A/N- Okay, so I've been dragging ass trying to wrap up this chapter. The holidays are approaching, so I'm getting a little busy with commissions. I'm not sure how quickly I'll be able to finish it, but it's been so long since the last update that I wanted to get something posted. So, I've gone ahead, once again, and cut the damn thing in two. This is part two of what will be a THREE part chapter. Oof. Cheers.
Chapter 27, Secrets part 2
"Well, what do you think of this one?"
"Chartreuse? Are you serious? Aina, that's disgusting."
"Oh, forgive me, Great Lady Cade. I did not mean to offend."
"I think the vermillion would look nice—"
"Myra...really? Are you both blind? She'll look like a pumpkin."
Aurelia cracked a grin as her three handmaids butted heads over her wide selection of gowns. To their defense, there were a lot of them. Enough to fill several closets, in fact. Many of which were currently piled atop the table the three of them stood around. Aurelia, kneeling on the floor a short distance away, peered up at them with amusement as she opened the lid to a box.
"Maybe it would be better to go with tradition then….Gold is always a safe bet. Hmm…" Aina tapped her lip as the gown she was holding fell from her grasp. She stared down contemplatively as her sisters, Cade and Myra, continued to rummage. The stack of clothing before them seemed to have no end, and they'd only opened the first shipment. Gods, it could take all day to sort this out. Aina sighed as she picked up a fan and waved it furiously in front of her face. They were placed in front of a window, and the midday sun was bearing down. None of them were used to this kind of heat —how Aurelia was sitting over there looking so picturesque, she couldn't fathom. She could feel sweat dampening her own bodice, and imagined such discomforts were getting to her cohorts as well. Maybe that was why they were all so grumpy. Feeling a twinge of impatience, Aina turned her attention away from the table and looked over at her Mistress. "What do you think, Aurelia?"
"I think keeping with Goblin tradition would be best. Gold sounds lovely," she said, and then looked back down. There were disks in this box. She was surprised, having expected there to be a hat of some sort. She pulled one out to inspect it.
"Well, you heard her. Toss all these out and bring us everything gold," Cade said, waving a curt hand at the goblins who stood by. They all jolted and set to work. Aurelia, sitting so contentedly by her lonesome, held up the disk just high enough to shield her eyes as she peered across the room once more…
The goblins cleared away the bulk and set out a series of gowns that were predominantly gold. Cade stood with hands on hips, exuding an authoritarian aura as she scrutinized the pitiful creatures.
"Be careful with that. Do you have any idea how much that's worth?" she said, distastefully, and shook her head. Honestly, was this to be their lives now? These goblins were no more than bumbling cretins. She truly commended His Majesty for having to run a kingdom full of them. Myra and Aina, feeling a tad less antagonistic, actually helped the goblins set everything into place. When they were finished, Aina brushed her hands together and looked over to Aurelia.
"Alright, I think we've narrowed it down fairly well. Would you like to come have a look at these?"
This time the question hung in the air, causing all three maids to look over. Their Mistress, still seated on the floor, had fallen noticeably quiet and seemed to be staring intently into the record she held propped in front of her face. They waited a moment, just staring at her, but when it became clear there was no hope for response, they tried again.
"Aurelia?"
"Hm?"
Aurelia twitched and straightened, clutching the record with panicked fingers as she jerked it downward into her lap. She blinked rapidly and looked up straight at them. Her innocent gaze crossed with the three of theirs, and then she sucked in her lip. Oh no. How long had she been staring this time? Had they noticed?
"Are you alright, My lady?" Cade asked. The question was sincere, but for some reason Aurelia started to blush. She glanced away and swallowed.
"Of course. I was just a bit distracted. What did you say?"
"I asked if you would like to take a look at these gowns," Aina repeated, now with a look of concern. Their Mistress had been feeling "distracted" quite often lately. None of them blamed her, however. She was about to marry the King of Goblins, after all.
"Ah, right. Let's have a look then," Aurelia said and, very quickly, smoothed out her dress as she stood to her feet and then shuffled over to the table. She was suddenly full of interest and kept her attention, entirely, on the spread before her. Her maids, however, were not so easily convinced.
"Why were you so distracted just now? What were you looking at?" Myra asked. Her eyes started to roam to the side but Aurelia was quick to distract her.
"What? Nothing. I was just admiring the room. I think I'm just feeling a tad nervous. I've never been to a Council gathering before, you know. Thinking of the ball has me feeling a little...absentminded...is all." Her voice tapered with thoughts that had nothing to do with the excuse she just made, and she moved, slyly, to stand between Myra's gaze and the object of her interest behind her. The deflection seemed to work well enough, as all three maids then lost interest and looked back down to the table. Aurelia let out a secret sigh.
Goodness...this was brutal. She didn't know why, but it was. These last two weeks had felt like the longest of her life, and it had very little to do with the planning of her wedding. She'd left her childhood home in Seervah'nah behind with bright eyes. She was excited, eager, curious, and she'd brought her three closest ladies with her. From the details of Jareth's proposal, she figured she was going to need the company. He had said the castle operated on minimal staff and he had not lied. The only people she ever saw were goblins. She'd tried warming up to a few of them but...unfortunately, most were nearly incoherent.
The majority of her time had been spent planning their wedding celebration. Jareth, naturally, wanted to be married as soon as possible so her schedule had been a bit hectic. He took no part in these preparations. For one, he was a man and it was not his place. And two, she'd barely seen him enough to say hello since she arrived, so asking his opinion on which table cloth matched which flower was difficult. Not that she would bother him with such trivial matters anyway, but still.
"That's understandable. This will be your first Quartet, after all," Aina said, pulling her from her contemplation. Unwittingly, she'd started to look across the room again but caught herself just in time. "I see you found the music samples. Shall we play some while we sort these out?" There was inflection in Aina's voice, something chipper which was meant to reassure her. Aurelia smiled in agreement.
"Yes, let's."
Cade, being nearest to the phonograph, took the initiative to start it up. She took the disc from Aurelia and placed it down, then lowered the needle. After a moment of static, a bouncy classical tune started to play.
"Have you been practicing?" Aina asked. Aurelia's hand paused just before touching a gown.
"Practicing?" she repeated. Aina looked up and locked onto her gaze.
"For the Quartet?"
"Oh...no. I'd like to, but...Jareth is very busy. I don't want to trouble him with something so frivolous." She sounded tentative as she said that, with eyes cast downward and her hand, once frozen, now trailed along the fine material before her in delicate swirls.
"It isn't frivolous. It's a rite of passage," Cade said, assertively. Aurelia smiled awkwardly and tilted her head a little.
"Maybe so, but...it does not change the fact."
The three maids exchanged worried glances as they misinterpreted Aurelia's behavior. They frowned, and then Myra asked,
"Have you still not seen him?"
Aurelia's brow twitched, and she shrugged.
"I've seen him in passing...a couple of times. He's promised to have dinner with me...at some point. As I said, he is very busy. I'd rather not burden him during the time we actually do spend together."
"Hmm…" Both Myra and Aina hummed respectively. All three looked displeased, but not Aurelia. No, if anything, she was back to being wistful.
"I just hope...he isn't working too hard."
"You're too good Aurelia," Cade said, shaking her head in frustration. "Any other woman would feel slighted, and yet you actually look thankful."
Aurelia blinked like she didn't understand why Cade would say such a thing.
"Because I am thankful," she said, deadpan. "Jareth offered me freedom. The chance to live my life the way I wish. All he wants is the same in return. That seems only fair, would you not agree?"
"I say it seems odd, My Lady," Cade said, and shook her head. "This whole place is odd, really. There are no fae here —except for Roldan over there. The Queen Mother keeps herself holed up in her chamber day in and day out, and Prince Davion is just as aloof as his brother. The castle is falling apart. These goblins can hardly speak let alone obey a command. Thaelon was a despot. And you're in his halls now. Alone. With his son—"
"And what do you mean by that, Cade?" Aurelia asked. There was a trace of warning in her voice. Cade paused and shifted directions.
"I'm just...worried for you, My Lady." Cade held Aurelia's gaze as she spoke, hoping her sincerity would pass through. Aurelia, regarding her with an odd look of sympathy, smiled very softly as she glanced back down to the table.
"I know. And I appreciate it. But please, try to understand them. They are grieving. And...do not dishonor Jareth. He is not his father."
"But—how can you know that?"
The three women all watched in silence as Aurelia picked at the tassels of a skirt. She was biting her tongue, but she was smiling.
"Because I do. I believe in him. It's why I agreed to marry him. He has so much to deal with, he does not need to suffer the weight of such ugly prejudices. People fear this place, but I think I see it as Jareth sees it. A diamond in the rough. He wants to fix it, so I do not begrudge him for dedicating his time to things that affect the lives of thousands over alleviating my own sense of boredom. He may be distant but...he has been nothing but kind to me. Just look at all this. Look at all he's provided for us. Do his actions not speak to his character?"
Cade, Myra, and Aina, stared at her skeptically for a long moment.
"...I suppose so," Cade said, reluctantly. Aurelia's smile stretched and she peered up with a look of satisfaction.
"Although...I do concede, it would be nice to have someone to practice with…" Her voice fell to a mumble as she turned and glanced once more, shrewdly, to the side. Her eyes landed on him on the far side of the room. He wasn't looking at her. He never was. But, as much as that pained her, it was also a relief. And all the while she wondered why it was painful in the first place. She didn't realize she was gandering so openly when she whispered, "I really am starting to feel...a bit nervous."
Roldan sighed as he pinched his forehead. He had a folder open on the table before him; its contents he'd been struggling to read for days. It was simple legislation, an amendment to local commerce regulations that Jareth had asked him to facilitate —but that didn't matter. It could have spelled nothing more than "You're an idiot" in bold red letters, and still it would have looked like gibberish. He just couldn't focus. It was impossible to think about anything while in the same room as her.
Two weeks. It'd been two weeks since the future Queen moved into her new home. His home. Two weeks since Jareth had ordered him to help her settle in. He didn't understand why this was his responsibility, especially when he'd been given plenty of other work to manage —the change in management had not been an easy one. Yet here he was, playing errand boy to four giggly women and always waiting, ever-so-quietly, ever-so-patiently, well out of their way.
He didn't understand why he was so stressed by this. Aurelia barely crossed gazes with him let alone spoke to him. It was more often that her Ladies made requests in her stead. He wasn't quite sure what Jareth had meant by settle in, but it seemed all that was required of him were either directions or food. The majority of the time he was ignored, which was preferred. Despite being part of their company for most days, he was given plenty of time to focus on real work.
But he couldn't. It was impossible. Brutal. She was so far away. He could not even distinguish the nature of their conversations. And yet...the echo of her laughter made him scowl, made him grimace, made him cower in peculiar shame.
In the times it became unbearable, which was often, he would look over at her —for just a moment— and he'd assuage that feeling eating at him with a snapshot of her profile, etching, with a little more detail each time, the particular curve of her smile, the crease in the corner of her eye, the soft beauty marks that dotted her cheek.
And today was no different. Actually, today was even worse. Today Jareth had sent her dress options for the celebration. It felt wrong of him to be here. This was women's business. He'd kept himself as far away from them as possible, deflecting from his discomfort with the attention of goblins and paperwork. He had accomplished little. In fact, he was not accomplishing anything at all. Why the hell did he have to be near her...
"Um. Excuse me, Roldan?"
Roldan looked up sharply as the color drained from his face. He was not expecting to hear her voice, to hear it so close. When he realized she was standing a mere two feet away from him, he lurched to his feet and bowed.
"Lady Aurelia —how may I be of service?" he asked, unevenly, as he stared wide-eyed at the floor. He clenched his jaw and composed himself, recovering from the surprise of her ambush before straightening.
She tilted her head back as she stared up at him, unabashedly, and with a smile.
"I was wondering...if you aren't too busy...perhaps you could help me with something?"
Roldan's expression, now steeled, looked somewhat terse as his eyes darted to her maids across the room. They were all staring.
"Of course. What do you need?"
She glanced away, and on reflex his eyes scoured her face. Her lower lip was very round and glistened in the wake of a nibble. He watched the flash of a thought move across her face, and then she smiled again.
"A partner."
"Excuse me?"
Aurelia lifted her head and let her smile show on him fully. If she was at all nervous, it was beyond him. His brow twitched as he stared at her, as he tried —in a futile effort— to stop staring. Her hair had a way of glowing, so golden it picked up even the tracest amount of light in a room. She wore it down today —as she always did. He felt his jaw clenching again.
"I'm getting a bit nervous about the Quartet," she said, and rolled her hand in a casual gesture. "I'd like to practice before the big debut, but Jareth is so busy. I don't want to bother him. Would you be interested in being his stand-in for the next couple of weeks? It would be greatly appreciated."
Aurelia forced a smile as she made her request, praying, with all her might, she could follow through on the confidence she feigned. Though why confidence was needed at all, she didn't know. She'd been with him every day since she arrived and yet, as each day passed, it was becoming harder and harder for her to face him. She didn't understand it, this prickling awareness that tormented her so relentlessly. They said hello, goodnight, but little else in between. From the way he behaved, she thought maybe he thought her a nuisance. He was obviously a busy man...she felt bad that he had to split his attention between his Court duties and tending to her.
Out of consideration, she'd tried petitioning him as little as possible. Just like with Jareth, she did not want to make herself a burden. She'd tried, really tried, to just ignore him for his own benefit, but she couldn't help it. She just kept looking. Every day. Over and over. And every time she wondered, shamefully, regretfully, if, eventually, he would ever look over at her too.
Perhaps the frustration was getting to her, for surely she'd been searching for a way to bring him closer. A perfectly legitimate reason to be near him. As she lamented her lack of a dance partner, she realized this might be her chance. Although, what she hoped to accomplish by it, she was still ignorant of.
Insecurity began to tear at the foundation of her cheerful façade as she waited for his answer. Suddenly she thought herself a fool, thought herself a disgrace, an insult to the position she was about to assume. But why did such a simple question spark such a severe reaction in her? Was this...lust? Was it intrigue? She had no idea. She'd never felt it before. The few times she had been alone with Jareth, she would admit to feeling flustered by him...but this was different. This was...something else.
She hated that feeling and did everything she could to deny it. About to crumble under the weight of her own scrutiny, she opened her mouth to take it all back when he finally spoke.
"I would be honored, My Lady," he said, with a lowered head. Aurelia's smile renewed, until she saw a twisted kind of frown on his face. "But…" and then he paused. He winced. He did not see her expression fall in dispassion in reaction to that one, hopeless word. "Unfortunately...I cannot dance."
He sounded embarrassed, and kept his eyes averted from hers as he straightened again. Aurelia, confused over his rejection of her, stared up at him with pursed lips.
"You can't? But..surely, you can? Are you not a lord?"
Roldan laughed impulsively but it only made Aurelia frown deeper. It was a very strained kind of expression, one she could see through easily.
"No, My Lady. I am not. I'm flattered you thought of me as such but...alas, I am just a servant."
She kept staring at him and he kept staring away. He was standing with a tension about him, like he was anticipating to be ridiculed. Aurelia felt the urge to reach out and touch him but suppressed it.
"...Just a servant?" she repeated, sounding disappointed. "What kind of servant holds the trust of The King?" Caught off guard, Roldan looked over to her guardedly. If he didn't know better, he would have thought she looked offended. "Have you no title at all?"
"N...no, My Lady."
Aurelia continued to stare at him scrutinizingly, though he had no hope in analyzing it.
"But you are Jareth's right hand. You help him with so much —I've seen it. Surely you deserve a title…" and her eyes traveled away. She brought a finger to tap at her lip as a light shone behind her eyes. "Hand...hm...how about that then?" she asked, and looked upwards. Roldan's brow drew tightly in confusion.
"I don't follow—"
"I have not known you long, but I know you are no mere servant, Roldan. From now on you shall be known as Roldan —no, Master Roldan— Hand to the King." The finger that once tapped her lips now pointed in the air, directing her words as she spoke in a little sing-song. She looked very pleased with herself and looked back at him for a verdict. He...did not say anything right away.
"I don't think that is a real position, My Lady," he said. Aurelia laughed.
"Then I will make it one. How about that?"
"Unfortunately...you do not yet have the authority to make such decrees. You would also...need Jareth's approval, as I am endowed to him. Although...you flatter me with the sentiment, truly." He was trying to be as polite as possible, but the compulsion of his station was getting the better of him. He kept his eyes lowered from hers and fought the inclination to smile.
Aurelia waved him off playfully.
"Then it will be unofficial. For now, at least. What would Jareth care what I call you anyway? Do you not approve of the title?"
Not expecting her to be so persistent, Roldan stammered a little before responding.
"I-of course I approve. You may call me by whatever you like—"
"Very good," she said, and turned back to look at her maids from over her shoulder. "Ladies, I have news. From now on, we shall refer to Roldan as Master Roldan or the King's Hand. Are we in agreement?"
The women all blinked dumbly and then bowed.
"Of course, My Lady."
When Aurelia turned back around to face him she had a bubbly smile on her face.
"There. Now that you have a title, it is within your full right to dance with me," she said, with a flare of excitement. Roldan's frown deepened again.
"No...I'm afraid you misunderstood me. What I should have said is that I cannot dance the Quartet with you because, being a servant, I do not know how."
He looked very uncomfortable as he said that, ashamed, exposed. Aurelia, realizing how insensitive she'd just been, let her smile humble, become something sweet, and, the longer she stared at him, felt a little less anxious.
"I see…" she started, and then offered him her hand. "Perhaps that is better, then. I can practice by teaching you instead."
Roldan's eyes veered back at her and blinked repeatedly. She was just standing there, waiting with her hand raised. He cursed himself for hesitating.
"I don't see...how that would benefit you, My Lady," he said.
"Teaching you will allow me better focus, and I think it will be fun. Do you not agree, Master Roldan?" He'd gone back to looking away again, so she tilted her head as she searched for his gaze. "If it is too much trouble, I apologize. I know you probably have better things to do, but I merely thought-"
"It's not," Roldan said, quickly interrupting her. Realizing he'd cut her off mid sentence, he bit his cheek and inclined his head respectfully. "—and I don't. It is my job to see to your needs. If this is your wish, I will do my best to oblige." His tone took on a sterile quality but it did not register that way to Aurelia. Instead, she rejoiced and gave him a beaming grin.
"Excellent. I'm so thankful. Come, let's begin." She offered out her hand again and this time he was able to bring himself to accept it. He stared at her as she turned and led him to the center of the room. "Cade, would you restart that last song, please?" she asked. Cade, pulled from the daze of absently watching her strange mistress, turned and did as she was bid. Roldan stood like a tree and gulped. When Aurelia turned back around, she showed no hesitation to touch him. She placed one of his arms behind her back and held the other erected. The song started to play, and he wondered what in the seven hells he was even doing. "Do you know how to waltz?" she asked. Roldan scowled.
"Yes, but not well."
Aurelia smiled again, though he didn't see what was so funny.
"That's perfect. You're already halfway there." She looked down at their feet and then stepped forward, taking the lead. "Here, we'll begin with the Introduction. It starts like this…"
Several centuries later…
Roldan stared down into his cup with a slightly snarled lip. This wine was mediocre at best. Although...he'd honestly expected worse. He sloshed it around before taking a sip. A sharply-sculpted brow arched as he peered, vacantly, at Eines. The man was standing directly before him, still talking. He was always talking. He watched the man's mouth moving but the words it formed went in one ear and out the other. They'd been talking about the harvest, about how exciting and busy a time it was for the community. Roldan would nod every now and again, maybe even hum in acknowledgement, but that was the most he could manage.
He glanced away, often, trying to find a way out. The man was damn near incessant and far too cheerful in the morning. They were standing in the lounge, two early birds waiting for the rest of the flock. Unfortunately they were the only ones there and had been for some time. Roldan sighed inwardly to himself. Gods, did he ever stop to breathe? What the hell was he even going on about?
"That all sounds very interesting, Eines. Unfortunately, I fear I don't know enough about agriculture to properly contribute," he said, his eyes cast to the side as he suffered the cheap bite of his drink.
There was no one else around, save a shuffling servant here and there. They were setting up for breakfast in the next room; something which, at the hour of 8:15, Roldan thought would have long since commenced by now.
"Of course, how tactless of me. I'm sure you'd be much more comfortable in talks of legislation-"
"Not really."
Bless the man, Roldan could be as curt and as clipped as he wanted and Eines still wouldn't notice. He was just that kind of fellow —overly and insufferably optimistic. He was fine to take in small doses, but being trapped in a one on one conversation for the better part of an hour was enough to get any rational person fettered. Roldan was looking in the complete opposite direction now, inching away ever so slowly, but Eines did not miss a beat.
"Ah, right. This is your holiday. Best not waste it with chatter so serious." And then finally, FINALLY, he stepped away. The moment Eines turned his back Roldan felt an actual weight being lifted from his shoulders. He knew this reprieve would not last long, however. They were still the only two in the room. Eines reached down to the end table behind him and returned with a gold case. "Cigar?" he asked. Roldan shook his head.
"Before breakfast? How libertine."
Eines smiled and shrugged, setting the case back down before lighting his own.
"It's become a bit of a habit, I'm afraid. Don't tell my daughter," he said, his head lowered and his eyes widening in actual fear as he lit the cigar with a spark of magic.
Before the conversation could continue, a female servant approached them. She bowed and kept her eyes lowered.
"My Lord, breakfast is ready whenever you'd like to begin," she said. Eines pinched his cigar between two fingers and pulled it from his mouth.
"Thank you. We'll be along shortly." The maid bowed again and left. Eines took a couple puffs on the cigar, and then turned his attention back to Roldan. "Speaking of...any idea when our sovereigns will be joining us? I'm getting a bit anxious." —and the slight strain to his smile reflected that anxiety perfectly. Roldan rolled his eyes.
"Knowing them? Probably noon," he said, sounding sarcastic but was in fact dead serious. Presuming the former, Eines laughed. Roldan...just closed his eyes for a moment. "You shouldn't laugh. I was being serious," he said, deadpan. When his eyes opened and landed on Eines again, he watched as the man's grin slowly waned.
"Oh...really?" he asked. He looked suspicious, eyes darting around the room like someone was pulling a prank. Roldan cocked another eyebrow and shook his head as he stared into his cup.
"Her Majesty is not what I would call a morning person. And The King indulges her endlessly. In fact...I don't know why I even bothered leaving my room." That last bit was quieter and directed at himself. Eines's once eager expression started to twist, his brow furrowing with disappointment.
"Oh, I see," he said, deflated. "Well then...guess I'll fetch myself another drink. Would you like one?"
Still trying to get over the bitter taste on his palate, Roldan shook his head as politely as possible. With a faint shrug, Eines turned away and walked across the room to the decanting table, and Roldan felt himself becoming physically lighter with every step the man took away from him. Though it may make him a cad, the sudden loss of cheer in sweet old Eines actually made Roldan very happy. It rendered him quieter …for the moment. Thank gods.
With a sigh of relief, Roldan turned around and closed his eyes as he brought his cup close to his mouth—
"Thank you, Madam Lauris! No-no I've got it from here!"
Roldan's eyes were still closed. Now that Eines was occupied, he'd let down his guard. That was a mistake, as the very moment he turned around did something compact and impassioned come barreling straight into him.
"Oof—"
He coughed, staggering back a step, and extended his drink far from him as it splashed while simultaneously raising a hand to whatever the hell had just attacked him. His hand clamped around a shoulder, and he heard a very sharp, feminine gasp in response. He pulled back, pushing the woman away, and locked eyes on her in an immediate glare which she viscerally melted under.
If his breath had not just been knocked clear out of him, he may have choked on it.
He stared down at the girl, a young, spritely thing, with large eyes and wild hair that framed a very softly curved face. Those eyes, with irises darkly rimmed and slivered in the fairest shades of blue and green, held his stare unabashedly, and she sucked in a sharp breath between thin, perfectly pink lips in a moment of panic as her wide and addled gaze then darted furiously over him.
"Oh, sweet Aine, I am so sorry—"
He blinked at the sound of her voice, and realized his gander had lasted only the fraction of a second. She pulled away from him, pressing off of his chest as she did so, and lowered her eyes down his torso.
"Oh lords, look at me, tactless as always. Are you alright sir?" she asked, though she had not looked back up at him. He'd released her shoulder and watched as her hands sprang nervously to her face. Delicate fingers covered her mouth, their glossy nails drawing attention to her tiny button nose and the heavy sprinkle of freckles that dotted it. She shook her head a little, and he just...
"Um-" he started, then stood rigidly when she suddenly reached out and started jerking on his waistcoat. He nearly pushed her away, she was much too forward, but he only stood there like an idiot.
"Amara? Good gods, woman, what are you doing?" The voice of Eines, alarmed and flustered, resounded loudly from behind. Roldan's eyes tried darting towards him, but failed at the commanding attention of the girl still tugging at him this way and that.
Dull red curls obscured her face from him, now lowered as she straightened out his vest. He caught the glimmer of teeth as she bit on her lip, and his jaw clenched. Her hands, with a daring amount of familiarity, rose upward with her gaze and pulled out the tufts on his cravat. His arm was still extended. He had no idea why he was just standing there. She straightened the broach at his throat and smiled to herself, as if it had actually been out of place to begin with, and then looked straight into his eyes once more.
"There. All better," she said, supposedly unaware of the hands she kept pressed to his chest. Roldan, only becoming more and more uncomfortable, managed to take half a step back. She smiled again, her eyes closing as she did so, before leaning away and tucking a tendril of that untamed mane behind her ear. "Sorry again. I wasn't looking where I was going. I hope I didn't hurt you."
He almost laughed. She'd lowered from her toes, revealing her true stature which did not even bring the top of her head to his shoulder. She was thin, a dainty thing, lucky to be a hundred pounds, Roldan gathered, and she was actually worried she may have hurt him?
"I'm fine," he said, sounding brusque. Her eyes opened but the grin remained, creasing the sides of her face with little dimples. His eyes lowered over her as he waited for her to respond, observing her state of dress and the ring of dirt that stained the bottom of her skirt. She was wearing beige, with lace trim that he presumed was meant to be white, but was now faded to the same dull color. She must be a maid, he inferred, and, as he continued to wait for her to show him a proper greeting, felt some level of impatience when she did not. She instead took a small step away from him and raised an awkward hand to the back of her head.
"That's good—" she said and, in opposition to her steadfast smile, Roldan was now scowling. He opened his mouth to say something berating when suddenly the voice of Eines called out once again, this time from at his side.
"Honestly, child. Is that any way to introduce yourself?" Both Roldan and the girl looked over at a very unhappy Eines. He held a cup in one hand, and then placed it on the end table near them. "What are you even doing? Don't you know I've been looking for you all morning?"
His tone was scolding, though it had no effect on her. Roldan watched as the girl's eyes widened in what appeared to be anger.
"Are you smoking again? Are you serious?" she asked, completely ignoring his authority, and quickly yanked the cigar clear from his mouth. Roldan's brow rose high, and he actually had to angle himself out of her way when she suddenly leaned forward to stab it into the ashtray. "You know how bad this is for you, and you know how much I hate it. The smell is disgusting," she snapped, with hand on hip. She straightened up, and their glares were evenly matched. Eines narrowed his eyes, sighed roughly, and bit his cheek before responding.
"That is completely irrelevant. Look at you, you're not even dressed. Their Majesties could be here at any moment and you're—"
"I know. I know," she said, raising her hands defensively. She was suddenly devoid of anger and now looked at him with a slight fluster. "I came back as soon as I could. I'm sorry," she added, then bounced up on her toes and clasped her hands out in front of her like a child. This confused Roldan, which was why he told himself he couldn't stop staring. Eines, unable to stop himself from cracking a grin through all that anger, stared down at her, reached out, and clasped her tightly by the shoulders.
"You're hopeless. Truly. But seriously, look at you, your dress is absolutely filthy. I hope this isn't how you were planning on presenting yourself?"
She sucked in her lips, and her eyes roamed slyly back to Roldan. She rolled back on her heels, looking suddenly embarrassed.
"No. Of course not. I just got back from the stables. I thought I'd help Madam Lauris in the kitchen before changing," she explained, then turned and smiled at Roldan, awkwardly. "And then I kind of...bumped into this fine gentleman here. It's really just not my day. I'm sorry to have troubled you." She forced herself to laugh, staring at Roldan, shrewdly, and hoping he might come to her rescue. Feeling a very queer heat in his face, he looked away and cleared his throat.
"No. No, it was fine. I barely noticed being toppled over," he said, meaning to sound derisive, but Amara only giggled. The sound struck him, and he nearly glared at the way she covered her mouth with the back of a hand. Eines, looking so thoroughly exasperated, shook his head and jerked on her arm.
"Stop that. Are you determined to be the death of me?" he asked, trying his very best to glare, but apparently Amara knew better. She peered up at him with a quirked brow and a cunning grin. His eyes narrowed on her for a moment, before giving up the façade in its entirety and shaking his head once more. Roldan's eyes, for whatever reason, were trained on the spot where Eines's hand gripped her bicep. "Master Roldan-" he said, and Roldan blinked up attentively. "Please forgive her manners, she is a willful child. But now that she's finally graced us with her presence, may I introduce to you my daughter, Amara."
While the cues were clearly there, Roldan was still a little surprised. He blinked, repeatedly, and looked down at the girl who was now looking up at him. Her eyes had rounded again, become bright and piercing. He scowled a little as he placed a hand over his heart and compulsively bowed.
"Your daughter? Forgive me, I didn't realize," he said, and all sense of annoyance fled his voice. He straightened and raked his eyes down her once again. "From your state of dress, I assumed you were a maid."
He watched her eyes widen and her face flush a bright pink in embarrassment. It was nearly the same shade as her lips, and darkened the freckles on her cheeks. Now that they stood together, Roldan could see the familial resemblance clear as day. They both had that doe-eyed look about them, and that god awful air of cheer that had, all of the sudden, become much more bearable.
"Oh. Right. You would think that. I really am a mess right now. I should...go and change. Fumble aside, it was a...pleasure to meet you," she said, shying away from her father and ducking her head as she fiddled with her hair. She began to walk straight away, towards the foyer, and then stopped on a dime as soon as she crossed Roldan. Her elbow brushed against his, and he shifted away from it. "Wait-" she said, then peered up at him with a very unexpected, fervid expression. "Master Roldan? You mean THE Master Roldan? The nation's Steward?" She sounded excited, like a pitiful fangirl, and it came with a level of attention that Roldan was physically recoiling from.
"Of course, who else?" Eines interrupted. Roldan was thankful, fearing the intensity of her gaze may have burned him down had he endured it any longer. She blinked and leaned down from her toes, glancing over at her father. "Did you forget who it is we're hosting this week? Thank the gods it was not His Majesty you so rudely ran into."
Amara licked her lips, her brow worrying a little, and her hands lifted to knit in front of her. Roldan's eyes kept darting between all these mannerisms, and he gripped his cup a little tighter.
"Of course I have not forgotten. But you said His Majesty has blond hair," and she turned back to Roldan, inspecting him brazenly. "Do not take offense, but I knew immediately that you were not he," and she looked away again. "Do you really think me that daft, Father?"
Eines, poor, poor Eines, clawed both his hands down his face and tried not to groan.
"Yes, yes I do," he said, pitifully. Roldan watched from the corner of his eye as she scowled and pouted her lips.
"How insulting," she said, her tone turning suddenly hard as she placed her hands on her hips. "Master Roldan," she continued, dismissing her father in order to give him her full attention. By the time their gazes crossed, her scowl was replaced with a smile. "It's an honor to meet you. Truly, I admire everything you've done for the kingdom. Both you and His Majesty are beholden to us. I'm sorry once again for literally running into you. I'm not an imbecile, I swear."
Whatever reaction Roldan might have had to the cute little shrug she ended with, he did well to respond with no more than a raised brow.
"Clearly."
She laughed. Snickered, really. He didn't expect it. He could have sworn he'd forced condescension into that reply. And yet she giggled at him for a second time. But, before he could ponder his own feelings to that kind of reaction, the voice of the maid stole all their attentions. "My Lord," she said, bowing her head as she stood on the threshold. The three of them looked over.
"Yes?" Eines replied.
"Lady Arubella and her family have arrived."
"Good. Send them in."
The maid nodded, then backed away out of the room. A moment later, an echo of laughter could be heard from around the corner which was quickly accompanied by the forms of three little boys who dashed into the room.
They shoved at one another, each trying to be the first to enter, and were thus distracted when a very frustrated hand then swatted them, in quick succession, across the back of the head. They stopped dead in their tracks, and looked up at the scrutiny of the woman behind them.
She looked irritated, her expression twisted in a way that had become second nature, as she glared down at the boys. Her look made it obvious she was about to start screaming at them, but when she noticed Roldan standing in the room her aura did a complete 180. She placed a hand on her hip, forced a smile, and sighed.
"Boys, what have I told you about running?" she asked, with heavy inflection. The children, staring up at her and rubbing the back of their heads, gaped in confusion.
"Um, that it will be hard when we have no legs left to run on?" one answered, without a shred of sarcasm.
"Very good," the woman replied, sounding a little breathless. Whatever reaction she would have normally had, it was obvious she was physically restraining it for Roldan's sake. Her smile stretched a little more. "Do you remember what we talked about? We're going to be in very important company today. You need to be on your best behavior, lest you find yourselves beheaded." The subdued violence in her words contrasted to the pleasant way she said them in a manner that made it that much more unnerving. The boys paled, and then shot their gazes straight at Roldan.
"Oh no," another said, the shortest of the three, their mouths all hanging open.
"Oh yes," the woman said, then shooed them along with a gentleness that, from the very perplexed expressions of the boys, was the last thing they were expecting. They were joined by two men, who entered the room leisurely —lost in their own conversation. They did not look like they were paying attention at all, let alone concerned with the children's behavior.
The woman, tall, thin, with the same reddish-brown hair as Eines, continued to push the boys forward.
"Master Roldan, ah, how are you? It's a pleasure to see you again," she said, her smile becoming a little more genuine as she greeted him. Roldan bowed before her.
"As fine as can be, Lady Arubella. And yes, a pleasure," he said, flatly. He straightened, but his eyes couldn't help but fall to the boys who now stood, skittishly, clinging to their mother's skirt. Arubella took initiative for them.
"Please excuse their poor entrance. These little devils are my children," she said, then looked down the line from right to left. "Argus, Torbit and Ennen. Come, boys, greet the Hand of the King." She said that as if such a title would have no impact on them. However, their eyes widened a little more and they all bowed their heads.
"Uh, good day to you, My Lord," they all said, respectively. Roldan cracked a grin.
"I'm not a lord, but thank you."
He glanced away from them when the two men finally caught up to Arubella at her side.
"And you remember my husbands? Lord Darryn and Sir Eckert?"
Roldan inclined his head as the two men bowed. The boys, looking physically anxious, seemed to prefer the security of Amara as they each quickly slid out of their mother's hold to stand behind her instead.
"Of course," Roldan said, distractedly, as his peripheral caught the way Amara was now smiling as she ruffled one of the boy's hair.
"Good morning, Master," they said, their eyes averted as if neither of them particularly cared to greet him. Roldan rolled his own eyes away.
"I'm told breakfast will be served late today. Have Their Majesties not yet arrived?" Arubella asked, to Eines.
"Not yet," he said, and angled his head to give her a very serious look. "Good thing, too. Between my nephews and my daughter, Their Majesties would surely think us mannerless cads."
"Oh, come now Eines. You know how boys are. It's a miracle I've managed to keep them fully clothed for this long. They know when to behave when it counts, right children?" She spoke sweetly, but by the odd tension about the room everyone knew she was full of shit. The boys clung to Amara's skirt a little tighter.
"I could always come back, you know," Amara said, clutching the children lovingly to her sides. "There were never such issues under my care, were there?" she added, peering down at the children with a knowing, somewhat mischievous grin. This helped relax them, though they remained quiet.
"Nonsense. They are far too old for a governess, and you are far too old to play one. You'll end up a spinster at this rate," Arubella said, dismissively, and crossed her arms over her chest. Amara shrugged, not caring enough to push the matter.
Roldan, enjoying the company of Eines's sister even less than Eines himself, turned away as he prayed for Jareth and Sarah to just show the fuck up already.
It was at that exact moment that the gods answered his prayers, as the voice of the maid speaking just outside the room distracted them all. "Oh, good morning Your Majesty," they heard, and all heads turned.
A moment later, Jareth came walking in through the entryway —alone.
Everyone, save Roldan, bowed immediately.
"Ah, Your Majesty, good morning," Eines said. Jareth took a few steps into the room, glossed his eyes over the lot of them, and then looked at Roldan with a highly amused smirk. Roldan, understanding the unspoken dialogue perfectly, rolled his eyes away in annoyance.
"Good morning, Eines," Jareth said, pleasantly. Eines smiled and stood straight.
"I'm glad you've joined us, Your Grace. I hope the room is to your liking?"
Jareth, seeming to ignore everyone else in the room, tilted his head and placed a casual hand on his hip.
"Indeed. The Queen was very impressed," he said, smiling (in mockery) at the way Eines's face positively lit up from the compliment. Everyone else erected from their bows gradually. Jareth, not expecting there to be children, spared a glance for them and the girl they clung to, and then looked at Roldan again. "I see you're up and raring to go. Entertaining the house in my stead, were you?"
His question should have been harmless, and indeed that was how it was taken by everyone —except Roldan. No, Roldan knew better, however, by the sly look in Jareth's eye that he was being made fun of.
"I wouldn't phrase it quite like that," Roldan said, shrugging. "Where is Her Majesty? Breakfast is waiting," he added, forcibly changing the subject. Jareth smirked but ignored his clipped tone.
"Getting ready," he said, and that was all.
"Your Majesty—" Arubella said, begging his attention with eagerness. Jareth looked over at her. "Perhaps you did not see me here. Please forgive me for not being there to receive you last night. My family and I welcome you to the borough," she continued, lowering her eyes and bowing her head. Her husbands at her side did as well. A distasteful smile moved as a tick across Jareth's face. He'd forgotten about Arubella, but now remembered that he quite nearly hated her. She was as fake and as two-faced as they came —the light inflection in her voice a perfect tell of the decorum she forced. Not that he was any different, especially now, which was why he minded his own manners by suppressing his sneer to simply avert his eyes from them instead.
"There was no need. My wife and I preferred the informal reception," he said, and turned away. He was about to step around the group to speak with Eines (as had been his only intention in coming here in the first place), but as his eyes caught on the children, he thought he'd have some fun. He inclined his head low and bent at the knees. "And who are you?" he asked, with a playful little bounce that was not half as welcoming as it seemed. To Jareth's satisfaction, the children all cowered and darted their eyes away.
"Those are my sons, Your Majesty," Arubella said, and Jareth felt his lip twitch at the sound of her voice behind him. He straightened and looked away, now bored.
"Three boys? My, how commendable," he said, miffed, and not wanting to acknowledge there was now a reason to show her proper respect. Feeling a vague twitch of his own annoyance fester, his eyes flickered over Amara up and down. "And you?"
Amara blanched. He was staring straight at her and she at him. Good gods. She'd just been gaping at him this whole time.
"I-um-"
"Oh, forgive me, Your Grace," Eines said, stepping forward and taking Amara by the elbow. He really should not have spoken for her, which he realized almost immediately but it was too late. Though she was young, she was technically the Lady of the House. Taking away her social authority was a punishable offense —regardless if he was her father. Damn these Court antics. Maybe they really were mannerless cads. His smile twitched as he prayed Jareth would not make an example out of him. "This...is my daughter, Amara. I forgot this is the first time you've met," he continued, as casually as possible. Amara, more stunned by her father's asinine behavior than His Majesty's scrutiny, stammered for a moment as she processed how best to recover.
"G-greetings, Your Majesty. It's an honor to finally meet you," she said, with a smile, as she averted her eyes and bowed. Being of the upper aristocracy and a woman, she (along with Arubella) was not required to bow completely, even to a king. A lowered head and simple bend of the knees would do. Jareth regarded her for a moment, acknowledging their combined cues of panic, and did not have the least bit of interest in it. Actually, his thoughts remained entirely cursory. Was this really his daughter? he wondered. Hm, she looked far too pretty to be a product of the Eines family...
"A pleasure, Lordess," he said, but anyone who knew him knew the civility in his tone was no more than superficial and quickly became dismissive. "Forgive my bluntness, but you must excuse me. I need to speak with your father while we wait for the Queen," he continued, and looked up at Eines. "There are some things I'd like to go over with you before we head to Sulana." Eines looked a little panicky for a moment but recovered well. So...his indiscretion would not be acknowledged after all? Thank gods. Long live the King.
"Of course. Come, we can talk in my study," he said, and gestured for Jareth to precede him through a doorway on the other side of the room. He let go of his daughter's arm and stepped away from her, as if forgetting she existed at all, and smiled as he led Jareth away.
It was quiet for a moment, and then Arubella decided she'd done enough. With the King out of sight and introductions out of the way, she lost interest in further conversation and turned away from Roldan, Amara, and even her own children, in apathy, as she headed towards the dining hall. Her husbands, like dogs on a leash, wordlessly followed.
Amara stared after them, not at all surprised, and then crossed her arms as she shook her head.
"Boys, why don't you go seat yourselves in the dining room," she said softly. In contrast to the way they acted around their mother, this time the boys all nodded and very calmly, very quietly, did exactly as they were asked. They followed their parents through the door adjacent to them, and then closed it carefully behind themselves. Amara smiled after them, distracted.
Roldan, so very quiet, didn't realize they were alone until it was too late.
"My father is a bit of a travesty, isn't he?" Amara asked. He looked down at her, at the way she had turned to stare, so exasperatingly, in the wake of her father. He cracked a grin. He just couldn't help it.
"You should see him at court," he said, with a hint of amusement. He watched Amara's lips curl in profile as she pressed the tips of her fingers against them.
"I can imagine well enough," she said, and looked over to lock eyes with him. She looked chipper once more. "Sometimes I wonder if that's why he doesn't want me there. Maybe he thinks I'll find him embarrassing." And she laughed at the thought. Roldan's expression softened a little. He didn't realize he missed the opportunity to respond, so when the silence stretched, she teetered awkwardly from foot to foot and stepped around him. "Well...I suppose I should go change now. Hopefully His Majesty did not consider my appearance...I bring enough trouble to my father as it is," she said, clasping her hands behind her back. "I will see you shortly, I'm sure. At breakfast." He kept on staring dumb, until his senses caught up with him and he bowed his head compulsively.
"Indeed, My Lady."
She turned to leave, though managed no more than a few steps. She stopped dead on the threshold, and Roldan looked over to see what was the matter. She was staring at something, and it was only another second before Roldan caught sight of it as well.
There was a figure descending the stairs in the foyer, a very poised, very regal looking figure. A figure Roldan had to actually do a double take on to realize was Sarah.
Mariella was alongside her, and they were chatting unawares. One of Sarah's hands lightly trailed the railing at the side of her, and she smiled with a type of elegance that was uncharacteristically natural. Her hair was up, which was a rarity in and of itself, knotted messily and decorated with a few meticulously placed black roses. Her gown was something he'd never seen her wear before either —something sophisticated, structured, appropriate. It was a deep red, made of a material which shone black when the light hit it and crinkled as she moved to emulate the wrinkles of the weathered flowers in her hair. It was tightly fitted, with a loose bell skirt that plumed with each step. She wore a tiny black overcoat, crusted with jewels, which was fitted just as snuggly as her dress. He was amazed actually. There had been far too few times he'd seen her actually look the part before. They hit the bottom of the stairs and turned towards them, seeming to know where they were going. Roldan, by this point, had come to stand at Amara's side, and both were silently gawking.
Amara blinked and then peered up at Roldan.
"Wow. Is that...Her Majesty?" she asked. Roldan's brow lifted.
"Yes."
Amara blinked again, a little bit awed.
"I had wondered what she would look like. She's gorgeous. She looks...she looks amazing." There was an air of disbelief in her voice -or at least, that's how Roldan interpreted it. In actuality, what she felt was appreciation. Pride that this was the image of her queen.
"Indeed," Roldan responded, and raised a hand to the back of his head. "It's very...surprising." And Amara laughed. She wasn't entirely paying attention, so the sound was empty, her eyes still glued to Sarah as they came nearer.
"Oh no. I fear I'm about to panic," Amara said with another anxious chuckle. She placed her fingers to her mouth and looked up at Roldan. "Do you think she'll notice the dirt on my dress?"
Roldan snorted.
"Doubtful."
Amara's tension lessened, but only marginally.
"Oh, well I pray so," she said, then looked away. "I admit, I'm feeling very intimidated now."
"Don't be," Roldan said, reflexively, and then bit his cheek. He was staring down at her from his peripheral, a gaze which then passed through her. "Despite her appearance, she's actually...quite crude herself." He may have sounded a little wayward just then, but Amara didn't notice. Actually, she started laughing again, and turned back to face him with a wide smile and a sharply arched brow.
"Oh? You're very audacious, aren't you? Did you just insult both Her Majesty and the Lady of the Borough in one go?" she asked, playfully. Roldan cracked a grin but it was strained. His eyes drifted to Sarah, who was now greeting a passing maid, and then slowly came back to Amara. She was giving him that look again —that wide-eyed, shameless stare.
"No, you misunderstand. It was not meant as an insult."
A short while earlier…
Sarah heard a knock on the door from the other room, and leaned around the doorway to the bathroom with a towel gripped tightly to her chest.
"Come in!"
She had a toothbrush in her mouth, so the words were malformed and mumbled, but were recognized well enough as Mariella then opened the door. She came in and greeted Sarah with a smile.
"Good morning," she said, closing the door behind her before carefully peering around.
"Don't worry. Jareth just left," Sarah said, assuringly, and disappeared back into the bathroom to rinse her mouth. "He said he had some stuff to do before we go to town later." Mariella relaxed upon hearing this. It was simply her nature now.
"I see. Do you want me to put together your outfit then?" she asked, with a raised voice that would reach over the sound of the running faucet. She heard a series of squeaks as Sarah turned it off, and a second later she had joined her in the bedroom once more.
"Yeah. I was thinking...maybe that red one? I don't know. This is supposed to be official business. I want to actually look like a Goblin Queen, you know?" she said, combing her fingers through wet hair as she sat on the end of the bed. By now Mariella had moved to a closet where Sarah's dresses had been hung.
"Yes, I understand. And I agree; I think the red one will do just nicely. It will be appropriate for the reception tonight as well. I know how much you hate changing your clothes," she said, teasingly, as she pulled out the ensemble. Sarah pursed her lips but said nothing. "It is a little thin though...and it's not as hot here as it is in the Capital...I'd recommend wearing heavier underthings. Perhaps even a corset-"
"Oh. Should I...be wearing a corset?" Sarah asked. Mariella paused and looked up, having totally forgotten about Sarah's condition. Their eyes locked and both women looked worried. However, the look was fleeting on Mariella and she quickly recovered with a smile.
"A coat then," she said, reassuringly, and leaned up from where she'd lain out the dress across the bed. Sarah's brow was now knitted. Mariella cursed herself for being so tactless. "You could also wear a bustier instead. Those are more comfortable for you anyway, right?" she asked, smiling over her shoulder as she walked across the room to one of Sarah's trunks, and then knelt down to rummage through it. Sarah gripped the edge of the bed and kicked her feet.
"Yeah, that'll be fine I guess."
Mariella paused. Her back was to Sarah, but she'd registered her now wayward and somewhat dour tone all too easily. Her brow knitted a little, frustrated she could not think of a proper way to help her.
"Speaking of," she spoke up, with an entirely cheerful and deflective tone. "How are you feeling? Have you told His Majesty yet?"
"Um...no. I tried but...it just didn't feel right," Sarah replied, absently. Mariella frowned.
"I see….Well, you still have time. When you're ready, the words will come," she said, and went back to sorting through Sarah's lingerie. Sarah, starting to feel restless, stood from the bed and walked towards her.
"I know...still." She knelt down beside Marie and joined in her rummaging, pulling out random bits of lace that she didn't even know Mariella had packed. Mariella spied on her from her peripheral.
"You seem a little better this morning, though. Did a good night's sleep help at all?" she asked. Sarah shrugged, although a deep frown marred her face.
"Yeah, I think it did. I don't feel so...freaked out today," she said. She was staring down, eyeing her thumbs as they caressed a very fine silk stocking. She'd never worn stockings before. Hm.
Mariella forced herself to smile.
"Good. I'm happy for that," she said, and then stood. Sarah's gaze followed her, watching as the nymph placed her hands square on her hips and grinned back. "I think what you need is a distraction, Your Majesty. Come, let's get you dressed, pretty you up, and head on to breakfast," she continued, offering Sarah her hand. She accepted it tentatively. "We'll show them a Goblin Queen like they've never seen."
1 minute before present…
Sarah smiled as she and Marie descended the stairs. Marie's good spirits did their job well in uplifting her own, so she was actually feeling a little happy now. She was not yet nauseous —though she was monitoring her body like crazy for any signs of it— and was actually feeling extremely hungry. She imagined that was due to sleeping so much the previous day.
The two of them walked through the foyer, stopping to greet a couple of the servants as they passed. They looked noticeably surprised to receive her direct attention, but were still able to give her honest smiles. They came upon the lounge now. Jareth had told her to pass through there to get to the dining hall. During a break in her conversation with Mariella, Sarah peered ahead and noticed two very attentive faces staring at them.
"Oh, Roldan. Good morning," she said, cheerfully —and even to her own ears did it sound surprisingly earnest. Roldan just stared at her for a moment, scowling. "Did you sleep well?" she asked when he failed to respond, feeling a twinge awkward, and wondered if he was still a little mad at her about the Alvari mess... "I tell you, I'm never taking a feathered mattress for granted again after being in that carriage." She prattled on, with a half-cocked smile, and then turned her attention to the other figure quietly gawking at her. It was a woman, standing a little shorter than her, and who looked to be about the same age as her too. She had absolutely magnificent curly red hair, and skin so pale it looked like porcelain. Her eyes were very fair, and very large, and they stared, intensely, straight into her soul. "Um...Hello."
The girl blinked, as if startled from a daze, and quickly opened her mouth in a panic.
"H-hello, Your Majesty," she said, and quickly bowed. Sarah took half a step back. "It's a —pleasure —honor —I mean, it's an honor to meet you," she continued, struggling through the dialogue like she was sorting out the words themselves on her tongue. She straightened, but the passion in her gaze remained strong. She looked deeply excited, and confused, standing on pins and needles even. Sarah, unable to stop herself from grinning, tried to remain regal and not lift her hand to the back of her head.
"You can just call me Sarah, please. I hate titles."
The girl sucked in her lips. She looked worried, like maybe she thought she was being tested. Her eyes darted away and lost some of their fervor.
"Oh...okay…" she said, uncomfortably. "My name is Amara. Lord Eines is my father," she added, with another bow of the head. Roldan, quiet as was expected of him, watched on in disappointment. Surely, Sarah had no idea how she'd just fumbled. Poor Amara, she was probably so confused right now…
With proper etiquette blown a mere 30 seconds into the conversation, Roldan thought to hell with it all and shook his head.
"Please forgive Her Majesty," he said, earning a very sharp and perplexed look from Sarah. Amara peered up at him with a tiny bit of relief. "She's from the Aboveground and is still learning our customs. She did not mean to offend you," he said, keeping his attention strictly on Amara. And now Sarah's brow furrowed. Huh?
"What are you talking about?" Sarah asked. Roldan looked at her and crossed his arms. Amara gulped.
"Have you forgotten our very first lesson?" he asked. Sarah blinked. Roldan sighed. "You approached us, a man and a woman, standing together, and what did you do?"
Sarah blinked again. Oh, pop quiz? Damn.
"Um...I, uh…"
Roldan stared with a tension that implied the sound of her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. He let her struggle for a moment, and then glared.
"You addressed me first," he answered for her, the words clipped. This startled Amara, who looked openly taken aback as she glanced from one to the other. Was he —was he really speaking so harshly to The Queen? Roldan, completely ignorant of Amara's sense of concern, crossed his arms and exhaled through his nose. "Is that how we are meant to conduct ourselves, My Queen?" he asked, derisively. Sarah frowned again. Oh, fuck. That's right. She was supposed to talk to Amara first and only speak to Roldan through her until she cued him into the conversation. Shit. Way to kick off her debut.
Trying to think of a way to redeem herself whilst skirting some of the blame, Sarah smiled pleasantly and bowed her head to Amara.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I thought those rules only applied to actual couples," she said, and missed the way Amara suddenly blushed as she lowered her eyes. Sarah did, however, stand to attention when the girl immediately started rambling.
"Oh, no, please, Your Majesty—I mean Sarah, Queen Sarah. It is alright. I understand entirely. You have no need to apologize to me, although I do appreciate it, greatly. I am honored by it, in fact. Do not trouble yourself; no offense was taken at all. I was just a little caught off guard. It's amazing really that you're learning our customs so quickly. It took me years to train my eyes to not look into someone else's. I fear I still fumble from time to time. Oh gosh, just a short while ago I ran head first into His Majesty's Steward here, and then I totally forgot myself when I was introduced to His Majesty. I really am a bit of a barbarian. I have very little experience with court rules. I'm sorry if I offend you —offended you— at all."
Sarah just kind of stared. Amara spoke very quickly, on a single breath that should not have been physically sustainable. Her eyes were averted and she fiddled with a lock of hair. It took every ounce of Sarah's self control not to grin. It seemed Lord Eines was not the only one in the family who suffered from nervous ramblings.
When Sarah was sure Amara was finished, she allowed a ghost of her stifled grin to show through as she responded, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds that difficult. Some of those rules are just plain silly. It's a pleasure to meet you, Amara." The amount of relief that swept over Amara was so severe it became tangible. Her shoulders relaxed and the lock of hair she'd been twisting fell dead from her grasp. "On that note, Jareth said I can dispense with all that formality?"
Amara's mouth dropped open, and she blinked repeatedly in confusion.
"Yes. In your case, I'd highly recommend it," Roldan replied, much to Amara's appreciation. Damn, she was not anticipating to be so star struck. She'd never met the King before, and this was the Queen's first excursion to the region. She'd been a bit arrogant up until this point, but now understood her father's anxiety —just a little bit.
"Will do. Consider formalities hereby eradicated," Sarah said, with a sharp salute. Mariella grinned and held back a laugh. Roldan sighed once more.
"Good job," he said, dismissively, and angled himself away. This allowed Sarah to see further into the room behind them. She peered around, and frowned a little to find it empty.
"So...where is everyone? We didn't miss breakfast, did we?" she asked. Amara bounced on tiptoe.
"Of course not, Your Maj-I mean...S-sarah?" she said, and inclined her head in as debonair a manner as she could manage. "Breakfast will commence at your leisure." Sarah smiled as she observed her, happy and relieved even, that she was not the only one struggling to live up to Court standards.
"Hm...good, 'cuz I'm starving," she said, and went to take a step forward. She caught herself before her heel could touch the floor, however, and nearly face palmed. "Oh, sorry, God I'm so stupid," she said, and turned towards Mariella. "This is Mariella, my hand maid." She gave Marie an apologetic smile as she spoke, though Marie only quirked a playful brow in response. She took a step forward and bowed to Amara.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Amara."
Amara dipped her head.
"And you as well."
"Have you seen Jareth, Roldan?" Sarah asked, ignoring the two as she kept on surveying the lounge. "He left a little while ago. Said he had some stuff to take care of."
"Yes, he's speaking with Eines," Roldan replied. "I imagine they'll both join us shortly."
Just then the door to the dining hall opened, and all four peered around to glimpse Lady Arubella and her husbands reentering the lounge. Arubella looked up, located Sarah immediately, and, so very suddenly, the look of natural disgruntlement that had been wrinkling her face transformed into an over practiced, entirely farcical, smile.
"Oh—Your Majesty? Is that you?" she said and, with genteel hands pinching the sides of her skirt, quickly shuffled over to greet her. "Good Morning, Your Grace."
"Um, hello?"
Arubella dipped her head very low as she curtsied. Her husbands bowed as well. Sarah's eyes darted around awkwardly. This woman was dressed very extravagantly. Honestly, it put her own outfit to shame. And those men? Were those her manservants? They were dressed nearly identical and had a very quiet, very submissive air about them. Or, maybe, they had simply been subdued by the intensity of all the jewels, tassels, and reflective gold trim that were on this woman's very loud and entirely unwarranted ball gown.
"It's an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Lady Arubella, sister to Lord Eines," she said, placing a hand lightly to her heart as she stood. Then she glanced back at each of the men. "This is my husband, Lord Darryn, and my consort, Sir Ekert."
It took a second for the words to click. She looked at the three of them, in silence, and then her eyes widened.
"Oh," she said, without any shred of tact whatsoever. She could feel Roldan shaking his head to the side of her. Not wanting to prove herself a fool again, she bit her lip and grinned, a little tick causing her head to twitch before she responded. "...Oh I see. Nice to meet you all. Will you also be joining us for breakfast?" she asked.
"If Your Majesty would allow it. We meant to receive you last evening. I apologize for our absence," Arubella replied. Sarah waved a hand.
"It's alright. We pretty much went straight to bed anyway," she said. There was tension steadily building in Sarah's voice as she realized, just now, that this was maybe her first official encounter with someone without Jareth by her side. She underestimated just how much of a rock he had been in those previous situations, and now direly wished he would join them. Thankfully, there was an impulsive bang! followed by the echoes of several different kinds of laughter that resonated from the dining hall. Sarah glanced over reflexively, so she did not quite catch the look of utter disdain that wretched, for one split second, across Lady Arubella's face. By the time Sarah looked back, Arubella's expression was as placid as could be.
"Oh...goodness. Forgive me, Your Grace. Those are my children," she said, breathily. "Seems they're getting into a bit of mischief. Please, excuse me for a moment." And she bowed her head.
"Of course…" Sarah said, for whatever reason surprised that there were children here. She'd only seen fae children once, at her engagement ball, but she really didn't know anything about them. Were they different from human children? What? Why the fuck was she thinking such stupid thoughts? Oh. Right. Not wanting to acknowledge whatever the hell she was now feeling, she shook her head clear as Arubella and her entourage retreated back into the dining hall, and she turned away to face Roldan and Amara again. "Are we waiting for anyone else?"
"No. It's only the eight of us," Amara replied. "My aunt and her family live here on the estate with us. Seemed a waste to have such a big house with no one to fill it." She shrugged and turned to glance over the room. "There were others here last night, nobles from the neighboring boroughs, but they all went home. They'll be back tonight for the reception, however."
"I see…" Sarah said, and licked her lips as she tried not to place a hand over her stomach. "So...do we...have to wait for Jareth? How much longer do you think he'll be? Because I really am kind of starving." She laughed awkwardly, very near the point of disregarding Jareth entirely in favor of a single piece of toast. Oh God, was that a stomach rumble she felt coming on?
"Speak of the devil..." Roldan murmured, turning towards the sound of a door creaking open on the other side of the room. Sarah's eyes followed and spotted Both Eines and Jareth still in the midst of conversation. They both looked rather serious, but the moment Eines looked up and saw her, his expression changed into a compulsive, highly energized beam.
"Your Grace!" he said, seeming to forget Jareth then and there and walked briskly towards them. "And Lady Mariella, ah, good day. What perfect timing," he continued, clasping his hands together tightly in front of himself as he bowed. Sarah, slyly analyzing Jareth, determined that he was wholeheartedly bored.
"Good morning, Eines. I hope we didn't keep everyone waiting," Sarah said. Eines straightened and glanced at Roldan.
"Not at all. Master Roldan was the only one to arrive somewhat early."
"I merely assumed breakfast would be served at breakfast time," he replied, sounding ornery. Sarah pouted her lips but chose not to provoke him —too badly.
"Yeah, yeah. It was a long ride. I was tired. Sue me," she said, and rolled her eyes away from him. Roldan stared at her and narrowed his eyes in confusion. What? What the hell did she just say?
"Now that we are all here," Eines said, calling back Sarah's attention. "—would you like to retire to the dining hall, Your Majesty?"
About fucking time.
"Yes."
Eines bowed but, before he could fully straighten, was tugged on the arm by Amara.
"Her Majesty has dispensed with Court formalities, Father. You may want to relay that to Aunt Arubella."
"I see," he said, sounding hesitant but looking about ten pounds lighter. "Thank heavens." He turned back to Sarah and steepled his hands. "You have my gratitude, Your Majesty. We're so far removed from common court, keeping up with custom can sometimes feel a bit...extraneous," he said, with a wince. "—to the children especially." He glared at Amara as he said that, and Sarah found the way she averted her eyes in obstination to be very interesting. These people weren't exactly what she was expecting, but she was pleased for it.
"I understand. I don't want anyone to feel pressured by our visit. Just speak to me normally. And please, call me Sarah. Both of you."
"Of course…"
Sarah turned, which was apparently cue for them all to turn and head into the dining room. She made it a single step before Amara suddenly interjected.
"Um, Your Maj-I mean, Sarah?" she asked, raising a pointed finger into the air with ambivalence. Sarah glanced over at her.
"Yes?"
"If you'll pardon me, I'm not particularly fit for breakfast at the moment. Would you please excuse me to change?"
Sarah stared. Did she really need her permission?
"Yeah. Of course."
"Thank you," Amara said, and bowed. "Please, do not postpone your meal on my account. I shall join you all shortly."
Breakfast went as breakfast often does: pleasantly and with a lot of sweet-smelling food. The table was wide enough to sit both Sarah and Jareth at the head, while the remainder of the guests organized themselves according to some unspoken hierarchy. Down the line on Sarah's right sat Eines, Marie, Arubella's consort Eckert, and their three children. To Jareth's left, sat Arubella, her husband Darryn, and Roldan.
Sarah found this arrangement curious, and wondered if it actually meant something. Eines and Arubella were their hosts, so she supposed it made sense for them to sit closest. With this in mind, she had expected Roldan to be seated across from Marie. Surely, as Jareth's number two that made him more important than whoever the fuck Arubella's lordly husband was, right? But then again, he was born a servant and, to Sarah's knowledge, was never given an actual lordship from Jareth. Maybe he actually was the lowest man on the totem pole...
Amara, being late, was not factored into the seating arrangement. Wherever she might have been placed, she was now forced to join Roldan at the far end of the table opposite the children. Her dress was now dusty pink and had cute little bows leading down the front. She'd also pulled her hair back into a semi-manageable braid. Sarah, in the midst of conversation with Eines (who was already proving to be every bit the chatterbox Jareth had foretold), noticed her skip into the room and plop herself beside Roldan without hesitation. He twitched when she greeted him, which made Sarah giggle. The girl was certainly energetic and did not seem to have any concept of physical boundaries. He would physically tense every time she lightly shoved him on the shoulder while she laughed, to the point where he was sitting as rigid as a plank. Sarah found this highly amusing and imagined Roldan would feel like quite the strangulated fish out of water by the end of the meal.
She didn't much care for Arubella, or her husbands, and got the feeling no one else did either. They seemed very pretentious, Arubella especially, seeming to both try to impress and condescend Sarah at the same time. The only one who didn't really notice this was Eines, who was just too good natured to read between the lines.
As the meal progressed, Sarah would spy on the lot of them, taking satisfaction in how easy and natural the conversations flowed. The children, seated so far away, talked only to themselves however, unless prompted by Amara. Arubella had introduced them earlier, though hadn't included them in any conversation beyond that. Sarah kept staring at them, finding the whole concept of polygamy and mating, made flesh before her eyes, very, very strange. She learned that the tallest of the three, a very pale boy with dark hair, was also the eldest, the first and only child between Arubella and her husband —Lord Darryn. The other two, twins, with auburn hair that seemed to be a trademark of the Eines family, were a product of her consort —Eckert. Sarah knew that the more children a woman birthed, the more esteem they held in Court. She imagined this was why Arubella acted so smugly. Three children, healthy, and so close in age, was a really big deal for them.
Seeing those boys sit so politely, whispering to themselves with covered grins, made Sarah wonder about her own child's future. How would it be raised? What sort of ideals would it be taught? How much control did she even have over such things? She was told, repeatedly, that women were the authoritative figures in the home, over their children especially. But...she was a foreigner. What if her idea of raising a child was different from Jareth's? What if he expected things to be a certain way because they were royalty? What if those were things she could not condone or agree with? She and Jareth had never had that kind of conversation before, and it scared her. Jareth was raised in a very particular way. He was raised to be a King. And, despite the cruelty he suffered, she imagined a part of what made his perspective so different from hers was that he was never allowed to be just a child. He was a prince. He was born into responsibility, born to carry the weight of thousands of lives on his shoulders. He was different from everyone else and taught to be that way. And she knew that, in a lot of cases, those differences were necessary in order for him to assume those responsibilities.
But still...she would not let her children be warped by this backwards world. She would not let them become cruel and selfish. She'd do everything in her power to mold them into a progressive force, figures strong and compassionate, and capable of evolving the ideologies that so often painted this place monstrous. She'd fight to her dying breath to ensure that. Even Jareth.
She glanced up at him with that thought. He looked so docile right now. Pleasant. He was obviously pretending to care about whatever it was he was talking about, but when he caught her gaze, he smiled, and she was surprised by how much one look could affect her. She felt immediately relieved. She didn't know why, but she embraced it. She knew in her heart that Jareth would be a good father. She knew that he was nothing like Thaelon.
She was distracted when he reached under the table and clasped her hand, then brought her with him as he stood. Apparently, she'd missed out on the end of the conversation and now breakfast was over.
The table was quickly cleared, and, now freed from the restrictions of the seating arrangement, everyone gradually meandered to wherever, or to whomever, they would much rather be. Tea was served as idle chatter resumed. Lord Darryn was the first to latch onto Jareth, and Sarah used that moment of distraction to try and make her way over to Marie—
"I say, you are truly fine company, Your Majesty," Arubella said, inserting herself into Sarah's path and impeding her in another blatant attempt to monopolize her attention. Sarah's mannerly smile was starting to exhaust itself. "I am so glad you've chosen us to host you. I look forward to the reception this evening. I hope it is to your standards."
"Thank you. I'm sure it will be wonderful," Sarah said, peering around her towards Mariella and giving her a very desperate look. Sarah saw Marie was also trapped in conversation, suffering the same thoughtful smile as she tried her best to sneak her away around Sir Eckert. Sarah glanced back at Jareth. Damn. The three of them were like a pack of wolves. Past Mariella, she saw Roldan being bumped into by the band of children while Amara had run off to the other side of the room where she seemed to be in a rather heated discussion with her father.
"You are to depart for Sulana now, yes?" Arubella asked. Sarah blinked back to attention.
"Yes, I think so."
"I apologize in advance if you find the scenery somewhat lacking. We are a rather humble folk. You must be accustomed to considerable refinement in the Capital. I only hope you don't think too poorly of us."
Sarah's brow knitted with a twinge of impatience.
"I don't come from money, Lady Arubella. And even if I did, I wouldn't judge people for not having any. You should take more pride in your home, like your brother does —you are representing it, after all," she said, with a subtle edge of warning. Arubella took pause, caught off guard by the response. Jareth, who had been listening to her more than Lord Darryn, grinned to himself.
"O-of course. Forgive me, I did not mean to sound unappreciative. We have a very fine borough. Strong in character, if nothing else." She was smiling but Sarah could see the tension in her jaw. No doubt she was secretly furious Sarah had scorned her with such a magnanimous response. Sarah, not in any state of mind to care about this woman at all, disregarded her by turning her attention clear away.
"Right. Now, please excuse me. I'd like to speak with my Lady."
Arubella bowed, trying her best not to glare as Sarah left her. She joined Mariella at her side, and at that moment did Eckert bow his head and promptly leave. Sarah, so very fucking thankful to be away from Arubella, let out a sigh of relief as she looked at Marie.
"Are you about ready?" she asked. Mariella blinked.
"For what?" she replied. Sarah's brow lifted and she glanced towards the doorway.
"To go to Sulana?"
Mariella continued to stare at her in befuddlement.
"You mean...to survey the construction? With you and His Majesty?" she asked. Sarah nodded.
"What else?"
"Oh. Forgive me. I just...was not expecting you to ask."
"Why? We've been talking about seeing the sights for days," she said, her residual impatience gaining new traction with the way Mariella only looked more and more put off.
"Yes…"
"So? Is there a problem?"
"No, just...Your Majesties are being escorted on official business. I fear it may not be my place to join you," she explained, fully anticipating the angry little pout she immediately received. Sarah gripped her hips with both hands, and sighed.
"So you can't go? Seriously?"
"Um, pardon me, Your Grace?"
Sarah, on the verge of having to fight off real annoyance, looked over at a tentative and thoroughly beaten looking Eines. He was smiling, awkwardly, and had Amara by his side.
"Yes?"
"I don't mean to interrupt, but we will be departing soon and...well…" and he instinctively glanced down at Amara. One of her hands lightly gripped the back of his arm and, if Sarah didn't know better, she might guess Amara was actually handling him. "Would it be alright for my daughter to accompany us? She has...expressed the desire to escort you."
Sarah looked between him, Amara, and back again, merely to appreciate the contrast in their expressions if nothing else. The nervous frustration in Eines's grin was self-evident, while Amara's was confident and transparently cunning —like a perky little puppet master. Sarah actually felt some level of respect towards her. She'd seemed just as jittery as her father when they'd first met, though now it appeared this girl had a bit more moxie.
Amara squeezed her father's arm as she inclined her head towards Sarah.
"It would be an honor, Queen Sarah. If you will have me, of course."
Sarah spied, briefly, on a very well-ambushed Jareth still deadlocked in conversation between the trio of the Arubella clan. She had a feeling Marie might be right about being obligated to stay behind; so, seeing an opportunity to exude some of her newly acquired authority before Jareth or Roldan could potentially stop her, she cracked a conniving grin of her own before glancing back at Marie.
"Of course you may come. The more the merrier, I say. My maid will be joining us too. Us women can admire the town while the men get to work. Right, Marie?"
Mariella blinked dumbly but caught on quick. Her flighty expression formed itself a grin and she nodded.
"Of course. As Your Majesty wishes."
Thoroughly pleased with herself, Sarah looked back at Eines and Amara just as they raised their heads. Eines looked...a little surprised, but did not dare rebut her. Amara's grin stretched the width of her face.
"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you," she said, bouncing up on her toes a little as she clasped her hands together. The subtle aggression once conveyed towards her father vanished in a flash, and now she was filled with nothing but mirth. Eines, in all honesty, looked immensely relieved to be out of his daughter's clutches, and averted his eyes as he exhaled.
"Don't worry about it. You're the Lordess, right? You shouldn't need permission to escort me anyway," she said, ironically being the one to remind Amara of her own station.
Something interesting about Orpian social structure was that the rite of inheritance did not go to the first born son —as Sarah had once assumed. Due to regulations regarding the complexities of "mating", assumption of title went to the first born child. Daughters held just as much claim and social power as sons, and did not need to marry in order to maintain it. Many of Jareth's landlords were in fact landlordesses —which was one of the only signs of female representation she had actually seen in this supposedly "matriarchal" society. She knew from her study guide that Lord Eines was a widower, and it seemed Amara was his only daughter. Which, if Sarah was remembering correctly, meant she held higher authority than her Aunt and, once she ascended the title of Lordess fully, would be second in stature only (among the other Lordesses and within the laws of the Goblin Kingdom anyway) to Sarah herself.
Amara, possessing not a single ounce of this awareness, gaped as her cheeks turned a bright pink.
"Right," she said, and bit her lip nervously. "I sometimes forget. No one ever refers to me as Lordess," she said, with a level of humility that was very endearing. It was the perfect opposition to the pretension of her Aunt, who Sarah had learned was Eines' twin born a mere two minutes after him. Even though they had just met, Sarah found herself thankful Eines had been the one to inherit his father's title.
"Perhaps they would if you acted like one," Eines mumbled, with exasperation, as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Analyzing his apparent headache, Sarah recalled seeing them talking a short while ago and imagined, with vivid clarity, just what a potent force of persuasion this bubbly little girl actually was.
"You bring yourself shame by saying such things. Are you not the one who raised me?" Amara retorted. Eines arched a brow and looked down his nose at her.
"I raised something, at least." While those words sounded condescending, he could not keep a straight face while saying them. His look of disapproval cracked into a reluctant grin, which she reciprocated, and it was a display of playfulness that Sarah found to be truly touching. It made her think of her own father, of the way they would tease each other...once.
Just before Sarah could fall into the pit of introspection she'd just opened for herself, Mariella piped up and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Oh look, His Majesty has finally escaped."
Sarah, now looking a bit sad, peered over reflexively as Jareth approached her. He placed a hand against her back and stood close to her side. He did not seem to register her melancholy, which she appreciated. Instead, his attention was direction at Eines as he, with some tension, said, "We should be getting on now. I've had enough of your sister, and enchanting the barrier will take some time." Jareth's tone was completely frank. Sarah almost shoved him with her elbow for being so rude. She looked over at Eines, about to apologize, but somehow the insult went completely over his head. He only smiled and dipped his head.
"Of course. Our carriage is already prepped," he said, taking a step back as he placed a gentle hand to Amara's back. Jareth took cue from the gesture and arched a brow.
"Will you be joining us as well, young Lordess?" he asked. Amara paled for a moment, caught off guard by the use of her title for a third time in one day.
"Ah, yes. Her Majesty was kind enough to allow me. I look forward to escorting the three of you."
"Three?" Jareth repeated, and looked over at Sarah. Oh snap.
"Yeah. Mariella is coming too," she said, assertively. She held Jareth's gaze, wondering what his reaction would be and whether or not he would show it in front of company. Jareth, seeing through her display entirely, felt one corner of his mouth curl in a ghostly grin. Was she trying to challenge him right now? Did she think this was something he cared about...at all? Should he toy with her?
"Right. Can't go anywhere without sweet Mariella in tow, can we?" he said, facetiously. Sarah stared at him wide eyed. It was very rare that he called Marie by her name, which had her wondering what the hell he was up to. He restrained a chuckle at her reaction, taking enough satisfaction from the look of suspicion now lain deeply rooted on her face, and turned away from her. "Shall we take on the rest of them as well? Lady Arubella would fit perfectly between us, don't you think? Roldan would do well on Miss Amara's lap-"
"Alright, I get it," Sarah said, irritated by his mockery, and crossed her arms in lieu of shoving him when he huffed with laughter. "Let's just get going before I decide to call your bluff and sit her on your lap."
Eines led the five of them out the main door towards the drive. He was talking, walking in front of them but looking back over his shoulder. He was saying something about the townsfolk being appraised of their visit, so they knew to respect their discretion and not make a spectacle of their presence. Sarah appreciated that. She imagined Jareth did as well —if he wasn't the one to make such a mandate in the first place.
They were exiting onto the patio now and, over the sound of Eines's unwavering monologue, Sarah spied on a single open-faced carriage awaiting them in the drive. It was hitched to a creature Sarah did not recognize. Some kind of reptile: a greyish-green color with a long mane of pale, blue hair. It had a whip-like tail and large claws on its feet. It dug a little at the ground, and the way its head bent against the morning sun revealed an iridescent glint to its scales. She drifted a little as she stared at it, still so easily awed by all these fantastical creatures which were so mundane to the rest of them. Jareth, with his arm locked in hers, kept her from wandering too far.
The driver, Sarah noticed, was also a creature new to her. He was short, but Sarah didn't think he was a goblin. His skin was near white and he had elongated ears that came to very sharp points. He was bald, and the whites of his eyes were black. The creature dismounted and opened the carriage door, then bowed very low in silence.
"After you, Your Majesty," Eines said, gesturing with a hand. Sarah, holding onto Jareth's hand for stability, picked up the skirt of her dress as she climbed up the steps. Marie was right, the climate here was different than in the Goblin City. It was cool and temperate. It couldn't have been less than 60 degrees out, but she was no longer used to it and was glad she'd worn extra layers.
Jareth entered and sat down beside her. Next came Mariella, who sat across from Jareth, then Eines, and finally Amara.
Sarah's eyes couldn't help but spy on their driver as he closed the little door and climbed back up to his bench. She leaned towards Jareth and whispered, "What um...what is he?"
"An imp," he replied, humoring her by inclining his head towards her with a lowered tone. "They are more common in this region as goblins are to the Capital."
"Ah."
There was a loud crack in the air as their driver snapped the reins. The beast made a strange kind of hiss and galloped forward.
"So, Eines, what can you tell me about the borough? How far away are we from Sulana?" Sarah asked.
"Hopefully a great deal," he replied, with a laugh. He shifted in his spot, and Amara hooked her arm around his. "We are a very rural community. Mostly farmers, trappers, some tradesmen. Sulu has the highest population between the three districts I manage. Gead and Vanti are vast in acreage, but only support five hamlets between them. I delegate the day to day to my sheriffs, although I do try to check in, in person, as often as I can. Sulana is...something of the unofficial capital of the region. It shouldn't be more than a twenty minute ride to get there."
"I see. How often do villages get attacked around here? Jareth made it seem like a common occurrence."
Eines laughed impulsively, Sarah wasn't quite sure why.
"Oh, indeed," he said, averting his eyes for a moment. "The surrounding forests are filled with terrible beasts. It is what we are known for. Sportsmen come from all across Orpia to hunt our grounds. The barrier keeps the more dangerous ones out of the towns, but, after what that boar did to it, it is extremely weak at the moment."
"And you can't repair it yourselves?" she asked. Eines's brow rose very high and he sat back in his seat.
"Ourselves? My, I'm flattered you think me capable of such a thing," he said, and smiled at Amara —who gave him an equally impressed look. "Unfortunately no. My magical prowess is not nearly strong enough to repair it on my own —which is why I make the request of His Majesty. I could hire a sorcerer, as my father had in the past, but their efforts tend to wane after a mere decade or two."
Sarah looked over at Jareth with a quirked brow.
"...And your efforts last longer?" she asked him. Jareth, sitting there, in silence, looking so fucking smug, cracked the faintest of grins as he gave her a side-eye.
"Significantly."
There was so much arrogance in that one word, the force of it had Sarah's expression falling deadpan.
"His Majesty is a true marvel," Eines continued. Sarah brought her attention back to him. "This will be the fifth time he has, so generously, ignited our barrier. I was still a boy the first time I saw it, and I was astounded by his casting. I'd never seen something so refined. His Majesty's magic is usually enough to stimulate the warding for a century or more. I fear it's ruined me for other sorcerers, I'll never regard the guild the same way again. We should have had another ten years left before petitioning the crown, but this creature was particularly aggressive. It was able to sever one of runes, which weakened the barrier enough for it to pass through. We have protocols in place for such things, but the townspeople really were not expecting it. It gave them a bit of a scare."
"A bit of a scare? You speak as if you were there," Amara said, shoving him lightly. "They were terrified, really. Thing came out of nowhere. The largest one I've ever seen. It's tusks were longer than this carriage—"
"Wait, you were there during the attack?" Sarah asked. Amara crossed her legs and glanced to the side.
"Oh yes. I was helping one of our tenants unload his wares at the market. No one really noticed it at first, but then Aretha Martle screamed and spooked it. It ran into an inn, and I suppose the rubble that fell on its head sent it into a rage. It started destroying everything after that."
"Oh wow. I can't imagine."
"Yes...it was very startling," Amara said, with an odd cock to her smile that matched her father's. "I was able to beguile it, which bought some time for the people to evacuate."
"Beguile?" Sarah repeated.
"I took away its senses," she said, and then gestured at her eyes and ears. "Left it blind and deaf. That disoriented it, helped it to calm down...for a time at least."
"You were the one who blinded it?" Jareth asked, sounding admittedly impressed. Amara's eyes darted.
"Ah—yes. It was all I could think of in the moment. I don't do particularly well under pressure," and her smile strained. She looked a little embarrassed now.
"You did a fine job. There were no casualties because of you," Eines said, patting her on the knee. Amara reacted with a very curt twitch in her brow.
"Yes, you've said that father," she replied, and looked to the side again. "His Majesty arrived shortly after. Myself, along with most of the citizens, had already evacuated. Although...I wish I had stayed behind." When she looked back, she looked straight at Jareth, her eyes now alight with vigor. "There have been many tales of your valiance, Your Majesty," and she leaned forward excitedly. "The few who straggled say you impaled that monster with a single strike. Is it true?"
Equally curious, both Mariella and Sarah looked to Jareth expectantly. His smile twitched but, in a surprising show of humility, he inclined his head as he said, "It would not have been so easy were it not deaf and blind."
For maybe the first time ever, Sarah actually wanted him to brag. She'd never really thought about it before, she kind of had more important issues to deal with at the time, but now she was all ears —her imagination running wild as she wondered what Jareth would look like wielding a sword in a battle stance...
"So what happened to it?" she asked. Eines was the one who answered.
"We had it carved and the meat dispersed between the townsfolk as part of reparations. Its head was mounted and now sits in the town square. Eventually it will be moved to the lodge, but the people seem to be enjoying it where it is." There was a bit of underlying morbidity to the nonchalance Eines spoke with, something which had Sarah's brow twitching.
"...I...see…" she said, then looked back at Jareth. "Why did so many goblins come to the summons that day? Why were there no other townsfolk?"
"Because goblins are stupid," Jareth said, very matter-of-factly. "I had already received word from Eines on what happened, but goblins will be goblins and are prone to panic. Which is why only they sought to storm the castle en masse. Every other species populating the area had enough sense to go through the proper channels." He sounded exasperated by the mere memory. Sarah didn't really blame him. There were probably a hundred goblins filling the summons hall that day, maybe more. It'd taken hours to hear their complaints.
"Proper channels? It was a grievance summons. Isn't bypassing the chain of command kind of the point?" she asked. Jareth's grinned curled at the corners, ever so slightly, as he conceded.
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
It wasn't long before they arrived, and Sarah was feeling very excited. She could tell they were getting close by the increase in traffic. They'd passed by several carts and carriages —which all abruptly pulled over and off the road entirely, the passengers of which bowed their heads in deference as they went by. Sarah thought that was a little extreme. The road was plenty wide enough for thru traffic.
The road they traveled had been cutting through a forest, but now it cleared into grassland as the town came into view. Sarah saw a series of buildings, the tallest no higher than three stories, which lined either side of the road. There was no pause to appreciate it. Their carriage kept on rolling like any other.
There were a couple of children running through the field at the edge of town and a woman who was yelling frightfully at them to stay away from the road. That made Sarah smile, even as she cocked her head in perplexion. What a normal thing to see. Huh.
The carriage slowed as they entered what Sarah would internally refer to as "Main Street". She looked around from left to right, trying to observe as much as she could without looking like too much of a tourist. The buildings varied in construction. Some were wood, some brick, others plaster. There were shops, eateries, what she thought might be a tavern —everything you would expect from a small rural town. And, because she really didn't know any better, thought it reminded her of a set from an old western. There were people loitering outside businesses, women walking side by side with baskets of produce in hand, and even a dog which darted out from an alley to yip at a passing carriage.
"Welcome to Sulana, Your Majesty," Eines said, looking at Sarah as he gestured widely with his arms. He had a smile on his face. He looked proud, and even waved to a few of the townsfolk who'd caught his eye as they passed. Sarah admired him for a moment, appreciating the way he appreciated his position. She'd expected something along the lines of his sister, pretentious elitism. His genuine good nature was...very comforting actually.
Sarah smiled in return and looked out at the passersby. The ones who'd seen her, registered who they were, all shared mirrored looks of panic before falling into bows. Awareness spread faster than the pace of their carriage, so she actually got to watch the gossip spider from mouth to ear, via sly nudges and tugged elbows. It was a very interesting sight. Soon the folk ahead of them were preemptively bowing. Although, as Eines promised, there was no more spectacle than that. A pair of children, a boy and a girl, ran out of an alleyway and skidded to a stop. The boy looked up and, not knowing what to do, shamelessly locked eyes with Sarah. She waved at him and tried not to laugh as his female companion glared at him, viciously, before punching him and forcing his head to bow.
"It isn't much, but we've made great improvements with the renovations. What do you think?" Eines spoke as if there were not a hundred or so people standing as still as statues while they rolled on through. Mariella, reflecting Sarah, was looking all around as well. Jareth, not interested in the same way, was instead silently scrutinizing every building they passed.
Sarah looked over at Eines and Amara with a very wide smile on her face.
"It looks great. I love it."
It was impossible to quantify the level of adoration on both Eines's and Amara's faces in that moment.
Sarah was not expecting a place like this, a place so quaint, to exist in the Underground. All she'd known was the Goblin City and Fort Fyrn, and those places were certainly...distinct. But being here, seeing actual houses, and small businesses, and people without flourish, without façade or agenda, gave her a feeling of hope, of fellowship, and the idea that maybe the Underground was not always as strange as it seemed. A place that might actually be capable of raising a family in...
"So, which buildings have been repaired?" she asked. Eines sat forward and glanced around.
"Oh, um, all of them. In some capacity, at least," he said, with a shrug. "The boar destroyed the entire southern half of the town, which needed to be rebuilt from the ground up, and it caused extensive damage to the rest. With His Majesty's stipend, we were able to restore buildings which were not directly affected as well. Essentially, the entire town is new."
Sarah kept staring at the buildings as they passed, eyeing the vibrant, freshly painted planks of wood that composed each façade and the piles of construction scrap that were neatly tucked into the corners of every alley.
"Isn't this cute, Sarah? My, this brings back memories," Mariella said, looking wistful as she smiled about.
"Are you from the area, Lady Mariella?" Eines asked. Mariella huffed and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh, no. I'm from Masoch, but my father lords over a few towns such as this. I've spent so much time in Court halls, I fear I almost forgot how lovely the local provinces can be."
Eines stared at her like he understood perfectly. Amara leaned into him and rubbed his arm affectionately.
"It is lovely, isn't it? My father works very hard to manage the wellbeing of our community. I like to think we are a happy people. Happier now, certainly, by His Majesty's generosity," she said, and dipped her head towards Jareth.
Sarah, just realizing Jareth didn't seem to have any interest in participating in their conversation, looked over and gave him a nudge.
"Well? Is it to your standards?" she asked. He was leaning back, his arm pressed against the side of the carriage as he rested his chin atop a fisted hand. He looked around, feigning deliberation before responding.
"If this is how they prefer to live…" he said, with a shrug. "My only obligation was to verify that our resources were not being spent on fine wine and gowns," he added, with a dismissive wave. Sarah scoffed, already bored with the way his demeanor shifted the moment they entered a public setting. She crossed her arms and arched a brow.
"So you'd be fine with cheap wine and gowns?" she asked, mockingly. Eines stifled a laugh. Jareth turned his head toward her but, before he could offer a retort, she dismissed him and brought her attention back to Eines. "Well, I think the place looks great. Your workers did an amazing job in such a short time."
"Indeed, Lord Eines. Well done," Mariella added, patting him on the forearm and earning a bashful kind of smile from him in return.
"Thank you, both of you. You are too kind. I shall pass along your praise to our foremans. They will be as honored as I am, I'm sure."
By now they were approaching the town square, a place where the open market was held and the main road diverged in several directions. There was more foot traffic there, though the populace had already given them a wide berth to pass through. Sarah was facing Eines and Amara, so she didn't notice it right away. However, the closer they came to the square, the more visible, and imposing, the blackened figure at its center behind them became.
The carriage turned, moving around the fountain that had, very obviously, been converted into a pedestal for a massive disembodied head.
From the well of its throat to the scruff of its neck, the thing had to stand a good fifteen feet high. Its fur was black with sharp, wiry flecks of red. Its mouth had been wired open and...oh god. Its tongue, longer than her leg, had been petrified in a ribbon shape and doused with resin to emulate saliva. Its eyes, larger than her head, were black glass orbs that reflected her horrific expression perfectly as they passed. Amara was not exaggerating. Its tusks were as long as their carriage, dramatically curved and sharply pointed. There were chips and cuts in the bone, and discolored blotches of grey and yellow tones. As Sarah and Marie's eyes lifted upwards, Sarah almost shook her head in bemusement. There was a sword sticking out of its forehead. A fucking sword.
The head was mounted to a panel of highly decorated, varnished wood. Sarah, now completely condemned to the wiles of imagination, blinked slowly as she turned back to Jareth.
"Um, Jareth…?"
"Yes?"
His response was too short. Too pleasant. He'd turned and held her gaze, and she knew from the quiet haughtiness of his expression that he was reading her thoughts perfectly. Not wanting to feed his ego, she rolled her lip over her teeth before steeling her features.
"Explain to me...if it took two days for us to get here, how the hell did you pop up so quickly to kill that thing?" she asked, ignoring the obvious, much louder series of questions she refused to ask. Jareth, amused by her obstination, grinned like a scoundrel.
"So you really have been paying attention," he said, cheekily. Little did she gather, that monument alone put enough of a chip in his shoulder to satisfy his pride. Her expression, which was so instinctive she could never even hope to have hidden it, was merely icing on the cake. He shifted toward her a little and draped his arm behind her back. "I skipped the gates."
"Huh?"
"You are aware I can transport myself a great distance virtually instantly..."
"Yeah?"
Jareth shrugged and waved a hand through the air.
"Well, I simply teleported myself from gate to gate. The entire process took maybe...ten minutes."
Sarah's eyes narrowed on him, and her head cocked in skepticism.
"So...you teleported to a gate, passed through it, and then teleported to the next gate?" she asked.
"Precisely."
Ignorant of the way he'd been slowly creeping towards her, Sarah leaned away from him and sat up straight.
"Wow, talk about whiplash," she said to herself. "Why didn't you teleport us that way?"
Jareth leaned back in his seat as well and then gestured towards Eines.
"I know Eines may have fluffed me up a bit, but I do in fact have limits," he said. "I can only take what is physically touching me. You can hardly expect me to transport the four of us, our attendants, and all of our luggage by such means."
"...True."
Sarah turned around as the conversation died, her eyes trained on the monumental mount as it gradually receded into the distance. What struck her the most odd was how easily it was for her to envision Jareth in that scenario. How, after witnessing his strength first hand in dealing with the Herdsman, the image of him slaughtering that animal in one blow was now entirely believable. It put her in a peculiar state of mind, gave her reference to acknowledge just how dangerous he could be...if he wanted to.
As they traveled through the town, she wondered what other outlandish feats he was capable of and what other powers he might have that she had no idea about...
Sulana was a very small town and very simple in its design. Main street, as it were, stretched from one end to the other and cut the town in two. She could see that some of the side roads led to residential areas, but really the unofficial capital of the region was barely more than a crossroads. She did not notice many goblins. A dwarf or an imp here or there, but really it was predominantly fae. It rendered the area much quieter than what she was used to in the Goblin City, much calmer and...cleaner. Maybe that was what Roldan had meant. But still it was quaint, it was cute, and it deserved far more credit than Roldan had given it.
Sarah stopped paying attention to the chatter going on around her. She wanted to appreciate the moment, to gain a better understanding first hand of what was now her kingdom.
Eventually, they came to the edge of town and pressed onward. Sarah blinked back to attention when there were no more buildings to look at, wondering where the hell they were going.
"Um...so...was that it?" she asked. Eines, who had been talking up Marie, turned and gave her a reflexive smile.
"That was Sulana, yes," he replied. Sarah pursed her lips as she looked back at the town from over her shoulder and then turned to look at the encroaching forest up ahead.
"Where are we going now? Do we have more towns to visit?"
"Oh, no. It would take several days to travel through each town. Being ground zero, His Majesty agreed that Sulana would serve as a representative for the entire region. But...if you would still like to see the rest for yourself, it can absolutely be arranged?" he said, with a tiny inflection that seemed to be directed at Jareth. Jareth shook his head and held up a dismissive hand.
"I'll make Roldan do it," he said, flatly. Sarah stifled a huff and didn't say anything. Despite Jareth's rudeness, she knew that sort of thing was just a part of Roldan's job. Instead, she leaned to the side to look around Amara and get a look at whatever was up ahead.
"Very good, Your Majesty," said Eines.
"Are we done with the inspection then? We didn't really do anything," Sarah said, to anyone. Jareth adjusted his posture and rested his cheek on fisted knuckles once more.
"You were looking around, weren't you? Inspecting things." Sarah gave him a side eye but he wasn't looking at her. "I'll have a proper run through before the reception tonight. It's really quite tedious and not something you would be interested in," he said to her. Sarah was about to retort, saying something about him making assumptions about her interests, but knew deep down that he was right. She didn't know anything about construction or budgeting or whatever else this whole endeavor entailed. Although she thought this begrudgingly, as Roldan would say, t'was men's work.
"So...why are we even here then?" she asked. Jareth cocked a brow and angled his head down at her.
"Because you wanted to see the town, remember?" he asked, condescendingly. Sarah fought off a grumble. It was too easy to be annoyed these days. "I also have to repair the barrier, which we should be coming up on at any moment."
"Oh. Right." She'd almost forgotten about that. Curious, she kept looking ahead. They were traveling through a thin patch of forest now, but it was soon to let out into more grassland. In a moment of quiet, Sarah mused over how strange it was to no longer be surrounded by desert. She'd gotten so used to it, to the colors and the smell, it was like she'd been living there for far longer than 3 months…
Soon, the dirt road they traveled on thinned and became overtaken by grass. It was bumpier, but the path was well enough defined to provide their heading. After a moment, Sarah could spy the shapes of tall obelisks lining the edge of the field. Beyond them was another forest, much denser and darker than the one they'd just exited. As they came nearer, she inferred the columns had to be over fifty feet tall. They were narrower at the top, and made of weathered, tan stone. They reminded her of the Labyrinth, and thus she wondered if there was any connection between the two.
The carriage brought them to one obelisk in particular, larger and more intricately designed than the others, and parked about 50 feet away. Sarah wondered why their driver did not take them closer, but no one else seemed to share this concern, so she kept it to herself.
The creature hopped down, opened the door, and bowed once more as it waited for them to disembark. Remembering her manners at the very last second, Sarah kept herself seated in place. Eines descended first, then Jareth. Then came Marie, Amara, and finally Sarah.
Jareth offered her a hand to keep her steady as she stepped down, but his attention was divided between Eines and the column up ahead.
"Are the grounds prepared?" he asked.
"Yes, of course. I saw no need to waste your time on such things. We may begin immediately, if you wish."
Sarah, ever more curious, looked along the line of columns as it stretched seemingly endlessly in either direction.
"So, uh, what are you doing exactly?" she asked, wondering why she'd never bothered to ask him before. Not realizing she'd directed that question at Jareth, Eines spoke up instead.
"I'm going to assist His Majesty in reapplying the wards. Not that he needs my help of course, but it will be far quicker with two sets of hands."
Sarah scrunched her brow. That did not exactly answer her question. Sensing her dissatisfaction, Jareth filled in the gaps.
"The magic is bound by physical runes. As the magic wanes, the runes fade. Once a rune fades completely, the entire ward implodes. Apparently, being in a semi-weakened state to begin with, the boar was able to damage one, which offset the balance of all the others. Eines is going to be re-carving the runes while I imbue them with magic."
Sarah nodded and looked ahead again.
"Do...you have to do that for every obelisk?" she asked, her eyes now widening with the thought. "How long is this going to take?" Jareth turned away from her and shrugged.
"Not every obelisk, no. Just this one will be enough. It serves as the cornerstone for the enchantment to spider from. Although...it will still take a few hours."
"A...few hours?" Sarah repeated, wondering what the hell she was meant to do for that length of time. She began looking around the area, but there was nothing. Nothing but field.
"Yes. You're welcome to head back to town or the estate, if you wish," Jareth said, catching her off guard. She turned and looked at him sharply.
"Wait, what? Are you sure that's okay?" she asked. Eines and Amara, not privy to the true nature of her concern, stared confusedly. The Queen...was asking permission from The King?
Jareth, seeing worry and even a bit of fear in her gaze, cracked a satisfied grin and placed a hand to his hip.
"It'll be fine, so long as you remember our rules." and then he tilted his head to stare down his nose at her. He had a very pretentious look as he asked, "You do remember the rules, right dear?"
Sarah crossed her arms and scrunched her nose. Oh, he was going to mock her in front of company, was he? How best should she respond?
"Hmph. Do not eat anything. Do not walk into pointy objects. Do not fall off cliffs-" she recited, sarcastically.
"And?"
She paused and gave him a glare.
"And call for you the second something weird happens."
Now, it's important to note that the ONLY reason Sarah allowed herself to be demeaned like this was because she hoped it meant she would no longer be grounded. If playing the obedient child meant getting off his damn leash, then this was a battle she would force herself to back away from. From the way he was smiling at her, she knew he knew what she would much rather be saying, and that was good enough...for now.
"Very good. Please don't forget. It will be very unfortunate otherwise," he said, with a very deceptive, lighthearted tone. Sarah felt a little stiff as it washed over her, as his gaze, perfectly scrutinizing, penetrated straight through her and all her grumbling gripe. No one else would ever realize it, but there was tension beneath those words. There was something imperative in that look. She admitted to herself that he was nervous, that he was still nervous, and hiding it behind his arrogance. Acknowledging this, along with the ongoing surprise she felt at how well she'd come to understand him, helped curb her anger towards him. She relaxed her posture —marginally.
"Indeed it would," she said, dismissively, then looked over at Amara. "Good thing I'll have you by my side escorting me, right Amara? You took on that beast, surely you can manage to babysit me on the ride back?"
Amara, still feeling confused over the entire exchange, blinked dumbly as her brain caught up.
"Oh. Yes. Absolutely. I will protect you with my life, Your Majesty," she said, and was surprisingly earnest. Sarah huffed through her nose and turned a slanted gaze up at Jareth.
"There. My defenses have been fortified. Satisfied?"
She watched Jareth's sly grin twitch, but whatever retort he might have given her was instead condensed into a single word. "Hardly," he said, then gave her a very cutting look before turning away. "Watch yourself, precious. Try to remember what happened the last time you got a little cocky."
There was a bit of bite to those words, but she knew better than to play into it. Instead, she stood with hands on hips as she watched him peer at Eines and jerk his head in signal to follow. Eines, in the same state of quandary as Amara, lurched into action and actually skipped over to Jareth's side. Sarah watched them in silence for a moment as the two of them walked away, and she shook her head. Once they were out of earshot, Amara stepped forward.
"...Queen Sarah?" she asked, worriedly.
"Hm?" Sarah looked over to find her expression riddled with concern. Sarah, realizing the poor girl had no idea what any of that was about, nearly smacked herself in the forehead as she sighed. "Oh. There's nothing to worry about, Amara," she said, assuringly. Amara's brow softened. "I just...got into a bit of trouble recently. Jareth may have seemed kind of angry just now, but really he's just worried."
"They also butt heads a lot," Mariella added. Sarah shot her a look of offense. Marie smiled awkwardly. "Well, you do. It's a very strange thing to observe between a King and Queen, so I understand your confusion completely, Amara. I actually used to write about it in my diary-"
"Wait, what?"
Mariella averted her eyes and bit her lip.
"Ah...but not so much anymore," she said, quickly. "That is really just their nature, Amara. They have...a very unique dynamic. Please, do not fret over it." Feeling the burn of Sarah's scrutiny all over her, Mariella kept her smile entirely on Amara. Amara stood with uncertainty for a moment, her brow furrowing once more as she glanced over towards the receding figures of Jareth and her father.
"Oh...okay," she said, unconvincingly. Sarah, fighting off a grumble, turned it into a sigh as she sagged her shoulders.
"Seriously, it's fine. We get snappy sometimes. Hell, Mariella has even seen us in a scream match—"
"More than once," Mariella clarified, with an astute finger in the air. Sarah gave her a look.
Amara laughed anxiously.
"A-a scream match? Ah—I see...I uh...I would never have expected that," she said, then raised a hand to the back of her head. "Would you...like to return to the estate now?" she asked, trying to change the subject entirely. Sarah turned and looked over at Jareth again. They were a ways away now but still visible. They stopped in front of the obelisk, and she watched as Jareth tilted his head back to stare up the length of it.
"Actually...I kind of want to stay and watch for a few minutes. If you don't mind?"
"Of course...we'll stay as long as you wish."
"I'm quite curious myself," Mariella added, making Amara the odd woman out as both she and Sarah reverted to their normal attitudes. Amara stared at the two of them, now standing side by side, as they stared across the field at the barrier. She still felt very uncertain and had a dozen different questions she wanted to ask. That exchange between Queen Sarah and The King just now was very odd, but Lady Mariella didn't seem to view it as such. Maybe she was reading into it too much…
The three ladies fell silent as their attention fixated on the barrier. Sarah, having only seen the practical application of physical transference a couple of times, thought this a good opportunity to further her magic studies. She'd also never seen Jareth cast a spell of this nature, on this scale, before. And, truthfully, the anticipation was making her feel a little excited.
There was a swirl carving in the center of the obelisk, moving inward and hollowing out the stone. She saw Jareth doing...something...to it, but it was hard to tell with his back to her. The obelisk was wider than she'd been able to gauge at a distance. Judging by the size of Jareth and Eines's forms as comparison, it had to be about five or six feet wide. Eines was standing at the side of it, tracing what Sarah assumed were their native runes with the tips of his middle and index fingers.
Getting the feeling it was going to take a while until anything interesting happened, Sarah tried to fill the void with small talk.
"So...reconstruction seems to have gone well. Was the stipend enough?" she asked. Amara looked over with a smile.
"Oh, more than enough, Your Majesty," she said, and clasped her hands together. "My father and I are both deeply humbled by your generosity. We've actually dispensed the remaining funds to the other districts. I'm sure they'll make good use of it."
"Hm, that's very kind of you. You probably could have just kept it for yourselves," Sarah said, thinking out loud more than anything. Amara shrugged in agreement.
"Yes, I suppose we could have. But...my father is a bit foolish that way," she replied. "He actually retains very little for himself, or us rather. We only collect enough tithes to support the estate. My aunt disputes this often."
Sarah, reluctant to take her eyes off of Jareth, did so for just a moment to peer at Amara.
"Oh, I bet…"
"He's also a bit dense —doesn't always realize he's their lord and not their neighbor. He's very kind hearted, my father. He likes to help the tenants toil the fields and collect the harvest by his own means. The neighboring lords mock him for it. Say his hands are too rough. But I admire that about him," Amara went on without reservation. "It's allowed me to live more freely as well. One of our tenants has an apple orchard. I look forward to collecting them all year long for the market in the fall." Sarah, regarding the wayward look in Amara's eye with a sense of familiarity, cracked a grin and gave her her full attention. Sarah watched her shrug just as she said, "Aunt Arubella does not approve of that either. Says it's uncouth."
"Lady Arubella seems to be a woman of strong opinion," said Marie. Amara pursed her lips and nodded.
"That's a friendly way to put it, yes," she said, and then her eyes lowered in thought. "Although...she's quite the hypocrite. She scrutinizes nearly everything that I do, and yet was all too eager to have me govern her children."
"Govern?" Sarah repeated. Amara looked up and caught Sarah's gaze with a smile.
"I was their governess," she said, and then bobbed her head. "Well, more of a general caretaker. She overwhelms easily. After the twins were born, Father asked me to offer her my services. I helped care for them in the nursery, and then provided them education through their formative years. They no longer need me now, though. Too old for a governess, Auntie says. It still makes me a little sad sometimes."
Sarah's brow slowly drew.
"I...didn't realize they were that old," she said, recalling the eldest looking no more than eight. Amara's grin stretched wide along with her eyes as she laughed.
"Oh, don't let them fool you, Queen Sarah. Argus is twenty-five—"
"W-what?" Sarah interrupted. She actually hunched a little and blinked furiously in a moment of astonishment. Mariella, quick to yank Sarah from the pit of horror she was undoubtedly about to fall into, spoke up urgently.
"The way fae children age is...inconsistent," Marie said, forcing a smile as she pulled Sarah's attention. "Our bodies may grow at the rate of a human, but our...mentality may linger a bit." She tried her best to explain, but Sarah's expression only became more appalled. Mariella's smile gained more strain, though she pressed on. "Sometimes, children subconsciously cease their aging process, which in turn stunts their mental development. It's very common for fae children to remain children for decades."
Mariella wasn't sure what reaction she was expecting Sarah to have, but was left feeling fretful when what she saw was a look of pure dread.
"Are...are you serious?" she asked.
"Oh, but it always catches up!" Mariella quickly assured, jittering a little in her spot. "At some point puberty insists upon itself and even the most obstinate child realizes it is far better to live as an adult." She thought that was a good note to end on, but Sarah didn't look convinced. Not really understanding the depth of Sarah's feelings on the subject, Amara added her two cents without consideration.
"Yes, that is the way of it, unfortunately. I fear my aunt is still waiting for such an epiphany when it comes to my cousins," she said. Sarah was quiet for a moment. She looked from Marie to Amara, and just blinked (whatever the fuck Jareth was doing no longer a concern). Her mouth opened but nothing happened right away —aside from the subconscious rising of a hand to cover her stomach. She looked and felt deeply troubled by this new knowledge. She knew well enough from Toby how hard it was raising a child. She could not imagine what it would be like to rear a rambunctious fae toddler for literal decades.
"I...wow. That's...a lot to think about," she said, having nothing better to say, and looked downward in bemusement. Mariella frowned in sympathy.
"I suppose it is," Amara replied, tilting her head as she watched her father work. He was standing on the opposite side of the obelisk now. "Fae are funny like that. No other species suffers such growing pains, even those with equal longevity. Then again, I'm not sure if any other species possess the ability to control our physical growth like we can," she explained. Sarah nodded distractedly. "At the same time, a fae couple might only be graced with one or two children during their entire lifetime. I think, if it were me, I would be thankful to prolong that sweet innocence for as long as possible. For as they say, even in the Underground, time is fleeting."
Sarah steadily frowned as Amara spoke. She was a rambler just like her father, but Sarah was thankful for it. It gave her cover to contemplate. She felt very far away again, severed from troubled feelings but aware of their brooding presence. She was realizing there was still so much she didn't know about the fae, biologically if not culturally, and the number of questions piling up was starting to feel daunting. It made the prospect of simply telling Jareth feel not so simple, as if it had ever been. Amara was still talking, and she heard Mariella responding, but Sarah was no longer listening. She was falling deeper and deeper into introspection, when a sudden roar startled them all.
It started as a whistle, the sharp sound of air being pulled into vacuum, before an ear-splitting surge broke the sound barrier. Sarah looked up sharply as a strange burst of energy radiated, with great and terrible clamor, directly from the obelisk. It coursed in waves, making a low, thrumming kind of boom that shook the ground beneath their feet with each expanse. The energy, the magic, it seemed to take on tangible form as it bent the light around it, creating a quivering rainbow that fanned outward from one obelisk to another, moving onward and onward. It formed a mighty wall, iridescent and humming with discord. Sarah took half a step back, caught off guard by the sudden intensity of the display.
She looked down, eager to spy on the source of such power. Jareth was still standing with his back to them, but she could tell from his posture that he was looking downward, his shoulders tense as he concentrated on the task. His left arm was extended, reaching into the obelisk, which now emitted a bright ball of light in front of him. Eines, working magic of his own, kept his hands pressed to the column, staring upward. Red light revealed the runes he'd carved, dozens of them which speckled the entire length of the pillar and pulsed brighter with every new wave of magic. From her studies, she knew this was a form of facilitation. He was using his own magic to stabilize the runes against the funnel of Jareth's magic, lest they become overwrought and shatter from the transference.
Seeing the theories she'd been learning so much about made real, and actually understanding it, gave Sarah an equal sense of wonder and gratification, and she stared on in a silent gape. After a moment, the magic found rhythm and it lulled, the spectrum of light fading away as the tremors reduced to a faint, consistent vibration. Not realizing she'd been holding her breath, Sarah let out a long exhale.
"Oh wow. That was amazing, wasn't it?"
Sarah looked over to lock eyes with a very excited Amara. She was smiling widely, and bounced up on her toes as she looked between Sarah and Marie.
"Yeah—"
"This is the first time I've gotten to see His Majesty's magic. The last he visited was before I was born," Amara interrupted, too impassioned to be stopped. "My father talks of it often, but his descriptions do not do His Majesty any justice. And just look how hard he's concentrating —that fool. Oh, I'm so proud. Holding his own alongside His Majesty like that. He's doing so well!" Amara giggled and clapped, cheering her father on with such girlish glee. Sarah found herself smiling in response. It was impossible not to.
"Oh really? Before you were born? How old are you, Amara?" Sarah asked, wanting to come off cool and composed by ignoring the spectacle instead of confirming herself the equally star-struck tourist she actually was. Amara ceased her bouncing and looked over at Sarah with wide eyes.
"Me? Seventy-five."
Sarah blinked at her a couple of times, trying to form a reaction that was as casual as Amara had just been.
"Oh. …Really? Okay," Sarah said, standing a little stiff as she turned to nonchalantly gander at Jareth once more. Amara shrugged and bobbed her head.
"I know, very young. Some might even still call me a child-"
"Pf, what?" Sarah interrupted. She couldn't help it, the absurdity just burst out of her. She looked over at Amara with an amused smile on her face, a feeling that waned when she saw Amara staring back confusedly. "I mean...I know that's considered young but...really? A child?" She tried to correct herself, worried that, from Amara's expression, she may have inadvertently offended her. Amara's eyes flickered downward and she shrugged.
"Well...yes. I have not even been introduced to Court yet. Granted, my father has been prolonging it, but still. I am technically an adult…"
Amara looked very uncertain and Sarah was now feeling guilty. She knew Eines at 500 was considered "young", so she supposed a 75 year old adolescent made sense. She bit her cheek as she spied on a suddenly very insecure looking Amara, and figuratively kicked herself for being tactless.
"Sorry," Sarah said, then took a second to compose her next words carefully. "It's just...people in my world are considered elderly at seventy-five. You just...you look younger than me, so I thought we might actually be closer in age—" and then she stopped herself, realizing how stupid she was about to sound. They had just gotten done talking about how fae emotionally mature at a slower rate than humans, and they could control their physical growth too, so of course Amara's young and vivacious nature made perfect sense. But still, confronting the lifespans of these creatures was still a shock to her sometimes, she just couldn't help it.
"Elderly? Really?" Amara asked, experiencing shock of her own, and turned said look between Mariella and Sarah. "I didn't realize Abovegroundians had such short lifespans. The humans born in this realm live for many centuries, so I assumed it was the same in your world. If I may ask, how old are you, Queen Sarah?"
Sarah scowled and looked away.
"Um. I just turned eighteen," she said, hesitantly, like she was embarrassed of it. She cringed a little when Amara's eyes widened exponentially. Sarah, not wanting to make a whole thing out of it, scoffed dismissively. "Yeah, exactly," she said, and looked around Amara at Marie. "Marie, you're what? Two-hundred and...fifty-seven?" she asked, deflecting. Mariella, having been engrossed in the spectacle ahead, jumped into the conversation with an impromptu smile.
"Hm? Oh, yes! I'm pleased you've remembered," she said.
"Oh...wow. I would never have guessed that, Queen Sarah," Amara said, then tapped a finger against her lip as she glanced downward in thought. "Does that mean then...that you will be elderly at seventy-five?" she asked, looking up and locking onto Sarah's gaze worriedly. "Oh. Forgive me. I realize how insensitive that is—"
"It's fine," Sarah replied, merely glad that Amara's spirits had successfully rebounded. "Actually, no. The way Jareth put it, humans born in this world have their natural life cycle, as do humans in my world. But, because I came into this world by magical means, the clock kind of stopped. Jareth says I won't age while I am in the Underground. I...don't really know how it works beyond that," she explained. Amara nodded like she understood, and looked away.
"I see. That's a relief," she said, her voice now lowered and distant. Sarah stared again. There was such integrity in the way she'd said that. She really was relieved. Watching her had Sarah feeling genuinely affected. How the hell could she be so endearing? They'd just met. It didn't make sense. Was this how all their subjects would regard her? Just because she was Queen? "Well, if it helps," Amara continued. "—you were almost correct in assuming my appearance. I stopped myself from aging at nineteen years."
Ah, so she was, physically at least, close in age to her. Still, it was surprising. She was just so tiny.
"Would you like to stay for the entire process? I could have our driver pick up some lunch in town for us," Amara added, changing topics. Sarah, reflexively, looked from the road behind them to Jareth and Eines in front of them.
"Um, do you know how long this is going to take? Specifically? I know Jareth just said a few hours but..." she asked. Amara pursed her lips.
"I believe my father said something like six hours or so," she replied. Sarah's brow lifted.
"Really?" she asked, turning to look at Jareth and remarking on the way he had not yet moved a single muscle. Did he...did he really have to stand there exuding magic for the next six hours?
"Yes...Father says it gets a bit tedious. The barrier is quite long. It spans over a hundred miles."
"And...Jareth manages this on his own? With just his power?"
"Of course! His Majesty is a prodigy, but surely you know that Queen Sarah," Amara said, nodding her head with pride as she grinned over at Jareth and her father. Sarah's look of surprise softened, but the expression that replaced it was one of vague disconsertion.
"Ah...yeah. Of course," she replied, feeling like the odd woman out as she pretended to be as familiar with the reputation of her husband as Amara was. Mariella cracked a grin.
"Forgive her skepticism, Amara," she said, reaching out and clasping her by the shoulder. "I've told her countless times how powerful His Majesty is, though I suppose seeing is believing." She peered over to Sarah with a very knowing eye which Sarah wasn't sure how to interpret. She held it for a moment, then crossed her arms as she turned away.
"Yeah, you can say that again," she replied, turning her head from one end of the wall to the other. "With that said, I'm not sure I really want to set up camp here for the rest of the day. They can probably concentrate better without feeling our eyes on the back of their heads anyway."
"Agreed," Mariella said, and then stepped away from Amara to clap her hands together in front of her. "Perhaps lunch in town then? Oh, that would be fun."
Amara, every bit as excitable as Marie, jumped up on her toes again and shot a beaming smile straight at Sarah.
"Ooh, I could give you a bit of a tour too!"
Sarah's eyes darted between Marie and Amara, remarking on the eerie similarity between their smiles. She almost laughed. It was like they were standing on needles. After a moment, she cracked a grin and gestured back at the carriage.
"Sure. Lead the way."
Sarah was genuinely surprised Jareth had encouraged her to go out on her own, so much so that she was actually feeling very wary as the carriage pulled them away. She kept staring back at him, and then she realized she was coming close to feeling something of longing and snapped herself clear out of it. He had not looked back at her. She didn't like how that made her nervous.
Still, she could not live her life in fear and knew that —after the Herdsman ordeal especially— if something wasn't safe, there was no way Jareth would let her out of his sight. She thought maybe this was a test, or hoped rather. Maybe, if she could prove herself capable of sitting still for twenty minutes without inciting disaster, he would let her out of the castle again.
However...their carriage came to a stop once they reached the town square once more. Amara had asked if she'd like to inspect the town on foot and, as Sarah was always one to push her luck, after a mere five minute ride she found herself incapable of sitting still.
The townspeople were...surprisingly oblivious. The area around their carriage cleared. As they entered the market, the people closest to them would grow stiff and avert their eyes, most falling into bows as they passed, but otherwise they were politely ignored. She assumed that was thanks to Eines's mandate. Amara, a natural to such an environment, took Sarah by the arm and pulled her forward.
"I know of a wonderful eatery just over here. Let us dine, Queen Sarah, and then I can show you around."
True to word, the food was wonderful and Sarah completely gorged herself. The restaurant staff had given Amara very chipper greetings but, after realizing who Sarah was, their attitudes all turned very official. The place was cleared —despite her insisting against it— and all attention was devoted to her and her happiness. Amara and Marie looked right at home receiving such treatment. Sarah meanwhile...was not quite sure.
Still, it was nice. It was a break from her troubles and the broody fea king they revolved around. She felt...more like herself. Out with friends grabbing lunch with a level of casualty she hadn't been able to feel in a long time. She liked Amara, and it seemed so did Marie. Conversation flowed naturally between them and gave Sarah the feeling that the three had been friends all the while. As the meal went on, however, it actually...started making her sad. It reminded her of the friends she'd left behind, of the family she'd left behind, and, after tomorrow, that she'd have to leave Amara and this pleasant dynamic behind as well.
She wondered if Jareth would let them stay a few more days, and then they brought out the cake.
"I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself, Queen Sarah," Amara said —inferring from the multiple empty plates stacking on Sarah's side of the table. Sarah pulled her fork from her mouth and grinned.
"Yeah. I don't get out very often, plus this food is amazing. So…" and she dug back into it.
"I'll be sure to pass that along to Mrs Quartsky —although she may pass out."
"Who is that?" Sarah asked.
"Oh. Forgive me. She owns the eatery. Cooks everything herself. She actually greeted us when we came in. The blonde in the blue dress, remember?"
Sarah nodded and reached for her drink.
"Ah, right. Yes, definitely give her my compliments," she said, again trying to sound somewhat regal.
"Do you know many of the locals, Amara?" Mariella asked.
"Oh yes. All of them actually. My father and I are very involved with the community."
"Really? That's nice," Sarah replied. Amara nodded as she chewed on her food.
"Mhm," and then she swallowed. "Like I said, we think ourselves as more of their neighbors than their lords."
"I think I'd prefer more of the aristocracy to think that way," Sarah said, quirking a brow as she took another bite of cake. Amara's smile twitched.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. That is very endearing."
"And, to be frank Marie, I have no idea what Roldan was even talking about," Sarah went on, shifting her attention to Mariella. "This place is so nice. There's nothing dirty or bumbling about it." Mariella, with her own fork in her mouth, shrugged and nodded her head in agreement.
"He said that?" Amara asked. Sarah looked over, a little surprised to see her looking...affected.
"Uh...yeah. He doesn't like the countryside, I guess. Was jaded by his childhood or something," she said, nonchalantly, as her eyes roamed away. Oh geez. Had she just upset Amara?
"Oh...I see," she said, her voice and her eyes falling low for just one moment. When she looked up, she was back to her chipper self. "So he meant it in a general sense then? Well, at least he was not speaking of us specifically," she said, though Sarah wasn't sure who she was trying to convince. She put her fork back in her mouth.
"Yeah...he's kind of pretentious...and grumpy. Don't let anything he says bother you," Sarah said, hoping to reassure. Mariella inclined her head towards Amara as well.
"Indeed. Master Roldan's standards are quite high, though I believe he was simply fettered to be taken away from his work so abruptly. I don't believe he actually meant the things he said."
"Oh I see, then I'm relieved."
"Relieved?" Sarah repeated, staring across the table at Amara who now sat contentedly with her hands in her lap.
"Yes. His work is very important to our country. Much of his legislation has been of great benefit to our people," she said, then went back to eating. "I thought him of very fine humor when we met this morning. I have a lot of pride in my borough, but if you say he was simply expressing vexation then I will not take the offense personally."
"Hmm…" Sarah stared at Amara suspiciously as she hummed into her fork. That was a very considerate response and not something Sarah would have gone with. Fine humor? Roldan? A part of her wanted to paint Amara a more accurate picture but… as she watched her sitting there looking so agreeable while munching on her cake, Sarah thought: why ruin the delusion?
After lunch, the ladies thought to stretch their legs by walking the length of Main St. Their carriage trailed behind them, which made for a rather awkward shadow. The people were finally becoming more comfortable with Sarah's presence, or maybe Amara was just an excellent buffer. As they walked, Amara with her arm laced in Sarah's, she would be the one to actually call out to strangers and greet them. Sarah had no idea if that was considered proper; but, then again, she had dismissed court formalities so maybe it was fine. The townsfolk, while initially nervous and caught off guard, would always recover under the light of Amara's good nature. They would greet them all, bow, and carry on.
The three of them went on like this for some time, Amara providing ready and eager exposition on each and every person and building they passed….
"-and that is Arnold, the cobbler. And that is Mrs Jensyn —she runs the market stand for her husband's farm. They mostly grow cabbages. And over there is—" Amara was not kidding when she said she knew everyone in town, although Sarah did not, at the time, realize the extent of what that meant or what this tour really held in store for her. Her and Marie now knew the life stories of about twenty different Sulanan families and, if the current mileage ahead they had yet to walk was any indication, she was far from finished. "And see that woman over there?"
Sarah looked over across the street to a woman leaning out a ground floor window. She was handing a young boy a covered basket.
"Yeah?"
"That's Miss Abigail. She is a baker," Amara said, and tapped her mouth with an index finger. "I think my father is courting her, but he's been very aloof about it. I don't think he's made an actual move yet."
"Oh?" Sarah asked, her brow quirked with interest.
"Yes. I see them together in town often and he always gets that panicky air about him when he sees me," Amara explained. Sarah smiled. "I fear he thinks I'll disapprove. But, really, I just enjoy teasing him." and she looked up at Sarah with a mischievous grin. "Just you watch— when he and His Majesty return, my father will have a basket of freshly baked scones in tow."
Sarah's eyes lingered on Miss Abigail as they passed. She was a pretty woman, though clearly tired and overworked. She was smiling, brushing flour dust from her hands as she moved away from the window and went back into the bakery. Sarah's gaze passed through her as she faded out of sight.
"You and your father seem very close," she said, nearly mumbling as distracting thoughts threatened to abscond with her. She'd thought of Karen just then. Of the time she and her father had first started dating. She wished she had been as supportive as Amara was being...
"We are," Amara answered, not picking up on Sarah's mood. "We weren't always, I admit. I was closest to my mother growing up. But, after she died, we needed to rely on one another. We're very close now and I'm happy for it. I think my mother would be happy too."
Sarah blinked out of her daze and looked back at Amara.
"May I ask...how long ago she passed?"
"Almost five years ago," Amara replied, then shrugged. "She was attacked by brigands on the side of the road. Nasty business."
"Brigands you say? My, how terrible," Mariella said, placing an emphatic hand to her heart. Amara shrugged again, awkwardly this time.
"Yes...it was. There are local gangs in the area, but they know better than to look our way. These marauders were foreign and didn't realize whose carriage it was. I like to think they would have spared her otherwise."
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.
"She's talking about magic," Mariella replied. Sarah looked over at her for a better explanation "Magical knowledge is allotted by class institutions, remember? Most criminal bands are constantly moving and therefore have little access to magical teachings. However, the ruling class, like the Eines family, house a great deal."
Sarah's brow slowly creased as the dots connected.
"Oh. I see."
"Yes. They were not hard to find with magic. They had no deflective wards at all," Amara piped in. "It took less than a day for my father to locate them. They were captured and brutalized to the fullest extent of the law, although I urged for much worse."
There was a hitch in Sarah's step, but they all kept on walking.
"What um...what happened to them?" she asked, morbidly curious —mostly of Amara's completely candid tone while speaking of all this.
"They were tortured, naturally, preceding execution. Being the new Lordess, I was allowed to pick the manner of torture. I opted to have hot coals placed in their eyes and live rats sewn into their stomach. They died very slowly. Agonizingly, I admit. I only wish I could have held the needle myself."
Sarah's brow furrowed very tightly as Amara spoke. She kept her eyes straight ahead and her arm tensed against hers.
"That's uh...that's intense, Amara," Sarah said, feeling both awkward and uncomfortable as she tried to figure out her own opinion on such things...
"Would you do any differently if it were your own parent?" Amara asked, not missing a beat. "I saw what they did to her, and I assure you, Queen Sarah, it was far more than steal her purse and slice her throat. Such a fate would have been mercy."
Sarah's jaw tensed as she was forced to acknowledge, once again, just how harsh and unforgiving this world could be. The cultural norms were so different here, medieval she would say. But, as she thought about it, she was surprised to feel some level of agreement with Amara. What if it were her own parents? What if her father was murdered as she was given the right to make them pay as she saw fit? What would she do? She wanted to validate the moral chip in her shoulder by telling herself she was better than revenge or torture but…was she?
"I'm sorry. I really can't...imagine going through that," she ended up saying, admitting to herself that it would be arrogant to make any such assumptions. She only prayed to never be in such a situation. Her hand, once again, subconsciously rose to cover her stomach.
"Don't be sorry. We had our vengeance and now life must move on," Amara said, and then got a little misty-eyed. "I do miss her, but Mother is with Nature now. She is at peace. For that, I rest easy." And then she paused and glanced sharply back at the bakery. "Although...I do feel a little bad for Father from time to time. I think he feels guilty, like he'd be betraying her, and I, if he were to wed another. I've tried telling him otherwise," she said, then turned back to look at Sarah in the eye. "I don't mind. If anything, he's gotten a little too clingy. But...in the end it's his own decision. I know he still loves Mother, but Abigail is a very nice lady. I think they would be happy together...Say, would you both like to see more of the estate when we return?"
Sarah blinked repeatedly at the abrupt change in topic, but then she realized they were getting close to the edge of town. She looked back whence they came, skepticism over her supposed freedom returning, and was surprised to find herself feeling...hesitant to be so far away from Jareth.
Annoyed with how much she was relying on him, even during a time of suspicion, she shook her head and exhaled roughly.
"Sure," she said, plastering a big fake smile on her face that almost matched Amara's.
Sarah had not spared a single thought to what or where ever Amara intended to show them next, which made her curious when she signaled their driver to take a sharp left just before returning to the main house. They traveled through the woods, which eventually brought them to a series of buildings that Sarah recognized as stables. Their driver held the door as they dismounted, and both Sarah and Marie noted the way their feet sank into mud the moment they made contact with the ground.
Amara skipped a few feet ahead of them and gave very animated greetings to a couple of farm hands walking by.
"Hello Gaston! Hello Othello!" she called out, waving wildly in the air. The men paused and cast her smiles. One, who had been carrying a bucket, set it down to place a hand over his heart.
"A good day to you, Lady Amara. Back again so soon?"
"Of course. You know I shan't be deterred!" she replied, then twirled around to face Sarah and Marie. The men went on their way in the background, and it seemed neither of them realized who Sarah was —not that she cared. "I'm very excited to bring you here, Queen Sarah, Lady Marie," she said, with an energized smile. Sarah lifted the skirt of her dress as she pulled one of her boots from the mud.
"I can see that," she said, jokingly. Amara giggled and clasped her hands together as she twirled back around, and then led the way for the three of them towards the main stable. She pulled open the door by herself, which seemed to be a very physical effort for such a small girl. She brushed her hands when she was done and turned back to the two of them.
"After you, please."
Neither Sarah nor Marie were quite sure what to look at or how to conduct themselves as they entered the barn. Neither of them were familiar with this kind of thing, and their mirrored looks reflected that unease perfectly. Amara, using all her strength, pulled the door closed behind them and then joined them at their sides.
"Come, come. I want to show you something." She picked up the skirt of her dress and scampered off. Thankfully, the floor here was dirt rather than mud, so following after her was less of a trial. Sarah watched Amara come to a halt in front of a stall up ahead, and then the very loud, very layered sound of barking and baying suddenly erupted.
Sarah, harboring a tiny fear of aggressive dogs, came to stand by Amara's side tentatively.
"This is where we keep the hounds," Amara said, clasping her hands together and grinning with delight. The hounds barked louder when they saw Sarah and Marie, some of them even growling and foaming at the mouth. Sarah stood very stiffly. "They are quite vicious, so Father does not like me to go near them," Amara continued, then hunkered down to her knees and twirled a playful finger at them. "But they are cute when they are puppies."
Sarah, feeling very on edge, kept her posture tense as she averted her eyes from the ravenous faces of the dogs. The fact that Amara could sit there, a mere six inches from those things, with such a happy and comfortable look on her face, unnerved her even more.
"Hunting's pretty big around here, isn't it?" Sarah asked, awkwardly. Mariella wondered why she looked so uncomfortable.
"Oh yes," Amara replied, then stood to her feet. "The favor of the late king has made us a bit of a tourist spot. A large portion of the economy is built on revenue from the inns and lodges in the area."
"Jareth told me a little about that. He said your grandfather was friends with Thaelon?" Sarah said, stealthily moving away from the cage and into a quieter area of the stable. Amara, unaware of her tension, followed merrily.
"Yes. For a time, I was told. Unfortunately, I never got to meet my grandfather. Although my Aunt and father both say I have his spirit." She locked eyes with Sarah as she said that, and Sarah gathered, without any basis at all, that must be 100% true. If Amara possessed anything, Sarah would definitely agree it was spirit. "Father told me King Thaelon would come here very often to host hunting expeditions. Our home would be respite for many of the most prominent figures on the continent. It was the place to be, as they say. Until he got hurt anyway. Things changed after that."
The three of them, now a healthy distance away from hounds, ceased walking and stood at an empty portion of the barn. The sound of barking had subdued. Sarah breathed a little easier.
"How so?" she asked.
"King Thaelon did not condone weakness," Amara said, matter-of-factly like she was quoting someone. "Father told me that due to Grandfather's injury, he could no longer participate in the hunt, or any sport, so the king lost interest and no longer acknowledged him. That hurt us greatly." She turned around and placed her hands on the rim of a gate, peering inside to see if the stall was truly vacant. "Many of Grandfather's peers looked down on him and shamed our borough. We lost so much commerce so quickly that the region became genuinely impoverished." Sarah frowned. It seemed that every time Jareth's father was mentioned, it was followed by something terrible. She wondered if there was anything good to be said about the man, wondered if that was a question even worth asking. "Thankfully we were saved," Amara continued, pulling Sarah back from contemplation. "-King Jareth welcomed Grandfather back to Court when he assumed the throne. That alone did wonders for our community. I believe it is why my father admires His Majesty so much and is so grateful. He wants to serve him well, to be his friend, to prove himself worthy of this second chance and His Majesty's favor." She turned around and leaned back against the gate. She looked very happy, very proud, and Sarah thought she was finally starting to understand why they were all so genuinely happy to see them. She felt herself humbling now, appreciative that people like Eines and Amara were her subjects.
"Your father seems like a very good man, Amara," she said, and smiled. "To be honest, I think Jareth could gain a lot by having a friend like him."
Amara grinned in return and leaned up off the gate.
"I will be sure to tell him that...after you leave," she said, pointedly, with a laugh. "Oh and look at this!" she suddenly exclaimed, her attention span that of a butterfly as her eyes widened and she darted off. Sarah and Marie turned around and followed her with their eyes, at this point just waiting for whatever would be thrown at them next.
Amara skipped away and then hopped in front of a gate. It was a few stalls down, so Sarah hadn't noticed right away, but now she caught the sight of movement from between the posts. "Oh, I'm so glad she's here. I was worried I wouldn't get to show her to you. Queen Sarah, Lady Marie, come look."
Sarah and Marie, prisoners to Amara's gusto, did as asked and came over. Very quickly Sarah realized what Amara was getting all worked up about and was...surprised.
"Isn't she beautiful? Her name is Twila. Father just bought her," Amara said, petting the snout of a horse. It was black, save a white dot on its forehead, and it gave an affectionate grunt as it nuzzled against Amara's hand. "We've never been able to afford a horse before, so it's been very exciting. I don't know how to ride yet, but I'm confident I'll find someone to teach me." She pulled away from the horse and stared up at it starry-eyed. "For now I simply like taking care of her. I wake up very early every morning to feed her and let her to pasture. That's why I was late to breakfast this morning and...all muddy." She gave an apologetic smile and shrugged as she looked over at Sarah and Marie.
"She's very lovely, Amara," Marie said, taking a step forward and petting the horse's mane. It turned towards her and forced its nose into her hand, wanting to be pet there instead. Sarah observed in silence for a moment.
"So...you like horses?" she finally asked. Amara directed her look of wonder over at her.
"Oh, I adore them."
Sarah stepped forward, joining Marie in petting it on the nose.
"You know...Jareth has a whole herd of horses back at the Capital," she said, her tone leading. Amara all but pounced on the bait.
"What? A-a herd, you say?" and she placed a hand to her heart as her eyes rolled towards the ceiling. "Oh, I might faint."
Sarah grinned, then looked downward as she shrugged.
"Maybe...if you come to visit some time, we can go see them. I don't know how to ride either, but it would be fun to learn together."
Sarah felt something of warmth flourish within her as she watched Amara's entire being fill with excitement. She was happy she could do something that would elicit such joy in someone else. She was happy because Amara was happy. She was happy that...because of her, she hadn't felt so troubled that day and hadn't needed to actively search for meaningless distractions. The time they'd all spent together was of a quality that Sarah knew she desperately needed right now and she wondered, selfishly, if there was a way to have more of it.
As her thoughts traveled, she thought maybe Amara could do more than visit. Maybe Marie didn't have to be so alone all the time. Maybe she could actually make a friend. Maybe...she would want to stay.
"Yes. That would be very fun indeed, Your Majesty," Amara replied, bowing her head and then yipping as Twila suddenly nipped at her ear.
A/N- Again, this is not meant to be the ending. I literally cut it off between scenes XD. There's just so much to do in Sulana, I guess. Part 3 is going to be more fun. ...I promise ;)
