Hello allJ here are the next two chapters to this ongoing story. To everyone who reviewed, thank you sooo much. You guys are great! Hope you continue to enjoy this story.
To What May Come
Chapter 7
Dark green eyes looked out wistfully at the gardens below the balcony of her room. Fayla's long red locks swayed with the coming breeze as she leaned forwards, content with her surroundings. There was something that was holding Sarah back, something more than her adventure through the Labyrinth. She could vaguely sense it from the young woman, but it was there, hidden so deeply within her that it was hard to catch, to glimpse.
Fayla just hoped that some of what she told Sarah would help her through her confusion. Her intuition told her that it was going to take a lot more than one act from her King to break through the wall that Sarah was hiding behind. The vague sound of approaching horses and carriage broke her from her thoughts.
Turning from the view of her balcony, she made her way out of her room towards the entrance of the castle where the guests would be arriving. This would be the beginning of a truly tiring and long day.
The black stallion reared back as his master urged him to stop, a haggard and tired breath escaping the stallion's large black nostrils. Its rider, who sat regally within the saddle in loose fitting black riding pants tucked into his tall riding boots, a long black cape covering his matching black shirt with dark red vest covering his form, looked back behind him.
A carriage of dark mahogany wood edged to a stand still, its wheels grinding to a halt. The small window to the carriage remained closed off from prying eyes as the drape was drawn to shield its passengers. The driver of the carriage was thin and tall, his elfin ears announcing his heritage. His bright purple eyes looked purposely to the horses that pulled the carriage as he tied the reins down just before hopping down from where he sat.
Placing a ladder at the door of the carriage, he opened the door bowing his head low to the occupants within. A small white-gloved hand came from the darkness of the carriage followed closely by a flowing gown of deep rich blue. Stepping carefully down the steps of the carriage, a woman with rich golden brown hair and intense hazel eyes looked about the new surroundings with a genuine smile edged on her features.
Smiling warmly to Edward, the elf helping her from her carriage, she looked to the man that had ridden ahead of them on his black stallion. The sight of him always made her heart race.
Easing himself off of his horse, Lord Cunningham grinned in return to Lady Elizabeth's gaze. Handing the rains of his horse to the goblin that approached him, he made his way towards her, "Lady, I hope that the ride was not too uncomfortable."
Lady Elizabeth gazed steadily in his direction, "It was bearable."
Both Lady Elizabeth and Lord Cunningham turned towards the carriage as Lady Peal's voice met their ears, "Bearable, I hardly call a two day's travel in this bumpy contraption bearable. Really Elizabeth, you are much too kind." The large woman struggled from the carriage, her black hair pulled back tightly into a bun on top of her head.
Fayla emerged from the front doors of the castle just as she heard the large woman's complaint and inwardly moaned when she recognized who it was. Lady Peal was the most obnoxious and annoying Fae within the Underground and she knew that it would be hell just trying to please the woman. Hopefully, their own servants would take on that degrading task.
Making her way down the steps towards the first of the guests, she bowed to them in greetings, "Welcome, please follow me and I will show you to your rooms."
Lady Elizabeth smiled at the maidservant Fayla, it had been a long time since she had seen her and was glad that she was back in the Goblin King's service, "Fayla, it is so nice to see you again. I hope life has been good to you."
Fayla smiled in return, fond memories of them sneaking off and gossiping about the members of the royal court. Elizabeth had introduced her to Gaylon, her late husband. "Thank you milady, I hope the same for you."
Elizabeth's smile widened, they would have time enough to catch up once they were away from the others. Her station prevented her from asking more, as she looked at the disapproving glare she received from Lady Peal. How she allowed herself to get talked into sharing a carriage with that annoying Fae was beyond her.
Accepting Lord Cunningham's offered arm, they followed Fayla into the castle towards their room where they would part company and Elizabeth could find out more about the Lady Sarah. Rumors told it that she had captured the Goblin King's heart. She was interested in meeting the one that melted that cold heart of his and changed an entire kingdom in just one visit. Not to mention to meet the one and only to ever solve the Labyrinth and make it to its center.
Jareth watched through his crystal as the first of the guests arrived within his castle. Soon, other members of the Underground including some of the outer royals would join them. The Goblin City was already starting to get ready for the festival, and activities that would entertain his guests during their stay for the celebration of the anniversary of the Kingdom's rebirth.
In the past he usually frowned on such useless celebrations, but it would give him more of an opportunity to show Sarah the wonders of his world. He hoped that it would sway her desire to return home and give him some more opportunities to convince her to see her feelings towards him and to open up to him.
His mind focussing on Sarah, her image quickly came to view, his eyes fixed on her as she sat on her bed, her head resting against the bedpost. She looked pensive as she stared off towards the window of her room. Jareth wondered just what it was that was going through her mind. He had seen her do this often in the past when he would watch her from afar. Sarah would always go off by herself to watch the sunset or the stars in the sky, never speaking a word, just deep in thought.
Through the years of watching her, he had wanted to know more and more about her, as she grew into the beautiful woman that she was today. There was so much more to her than met the eye as she was a very intelligent individual with her own unique and intriguing ideas and ways. If only he could get her to not judge him from their past. To persuade her that he was not the same Fae he was when she had first entered and turned his world upside down.
For so long he had used women for his own amusement, they were just a distraction from the boring, tedious Kingdom that he ruled. He had used his power over others as a weapon to intimidate and frighten his subjects into submission. He never once realized how lonely and empty his life was until that fateful day that he saw her.
He had grown bored and restless, yearning for a change in atmosphere he had transformed into his owl form and flew above his Kingdom. The freedom of flight was not enough for him that day, so on impulse he crossed worlds in search for some distraction of his boredom. He soared with outstretched wings over the large mass of water that sectioned off into a stream that flowed underneath a small stone bridge.
Luscious trees of green met his sight, before an open field of green with a touch of yellow and orange flowers. Something caught his eye as a figure approached a bench where a large dog of some sort sat panting. He landed on a pillar, not far from the lovely young lady wearing a crown of flowers on top a dark head of silken hair. Her eyes held such passion, her voice carrying her words like no other, as she spoke her part to the large dog on the bench.
If he were not in owl form he would be grinning at the sight, as he recognized her recital. It was a part to an old story that had been passed along within her world. The story told of a young princess who wishes away her sibling to the Goblin King and saves the infant from being turned into a goblin by solving the labyrinth and confronting its king. It was but a story though, if he were to ever take an unwanted child from her world he would definitely never turn it into a goblin. Heaven forbid, there were enough of those annoying creatures in existence within his kingdom.
After his first encounter with her, he had come to that place often to watch her perform. Every movement that she would make, every word that she spoke, mesmerizing him like no other. He had even gone so far as to watch her through his crystals as she lived her life at home and school. Never once did he tire of it, as he watched her fight with her stepmother, as she tried losing herself in her own fantastical world. A long time in watching he had seen the cruelty within her gaze when angered, a temper almost to match his own. She had a fire within, a determination not to allow the world around her to intimidate or rule her life.
Mind coming back to the present, he allowed the crystal to fade, knowing that now was not the time to dwell on the past or her, no mater how tempting. He needed to concentrate on the documents before him, there was much for him to do before the festivities and the coming events.
Chapter 8
Entering the room shown to her, Lady Elizabeth's hazel eyes scanned the new surroundings with approval. So, this was going to be where she was staying for the next few days. It wasn't home, but the comforts that surrounded her would be plenty to make up for the lack of familiarity.
Making his way within the guestroom, Edward passed Lady Elizabeth without a word, as he placed her bags that he carried beside the bed. Following soon after him, a group of four goblins staggered into the room, struggling to keep the large chest from toppling to the floor. With a loud thunk the chest was deposited in front of the bed a loud shriek escaping one of the goblins as the chest had so politely landed on its foot.
Edward rolled his purple eyes skyward before walking over towards the three giggling goblins and the whimpering one. Lifting the chest with ease he ignored the goblins as they scurried out of the room, all save one laughing quietly as the misfortunate one limped out of the room mumbling profanities under each agonizing step. With a sigh, he continued with unpacking Lady Elizabeth's belongings.
She had ignored the ruckus behind her as she made her way out onto the balcony of her room. The soft song of birds filling her ears, as she looked out at the part of the castle gardens that was in view. Leaning against the railing, she focussed her eyes as she tried to make out the figure of a woman standing within the gardens below. Being Fae had its advantages, as the woman came to focus. She was quite lovely, with long dark hair and fair skin, she had the most appealing eyes she had ever seen of a mortal and wondered if she was the one she had been told about. A smile spread across her lips as she saw that the young woman was straining to try and make her out. Well, she would just have to rectify that and go and visit her.
Sarah felt as if she was being watched, making her turn around to look for her onlooker. Eyeing the castle, she could see one of the balconies and a lone figure standing at the railing's edge. For the life of her she could not make out who it was, but only could tell that it was a woman. With a smile, she turned away thinking that it must have been Fayla that she had seen. About to make her way onward within the garden, she was startled when she had noticed someone standing there before her.
Sarah smiled to the woman, "I'm sorry, you startled me."
Lady Elizabeth smiled in return, "No, it is I who should apologize. I was just looking out from the balcony when I saw you out here on your own. I am Lady Elizabeth."
She was not aware that Jareth had other guests within his castle, but was more confused by her statement. How could she have been the one on the balcony? Looking from the woman to the balcony, her eyes grew wide as she noticed the figure no longer standing against the railing.
Elizabeth followed her gaze and smiled as she realized the lady's bewilderment, "In case you're wondering, I used my magic to appear here so quickly."
Sarah turned back towards her and flushed in embarrassment, she sometimes forgot how much magic was within this place, "I'm Sarah, by the way."
"Ah, so you are the one I've heard so much about," she mused as she looked her over.
She wasn't sure how to react to that statement. "Heard about?" she asked a little bewildered by the fact that a stranger that she had never met had heard things about her.
Before Elizabeth could answer her query, a familiar surge of power and the appearance of the Goblin King interrupted her. Lady Elizabeth bowed slightly at his arrival, "Your Majesty."
Jareth bowed his head slightly in recognition of her show of respect, "Lady Elizabeth, I hope that you found the guestroom suitable for your stay."
Elizabeth smiled warmly in return as Jareth's gaze shifted from her towards Sarah. Jareth approached Sarah, taking her hand in his as he lightly kissed the back of it, "Sarah."
Her heart leaped within her chest as she felt his hand take hers and then the soft caress of his warm lips against the back of her hand. The kiss still fresh within her mind, she felt her cheeks flush as her eyes looked away in an attempt to hide her flush.
Jareth smiled in return, his gaze shifting from Sarah towards his newest guest, "I hope your journey here was not too uncomfortable?"
She had watched the two and could see right away the chemistry between them. They would indeed make a lovely match, "It was bearable, but if you would excuse me. Sarah, it was nice to meet you, I hope to see you at the festivities later." Bowing to the King, she made her exit to leave the two alone. She would just have to get to know this Sarah later.
Sarah watched her leave just before she gave Jareth a questioning glance, "Festivities?"
"It is in celebration to the Kingdom's rebirth, so to speak. It officially starts tomorrow, as when the rest of the guest should be arriving." He still had her hand held within his, and was relieved that she had yet to take notice and pull it away.
"Oh," she really did not know what to say. Realizing that he had yet to release her hand, she stepped away from him, forcing him to release it. Still feeling a bit uncomfortable about what had happened between them within the castle halls earlier, she could not met his gaze.
Jareth felt a little disappointed when she stepped away and he had to free her hand. It seemed that she was making an extra effort not to look in his direction. The passionate kiss that they shared still fresh within his mind, he approached her as she was finding the rose bushes to the side of them rather fascinating.
She felt very uncomfortable with the silence and wished for something to break it. Sarah was slightly startled when Jareth's soft warm words caressed against the back of her ear.
Standing behind her he whispered in her ear, "Why did you run away Sarah?"
Sarah turned to answer and wished that she had not. He was right behind her, so close his breath tickled against her cheek. That strong magical smell filled her senses as she felt a wave of desire surface from having him so near. She meant to push him away, but her hand only rested against his chest as she hesitated. Her eyes shifted down to her hand as she could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the slight muscles underneath.
He looked down at her hand that rested against his chest, before his eyes slowly traveled across her arm towards her chest and then soon her angelic face. A wisp of her hair fell into her face, which he purposely moved away, his fingers lightly touching her cheek.
Her eyes hesitantly rose from his chest locking with his eyes in return. She did not know how to answer his question but with the truth. "You confuse me," she softly whispered afraid to hear him laugh in reply.
"How so?" he secretly prayed that she would open up to him, that she would trust him with her inner feelings.
She wasn't ready for this and it was not fair that he was questioning her this way. Why did she have to explain herself to him? Why did he have to affect her so? Backing away, she drew herself back into herself, afraid to allow him to see any more. Biting her bottom lip, she looked away from those intense mismatched eyes of his.
He watched as she backed away and tried to retreat back into herself, Jareth would not allow her to do so, "Sarah, you will not run away this time. Why do you fear what is within your heart."
She turned to him, "I wasn't running away!" she argued.
"Oh you weren't! What would you call it then?" he returned amused by her flustered appearance.
Outraged by his audacity to argue with her, she quickly returned, "Avoiding the question." God, she hated the way he was making her feel.
Disappearing before her eyes, he reappeared just behind her, his lips brushing against the back of her ear, "Do I make you uncomfortable, my dear?" he purred.
With a start, she turned, her face now mere inches from his, freezing her to the spot, the words she was about to say leaving her completely. Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she looked downward in an attempt to regain her composure. It was not working, as she had her eyes fixed on his inviting lips, a craving for his touch growing with each breath that she took.
Seeing where her eyes were fixed, he gently took her arms bringing her towards him, lowering his head so that he could taste her sweet lips. At her intake of breath and the way she crumbled under his attentions, Jareth pulled her closer, deepening their kiss.
Heart racing, her body wanting to melt within his embrace, she leaned into him, lost within the kiss. Her hands slid to his chest as she attempted to balance herself. Sarah's mind was a fuzz of pleasure, as the taste of him pleasantly invaded her senses. When he pulled away, she thought that she would cry from the lack of contact.
His hands came up, cupping her face gently, "Let me in, Sarah. Please, don't shut me away."
Sarah's hands came up to his, the sincerity and passion within his eyes baring into her soul. She could feel herself trembling and the tears bordering her eyes. For so long she had kept herself guarded from letting anyone get too close. Dare she risk her heart? She had to look away, not able to answer his plea.
He pulled her to him, hugging her as he rested his head on top of hers. So much pain she held within. What had happened to her to make her fear her own heart so?
Sarah clenched her eyes shut, allowing him to hold her in his arms. She found comfort from his embrace, something that she had not felt for a very long time. The words that she used in her last confrontation coming to mind, how so untrue they were. He held so much power over her, it was scary. The realization made her heart clench in fear, she could not allow this. He would just hurt her in the end, and she could not bare that pain.
Pushing herself away, she shook her head, the tears still falling freely down her cheeks, "I…I can't." Her arms wrapped about herself as she turned away, the pained expression on his face paining her more than she could bear.
Jareth's eyes closed as he was pained by her pulling away, he had actually thought that maybe he had gotten through to her. She had opened up a little, but then so suddenly pulled away. He would not give up on her. He swore that he would go through hell and back if he had to. Willing his magic into being, he left silently, not at all swayed to give up on her.
Intense green eyes looked at the young girl with much sorrow, as she had witnessed the whole scene between the two. It was so obvious that Sarah loved the Goblin King as much as he loved her. Fayla could faintly hear as her charge sobbed quietly into her hands, her shoulders shaking with each shaky intake of breath.
She wanted so much to go to the young woman and comfort her some how. If she only knew what it was that was holding her back, that was pushing his love away. Slowly, she edged forwards from her hiding place towards Sarah, hoping that she could persuade her to confide in her.
A hand on Sarah's shoulder made her turn around, she was slightly disappointed that it was not Jareth, but then relieved that it was Fayla. Immediately, she buried her face into the elfin woman's chest, needing someone to comfort her tormented soul.
Fayla held Sarah to her like a mother would its child, "Sh," she cooed softly to her charge. Rubbing her hand over Sarah's long dark locks, she sent her magic through her touch in hopes that she could calm the distraught woman. Feeling her relax underneath her, assured her that it had worked, as she could no longer hear her sobs. Pulling away she looked to Sarah's reddened eyes, "Come, let us go somewhere to talk."
Sarah just nodded, not having the strength to argue and allowed Fayla to lead her along a stony path within the garden. She just looked to the passing ground, her eyes burning from the onslaught of tears. She felt so tired and worn.
Fayla guided her charge to a bench within the gardens, coaxing her to sit down, which Sarah did without argue. With a sigh, she looked to her with concern, "Sarah, it is so obvious that you love him. Why do you fight against it so?"
The words bordered on her lips, but could not come to the surface, so much within her past that she had kept bound inside. She was always the strong one through the divorce, supporting her broken hearted father, the betrayal that she had felt when he had decided to remarry. The absence of her own mother throughout her teenage years, as well as the fact that she did not feel that she fit in with the world around her. So much that compelled her to guard her heart, but dare she tell.
Dare she relay her innermost secrets to someone she barely knew? It was not as if she did not like Fayla or trust her, it was just that never in her life had she ever spoken a word of her true pain. For so long she had buried it within, had gone through her life ignoring that inner pain, using fantasies and acting as a means to escape the harshness of it all. "I don't know what you mean," she lied.
Fayla shook her head, disappointed that she would not confide in her, but knowing that she could not push her into telling her anything, "I see." Wishing to change Sarah's mood she smiled warmly to her charge, "Some of the guests have already arrived for the coming festival, and I am sure that they will be joining you for dinner tonight. Though I must warn you about Lady Peal."
Glad for the distraction, she looked to Fayla curious about the guests, "I met Lady Elizabeth not long ago. She seemed nice."
She smiled in return, "Ah, she is. A very rare Fae indeed, totally opposite to Lady Peal, who you will have the unfortunate honor in meeting tonight at dinner. She looks down on others that do not equal her station or are above it. Lady Peal, the most annoying Fae in all of the Underground, how she got invited in the first place is a wonder in itself."
Sarah laughed at Fayla's words, "Is she really that bad?"
"Oh yes! You'll see…" Fayla winked to Sarah playfully. Standing she pulled Sarah to her feet, "Come along, we really should be getting you ready for dinner. It should not be too long from now, and I just know that you must be famished since you skipped both breakfast and lunch."
Hearing her own stomach growl, Sarah realized that she was right, "Yes, I am hungry. When is dinner by the way? I don't think that I can go on for much longer without getting something to eat."
Walking beside Sarah, Fayla looked sideways to her charge, she had changed so much from the upset wreck she was in only moments ago. "I'll make a trip to the kitchen and get you some bread and water while you take your bath. That should hold you over until dinner."
Sarah smiled in return feeling much better than she did a little while ago. Her smile, though, faded as she thought about his words, their encounters and the fact that she could not run away from what was happening. She knew for sure that he would not give up, but a part of her did not want him to. She was inwardly battling with her instinct at self-preservation and her need for love. Which would win? Only time would tell.