Here is chapter 25!

Thank you all for the reviews and follows!

"You are not going!" Jareth roared as he watched Sarah throw some undergarments into the trunk after dismissing the maid at the first sign of disagreement. It was an unspoken rule that they never fought in front of the help or outside of their room.

"You promised me that after I gave birth, I could go and recover at Dunluce!" Sarah argued back as she whipped clothing from her drawers with a vengeance, slamming them shut in the process.

"Yes, when I had time, and I don't have time to go right now!" Jareth countered back, grabbing her armful of clothing she had in her arms.

"I don't need you to accompany me; I'll have the nannies, my maid and the household at my disposable." Sarah wrestled her clothing back from him. "I am a grown woman for fucks sakes! I am a mother, I can stay by myself for a few weeks! "

"And I object to you going alone. I refuse to allow you to go alone, dammit!" He stood in front of her blocking her way to the door.

"I am not asking your permission Jareth!" Sarah screeched at him, pushing past him. "I will be going; you're welcome to come visit us, but I am going. I want the peace and quiet and not have courtiers coming over for tea every afternoon trying to catch a glance of Odin and Niko like they are some circus exhibit!"

"They are my heirs Sarah! People are curious about them!" Jareth bellowed back at her.

"They are my children! They weren't this curious with Thea; so I won't allow it anymore. They are babies, not animals to be passed around!" Sarah countered back. "I'm leaving in the morning with or without you." She pushed past him heading towards the doorway.

"I will not allow it!" Jareth roared once more grabbing her arm. Forcing her back into the wall, but she no longer cowers to him; she hasn't been afraid of him for years. "Do you know how it looks when a Queen just takes off without her King!"

"Oh for heaven's sake! I want a holiday; I just had twins! I want some time to relax, it's not like I'm going off and screwing around on you!" Sarah spat out with a bitter laugh. "Even If I was or even able to right now! I would find a place that wasn't the family retreat; I would have more class than that!" She went off on a tangent. "So hear this I am not asking you to go; I am going, " Sarah glared at him. "So I suggest you let me go," She seethed, her voice low with anger as she pushed against his chest with her one arm.

His anger bubbled up at the shove. His grip tightened around her arm; she squeaked, but still glared at him. It was the truth, she was still healing from the birth of the twins. He scowled and lets go of her arm just as roughly as he grabbed her, his eyes piercing into hers as they stared at each other.

"Thank you." She rolled her eyes, "Now, excuse me, your spawns are expecting their next meal," her voice dripping with sarcasm. She felt more comfortable this time around, maybe she was more bonded with boys than Thea. Alternatively, it could just be the experience of doing this for the second time. She did though hire to a wet nurse this time around to help with the feedings alternating her own milk with the nurses to ensure their boys got enough each meal. "Well, don't let me interrupt their feedings." Jareth retorted with equal amounts of sarcasm and opened the door for her.

She rolled her eyes openly at him as he watched her pass him.

He stood outside as they ere settling into the carriage the next morning; the twin swaddled up in blankets placed in a large wicker basket that would hold them during the journey.

"No! No go!" Thea stamped her foot in her tiny white dress and red travelling cloak tied around her shoulders.

"Thea you are coming with me, there is no discussion about it!" Sarah sternly told her daughter. "Say goodbye to Papa, you will see him within a week when he comes to visit."

"No! Papa!" Thea cried, clinging to Jareth's legs.

Sarah rubbed her temple as Jareth bent down at the knees. "I will see within a week Thea; you go with Mama and have fun in the ocean." He wiped away the tears from her face and Sarah impatiently stood there tapping her foot.

"No, I stay." She told him stubbornly shaking her head at him.

"But there are lots of bunnies and animals there to play and chase around." Jareth tried to reason with her.

"Bunnies?" her interest peaked with a cock of her head.

"Yes, bunnies, " he grinned at her short attention span. "Yes, lots of bunnies, but you can only go see them if you go with Mama. "

He watched her; she was so stubborn just like Sarah, something that Sarah refused to admit, while she often complained that Amalthea was nothing like her. They shared the same stubbornness that knew he for sure; he saw it every day when Thea threw a tantrum.

"Okay, but papa visit?" Thea told him solemnly with large doe eyes.

"Yes, Papa will visit." Jareth gave her a quick kiss on her top of her head and passed her up into the carriage before turning to Sarah, who still treated him icily from their row.

"Don't stop unless needed. Other than at the designated rest stop, send a message when you arrive." Jareth told her stoically.

"I know-" Sarah voice cold with him as she fixed her pelisse. "Seriously Jareth, we'll be fine; we best get on the road."

"Very well, I will say farewell to the boys." Jareth stepped towards the basket being held by the Nanny. "Be good for your Mother. " He whispered and kissed each one's forehead. He moved back to Sarah moving in to kiss her goodbye; she turned her head at the last second, and he caught her cheek. He sighed and stepped back. "Safe journey, I will join you within the week."

He watched them leave, and once they reached the end of the courtyard, he turned on his heel and stalked back to his study. He looked over to the table, she took over years ago, her paints and inks all packed away and taken with her. On his desk were frame sketches that Sarah is drawn on the Thea over the past two years. Her skill for realism and likeness acute in the drawings that often made people think they had a master draw them. She even managed to draw the twins during a nap one day, which sat proudly in the middle of the desk now. He already missed them knowing he wouldn't see them for a few days. He is there trying to work as her words still running through his head.

"I want some time to relax, it's not like I'm going off and screwing around on you!" Sarah spat out with a bitter laugh. "Even If I was or even able to right now! I would find a place that wasn't a family retreat I would have more class than that! "

He never truthfully thought she would in fact entertain the idea of an affair. He rested his head in his hands. He thought once the twins came, and she returned back to normal her moods levelling out, and things would be easier for them. In the end, it seemed that pregnancy kept them from having massive quarrels at each other. It was much easier to keep his cool knowing she was carrying his child than when she wasn't expecting that was for sure.

Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, and having the twins near them, so she could nurse during the night; or possibly it was the constant stream of courtiers paying respects to the little prince's had really gotten to her-to them. They had been fighting over every little thing possible for them to argue about since she began to creep around the Palace two weeks after giving birth.

The first fight had been about the new Nanny, granted Thea pushed their buttons and could throw a tantrum like no one's business; however, finding out that the nanny used corporal punishment sent him into a rage. He couldn't believe that Sarah allowed it; hell witnessed it and did nothing to stop it. She told him it was the only way Thea was going to learn or behave properly if she had the incentive to know that her errors would be punished whether it be spank on the bottom or slap across the wrist. It was nothing horrible for the child; and as much as he hated to admit. He already seen improvement in his daughter's manners from the few lessons she had been taught about her actions. He settled into his paperwork and correspondence landing on a letter from Leda's congratulating him on the birth of the twins.

Jareth Darling.

Congratulations on the arrival of your twins! I am sorry for the lateness of this letter I was out of the kingdom on a holiday in the Southern Isle, and I just arrived back at the manor. I swear this place falls apart without me. The books and appointments are a disaster!

Anyway, I heard from the grapevine that the twins favour your Queen, as the petite princess favours you with her looks and colouring. The petite princess is precious and obviously has you wrapped around her little fingers like any daughter has her father. I was worried how you would take to children truthfully, but you seemed to have adapted to the role quite well.

You always abhorred children in our younger days; sticky hands and whiny voices, you would always complain about. Nevertheless, you have adapted very well to fatherhood, and it suits you. As always, if you need anything for your wife let me know, I always heard through the grapevine that she is nursing once more, but whenever they are weaned, I can send along some tea along if the two of you decided against more children.

It was wonderful to see you at the summer fair. So don't be such a stranger my dear friend; I do miss our debates and discussions.

Leda

Jareth laid the letter aside; letting his chin fall into his hands as his elbows rested on the edge. He glanced up the clock out of curiosity about how much time had passed since Sarah. Two hours the clock told him meaning she would be would be nearing the first rest stop.

He looked back at the letter thinking back to the fair. They had run into each other accidentally as Sarah was resting in her tent. He had Amalthea with him at the time, who was fascinated at the large hat Leda had been wearing and escaped him.

"Papa! Big hat, looks Birdy in a hat!" Thea bounced excitedly, her squeaky voice high enough for Leda to turn to them and smile. Jareth inwardly groaned; one did not generally introduce their children to a mistress, whether a new or old one.

"Your Majesties, " she curtsied with a coy smile.

"Lady Lorcan, " he spoke her title. "My daughter was admiring your hat. I hope you are well today? "

"Very much so, I hope you are well yourself Your Majesty." She smiled and turned to the toddler. " Are you becoming a Fashionista Your highness. Your mother is quite a trendsetter herself. You must be following in her footsteps." She smiled down at the child who titled her head. "Birdy!"

"She is still grasping the concept of sentences. " Jareth explained. "Though she loves animals."

"Well, I best let you go." Leda smiled, "I am sure you are very busy, and I have to find my friends."

"Of course have a lovely day. " Jareth nodded and scooped up his daughter as Leda dipped at the knees before he turned away.

He pushed aside his paperwork; deciding to go to work out in the training area for a distraction to keep his mind from remembering his wife and children were not here. He finally relented and allowed her to go after she came back from the makeshift nursery across the hall. She snorted as she made her way to the wet room for a bath; that was pretty much laughing at his acceptance that she was leaving for the other Palace with the children. She didn't even look at him as she made herself ready for bed, across the room braiding her hair that was damp from her bath.

Amalthea had gone to bed hours before; being brought into the sitting room after dinner in a pink nightgown to say Goodnight to her parents who were sitting in stony ignorance of each other with Abby and Galahan whose children were also brought down to say goodnight.

He threw down his sword in anger that his concentration was wavering and useless today; nothing was going to plan for him today that was for sure. He stalked back to his room, glancing at Sarah's side of the room which was pristine as always he scowled and went to bathe.

He had a day to burn before he had council and other matters to deal with; dressing simply with no help he morphed into his owl form and took off hoping the flight would clear his mind. He arrived with a slightly clearer mind than what he left with. He was shown into her sitting room. He stood there waiting for her to arrive, he wondered if this was the right choice.

"My what a surprise, " Leda smiled, coming to kiss his cheek as she always did, "What can I be of help with today?"

"I need some distractions." Jareth replied honestly.

Leda raised an eyebrow as she swept her red skirts to the side as she sat down in a chair. "Well, that can be arranged." She looked at him; he knew she was trying to figure out why after all this time. But it wasn't her place to ask right out.

She stood back up and took hold out his hand. "Pleasure awaits. " She smiled broadly.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you all are thinking!

Back to some conflict after some fluff of last chapter. Now off to the gym!

Have a good day!

Tina.