Hehe! I am truly on a roll. Finally, what you have all been waiting for the upcoming ball is going to take place. Hope you like. Okay, okay I'll stop this dribble and let you read. Do enjoy!
To What May Come
Chapter 15
The ceiling was adorned with glitter and light, a few chandeliers dangling throughout the large ballroom. The ballroom was open on all sides, as four doorways stood open for the guests to enter. Torches were lit on both sides of the large entryways, the flames a bluish tinge. The marbled floor shined from the light as a narrow red carpet stretched across the floor from the main doorway, up to the stairs that led up to a replica of Jareth's throne. Beside the large throne sat another slightly smaller, both padded with red cushioning.
Jareth looked over the ballroom through his crystal, as he sat on the windowsill's edge overlooking his kingdom. The members of the court had already started to enter his castle ready to attend the ball. He was pleased with the finishing touches of the preparations for this event. Everything had to be perfect, especially for what he had planned for this night. He would walk through fire, sacrifice everything just to give Sarah all that she would ever want, desire. Nothing would be too much for her.
As his thoughts steered towards the woman he loved, her image shimmered into the crystal's depths, granting him his desire to see her. His brow rose at the image, his mouth edging into a sly grin.
Having just gotten out of the bathtub, Sarah tied the robe securely around her as she made her way back into the bedroom. Fayla had left to allow her privacy while she took her bath and had not yet returned. Sitting at the vanity, she looked to her reflection not really seeing it, as her mind was at the times that she had recently spent with Jareth.
Hair dripping wet, she ran her fingers through her damp hair before reaching for the hairbrush. Running through her hair a couple of times she smiled, tracing her fingers over the locket she still wore. Fayla had told her not to take it off, so she did so, she just hoped that the water wouldn't damage it. Fayla had assured her that it wouldn't.
Fixating her attention to her reflection she asked herself, "You, my dear, have been swept off of your feet by the Goblin King. Fallen in love and fell for a King. What will tonight bring? I wonder…"
Jareth's grin widened at her words, if only she knew. Tonight would be the most memorable night of her life, that, he would make sure of. Allowing the crystal to fade from his wielding, he turned from his bedchamber window to get ready for the night.
Dressed in a flowing gown of deep crimson, Lady Elizabeth looked over the room at the still arriving guests. For tonight's events she decided to wear her luxurious, long, golden brown hair to dangle down to the middle of her back. She did, after all, like her hair better when it was down and free from the painful and tiring pins.
Standing beside Lady Elizabeth, Lord Cunningham was immersed in the Fae beside him. She had indeed surprised him when she actually asked him if he would escort her to the ball. Never had a Lady done such a thing and he felt a sort of pride that she had sought him out to ask him. She was indeed different from any and all of the Lady's of the court he had ever known. Her attitude towards others and the way in which she treated those around her made him yearn for her company. She was intelligent, strong willed, caring, and her aura pulled him to her like no other.
Elizabeth looked to Cunningham and smiled as she caught him gazing at her, "Why Lord, are you watching me?" she asked scandalously, earning a blush from his person. The way his cheeks flushed slightly and how his mouth edged into an embarrassed grin made her heart flutter. He looked so handsome dressed in black fitting pants, wearing a creamed colored undershirt covered by a dark burgundy waistcoat fastened by two silver square shaped buttons.
Bowing slightly he took her hand kissing the back of it, she indeed had captured his heart, "Lady, I find nothing else within this room to capture my praise, as you have indeed made everything else within dull by comparison."
Elizabeth smiled, "Why, thank you sir. May I ask if you are wishing to court my favor."
"Ah, I see that you have found me out then. Do you wish me to cease then Milady?" Cunningham's nervousness about talking to her had left him completely as he felt totally at ease with her company.
Elizabeth actually felt herself blush, he indeed made her heart fluttered and her heart felt as if it were on a cloud when in his company. It was rare that another Fae could have this effect on her and she was enjoying it immensely. "Lord Cunningham, I think that we both know the answer to that," she spoke softly, her voice lowered so no other could hear her words but him.
Eyes locked and Lord Cunningham knew that he had found his match. So many years alone and now, standing before him, was his other half. This excursion to King Jareth's kingdom was indeed the best thing that had happened to him in his life. Though he and Elizabeth had known each other through the courts, they had grown closer the past two days at the festival.
The musical sound of the announcing horns sang shortly as a deep voice announced, "His Majesty, King Jareth!"
At his announcement, all turned their gaze towards the main entryway and the room fell quiet as he stepped out from the doorway making his entrance. Addressing all within the ballroom, he greeted his guests, "Honored guests, thank you for joining me this evening in the continuing celebration of my kingdom's rebirth. Enjoy the ball and my hospitality."
Finishing his speech of greeting he stepped into the crowded room, the guests bowing respectfully as he made his way through. As he met with one of the Kings, all continued with their socializing and the room once again was filled with the murmur of the beings gathered and the soft music playing in the background.
Once again, for what seemed the millionth time, Sarah pulled at the plunging neckline of her dress. It was a beautiful gown of sparkling blue, the skirt of the dress falling straight down to the top of her matching blue dress shoes. It was a strapless gown, making her all the more nervous about the dress falling from her body and accidentally flashing the guests. Sarah smiled at the image projected into her mind by that thought. She knew that she was being silly, that the dress fit perfectly and that it would not fall unless someone unfastened the dress and pulled it off of her. Sarah bit her lip as she imagined Jareth doing just that.
Fayla turned sensing her charge's nervousness, "You look amazing. Do not worry, you will be fine."
Sarah just shook her head, "I hope you're right," she mumbled nervously to herself.
With each and every step she took following Fayla's lead, the more her heart would thunder in her ears. She couldn't believe that she was about to go to a ball and to top off everything she was to make an entrance after she was announced. Oh boy, this was not something she was exactly looking forward to. As soon as she would walk through the doors, she knew that all eyes would be on her. Talk about pressure! She just prayed that she wouldn't trip over her own feet and that Jareth would save her from herself before she would do something to embarrass herself.
Soon everything seemed to move in slow motion as she saw the doors coming up ahead of them. She detachedly saw Fayla giving her a comforting smile just before making her way to where most of the servants would be during the ball. Eyes focussing towards the doors, she stepped forward, the sound of musical horns making her heart flutter. Hearing her name announced, Sarah hesitated for a moment before entering through the large doors.
Jareth had waited for this moment ever since he left her company at her bedchamber door that day. His eyes looked up towards the main entrance and his heart literally thundered in his chest. Her long dark locks were fastened up into a French twist a few strands curling about her face and neck. The dress she wore brought out her figure, making him have to restrain himself from magically appearing before her, sweep her off her feet and carry her away to his bedchambers. Jareth had to remind himself that he was in the company of others and that those actions would not be appropriate, but the temptation was great.
Sarah had to remind herself to breathe, as she saw all eyes locked onto her. She wanted to shyly look away, to flee in the other direction, but she kept her chin up and looked on bravely. She felt herself relax slightly when her gaze locked on to Jareth. Finally gaining some of her courage, she continued into the room, her eyes carefully fixed on the Goblin King. She just knew if she looked away and towards the others that were watching, she would loose all of her composure.
Reaching her half way, Jareth took her hand bowing over it, as he gently pressed his lips against the dark blue gloves that covered her hands. The gloves he noted reached up just past her elbow. He also noticed that she was still wearing the locket that he had purchased for her, making him smile. Over the locket were a series of blue gems embedded in a choker, it complemented the locket nicely making it look as if the two items were made for one another.
"Sarah," though he only said her name, the voice behind how he said it made her weak in the knees.
"Jareth," Sarah answered, slightly pleased with herself that her voice didn't crack.
The music that filled through the air was soothing to her slightly shaken nerves. Sarah tried to ignore the stares she received from those within the room, but it was rather difficult.
Jareth could see her uneasiness and held his hand out to her, "May I have the honor of this dance?"
Smiling, she took his offered hand and allowed him to pull her into a dance within the ballroom's center. Others danced but allowed the King free reign over the dance floor. All watched as the two danced within each others arms, both lost within each others eyes.
It all seemed so familiar, almost exactly like the first time that she danced within his arms, when she had taken a bite out of that peach. If she knew then what she knew now, she doubted if she would have ever broken away from his embrace. The dance ending, she felt sad from the loss of him holding her so close but was relieved that she could hold onto his arm. Having him so near made her forget about the eyes that watched her, the women that looked to her as if she had deprived them of a prize. The men that looked at her with approval and the silent whispers of her name as others within the room gossiped about her being with the Goblin King.
Making their way around the room, Sarah was relieved when they stopped to talk with Lady Elizabeth and Lord Cunningham, grateful that Lady Peal was on the other side of the room. Hopefully the woman would bug someone else and she would be able to avoid having any conversation with the annoying Fae.
Both Lord Cunningham and Lady Elizabeth bowed slightly at the approach of the Goblin King. Jareth smiled warmly in return, grateful he could at least speak with some Fae that did not get on his everlasting nerves. "Lady Elizabeth, Lord Cunningham I hope that you are enjoying this evening?"
Elizabeth returned the Kings smile, "It is lovely your majesty I hope that you are enjoying it as well."
A sly grin spread about his lips, "Yes, but only until Lady Sarah came into the room."
Sarah blushed at his words, "Lady Elizabeth it's nice to see you again."
Lord Cunningham smiled, "Your majesty, I hear that you have decided to allow the Grongins passage through your kingdom."
Jareth nodded, "Yes, as long as they abide by my laws I find no problems with them passing through. As long as they are only passing through."
"The Grongins?" Sarah asked not having a clue as to what they were conversing about.
Detaching herself from Lord Cunningham, Lady Elizabeth approached Sarah taking her by the arm, "Sarah do join me as I'm sure that talk about political matters does not interest you. I hope your majesty will not mind if I borrow her for a little while?"
Jareth knew that Sarah and Lady Elizabeth had become friends since she had arrived and therefore had no problems with Elizabeth's request. He did, after all, want to converse to Lord Cunningham about a certain bill that the courts were thinking of passing. "That is quite all right." Taking Sarah's hand, he kissed the back of it with a smile, his eyes locking with hers, "I promise not to be away for long."
Sarah could only smile as a grinning Elizabeth pulled her towards one of the entryways of the ballroom. She could see that the entryway led out to a balcony and a sky filled with the moon and stars.
Confident that she had Sarah to herself she prodded, "Well?"
Sarah grinned as she accepted a tall glass of Champaign that was being served on platters of silver by serving Goblins, "Well what?" she asked while taking a sip. The taste that invaded her tongue was delicious as well as the warmth that followed as she swallowed.
Elizabeth rose her brow at Sarah's lack of answers, "Do not you well what to me! I saw the way you two were acting. Have you accepted his courtship of you then?"
Sarah blushed, "Maybe!" she offered hiding a teasing smile as she took another sip.
She shook her head at her friend and laughed, "You, my dear, are a tease!"
Shrugging she could not help but to giggle, "Oh, I try. So, I see that you and Lord Cunningham have gotten together."
Lady Elizabeth shook her finger at her friend teasingly, "Don't you dare try changing the subject!" Looking up as if in thought she playfully continued, "Well, he had made every indication of interest towards me. He is quite shy!"
Sarah beamed, "You two do look good together."
"True, true…I can say the same about you and the King." Lady Elizabeth and Sarah continued conversing about pretty much nothing of importance. Both not noticing the figure standing in the doorway on the outside of the entry way.