AN: Description of intimacy that actually lives up to an M rating ahead. This is due to the wonderful encouragement I have found at the LFFL; they make me more brave in actually describing physical intimacy, which I have kind of just touched on previously in this story. I hope what I have done with this chapter is in character and still true to the story. Thanks again goes to Greenchimes and FrancesOsgood for looking this sucker over.
Chapter 35: Release
Toby gently brushed his fingers through the soft fur of the tiny body that was curled up against his head as he rested on a pillow. The chirps and nudges of the fuzzy creature Brenni had named Hummer had slowly awoken Toby. The furzaes might have been intended for Brendon, but the little creature and Toby had bonded. While his fingers stroked the fur, Toby's mind wandered to the games he and Brendon had played the day before with the other uncle. Corbin was fun. Toby was pretty sure that Corbin was the one in charge in this castle, with all the bowing people did towards him. But the man didn't seem like a king, or at least he didn't act like he was better than anyone else. Corbin's smile was infectious, even if sometimes his worried glances were also transferred whenever his dark skinned friend, Holt, would come with more news about Sarah and Jareth. Corbin promised he would do everything he could to reunite them.
Corbin was also very particular of what Toby ate. There were things he wouldn't let Toby eat that Brendon was given. When asked why, Toby learned that certain foods have magic, and that people without magic could be hurt by them. When the boy asked if he would ever have magic, Corbin didn't say no, he just said, "Maybe someday."
Yanic had returned to assist in watching the boys, although now with the children being free to go where they wanted, it was a bit more challenging for the aged man to keep up with them. They had such energy. Yanic also helped Corbin to communicate better with the boys in the moments Holt had to be elsewhere. Corbin himself should have been elsewhere in his kingly duties, but he couldn't bring himself to care about holding court or signing treaties. He had six years of being an uncle to catch up on.
"Uncle Corbin, do you have Christmas here?" Brendon asked over breakfast. "I think we missed Christmas."
Toby nodded and showed Brendon his digital watch, the same type as his sister's. "We did. See, it was two days ago."
Both Corbin and the old slave looked to each other as both were at a loss of the meaning of the word.
"Christmas?" Corbin asked.
"Well, baby Jesus was born and wisemen gave him gifts. And Santa Claus doesn't want kids to be sad, so he gives them presents. Unless the kids are bad; then they get coal." Brendon answered.
Seeing the men were still not getting it, Toby added, "It's a holiday. A festival we have at home. We see our grandparents and cousins that we only see at Christmas. We eat lots of food, we put up decorations and lights on the roof, put up a Christmas tree with an angel on top, sing songs, and we exchange gifts. Only little kids think it's Santa Claus that gives gifts. It's really their parents."
"Hey!" Brendon shouted.
"What? You said you didn't think he was real." Toby reminded him.
"Well, maybe he could be. Magic is real." Brendon answered softly.
"So, Christmas." Corbin said, getting them back on track, "Many gifts?"
Toby nodded, then amended, "Well, your parents give you more gifts than other family, and only really close friends give you a gift. Sarah always says it's better to give gifts than to get them. I don't think she's right. I love presents. And then there's parties and lots of food."
Yanic smiled at the boy's mention of food for a second time, "Master Toby, are you hungry?"
The boy looked sheepish. "I'm always hungry. My dad says I'll eat him out of house and home."
"What is Christmas food?" Corbin inquired.
"Sugar cookies, chocolates, fruitcake...wait, I don't like fruitcake." Toby started.
"Candycanes, sugar cranberries," Brenni jumped in, "Pumpkin pie-no, that's Thanksgiving.'
"It's both." Toby added.
Getting the idea that the boys could go on listing items forever, Corbin clapped his hands and said. "Ok. Let's Christmas."
"Really!" "Hurray!" the boys said simultaneously.
After a moment, Brendon stopped smiling, "But, Uncle Corbin, we have nothing to give you."
Corbin crouched down to be eye level with Brendon, "Hold out arms." Brendon did so, holding them straight out infront of him. Corbin used his hands to spread out the child's arms, then said, "Walk." Brendon did so and giggled when Corbin wrapped his arms around him. Corbin rested his head in the crook of Brendon's neck, feeling the boy's arms hug him back. "You are my gift."
A knock on the door to their room startled Jareth awake, but Sarah never heard it. Even when he removed himself from her arms, she did not stir. He smiled to himself at thinking how she had exhausted herself to make her so dead to the world. A knock came again and Jareth moved to the door after pulling on his pants and making sure Sarah was covered by a blanket. He opened the door to find Micah grinning.
"So, you are still in there." Micah teased. "I wasn't sure. Your room was oddly quiet. New spell?"
"Shut up." Jareth frowned, not amused. "What do you want?"
"Come on. We have a plan for your departure."
Jareth sighed, "Give me two minutes."
Micah nodded before stepping down the hall. Jareth did his best to be quiet while he fully dressed. It took everything in him not to kiss the corners of his wife's mouth as they curled into a smile in her sleep. When Jareth entered the hallway, he could see the faint glow of morning out the window at the end of the hall; it was still yet early.
His brother's men wanted to share their plans of how to escape to Fen Lear. Strong as they might be in brawn, Orin's two goons Gannon and Vieata had been no match against the magical talents of the Denobragian soldiers. While they worked together to clear the boulders, the soldiers loosened their tongues. They were able to glean how many magical troops were in Orin's army, which was over a quarter of the settlements population; how many strongholds they held, which luckily was only the settlement; and what Orin's next plan of attack would be, which led them to learn what Orin was actually doing.
"There is no monster. The monster is him. He needs blood for his own magic to work. That's why random humans and goblins have gone missing." Micah said with disgust. "I wonder how the bastard learned to do that?"
"Blood lust is strong. Some men can't stop killing. It's a sick thrill." Ragin stated.
"It's his way of getting visions of the future. To see what path will lead to his will," Arch added.
"As for getting you and the queen to safety, it might be easiest tonight. Any later and we chance Orin's return." Sul stated.
Micah looked to his comrades knowingly before telling Jareth the plan, "We have to separate. Sul, Ragin, and I will take Sarah by…"
"No. Absolutely not. I will not leave her." Jareth countered. "I made a promise to her father, only death will separate us."
"Your son can either live with one parent or live with none. Should something go wrong, which do you prefer?" Arch challenged.
Jareth said nothing more as the men stated their plan. It was logical. Sarah would be taken by sathes the men had hidden in the forests for the half a days journey to Fen Lear. Ragin and Sul would be her protectors as they were fully Fae and were best able, and Micah her interpreter. Jareth would go upstream with Arch to then meet more soldiers from Fen Lear who would take him the rest of the way by steed. Jareth and Sarah would not need to do anything but run when the time was right. The plan, for the most part, was sound.
Jareth returned to Sarah and fit his body under the blanket to lay on his side behind her. He pulled her to him and brushed his lips against her bare shoulder as he waited for her to wake, wishing that everything would go well for them in their escape.
Sarah had felt his arms wrap around her and she leaned her head sleepily back towards him, lifting her hand to pull his head closer to hers. Jareth gladly met his lips to hers and he gently caressed a breast as she was still unclothed from their night's escapade.
"What time is it?" Sarah asked between kisses.
"The sun has just risen."
Sarah groaned into his mouth in disappointment. She never wanted that night to end. She started to grind her hips against him and eased her hand behind to where Jareth's pelvis lay against her. She groaned in frustration at feeling her fingers obstructed by his pants.
"Off," She moaned against his lips.
He chuckled and detached himself briefly to remove his clothes, throwing the blanket to the ground as he went.
During the night, Jareth had made his little balls of light scatter over the ceiling as their own personal stars, so as he undressed, Sarah craned her neck to watch the shadows play against the taut muscles of his chest and torso as he pulled up his shirt. Last night's magical exploration of their bodies had been exquisite. She glanced below to find that he was as eager as she to have another go. She was also relieved that he used their magic to soundproof the room; she didn't want a repeat of the previous morning with Micah's teasing. Knowing no one would hear let her release any inhibitions.
Jareth moved back to the bed to spoon against her. Feeling his cock rubbing her backside, Sarah raised her leg over his hip and reached down to grab him, stroking him a few times before easing him inside. At first he didn't move, letting her set the pace. He merely placed his fingers against the nub at the top of her folds, rubbing lightly. He had discovered her response to this action the night before as it had caused delightful mewls of pleasure to escape her lips. She swivelled her hips to move him within her but in her still sleepy state, she was a bit too languid in her movements for his appetite. She loved the way his breath played against her skin along the side of her neck as he took over.
Jareth moved his arm behind Sarah's head, around her neck and down her torso, spreading his fingers to knead her breast, pulling her further into him as he began his own steady, faster rhythm. All the while he kissed along her jawline below her ear. The fingers of his other hand twiddled even faster against her sex as he started driving harder within her.
She worked her hips in time with his hand, her body not sure with which of his rhythms to sync. Sarah couldn't help a prolonged guttural moan from escaping her lips as she came undone. She wanted to grasp him, to hold on through his motions, but being in front of him made it challenging. All she could do was place one hand over his that grasped her breast, and with the other hand she pulled his mouth back to hers as he continued to piston within her.
Jareth suddenly let go of her lips to hook his arm under her knee, pulling it nearly to his shoulder while angling himself to better drive hard into her with an animalistic need. She gasped with each thrust, gratified with how much deeper this angle felt than anything they had yet tried. A second orgasm struck her as he hit the right spot repeatedly. Through his ferocity, it didn't take him long after to find his own release. He went back to kissing her neck and shoulder as they caught their breath.
"Did I hurt you?" He whispered after hearing a sigh escape her.
Sarah turned over to face him, placing her hand on his hip and squeezing slightly, a happy gleam in her eyes. "No. We definitely need to do that again."
Jareth's smile was brilliant.
"That time felt normal." When his brow started to furrow, Sarah elaborated, "It was incredible but I didn't notice anything magical. No shared feelings or memories."
Jareth's smile turned sad, "That only happens once in a lifetime between lovers. Usually it's the first time, but I believe it happened last night because your magic was finally awakened. I am quite pleased it happened at all. I wasn't sure that it could."
Sarah nodded and raised her fingers to brush stray hairs off his forehead, fingertips brushing over his brows and features as she spoke, as if memorizing them, "I don't want to forget what we shared last night. You are four thousand years old. I am a 23 year old human. A blink in your eye. You are an infinite ocean I can barely comprehend. I don't want to forget, but I fear my human memories are finite and fleeting. But I felt how much you love me, lost memories and all. Prophecy or not. I am yours by your choosing and I choose you. If that moment was only once, I will do all I can to etch what you shared into my memory."
Jareth caught her fingers with his lips, suckling the tips a moment as he stared intensely into her eyes. "When we have the time, I will show you how to magically capture memories." He pulled her to him again. "But for now..."
He pushed her down into the mattress, wrapping his arms around her, holding her chest to chest as he reclaimed her lips. Her hips rose up to meet his when he pressed down onto her, but she muffled against his lips, "Yet we have time for this?"
He raised up a moment, bringing her wrist that held the digital watch, ever on her arm, to her face, a knowing glint in his eyes. She watched as the numbers blipped back two hours.
She smiled, "You can reorder time." He went to kiss her more and she said a bit snarky, "If we can turn back time, shouldn't we use that for me to learn more…"
"Not now," he snarled and made her stop talking.
Raising his torso up, he reached down to align his cock to her entrance and closed his eyes as he pushed inside. Sarah did her best to not flutter her eyes or shut them, wanting to watch the emotions over his face as the pleasure hit him. When he reopened his eyes and tilted his face down as he started thrusting, there was such a predatory look of possession in his eyes that her breath caught. How could this beautiful beast be hers? She wrapped her legs around his waist, angling her hips up to meet him. With the way the bed bounced from the intensity of his thrusts against her, Sarah prayed that the soundproofing magic didn't fail or someone might think he was trying to murder her. But to her it felt amazing.
After spilling into her again, he bent over to kiss each breast, swiping his tongue over one nipple before moving to bite gently on the other, grinning against her skin when he felt her rib cage expand with her gasps. He replaced his mouth with his hands as he started to travel down her torso, kissing along the way. When he got to her belly button, he dipped his tongue in with languid strokes, all the while massaging her breasts. This area was surprisingly sensitive, and her hips rolled with his motion as a breathy moan escaped her. His tongue then traveled along the scar where his son had been born, which he had seen through her memories. He would have to ask her about that procedure some day. That and other things, because there had been so much pain in the event and he didn't understand why. But for now, he was more interested in fulfilling a fantasy he had absorbed through her memories.
She hadn't been watching him, only closing her eyes as she felt what he was doing, that is until she felt him pulling her by the hips to the edge of the bed. He had dropped to his knees onto the floor and maneuvered his head between her thighs, placing her knees over his shoulders. At the first lick of his tongue through her folds, she shot up and leaned back on her elbows to look down on him.
Her voice shakily came out of her throat, "Jareth, you don't have to."
He looked up at her, his chin resting on her mons pubis, "Don't have to what? Please my wife, as I will to do so?" He then licked again and again, still looking her in the eyes, trying to not allow her to think. He should have known better.
She groaned at the sensation, but still rasped out between his motions, "You've never…nuh huh ...I've never…oh God...Are you sure?"
He squeezed her thighs with both hands, "Yes. So tell me what you like. I saw this is something you desire. I want to give this to you."
Her immediate thought was that he would find her gross for being unshaven or smelly from having not bathed in days. But a thrill hit her core at seeing the genuine need in his eyes to do this for her.
"I only know what I've read about." He looked at her sternly to get to the point, so she scoffed, "Use your tongue and fingers together. Vary the combination. I don't know more than that. Do as you will." She mocked back and laid back down.
He didn't do too shabby for the first go. He moved by instinct, listening to what made her breath hitch or feeling for when her hips would swivel if he touched a sensitive area. He discovered he didn't need to use fingers at all. Lapping at her sensitive pearl and occasionally suckling on it like a babe would a teat was all that was needed for the mewling cries to escape her lips. Though his jaw was beginning to feel strained from the constant motion, he would not stop until either she found release or told him to. He gratefully brought her to completion in about six minutes.
Finding her breath after having her third orgasm of the morning, Sarah smiled as he pulled her fully upon the bed and rested his head over her heart. If Jareth were a cat, she was sure he would be purring; he seemed very pleased with himself as he snuggled her.
After a while, Sarah stretched her body, her muscles feeling rejuvenated by their lovemaking. But she also felt a bit gross for the same reason. "Jareth, do they have showers here? I've seen the outhouse, but where do people bathe?"
Jareth grinned, lazily running fingers over the necklace on her chest, "Would you like to try something with your magic?"
She sat up excitedly, "Oh yes. Teach me."
He sat up and crossed his legs, mirroring her. "Close your eyes. Picture what it is you want. Or rather, what you don't want. Send it away. Envision yourself as you want to be and it shall be."
In her mind's eye, Sarah brought forth images of the tangled hair, messed up from hours of groping and pulling. Bodies sticky with sweat and other fluids from their exertion. She pulled it off of them, leaving behind dryness and the scent of lavender.
"Well done," Jareth said, impressed she had cleaned him as well.
Sarah opened her eyes and lowered her gaze to her body, which was indeed lacking the perspirant sheen it had moments earlier. She raised her hand to her hair and all tangles were gone.
She looked at him in awe, "Is it really that easy?"
He nodded. "Of course, some things require incantations and can exhaust your magic, but for something as simple as bathing, yes."
She raised her hand to the pendant she could see glowing yellow upon his chest, "This has magic. It's yellow." She grabbed her own necklace, "But this is red."
"Yes, now that your magic is awakened, you'll notice much more than you ever have." He leaned forward to kiss her lips chastely before stating, "And I will teach you all about it, once we are safely away from here."
"So, where did you go this morning?" Sarah rose to start dressing for the day. She was tempted to magic the clothes onto her body, but she wasn't ready for that yet. Jareth, on the other hand, casually grasped her elbow to siphon some magic off of her to dress himself with a mere thought. She gawked at him, then gave a small laugh. "Cheat."
"Micah came by and wanted to share the plans for our departure. They want you and me to leave separately and go different routes."
Her fingers stopped lacing her corset, "What? No, I don't want to leave you."
He pulled her to him and replaced her fingers with his own and continued to lace her up, "I know. I want to avoid it as well, but what if something happened to the both of us? Think of Brendon growing up without both parents. Better one than none."
A tear slipped down Sarah's face as she nodded at the logic, then whispered, "Okay. What is the plan?"
He started to tell her, but a few minutes in there was a knock at the door. Jareth sighed, "That would be Micah."
"How do you know?" Sarah asked, slipping on her boots.
He grabbed her wrist and tapped her watch, "We reordered time. This time, you are coming with me."
When Jareth opened the door, Micah said to his ears a second time, "So, you are still in there. I wasn't sure. Your room was oddly quiet. New spell?"
Sarah sneaked one hand around Jareth's waist and patted his chest with the other as she breathed a sigh of relief, nearly manhandling him, "Thank God it worked! I was worried we would keep everyone up." She winked at Micah, who looked pleasantly stunned. When he didn't attempt to speak right away, she prompted, "So, you wanted to talk about us leaving?"
Micah grinned at Jareth a moment before shaking his head, "Yes, um, they are waiting in my room to go over the plans. If you would come with me."
Before they reached Micah's room, Sarah asked for Phaedra to join them, feeling more comfortable having her there to tell her the things others would not. When they got to the room, there wasn't much space for seven bodies. Putting royalty first, even as they protested, Jareth and Sarah were given the bed to sit upon, while Micah sat in the lone chair with Phaedra upon his lap. The other three men took the floor.
Sarah heard for herself what Orin was actually up to and what he did to increase his powers. She now understood why Jareth had been so on edge. Orin seemed very unpredictable.
Since Jareth had already spoken to Sarah of the plans to leave, she wanted to share ideas of her own. Ideas that would make it seem plausible to an outsider that their separation was a mutual decision. She shared since Phaedra was there to be her translator, trusting she would tell the men her plan more honestly than Jareth.
"People don't like getting involved in other people's problems. If we had a fight and I ran out of the tavern, and if Jareth didn't come after me, anyone watching us would expect me to eventually come back to you and make up. Or at least come back to the place I had a bed to sleep." She paused after every sentence, waiting for Phaedra to acknowledge that she had conveyed her words before stating her next idea. "Then you could leave later or even the next day with the pretense you are going to look for me."
"Brilliant." Micah grinned in approval, "If she goes first and Orin questions you, you would honestly have no idea where she was."
When finished, Micah and Jareth explained it to the other men. Phaedra translated their response to Sarah, but even without it, Sarah knew from their nodding heads and hopeful expressions that they too approved her plan.
Sarah then turned to her friend in all seriousness. "Phaedra, this is your choice. I have no expectations of you. I know you just got free and this could be dangerous, if what they have said is true of Orin's goons if we are found out. But just know I value your help. Will you come with us?"
Phaedra didn't hesitate and nodded, "There is nothing keeping me here. It seems I don't know Orin at all. None of us do."
"She can take my place on the sathes," Micah stated. "I will go up the river with Jareth."
Looking distraught from this change, Phaedra said, "I could just ride with you."
Micah shook his head, "Sathe's are swiftest with only one rider. Getting Sarah out is our priority. If you go with her, you have to go without me. Sul and Ragin are best suited for protecting Sarah. I was merely going so she could have conversation. You could go up the river with me and Arch can take your place. That would leave Sarah with no one to talk to, but it could still be managed. They could pantomime her to boredom."
The redhead shook her head, "No, I'll stay with Sarah. She'll probably think they were telling her to do the opposite of what she should be doing and get herself killed. It's only at most a two day separation, right? We'll manage."
They went over more exact details, especially where Sarah should run once she left the tavern when the time was right. Sarah and Jareth would fight, she would run out, he would pretend to not care and not go after her. Phaedra, being her known friend, would be the one to go find her. Both women would run to the forest far past where the edge of residential housing ended. Arch and Micah would already be waiting at the edge of town to make sure no one followed them. The plan being sound, they dispersed to go about their morning duties.
Sarah felt very uneasy serving breakfast. She learned that many in the settlement relied on the tavern for every meal, so many would come and wait by the edge of the kitchen door to pick up the meals for their families in a to-go style. Only those residing in the tavern actually stayed and ate at the tables.
She couldn't stop thinking about the plan to leave that night. Now, all she could see were faces staring at her. She knew she was being paranoid, but she had reason. Vieata really was looking at her and didn't care to hide the fact when their eyes met. And there were many in the room who glowed with various colors of magical aura, making Sarah wonder how many of them were Orin's goons. But some of the children did too. She was just being paranoid.
Micah had left early to prepare for their departure and Jareth had taken up the role of waiter to the patron's. Having him near was a welcome distraction. It was hard for her not to ogle him and admire how he graciously directed the goblins to help him deliver food to the tables. It took a few minutes of mindless conversation with Phaedra and Sir Didymus, who studiously continued his kitchen duties at the behest of Mara, that Sarah felt somewhat normal. That is until the knight started sniffing her.
"My lady, thou smellest of two magics today."
Sarah smiled proudly at him and created a crystal with a flip of her wrist, "I have my magic now."
"No, my lady. There is another's magic within you."
Sarah reabsorbed the sphere, then shrugged, "I have Jareth's magic and what the Labyrinth gave me, maybe that's it."
Sir Didymus had her lean to him and patted her arm, a hopeful edge to his glance, "Lady Sarah, thou art with child."
A girlish giggle of disbelief escaped her mouth, "No."
Sarah stood up straight and looked down on him, looking through him as her brain tried to register his words. Her heart flipped and increased its beating pace. After a moment of just staring, she had to remind herself to breathe. It was absolutely crazy to think that she was pregnant so quickly. And that he could tell by smelling her, in less than a day. Sir Didymus would never lie, but how could he know?
"You're sure? You can tell after a few hours?"
"Well, yes." His expression showed he didn't understand her doubt in him, "I have a keen sense of smell. I am not wrong. Thou and his majesty had relations last eve, did you not?"
Sarah could feel the blush starting from the base of her neck and she looked away, raising her brow at the memory, "We sure did."
"Then congratulations are in order! New life!"
"No, wait!" Sarah stopped him from turning, and gently placed her finger to his nose to hush him. She crouched down to be eye to eye with him. "Now is not the time to share such things. Jareth has the right to know before anyone else. And I should be the only one who tells him, right?"
He pondered it before nodding, "Of course. It is the way it is done."
Sarah still was unsure. At home, if a woman suspected she were pregnant, it would be at least two months into the pregnancy. To know after one day was unheard of. Even then, it wasn't until the sixth month that a woman would share with others, in case any complications arose. And until she was sure, Sarah couldn't let anyone know, least of all her husband; she didn't want to get his hopes up, especially since in her first pregnancy she had almost lost Brendon for being born prematurely. She had studied a lot about miscarriages and at-risk pregnancies once Brendon had been born and they happened far more often than most people were willing to admit. She'd cried with her friend Donna who had lost pregnancies five times before she and her husband decided to stop trying. After the third, Donna had stopped telling her husband when she had gotten pregnant, not wanting to cause him more heartache. Not being able to tell him, she turned to Sarah for comfort. That had been an emotional toll on Sarah that she wouldn't want to have anyone else have to bear right now.
Sarah didn't want to think of pregnancy at all anyways. There were too many other important things going on and even if she were pregnant, she had months to prepare what she would say to Jareth before he would notice. Unless, of course, he could feel it through the magic they shared. She threw all thoughts of it out of her mind and tried to go about her day. For now, or at least for another few months and another means of validation, she would keep this to herself.
Jareth stepped into the kitchen for his next order and Sarah put her finger to her lips, eyeing Didymus to remain quiet. Before he left with the tray in his hands, Jareth smiled and gave her a quick kiss. Feeling like she was being stared at, Sarah glanced over to find Phaedra with a pointed smirk on her lips.
Try as she might, Sarah's blushing just increased. "Oh God. How much did you hear?"
"Small kitchen, so noisy, though. Hard to say. But the way you two can't keep your hands off each other this morning, one would hardly have to guess." Phaedra shrugged, not looking her in the eye as she went back to cutting vegetables. "I could, however, seek a midwife if you have questions, as I have no experience in such things myself."
"Phae, please."
The redhead dropped her knife and moved to grasp Sarah's hand, "Do you really trust that he is right? After one day? I've never heard of such a thing. When we get to Fen Lear, they will have better physicians and healers than here, I am sure. I can go with you if you don't want your husband to know."
Sarah shook her head, "It's not that, I just don't want to cause him unnecessary worry. We've both seen friends lose babies in the womb. I have his memories now. He was in such pain for his friend's loss, I can't imagine the pain he would feel if he lost one of his own."
Phaedra nodded, "No one should have to go through that. Your secret is safe with me."
Once the morning rush was over, Mara motioned for the women to follow her out into the market to gather supplies. Sarah looked cautiously to Jareth, who hugged her to him, whispering, "Go with her. We must keep up appearances, today is just another day."
Sarah reluctantly followed Mara with Phaedra in tow. Phaedra translated for Sarah when Mara started talking to them, "She has something she would like to show you."
Sarah remembered Mara mentioning wanting to share something from the previous day. They followed her down to a two-story building by the dock. It had no windows and only one door. Mara reached under her bodice and into her cleavage for the key at the end of her necklace. After unlocking the door, she motioned for the women to enter. The room was filled with drying meats, fish, and herbs hanging from the rafters, and barrels of spices and vegetables lined the walls. It looked like a typical storehouse. But that wasn't what Mara wanted to show them. She had them follow her to a door hidden behind a shelf. What was inside baffled and frightened Sarah. Along racks on the walls were guns, swords, and various other weapons, all from what looked to be her world from different points in history.
Mara, the stoic, tranquil woman, transformed for a moment in excitement that bubbled forth as she rambled words to Sarah, her eyes pouring out her heart to her. Sarah glanced to Phaedra for some sort of insight on what this woman was saying. Phaedra saw Sarah's confusion and relayed something to Mara that made the excitement lessen.
Phaedra leaned against the wall, gathering her thoughts for a moment before starting, "Orin does not know of this storehouse. Boin and Mara have been waiting for the Liberator, just like him, like all of us. They saw how those poor girls were being used by him, molded by him to be something they were not. They have gathered those who do not believe in Orin's cause any more. He tells too many lies. Too many people have gone missing." She took a deep breath, "She and Boin noticed that you speak with the tongue of those from Above. You are the proper age. Your husband is the master of the Labyrinth, where many believe the quaking originated. You are her Liberator. She and her husband are at your service."
Sarah couldn't believe it when Mara bowed to her. She looked to Phaedra for an explanation, but Phaedra grinned and also genuflected in reverence.
Sarah shook her head, "No, please don't."
Phaedra rose and took her hand, but said to Mara words Sarah didn't understand. The older woman laughed, then took Sarah's other hand and Phaedra spoke for her, "You are very humble, and very kind. Wars are terrible, but must be fought to bring about change. Rise up with us. Take your place."
Sarah backed away, "I want to help, I do. Slavery is wrong. But I must leave this place. I have to get away before Orin can use me. I have to reach my son. My brother. I didn't even know about the prophecy until three days ago. Please, Phaedra. Tell her. You know I can't stay."
Seeing the desperate fright in her friend's demeanor, Phaedra nodded and told Mara all she knew of Sarah's story. While the women conversed, Sarah wandered around the room, looking at what weaponry Mara and Boin had collected. Some were archaic, other weapons were fairly modern. Sarah shivered; she hated guns with a passion. You couldn't run from a bullet; at least with a blade you had a fighting chance.
"Sarah?" Sarah turned to find Mara addressing her. The woman spoke in English. "I'm sorry."
Sarah at first felt hurt and confused that this woman knew English, but that might have been the extent of her usage as Phaedra continued for Mara, "She says she understands the mission you are currently on to reunite with the children. They are your priority now. But she wants you to know she and Boin, all of those wishing for universal freedom, will be ready for your call."
They left the building with baskets of food and supplies so the disguise of the building's true purpose was maintained. Good thing too, for as soon as they exited, Vieata with her keen eyes was spotted at the fish market next door, again blatantly gazing at Sarah. Sarah couldn't determine the expression on her face. It wasn't haughty, as had been usual the past few days. Now it was...empathetic. The elf started walking towards them, but before she could reach them, suddenly Hoggle appeared, coming to an abrupt halt and holding his side as if out of breath.
"There ya are. Been lookin' for ya, Sarah. Boin said you was here. You helped Kath, the healer, yesterday. She thinks maybe you can help heal Darshna too."
Sarah shook her head, "I didn't do anything. I had Jareth with me. He knew what to do."
"You have your magic now," Phaedra encouraged, "Maybe you can try on your own. Besides, what else are you going to do today to keep your mind off certain worries."
Mara said something to Phaedra, "She'd like to come with us. Let's go take the supplies back to the tavern first."
Sarah shrugged, feeling she had little choice in the matter and little reason to say no. Phaedra was right. Keeping occupied would keep her mind off the uncertainties of the upcoming exodus. Jareth wasn't at the Tavern when they got back, which was to be expected. He was probably getting ready for tonight.
Sarah felt very self conscious with the entourage traveling with her to this girl's house. She wanted to reconnect with Hoggle, but the thing she wanted to talk with him about she wasn't able to since most of it would be about her current situation. In present company, she couldn't say it. Vieta had come along too, much to Sarah's confusion, and it wasn't like she could tell her no. The elf never said anything, she just followed them and observed.
Sarah was surprised to find Hoggle lived at the home of the girl that needed healing. She learned that he lived with Darshna's family for a few years. He seemed embarrassed for becoming a domestic.
Inside with the girls' parents were also two older women: Kath, who was the healer, and her identical twin, Nadira, the woman who had released the spirit of the girl who had died attempting Orin's magical task three nights ago. Sarah wondered how these humans had magic if only death, love, or birth was the means to obtain it. She supposed since magic was in them both, they were born only half human.
Phaedra mediated after talking with the women, "Ismene could not be saved, it was her funeral we were at the other day. Darshna's body seems healed, from what Kath says. They don't know why she won't wake. Kath would like you to try to wake her."
Kath gestured for Sarah to kneel beside her and to take her hand. The woman placed Sarah's hand on the forehead of the girl who looked so much like Sarah with similar dark colored hair and fair skin. Sarah gave her best freshman try as she closed her eyes and tried to feel for something.
And now that Sarah's magic was awakened, she could see the blue glow of the aura emanating from her own skin. The woman beside her had a green shimmer surrounding her, the twin standing behind emitted red. Even Phaedra had a slight blue tinge of magic.
Two women were arguing, very loudly out in the yard, so much so that Sarah couldn't concentrate on anything else. Annoyed, Sarah stood to go stop them, but something felt off. She glanced around and found herself looking down at herself. She gasped at seeing herself kneeling over the girl. It was odd, as if seeing herself for the first time. There had been no mirrors in the tavern, so she only had to go by what Phaedra had said of her attire. Sarah could hardly believe that this beautiful woman with soft features and long flowing hair was herself. Being a mom, she felt like she looked a mess since she had no time for a beauty regimen like so many of her coworkers. She didn't wear makeup or style her hair because she couldn't afford it. She didn't work out because she didn't have time. She only believed she was pretty because Jareth said she was; she never saw it in herself. She was stunning.
A scream outside brought Sarah back to her task, to see what the commotion was. What she saw baffled her. Two versions of herself were fighting against each other. One wanted to enter the house, the other kept pulling her hair and pushing her away from the doorway. Sarah stood at the doorway, watching these figures fighting. Only after the aggressor looked up at her with black eyes did Sarah realize these were not versions of herself. It was the woman, Ronna, whom Jareth killed to save his friend and had been haunting him. The other figure, after a moment of recognition, was the spirit of the girl laying on the bed inside. Ronna was trying to keep Darshna's spirit from returning to her body.
Watching Ronna brought a memory to Sarah's mind; A memory not her own. Sarah shook her head, seeing the event in her mind as the memory of what Jareth experienced struck her. A memory of the dark haired woman pulling a blade from the abdomen of an elven woman and raising it up, blood dripping down on the woman below her as she started to move her arm down to stab again. She saw a hand reach out in front of her, but it wasn't her hand, it was a masculine gloved hand. Power emitted from it that pushed Ronna's body back into the mantle of the fireplace behind her. This was Jareth's memory of his only encounter with Ronna. He cared not for his friend's attacker, focusing solely on getting Cestral to a healer. When he did come back with soldiers to take Ronna into custody, he found her body in front of the mantel, her ebony hair mixing with the pool of blood under her head. Sarah felt how he was torn between the agony of knowing he had caused her death, the despair that had he come sooner, she might have been spared, and also the rightness that justice had been served in her death.
Sarah felt someone gently grasp her hand and she looked down into the aged eyes of Nadira. She looked over her shoulder to see Nadira's body was still in the room, now leaning against the wall, resting.
"This is why I called for you." The old woman said.
"You did?"
"An Aeslin knows another Aeslin." Nadira smiled sadly and patted Sarah's hand, but kept her eyes on the fighting pair before them, "I have watched this struggle for two days. Ronna is much changed. Her heart is full of hate and bitterness. She feels betrayed by Orin, forgotten as he loved the sisters. I told him her spirit returned, but he ignored it and left. She isn't important to him any more. She wants her spirit to possess Darshna's body, to be loved by Orin again. I can not let that happen. Ronna had her time in life. Darshna still has many years ahead. I couldn't keep Ronna out without keeping Darshna away as well. I have no more strength to stop her."
Sarah tried to process beyond learning Orin loved the sisters at the same time. She knew it happened in certain cultures, but it was not her cup of tea. If she had a sister, there was no way she would share Jareth.
"How can I understand you now? We don't speak the same language. You don't know English, and I don't know…"
"Denobragi. We are in the realm of dreams and spirits, where we are all the same. Here, in the Spirit realm, our emotions, thoughts, and desires guide us. Here, language is ubiquitous."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Hold Ronna back long enough for Darshna to return to her body."
Sarah remembered back to when she had encountered Ronna's spirit attacking Jareth on the beach, and the scratches she had inflicted on him two mornings ago. On the beach, Sarah had been unable to touch her, but that was before she had magic. Now, Sarah felt anything she wanted was possible.
She walked out of the house to the women. Only Ronna noticed her. She smirked while yanking back the hair of the other girl, forcing her to face Sarah.
"Look, here comes the true Liberator. She is the real one Orin wants."
"You're lying. He wants me." Darshna protested, "I'm the Liberator."
"No. She is right. I am the Liberator. I'm sorry, but I think Orin was just using you. You were born on the day the Underground shook, but I was the reason it shook."
Darshna moved towards Sarah to attack her, which Ronna allowed as she let her go. Sure enough, Darshna was able to touch Sarah. Sarah heard the slap more than she felt it, yet it did sting. Darshna came to hit her again, but this time she was ready and was able to deflect it so it didn't hurt as much. Sarah had never in her life taken defense classes, so she wasn't too sure of what she was going to do. This girl had been given some training, evident by the way she solidly chopped her hand into the crook of Sarah's neck. The pain caused Sarah's eyes to black out a moment and ringing started in her right ear. While Sarah was still trying to recover from that move, Darshna extended her arm and pushed Sarah back with magic, knocking the wind out of her lungs. Though she was born fully human, being with Orin meant Darshna shared his magic.
Darshna looked towards Ronna a moment before bolting towards the house to get to her body, but Ronna was able to intercept her and pull her back into the yard. Nadira went to help Sarah back on her feet.
"Well, that wasn't what I expected." Sarah coughed. "How am I to fight both of them?"
"Let Darshna return to her body. I will deal with her if she attacks you again in the waking world. Ronna needs to accept her fate and move on to the land of the dead. Her spirit must be appeased."
"How can we do that?"
"Ask her what she wants." the older woman suggested.
Sarah nodded to herself, "Ok, here goes."
She formed a crystal in her hand and threw it at Ronna, causing her to freeze. Darshna ripped her body away from the other woman and ran for her life into the house, even though her eyes shot darts at Sarah as she passed. Nadira followed her into the house and a moment later reappeared in the doorway.
"Thank you child, she is stirring. We haven't much time." Then Nadira walked in front of Ronna and nodded for Sarah to release her. When freed, Nadira placed her hands upon Ronna's head.
"Dear one, why have you not let yourself rest?" The elder asked.
"I will have my revenge on the Goblin King." Ronna said, looking at Sarah straight in the eyes, ignoring the woman touching her.
Sarah approached her, "Jareth did what was right. You murdered in cold blood. He only protected a friend. He didn't mean to kill you."
"And how would you know, you weren't there. You weren't even born."
"Because I am his wife. I see it in my mind as if I was there. I feel what he felt. Did you know he mourned you?"
"I don't care if he felt pity or guilt. Until he feels the pain that I have felt, the loss that I have suffered, I will not be appeased. I will take his life and the life of his child, just as they were stolen from me."
Sarah didn't care that the older woman was between them, she grabbed a hold of Ronna and used magic to freeze her again. "If you think you can threaten my son or my husband, your everlasting death will be no accident. Where I'm from, spirits either go to heaven or to a realm so terrible, souls fester in flames for all eternity. If there is a Hell here, that's where I'll be sending you."
Sarah was satisfied by the fear that finally reached Ronna's black eyes.
Nadira's gentle hand rested on Sarah's arm, "Young one, don't be so rash. Calm yourself."
"How do you make her leave if she doesn't want to go?" Sarah asked in aggravation.
With a shake of her head, Nadira answered sadly, "She must choose for herself. We cannot make her go."
Sarah shook her head in frustration as she tried to think of something. Ronna was full of rage and it was easy for her to feed off of it. Maybe trying a more gentle approach would reach her. "You might not know it, but you did succeed in taking a life that day. The queen you attacked lost her baby. Just like your baby died and didn't have a chance to live. That's what started this all, isn't it? Why must it continue? Wasn't your goal to bring others to freedom? I want that too and will do everything I can to make sure it happens. But you have to realize it will not happen through vengeance." Sarah unfroze her rival, but stayed on guard. "Is there nothing I can say?"
"Do you truly want freedom for humans? Do you promise to make sure it happens?"
"As long as I am in the Underground, yes."
"Then I will spare your son." Ronna looked her hard in the eyes, unwilling to offer more.
Sarah closed her eyes in anger before looking at her again, "So what, Jareth killed you, by accident. Lots of accidents happen. Jareth has only done good for the people whose lives he's touched. All he's ever wanted was somewhere to belong, but he's always been pushed away. He's not fully Fae, so his own stepmother sold him as a slave. He's not fully human, so they don't accept him either. All he wants is to be appreciated. He isn't who the stories have made him to be."
"Isn't he? Does he or does he not give humans over to the royals as slaves?" Nadira interjected.
"Did he at one time, yes. Has he in the past century, no. Charlie Malone is a perfect example of where he found a human child a good home in freedom. Jareth would rather see the human be turned into a happily ignorant goblin than to hand them over to slavery."
"How can turning humans into goblins be good? They are the most vile of creatures." A physical shiver ran up the old woman's spine.
Sarah laughed, "You know nothing. Goblins are humans that the magic of the Labyrinth has transformed after 13 hours exposed to its magic. Every single goblin was once a human. Goblins do not reproduce. The Labyrinth changes them, not Jareth. It can't be prevented. He has nothing to do with it."
"Every goblin?" Nadira was stunned.
"So if you really want to have a liberation of slaves, you should start with freeing your own."
"This is the first I've ever heard that goblins are human. How can we believe anything you say?" The elder rightfully looked shocked.
"If I had time, I would gladly take you to the Labyrinth myself and let you stay half a day. Then you could see for yourself when you are changed." Sarah scoffed. "As for now, I would like to get this over with."
Ronna took a step back, "You can't stop me. I will never stop until Jareth is dead. I might only be able to steal his dreams and make him bleed, but Orin will avenge me."
"You're defending Orin when he murders people endlessly to make his magic work."
"What?" both Nadira and Ronna asked.
"Yeah. Orin's magic doesn't work unless he spills innocent blood. He has people go into the mountains with him to see some creature as a ruse. There is no creature. He needs their blood to make magic bend to his will. Humans with no magic, defenseless against him."
"No. I would know if he did such a thing." Ronna said in disbelief.
"You said it yourself, you have been haunting Jareth for centuries. What do you think Orin has been doing all this time? You saw for yourself Orin took Darshna and her sister as his lovers. Look at how she's been molded by him? Just like he's molded this settlement. It's all a ruse to help him increase his stronghold."
Sarah watched both women as they digested her words. She was ready to end this with a fight if she had to. She didn't know what limits her magic had, but if it would let her, she'd trap Ronna's spirit in a crystal and leave it with Nadira to deal with later. But it turns out, she wouldn't need to.
Ronna's black eyes disappeared as her natural shade of blue was returned to them. She turned to Sarah, "In the spirit realm, one cannot lie. Your words ring true. I have to wonder if Orin molded me as he has those girls. I was blind. I will be his pawn no more." She then turned to the elder woman and grasped her hands, "Please, send me home."
Nadira cupped Ronna's cheek and smiled sadly, "It would be my honor. I released your body to the sea six centuries ago. Your rest is well overdue."
Nadira then began to sing, her crackled voice a soothing lullaby.
"Return you home. Your days of wandering are over.
The time has come to say farewell.
Back to the lands of our ancestors you shall return.
One day we shall meet you there.
May the ferryman guide you well.
May the next face you see bring you joy.
May all the wishes you missed in this life
be granted on your return home."
As the woman's voice rang out, Ronna's eyes closed and breathed out a sigh of release as her spirit faded away. Sarah couldn't feel happy or sad about it. Ronna had caused Jareth pain, and that she could not forgive. All she could be was glad she was gone.
When Nadira turned to Sarah, she sighed, "Ronna was right. Lies cannot be told in this plane. How do you know of Orin's deeds?"
A shudder ran through Sarah's bones. If she could not lie here, could she refuse to answer, "From men I met in town. They had magic and were able to discover who was working for Orin so they could find out what Orin was really up to after the failed attack that killed Darshna's sister. What I said to Ronna is true. Orin is a murderer."
Nadira grabbed Sarah's arm and pulled her along, "Come, let us wake."
Sarah opened her eyes and her body wobbled and she fell against the bed in front of her. If she hadn't been kneeling, she would have fallen straight over. No wonder Nadira had propped her body against the wall. Returning to her body was disorienting. She found she had landed on the legs of the now awoken girl. Beside Darshna on the bed sat the girl's mother, with Vieata standing vigilantly over them. They looked startled at seeing Sarah fall over, but none moved to help her. Kath, the healer, had already placed herself beside her sister to catch her once she regained consciousness. Sarah managed to rise to her feet on her own, even if her knees were a bit stiff from being on the ground for so long.
Nadira spoke to her, but Sarah shook her head regretfully, "I can't understand you now."
Kath said something to Vieata, who stepped outside the cottage. A moment later, she had Phaedra follow her into the house and Nadira asked her question again. Mara, who had been outside with Phaedra, stayed at the threshold.
"She asked if that was your first time dream casting." Phaedra stated.
"On my own, yes. But it's my third time, maybe fourth connecting with another person." Sarah answered.
Nadira's next words were said with a decided tone, which Phaedra laughed at, "She's been looking for someone like her for centuries. She's eager to be your teacher, if you would let her."
Sarah didn't want to disappoint the woman, but unlike the dream plane, she could tell half truths here, "I would like that, very much. When I find the time, I'll come by."
"Sarah? Here."
She turned to find Hoggle holding out a glass of water for her. He then handed one to Nadira as well. Sarah found that she was quite thirsty and drank down the glass in four gulps.
"Thanks, Hoggle. How did you know?" Sarah asked.
"Nadira always needs something when she comes back." He shrugged.
"Sarah, before we go, I'd like to ask Kath something. Mind waiting?" Phaedra asked her.
Sarah nodded, "Sure, I can catch up with Hoggle."
Hoggle showed Sarah his cot in a corner of the cottage adjacent to the kitchen. A blanket slung over a rope strung between the walls was his only divide from the other occupants. He said a bit apologetically that he didn't need much, so this arrangement was fine.
He didn't look up at her at first, but then he stood and hugged her, "I know I ain't been the best of friends, but you're still the best friend I've ever had."
Sarah dropped to her knees to give him a proper hug, "I don't know when I'll see you again, but we will always be friends."
"Sarah?" Phaedra was helping the healer come closer to her through the house, "Kath would like to say goodbye to you as well."
The older woman reached out her hands to embrace Sarah, who found it rather odd, but didn't question it much. Sarah felt a slight tingle brush over her body; was the woman healing her again? When she pulled back, she smiled into Sarah's eyes and caressed her cheek very motherly, saying words Sarah didn't understand. She heard Hoggle gasp and say her name, but Phaedra shushed him and said something under her breath.
Sarah looked to her curly haired friend, "Phae, are you gonna clue me in? What'd she say?"
"She admires your heart and knows you're going to be a wonderful queen." Phaedra was beaming as she answered.
After kissing the top of Sarah's hand, Kath turned from her and asked a question of the Elf who had been speaking with the now awake girl. From what Sarah observed, Vieta and Darshna had a friendship as the elven woman seemed to reluctantly leave the girls side. Turns out, Kath and Nadira asked for Vieta to see them home. Sarah trusted that what she had said about Orin would not be shared by Nadira. It would shake the foundations of these people and she was sure Nadira wouldn't do that.
Phaedra seemed to skip along grinning ear to ear as Mara led them back to the tavern. Sarah couldn't understand what had made her so happy.
As soon as Sarah stepped foot into the tavern, her arm was grabbed and she was spun around, her back pressed into the wall. She was stunned to say the least. Jareth grasped her by her biceps and was pushing rather forcefully into the wall.
"What the hell?!" Phaedra tried to pry his arms off Sarah, but she was stopped when Micah more gently grasped her arm to pull her out the tavern door.
"Jareth, let me go." Sarah tried to break free of Jareth's hold, but he really was much stronger than her.
"Stop struggling." The fury in Jareth's eyes made Sarah hold her breath, and his words to her explained why. "Orin has returned. We must do this now."
Sarah shook her head. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't ready to leave him. "I can't…"
"And yet, that's what you must do." He brought his mouth against her throat and murmured, "This was your idea, wasn't it?"
She closed her eyes, wanting to revel in the feeling of his kiss rather than have to act repulsed by it, but he had given her the perfect setup. She whispered, "I'm sorry." Before she used a little bit of magic to fling him away. "Get off of me!"
When she opened her eyes, she found she had been a bit too forceful with her use of magic and found a shocked Jareth on the floor, his body having split a table in half. He sat up very slowly, his eyes focused on her. "You dare treat your husband this way."
"Don't treat me like a possession and I wouldn't have to." She snapped back.
Jareth rose from the floor with a groan, having really been winded by her use of force but he shook it off. "If you didn't act like a spoiled brat all the time, I wouldn't have to tame you."
As expected, the room started to clear out, especially after Sarah showed her use of magic. Sarah could see that the ones who remained each had the glowing aura of magic about them. She could only assume each of them was there by Orin's command.
Jareth could see the trepidation in her eyes as she glanced around the room. He couldn't afford to lose her focus, so he grabbed her again and shook her, "Maybe I should take you back to our bed, remind you that your place is beneath me."
He crashed his lips into hers and she struggled against him, making a show of resisting by gently biting his tongue; he rightfully overreacted as if she had injured him. "You little tralk. I dare you to bite me again."
"Don't try to stick your tongue down my throat and I won't." Sarah retaliated.
Just then, Micah reentered the tavern and headed back to the kitchen. As he passed, he gave a slight nod to the both of them.
Jareth pulled Sarah hard against his body and breathed heavily in her ear, still in an angry tone for others to hear, "You must go now. Turn right."
Sarah answered with equal disdain to her voice, "I love you. So much. Trust Boin and Mara. They'll help." In the next moment, she wretched her arms out of his hold, "Let me go."
Without looking back, and with full tears in her eyes, Sarah ran out of the tavern.
Jareth glanced around the tavern, daring anyone to look him in the eye. Sarah's plan must have worked; of the few men still in the room, none seemed to pay him any attention as he went over to the bar and sat next to Arch, who had been waiting in the wings should anything happen. And more importantly, no one left the tavern. He hated to have not had any time to prepare or rehearse this with Sarah, which may have been for the best. Had she known sooner that Orin was the reason for his actions, she may have not been able to be so genuine in her reactions.
Micah handed him a stein, talking low so only Jareth could hear before moving away to continue his duties. "All looks good at the moment. I hear no whispers of doubt."
Jareth nodded and downed the contents of his drink, pondering on what Sarah had meant by trusting Boin and his wife.
Sarah felt as though she was running for her life. She left the tavern and turned right. This was only her third venture through the streets of the settlement, but just like any town, the wider the path, the more likely it was a major venue. After passing two buildings, she came upon the main road that led out of the settlement and towards the mountains. At the end of the path, she gave a sigh of relief at seeing Phaedra, with Smyrna in her arms, and Sul waiting for her.
AN 2: The term Jareth calls Sarah, 'tralk', was borrowed from Farscape. It means 'whore or bitch,' depending on the moment.