Chapter 30
A fairy tale Christmas
The hustle and bustle at the castle had never been busier. It was two weeks before Christmas and everyone was decorating for the holidays. Even the citizens of Goblin City got into the spirit this year.
Usually they would not celebrate a human holiday as the winter solstice was the main event, but the goblin merchants had realized that a second holiday as this, where tradition dictated to give each other gifts, would create an enormous profit for them. Smelling an opportunity at great wealth they had decided to join in.
Even the elder goblins, who had revolted against the new, less cruel form of government that prevented torture and tossing folks into the Bog of Eternal stench, had fully embraced Christmas.
Plus, they had fallen in love with eggnog. Where the goblins had managed to find eggnog Sarah had no clue, and like with the coffee, she really did not want to know.
To Jareth it was all the same. He let the goblin pretty much deal with these things on their own, as long as they didn't destroy and exploded buildings and bridges again.
This year, Sarah actually felt like celebrating Christmas. It had been over a year she had been abducted and tossed into the oubliette, and with Faron's help, her post traumatic symptoms were kept in check and did not seem to interfere with her everyday life.
She was also expecting a baby soon, with Jareth as the father. Chayrone kept checking on her nearly every day now, and Sarah really enjoyed the walks and the talks with her.
Chayrone and Faron had been chosen to be the godparents of the new child. Sarah and Jareth had discussed it in great detail, and both had agreed that the best choice for godparents would be Faron and Chayrone as they were fae and elf themselves. Marjorie and Mark were relegated to aunt and uncle, but Marjorie was elated nevertheless.
It had started to snow a couple of days ago, and the entire kingdom looked like a winter wonderland, including the Labyrinth itself.
"It doesn't look dangerous, all covered in snow", Sarah thought to herself looking down on it during one of her walks up on the hill.
"The labyrinth is no good. Stay away", Mara told her telepathically.
"I know girl", Sarah mumbled and scratched her behind her ears. Mara had started to communicate much more often and efficient with Sarah over the past couple of weeks. She was now six months old and was the size a small grizzly bear with long legs. Her eyes illuminated at night and shone a bright green light, but could change colors instantly if there was danger as Sarah found out one night.
She had woken up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and hadn't realized she was about to trip over her clothes on the floor. Mara's eyes had instantly shone a bright red as she had placed herself in front of the cloth pile. It had jolted Sarah out of her half dreaming state. A fall could've done serious injury to her and the baby this late in her pregnancy.
"I need to be more responsible in picking my things off the floor", she grumbled as she moved the clothes onto a chair. "Thanks girl, you're eyes are like a freaking traffic light. All you need now is amber, and you'll be complete."
Mara didn't find this funny at all and blew air through her nose to show her discontent.
When Sarah told Jareth about Mara's eyes the next day he only responded with his usual "oh she's going to be a good one".
"Jareth", Sarah sounded slightly irritated, "why do you always say the same thing when I tell you about Mara?"
"Huh?" Jareth replied not having a clue what she was referring to.
"You always say, "Oh she's going to be a good one". Why? Is she special in some way?"
Sarah stared down Jareth as he put down his paperwork he was working on.
"Actually, yes she is. She is very special. You see, Mara is a descendant of Ares, the faewolf who had belonged to me. She is his great, great, great granddaughter. We knew she would have immense powers when she was born. That's why I gave her to you."
Jareth smiled and found this explanation quite sufficient as he returned to his paperwork.
"How did you know?" Sarah followed up.
This time Jareth got up and walked around to her.
"Faewolves are our protectors with special powers, however, every so often, a wolf is born with extraordinary powers. They exceed the powers of all the other wolves.
Ares was one of them. He had offspring before he was killed in the Goblork wars, more than two hundred years ago. We saved the cubs and they were assigned to other faes. But we kept watching and waiting as we knew there would be another one born with the same powers as Ares.
Mara is that one wolf. Faron and a couple of his elite guards found her deep in the eastern parts within the Labyrinth forest. Luckily he got to them before the goblorks could to destroy them."
Sarah listened intently. "Why would the goblorks want to kill the faewolves?"
Jareth heaved a big sigh and looked at Sarah with concerned eyes.
"Because, they don't want you to have a protector who is that strong. Sarah, they are still out there and are biting their time. You, having a special faewolf, will make it practically impossible for them to do you harm."
He smiled at her and his hand gently caressed her cheek before he sat down behind his desk again to finish up his paperwork.
"What about you?" Sarah continued. "Why can't you have another protector?"
Jareth put down his paperwork again.
"I told you, there is only one wolf per life. Once it is gone, it is gone. I can never have another wolf. It's the way of the Underground."
"But", Sarah started up again before Jareth interrupted her.
"Babe, I got to get these damn duty rosters done by noon. Just trust me on this."
Sarah huffed with annoyance.
"Mara will protect you too. I told her to", Sarah told him as she turned and left. Jareth put his chin on his folded hands and sighed, seemingly in deep thoughts.
"Oooh girl I can't wait 'till we get there tomorrow", Marjorie screamed in the phone with excitement. Sarah grimaced and jerked her head back quickly.
"Girlfriend, I'm not deaf", she laughed.
"Sorry", Marjorie apologized and continued the conversation at the same speed and volume. Sarah closed her eyes and shook her head, but she also couldn't help but to chuckle.
Marjorie always became so emotional about their visits. Sarah knew she missed hanging out with her on a daily basis since she had moved to the Labyrinth Kingdom, and Sarah felt the same, but they were still able to visit every so often when time allowed.
Jareth had never cut off contact to the Surface World, and he continued to allow Sarah to socialize with her mortal friends. He knew she didn't want to be without them, especially Marjorie, and Sarah had lost so much already in her life, he was not about to take away her friends.
He himself had grown quite fond of the visits to Sarah's old world and had established a close friendship with Mark. Sarah was so relieved that Jareth allowed them to be part of their Underground world as well, even though it did cause some headaches with the security detail. Jareth working on those rosters was all in preparation of their stay for Christmas.
"We'll be sending two fae guards when it's time. You know, the usual", Sarah advised Marjorie before she hung up.
It was time for her walk with Chayrone. Mara beat her to the door.
"How are you my dear?" Chayrone asked in her usual manner. Sarah gave her a big hug and a smile.
"I'm doing fine, the baby is doing fine, and Jareth is doing fine as well." Chayrone laughed.
"The castle looks beautiful with all those lights and that big tree. Some of your Surface World traditions are actually quite nice to have around. Goblins like to party, so you won't find any objections from them if you add another holiday to the mix."
"Ooh, I know a few faes and elves who love to party too", Sarah replied with a laugh and a wink.
"True", Chayrone nodded in agreement.
"Have you found the gift for Jareth yet?" Chayrone inquired.
"Yes, I have", Sarah said excited. "I found him an antique Grafton alto saxophone from the 60s. He had been looking at some last time we were in my world and mentioned it to me. I know there's better ones out there for playing, but that's what he was interested in, so, that's what I got him."
Chayrone padded Sarah's arm. "You did great. He will love it. What do you want for Christmas?" Chayrone added.
"For this pregnancy to be over with soon", Sarah sighed. "The baby is getting unruly and I'm about to explode. Look at this belly."
She placed her hands on her stomach and moved down her cape to show it off better. They both laughed as they continued their walk.
"It won't be much longer", Chayrone ensured her.
"I hope so", Sarah murmured, "I don't want to get a bunch of stretchmarks if this thing", she pointed at her belly, "keeps growing."
"Faes don't get stretchmarks", Chayrone replied with a smile. "You're good to go."
"Hallelujah", Sarah cried out with a laugh. "Being a fae is starting to really pay off", she added. "No stretchmarks, no more shaving, no skin aging, no wrinkles anytime soon, and permanent gorgeous make up. A girl's dream."
She sighed blissfully while Chayrone laughed out loud. "At least not for about another thousand years or so."
The day had gone by quickly and Sarah was looking forward to a nice quiet evening with Jareth in the study. Hoggle had built a huge fire in the fireplace and the entire castle was filled with a downhome cozy feeling. He even had finished decorating the ten foot tall tree next to the fireplace with the help of Krum and a few other little goblins from the YGLC.
In return they all had received little stockings with candy and small toys in them. In typical goblin fashion they were fighting over each other's stocking on their way home and left a trail of candy wrappers all the way to Goblin City.
Jareth had learned a few Christmas tunes on his piano and played them for Sarah as she wrapped a few gifts for their friends. Every once in a while she glanced over at Jareth with a smile and happy eyes.
"This is going to be a wonderful Christmas this year", she thought to herself as she put the presents under the tree. Every time she finished wrapping a gift she would steal a cookie from the bowl on the table. Hoggle made them from the family recipe Sarah had given him earlier.
They used to be hers and her dad's favorite. The smell and taste of the cookies brought back memories of Christmases past. Sarah thought of them fondly with a heavy heart, knowing her dad could not be there with her and Jareth.
"I have something I want you to play for me if you can", Sarah gave Jareth some sheet music.
"The music teacher at the YGLC did them for me. It's actually a song I wrote on the ukulele, and I wanted to see how you like it."
Her face blushed as she sat down next to Jareth and handed him the music.
He looked at her in surprise. "You wrote a song, babe? When? That is so awesome. Let me see those." He took the sheet music and studied it for a while.
"Very nice", he mumbled to himself as he began to play slowly. "Sing it for me, babe", he said and looked at her with a happy smile. Sarah blushed again.
"I don't know, you sing it."
"It's your song, precious. Come on, I heard you sing before. You have a beautiful voice and you are always right on pitch." Sarah blushed again and sighed.
"Ok, just don't look at me", she insisted. Jareth laughed out loud.
"Ok I'll focus on the music. It was an upbeat swing tune and Jareth was getting really into it, improvising during the interludes.
SWAY WITH ME G, swing (Music and lyrics by Sarah 11 14 1992)
INTRO: G/E7/A/A7/A/A7/D7/Am6add9/D7/Am6add9/Db7dim/D7/G
Come with me and dance away the night, oh baby
Get real lose and let it out, and sway with me
Take me to the places you know, drive me crazy
Hold my hand and do it nice, and sway with me
It just doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
Let's live for the moment, 'cause tomorrow is out of sight
Come with me and dance away the night, oh baby
Hold my hand and get real lose, and sway with me
INTERLUDE x2: G/E7/A/A7/A/A7/D7/Am6add9/D7/Am6add9/Db7dim/D7/G
Whisper that you love me, while you hold me tight
Tonight we're being lovers, and tomorrow is out of sight
Forget your troubles and dance with me all night, oh baby
Feel the rhythm get in your blood, and sway with me
Let your hips move with the music and, drive me crazy
Dance all night and hold me tight, and sway with me
Swing, Jive, Linde Hop, sway with me
Shimmy, Charleston, Jitterbug, sway with me
INTERLUDE: G/E7/A/A7/A/A7/D7/Am6add9/D7/Am6add9/Db7dim/D7/G
Swing, Jive, Linde Hop, sway with me
Shimmy, Charleston, Jitterbug, sway with me
Let your hips move with the music and, drive me crazy
Dance all night and hold me tight, and sway with me
Yes baby, hold me tight, ooh, and sway with me (x2)
When they had finished, he looked at Sarah with astonishment.
"Wow, babe that is a great song. We'll play it for our next get together on Christmas Eve. I can rehearse it a bit more to bring it up to speed."
He took Sarah's head in his hand and kissed her gingerly.
"You are so awesome, precious, do you know that?" Before Sarah could answer he kissed her again, slightly longer and with more passion.
"What's the song called?" He asked between his kisses. "Sway with me", Sarah answered the best she could.
"Love it", he whispered back. "Let's play it again".
He let go of her and pointed to the top of the first sheet as he already counted it off.
Sarah felt groggy the next day. Jareth had practiced her song for over an hour with her, and then, of course, he wanted to have her 'sway him' in the bedroom. Before it was all said and done it was after midnight and Marjorie and Mark were supposed to arrive in a couple of hours.
Jareth was already sitting by his window sill, sending his winter solstice messages to his goblin subjects. Today was December 21st, a big day for the Labyrinth Kingdom and Underground. Especially for the goblins as they were allowed to party all day and all night long with no restrictions. Who knows what all was going to be going up in smoke and ashes tonight with their special fireworks.
"Better get ready babe", Jareth advised Sarah as he let go of his last crystal ball.
"I think I need help getting up", she sighed. Jareth laughed and came over to the bed.
"I have one crystal ball with a message left for you", he said as he juggled one in front of her face. Sarah couldn't help but to smile.
"Juggling your balls in front of me again. I told you what that does to me", she said yawning as she tried to sit up.
"Yeah don't you know it, babe. Magic ball power", he laughed out loud as it had just dawned on Sarah what she had said. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She took the crystal ball and looked into it.
"Happy winter solstice to the love of my life for all eternity".
"Aw", Sarah moaned and gave Jareth a kiss. "Now help me get up or you'll have to get the sheets changed", she threatened him.
Sarah, Jareth, Marjorie and Mark spent the next three days exploring the Labyrinth Kingdom and all the festivities that were going on with the winter solstice. They had been especially impressed with the goblin fireworks show combined with the northern lights. It had been breathtaking.
They also went ice skating on the city pond as per Marjorie's request, as Sarah watched them from a bench. They were trying to stay upright while dodging goblins who desperately tried to knock them off their feet. They wouldn't dare to knock the goblin king of his feet, but Marjorie and Mark were fair game.
Sarah laughed out loud and Mara barked in agreement. Marjorie had nearly fallen over when she met Mara for the first time and Sarah thought she was about to crawl up the fifty foot tall spruce Christmas tree in the garden.
"It's ok Marjorie", Sarah laughed, "she is not going to hurt you one bit. She's still a puppy too."
"That's one big ass puppy there", Mark mumbled as Jareth handed him a beer.
Marjorie got used to Mara, but she still gave her a few unsure glances, especially when Sarah was further away from her than Mara. When she found out that Mara had been under her dinner table during Thanksgiving, Sarah thought she had to call her fae doctor to treat Marjorie for a massive heart attack.
Mark only laughed out loud during the entire scenario.
"No wonder we never even found a crumb on the floor the next day. And I thought we just had clean guests." He prosted Jareth with his beer.
Sarah also took Marjorie and Chayrone to go Christmas shopping at the Elven &Fae Mall outside of Goblin City. It was located in the little elf village of Elvenwood. Marjorie loved the architecture and the little picturesque cobble streets and store fronts.
"Oh my god, if I wouldn't already have a house in my world, I so would move right into this one right over there", she pointed at a quaint midsize elf house with two towers. Sarah laughed.
"And what would you be doing for a living here?" Marjorie looked at her with big eyes.
"Open a boutique of course. 'Surface World Fashion', it would be a killer success. I could sell the crap out of jeans and sneakers", Marjorie motioned the name of the store with her hands as if drawing an imaginary sign.
"And what about Mark?" Sarah kept inquiring.
"Run a music café of course. What a question."
The three of them laughed, but Sarah started to have her own ideas in her head.
Jareth took Mark to The Underground Club while the ladies were shopping. Mark checked it out from top to bottom, and when Jareth introduced him to the owner, the two got involved in a lengthy deep conversation about management, profit margins, band hiring, alcohol sales, and retail pricing.
Jareth went on stage and played the piano during this time. A couple of the band members were present and he gave them the sheet music Sarah had given him of her new song. They ended up practicing for two hours, and by the time Jareth and Mark left they had the song down pad.
The morning of Christmas Eve all of them went and attended a small recital and play at the YGLC. Krum had a cool part in a goblin saga about the Goblork wars and was proud of being able to chop the head of a pretend goblork right there on stage.
"Ok, Christmas here is messed up", Marjorie declared afterwards, but I guess that's what goblins do?"
She looked at Sarah as if she was expecting a different answer.
"That's what goblins do all right", Sarah laughed and threw a snowball at her which Marjorie returned gracefully towards Sarah's head. In no time they were involved in a massive snowball fight which had all of Goblin City participating. When some of the snowballs started to explode Jareth thought it was time to retreat.
After a wonderful goose dinner, prepared by Hoggle and Krum, all four retreated to the study. Marjorie and Sarah had some sparkling cider she had brought with her from the Surface World, and Mark and Jareth had some goblin Devil Water.
Jareth started playing the Christmas carols he had practiced over the past week, and they all sang along, even Hoggle and Krum. Mara laid by the fireplace in plain view and chewed on a goose leg.
Right as the clock struck midnight Jareth announced it was time to open the gifts. Marjorie had given Sarah a handmade baby blanket and a coupon for 260 hours of free babysitting. Sarah had to laugh at the babysitting.
"That's ten full Underground days", Sarah exclaimed excited and Jareth gave two thumbs up. "You know I'll be using those, all of them", she emphasized and gave Marjorie a big hug.
Sarah had given Marjorie a beautiful elven bracelet and matching earrings. Marjorie almost cried when she saw it and had to wear them immediately. She beamed from ear to ear and they looked beautiful on her.
Mark had given Jareth a collection of rare sheet music prints of the 1930s jazz area. Jareth was deeply touched by it, and went to look through them immediately, but not before giving Mark his gift.
It was an elven harp that Mark had admired in one of the pictures in The Underground Club.
"Told ya I'll find you one", Jareth mumbled when Mark jumped for joy.
"This is going to look supercool at the Blue Rock Café. Oh man, buddy, thank you". He even gave Jareth a hug who started to look a bit awkward.
Marjorie and Mark had decided to give each other a cruise to the Bahamas in the spring for their first year anniversary. Sarah thought that was so romantic and even had a tear in her eye. Jareth walked up to Sarah and put his arm around her waist.
"That leaves only us, babe", he said as he handed her a flat long box. Sarah's eyes lit up. She opened it as fast as she could.
Inside was the most beautiful fae dress she had seen. It was a thin, silk like material with a double laid uneven short front and longer in the back. It had a deep V cut in the front that closed around the back of the neck. It didn't have sleeves, but the sides of the dress had bracelets to attach to the wrists.
"Can I try it on? You think it'll fit?" Sarah asked excited.
"Of course, I wanna see it on you. And trust me, it'll fit", Jareth replied as she gave him a quick kiss.
"I'll be right back. Marjorie come and help me."
When Sarah returned, her face glowed with joy. The dress was stunning. It glittered in the light and was very form fitting. Even though Sarah was eight months pregnant, it didn't let it show. Sarah looked like a pre pregnant Sarah in it.
"It's magical isn't it?" She asked and Jareth nodded.
"I had it specially made for you", he answered. "Go change your hair color and see what happens."
Sarah gave him a questioning look, but changed her color from auburn red to purple. The dress immediately changed colors too and matched her hair perfect. Marjorie's jaw fell open and Mark could only mutter a "whoa".
Sarah changed her hair color again to a deep green, and so did the dress. With each color Sarah tried, the dress changed with her accordingly, glittering and shimmering like her eyes. After about five changes, Sarah stood there and didn't know what to say she was so stunned by it.
All she could do was give Jareth a long passionate kiss right there in front of her friends.
"Merry Christmas precious", Jareth whispered in her ear. "I love you more than anything. Let me move the stars for you."
"You already have", Sarah whispered back and kissed him with all of the passion she could find in her heart.
"Oh I almost forgot", Sarah said with a slightly blushed face. "Here is your gift". As she handed him the wrapped box with the saxophone.
Jareth eagerly unwrapped it and let out a small yell. His eyes lit up as he took it out of the case.
"I wanted one just like that", he said excitedly. "Thank you so much, babe. That is awesome". He immediately laid down a small jazz solo much to the delight of everyone around.
After he had finished his tune he walked over to the piano and started playing.
"This one here is a song Sarah wrote. It's called 'Sway with me'."
Marjorie looked surprised at Sarah, and when Jareth called her over to him to sing it with him they began to cheer and woot. Sarah blushed lightly but took her place next to Jareth holding her ukulele.
When they were finished Marjorie and Mark exploded in applause.
"That was really good", both cheered.
"You got to play that one at the Blue Rock Café", Mark told Sarah. "People love that swing stuff."
Sarah looked happily into Jareth eyes as he put his arm around her waist and held her tight.
"Are you having a nice Christmas?" He asked, guiding her gently towards the tree.
"It's like a fairy tale Christmas", Sarah whispered.
"Actually it is one", Jareth corrected her with a smile.
He finally seemed to have found the spot he had been aiming for as he stopped moving.
"Look up", he said with a smirk. Above them hung a mistletoe, perfectly centered between them.
Before Jareth could say another word Sarah had pressed her lips against his and didn't let go for a long time as her hair constantly changed colors, along with the dress.
