Disclaimer: I still own nothing. Such a pity I have such plans for the Goblin King.
A/N: First of all I want to thank my beta BowieQueen for all her help. Girl you rock.
Next to everyone who has followed and favorited this story. I am glad that you are enjoying it. Also a big shout out to anyone who has left a review. Hearing your thoughts encourages me with my writing.
Jasper K: Thank you for your reviews. Yeah some adults are a bit clueless I have found. I am glad you liked the "goblin hockey". That was a nod to my older brother who loves hockey and tried to teach me. Putting me on ice with a big stick in my hand was not the best idea, I do have to admit the goblins might have been a bit more destructive than I was…just a bit.
Honestly, when I first thought of this I had not planned to include the Goblin King in this fic. I had planned just to have a fun story about the Williams siblings and the goblins. Somehow Jareth found out and he insisted on making an appearance. And I have to admit Jareth on the beach does appeal to me.
Sarah woke early again. This time she was roused not because of the sun hitting her in the face, but because of pressure on her chest. As she surfaced from sleep she tried to place why there would be a weight on her. The family had no pets after Merlin had passed, Karen had seen to that. As she shifted the weight snuggled down deeper onto her chest. Snuggled? Sarah's eyes snapped open. She was greeted by the sight of soft, downy, green hair. Green hair?
"Ahhhh!" she screamed and for the second morning in a row found herself on the floor next to her bed.
Moxie stared at her from his perch on her bed. "Lady ok?" he asked, concerned about the way that she chose to wake up. It seemed painful and loud.
"Sarah, good gracious what happened, is everything alright?" She heard Karen heading toward her room. She quickly grabbed Moxie by the arm and shoved him under the bed.
"Shhhh!" Sarah hissed at him. "Stay there Moxie." She was untangling herself just as her bedroom door opened.
"Sorry Karen," Sarah apologized, getting free of the comforter and shoved it under the bed with her foot further hiding Moxie from her stepmother. "I had a bad dream and must have rolled out of bed."
"Are you sure you are ok honey?" Karen asked, walking closer.
"Yep. Absolutely. I'm great." Sarah bounced to her feet like she was on a trampoline. She moved toward her stepmother. Anything to keep her from getting closer to Moxie's hiding place.
"Alright Sarah, if you are sure. Breakfast is ready in the kitchen. Come when you are ready." Karen walked out and closed the door behind her.
Sarah pulled Moxie out from underneath the bed. "Ok. Why did I wake up with you in my bed?" Sarah asked the goblin. "Boy, that's a sentence I never thought I would be asking a goblin." Goblin King maybe. Her libido countered with a shimmy, and a few images accompanied her thought. Where did that come from? Sarah shook her head trying to clear the wayward thoughts.
"Toby up. He say to wake The Sarah. Moxie volunteer, but Champion no want to get up." Moxie tried to look proud.
"So you decided to cuddle up and take a nap?" Sarah couldn't help but smile. "It's ok Moxie. You tried your best. I'm hard to get up, I'm told. You can either hang out here or go back to Toby's room. What will it be?" Sarah asked the goblin.
Moxie looked hopefully under the bed. "Me want stay here," he said emphatically.
Sarah laughed at the expression on his face. "Ok, but now I am moving the candy and biscuits before I go down. But I will give you one for trying to wake me up." Sarah dug under the bed and took out the boxes of dog biscuits and bags of candy. She opened one and took out two biscuits and handed them to Moxie.
"Thanks, Lady!" Moxie grabbed the biscuits and bounced back onto her bed.
Sarah shook her head. She grabbed some clothes for the day and headed out to the bathroom, making sure to close the door behind her. She went into the bathroom and after a quick shower dressed quickly. She tossed her nightshirt into her room on her way to the kitchen after shutting the door.
Sitting around the table the Williams family feasted on bacon, eggs, and toast the only sound was enthusiastic chewing. Karen announced that she and their father were going out to some of the shops that she and Sarah visited the previous day. Karen had some things that she thought would work in Robert's study at home and in his office. Sarah had to smile when she heard her dad's quiet groan. Everyone knew that he would not see the house again until late in the afternoon.
"There is going to be a community beach party tonight," Robert announced. Sarah and especially Toby became interested. These were always fun. The houses along the beach would have fire pits on their back porches and decks open for anyone. They would play music and everyone would gather to dance, talk, and just hang out on the beach at night.
"That sounds like fun. Are you and Karen going to hang out on the neighbor's deck?" Sarah asked. This was what they usually did.
"Probably princess," her dad answered. "I figured you and Toby would be hanging out on the beach with folks your age," he said with a smile.
"Just remember to check in every once in a while Toby," Karen reminded him.
"Just be glad she is not going to follow you," Sarah whispered to her brother, seeing his pout.
Once the breakfast dishes were cleaned up and everything was put away Sarah and Toby went back to their rooms. Sarah collected Moxie who was still curled up in her bed. She shook her head at the crumbs on her sheets, and the pair headed for Toby's room.
"I'm heading to the boardwalk with my board today so you are on goblin duty today," Toby informed her. He was dressed in baggy capris that his mother hated, a graphic t-shirt, and a flannel shirt tied around his waist.
"Wait a minute. I never agreed to goblin sitting. You brought them," Sarah sputtered.
"Relax, you are starting to look like mom when you do that." Toby knew just what to say to annoy her more. "Take them to the beach. They love it and it worked out well yesterday." Toby shrugged.
"You know you're a little turd to do this right?" She glared at him.
"Well, then this turd is going boarding. See ya, Sarah." Toby grabbed his board and headed out of his room. He waited until they had heard their parents leave and then he was out.
Sarah looked at the goblins that were staring at her adoringly. "Ok guys. I guess we are going to the beach. I need to work on my tan and planned to have at least one beach day anyway. That's why we are here." She grabbed their "beach disguises" and helped the goblins get dressed.
Once they were ready she looked at them. "You guys still look like goblins, just goblins in kid's clothes." She shook her head. "But if people on the beach don't notice then who am I to question it?"
Sarah left the goblins in Toby's room while she walked into her own and changed into one of the bikinis that she brought, she oiled herself up with tanning lotion and threw on a cover-up. She grabbed her beach bag and loaded it up with a magazine and a book she was reading, a couple of towels, and some of the goblin snacks. In the kitchen, she grabbed some food for herself and added that to her bag along with a bottle of water. She then grabbed the goblins bag with the beach toys. With a bag on each arm, she collected the goblins and they set off. Her companions helpfully offered to carry the umbrella and her beach chair. Sarah was grateful since she had no idea how she would handle everything on her own.
They used the public walk and were soon on the beach. She found a clear area, and set up the blankets, chair, and dumped out the toys for the goblins. They happily started digging away at the sand, and Sarah relaxed into her chair and opened her book, enjoying the feel of the sun and the sound and smell of the surf.
Something was wrong. Jareth could feel it. He could sense it. What exactly was wrong he could not guess. He paced the throne room looking around. Goblins and chickens littered the room. He flopped down on the throne and cocked a leg over the arm sprawling as was his habit. Deep in thought, he raised his hand and a riding crop appeared in it, and he began tapping it against his boot.
After a few minutes, he reached out and plucked a crystal ball out of the air. He glanced inside checking different places in the Labyrinth, looking for something to be amiss. When he was sure that everything was running smoothly in the maze, he called into the now clear crystal.
"Hogshead!" His commanding voice caused the crystal to cloud, and then the face of his dwarf gardener, and guardian of the Labyrinth gate appeared.
"It's Hoggle and you very well know it!" Hoggle's finger came into view in the crystal pointing at the king.
Jareth rolled his eyes. "I'll call you whatever I want to call you. Would you prefer Prince of Stench?"
"What do ya want?" groused the dwarf. "Some of us work around here. We all can't just sit on a throne playing with our sticks." Hoggle knew that he was treading on dangerous territory, but Sarah's friendship had awarded him a bit of protection from the rat's wrath. He knew he was pushing it, but he was tired of Jareth's threats.
"Keep it up Hogsbrain and you will get to spend some quality time with Didymus in the Bog of Eternal Stench." Jareth narrowed his eyes at the dwarf in the crystal. "Now Higgle, I need a report from the outer boundary of the Labyrinth. Is everything at the gate well? Is there any trouble with the fairy swarm?"
Hoggle looked perplexed. Why would he ask about that? He wondered to himself. What is the rat up to? "Everything at the Labyrinth border is fine, the swarm is the swarm. No more annoying than usual. Why? Has someone said that I am shirking my duty?" Hoggle was building up a head of steam now.
"No, no Hogsty." Jareth sighed. "I just feel that something is not right. Everything seems in order though. I suppose I will ask Didymus. He may be getting up in years, but that fox has as many eyes and ears in the Labyrinth as I do, as much as I hate to admit that."
Jareth threw the crystal into the air where it disappeared. He snapped his fingers and a small fox dressed in a tight-fitting jacket and hat with plume. He looked around in surprise at being transported away from his duty of guarding the bridge across the bog. His eyes settled on the king lounging on his throne.
"Your Majesty." The old fox bowed low, "What do I owe the pleasure of this summons?"
"Didymus," Jareth sat up straighter on the throne giving his advisor a measure of respect many wished for but did not get. "I feel that there is something wrong, but cannot put my finger on it. Have you any information about what might be amiss in the kingdom?" Jareth came right to the point.
"It may not just be here in the Goblin Kingdom, something might be amiss in the above with the Champion and her brother. Did you check with the goblin contingent who are with them?" Didymus asked, concerned over the worry he saw on his king's face.
Jareth jumped to his feet. "What the devil are you talking about man?" he roared. "What contingent of goblins is with Sarah?"
"I was told that a group of goblins used the portal to the Champion's room several days ago. As far as I and my spies know, they have not returned. I assumed that you wished them to have extra protection from the Goblin Kingdom for some reason. She is the Champion after all," Didymus reasoned, not knowing why the King was in distress over the news.
Jareth ignored him. Looking in the crystal he commanded, "Show me, Sarah Williams." The crystal cleared and Sarah came into view, her arms laden down with bags as she walked across the sand. Surrounding her—he had to look twice—was a group of his goblins dressed in above-ground clothing. "Just what are you cretins up to?" he mused out loud.
Not seeing Toby he looked into the crystal once more and commanded it to show him the boy. When the clouds cleared he saw the teenager riding what looked like a piece of wood with wheels on it. As he looked on the boy was joined by others dressed similarly as he on their own wheeled boards. He stared but did not see any goblins. "So they decided to take a vacation to the beach," Jareth said to himself. "And they did not think to tell me of their little trip above. Well since I need to collect my subjects anyway…" He suddenly threw the crystal in the air. With a burst of glitter, both he and Sir Didymus disappeared from the throne room. Didymus, back to the bog and he, to his study to prepare for a few days away.
Jareth had looked into the beach fashions that were popular in the Above. He always prided himself on his fashion sense. He found that the style of the swimwear was quite loose for his liking. He modified the look a bit, keeping the length of the board shorts but tightening them so that they molded to his legs and body. Satisfied with his attire he walked down the beach toward where Sarah sat with his wayward goblins.
Sarah was stretched out on the beach chair. She had her knees drawn up toward her chest and was using her legs to support the open magazine she was reading. She was about to move under the umbrella she had put up. She had been in the sun for a few hours and, while she wanted to tan she refused to burn and be miserable for the rest of the trip. Suddenly, a shadow was cast over her making her look up…right into the blue eyes of the Goblin King.
Sarah knew her mouth had dropped open at the sight of Jareth in tight swim trunks and nothing else. Her eyes moved over his body realizing that what he wore looked similar to the extremely tight pants he wore Underground only shorter. Even though she had seen that bulge more than once did he have to advertise? She realized however that this was the first time she had seen him shirtless. Granted, he barely buttoned any of his shirts, to begin with, but now she could see exactly how lean and muscular he was. The pendant he always wore glinted in the sun against the pale skin. She finally focused on his eyes that stared at her and the smirk that told her he was well aware of her perusal of his body.
"Get a good enough look, Precious?" he asked, quivering an eyebrow at her.
"Trust me it's not much more than what I've seen every time I see you. I mean you aren't the most conservative dresser. And while they may be tighter than most I've seen more skin on the beach today." Sarah tried to ignore that her mouth had suddenly gone dry. Why was she acting like this? It's just Jareth she never had been like this since she first saw him when she was fifteen.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Sarah asked as if she did not know. Damn, she told Toby when he found out and came hunting for them he was supposed to deal with the arrogant king. Now he was nowhere close and she was face to face with his majesty. She was going to kill Toby when she saw him next.
"I came to collect a group of goblins that you have kidnapped," Jareth said calmly.
"What the hell? Kidnapped? Really Jareth? They, with the help of Toby, snuck into my jeep. I didn't know until we were more than halfway to the beach. I kidnapped no one." Sarah felt she might be getting a bit too loud. She looked around to see if anyone was looking. She saw several women looking their way, but she had a feeling that was more due to what Jareth was wearing and less about what she was saying.
"Well, you are so insistent on accusing me of kidnapping your delightful little brother all those years ago. I wanted you to see how that accusation feels." The eyebrow had yet to come down.
Sarah looked over her shoulder at where the goblins were playing in the sand. She had to laugh Glunk and Moxi had buried Squib in the sand so far that only his head was visible. Zot had done the same to Scoots but he was laying down and had arms and legs, as well as his head, sticking out of a mound of sand.
"Yeah Jareth, they look like they are being held against their will. Well maybe Squib and Scoots, but I think they volunteered to be buried." She stifled a laugh turning back to him. "Hey guys," She said loudly, "Look who showed up."
"Hi, Kingy!" called the happy group of goblins, and they waved merrily. Well four of them waved. Squib had both of his hands under the sand.
"I'll deal with you morons later," he called over to the goblins, finally looking at them for the first time and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, you will not!" Sarah rolled her eyes at his majesty. She stretched her legs out and put her magazine to the side. She stood from her chair, and stretched, reaching her arms above her head and arching her back.
At this point, Jareth lost all power of speech. Curled up the way she was, he had not noticed what she was wearing, or better yet what she was not wearing. While he had seen her in different styles of dress over the years that they talked through the mirror, and his voyeuristic tendency of looking at her now and again through his crystals (of course he would never use that term, he would say he was checking to see that the Labyrinth Champion was well). He had never seen her in the stage of undress that the bikini she wore afforded him.
"Take a picture Fairy Boy, it will last longer." Sarah figured it was as good a comeback as his was when she was caught staring. "You're unbelievable. It's like you've never seen a swimming suit before" She tried for an exasperated tone. "And I know that you've seen women in far less. As you have never shied away from telling me all about your conquests."
This seemed to snap him out of his stupefied state. "Well, yes of course. But the swimming attire for women in my realm is a bit more modest," he replied, still taking in the bare skin of her stomach, chest, and long legs.
"So you came to bring the goblins back to the Underground?" Sarah was getting a bit uncomfortable with his unapologetic perusal of her, and grabbed her cover-up and put it on.
"That was the idea. I had figured they would be causing all sorts of mischief here in the Above without my watchful eye. But things seem to be quite calm actually," Jareth reasoned.
"Watchful eye my ass," Sarah snorted. "It took you three days to even notice they were gone. The first day was a little difficult, but things settled down, and they have been great. Toby has been having a ball with them."
They stood there just looking at each other for a minute or two. Their audience of five watching the exchange intently waiting to see what would happen, but as simple of creatures as they were the goblins were not dumb enough to call attention to their continued presence.
"I suppose that I might allow them to continue if they are a welcome distraction for Tobias," Jareth allowed magnanimously.
"Well, Your Majesty, don't act like you are doing us a favor by watching your goblins for you. You aren't Tom Sawyer and I sure as hell am not Huck Finn." Sarah snorted at him. "Well, now that you found your missing goblins you can be on your way. I'm sure you have plenty to do in the Goblin Kingdom," Sarah went as far as to give him a shooing motion with her hands.
"I know not these Tom and Huck that you refer to. I can only assume that they are friends of yours." Jareth sniffed. "But I think that I will, as they say here in the above, hang a bit longer."
"Oh no, Your Majesty." Sarah shook her head. "Toby's room is full, and I sure as hell am not hiding you under my bed or in my closet." Sarah's voice was rising a bit.
"Oh Precious, if I were staying with you, under the bed would not be where I would be sleeping." Jareth's voice was dripping with innuendo.
"Forget it, Goblin King! It's never going to happen." Sarah glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Relax Sarah, I would not expect to stay with you, I will take care of my own accommodations. I am a King and I expect a certain standard," Jareth countered.
Sarah bristled, becoming insulted. Then she realized that if she pushed the point she may indeed end up with the Goblin King in her room. Where part of her was intrigued at that it was a part that she was working to silence. Why was she thinking this way? This was Jareth for God's sake. No, she definitely did not want to get involved with the Goblin King.
"Whatever. Jareth, if you want to stick here with the stuff, and keep an eye on the guys over there, I would be happy to go up to the house and make us something for lunch. I don't know about you but I am hungry." She looked over to where the goblins had continued burying each other in the sand content in the fact that they would be allowed to stay. "Hey guys, you want some lunch?" she asked them.
"Yes, Lady Sarah!" came the chorus of goblin voices.
"Lunch will be acceptable," Jareth agreed and sat in her vacant chair.
Sarah shook her head and walked back up the path to the house. The nerve of that man…fae…whatever. Once in the kitchen, she looked through the cabinets and refrigerator. Grateful that Karen was such a thorough shopper and preferred to eat at home sometimes even on vacation. She threw together some deli sandwiches, added some chips, pieces of fruit, and made sure to add some water bottles. She grabbed the picnic bag and a large old king-sized bedspread that the family used when eating on the beach and headed back.
Sarah couldn't believe that sight that greeted her when she returned to their spot on the beach. "I was only gone fifteen minutes," she muttered to herself. No less than six girls were surrounding the chair that Jareth was sitting in like…well like a king on his throne. "Unbelievable," Sarah hissed.
She walked over to the king and dropped the bedspread and bag on the sand. "Hey GK," Sarah said loudly to her. "I am back with lunch." She gave him a pointed look.
"Oh yes. I am sorry my dear ladies, but my companion has returned with our afternoon repast." Jareth smiled at them showing all his teeth.
Sarah could almost hear the swooning. "Give me a break," she muttered to herself.
"I'm sure we will all see each other around before our trip comes to an end." He continued dismissing the gaggle surrounding him.
"Ok Romeo," Sarah said snidely. "Help me spread this out. Come on, guys," The last was directed at the goblins who quickly scrambled from the sand excited for the food.
Sarah and Jareth managed to spread out the blanket and they and the goblins passed around the food. Sarah was a little worried that the simple food would be too pedestrian for Jareth's taste, but he praised it as he ate. The conversation ran easily between the two and the goblins were content just to eat.
Toby showed up sometime after the remains of lunch had been cleared away. He traded in his skater look for board shorts and his skateboard for a boogie board. If he was shocked to see the Goblin King he did not show it. "Hey Jareth,'' he greeted the king, dropping onto a towel. "Finally realized that the goblins came on vacay with us, huh?"
"Hello, Tobias," Jareth answered. "Yes, I believe that it was time that I checked to make certain my subjects were not causing too much mayhem."
"The goblins are not a problem. They are fun," Toby answered.
"I am very happy to hear you think that way," Jareth honestly told him. Jareth always believed that Toby's place was in his kingdom and the fact that he enjoyed the company of his goblins only helped to prove that point. Not that he would speak of this around Sarah.
"Hey, if you guys got things covered, I'm going to go in the water." Toby jumped up before his sister could answer, and went running into the waves with his board.
After another hour Jareth excused himself, telling Sarah that he would need to procure his lodging for the next few days. Sarah did not know what came over her but she invited him back for the beach party that night. He accepted and told her he would see her later. Getting up he walked off down the beach and soon disappeared. Sarah squinted and was not sure if the glinting she saw was the sand or glitter in the air. She sighed her trip had become exponentially more difficult adding a fae king to the five goblins. Taking back the chair that Jareth vacated she closed her eyes and drifted off.
Later that afternoon, Sarah brought all the stuff into the house while Toby snuck the goblins into his room. Lucky for them his parents were relaxing in their room so he did not have to use the window this time. After showering and changing they spent time helping their parents get things ready for tonight.
The houses up and down the beach all had food, drinks, desserts, and snacks on their back porches or decks and they spent time wandering up and down visiting old friends and meeting new ones. The smaller kids hung out with adults chasing crabs on the beach, while the teens headed down to the darker areas to party, drink, and make out. The Williams adults usually stayed two doors down with friends of theirs on their deck. Sarah opted to hang at their porch with a kid-friendly fare of s'mores and hotdogs with their fire pit. Her parents thought that she was doing that for Toby, honestly, she was doing it to better hide the goblins and their king.
While Sarah set up the porch with places to sit, the food, and a cooler with the drinks Toby got the goblins "dressed". They came out when Sarah was setting up the fire pit. She had not thought about the goblin's obsession with all things burning, but figured that she would be there, as would Jareth, surely they would be able to keep them out of trouble.
Jareth came strolling up the beach, and Sarah was relieved. Part of her expected him to be dressed in his underground attire, she shouldn't have worried. He was casually dressed in longer looser black shorts that stopped at his knee, and a soft black t-shirt that fitted his frame perfectly. Jareth refused to wear sandals or sneakers and chose to be barefoot. His hair was again pulled back in a low tail down his back. Sarah waved him up when she saw him and he nodded in recognition.
She waited while Jareth came up the public use path and walked the few hundred feet to their back porch. His eyes ran appreciatively up Sarah appreciating how the sundress she wore clung to her curves and swirled around her legs.
"Have a seat." She indicated the banquette that ran around two sides of the porch. "You want a drink? I have bottles of beer, wine, pop, or water."
"A glass of wine would be lovely, Sarah dear," Jareth answered, sinking onto the upholstered bench.
"I would like one too, Sarah dear," echoed Toby.
"No way, Tobes. Grab a can of pop," Sarah told him. Sarah went inside the kitchen and poured two glasses of wine. She came back out and handed one to Jareth.
"Well, boys," she said brightly "Who's ready to roast some weenies?" Toby giggled at the horrified look on Jareth's face.
"Hot dogs, Your Majesty," she explained. "Probably never had one of those I guess." She realized that the name likely sounded no better to Jareth.
"No Sarah, I have never had the pleasure." Jareth still had a slightly horrified look on his face.
Toby patiently was teaching the goblins how to use the roasting sticks to grill their hotdogs that Sarah took from the cooler. "Not used to eating outdoors this way." She couldn't help teasing Jareth just a bit.
"Nonsense, Sarah," Jareth replied, "I was a soldier before I became king." At her surprised look he continued. "It was expected. I made do, eating what was available over an open fire. I just have never eaten anything in quite that shape before."
Sarah giggled when she saw him wince as she stabbed the hotdog through the middle to attach it to the skewer. "It's an acquired taste, but you might like it."
After roasting and eating their hotdogs they relaxed and talked like the old friends they liked to think they were. Toby and the goblins went down to the beach to have fun. Jareth looked a little alarmed, but after the last few days of them going unnoticed during the day, Sarah was sure they would not freak anyone out in the dark.
Teaching the goblins to make s'mores was an adventure, to say the least. They loved the idea of roasting the marshmallows, but Sarah forgot how Toby liked to roast his marshmallows. Unlike most normal people Toby preferred to set his marshmallows on fire and let them burn until it looked like a fireball and then he would blow it out, and eat them charred. Once the goblins saw the mini flaming fireballs inspiration struck. Who needs a catapult to send things on fire flying when you have them attached to a long stick? Flaming marshmallow javelin became the goblins' new game.
After a crazy twenty minutes of flaming sticks flying around, and Sarah trying to protect her parents' house from arson, and Jareth trying to command the goblins to stop, and Toby laughing hysterically, things started calming down. Jareth threatened to bog the lot of them, and poor Glunk was the first victim to the bog. After that, the other goblins started listening to their king, but Sarah did hear whispers about flaming sticks and chickens. She was not going to question it that would be Jareth's problem.
After all the s'mores were eaten Sarah told Toby to take the goblins in for the night. He was happy because this got him out of clean-up duty. Jareth and Sarah took a short walk down the beach. Not talking much, just enjoying each other's company. After escorting her back to her parent's house, Jareth took his leave, disappearing with a dusting of gold glitter that looked surprisingly like the sand. Sarah laughed and cleaned up the mess before turning in for the night.
A/N: The Goblin King in a swimming suit your welcome (Hey it's a family friendly fic so a nude beach was out of the question.). Please…Please…Please review (shameless begging)!