CHAPTER 11
Jareth was in his study doing paperwork and Malachi came in. Jareth said, "Malachi, just the person I want to see. I need to tell you what's going on and the changes that are going to occur. I need your complete discretion on everything I'm about to say."
Malachi said, "Of course, sure."
Jareth continued, "I took Sarah to see my parents and get betrothed to her. After I had a long conversation and the healer examined Sarah, my parents approved and the contracts were signed."
Malachi said, "I'm surprised they approved of you marrying a human."
Jareth said, "I'm not marrying a human. I'm marrying a Lugh fae." Malachi gasped loudly.
Malachi said, "How can this be? I thought they went extinct eons ago?"
Jareth sighed and said, "Everyone did. She found an ancient portal in her research of the encounter from 5000 years ago. It seems the tribe of Lugh, in order to survive without magic and lots of iron, their bodies revert to that of a human. She noticed changes that were subtle after her run. When I found her at a camp she set up in the middle of nowhere to the north of my kingdom, she had been here for almost two weeks. The portal she entered, only a fae could have opened it, not a human. Last night we had the "An Cheangail", and she completely transformed this morning. She even bears the Lugh tribal royal markings. If she hadn't figured out how to find a way into the Underground all on her own, the tribe of Lugh would never have been found, I would never marry and she would have died human because we could not communicate to her or her to us.." Malachi gasped and turned pale.
Jareth let it sink in and said, "Yes, Malachi, I know you shut her off from us. But why? It's a good thing she is brilliant and determined. The real big part is she has kept her iron immunity and her high fertility rate. She will save our entire race over time by procreating children with me. What say you now, Malachi?" At that moment Sarah knocked and peaked in the room.
She stepped in and giggled saying, "I was hoping I stepped in the right room." She looked at the pale man in the chair and said, "Hi, I'm Sarah. Who are you?" She put out her hand to him.
Malachi got down on his knees and said, "I am Malachi. Please forgive me, Lady Sarah."
Sarah looked at Jareth puzzled and said, "What on earth did you do to this poor man, Goblin King? He's falling apart." She crouched down and lifted his face to look at her.
She sympathetically asked, "What's the matter, friend? Can I help you?" Malachi just blinked at her. He couldn't believe she was treating him so well when he almost destroyed the Underground in one impulsive move.
He whispered, "I shutdown the mirror portal. I was angry at you for hurting my king and making him suffer. I… I… I'm so very sorry. Perhaps, if I hadn't you would have come back sooner than ten years and been here sooner. I almost caused my whole race of people to go extinct and leave your adapted fae tribe to just keep going on living in ignorance as humans. Please, I beg your forgiveness." She looked at this poor miserable man cowering on the floor. She reached out and patted his head and a healing magic emitted from her.
She said, "It's ok. You'll learn from this and trust that, even the Goblin King sometimes does things unknowingly for the greater good. You were concerned, maybe a little too much, dealing with the aftermath of my run. Years later after I had time to grow up, I realized just what the king, the friends I made and the Labyrinth taught me from the whole experience. I learned to be aware, be prepared, and say the right words or be responsible for the consequences. Don't tear yourself apart over this. Just learn from it ok? I forgive you and I'm sure the king does too, right, your majesty?" She looked up at Jareth. He was enthralled with her handling of the situation. She was compassionate, wise, caring and kind to those who make mistakes. She will be a perfect queen to balance himself, he thought.
He said, "Of course, my precious." She smiled at him and took Malachi's hand and stood up helping him to his feet. She smiled at him and sat him in the chair. She walked over to Jareth and said, "I got done with my visit and was going to lay down because we woke up so early this morning, but I missed you too much and decided to come find you."
He grinned down at her and kissed her lips and said, "You are always welcome to come find me anywhere. Let's see, it's 4 pm and we can go for a walk in my gardens and then have dinner, ok?" She smiled and nodded and reached up on her toes and stole a kiss.
She said, "You know, I would like you to teach me how to dance, my handsome king. I don't want to make a fool of myself if you ever take me around others. They would be staring at my horrid dancing skills instead of our great hair." Jareth laughed out loud. She grinned at his laugh. Jareth took her hand and kissed it.
He said, "Come, my pretty girl. Lesson one my toes need to stay unswollen in my boots." Jareth led her out the door.
Sarah giggled and said, "I'll not make you promises, Goblin King, but I'll try not to cause you flat feet."
Malachi watched their interactions and never saw the king so calm, easy, happy and laughing around anyone like that. They were… perfect together. She was so kind to him and not angry at all. She even emitted healing energy to soothe his anguished spirit. He would 100% support this. She is what this castle needs, balance. Danu, he was so glad the king was so stubborn. He didn't settle and marry some stupid royal cow clamoring for a throne, like Princess Emiline. She would have made everyone's life miserable.
—--
In the neighboring kingdom, trinkets and perfume bottles were being thrown against the wall of Princess Emiline's room. Her servants were scarce and hiding from her temperamental fits of rage when she didn't get her way and this was a big one.
Her father, she thought, was a spineless coward and she didn't believe him when he said King Jareth was betrothed to Lady Sarah. In her mind it would always and eventually be her. Even when that human ran the Labyrinth and won. She told herself that she would make it happen because that insignificant human was sent back to the Aboveground where she belongs. She just couldn't figure out why she looked like a fae this time. All that tribe of Lugh stuff was stupid. King Jareth must have put a transformation spell on her like he does those little human bugs he gathers up and gives away from the Aboveground human animals. Her markings on her eyes must have been a fake of makeup, because there was no way she was of a fae royal line. There is just no way he could want her. As for her to put her human animal hands on her person, it is absolutely intolerable and disgusting. How dare that filth touch her! Gah!
She was dragging her father to the High King and Queen to force Jareth to marry her. The High King and Queen told her in no uncertain terms that Jareth was going to marry that animal and it was never going to be herself. They told her to find another suitor, because their son refused to have anything to do with her.
King Jareth would want her if he had no choice. She will find a way to get that Aboveground animal out of her way somehow. Perhaps, she could ask Galron if he knows of anyone who can help her get rid of that creature. He came over the other day and wanted to have sex with her and was ranting about how that human accosted him and king Jareth let her. All he wanted was to use her for a sex party with his friends. That's all she would be good for anyways. She said out loud, "Yes, I will dispose of that creature but good and Jareth will be mine alone, then I will get my throne and be the Goblin Queen, until I become High Queen."
—--
A couple of days passed and Sarah and Jareth got a visit from the High King and Queen. Tatiana sat down with Sarah and was telling her about the court procedures the next day.
Tatiana said, "They will lead you in before the twelve council representatives. Don't be nervous Sarah, because Jareth will be with you and Malachi will be on the council as the Goblin Kingdom representative. It's just formality. There will be spectators in the gallery and Oberon and I will be on the thrones over the court. We are an open society during court proceedings. They will address you as Lady Sarah. Just answer as honestly as you can, but only when addressed and keep your answers brief. Some may balk at this unusual situation, but just like our reaction, it just needs a thorough explanation of all facts, testimony and evidence, before anyone will understand. They will ask their questions about you, your lineage, the portal, the Lugh history, and the medical evidence. We will have a fae historical scholar there for us too, his name is Radison. It can get explosive, cynical, and harsh about humans. There is a large stigma in our society when dealing with humans because it went so badly in the past. Four out of thirteen kingdoms still enslave humans. We have been trying to stop it but it is hard to do with hatred being taught through the generations."
Oberon said, "Hopefully, your children will marry into the other kingdoms and the fae that thinks that way will die out like the Fairy Kingdom. There isn't much we can do about the Ogre, Centaur, and Banshee Kingdoms. The Ogres Kingdom and Centaurs Kingdom use them as breeding stock and the Banshee Kingdom uses them for slaves like the Fairy Kingdom. It is horrible, I know, it is the humans that are not under Kingdom protections that are vulnerable. Like you were out in the woods traveling alone. You ran a 33% chance of being kidnapped and enslaved. I am so thankful that Danu was watching over you and guiding Jareth to find you in the nick of time. I want you in our family to save our people. You are a light of hope, child."
Tatiana said, "After the court decides, we will formally announce your betrothal to Jareth. We will then plan a celebration ball a week later."
Sarah really liked Tatiana. She was so sweet and kind to her. Sarah asked, "After Jareth and I are married, can I call you mother and father when we are in private? I always wanted a mother to love and in my life and I just need a father to show me he cares for me. My parents both eventually turned their backs on me to live their own lives without me included. That's why I moved away and found peace in my search for all of you and this magical world through books." Tatiana had tears in her eyes and Oberon was choked up.
They both took one of her hands and Tatiana said with tears in her eyes, "Oh dear child, there is nothing in this world I would love more than to have your love. I will never let you feel that you can't confide in me and feel loved."
Oberon said in a cracking voice, "You honor me with the privilege to care for your well-being. I could easily love you as my daughter, Sarah. You will never be alone, child. We are a strong family. Your children will be cherished with you."
Jareth said, "That's good mother and father, because we have news. We visited the Labyrinth and we were both told that Sarah is with child with a son. Gaia said, our son will one day rule the underground and bring it into a new era of peace. She also said Sarah's blood will save his life one day, until it saves all of the fae people many times over." Tatiana and Oberon were speechless.
Tatiana jumped up and yelled in excitement she dropped to her knees in front of Sarah so quickly, it scared Sarah. Tatiana wrapped her arms around Sarah and started crying in happiness. Oberon started laughing because he was so happy. The fae don't usually lose control like this and Jareth was smiling at his parents reaction to the news.
Oberon wiped the tears from his eyes and said, "This calls for a celebration." He made a tray appear on the coffee table with glasses that had wine in them. He created a separate glass for Sarah and handed it to her.
He whispered to her, "Grape juice my dear." She smiled and took it from him.
They all took a glass and Oberon said, "A toast, to my son and my soon to be new daughter. May our grandchild be strong like my son, beautiful like my daughter and learn wisdom and peace in his life."