Chapter 36
The courtyard was a buzz of activity as elves, fairies, and gnomes rushed to get the grounds ready for the following day. The scent of roses and peaches wafted heavily in the air, the colors of white, peach, and gold decorating the rows of chairs and the podium where the main ceremony would be taking place. A long lush carpet of gold stretched out towards the podium of white, the chairs that flanked both sides of the isle tied off with a thick white silken thread with gold lining. Each row of chairs was adorned by a large, elegant bow.
Standing beside the podium of white, Fayla tossed back her fiery red hair as she observed and supervised the fairies as they hung the large banners of peach on each side of the podium against the wall of greenery and white roses. Hand on hips she called out, "NO! It's leaning to much to the left, it needs to be perfectly aligned."
An amused chuckle broke her observations, "Fayla I think that the fairies are quite aware and capable of getting the task done on their own."
Grinning she turned to see Edward watching her with amusement, "The wedding is tomorrow and I want it perfect, Sarah deserves as much. I want tomorrow to be perfect for her."
Purple eyes sparkled with happiness, "And it will be. I have a request to make."
The decorations momentarily forgotten she tilted her head as she turned her full attention to Edward, "Oh, and what prey tell would that request be?"
Approaching Fayla, Edward gently took her hand in his kissing the back of them tenderly, "I would be honored if I could be your escort for the reception tomorrow?"
Fayla beamed, "I would not have it any other way."
Tugging lightly, he pulled Fayla towards him, his lips softly caressing against hers. She smelled of honeysuckle and roses and tasted just as sweet. Hands cupping her face his kiss deepened, he could feel her hands encircling his neck, their bodies brushing closer.
She could stay like this forever, his touch, his presence making her feel somehow whole, home. Lost within his embrace she failed to notice the shifting of magic about them but was starting to have the feeling of eyes upon them. Reluctantly pulling away she looked to see the Goblin King watching them. Fayla flushed in embarrassment her eyes widening, "Your…your majesty! I…"
Arching his brow, Jareth hid his amusement as he approached the two, it was a relief to see Fayla finally moving on from grieving for Gaylon, "Fayla…" Turning he eyed Edward who was standing proud and tall beside Fayla, ah he liked this one, "And just what ARE your intentions for Fayla, young elf?"
Edward visibly paled, his outward appearance of not being intimidated by the king only that, an outward appearance, the Goblin King was not one to anger. Quickly composing himself he bowed to the Goblin King, "Are nothing but honorable majesty, she holds my heart and I would lay down my life for her."
Arms crossing before him he circled Edward as he eyed him critically. A quick glance in Fayla's direction he winced at her with amusement letting her know that he had no intention of harming the young elf, he almost laughed when Fayla visibly relaxed and at the same time narrowed her eyes at her king. There were times when he really did enjoy his role as Goblin King.
Completing his inspection, he faced the young elf, allowing his power to roll off of him just to make Edward know who was the one with the power in his realm, "I see…"
Seeing as Edward looked as if he was about to faint Jareth allowed a slight grin to form on his lips, though he made sure he saw the seriousness within his gaze, "Then you have my blessings…" as the color started to return to the young elf's face he continued, "though if you so much as break her heart or cause her any harm I would most definitely see to it myself that you pay for lying to me."
With the warning glare he was receiving from Fayla Jareth grinned as he backed away slightly, "If you would excuse us, I need a word with Fayla. Good day."
With this obvious dismissal Edward strained a smile towards Fayla and quickly kissed the back of her hand before he made his hasty exit. Edward was thanking all that was magic that he had survived his encounter with the Goblin King, unscathed!
As soon as Edward was out of hearing range he turned back towards Fayla with an amused expression, "I like him."
Fayla's hands fell to rest on her hips, "Oh, enjoying yourself are we!"
Suppressing his laughter at her obvious disapproval of his behavior his eyes sparkled with amusement, "But of course!" Taking her hands in his he smiled to her warmly, "Now Fayla, do not be in such a mood. I only do what I have to to protect those that are important to me. He seems to truly love you and he seems of a strong good-natured character."
Shaking her head Fayla let out a sigh, a small smile forming at the corners of her lips, "There are times your majesty that I would swear that you were still that impish child I helped raise!"
Jareth's smile faded as his chest rose and his head held high, "I was never of the sort!"
"Yes and magic never existed in our world! Jareth, if I were not elf my hair would have been completely gray a half a century ago!"
A deep soft laugh escaped his lips, "I was rather boisterous at times…"
Fayla sighed, "Oh and that can not even come close to describing…" the warning glare she received from her king stopped her from going further, though even if she did continue he would do nothing to harm her. She thought she would spare Jareth from any more reminders of his rambunctious childhood, "I take it that the reunion with Sarah's parents went well?"
"Yes it has, only young Toby will be aware of the true magic of our world." Knowing that he would not have to go into more about the subject, for Fayla understood well, he looked at the decorations for the wedding, "Fayla I must praise your work, it looks perfect. Sarah will be overjoyed."
She blushed at his praise, "It is nothing majesty, I would not have it any less than perfect for such a happy and wondrous occasion. I am happy to finally see you find your soul mate, Jareth."
Jareth bowed his head at her words, "Thank you, Fayla. There is something that I would like to discuss with you before you go to Sarah."
"Yes majesty?" she had no clue as to what this could be about.
"You have served my family well and I wish to bestow a gift upon you, with something I should have given you long ago. I am relieving you of your duties as servant to the house of the Goblin King."
Fayla blinked with astonishment, her mouth opening and closing, as she was shocked with his words. Did she do something to offend him? Bowing her head she held back the tears, "If that is what you wish your majesty. I will leave as soon as you wish."
Quickly Jareth took her hands in his, "You misunderstand me Fayla. I do not wish for your leave! Sarah has grown to love you as a dear friend and you are more to me than that. I should have done this as soon as I became King. I wish to appoint you as a lady of the court, Sarah's Lady in Waiting."
Blinking back the tears Fayla quickly looked up to Jareth with bewilderment, "I…I am honored! But surely the Fae Court would not allow such a title to an elf and a servant no less?"
A feral grin spread over his lips, "Fayla, I thought that you knew me? When I want something I get it and I could care less about the opinions of the courts. If they have a problem with it then they better keep it to themselves. They would accept my decision rather than to face my wrath."
Ducking her head she curtseyed to her king, "Thank you Jareth."
"Your more than welcome Fayla…" clearing his throat he stepped away slightly, "Sarah is in her rooms awaiting your arrival. I will send for one of the servants to fetch her when dinner is ready."
Smiling Fayla whipped at her dampened cheeks as she watched her king make his leave. Now that she was going to be appointed a Lady would it be safe to allow her abilities to come to the surface? Would it be that she would no longer have to hide what she was capable of? A decision then was made as she turned from the preparations for the wedding and calmly made her way towards Sarah's chambers.
Hair fanned out over the pillows above her head, Sarah stared at the ceiling of her room as she lay upon her bed. She could not believe the events of the day. Not only was her engagement to Jareth known to her parents and her brother, they were staying within the castle and were going to attend her wedding! A single tear escaped her eyes at the thought, she was so happy making the events of not long ago a far and distant memory.
Tomorrow was her wedding; a grin formed her lips at the thought, butterflies fluttering within her stomach. Sarah was excited and nervous all at once, something she had not felt in a long time. She would have been grateful for a small wedding but she was marrying a King and becoming a Queen…Sarah nervously bit her lower lip at the thought, her a Queen? The thought of it seemed ridiculous but it was happening.
Her mind raced with questions, not sure of how they married within the Underground. Was it the same as the ceremonies within her world? Ah, but it was no longer her world, this was her world and in a way she had always felt as if she belonged in a world such as this. Sadly, she had never belonged in the world that she had previously lived and if she had not met Jareth or had stumbled upon the Underground she shuddered to think what would have happened to her.
Shaking her head at such dark thoughts she pictured Jareth within her mind and smiled. She was indeed one fortunate woman. Oh, and the way he had kissed her within the garden that morning before visiting her parents…Sarah blushed at the memory, the butterflies within her stomach doing a dive and then lifting up and doing summersaults. Suddenly it felt extremely hot within the room and she missed his presence and his touch. Thankfully the sound of the door opening and someone entering broke her away from the train of thought her mind was beginning to take.
With a warm grin permanently edged upon her lips, Fayla opened the door to Sarah's chambers and her grin widened at the site of Sarah lying on her bed with a look of one who was thinking of another. As Sarah looked to her, Fayla lightly spoke, "Ah, you will be with him soon enough."
Sarah blushed at her words, "Am I that obvious?"
With a twinkle in her eyes she answered, "Truthfully, I can see you glowing from outside the door."
Sitting up on the edge of the bed Sarah played with the soft fabric of her dress, "Fayla…" there was something different about Fayla, something…? A grin spreading, Sarah looked to her friend quizzically, "Something has happened with you. Okay girl, spill!"
Not sure about her last few words, but understanding her meaning Fayla feigned innocent ignorance, "I have no clue as to what you are going on about."
Leaping up from the bed Sarah took Fayla's hands in hers, "Oh no you don't! Tell me. PLEASE!"
With a warm laugh she decided to share her happiness, "Well, there are several things that have transpired." At the impatient look she got from Sarah she knew that she better not keep her in the dark for long, "Jareth has decided to appoint me as your Lady in Waiting."
Pulling Fayla into a hug, Sarah beamed, "Wow! That's wonderful…" a confused expression crossed her brow, "Um, what does that mean exactly?"
Fayla laughed at Sarah's bewildered response, she would have much to learn about her new Kingdom and her new home, "That means that I will be recognized within the courts and I will no longer be looked upon as a servant. Also, I will be able to stay within the castle to council you and to be your friend without secrecy. You remember how Lady Peal acts towards those that are not of her station? Well, if she did so now she would not be too popular with the King, if you gather my meaning. Oh Sarah, I care nothing of titles and all the rules of the courts but to finally be able to act freely and to allow my true talents to surface…"
Blue eyes met with green ones, there was something else she was not telling her, "There's more…" a grin formed as an idea came to mind, "It's Edward isn't it?"
A blush flushed her pale cheeks, "How did you guess?"
"Oh come on, the way he looked at you and that conversation with him a few days ago… This morning before we left to see my parents, you seemed happier than usual." Sarah smiled at the wonderfulness of it all. Not only was she in love but it seemed that it was spreading. She had noticed that Elizabeth and Cunningham seemed to be becoming closer as well. Sarah had a feeling that there were going to be more weddings in the future.
"Sarah, this is your time not mine. We should be concentrating on your wedding preparations not about my love life." With a grin Fayla pulled Sarah to the center of the room and started to circle her mentally calculating her size and what style of wedding dress would look best.
Sarah arched a brow at Fayla as she noticed her looking at her with such a serious gaze, eyeing her form from head to toe, "Um, what are you doing?"
Stopping in front of Sarah, Fayla winced at her friend and future Queen, "Trying to best decide on a wedding gown my dear. Can't have you getting married tomorrow without one now can we?"
Her stomach dropped as she realized that there was so little time to get a dress ready, "B…but the wedding is tomorrow. How can we possibly get a wedding dress on such short notice?"
Resting her hands on Sarah's shoulders, Fayla reassured her, "Do not fret, I have the perfect dress in mind and with magic it would take no time at all to have one fitted for you and ready for tomorrow."
Sarah looked skeptical; "Okay…" she should be getting used to the casual way that they used magic.
The power of magic filled the room, surrounding both parties as Fayla called upon it pulling it into her. Fingers tingling with the power that flowed she slid her hands down Sarah's arms and motioned with a slight flick of her wrist.
The air around her tingled, the sound of wind chimes and humming filling the air. Sarah could feel the weight of her dress shift and change and then everything went silent. Looking expectantly to Fayla she saw the elf's pleased expression and looked behind her at the full-length mirror, her breath catching in her throat as tears bordered her eyes.
It was the most exquisite gown she had ever laid eyes upon. The dress was strapless, white and beautiful. It was made of a silky material that shimmered in the light, the top of her gown hugging her breast in such a way that Sarah wondered how the dress was managing to stay up on her at all. Just bellow the breast was a thick lining that wrapped around her and formed into a long train of white silk and crystal at the back where the dressed drooped down slightly showing her creamy white silky shoulder blades. The skirt of the dress fell in a line downward a slit in the side at mid thigh revealing her long slender leg, the length resting at her feet where they were incased in crystal white slippers.
Sarah gasped at the sight that she made tears now streaming down her cheeks, "Oh Fayla, I… its beautiful!"
Fayla smiled at Sarah's happiness and handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears of joy, "No Sarah, you are beautiful. The dress is nothing without the Lady and you my dear are a sight to behold. Jareth is a lucky Fae."
With a sweep of her hand the wedding dress disappeared from Sarah and appeared just beside the mirror resting upon a mannequin. Fayla was so happy for Sarah, the mortal had gone so long without allowing herself to feel love and now was being granted her dreams. Something that she felt Sarah deserved.
Getting a hold of herself, Sarah dried her eyes and looked thankfully to Fayla, "Thank you Fayla, thank you for everything! You're the best friend that I've ever had in a long time."
Squeezing Sarah's hand Fayla smiled with approval, Sarah had a loving and good heart, something this kingdom would benefit from, "What are friends for? Sarah, trust in me that I will be here for you whenever you have need of me. I think that you are going to make a beautiful bride and a great Queen."