Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
No One Can Blame You.
Chapter Five: "Such A Sad Love"
The three weeks passed quickly for Jareth and Veronica, for entirely different reasons. Sarah had told Jareth directly that she did not want to marry him, but he did not give up hope that she would change her mind. Veronica made sure Jareth did not try to interfere in Sarah and Tony's budding relationship, while at the same time making sure Jareth did not find out how she felt about him.
She was surprised that Jareth had managed to behave himself. The most he did was sulk around her hotel rooms. Veronica had no idea he had something planned.
The night before the deadline, Veronica watched Sarah and the others perform the song, "Masquerade."
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you.
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds,
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle surround you.
**Sarah and Jareth both said that they had been to a masquerade the last time they met. I wonder if Sarah has flashbacks during this scene.** Veronica looked out at the audience. **I wonder if Jareth is out there. He's been so depressed since Sarah told him she's dating Tony. I'm surprised he hasn't...**
Suddenly, all the lights went out. Someone screamed, and Veronica immediately knew who.
"Sarah...," she gasped.
Veronica stumbled onto the darkened stage, bumping into extras as she went. Amazingly, the audience had remained calm -- they thought it was part of the show. Veronica felt the curtain swish closed in front of her.
"Sarah?"
There was no answer, only the sounds of actors tripping over props.
**Jareth took her. I have to stop him before he does anything else.** She made her way backstage again and felt her way back to Sarah's dressing room.
Once inside, she locked the door behind her. Sarah had told her the words to make the goblins come for someone. Veronica took a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered. In a clear, loud voice, she said, "I wish the goblins would come and take me away, right now." The last thing she heard was someone giggling behind her, and the last thing she felt was something hitting her in the back of the head.
As Veronica slowly became conscious, the first thing she noticed was that she had the grandmother of all headaches. The second thing she noticed was that she was sitting down. **Huh?**
She opened her eyes to a scene from a fantasy-lover's nightmare. Short, ugly creatures that could only be goblins were everywhere, along with pigs and chickens.
**Well, I'm definitely in the Underground.** Veronica looked down to see that she was sitting on what had to be Jareth's throne. **Wha...?**
"How lovely to see that you are awake," a very familiar voice said sarcastically.
Veronica looked up to see Jareth standing in front of her, decidedly less than happy.
"Now, would you mind telling me exactly what you are doing in my kingdom?"
"You kidnapped Sarah, I had to stop you." Veronica gently rubbed the back of her head. "I didn't know being taken by goblins would be so painful."
Jareth sighed. "I am afraid that was Blabber and Toadstool's doing. You were too big to carry off, so Blabber stood on Toadstool's shoulders and ... well..."
Veronica thought she actually saw him blush. "What?"
"Hit you in the head with a dead chicken. Goblins are not the most intelligent creatures," he leaned closer and gently removed a feather from her hair, "but they can be resourceful."
**I don't know whether to be disgusted or amused.** She looked around the throne room. "Where's Sarah?"
"I am not telling you anything," Jareth said defensively, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Jareth, you can't expect her to love you after this," Veronica said.
"And why not?"
"You can't love a jailer."
**She's right, damn her. I have to give Sarah a real choice.**
Jareth turned and walked out of the room, Veronica close behind. She followed him up a flight of stairs and down a hall to a solid oak door. Jareth pulled a key out of his vest pocket.
"Wait here," he said, then unlocked the door and slipped onto the room.
Veronica, like any good eavesdropper, leaned an ear against the door.
Sarah paced back and forth across the cream-colored area rug, not even noticing the other person in the room. "How can he do this to me? God, when I get my hands on him..."
"You'll what?" Jareth asked softly, smiling to himself.
Sarah whirled around and gave Jareth a death glare. "What do you want now?"
"To apologize. I should not have kidnapped you."
"You're right about that," Sarah muttered.
**It is amazing how different she is from Veronica. Veronica would have been swearing her head off by now.** "I am willing to return you to Earth. All I ask is that you reconsider marrying me."
"I don't love you, Jareth," Sarah said quietly. "I can't marry someone I don't love."
Jareth nodded in understanding. "Very well. Sarah ... do not forget me."
The heartache on his face was almost enough to make Sarah change her mind, but she had to do what was right for her. She gave him a small smile. "I don't think I could ever forget you, Jareth."
The Goblin King raised his hand and Sarah vanished.
Veronica slowly opened the door. "You did the right thing, Jareth. Sarah would've been miserable."
"That may be," Jareth said quietly, "but now I am beyond miserable. If I am not engaged to be married by midday tomorrow, I will lose everything I have."
"Can't you marry someone else?"
Jareth sighed painfully. "We have already been through this, Veronica. I could never marry anyone else because I could never love anyone else."
Veronica thought for a moment. "What about a marriage of convenience?"
Now it was Jareth's turn to stop and think. "There has not been a marriage of convenience in the Underground for centuries, not since Oberon and Titania were wed. Of course, theirs did not stay that way, but that is inconsequential. I suppose I could marry someone under certain conditions. The woman I marry would not become the Goblin Queen -- she would not rule by my side. Our child would inherit the throne, but she would not be called the Queen Mother. What woman would want such a life?"
**One who's in love with you,** Veronica thought. "Jareth, I would be willing to do it."
Jareth raised an eyebrow. "You? Why in the Underground would you be willing to go through with it?" He approached her slowly, concentrating on her face. "Why, Veronica?" Jareth asked softly.
Veronica looked up at him determinedly. "I ... I want to help you. I don't want you to lose your kingdom."
He looked deeply into her eyes. **She is telling the truth. She wants to help me, though I suspect she has a second motive. No matter. If she is willing, then that is all I need.** Jareth waved his hand and a piece of parchment appeared. He handed it to Veronica.
"What's this?" she asked, scanning it.
"A marriage contract. You would call it a pre-nuptual agreement. It states the terms of our marriage. I agree to respect you and love our children and you agree to do the same. If we both agree to end the marriage, it would not be until after you have given me at least two children."
"Why two? Don't you only need one to succeed you?"
"An heir and a spare, as they say," Jareth said. "Furthermore, we promise to be faithful to each other until we decide to end the marriage."
"Let me say right here and now," Veronica declared, "that when I marry, it's for life. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all." Jareth waved his hand again and a quill pen appeared in Veronica's hand. "If you will just sign at the bottom, I will be able to inform Oberon that he will not take this kingdom."
Veronica added her signature underneath Jareth's then watched as the contract vanished. Jareth pulled something out of his vest pocket.
"I was going to give this to Sarah, but I suppose I should give it to you," he said quietly. "Give me your hand."
She held out her left hand and Jareth slipped a ring on her finger. The ring was a gold band with a pastel-colored diamond in the center, held between two crescent triangles, just like Jareth's pendant.
"Jareth ... it's beautiful," she whispered. "I've never seen anything like it."
"It was my mother's. My father had this ring made for her, and he insisted the jeweler use a rainbow diamond, found only in the Labyrinth."
"Were your parents really in love?"
"No," Jareth admitted. "Theirs was another marriage of convenience. It seems to run in the family."
"When will you tell Oberon?" Veronica asked.
"Immediately." Jareth opened the door and stepped into the hall. A goblin passed him, and he called the creature over. Handing him a magically produced scroll, Jareth ordered him to deliver it to the Fey Queen.
"Ri'taway, Yer Majesty," the goblin said, and scurried off.
Oberon glanced at the ornate hourglass. "Just a few more hours, Titania, and the Labyrinth will be mine ... er ... ours."
"Jareth could still find a wife, my love," Titania reminded him.
"Not bloody likely," Oberon muttered.
At that moment, the door opened and the goblin messenger scurried into the throne room. He handed Titania the scroll then bowed and quickly scurried out.
The Fey Queen could not help smiling. "It appears Jareth has news for us." She unrolled the scroll and read it aloud.
~Titania~
~Be a dear and inform my brother that he will not have to worry about ruling the Labyrinth, for I have found my future wife, Veronica Marie Thomas of Earth. To celebrate, I am throwing an engagement ball at my castle tomorrow at sunset. A banquet will of course be served. You may bring my brother, if you wish, though I would prefer it if you left him in Fey.~
~Your devoted brother-in-law,~
~Jareth~
Titania's smile widened. "He did it. He is getting married. I suppose this means you will have to be satisfied with Fey the way it is."
Oberon snorted in disgust. "I never wanted his little kingdom anyway."
No One Can Blame You.
Chapter Five: "Such A Sad Love"
The three weeks passed quickly for Jareth and Veronica, for entirely different reasons. Sarah had told Jareth directly that she did not want to marry him, but he did not give up hope that she would change her mind. Veronica made sure Jareth did not try to interfere in Sarah and Tony's budding relationship, while at the same time making sure Jareth did not find out how she felt about him.
She was surprised that Jareth had managed to behave himself. The most he did was sulk around her hotel rooms. Veronica had no idea he had something planned.
The night before the deadline, Veronica watched Sarah and the others perform the song, "Masquerade."
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you.
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds,
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle surround you.
**Sarah and Jareth both said that they had been to a masquerade the last time they met. I wonder if Sarah has flashbacks during this scene.** Veronica looked out at the audience. **I wonder if Jareth is out there. He's been so depressed since Sarah told him she's dating Tony. I'm surprised he hasn't...**
Suddenly, all the lights went out. Someone screamed, and Veronica immediately knew who.
"Sarah...," she gasped.
Veronica stumbled onto the darkened stage, bumping into extras as she went. Amazingly, the audience had remained calm -- they thought it was part of the show. Veronica felt the curtain swish closed in front of her.
"Sarah?"
There was no answer, only the sounds of actors tripping over props.
**Jareth took her. I have to stop him before he does anything else.** She made her way backstage again and felt her way back to Sarah's dressing room.
Once inside, she locked the door behind her. Sarah had told her the words to make the goblins come for someone. Veronica took a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered. In a clear, loud voice, she said, "I wish the goblins would come and take me away, right now." The last thing she heard was someone giggling behind her, and the last thing she felt was something hitting her in the back of the head.
As Veronica slowly became conscious, the first thing she noticed was that she had the grandmother of all headaches. The second thing she noticed was that she was sitting down. **Huh?**
She opened her eyes to a scene from a fantasy-lover's nightmare. Short, ugly creatures that could only be goblins were everywhere, along with pigs and chickens.
**Well, I'm definitely in the Underground.** Veronica looked down to see that she was sitting on what had to be Jareth's throne. **Wha...?**
"How lovely to see that you are awake," a very familiar voice said sarcastically.
Veronica looked up to see Jareth standing in front of her, decidedly less than happy.
"Now, would you mind telling me exactly what you are doing in my kingdom?"
"You kidnapped Sarah, I had to stop you." Veronica gently rubbed the back of her head. "I didn't know being taken by goblins would be so painful."
Jareth sighed. "I am afraid that was Blabber and Toadstool's doing. You were too big to carry off, so Blabber stood on Toadstool's shoulders and ... well..."
Veronica thought she actually saw him blush. "What?"
"Hit you in the head with a dead chicken. Goblins are not the most intelligent creatures," he leaned closer and gently removed a feather from her hair, "but they can be resourceful."
**I don't know whether to be disgusted or amused.** She looked around the throne room. "Where's Sarah?"
"I am not telling you anything," Jareth said defensively, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Jareth, you can't expect her to love you after this," Veronica said.
"And why not?"
"You can't love a jailer."
**She's right, damn her. I have to give Sarah a real choice.**
Jareth turned and walked out of the room, Veronica close behind. She followed him up a flight of stairs and down a hall to a solid oak door. Jareth pulled a key out of his vest pocket.
"Wait here," he said, then unlocked the door and slipped onto the room.
Veronica, like any good eavesdropper, leaned an ear against the door.
Sarah paced back and forth across the cream-colored area rug, not even noticing the other person in the room. "How can he do this to me? God, when I get my hands on him..."
"You'll what?" Jareth asked softly, smiling to himself.
Sarah whirled around and gave Jareth a death glare. "What do you want now?"
"To apologize. I should not have kidnapped you."
"You're right about that," Sarah muttered.
**It is amazing how different she is from Veronica. Veronica would have been swearing her head off by now.** "I am willing to return you to Earth. All I ask is that you reconsider marrying me."
"I don't love you, Jareth," Sarah said quietly. "I can't marry someone I don't love."
Jareth nodded in understanding. "Very well. Sarah ... do not forget me."
The heartache on his face was almost enough to make Sarah change her mind, but she had to do what was right for her. She gave him a small smile. "I don't think I could ever forget you, Jareth."
The Goblin King raised his hand and Sarah vanished.
Veronica slowly opened the door. "You did the right thing, Jareth. Sarah would've been miserable."
"That may be," Jareth said quietly, "but now I am beyond miserable. If I am not engaged to be married by midday tomorrow, I will lose everything I have."
"Can't you marry someone else?"
Jareth sighed painfully. "We have already been through this, Veronica. I could never marry anyone else because I could never love anyone else."
Veronica thought for a moment. "What about a marriage of convenience?"
Now it was Jareth's turn to stop and think. "There has not been a marriage of convenience in the Underground for centuries, not since Oberon and Titania were wed. Of course, theirs did not stay that way, but that is inconsequential. I suppose I could marry someone under certain conditions. The woman I marry would not become the Goblin Queen -- she would not rule by my side. Our child would inherit the throne, but she would not be called the Queen Mother. What woman would want such a life?"
**One who's in love with you,** Veronica thought. "Jareth, I would be willing to do it."
Jareth raised an eyebrow. "You? Why in the Underground would you be willing to go through with it?" He approached her slowly, concentrating on her face. "Why, Veronica?" Jareth asked softly.
Veronica looked up at him determinedly. "I ... I want to help you. I don't want you to lose your kingdom."
He looked deeply into her eyes. **She is telling the truth. She wants to help me, though I suspect she has a second motive. No matter. If she is willing, then that is all I need.** Jareth waved his hand and a piece of parchment appeared. He handed it to Veronica.
"What's this?" she asked, scanning it.
"A marriage contract. You would call it a pre-nuptual agreement. It states the terms of our marriage. I agree to respect you and love our children and you agree to do the same. If we both agree to end the marriage, it would not be until after you have given me at least two children."
"Why two? Don't you only need one to succeed you?"
"An heir and a spare, as they say," Jareth said. "Furthermore, we promise to be faithful to each other until we decide to end the marriage."
"Let me say right here and now," Veronica declared, "that when I marry, it's for life. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all." Jareth waved his hand again and a quill pen appeared in Veronica's hand. "If you will just sign at the bottom, I will be able to inform Oberon that he will not take this kingdom."
Veronica added her signature underneath Jareth's then watched as the contract vanished. Jareth pulled something out of his vest pocket.
"I was going to give this to Sarah, but I suppose I should give it to you," he said quietly. "Give me your hand."
She held out her left hand and Jareth slipped a ring on her finger. The ring was a gold band with a pastel-colored diamond in the center, held between two crescent triangles, just like Jareth's pendant.
"Jareth ... it's beautiful," she whispered. "I've never seen anything like it."
"It was my mother's. My father had this ring made for her, and he insisted the jeweler use a rainbow diamond, found only in the Labyrinth."
"Were your parents really in love?"
"No," Jareth admitted. "Theirs was another marriage of convenience. It seems to run in the family."
"When will you tell Oberon?" Veronica asked.
"Immediately." Jareth opened the door and stepped into the hall. A goblin passed him, and he called the creature over. Handing him a magically produced scroll, Jareth ordered him to deliver it to the Fey Queen.
"Ri'taway, Yer Majesty," the goblin said, and scurried off.
Oberon glanced at the ornate hourglass. "Just a few more hours, Titania, and the Labyrinth will be mine ... er ... ours."
"Jareth could still find a wife, my love," Titania reminded him.
"Not bloody likely," Oberon muttered.
At that moment, the door opened and the goblin messenger scurried into the throne room. He handed Titania the scroll then bowed and quickly scurried out.
The Fey Queen could not help smiling. "It appears Jareth has news for us." She unrolled the scroll and read it aloud.
~Titania~
~Be a dear and inform my brother that he will not have to worry about ruling the Labyrinth, for I have found my future wife, Veronica Marie Thomas of Earth. To celebrate, I am throwing an engagement ball at my castle tomorrow at sunset. A banquet will of course be served. You may bring my brother, if you wish, though I would prefer it if you left him in Fey.~
~Your devoted brother-in-law,~
~Jareth~
Titania's smile widened. "He did it. He is getting married. I suppose this means you will have to be satisfied with Fey the way it is."
Oberon snorted in disgust. "I never wanted his little kingdom anyway."
