Strange Tidings at Breakfast

Sleep did not come easily for Sarah that night and when she finally did manage to doze off it felt like only moments later that she was awoken by a blood-curdling scream. She sat up quickly and rushed out onto the balcony, now completely alert.

There appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary on the cobblestone floor beneath the castle, and as Sarah turned away she heard the same man screaming. She grabbed the robe that was sitting on her small table and rushed out the door in the direction of the throne room.

After several wrong turns and bouts of uncertainty, Sarah climbed the steps into the Throne Room. Jareth stood, his back to her, gazing intently out of a large window into the courtyard below. Sarah rushed beside him, and looked down.

A monstrous creature like none Sarah had seen stood upon the dun colored stones.

"What is that?" she asked.

Jareth half smiled, "That is my dragon, Pricilla."

"Your dragon…Pricilla?"

"Yes, a magnificent creature, isn't she?"

Sarah studied the mass of purple and black scales, shining horns and leathery wings, "I don't know if that's what I'd call it." She heard the scream again and jumped. "Who is that? What's happening to him?"

Jareth's smile broadened, and for the first time that morning, he looked directly at her, "Those screams are those of your would-be heroes."

Sarah's brow furrowed, "I don't understand, my would-be heroes? What's going on?" she gripped the edge of the window tightly and tried harder to get a better view of the ground.

"They are knights, lords, and even some common mercenaries that have come to rescue the fair maiden being held captive by the cruel Goblin King." He let out a small laugh.

"You mean they're here to rescue me?" Sarah felt a glimmer of hope shine through, maybe she would get home after all!

Jareth noted the look on her face, "I wouldn't be quite so hopeful of their success Sarah. Just consider it as another form of imprisonment, perhaps a worse situation than your current one."

Sarah glared at him, "What could be worse?"

His eyes narrowed , "Imagine having to marry whichever man is able to defeat the dragon and myself. By law you would be forced to do so."

Sarah was struck dumb for a moment. What's wrong with this place? "So that's only if they defeat…Pricilla, and you?"

The Goblin King did not hear the incredulity in her voice, "Are you that eager to be a wife, to raise a pack of screaming brats that belong to some unbathed, uneducated lout?" He strode across to the other side of the room, looking out of the opposite window.

"No!…I mean, no of course not." Sarah continued to study the dragon, "But you just can't let them all die out there, it's not right."

"What they wish to do is their business. I have no say in the matter, nor would I wish to have one."

"Oh you're just impossible! Think of someone else for once!" She turned away from him and ran to the window. "HEY!" she yelled.

"Hail fair maiden!" a brawny voice called up to her, she spotted some silver shining armor, a hairy snout extended from the visor, and Sarah wrinkled her nose. She watched the knight approach the dragon.

"STOP!" she cried.

"Sarah, stop, he won't listen to you." Jareth stood beside her.

"I shall save thee my beauteous damsel, and we shall soon be wed!" The knight blew her a kiss and continued advancing into the courtyard.

"NO! I don't want to be rescued, GO HOME!"

The knight paid no attention and Pricilla advanced, emitting a shriek.. soon Sarah could no longer see the knight and after a few moments of struggle there was only silence. Sarah let her hands drop from the window.

"He's dead."

Jareth nodded, "Yes, he is. I told you Sarah, there is no other way to stop them." His voice was strangely soft.

She turned her eyes to him, "How can you…" she was cut off by a far off yell coming down from the ground.

"I shall rescue you fair lady!" the all-to-familiar voice was followed by a loud roar. Sarah went back to the window and saw two figures approaching.

"Sir Didymus! Ludo!" she cried.

"We shall save thee fair lady!" Sir Didymus called and looked up into the window, he stopped Ambrosius. "Fair Lady?"

"Sawaah!" Ludo called, waving his arms widely.

"Sir Didymus, don't come any closer, there's a dragon!"

"A dragon! All the better! Come Ambrosius, let us destroy the foul beast!" He kicked his heels into the riding dog's flanks, but the pair did not move. He whispered urgently into the dog's ear, but nothing happened. Ludo looked up at Sarah and shrugged. Suddenly, Sir Didymus whispered something else into Ambrosius' ears and the dog began to slowly move forward.

Sarah had had enough, she drew herself to her full height and raised her voice so that it boomed across the castle, "SIR DIDYMUS AND SIR LUDO! I COMMAND THAT YOU CEASE YOUR ASSAULT ON THIS CASTLE AT ONCE!"

Jareth blinked in surprised, "Well done, Sarah. I think the little twit may even listen."

Sarah ignored him and watched anxiously as Sir Didymus stopped and looked up, "You…you command us to stop?"

Sarah nodded, "Yes, please, for my sake, don't attack."

"Well, of course m'lady, for you I would do anything." The small knight's shoulders slumped and he lowered his head. Sarah sighed.

"But I do have an important job for you two, if you are up to the challenge."

Sir Didymus' ears perked up, "Of course m'lady, no challenge is too great!"

"I want you and Ludo to guard the gates into the courtyard, you are under no circumstances to allow anyone in who wants to rescue me. Alright?"

"Are you sure about this?" Sir Didymus asked.

"Yes, just trust me."

"Well, it shall be done. What shall I swear on?"

"What do you mean 'swear on'?"

"I cannot fulfill an oath if there has been nothing sworn on."

Sarah threw up her hands in exasperation, "Oh, I don't know, swear on the moon!"

The knight bowed deeply on his steed, "By the very moon that hangs within the Heavens, I shall not allow any foolhardy warriors within this domain!" He turned Ambrosius around and trotted out. Ludo followed and waved.

"Bye…Sawwaah.."

"I'll come and visit. Promise!" Sarah called. She turned away from the window and saw Jareth staring at her strangely.

"What is it?"

He smiled, "I must admit that your display of social…prowess was quite impressive."

Sarah felt herself smiling back, "Why, thank you. I did portray Cleopatra in high school."

"Who?"

"Nobody." Her stomach rumbled, "Can we get a bite to eat, I'm starved."

Jareth nodded, "Certainly."