AN: I'm sorry I didn't have time for a chapter edit last night. I was very tried from work. Forgive me! I believe that many of you will enjoy this chapter (I hope!) I have a lot of acknowledgments to type up and I'm sure you would rather read the next chapter earlier. I'll try to have those acknowledgements posted next chapter or re-posted with this chapter. As always please keep those reviews coming. And no this is not the last chapter, despite the title...
Those underage, be warned that you should go play somewhere else for this chapter.
Without further a do.....
Completion...
They were less then two feet near his bed when a loud knock at the door halted them both. Jareth growled and let his head fall into Sarah's hair. She smoothed his hair with her hands, her heart beating wildly in her chest when she thought about what they might have just started doing.
"It wasn't the right time..." was all she said softly. He pulled back and nodded giving her one last quick kiss before moving to the door. Sarah was right and he wanted their joining to be perfect. He had an idea when the right moment might be although he would never push her.
As he moved to the door he wondered who had the audacity to bother him in his private chambers and while he was with a lady no less. He swung the door open and stared down at a nervous little goblin who was trembling before him. His helmet was too big for his head and it hung over his beady little eyes.
"What is it?" Jareth barked.
"Sire....forgive me, but the Lady Megmora...the mortal child is hungry...and she sent me."
"I'll take care of it...return to your post." The goblin nodded and was gone before Jareth could draw another breath.
"You were a little harsh with him Jareth. Don't kill the messenger." Sarah laughed lightly.
Jareth turned to her, his stance a little rigid, his facial expression a little too cold. Sarah's smile faded. "You must be harsh with them Sarah or you don't get through to their thick little skulls." He turned to the window. "Dinner will be in a short while. I'll ask Ary if she can manage to wait until then. If not I'll have a small snack brought to her. You might want to change."
"What?"
"Change? I hardly believe that you would like to attend a ball dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. You might get a few harsh stares."
"Did you say a ball?" He mouth dropped.
He smiled devilishly. "Yes a ball held in honor of you and Aryanna's arrival into my Kingdom."
'Jareth, you really didn't have to go through all of this trouble." She shook her head, her long dark hair moving around her.
"It was no trouble Sarah and besides it is custom. News of your arrival has spread like wildfire through the Underground. It is only fair that the people are able to see you."
"Why?"
Jareth sighed. "It is custom for me to "show off" if you will, my lady which in this case means you." He grinned revealing his pointed teeth.
Sarah blushed and Jareth smiled. "Show me off, eh?"
'Of course, showing you proudly to my people and the monarchs of other kingdoms is something I have looked forward to for years, though until recently I never believed it would happen."
Sarah swallowed. "What do...what do these other people believe that I am to you?"
"My lady, someone who I have high regard for." He told her, tugging at his gloves.
One brow rose on her forehead. "And nothing else?" There was disappointment in her voice.
"What does it matter what they believe?"
"I...was just curious..."
He closed the distance between them and took her hands into his. "It is my honor, my privilege and my right to show a woman who means something to me." He kissed her hands. "No one will truly understand the magnitude of my feelings for you...royal marriages usually are not based on love. In fact it's rare. Most marriages are arranged. I am fortunate to be at liberty to marry or court who I see fit. You are the only one in all of my life that I have seen fit, and equal to myself. No doubt my people and the other nobles will realize this. I've never presented anyone before." He leaned closer to her, closing the gap between them further. "You are first and I hope the only that I will ever present."
Sarah nodded, suddenly feeling as if weight had been added to her shoulders. She had grown somewhat shy over the years and the idea of being presented and someday possibly becoming a queen if she stayed here frightened her. "When is this ball, tonight?"
He nodded. "It grows later. We should all dress and prepare. I will send one of the ladies to help you dress and prepare for the festivities scheduled later in the evening. We should eat after we have prepared and then the ball will begin. I warn you that we may be leaving early. The other nobles tend to get drunk fairly quickly and seeing as neither you nor I drink..."
"You don't drink?" She flashed him a look of surprise.
"Surprising isn't it? I never grew a liking to the stuff. I think coffee would taste better to me then alcohol."
"And I know just how much you love coffee." She teased.
He chuckled softly. "You should start getting ready. A lady will fill a bath for you and prepare your dress. The same will be done for Ary as well. While you get ready I will explain to her about the ball and that we will dine before we attend the celebrations."
"Ok. Thank you."
Jareth kissed her softly on the lips. "You're welcome. I will see you later." She nodded to this and stepped through the door that connected their rooms, closing it behind her. Being here was already a little overwhelming and the thought of being presented to so many people frightened her slightly. Yet the thought of dancing with Jareth seemed to make up for it.
Not less then a few minutes later there was a knock at the door and a young girl entered without a word, only a formal bow and she immediately prepared a bath. Sarah sighed as she stepped into it a few moments later. She sank into the hot bubbly water and dreamed of dancing within the arms of the Goblin King.
Sarah dried herself after her bath with a large soft towel and began to dress. The dress was a pale green and made of a soft silky material. It was low cut and form fitting at the waist while it flared out on the bottom, fading to different shades of green. The girl immediately reached for the tiny clasps on the back of the dress and clasped them. She gestured to Sarah to sit, which she did at a small cushioned seat at a vanity. The girl set to the task of combing Sarah's long hair and using pins with pearls at the ends of them, pinned up her hair elegantly. She then applied makeup to Sarah's face and gestured for her to select a perfume to wear. Sarah sniffed each of the tiny bottles lines up on the vanity and settled for a sweet smelling perfume that reminded her of lilacs.
Finished at last, Sarah gazed at herself in the mirror. High heel green shoes made the outfit complete along with a sash that was faded green like the skirt of the dress. Sarah could not believe how she looked.....She looked like a queen...
Another young woman escorted her down a hallway and she and her daughter arrived at two large doors at the same time. Ary was dressed in pale peach, her hair half up. She looked like a princess.
"Mommy, you look so beautiful." She smiled.
Sarah bent to kiss her cheek. "So do you sweetie. Did you have fun playing tea with Megmora?"
Her daughter opened her mouth to answer but the doors suddenly creaked open and Sarah rose, her eyes meeting Jareth's figure as soon as they were fully open. He stood on the opposite side, just inside the room. Sarah grinned when she saw him. He was dressed in a dark green frock coat that seemed to sparkle in the light. Beneath it was a cream colored silk shirt that rose halfway up his neck and with ties at the bottom of his neck. It was a shirt not too different from the one he wore with his blue frock coat. He wore his usual black leggings that clung to his legs and allowed her to see every single detail of his form. She dropped her eyes lower quickly to notice his black knee high boots when she felt her cheeks begin to warm.
Jareth stepped forward his eyes had not wavered from her form once. He forced himself to breathe. Never in his life had he seen a sight more beautiful then the site that stood before him. He stepped forward slowly and reached for Sarah's hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss it softly. "You look beautiful." He purred softly.
Sarah grinned shyly and lowered her eyes from his for a moment. "You don't look too bad yourself." She teased and he grinned.
"And you!" Jareth dropped to one knee to have a better look at Aryanna. "I don't believe I've seen a prettier young girl in all of the Underground." Ary stepped forward and hugged him tightly. He squeezed her slightly and then stood, first offering his arm to Sarah and then his other arm to Ary. Sarah put her arm through his and Ary being a little too short to comfortably reach his arm, took his hand. The trio walked forward slowly to a huge table covered with many different foods.
"This is how we shall enter tonight." He told them softly.
They glided down the grand staircase as if they had wings. Ary could hardly contain herself as she saw all the people gathered at the bottom of the stairs. They were dressed in fancy dresses and costumes. It was like a big Halloween party and it wasn't even Halloween! The ballroom was incredible. It reminded Sarah someone what of the crystal ballroom that she had Jareth had danced in so long ago. Chandlers hung from the ceiling with flickering candles. White cloth was draped from large marble pillars that lined the sides of the room. There were people everywhere, wearing every color of clothing imaginable. The site of it all was breathtaking.
As they reached the middle of the stairs Jareth stopped and lifted his head, acknowledging the people below. His stance had been rigid, kingly so far and by lifting his chin defiantly he reminded Sarah of the insolent King she remembered from the past. She knew it was necessary for him to act out his part in front of so many people.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for attending this special occasion." He said loudly and clearly. "As it is custom by law and as it is my honor and privilege, I present to you Lady Sarah." He tipped his head toward Sarah who curtsied as she had been told to do. "And the Lady Aryanna." He gestured to Ary who bowed slowly as her mother had done. There was a great applause as well as a few confused stares as a few guests stared at Aryanna. Kings rarely took on ladies who already had children. Of course Jareth was always the exception to the rule with his wild, lone wolf like style. Some guests already believed the child was his, a well-kept secret. She looked like her mother but she was slender with pale skin and could easily be his child. The rumors were beginning to fly before they even proceeded to the bottom of the stairs.
There were small foods to snack on, cheeses, crackers, grapes, wines and different fruit punches. Having already eaten only an hour before the ball, Sarah, Ary and Jareth steered clear of the table filled with food. Ary clutched Jareth's hand tightly and stayed by his and her mother's side for most of the evening. When the dancing began Megmora suddenly appeared, dressed elegantly in a lavender dress and she ushered the little girl away from the adults. There were other children that she could play with in a different room and she fit right in with them right away. She danced wildly with two little girls who appeared to be twins and she felt as if she had known them all her life when they found they had much in common. The girls loved to play teatime and each had a favorite special toy as she did.
The guests had plagued Jareth and Sarah all night. Everyone wanted to gaze at Sarah, to see whom after all these years the King of the Goblins had chosen to present. Sarah smiled graciously to every compliment she received and not once let go of Jareth's arm. She smiled to herself when she felt him lean closer to her protectively more then once throughout the evening.
The dancing had begun and it was the only time of the night where no one would dare approach them. Jareth bowed before Sarah. "May I have this dance milady?"
She grinned and nodded a bright smile across her face. She didn't feel as if she were 35. She felt like she was 15 again as he swept her into his arms and twirled her across the dance floor. He twirled her wildly and for the first time that night Sarah saw a piece of the man she remembered so well from his stay with her. He was grinning and his throaty laugh filled her ears. Gone was the arrogant Goblin King and in his place was the carefree man she had grown to love.
The music was wonderful, harps, pan flutes, Celtic-sounding whistles, violins. It was all very romantic. Especially with the candles that gave a soft warm light throughout the room.
Less then an hour after they had begun dancing, Megmora appeared with Aryanna cradled in her arms.
'Forgiving my intrusssion, my lord." She bowed before Jareth and nodded to Sarah. "The child issss tired. I thought I would bring her to bed."
"She'll want me to tuck her in." Sarah said right away.
"We shall both tuck her in." Jareth told her and he gestured for Megmora to place the sleepy child in his arms. She did so and Ary buried her face in Jareth's shoulder. "If anyone is looking for us, tell them that we've retired for the evening. Have the squire make the announcement after we have been gone a few minutes.
"Yesss your highnesss." Megmora bowed.
"Thank you for looking after Ary." Sarah told her with a smile.
"It wasss my pleasssure." She bowed before Sarah.
They were of course caught by a few of the guests on the way out who saw the King leaving and wished to bid him goodnight, but once they were out in the hallway, Sarah felt herself breathe for the first time that night. They were away from prying eyes of others and could act as they saw fit. They walked quietly to Ary's room. Sarah pulled down the sheets of the bed and Jareth placed Ary down on the soft mattress. He snapped his fingers and in the blink of an eye the little girl was dressed in a silky pink nightgown. Sarah smiled at Jareth and he pulled the blankets over the child.
Ary was so tired that she had already fallen asleep, her favorite bear to her face.
"So much for a bedtime story. The poor kid is exhausted." Sarah said as she and Jareth crept quietly out of the room.
"She must have enjoyed playing with the other children. I'm sure she will tell us about it in the morning."
"Other children? But I didn't see any other children there?" As far as she knew, Ary had been the only child in attendance.
Jareth smiled sweetly. They were in one of the other rooms. All the children of the guests stay together and are watched by a few adults. They have dancing and their own games to keep them occupied while the adults enjoy themselves."
"Boy you thought of everything didn't you?"
"I can't claim the credit, it's something that has been done at balls even before my time." She smiled warmly as they stood outside Ary's door. "Sarah...there is something I want to show you."
Sarah blinked and a moment later she and Jareth were no longer in the hallway but suddenly on a balcony that overlooked the labyrinth. She smiled as she leaned over the stone railing and gazed out into the night. She had not realized what a wonderful night it had turned out to be. After being pampered and eating dinner they had gone straight to the ball. She had not noticed that the sun had set and that it had been night for a few hours now.
The labyrinth was beautiful at night. The moon was full and so bright that she could see for miles. The stone walls sparkled in the pale moonlight. The Goblin City below was full of activity. She could see candles flickering in windowsills of houses no longer broken down. She could hear the laughter and music in the distance of the ball which still went on in a different part of the castle.
"Was it all right that we left so early? I mean your guests..."
"They know their way home." He smiled and he put an arm around her. "Did you have a good time tonight?"
She nodded. "I think my favorite part was the dancing."
He grinned once again showing his pointed teeth. "That was my favorite as well." She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I wonder how Toby is doing." She said suddenly.
"Would you like to see him?" he offered.
"Yes, but how?"
He pulled a crystal ball from thin air and placed it in the palm of her hand. "Gaze into it and you will see him."
She picked the crystal up so that it was even with her eyes and she looked into it. An image appeared of Toby laying on her living room couch with Cheryl curled against his chest. They were both sleeping and she could see the flash of the TV in the background, left on after they had fallen asleep. She smiled. "He seems to be ok." She handed the crystal back to him and he made it disappear. She leaned against him once more and she felt him touch her hair.
"I was very proud of you and Ary tonight Sarah. I know that traveling here and suddenly being forced to show yourself to a room full of strangers was not an easy task."
She glanced up at him. "It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard either. I had you beside me all night so I had nothing to worry about."
He smiled and gazed at her, letting his love for her shine through his eyes. She returned his gaze, her love for him reflected back at him. She turned in his arms, to face him and she reached up to touch his pale face. He looked so handsome in the moonlight, his blond hair nearly white, his skin as pale as fine porcelain. She wrapped her arms around his neck and for a moment they just gazed at each other. His mismatched eyes searched her face. She looked at peace in his arms. He saw something as his eyes locked with hers. Passion...it's fires burning within her hazel depths. He felt his heart beating wildly in his chest.
He lowered his face to hers slowly and kissed her softly. She returned the kiss and he deepened it, his mouth moving over her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers. He felt her hands clutch the fabric of his coat collar and his hands moved to her waist to pull her closer to him. He broke their fevered kiss to take a quick breath and he immediately returned his lips to hers. Then his lips left her mouth and he kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose and then trailed soft kisses down her throat and the side of her neck. She tilted her head back and let out soft gasps of pleasure. He felt a fire begin to burn deeply within him. He continued to kiss the soft skin of her neck and he suddenly felt her fingers trying to slip his coat away from his shoulders. He pulled back slightly to gaze into her eyes, to be sure that she wanted this, that she knew what would happen if they continued.
She knew...her eyes were filled with love and passion for him and he nearly stumbled as he pulled her from the balcony and into his chambers, away from anyone who might see them.
He trembled as she undid the two buttons that held his frock coat together. She slowly eased the velvet coat over his shoulders and it fell to the floor. She reached for the ties of his shirt collar and tugged at them gently. His hands covered hers and he helped her untie the shirt. She pulled the shirt from his pants and ran her hands up under the shirt and over his warm skin. He groaned softly and let his head fall forward into her hair as she touched him gently, slowly, caressing his chest. Instinctively one hand cupped her breast and he felt her melt into his touch. Yet she still wanted to touch him and he wanted nothing more then to oblige her.
His hands went to the bottom of his shirt and he pulled it over his head quickly, letting it fall to the ground. Her eyes looked over him as if seeing him for the first time. She had seen him before, when he was sick, her eyes had greedily taken in his form, but here in the soft moonlight he looked different. He looked like some kind of angel. His blond hair fell softly over his shoulders and she brushed it back and away. He reached out slowly with his hands to the back of her dress, his fingers grazing over the clasps that held the dress together. She turned so that he had easier access and he fumbled with the clasps, his trembling hands moving slowly as he tried to concentrate on the task of undoing them. When the last clasp was undone he turned her to face him and gently allowed his hands to peal the dress away from one shoulder.
He lowered his lips to the exposed shoulder and trailed kisses along the skin. His mouth followed his hands as he lowered the silky fabric from her. He did the same to the other shoulder as well, revealing her smooth skin with his hands and then kissing it softly with his lips. Sarah trembled at his gentle touch, her head falling back.
He had the bodice of the dress lowered to the top of her breasts and he stopped. She picked up her head to gaze at him, her eyes questioning him as to why he had stopped. He suddenly scooped her up into his arms and she laughed wildly, throwing her arms around his neck. He kissed her and moved slowly to his bed, lowering her gently onto the soft, black, silk sheets. It was dark on this side of the room, as they were away from the pale light of the moon. He glanced at a nearby table and it suddenly had 4 flickering candles on its surface. The warm light was just enough light for them to see each other, to discover each other. He pulled his boots from his feet and left them at the side of the bed as he crawled onto the mattress, lifting one leg over her to kneel over her form.
He reached for the pins in her hair and watched as her dark locks cascaded down her bare shoulders. He smiled seductively and lowered his lips to hers, while his hands slowly pulled the bodice of her dress down her body. He pulled away and sat back, pulling the dress down her slender legs and off her all together. He let the beautiful dress fall to the floor, it became as forgotten as his frock coat and silk shirt on the other side of the room.
He sat for a moment, his eyes drinking in the sight of her nearly naked form. Only the pale green silk panties she wore kept his eyes from seeing all of her. He pulled his gloves from his hands and snaked forward. He reached for her breasts as he fell forward, his mouth seeking hers. She moaned into his mouth as he stroked the soft mountains on her chest that yielded and responded to the touch of his hands.
He trailed kisses down her neck and took one breast into his mouth his hand moving to the other breast as his tongue swirled around her taunt nipple. She groaned and squirmed beneath him, her hands reaching desperately to touch him. She squeezed his shoulders as he suckled her like a child would. His mouth moved to the other breast giving it the same tortuous pleasure. His lips moved to hers once more and she slid her hands down his chest as they fought for dominance with their tongues. He groaned into her mouth as she slid one hand down his abdomen and gently brushed his erection through the fabric of his pants. His hips jerked instinctively for her to touch him and she did, running a finger along the length of him through the fabric. He pulled his lips from her and threw his head back letting out a low throaty groan. She smiled at his reaction and she reached for the waistband of his pants. He lifted himself so that she could reach easier and she slowly and gently pulled the fabric over his hips. Her eyes focused on his erection, a finely molded piece of nature, created by his passion for her. She pulled the pants down further and he helped her pull them off him all together.
She reached out to touch him and he jerked his hips away.
"Stop..." he commanded. She looked up at him. He reached for her hand and put it by her side. "There is something I have to do first..." he lowered one hand to her stomach and she felt a warmth fill her.
"What...what are you doing??"
He moved his hand away and he lowered his lips to hers for a quick kiss. "Protecting you..." he whispered. "There will be no children conceived tonight..."
She didn't know how to react. She was so caught up her passion and love for him she had not even thought about the possibility that if they went all the way that she could have become pregnant.
She smiled up at him and his thoughtfulness and reached up to bury one hand in his soft blond hair, her eyes full of her appreciation. His hands reached for the silk panties she still wore and he removed them slowly. He kissed her stomach and trailed kisses up her abdomen, between her breasts, up her neck and finally to her lips. She pulled him down closer to her and she allowed one hand to move slowly down between them to touch the length of what made him a man. He closed his eyes tightly, letting his head fall into her neck as she trailed her fingers over him gently. His hips moved involuntarily and began to find a rhythm with the movement of her fingers. His lips sought out hers and he moved her hand away from him, parting her legs with one knee.
He was trembling and he stopped any movement to gaze into her eyes. She looked up at him with her passion and love for him in her eyes. He smiled brushing back a lock of hair already wet with sweat from her face and he lowered himself. He entered her slowly and he heard her cry out in pain for one brief moment. He stopped and waited, remembering that it had been a long time since she had done something like this. He waited a moment more and proceeded slowly until he was buried completely within her. He waited a moment for her to get accustomed to the feel of him and only when she made the first move, rocking her hips slowly, did he follow, matching her movements.
Her hands rose to his sides, and then moved over his back and she pulled him down to her. She was trembling and he was trembling along with her. The feelings he was receiving were overwhelming him. Their movements became less organized, a little more chaotic. She was groaning softly, her movements erratic and he knew it wouldn't be long before she found her release. Moments later she found it, calling out his name and throwing her head back into the mattress, arching her back as the world around her blurred and waves of pleasure washed over her. His release came at the almost the same time and he trembled uncontrollably as he came, crying out her name as he emptied himself within her, his world made up of only one thing, his precious Sarah.
He remained trembling as he held himself over her still buried deep within her, trying hard not to fall against her and crush her with his weight. He felt her hands reach for him and pull him to her. He was afraid to open his eyes, everything was still blurry, he felt dizzy, and he felt pleasure as he had never felt it before. He finally opened his eyes and met hers. She was smiling at him, still out of breath herself from their lovemaking. He grinned back and lowered his lips to hers in a soft kiss.
"I love you Sarah." He whispered his eyes were full of his love for her.
She brushed back his hair, damp with sweat from his face. "I love you too."
He pulled himself from her slowly and collapsed onto his back beside her in the bed. She rolled onto her side to curl herself against him. He put one arm around her and used the other hand to pull the sheets and blankets over them. His heart was still pounding in his chest. So this is what it felt like to make love to someone you actually love. The feelings were incredible and the whole experience had made him feel like a virgin all over again. He was a King and before that a spoiled prince, he'd had everything he wanted, including women. But he didn't love any of them and the passion and lust had always been empty and hollow. With Sarah it had been meaningful, right. He felt absolute completion with her.
His eye lids suddenly felt heavy. He gazed at Sarah who was already sleeping, curled up against his chest. He watched her for a moment. She was so beautiful. He kissed her hair and let his head fall back onto a pillow. He let his eye lids fall and sleep claimed him. Never in his entire life had he had such a good night sleep.
Those underage, be warned that you should go play somewhere else for this chapter.
Without further a do.....
Completion...
They were less then two feet near his bed when a loud knock at the door halted them both. Jareth growled and let his head fall into Sarah's hair. She smoothed his hair with her hands, her heart beating wildly in her chest when she thought about what they might have just started doing.
"It wasn't the right time..." was all she said softly. He pulled back and nodded giving her one last quick kiss before moving to the door. Sarah was right and he wanted their joining to be perfect. He had an idea when the right moment might be although he would never push her.
As he moved to the door he wondered who had the audacity to bother him in his private chambers and while he was with a lady no less. He swung the door open and stared down at a nervous little goblin who was trembling before him. His helmet was too big for his head and it hung over his beady little eyes.
"What is it?" Jareth barked.
"Sire....forgive me, but the Lady Megmora...the mortal child is hungry...and she sent me."
"I'll take care of it...return to your post." The goblin nodded and was gone before Jareth could draw another breath.
"You were a little harsh with him Jareth. Don't kill the messenger." Sarah laughed lightly.
Jareth turned to her, his stance a little rigid, his facial expression a little too cold. Sarah's smile faded. "You must be harsh with them Sarah or you don't get through to their thick little skulls." He turned to the window. "Dinner will be in a short while. I'll ask Ary if she can manage to wait until then. If not I'll have a small snack brought to her. You might want to change."
"What?"
"Change? I hardly believe that you would like to attend a ball dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. You might get a few harsh stares."
"Did you say a ball?" He mouth dropped.
He smiled devilishly. "Yes a ball held in honor of you and Aryanna's arrival into my Kingdom."
'Jareth, you really didn't have to go through all of this trouble." She shook her head, her long dark hair moving around her.
"It was no trouble Sarah and besides it is custom. News of your arrival has spread like wildfire through the Underground. It is only fair that the people are able to see you."
"Why?"
Jareth sighed. "It is custom for me to "show off" if you will, my lady which in this case means you." He grinned revealing his pointed teeth.
Sarah blushed and Jareth smiled. "Show me off, eh?"
'Of course, showing you proudly to my people and the monarchs of other kingdoms is something I have looked forward to for years, though until recently I never believed it would happen."
Sarah swallowed. "What do...what do these other people believe that I am to you?"
"My lady, someone who I have high regard for." He told her, tugging at his gloves.
One brow rose on her forehead. "And nothing else?" There was disappointment in her voice.
"What does it matter what they believe?"
"I...was just curious..."
He closed the distance between them and took her hands into his. "It is my honor, my privilege and my right to show a woman who means something to me." He kissed her hands. "No one will truly understand the magnitude of my feelings for you...royal marriages usually are not based on love. In fact it's rare. Most marriages are arranged. I am fortunate to be at liberty to marry or court who I see fit. You are the only one in all of my life that I have seen fit, and equal to myself. No doubt my people and the other nobles will realize this. I've never presented anyone before." He leaned closer to her, closing the gap between them further. "You are first and I hope the only that I will ever present."
Sarah nodded, suddenly feeling as if weight had been added to her shoulders. She had grown somewhat shy over the years and the idea of being presented and someday possibly becoming a queen if she stayed here frightened her. "When is this ball, tonight?"
He nodded. "It grows later. We should all dress and prepare. I will send one of the ladies to help you dress and prepare for the festivities scheduled later in the evening. We should eat after we have prepared and then the ball will begin. I warn you that we may be leaving early. The other nobles tend to get drunk fairly quickly and seeing as neither you nor I drink..."
"You don't drink?" She flashed him a look of surprise.
"Surprising isn't it? I never grew a liking to the stuff. I think coffee would taste better to me then alcohol."
"And I know just how much you love coffee." She teased.
He chuckled softly. "You should start getting ready. A lady will fill a bath for you and prepare your dress. The same will be done for Ary as well. While you get ready I will explain to her about the ball and that we will dine before we attend the celebrations."
"Ok. Thank you."
Jareth kissed her softly on the lips. "You're welcome. I will see you later." She nodded to this and stepped through the door that connected their rooms, closing it behind her. Being here was already a little overwhelming and the thought of being presented to so many people frightened her slightly. Yet the thought of dancing with Jareth seemed to make up for it.
Not less then a few minutes later there was a knock at the door and a young girl entered without a word, only a formal bow and she immediately prepared a bath. Sarah sighed as she stepped into it a few moments later. She sank into the hot bubbly water and dreamed of dancing within the arms of the Goblin King.
Sarah dried herself after her bath with a large soft towel and began to dress. The dress was a pale green and made of a soft silky material. It was low cut and form fitting at the waist while it flared out on the bottom, fading to different shades of green. The girl immediately reached for the tiny clasps on the back of the dress and clasped them. She gestured to Sarah to sit, which she did at a small cushioned seat at a vanity. The girl set to the task of combing Sarah's long hair and using pins with pearls at the ends of them, pinned up her hair elegantly. She then applied makeup to Sarah's face and gestured for her to select a perfume to wear. Sarah sniffed each of the tiny bottles lines up on the vanity and settled for a sweet smelling perfume that reminded her of lilacs.
Finished at last, Sarah gazed at herself in the mirror. High heel green shoes made the outfit complete along with a sash that was faded green like the skirt of the dress. Sarah could not believe how she looked.....She looked like a queen...
Another young woman escorted her down a hallway and she and her daughter arrived at two large doors at the same time. Ary was dressed in pale peach, her hair half up. She looked like a princess.
"Mommy, you look so beautiful." She smiled.
Sarah bent to kiss her cheek. "So do you sweetie. Did you have fun playing tea with Megmora?"
Her daughter opened her mouth to answer but the doors suddenly creaked open and Sarah rose, her eyes meeting Jareth's figure as soon as they were fully open. He stood on the opposite side, just inside the room. Sarah grinned when she saw him. He was dressed in a dark green frock coat that seemed to sparkle in the light. Beneath it was a cream colored silk shirt that rose halfway up his neck and with ties at the bottom of his neck. It was a shirt not too different from the one he wore with his blue frock coat. He wore his usual black leggings that clung to his legs and allowed her to see every single detail of his form. She dropped her eyes lower quickly to notice his black knee high boots when she felt her cheeks begin to warm.
Jareth stepped forward his eyes had not wavered from her form once. He forced himself to breathe. Never in his life had he seen a sight more beautiful then the site that stood before him. He stepped forward slowly and reached for Sarah's hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss it softly. "You look beautiful." He purred softly.
Sarah grinned shyly and lowered her eyes from his for a moment. "You don't look too bad yourself." She teased and he grinned.
"And you!" Jareth dropped to one knee to have a better look at Aryanna. "I don't believe I've seen a prettier young girl in all of the Underground." Ary stepped forward and hugged him tightly. He squeezed her slightly and then stood, first offering his arm to Sarah and then his other arm to Ary. Sarah put her arm through his and Ary being a little too short to comfortably reach his arm, took his hand. The trio walked forward slowly to a huge table covered with many different foods.
"This is how we shall enter tonight." He told them softly.
They glided down the grand staircase as if they had wings. Ary could hardly contain herself as she saw all the people gathered at the bottom of the stairs. They were dressed in fancy dresses and costumes. It was like a big Halloween party and it wasn't even Halloween! The ballroom was incredible. It reminded Sarah someone what of the crystal ballroom that she had Jareth had danced in so long ago. Chandlers hung from the ceiling with flickering candles. White cloth was draped from large marble pillars that lined the sides of the room. There were people everywhere, wearing every color of clothing imaginable. The site of it all was breathtaking.
As they reached the middle of the stairs Jareth stopped and lifted his head, acknowledging the people below. His stance had been rigid, kingly so far and by lifting his chin defiantly he reminded Sarah of the insolent King she remembered from the past. She knew it was necessary for him to act out his part in front of so many people.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for attending this special occasion." He said loudly and clearly. "As it is custom by law and as it is my honor and privilege, I present to you Lady Sarah." He tipped his head toward Sarah who curtsied as she had been told to do. "And the Lady Aryanna." He gestured to Ary who bowed slowly as her mother had done. There was a great applause as well as a few confused stares as a few guests stared at Aryanna. Kings rarely took on ladies who already had children. Of course Jareth was always the exception to the rule with his wild, lone wolf like style. Some guests already believed the child was his, a well-kept secret. She looked like her mother but she was slender with pale skin and could easily be his child. The rumors were beginning to fly before they even proceeded to the bottom of the stairs.
There were small foods to snack on, cheeses, crackers, grapes, wines and different fruit punches. Having already eaten only an hour before the ball, Sarah, Ary and Jareth steered clear of the table filled with food. Ary clutched Jareth's hand tightly and stayed by his and her mother's side for most of the evening. When the dancing began Megmora suddenly appeared, dressed elegantly in a lavender dress and she ushered the little girl away from the adults. There were other children that she could play with in a different room and she fit right in with them right away. She danced wildly with two little girls who appeared to be twins and she felt as if she had known them all her life when they found they had much in common. The girls loved to play teatime and each had a favorite special toy as she did.
The guests had plagued Jareth and Sarah all night. Everyone wanted to gaze at Sarah, to see whom after all these years the King of the Goblins had chosen to present. Sarah smiled graciously to every compliment she received and not once let go of Jareth's arm. She smiled to herself when she felt him lean closer to her protectively more then once throughout the evening.
The dancing had begun and it was the only time of the night where no one would dare approach them. Jareth bowed before Sarah. "May I have this dance milady?"
She grinned and nodded a bright smile across her face. She didn't feel as if she were 35. She felt like she was 15 again as he swept her into his arms and twirled her across the dance floor. He twirled her wildly and for the first time that night Sarah saw a piece of the man she remembered so well from his stay with her. He was grinning and his throaty laugh filled her ears. Gone was the arrogant Goblin King and in his place was the carefree man she had grown to love.
The music was wonderful, harps, pan flutes, Celtic-sounding whistles, violins. It was all very romantic. Especially with the candles that gave a soft warm light throughout the room.
Less then an hour after they had begun dancing, Megmora appeared with Aryanna cradled in her arms.
'Forgiving my intrusssion, my lord." She bowed before Jareth and nodded to Sarah. "The child issss tired. I thought I would bring her to bed."
"She'll want me to tuck her in." Sarah said right away.
"We shall both tuck her in." Jareth told her and he gestured for Megmora to place the sleepy child in his arms. She did so and Ary buried her face in Jareth's shoulder. "If anyone is looking for us, tell them that we've retired for the evening. Have the squire make the announcement after we have been gone a few minutes.
"Yesss your highnesss." Megmora bowed.
"Thank you for looking after Ary." Sarah told her with a smile.
"It wasss my pleasssure." She bowed before Sarah.
They were of course caught by a few of the guests on the way out who saw the King leaving and wished to bid him goodnight, but once they were out in the hallway, Sarah felt herself breathe for the first time that night. They were away from prying eyes of others and could act as they saw fit. They walked quietly to Ary's room. Sarah pulled down the sheets of the bed and Jareth placed Ary down on the soft mattress. He snapped his fingers and in the blink of an eye the little girl was dressed in a silky pink nightgown. Sarah smiled at Jareth and he pulled the blankets over the child.
Ary was so tired that she had already fallen asleep, her favorite bear to her face.
"So much for a bedtime story. The poor kid is exhausted." Sarah said as she and Jareth crept quietly out of the room.
"She must have enjoyed playing with the other children. I'm sure she will tell us about it in the morning."
"Other children? But I didn't see any other children there?" As far as she knew, Ary had been the only child in attendance.
Jareth smiled sweetly. They were in one of the other rooms. All the children of the guests stay together and are watched by a few adults. They have dancing and their own games to keep them occupied while the adults enjoy themselves."
"Boy you thought of everything didn't you?"
"I can't claim the credit, it's something that has been done at balls even before my time." She smiled warmly as they stood outside Ary's door. "Sarah...there is something I want to show you."
Sarah blinked and a moment later she and Jareth were no longer in the hallway but suddenly on a balcony that overlooked the labyrinth. She smiled as she leaned over the stone railing and gazed out into the night. She had not realized what a wonderful night it had turned out to be. After being pampered and eating dinner they had gone straight to the ball. She had not noticed that the sun had set and that it had been night for a few hours now.
The labyrinth was beautiful at night. The moon was full and so bright that she could see for miles. The stone walls sparkled in the pale moonlight. The Goblin City below was full of activity. She could see candles flickering in windowsills of houses no longer broken down. She could hear the laughter and music in the distance of the ball which still went on in a different part of the castle.
"Was it all right that we left so early? I mean your guests..."
"They know their way home." He smiled and he put an arm around her. "Did you have a good time tonight?"
She nodded. "I think my favorite part was the dancing."
He grinned once again showing his pointed teeth. "That was my favorite as well." She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I wonder how Toby is doing." She said suddenly.
"Would you like to see him?" he offered.
"Yes, but how?"
He pulled a crystal ball from thin air and placed it in the palm of her hand. "Gaze into it and you will see him."
She picked the crystal up so that it was even with her eyes and she looked into it. An image appeared of Toby laying on her living room couch with Cheryl curled against his chest. They were both sleeping and she could see the flash of the TV in the background, left on after they had fallen asleep. She smiled. "He seems to be ok." She handed the crystal back to him and he made it disappear. She leaned against him once more and she felt him touch her hair.
"I was very proud of you and Ary tonight Sarah. I know that traveling here and suddenly being forced to show yourself to a room full of strangers was not an easy task."
She glanced up at him. "It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard either. I had you beside me all night so I had nothing to worry about."
He smiled and gazed at her, letting his love for her shine through his eyes. She returned his gaze, her love for him reflected back at him. She turned in his arms, to face him and she reached up to touch his pale face. He looked so handsome in the moonlight, his blond hair nearly white, his skin as pale as fine porcelain. She wrapped her arms around his neck and for a moment they just gazed at each other. His mismatched eyes searched her face. She looked at peace in his arms. He saw something as his eyes locked with hers. Passion...it's fires burning within her hazel depths. He felt his heart beating wildly in his chest.
He lowered his face to hers slowly and kissed her softly. She returned the kiss and he deepened it, his mouth moving over her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers. He felt her hands clutch the fabric of his coat collar and his hands moved to her waist to pull her closer to him. He broke their fevered kiss to take a quick breath and he immediately returned his lips to hers. Then his lips left her mouth and he kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose and then trailed soft kisses down her throat and the side of her neck. She tilted her head back and let out soft gasps of pleasure. He felt a fire begin to burn deeply within him. He continued to kiss the soft skin of her neck and he suddenly felt her fingers trying to slip his coat away from his shoulders. He pulled back slightly to gaze into her eyes, to be sure that she wanted this, that she knew what would happen if they continued.
She knew...her eyes were filled with love and passion for him and he nearly stumbled as he pulled her from the balcony and into his chambers, away from anyone who might see them.
He trembled as she undid the two buttons that held his frock coat together. She slowly eased the velvet coat over his shoulders and it fell to the floor. She reached for the ties of his shirt collar and tugged at them gently. His hands covered hers and he helped her untie the shirt. She pulled the shirt from his pants and ran her hands up under the shirt and over his warm skin. He groaned softly and let his head fall forward into her hair as she touched him gently, slowly, caressing his chest. Instinctively one hand cupped her breast and he felt her melt into his touch. Yet she still wanted to touch him and he wanted nothing more then to oblige her.
His hands went to the bottom of his shirt and he pulled it over his head quickly, letting it fall to the ground. Her eyes looked over him as if seeing him for the first time. She had seen him before, when he was sick, her eyes had greedily taken in his form, but here in the soft moonlight he looked different. He looked like some kind of angel. His blond hair fell softly over his shoulders and she brushed it back and away. He reached out slowly with his hands to the back of her dress, his fingers grazing over the clasps that held the dress together. She turned so that he had easier access and he fumbled with the clasps, his trembling hands moving slowly as he tried to concentrate on the task of undoing them. When the last clasp was undone he turned her to face him and gently allowed his hands to peal the dress away from one shoulder.
He lowered his lips to the exposed shoulder and trailed kisses along the skin. His mouth followed his hands as he lowered the silky fabric from her. He did the same to the other shoulder as well, revealing her smooth skin with his hands and then kissing it softly with his lips. Sarah trembled at his gentle touch, her head falling back.
He had the bodice of the dress lowered to the top of her breasts and he stopped. She picked up her head to gaze at him, her eyes questioning him as to why he had stopped. He suddenly scooped her up into his arms and she laughed wildly, throwing her arms around his neck. He kissed her and moved slowly to his bed, lowering her gently onto the soft, black, silk sheets. It was dark on this side of the room, as they were away from the pale light of the moon. He glanced at a nearby table and it suddenly had 4 flickering candles on its surface. The warm light was just enough light for them to see each other, to discover each other. He pulled his boots from his feet and left them at the side of the bed as he crawled onto the mattress, lifting one leg over her to kneel over her form.
He reached for the pins in her hair and watched as her dark locks cascaded down her bare shoulders. He smiled seductively and lowered his lips to hers, while his hands slowly pulled the bodice of her dress down her body. He pulled away and sat back, pulling the dress down her slender legs and off her all together. He let the beautiful dress fall to the floor, it became as forgotten as his frock coat and silk shirt on the other side of the room.
He sat for a moment, his eyes drinking in the sight of her nearly naked form. Only the pale green silk panties she wore kept his eyes from seeing all of her. He pulled his gloves from his hands and snaked forward. He reached for her breasts as he fell forward, his mouth seeking hers. She moaned into his mouth as he stroked the soft mountains on her chest that yielded and responded to the touch of his hands.
He trailed kisses down her neck and took one breast into his mouth his hand moving to the other breast as his tongue swirled around her taunt nipple. She groaned and squirmed beneath him, her hands reaching desperately to touch him. She squeezed his shoulders as he suckled her like a child would. His mouth moved to the other breast giving it the same tortuous pleasure. His lips moved to hers once more and she slid her hands down his chest as they fought for dominance with their tongues. He groaned into her mouth as she slid one hand down his abdomen and gently brushed his erection through the fabric of his pants. His hips jerked instinctively for her to touch him and she did, running a finger along the length of him through the fabric. He pulled his lips from her and threw his head back letting out a low throaty groan. She smiled at his reaction and she reached for the waistband of his pants. He lifted himself so that she could reach easier and she slowly and gently pulled the fabric over his hips. Her eyes focused on his erection, a finely molded piece of nature, created by his passion for her. She pulled the pants down further and he helped her pull them off him all together.
She reached out to touch him and he jerked his hips away.
"Stop..." he commanded. She looked up at him. He reached for her hand and put it by her side. "There is something I have to do first..." he lowered one hand to her stomach and she felt a warmth fill her.
"What...what are you doing??"
He moved his hand away and he lowered his lips to hers for a quick kiss. "Protecting you..." he whispered. "There will be no children conceived tonight..."
She didn't know how to react. She was so caught up her passion and love for him she had not even thought about the possibility that if they went all the way that she could have become pregnant.
She smiled up at him and his thoughtfulness and reached up to bury one hand in his soft blond hair, her eyes full of her appreciation. His hands reached for the silk panties she still wore and he removed them slowly. He kissed her stomach and trailed kisses up her abdomen, between her breasts, up her neck and finally to her lips. She pulled him down closer to her and she allowed one hand to move slowly down between them to touch the length of what made him a man. He closed his eyes tightly, letting his head fall into her neck as she trailed her fingers over him gently. His hips moved involuntarily and began to find a rhythm with the movement of her fingers. His lips sought out hers and he moved her hand away from him, parting her legs with one knee.
He was trembling and he stopped any movement to gaze into her eyes. She looked up at him with her passion and love for him in her eyes. He smiled brushing back a lock of hair already wet with sweat from her face and he lowered himself. He entered her slowly and he heard her cry out in pain for one brief moment. He stopped and waited, remembering that it had been a long time since she had done something like this. He waited a moment more and proceeded slowly until he was buried completely within her. He waited a moment for her to get accustomed to the feel of him and only when she made the first move, rocking her hips slowly, did he follow, matching her movements.
Her hands rose to his sides, and then moved over his back and she pulled him down to her. She was trembling and he was trembling along with her. The feelings he was receiving were overwhelming him. Their movements became less organized, a little more chaotic. She was groaning softly, her movements erratic and he knew it wouldn't be long before she found her release. Moments later she found it, calling out his name and throwing her head back into the mattress, arching her back as the world around her blurred and waves of pleasure washed over her. His release came at the almost the same time and he trembled uncontrollably as he came, crying out her name as he emptied himself within her, his world made up of only one thing, his precious Sarah.
He remained trembling as he held himself over her still buried deep within her, trying hard not to fall against her and crush her with his weight. He felt her hands reach for him and pull him to her. He was afraid to open his eyes, everything was still blurry, he felt dizzy, and he felt pleasure as he had never felt it before. He finally opened his eyes and met hers. She was smiling at him, still out of breath herself from their lovemaking. He grinned back and lowered his lips to hers in a soft kiss.
"I love you Sarah." He whispered his eyes were full of his love for her.
She brushed back his hair, damp with sweat from his face. "I love you too."
He pulled himself from her slowly and collapsed onto his back beside her in the bed. She rolled onto her side to curl herself against him. He put one arm around her and used the other hand to pull the sheets and blankets over them. His heart was still pounding in his chest. So this is what it felt like to make love to someone you actually love. The feelings were incredible and the whole experience had made him feel like a virgin all over again. He was a King and before that a spoiled prince, he'd had everything he wanted, including women. But he didn't love any of them and the passion and lust had always been empty and hollow. With Sarah it had been meaningful, right. He felt absolute completion with her.
His eye lids suddenly felt heavy. He gazed at Sarah who was already sleeping, curled up against his chest. He watched her for a moment. She was so beautiful. He kissed her hair and let his head fall back onto a pillow. He let his eye lids fall and sleep claimed him. Never in his entire life had he had such a good night sleep.