The Dinner

Sarah was awakened by a sharp knock on her bedroom door. She slowly turned over and realized she had slept through the entire day and it was now evening. The silver moonlight poured into her bedroom, bright as any lamp.

"Who is it?" she asked,

"Molina, ma'm." a strong woman's voice called from the outside.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, at least it wasn't him. "Come in." she threw her legs over the side of the bed as the door opened.

Molina was a tall goblin, perhaps three feet, with long brown hair and an authoritative air. She bustled into the room and stopped as she saw Sarah.

"My you are a looker ain't ya?" Was the first thing she said.

Sarah brushed her hair back with her hands, "Uh…do you need something?"

"No dear, I just need to get you ready for dinner that's all." She began rummaging through the closet, humming to herself.

"Dinner?"

"Uh-huh, you know, the evening meal. You do have dinner where you're from right?"

"Well of course, but nobody asked me if I wanted to go."

Molina gave her a pointed look over the piles of fabric she was holding, "Dear, I'm afraid His Majesty doesn't really ask people to do anything. It's more of an 'I want and you do' type of thing," she nodded sympathetically, " I don't blame you for not wanting to go, but it's just one of those things… ya know?" She set several dresses on the bed and began sorting them.

Sarah walked over to look over the clothing and it was all quite beautiful. So His Majesty never asks for anything huh? An idea began to form, and Sarah smiled. If I have to go to dinner then I guess I'd better pick out the dress that I like.

Sarah had chosen a light blue dress with a white bodice that cinched her small waist almost uncomfortably. She had allowed Molina to sweep her hair into two loose braids that entwined on top of her head. The dress had a low neck that showed a hint of cleavage and Sarah wore a necklace of tiny blue diamonds. Molina had several of the jewels herself and placed them carefully in Sarah's hair.

"You look absolutely beautiful." The gobliness said proudly.

Sarah curtsied and couldn't help but grin, she did look great and hopefully that would aid her tonight, "Thank you Molina, now can I do anything for you? You've been so helpful."

Molina shook her head, "No, just spending time in your company is enough. It's refreshing to be around someone who doesn't think goblins are completely stupid creatures."

"Do you mean Jareth?"

"It doesn't matter dear, he is the King after all." She paused for a moment, "Well, you'd better get along. Dinner is at eight and it's almost time."

Pausing for one more glance in the mirror, Sarah let Molina escort her out into the hallway.

Sarah entered the main hall alone. The room was gigantic, two gray and white marble staircases lined two of the walls and she had to crane her neck way back to even see the ceiling. In the middle of the room was a long table of oak. There were two sets of plates, silverware, and goblets of wine near one end where Jareth sat.

The Goblin King stood when he saw Sarah enter and he had to exhale quickly to keep the look of surprise off of his face. Instead, he walked to her and offered her his arm. And to his even further surprise, she accepted with a gracious smile.

After getting seated Sarah continued to smile at the King now and then, even though her heart was pounding.

"Sarah, I must apologize before we begin, about earlier today. That was completely bad form on my part." Jareth nodded once, slightly confused at Sarah's behavior. Why in the Underground is she being so agreeable?

"Oh, please Your Highness, don't feel compelled to apologize, after all you are the King."

"Excuse me?"

"I said that it is quite alright."

Jareth coughed into his hand and offered to pour Sarah some wine. She accepted, with the same honey dripping voice. Her empty smile began to wear on Jareth.

"Okay Sarah, I'm tired of this game." Jareth said, his voice irritated.

"What game is that my King?"

"Stop being so damn agreeable. What do you think you'll prove?"

Sarah shook her head, her expression innocent, "But Your Majesty, I am only being a loyal subject and companion to you."

"My patience is wearing thin." He grabbed the goblet of wine and drank it all in one gulp. Things were definitely not going as planned, not at all.

"After all, I am only here to serve Your Highness." She said sweetly.

Sarah secretly delighted in his anger, she reached for the crystal decanter of wine and began filling Jareth's goblet. She let out a small scream as Jareth grabbed her wrist in an iron grip. The decanter flew out of her hand and crashed onto the floor, sprinkling glass and wine everywhere.

"So you want to obey my whims?" He stood from his chair, still gripping her wrist and pulled Sarah so she was standing. He grabbed her waist roughly to him and brought his lips to hers in a brutal kiss. He tasted of wine and fury, and Sarah beat at his arm and back with her free hand. Finally, he broke away, breathing raggedly.

"I didn't think so." Was all he said, his voice low and husky. He still held her against him and he smiled mockingly at her before letting her go.

"Now Sarah, you must know that you cannot play games with me. I have been at them for far too long." He waved his hand and the shattered decanter and wine disappeared from the floor. "You may remain here and eat dinner alone. I shall take my meal upstairs." He stopped and saw silent tears running down Sarah's pale cheeks. Something in his heart twisted painfully and he had to look away.

He approached her, and she flinched as he put his hands on either side of her face, he looked directly into her eyes.

"I really am quite sorry." He bent down and brushed her smooth forehead with his lips before disappearing.

Sarah stood for a moment longer, her hand reaching up to her forehead, where his lips had touched. She wondered for a moment at the tenderness she had felt in that kiss.

"I must be going crazy." She spoke to the empty room, and there was no reply. She looked at the table and realized she had no appetite. So without a second thought Sarah turned and walked back upstairs.