Hello all, and thank you so much for your reviews. I'm glad that everyone is enjoying this little romance of mine. Okay, so it's anything but little! I don't know what it is but this story just keeps growing and growing. Oh well, I like writing these stories as much as I hope you enjoy reading them. I'll stop my babbling now and allow you to read onJ Enjoy!
To What May Come
Chapter 14
She could not believe the wonderful day that she was having, never in her life had she had such an enchanting and completely lovely day and it was still not over. The Goblin City was a wonder in itself, the festival bringing together so many different magical beings in one place. It was awe inspiring. Sarah found herself wondering if all of this was nothing but a dream, but looking to Jareth beside her she knew that it was no dream.
Returning to the Castle, Jareth walked her wordlessly to her chambers. He did not want to part from her even though he knew that he would see her later that night. They had reached her door too soon and he wanted nothing more than to stay with her, but it would not be proper and would not be fair to her. He did not want to ruin the perfect pureness of their now blooming relationship. She was a Lady and he was a King, he would not ruin her virtue before they were properly wed.
She turned towards him, her eyes searching his, "Thank you for today."
Taking her hand he softly kissed the back, his eyes never looking away from hers, "It was indeed my pleasure."
Sarah wanted to say more, but how could she word what it was that she felt for him. She wasn't sure if she understood it, let alone be able to express in words what it was that she felt within her heart. He made her feel alive like she had never felt before, made her feel as if she were the most important being in existence when they were together. To part now, it felt as if she was being ripped literally in two.
Her hand rose from his as she touched his cheek, she wanted to speak but no words could come forth to rightfully express what it is that she felt. She so much needed him, needed his presence and his touch. Amazing how your perception of someone can change in such a short amount of time.
No words needed to be spoken as he could read what she was wanting to express within her eyes. She was innocence in its most purest of forms, he did not deserve the love of someone so pure of heart. Slowly they edged closer, breaths starting to mingle just before their lips met in a soft, yet passionate embrace. He pulled her fully to him deepening their embrace.
Her body felt on fire, her heart racing as her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers tangling in his blond hair. She could do this forever. 'It's only forever, not long at all' sang inside her mind and how right those words were. She knew with all of her heart that she would stay with him. Accept his courtship of her and what she knew would follow. Her eyes fluttered open as they pulled away her fingers still tangled within his hair, his hands still about her waist.
Jareth leaned forwards resting his forehead against hers, "As much as I love kissing you, my sweet, we must part until tonight."
Untangling her hands from his hair she rested her hands against his chest her eyes moving downward towards her own hands. She could feel his heart racing beneath her touch. Did she really have such an effect on him? That realization brought a slight grin to her face, "Till tonight then."
Taking both hands in his he kissed them before vanishing from sight, glitter and light cascading downward from the spot he had just moments ago occupied. Jareth did have a way of making an entrance as well as an exit. Hand resting to her chest where the locket fell against her collar bone, Sarah let out a wistful sigh a full grown smile spreading across her lips. This was definitely heaven and she never wanted to leave it.
Fayla had been gathering the things needed to have her charge ready for the events of the night. The dress that she had picked out for Sarah to wear, she knew would strike a memorable cord within all that would attend the ball. It was a rich blue to match what the King would be wearing. The dress sparkled within the light and would catch anyone's eye, though she doubted that the dress would get as much attention as Sarah would. The girl had no idea how breathtakingly beautiful she was.
She felt so much better than she had felt in years. To finally let out those emotions that she had kept in check for so long. Edwards's presence was a comfort. Door opening, her thoughts were brought to a halt.
Sarah entered the room as if she were floating on a cloud, a smile spread about her lips, making Fayla smile in return. Ah, young love, it always brought warmth to her heart.
Picking one of the long stem roses from the vase nearest to her, Sarah brought it up to her nose and took in its heavenly fragrance. The impression of Jareth's lips still lingering on her own. Oh, what would tonight bring? What other magical delights would she be shown and would she really notice when in his presence?
Making her way towards the bed, Sarah laid back on its soft and comforting surface. Closing her eyes she did not even notice Fayla grinning at her. Sighing heavily she brought the rose up against her cheek her other hand resting against the locket that Jareth had purchased for her.
Fayla sat on the bed's edge gaining Sarah's attention, "The day went well, I see."
Sarah rolled over onto her stomach, "Well, it was perfect! Oh, Fayla, he's so wonderful I can't believe I ever thought him evil."
Fayla just smiled knowingly, her eyes resting on the locket that Sarah was wearing, she did not remember putting that on her this morning. Leaning forwards she reached for the locket, "May I?"
"Sure, Jareth bought it for me at one of the booths at the festival. As odd as it might sound I felt drawn to this." It was true, she remembered how it had caught her attention. She had not word it to Jareth nor the booth's owner but there was something about the locket that seemed to have been calling to her.
As her fingers lifted the locket from Sarah's chest to examine it, Fayla felt a magical pulse radiate from the locket. "There is magic within this."
Still smiling, Sarah sat up, causing Fayla to let the locket fall back against her chest, "The one that sold it said that it had been touched with magic. Some story of a Unicorn touching it with its horn."
Fayla's fingers still tingled from the magic, Sarah's explanation made sense, but something told her that there was more to that locket. Shaking her head from her own thoughts, she pushed her concern to the side. She sensed nothing evil or dangerous about the locket but she wondered what the magic was for. "It is quite lovely. Do not take this off though, I have a feeling that the power within this will protect you from any harm." Fayla was not sure, but her instincts were telling her that it was, for some reason, important that she not remove it.
Sarah looked to her a little perplexed, "Okay." A mischievous grin spread on her lips, as she remembered that Fayla and Edward were supposed to meet that afternoon. "So, how was your rendezvous with Edward?"
Fayla smiled, though the beginning of their meeting was an emotional one, the rest of their time together was spent in laughter and mutual enjoyment. "It went well. I wish that I did keep more in touch with him throughout the years."
Grinning from ear to ear, Sarah leaned forward like a teenager about to pull some information from a friend about boys, "Uh huh, so what's the story with you two? Anything other than just being an acquaintance?"
The question caused Fayla to shake her head at the girl, "So curious!" she teased then became serious, "Edward is a close friend, he was my late husbands best friend."
Sarah's heart lurched, "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pull a Mrs. Peal!"
That made Fayla laugh, loosing all seriousness, "Sarah, there is no need to apologize. Pull a Mrs. Peal, now that is rich."
Sarah still felt awful for bringing up something that obviously brought up painful memories to Fayla. She was glad that her attempt at a little humor to get Fayla's mind off of painful memories worked.
Seeing her charges look of concern she covered Sarah's hand with her own, "My husband, Gaylon, passed on a long time ago. Though it still sometimes makes me sad there is no need for you to feel guilty for your curiosity about my past. We are after all friends."
Sarah relaxed feeling better that Fayla was really all right, "Yes, we're friends. Which makes me wonder? Where is Lady Elizabeth? I haven't seen her since…Oh, I hope she doesn't think I'm mad at her."
Fayla shook her head, "Put your mind at rest, Elizabeth understood your flight that night and besides I explained to her what happened. I hope that I was not out of place doing so?"
"No, not at all. I'm glad that I won't have to explain it to her when I see her again." She really wanted to see Elizabeth again, both she and Fayla had a way of making her feel as if she fit into this world of magic. Besides Jareth, they were the only two that she knew. Her mind then went to old friends from long ago there words fresh within her mind, 'If you need us?' Oh, how could she have not inquired about them?
Seeing the pained look in Sarah's expression Fayla became concerned, "What is it?"
Looking down at the comforter of the bed Sarah fidgeted with the folds of her dress. How could she have not asked about, Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus? "Hoggle, and the others that had helped me when I first came here. I haven't thought about asking about them. God, Fayla, how could I be so heartless?"
Fayla admonished her charge, "Heartless, do not be so hard on yourself child! With the occurrences of the past couple of days it is not surprising that you had not thought about them. Besides, you had not even seen them in years. To put your mind at rest, they are all well."
She still didn't feel any better, but her worry for her friends was put to ease with the knowledge that they were all right. Taking a deep breath, she laid back looking at the canopy of her bed, "After that night of going through the Labyrinth and celebrating with them afterwards I told myself that I had to grow up and to let them go. It was too painful to see them again knowing that I would never be able to return."
Fayla covered Sarah's hand once again in an attempt to comfort her, "Ah, but you are here now. I am sure that you will see them again, especially with the festival. All within the Underground are here, they might be as well."
Sarah perked up at those words, "You think so? I would really like to see them again."
Standing from the bed, Fayla made her way towards the bath chambers to prepare her a bath, "I am quite sure of it! Now, no more sad thoughts from you. You have a grand ball to prepare for and I'm sure you are looking forward to being in the King's company again.
Sarah could not help but smile as her thoughts returned to Jareth and the way he kissed her only moments ago. Fayla was right, she could not wait to see him again and hopefully have more of those kisses she so utterly enjoyed. Sarah blushed at her own thoughts, 'Down, girl! You're acting as if you've never been kissed before…Oh, but I've never felt this way when being kissed. He's so…Oh boy, I've got it bad, don't I?"
Another giggle escaping her lips, she made her way to the bathroom to start getting ready. A good long, hot bath was looking more and more inviting. Sarah felt so excited about tonight and about seeing him again.