Hello all and thank you so much for your reviewsJ Sorry it's been so long since I've posted something new for this story. Work sometimes has a way of interfering with my free time. I hope you like these two installments of To What May Come and please send me your reviews.
To What May Come
Chapter 9
He clutched the crystal in his hand as he watched Sarah's image, she looked as if she was about to tell Fayla why she was pushing his love away, but she did not. Instead, she chose that of denial. Dispersing of the crystal Jareth rose from his throne, his eyes sweeping slowly over the throne room. It was so empty giving no comfort to his aching heart, as he yearned for a companion. He had been alone for so long and he so much wanted Sarah to be a part of his world so that he would no longer have to be alone.
Sarah was his light in a darkened and shallow world that grew more barren with each passing day that she denied her love for him. He knew that she loved him, he could see it in her eyes, the way she returned his kiss, but why did she keep pushing him away? He needed to find out what it was that was keeping her heart from accepting his love, her love. If she would only open up to him, he was so close in reaching her, but then being close was not good enough.
If only he could get her to let down her guard of her heart, if only for a moment then maybe she would not fight it so. He was not looking forward to dinner, though Lady Elizabeth and Lord Cunningham were one of the few members of the court that he liked. It would take all of his will power to put up with Lady Peal. His invitation invited all of the court, which she was unfortunately a part of. The only company that he desired was that of Sarah. Dinner was going to be very…interesting.
The fire crackled before him, the flames reflecting off of his dark gray eyes as he rested his head on his fist, sitting in deep thought. Lady Elizabeth was mostly what occupied his mind as of late. She was beautiful both in appearance and in spirit, and he could tell that she returned his interest. The only problem was that he was not sure how to approach and confront her about it. He was well and able when it came to political matters and speaking with the royals and fellow members of the court, but when it came to the opposite sex he was completely at a loss. They were a species totally different in itself and were a mystery to him. Yes, he knew how to flatter them and act accordingly, but when it came to courting he was not very…experienced.
Never had any ever caught his attention as Lady Elizabeth had. What power was it that she had over him? Standing from his chair, he left his comfortable spot in front of the fire and made his way towards the door of his room. Dinner would be soon and he would finally get to meet their host, the Goblin King, and the much talked about Lady Sarah.
He was not the type to take notice of such gossip but it was hard not to when almost all of the court had spoken one or two things about it. This Lady had defied the Goblin King, and solved his labyrinth. The only being to ever solve the labyrinth, she must be an extraordinary individual to accomplish that task. Many had tried to solve that large maze and none have ever successfully traversed it, well, all save one.
The water felt soothing as she lay there within the large tub with eyes closed and a small smile escaping her lips. This was heaven to her, the hot water chasing away any tension that she had felt, and the soft fragrance of roses made her want to stay within the water forever.
Sarah's fingers lightly traced her lips as she could still remember Jareth's kiss. Grimacing she sunk down even deeper into the water. What was wrong with her? She was a grown woman and all she could think about lately was his kisses and the way he made her feel.
Resting her hands on her stomach she looked about the bathroom in hopes to find something to avert her mind. Soon she would have to face him again and that knowledge frightened and excited her all at once. How much more of his advances could she take before she broke down and gave into her own desires for him? Yes, she knew that she had desires for him that she could not deny, but was that all it was, desire, or was there something more?
At that thought she submerged herself within the water completely, holding her breath as she went under, clenching her eyes shut. She could not allow herself to think anymore on the mater. Slowly emerging her head out from underneath the water, she looked to the white robe that waited for her. Well, the sooner she got ready and went to this dinner the sooner she could get all of this out of the way.
Rising from the water she quickly pulled the white robe around her wet form. Exiting the bathroom she immediately went and sat in front of the vanity. Sarah looked at her reflection, her eyes boring into her own, what was she doing? The past few days seemed to blur, her mind reflecting over the past few years of her life. In all there was really not much to reflect on. After her adventure she continued with her life but she was different, forever changed. For the life of her she could not understand why he was interested in her, why he wanted her. What did she have to offer him?
If he wanted her heart that was something she just could not bring herself to give. Too many times she had had her heart crushed by others. Sarah knew that they really did not mean to, but they would always end up doing so, Toby being the only exception.
Sarah's mouth edged into a smile at the thought of her half brother. Six years ago she would have never guessed that she would feel as fond and as loving as she did to her little Toby. He was an angel that brought warmth to her heart and soul. He was the only one that she knew that accepted her for who she was.
A frown replaced her smile as she realized that would soon change, that he would grow up and that they would most probably grow apart. Toby would find his own path and he would go away like the ones that she loved always did. First her mother, then her own father, well she was living with him but he really didn't see her, accept her for the dreamer that she was. Her father had broken her heart more than once, she knew that she was being selfish in the first instance when he had decided to remarry. It was the second and most harmful instance that she remembered of what he had done to her.
He did not know of course that she had overheard his words that day. It was not long after Toby was born and her stepmother and father brought him home from the hospital. Karen had asked that she would get a bottle so that she could feed Toby. She had of course rolled her eyes at the woman as she had more ordered her to do it rather than asking. Sarah was coming back up the stairs as she was returning with the bottle and was at the door when she heard her father's words.
"Thank you," he had spoken softly to Karen.
Sarah smiled at the door about to go in when she heard Karen ask her father what for.
"For giving me this beautiful son. I'd always wanted a son to bond with, to love." Sarah peaked through the crack of the door listening in on the conversation.
She watched as Karen smiled in return, "You have Sarah too of course, you have a beautiful son and a daughter now." For the first time Sarah didn't note any distaste at the mention of her name through Karen's voice.
Her father shook his head from side to side a frown crossing his features, "I know that Sarah is my daughter but…I don't feel a bond with her. She reminds me too much of her mother, and the older she gets the more she looks like her. It's a painful reminder and it makes it hard for me to look at her at times."
The bottle forgotten Sarah's eyes brimmed with tears not caring to wipe them away as they fell down her cheeks. She had run to her room at that moment, slamming the door behind her and flung herself down onto the mattress. She cried herself to sleep that night, cursing her mother and father for giving her life. Sarah hated her life and wanted more than anything to be whisked off to some far away place full of magic and adventure. She wished with all her heart that someone would come and rescue her from the horror that was her life. At that moment she hated Toby, hated her father and loathed Karen for ever coming into their life.
Mind coming back to the present, she had to look away from her reflection and busily wiped away the tears. Damn her memories for coming to the surface, she tried so hard not to think of those moments within her life. She was so foolish back then, she gave them the means to hurt her so. After that day she immersed herself completely into her own fantastical world, pushing the pain that they had caused her out of her mind. She had grown willful, temperamental, high spirited and now that she thought about it, very spoilt and selfish.
Her wishing away Toby and going through the Labyrinth showed her how spoilt and selfish she had become. She grew up that day and changed for the better. So enwrapped in the memories of her past she did not notice Fayla entering her chambers.
Gently touching Sarah on the arm, she could see her eyes red from crying, "Sarah, are you all right?"
Sarah jumped startled from the contact, "Fayla, you startled me!"
Fayla smiled warmly yet she held an expression of concern, "Sorry about startling you. Are you all right? You look as if you've been crying."
Not wanting to dwell on the pain of her past, she changed the subject, "So, what am I to wear this evening at dinner? Oh, where's that hair brush?"
Shaking her head in exasperation Fayla picked up the hair brush that sat in front of Sarah on the vanity in plain sight, "Is this what you're looking for?"
Sarah frowned as she noted Fayla's doubtful gaze, a flush of red spreading across her face. Turning towards the vanity she looked to the reflection in silence awaiting for Fayla to start brushing her hair.
With a sigh Fayla started to brush out her charge's hair, "I will never understand you humans. You spend way too much time dwelling on the past and not enough concentrating on the now."
Chapter 10
Dressed in a long flowing gown of soft purple with white lace, Sarah quietly followed Fayla down the large halls. It was the same journey she had found herself in that morning, she just hoped that things would not turn out as they did the last time she was within the dinning hall. With a deep breath she tried to rid her mind of the occurrences of the day. So many emotions, so many memories of the past that she had for so long kept buried within had come to the surface. In her world she was able to keep her mind off of the past and stay focused on her meaningless job and the many bills that she had to pay.
Oh god, why had she not seen it until now? She wasn't living a life before this, all that she was doing was going through the motions, living to everyone's expectations, and mindlessly stumbling through her existence within her own world. Why had she not notice up until now? Suddenly, the thought of returning to her own world did not seem as appealing as before, but what about Jareth. Could she stay here knowing what he wanted from her? What did staying here have to offer her that the world in which she was from did? She could finally live in a world where magic was real, a world that held more intriguing prospects than the one in which she was from, but would she fit in?
The faint growling of her stomach brought her out of her whirling myriad of thoughts. All that she had that day had been the small amount of bread and water Fayla had managed to sneak her a few hours ago, and even then it wasn't very fulfilling.
Sarah felt a bit nervous about dinner, not only did she have to face Jareth once again she was going to meet new people who, from her short lived meeting with Lady Elizabeth informed her that, they knew more about her than she knew about them. Suddenly, Sarah was quite aware of her own rapid heartbeat and it was increasing with each step that she took closer to their wanted destination.
As before two goblin guards stood in front of the two large doors that lead to the dinning hall. Taking a deep breath she awaited Fayla's announcement of her arrival, as per informed appropriate etiquette. Closing her eyes momentarily, she tried to calm her racing heart and then started forwards.
The dining hall was dimly lit by the large chandelier that hung over the center of the table from the high ceiling, the crystals gleaming as the candle flames flickered behind them. Both Jareth and Lord Cunningham rose from their seats at the table as Sarah entered the room.
Her momentarily calmed nerves quickly came increasingly unstable as she saw Jareth's eyes watching her so closely. If she wanted to stay calm and not embarrass herself, she had to not look at him. Instead of looking towards the Goblin King she smiled warmly at Lady Elizabeth, who she remembered briefly meeting in the gardens and then to the two strangers that she had yet to meet. The other woman she guessed was Lady Peal, the one that Fayla had warned her about, and her appearance fit well with the description Fayla had given her.
Solemnly she followed Fayla and was mortified to find that she was going to have to sit next to the Goblin King. He of course, had to be behind the sitting arrangements and was wishing that she was back in her room. Sarah reminded herself to just not look directly into his eyes and she would be okay, she could get through this. A shrill voice broke her out of her thoughts causing her to look at its source.
Lady Peal watched the new arrival with anticipation and was intrigued by the thought of meeting the young mortal human woman that entered the room. She seemed plain to her eyes and could not see what all the fuss was about. This Lady Sarah did not look like the type that could best the Goblin King and solve the legendary Labyrinth, "My dear, you look as if you do not wish to join us."
Lady Elizabeth saved Sarah from having to reply, "Lady Peal, I'm sure that Lady Sarah is just a little nervous about meeting total strangers."
Jareth ignored the two Fae women and looked to her with concern as he held the chair out for her to sit he whispered, "Sarah, are you all right?"
She weakly responded, "I'm fine, thank you," as she sat down.
Everyone now seated as Cunningham and Jareth took their seats, Jareth watched Sarah closely, a bit concerned by her quiet and withdrawn behavior. He could only assume that it was because of what had transpired in the gardens earlier that day. Then, she might just be a bit nervous about meeting his guests.
Elizabeth laid her hand on Sarah's, making Sarah look towards her. She smiled warmly to Sarah as she softly spoke, "Don't mind Lady Peal, she takes a little to get used to."
Sarah smiled in return and was interrupted as Lady Peal spoke up, making her flinch slightly from the woman's voice, a voice that wore a bit on her nerves, "Lady Elizabeth, you are such a tease, really! So, Lady Sarah, how are you enjoying your return to King Jareth's kingdom? Has he yet to lay his charms on you?"
Sarah's cheeks visibly blushed at the woman's blunt comment and was rescued yet again by Elizabeth, "Lady Peal!"
A shrill laugh left Peal's mouth making all at the table cringe slightly, "I'm sorry! Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of my sensibilities, but I do have to know." Peal leaned over the table in as if she were about to spill a large secret, "He does have a reputation of being quite the lady's man."
Sarah flushed even more and looked hesitantly towards Jareth, but quickly looked away. .
Jareth was not too shocked by Lady Peal's boldness, but was not very happy about it either. Clearing his throat, he took a sip of the wine before him before speaking, "Lord Cunningham, how is it that you and the others came so early? We were not expecting anyone to arrive until tomorrow." Jareth could really care less, but he just had to somehow find a way to get that annoying Fae to shut up.
Relieved to have some way to divert the table conversation to something a bit less embarrassing for poor Lady Sarah he responded, "Actually, it was Lady Elizabeth's idea to arrive a day early."
Elizabeth entered the conversation smoothly, "It seemed sensible to arrive here a little early so that it would be less of a hassle to get settled in." She turned towards Sarah, "Tell us Sarah about your world. It is rare that we get any visitors outside the Underground."
Sarah was a little taken back by her request, "I…we…well, there isn't really much to tell."
Lady Elizabeth looked a little disappointed, "Oh, surely there is something."
Jareth interrupted, "She is quite the actress as I remember."
Sarah could not help but to look up at the Goblin King and flushed at the way his eyes bore into hers, "I don't do that anymore." She had stopped her pursuit of acting after she had returned from her adventure within the Labyrinth. It did not hold the magic as it once did.
Jareth's eyebrows rose at this, though he had already known that fact, "A pity, it use to make you so happy."
Before anyone could ask further about Sarah's world she was rescued as the food had arrived and not too soon, she was starving. The dinner proceeded with them eating and the occasional ranting of Lady Peal and her views how great the courts are and how wonderful that the Goblin King's kingdom had been rebuilt was. Sarah could not wait until dinner was over.
Dinner had finally come to an end and Sarah was all too eager to get out of that room. She liked Lady Elizabeth and Lord Cunningham, but if she had to listen to one more sound uttered out of that Lady Peal she was afraid that she would loose all control and strangle the woman. That woman would not shut up and seemed to have the gift to talk about absolutely nothing at a never-ending rate. Sarah did not know all of the Fae within the Underground, but she was sure that Fayla was more than accurate at her description of the Lady Peal. She just hoped that she would be able to avoid that woman for the rest of her stay within the Underground.
Entering her room Sarah, slumped up against the door letting out an exasperated sigh. She was not at all tired and really did not wish to go to bed, but what else could she do. If she ventured around the castle there was a chance that she would run into Lady Peal, and she absolutely did not want to be cornered in a room, let alone a hall with that woman.
Sarah jerked away from the door as she heard someone knocking. Turning, she opened the door praying that it wasn't who she feared it to be. Sarah allowed herself to breath once more as she saw that it was not the woman that she feared, but Lady Elizabeth.
Lady Elizabeth grinned at the relieved expression she saw on Sarah's face, "Oh, don't worry, she's retired to her rooms for the night."
Sarah bit her bottom lip a bit embarrassed by her own behavior, "Oh God, I hope it wasn't that obvious to Lady Peal."
Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively, "Heavens, no! You could probably tell her directly in her face and she would be oblivious."
Sarah giggled at Elizabeth's response, "So Lady Elizabeth, you want to come in?"
Elizabeth instead took Sarah by the hand and dragged her out the door, "I'll have none of that now! Call me Elizabeth there's no need for formalities. Now, I know that you can not be tired, it is way too early, come on."
Sarah had no choice but to comply, "Where are we going?" she asked a little taken off guard by Elizabeth's manner towards her. She always envisioned those of the court and nobles to be stuck up and boring but this woman was none of those things.
"To the gardens of course, the stars are out bright tonight and it is the perfect place to talk freely and be free!"
Sarah smiled in return and before she knew it she felt that strange sensation in the air and they were suddenly in the gardens. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the gardens in the moonlight. It was breathtakingly beautiful, nothing like anything she had ever seen within her world. Flowers that she did not recognize were spread about a small pond not to far in the distance. Small flickers of light danced about the gardens reminding Sarah of the times when she would try and catch firefly's within jars and let them go after she had done so. She could never bring herself to allow the small insects to die within the jar.
Letting go of Sarah's hand, Elizabeth willed her magic into being and laid the large blanket on the ground at their feet so that they could sit. Both Elizabeth and Sarah turned towards the sound of someone approaching and as the figure got closer they could both see that it was Fayla.
Fayla smiled to her old friend Elizabeth, glad to see that she had not changed much from the woman she remembered knowing, "I see that you've kidnapped Sarah on one of your little get aways."
Elizabeth laughed, "Oh, you caught me! Please don't report me to his majesty!"
Sarah could not help but to like Elizabeth, she knew that she would have no trouble at all becoming her friend. They all sat on the large blanket on the grass, laughing freely. Sarah felt something she had not felt in a very long time, she felt as if she belonged. Before she knew it, they had spent over an hour out just talking and she was enjoying it immensely.
Laughing at a story Lady Elizabeth had told, Sarah and the others were lying on their backs looking up at the stars. Sarah sighed, "Thank you!"
Elizabeth rolled on her side leaning on her hand, "For what dear?"
"For bringing me out here and including me in this. I haven't had this much fun in I don't know how long."
Fayla looked to her side towards Sarah, "I'm glad to see that your enjoying this. Sarah, now that we're talking freely I have a question to ask."
Sarah rolled on her side to look at Fayla, "Okay, shoot."
Both Fayla and Elizabeth looked a little confused by her statement, but Fayla decided to go on with the question she had wanted to ask her new friend for quite some time. "Why do you keep pushing Jareth away?"
With an exasperated sigh Sarah laid back down, looking at the star filled sky and decided that she could tell her, tell them. Silent for a little while she softly spoke, "Because I'm afraid he'll do what everyone else in my life I've allowed to get close to me do."
"How so?" Elizabeth asked.
"All of my life, whoever I've allowed near my heart have done nothing but break it." A single tear slid down her pale cheek.
Fayla frowned saddened by the knowledge, "My dear, you can't close yourself off to others because of wrongs done to you in your past."
Sarah sat up, wiping away the lone tear, "Can't I? You don't understand. My own mother abandoned me when I was only twelve and that was just the beginning. She left me when I needed her in my life, the most and all for her stupid career. Me and my father were in her way of becoming a successful actress. God, I was so stupid to actually believe that she would come back and then when my father decided to remarry I still held on to the fact that she would come back!"
Both Elizabeth and Fayla sat up coming to Sarah's side in attempt to comfort her. Sarah immediately stood up and ran away from them, her tears streaming down her face.
Hidden behind some of the shrubbery, Jareth frowned at the new attained knowledge. Stepping back, he disappeared from his place behind the shrubbery in search for Sarah. She had run the opposite way of his castle and was afraid that she would end up lost. More so, he wanted to somehow give her comfort, he wanted to be there for her and to make her see that he had no intention of hurting her.