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Nothing? Nothing? Tra la la? Sadly.

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Chapter 28

Jareth spent all morning working on the paperwork for his import business. He only had to approve some of the transactions as most of the work was handled by the humans he employed. Now that all that had been taken care of, he could focus on the phone calls he needed to place. The most important of which would be asking Sarah's father for his permission to marry her. He was glad to be able to mask the call into something very mundane as he was sharing the loft with Sarah and he did want to keep all this a surprise. If all went to plan he and Sarah would at least be married Above and that would apply I. The Underground as well, since he was going to have his own cleric preform the ceremony Above.

Speaking with Sarah's father had been as daunting as he had imagined. Of course, Robert Williams was concerned about Sarah getting married so suddenly, what father wouldn't be? But Jareth knew he could be persuasive, and there would be time to speak in person once the Williams family arrived tomorrow. Sarah wouldn't consider marrying him without her family present. Now, he just needed to get help arranging for the ceremony location.

He would need to speak to Nigel, but not while Sarah was around. Hmm. Maybe going in person would be better? No, he didn't want to leave Sarah alone and possibly vulnerable. He could just email Nigel. Yes, that would work. Nigel would get too excited and Jareth couldn't risk Nigel's giving everything away.

"What are you doing now?" Sarah was taking a small break from her latest painting, sipping on her coffee. She couldn't help look at him, still shirtless, looking all sexy on her couch.

"Me? Just pulling some things together for tomorrow. Are you finished painting?" He smiled over at her, trying to resist the urge to take her back to bed.

"Oh. Not even close to being done, but it's coming along nicely. May be the best work I've ever done." 'You are an excellent muse' she thought.

Rising from his seat, he gracefully made his way over to her. "Sarah, come join me on the couch." He took her hand, gently pulling her towards the couch. He held his hand behind his back, conjuring a small velvet covered box. As she sat down, he knelt before her, never letting go of her delicate left hand. "Sarah Williams, will you consent to becoming my wife, my queen?" He looked into her radiant face, his eyes reflecting his sincere desire and adoration.

"Oh, Jareth, yes. Yes, I'll be your wife." He took the ring from the box, and slipped it on to her left ring finger. "Oh, it's beautiful." The ring was platinum, set with a heart shaped diamond, Celtic knots on either side. It was stunning.

"Not one tenth as beautiful as you, my precious thing." He kissed her, a sweet, gentle kiss, sealing their engagement. He felt like his heart would leap out of his chest: he was so completely happy for perhaps the first time in his long life.

At the Chelsea Gallery

Nigel was going about his usual routine, reading his correspondence and checking emails. Suddenly he gasped. There was an email from Jace Cormac. As he read it, he became more excited.

"Bruce! Bruce, Jace has asked for our help. His going to marry our Sarah! It's a surprise wedding!"

"Oh my! That is so romantic. What does he want us to do?"

"He wants us to set up the location. They're getting married in Central Park! An outdoor ceremony! Hey do you think we can get a permit for the Burnett Fountain? That would be a perfect location for the ceremony!"

"I may have to call in one of my favors at the mayors office" Bruce added, "you know how happy they always are that we provide them support for their fundraising efforts."

"Do it, Bruce! Our princess is finally going to get a happy ending to her fairytale. We have to make it memorable! She deserves it!"

"Then consider it done. You take care of the catering and flowers and photographer?"

"With pleasure. Jace said it will be small: family and a few friends. His family won't be attending, he wrote something about another party for them back home."

Nigel responded to Jace's email, letting him know they were on it. The two men, energized with the desire for making a splendid wedding day for their dearest friend, set off to make everything happen.

At the Court of the High King

Riona sat in her chamber, gazing into her mirror. To the casual observer, she appeared to be admiring herself in the mirror, but she was, in fact, scrying. She felt it was her job to keep an eye on her little brother; she had been doing it since he was a baby. A wistful smile graced her full lips as she watched Jareth ask Sarah to marry him. It was about time! How long had she watched him pine for the young woman. And how long had Sarah denied her own feelings, painting him again and again just as she was doing now. Riona had to admit, she was gifted, the painting was so detailed and she captured not only his looks but his personality as well.

She watched as Jareth created an email to an Aboveground man, asking for help for a wedding ceremony. He was going to marry Sarah and not tell any of them? Well, that wouldn't do! It would be her job to make sure that the family, minus one member, was there to share in this special moment. She would go to each of her siblings and their mother and apprise them of the bonding ceremony, so that Jareth could share this moment with them. His subjects and kingdom would get their chance to celebrate later.

Elsewhere in the castle

Queen Aislinn was reading a report that she had just received from one of Lorcan's spies. Alroy had not been meeting with anyone outside the palace but had been seen in the company of several courtiers. Nothing that could be used to bring charges against him. She threw the report into the fire as she paced back and forth in front of the hearth. Now that they had people watching him, he is doing nothing. Could it be he knew they were watching him? The family would need to try to act as if nothing had changed to see if he would tip his hand. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice that Riona was standing in the room, watching her.

Riona couldn't help but notice how much Jareth's quirks were just like their mother's. She was pacing, hands clasped behind her back, just the way she had seen Jareth so often these many years. She knew her mother was worried for his safety but felt that he was safe Above. Now to share what she had discover.

"Good day, Máthair. What troubles you so?"

"Ah, Riona." Aislinn embraced her daughter. "Just thinking about, well, you know what about. What brings you to my chambers?"

"I thought you should know that Jareth plans to wed his Sarah tomorrow afternoon Aboveground time, of course."

"Oh, and not tell any of us? It would seem that being goblin king has only made him more mischievous than I had thought. We should surprise him and appear at the ceremony. Did you find out where it will be?"

"Yes. I am pleased you think as I do. I wish to do that same thing and we will inform the rest of the family and be there for Jareth and Sarah."

The two women walked, arm in arm, out the queen's chambers to spread the good news and plans to travel Above of the wedding.

At the Loft

Swirling some black into her thalo blue, Sarah stared at the palette as she blended the oil paints. Jareth had proposed and she had said yes. It hardly seemed real but then nothing that had happened over the last month seemed real anymore. Her paintbrush glided over the canvas, leaving the color behind that she was using to paint the collar on her portrait of Jareth. She leaned back a bit to critique her work. She smiled, exceedingly pleased with the results. This will undoubtably be her best work to date. She could hardly wait to see what Nigel thought of it.

She turned to glance over at Jareth. He was reading some papers, his face serious and a finger tapping his lips. The corners Sarah's full lips turned up into just a hint of a gentle smile as she sighed. The soft sound caught Jareth's attention, his sensitive Fae hearing detecting the sigh even from across the room. He looked up from his papers and winked.

"Ah, precious, what brings such a sweet sound from your luscious lips?"

"Just happy to be with you."

"All I want is for you to be happy, my love. How is the painting coming?"

"It is all finished. It will need to sit for about a week to dry. It's always that way with oils. But I think it's the best I've ever painted."

Jareth walked over, standing behind Sarah's chair, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. He leaned down, resting his cheek next to hers and whispered, "I think you are very gifted, Sarah mine. I had no idea I was this handsome!" He smirked and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Oh, sure, you not know how beautiful you are? That's almost funny." Sarah had spun around and lightly slapped his arm, giggling.

"And what do you mean by that, precious?"

"Well, I don't think your ego needs any stroking. Seems to me you know just what an effect you have on women."

"I only care to have an effect on you." He pulled her into his arms, placing kisses along her neck.

"Mmm, you're having an effect on me right now, my king."

"Let's see then how much of an effect one can have on you in bed."

She pushed herself away from his grasp and laughed. "I am starving. Can we get something to eat first?"

"Alright my pet, let's go out and have dinner and then we can come back here for dessert." The kiss they shared left no doubt as to what would be 'dessert'.

At the Palace in Avalon

King Alroy sat in his study, awaiting word of any occurrences that could be used to further his own agendas. He would not be disappointed this day. One of the very spies he had in his service came knocking on the doors to his study.

"Enter." His voice was deep and threatening.

"Majesty." The little water sprite, Nya, bowed to the king. She kept her eyes down.

"What have you to report?" Alroy sounded impatient. "Well?"

"I come from the queen's chambers, my liege. The queen and the princes and princesses are going Above tomorrow. Some sort of celebration involving the Goblin King and he Labyrinth's champion."

"Well, this could prove most advantageous for me. Dismissed."

The sprite quickly exited the room, relieved that she had not displeased her king.

King Alroy conjured a crystal, spoke a message into it and sent it out the window. Now the selkies would prove their worth, and carry out the plot that he had been waiting to see come to its fruition. At last, the Goblin King would be eliminated and he, as High King, would take over the Labyrinth, since Jareth had no heir. "I will be the sole wielder of the ultimate power in all the Underground!"

Sorry this chapter is a little short, but the next chapters will more than make up for it. Get ready for major fireworks!