there." He reminded her.
"And you went on a buying spree," her hands went to her hips as she took her stand.
"I bought your bracelet, yes." He admitted.
"Just the bracelet," she challenged.
"No," he said coyly reaching out to the arm the bracelet graced, "I also bought that charm." He eyed with admiration the dangling bits of sliver.
"And that's all you bought," her eyes narrowed.
"I bought dinner," he answered coyly, "Several times while I was in town."
Sarah's mouth went suddenly dry, "You didn't make any major purchases," her voice squeaked.
"None that should draw this kind of attention," Rex responded.
"Oh dear, if you didn't buy it…" Sarah muttered, before her eyes popped wide.
"Darling girl," Rex sounded a bit too solicitous. "I have no idea what 'IT' is."
One hand went into her hair, "Oh no," she moaned, "Dear God no…"
"Sarah what did you think I'd bought," he asked sounding more curious.
Abruptly she snapped at him, "Never mind."
Ann was waiting in the front hall expecting a full report, seeing the expression that Sarah wore she got worried, "Well?"
"Wrong Brit," Sarah answered.
"Wrong Brit," Ann repeated in a strangled whisper, "Then who?"
Sarah didn't answer.