Disclaimer: Still not mine...
Hope you like it...
Please read and review!
Chapter 6: Sweet Madness
The dinning room bustled. There were so many people, but things moved swiftly and orderly. Titania had out done herself this year. The domed ceiling of the room was painted like the night sky, the walls were adorned with tapestries, all in the colors of Spring. A marriage was to take place during the festival and room had to be perfect for the occasion. Her son had never taken a wife before, and the fact that his new wife was the daughter of the once highest-ranking Duke in the High Queen's army said much for the marriage.
There had been many nights where her mother would find her spying on the balls and feats that her parents once threw, but this was her first year at court. She was nervous with the attention that was being bestowed upon her. In the pit of her stomach she knew that something monumental was happening because of this marriage, but it went beyond her childhood dreams, it was something with the world at hand. When she entered the room many heads turned to greet her. She smiled and nodded and let her hand be kissed as was the custom, but she sought Jareth in every face she saw. She had to ask him why people were both pleased and apprehensive with her.
A servant led her to her seat, she was genuinely surprised to be seated next to Titania, from what she could remember only the Queen's highest ranking warlords and dignitaries sat with her. Annalisa did find the conversation to be livelier then she had thought. The seat to her right was empty, but across from her and the empty seat were two familiar faces. "Lord Byron! Lord Hilliard! My, how many wonderful things can happen on one's wedding day!' She was genuinely happy to see them again. Lord Hilliard was the closest thing she had to a relative, besides Emily, he was her father's first wife's brother. A kind older Fae, he had lived many years when his sister was born, and would live many more after her death. Lord Byron had been her father's best friend. They had gone hunting together regularly, Annie had sat on his lap as a babe.
"Ah, the soon to be High Princess! Lovely to see you! I always knew that you would catch young Jareth's eye. Even before your parents passed away!" Lord Hilliard kissed and patted her hand in a grandfatherly manner and she couldn't help but smile. It warmed her heart to see the man, she felt suddenly more comfortable with the thought of him being near on her wedding day. He hadn't been at the castle on the day of the massacre, but in her heart she knew that she would come to no harm with him and Jareth watching over her.
The talk was small but she found that she was missing Jareth, it was nearing the end of the second course and he still hadn't arrived. Waiting for a break in the conversation she looked to Titania for answers. "Your Majesty, where is Jareth? I saw him not an hour ago."
The older woman smiled. "Girl, he will be here soon, he is preparing your wedding gift. He promised to be here by the end of the fourth course. Be patient, he will be yours soon enough." The woman laughed at her own remark and her consort chuckled. The younger woman blushed a deep red but smiled at her mother in law to be.
As promised before the end of the fourth course Jareth came striding in all his glory, his long blond hair was tied back, his manner was elegant and surreal. He wore the same clothes from earlier but there was a smug look on his face. He gracefully took the chair next to his bride to be and kissed her hand in greeting. "Lady. I hope you did not miss me to much while I was away." He nodded at his mother's acknowledgment of his presence.
She smiled brightly, "Actually Alexander and Robert kept me most entertained."
"You could have done worst for company." He smiled at her. "How are you gentleman? Is my fiancée treating you justly?" He looked at the two men, trying to remember exactly who they were, and weather or not he cared enough to be especially kind to them.
Alexander Hilliard answered first, "Aye, she is a pleasure! Her mum would be proud of her!" He gave her a warm smile from across the table.
"Here! Here! She is a vision of her mother, I would never have thought that the Goblin King would be so easily wed though. Even by someone you have known for the majority of her life." Annalisa's spine stiffened. It was nearly unheard of that the fostered child would wed the person fostering her, but they didn't understand that Jareth and she had never had a parent child relationship, it was always friends, and then suddenly she no longer felt like just friends. She smiled at Lord Byron, and under the table Jareth took her hand.
Jareth nodded, "That is what my father tells me. He says that he is quite jealous of my Beauty." He winked at her and she felt her insides melt. This was terribly strange. Never before had he shown any more affection for her then when she was in the throws of a nightmare, or in the aftermath, but suddenly he was all smiles and handholding and "My Lady's" and "My Beauty's". He had only ever referred to her as Annalisa or Lady when he was concerned or annoyed with her. It was always Annie; weather they were in public or private. The conversation continued, but Annalisa didn't contribute. She was pondering the change in Jareth, they ate and she drank the wine. She was starting to feel as if perhaps she should have requested that it be watered down. Jareth's hand returned to her's after each course. She smiled and nodded when spoken to but was deep in thought.
"Actually, Alexander is nearly my uncle. He is the brother of my father's first wife," she smiled warmly at him, "I recall being bounced on his knee when I was young. It is rather an honor for me to be able to see him again." She had been startled out of her reverie when asked what relationship she had with the older man.
The last four courses of dinner came and went. She rose from her seat, and attempted to excuse herself with a minimal amount of fuss, but alas, Jareth demanded he be able to escort her to her room. They walked in silence, she found herself thinking of what was to come, she wished suddenly that she would have requested that her wine be watered. Her head swam gently along as they walked, her thoughts floating from one subject to another. She was feeling rather well for being drunk and terrified of what would happen when it was time to consummate their marriage. She was sure that the three-week timetable was for her benefit but she knew that she would prefer for it to happen quickly, she knew of the relationship between a man and a wife, and she was anxious to have him close. As an adult she had been tutored in the ways to please a man by the handmaiden that had been assigned to her. Annie thought of the woman, not much older then herself, explaining everything to her. At fist the strangeness and horror of the facts had disgusted her, but as she grew more accustomed to her adult body she found that her anticipation was growing. She had dreamed of him many a night and was well aware of what role she must take.
"Annie, are you nervous?" He asked as they approached her door. He spoke softly, almost to quiet for her to hear him. He seemed nervous himself.
"Yes, I am terrified," she leaned against the door, feeling slightly dizzy, wondering if he though she was referring to the physical or the emotional. "You know, I wanted you all along,' she closed her eyes for a moment, the room had spun a bit.
His voice had the enchanting quality of always soothing her, she was far from the Labyrinth for the first time in seven years, though it felt like she had never been away. Her heart jumped when he leaned in close and touched her lips ever so gently with his own, "I never knew, had I this would have happened a long time ago, without having my mother decree it," his lips touched hers again, just as softly, just as passionately.
"Well, I suppose that…" she paused, accepting another kiss. Her stomach was playing tospy turvy with her, but she was amused that he seemed to be trying to shut her up. "Is this your way of saying shut up…" once again those lips covered her. His body pushed against her this time, and instead of being soft and only just guiding her mouth, he was more forceful. Instead of guiding her he was directing her, her body was melting and his arms caught her before her knees gave out.
He pulled away for a moment, "You know, we have nearly four hours before midnight," he whispered into her ear in between kisses on her neck. "That would be enough time for you to catch a nap."
"I, but…" She paused, looking panicked. He had been doing the most wonderful things to her, and her body was beginning to refuse to do what she told it. Her left hand was toying with the hair that lay so softly on his shoulders and her other hand was cupping his face, though she was incredibly embarrassed about it.
"Oh, you want me to stay, well since you have asked me so kindly I couldn't possibly refuse!" laughter shinned in his eyes, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed the door open. The fire was high in the fireplace, keeping the room wonderfully warm, it was the only light and it cast dark shadows in every corner of the room.
The door closed behind them. They both spoke the words of a privacy spell, laughing at each other's precautions. "What exactly were you planning Lady Kildalton?"
"I was planning on a nice long chat, what where you planning on Your Highness?" She smiled beguilingly at him, her eyes large and shinning with the mirth of the moment. This couldn't possibly be real, it was a dream, a wonderful dream that would leave her empty in the morning, but it didn't matter, he was hers for the moment.
He propelled her across the room, to sit beside him on the lounge. Her body responded delightfully to his touches, a shiver here, a gasp of air there. Jareth could only be called an experienced lover, he had been alive for a long time, and had been the pleasure seeker that many a Fae became with age, but never had he felt truly fulfilled by another. Though inexperienced, she threaded her hands into his hair and knew when to push against him, when to push his hands away to heighten the experience. He knew that she was still innocent, he also knew about her handmaiden, and the woman's quest to educate her charge in the ways of the Fae.
She hungered for him, her anxiety gone, for she had dreamed of this moment, and there was nothing different except perhaps that the chance still stood that this may be real. Her caressed his chest, and in a fit of annoyance she began to deftly unbutton his shit, underneath was a white silk shirt. Her hands ran over the fabric and felt the muscles underneath. The passion of the moment built and all the walls of restraint that they had shown in the last few months came crashing down. Not remembering how they arrived there, he laid her down gently on the royal blue coverlet, looking upon her with all the pent up emotion on his face. Their eyes locked he took her innocence and she gladly gave it. The mahogany bed that was the centerpiece of the room was like an ocean to the drowning lovers. The world was lost to them, lost in one another, their bodies and souls becoming one in the throws of ecstasy.
==================
Jareth rolled over, his legs were tangled in the sheets of the bed but reached to pull her close, it was nearly time to dress for the ceremony. He was startled to find she was not there, but opening his eyes found her sitting up, knee's against her chin watching him. A smile played on her lips, her head tilted as if she were listening for something. "You know, you look mad grinning like that?" He said, his face breaking out into a wide smile.
"Do I? Well then I shall frown," she did a long comical look that was accompanied by doe eyes and much lash waving. Jareth laughed, which turned her "sad" face into a grin again.
"You looked concerned about something? What is it?" He pushed her down on the bed and rested his head on the alcove that her tummy and legs made.
"Did I?"
"You won't get anywhere answering my questions with questions of your own… Now… out with it!" He ran a finger down her leg to her calf and back again.
"I was wondering what in the world would my mother think of me? Then I was wondering what you mother would think about our consummating the marriage before we were ever married, though I imagine that she already knows from the noise that we were making. Aelis come in and nearly killed herself running out. It isn't against any rules what we have done is it?" She looked down at her with concern, though she didn't seem to be that worried about it.
He laughed, "Annie, my darling, we've done nothing wrong, it is generally considered to be against etiquette, but etiquette be damned. To be perfectly honest, she probably ran out of here like all the hounds of hell were chasing her because I am sure that my mother has spies on us. She certainly didn't expect us to be intimate yet, that is why she gave us three weeks. She probably believed that we had been arguing. I guess the game is on her."
"We had been arguing," she said quietly.
There was always something tragic in her eyes, and her face was filled with something that he couldn't place. A memory of the past marring the wonder of the moment? Regret over giving herself to him, when she could have called the whole thing off easily and begged for another in his stead. He saw many things on her face, and in her heart, but it seemed as if she was closing herself off again. She watched the night breeze waft through the curtains gently, her eyes taking on that glazed looked at she was getting lately. "Tell me what is heavy on your soul, lady. I may be able to help you."
"I wish my mother was here."
"She is in spirit."
"No, I mean really here. I can't very well ask her spirit what to do about the castle. Or about having children or if I should be terrified at the prospect of becoming the High Queen one day, or even about being a Goblin Queen, or the Duchess Kildalton. I had never even thought that I was actually the Duchess Kildalton until Titania referred to me by it. I have done nothing to deserve the title. It is just lands plagued by trolls and creatures that my family tried to protect that ended up destroying them. " He did not interrupt her, because it had been a long time since she had sat and rambled on to him. He had missed it more then he ever guessed. "What would she say about me marrying the King of Goblins. The Prince they made a King to humble him so that when he took the High Throne he would be a better ruler. However, somehow even against their best wishes he became more pompous and in a strange occurrence the child Duchess Kildalton and her only living sibling came to his Labyrinth, on purpose, for safety. He took them in and befriended the eldest, and loved the youngest like his own, and though he practically raised the children they ended up being decreed by his parents to marry the lowly young duchess, far beneath his station."
A knock broke the tangent and with a wave of her hand they were dressed again. All magic has a side effect on the world. Weather it is sparkles, or a scent or a sound, when magic is used there is something that happens, usually the signature as it is normally referred to is the same in families, and when there are children, one of the parents signatures is passed on to the child. Jareth noticed the metallic taste in the air, and smiled when her mistress let Aelis into the room. "Lady, it is time to prepare for the nuptials." The woman curtsied to her king and left to draw the water for her mistress' bath.
"I suppose that means you must go as well."
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers one right after the other. "Yes, but soon you will be mine again, Annalisa Kildalton, you will be the Goblin Queen and mine for a season. Mine forever." He smiled and took his leave.
Annalisa bit her lip and tried to decide how she was going to wear her hair.
Hope you like it...
Please read and review!
Chapter 6: Sweet Madness
The dinning room bustled. There were so many people, but things moved swiftly and orderly. Titania had out done herself this year. The domed ceiling of the room was painted like the night sky, the walls were adorned with tapestries, all in the colors of Spring. A marriage was to take place during the festival and room had to be perfect for the occasion. Her son had never taken a wife before, and the fact that his new wife was the daughter of the once highest-ranking Duke in the High Queen's army said much for the marriage.
There had been many nights where her mother would find her spying on the balls and feats that her parents once threw, but this was her first year at court. She was nervous with the attention that was being bestowed upon her. In the pit of her stomach she knew that something monumental was happening because of this marriage, but it went beyond her childhood dreams, it was something with the world at hand. When she entered the room many heads turned to greet her. She smiled and nodded and let her hand be kissed as was the custom, but she sought Jareth in every face she saw. She had to ask him why people were both pleased and apprehensive with her.
A servant led her to her seat, she was genuinely surprised to be seated next to Titania, from what she could remember only the Queen's highest ranking warlords and dignitaries sat with her. Annalisa did find the conversation to be livelier then she had thought. The seat to her right was empty, but across from her and the empty seat were two familiar faces. "Lord Byron! Lord Hilliard! My, how many wonderful things can happen on one's wedding day!' She was genuinely happy to see them again. Lord Hilliard was the closest thing she had to a relative, besides Emily, he was her father's first wife's brother. A kind older Fae, he had lived many years when his sister was born, and would live many more after her death. Lord Byron had been her father's best friend. They had gone hunting together regularly, Annie had sat on his lap as a babe.
"Ah, the soon to be High Princess! Lovely to see you! I always knew that you would catch young Jareth's eye. Even before your parents passed away!" Lord Hilliard kissed and patted her hand in a grandfatherly manner and she couldn't help but smile. It warmed her heart to see the man, she felt suddenly more comfortable with the thought of him being near on her wedding day. He hadn't been at the castle on the day of the massacre, but in her heart she knew that she would come to no harm with him and Jareth watching over her.
The talk was small but she found that she was missing Jareth, it was nearing the end of the second course and he still hadn't arrived. Waiting for a break in the conversation she looked to Titania for answers. "Your Majesty, where is Jareth? I saw him not an hour ago."
The older woman smiled. "Girl, he will be here soon, he is preparing your wedding gift. He promised to be here by the end of the fourth course. Be patient, he will be yours soon enough." The woman laughed at her own remark and her consort chuckled. The younger woman blushed a deep red but smiled at her mother in law to be.
As promised before the end of the fourth course Jareth came striding in all his glory, his long blond hair was tied back, his manner was elegant and surreal. He wore the same clothes from earlier but there was a smug look on his face. He gracefully took the chair next to his bride to be and kissed her hand in greeting. "Lady. I hope you did not miss me to much while I was away." He nodded at his mother's acknowledgment of his presence.
She smiled brightly, "Actually Alexander and Robert kept me most entertained."
"You could have done worst for company." He smiled at her. "How are you gentleman? Is my fiancée treating you justly?" He looked at the two men, trying to remember exactly who they were, and weather or not he cared enough to be especially kind to them.
Alexander Hilliard answered first, "Aye, she is a pleasure! Her mum would be proud of her!" He gave her a warm smile from across the table.
"Here! Here! She is a vision of her mother, I would never have thought that the Goblin King would be so easily wed though. Even by someone you have known for the majority of her life." Annalisa's spine stiffened. It was nearly unheard of that the fostered child would wed the person fostering her, but they didn't understand that Jareth and she had never had a parent child relationship, it was always friends, and then suddenly she no longer felt like just friends. She smiled at Lord Byron, and under the table Jareth took her hand.
Jareth nodded, "That is what my father tells me. He says that he is quite jealous of my Beauty." He winked at her and she felt her insides melt. This was terribly strange. Never before had he shown any more affection for her then when she was in the throws of a nightmare, or in the aftermath, but suddenly he was all smiles and handholding and "My Lady's" and "My Beauty's". He had only ever referred to her as Annalisa or Lady when he was concerned or annoyed with her. It was always Annie; weather they were in public or private. The conversation continued, but Annalisa didn't contribute. She was pondering the change in Jareth, they ate and she drank the wine. She was starting to feel as if perhaps she should have requested that it be watered down. Jareth's hand returned to her's after each course. She smiled and nodded when spoken to but was deep in thought.
"Actually, Alexander is nearly my uncle. He is the brother of my father's first wife," she smiled warmly at him, "I recall being bounced on his knee when I was young. It is rather an honor for me to be able to see him again." She had been startled out of her reverie when asked what relationship she had with the older man.
The last four courses of dinner came and went. She rose from her seat, and attempted to excuse herself with a minimal amount of fuss, but alas, Jareth demanded he be able to escort her to her room. They walked in silence, she found herself thinking of what was to come, she wished suddenly that she would have requested that her wine be watered. Her head swam gently along as they walked, her thoughts floating from one subject to another. She was feeling rather well for being drunk and terrified of what would happen when it was time to consummate their marriage. She was sure that the three-week timetable was for her benefit but she knew that she would prefer for it to happen quickly, she knew of the relationship between a man and a wife, and she was anxious to have him close. As an adult she had been tutored in the ways to please a man by the handmaiden that had been assigned to her. Annie thought of the woman, not much older then herself, explaining everything to her. At fist the strangeness and horror of the facts had disgusted her, but as she grew more accustomed to her adult body she found that her anticipation was growing. She had dreamed of him many a night and was well aware of what role she must take.
"Annie, are you nervous?" He asked as they approached her door. He spoke softly, almost to quiet for her to hear him. He seemed nervous himself.
"Yes, I am terrified," she leaned against the door, feeling slightly dizzy, wondering if he though she was referring to the physical or the emotional. "You know, I wanted you all along,' she closed her eyes for a moment, the room had spun a bit.
His voice had the enchanting quality of always soothing her, she was far from the Labyrinth for the first time in seven years, though it felt like she had never been away. Her heart jumped when he leaned in close and touched her lips ever so gently with his own, "I never knew, had I this would have happened a long time ago, without having my mother decree it," his lips touched hers again, just as softly, just as passionately.
"Well, I suppose that…" she paused, accepting another kiss. Her stomach was playing tospy turvy with her, but she was amused that he seemed to be trying to shut her up. "Is this your way of saying shut up…" once again those lips covered her. His body pushed against her this time, and instead of being soft and only just guiding her mouth, he was more forceful. Instead of guiding her he was directing her, her body was melting and his arms caught her before her knees gave out.
He pulled away for a moment, "You know, we have nearly four hours before midnight," he whispered into her ear in between kisses on her neck. "That would be enough time for you to catch a nap."
"I, but…" She paused, looking panicked. He had been doing the most wonderful things to her, and her body was beginning to refuse to do what she told it. Her left hand was toying with the hair that lay so softly on his shoulders and her other hand was cupping his face, though she was incredibly embarrassed about it.
"Oh, you want me to stay, well since you have asked me so kindly I couldn't possibly refuse!" laughter shinned in his eyes, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed the door open. The fire was high in the fireplace, keeping the room wonderfully warm, it was the only light and it cast dark shadows in every corner of the room.
The door closed behind them. They both spoke the words of a privacy spell, laughing at each other's precautions. "What exactly were you planning Lady Kildalton?"
"I was planning on a nice long chat, what where you planning on Your Highness?" She smiled beguilingly at him, her eyes large and shinning with the mirth of the moment. This couldn't possibly be real, it was a dream, a wonderful dream that would leave her empty in the morning, but it didn't matter, he was hers for the moment.
He propelled her across the room, to sit beside him on the lounge. Her body responded delightfully to his touches, a shiver here, a gasp of air there. Jareth could only be called an experienced lover, he had been alive for a long time, and had been the pleasure seeker that many a Fae became with age, but never had he felt truly fulfilled by another. Though inexperienced, she threaded her hands into his hair and knew when to push against him, when to push his hands away to heighten the experience. He knew that she was still innocent, he also knew about her handmaiden, and the woman's quest to educate her charge in the ways of the Fae.
She hungered for him, her anxiety gone, for she had dreamed of this moment, and there was nothing different except perhaps that the chance still stood that this may be real. Her caressed his chest, and in a fit of annoyance she began to deftly unbutton his shit, underneath was a white silk shirt. Her hands ran over the fabric and felt the muscles underneath. The passion of the moment built and all the walls of restraint that they had shown in the last few months came crashing down. Not remembering how they arrived there, he laid her down gently on the royal blue coverlet, looking upon her with all the pent up emotion on his face. Their eyes locked he took her innocence and she gladly gave it. The mahogany bed that was the centerpiece of the room was like an ocean to the drowning lovers. The world was lost to them, lost in one another, their bodies and souls becoming one in the throws of ecstasy.
==================
Jareth rolled over, his legs were tangled in the sheets of the bed but reached to pull her close, it was nearly time to dress for the ceremony. He was startled to find she was not there, but opening his eyes found her sitting up, knee's against her chin watching him. A smile played on her lips, her head tilted as if she were listening for something. "You know, you look mad grinning like that?" He said, his face breaking out into a wide smile.
"Do I? Well then I shall frown," she did a long comical look that was accompanied by doe eyes and much lash waving. Jareth laughed, which turned her "sad" face into a grin again.
"You looked concerned about something? What is it?" He pushed her down on the bed and rested his head on the alcove that her tummy and legs made.
"Did I?"
"You won't get anywhere answering my questions with questions of your own… Now… out with it!" He ran a finger down her leg to her calf and back again.
"I was wondering what in the world would my mother think of me? Then I was wondering what you mother would think about our consummating the marriage before we were ever married, though I imagine that she already knows from the noise that we were making. Aelis come in and nearly killed herself running out. It isn't against any rules what we have done is it?" She looked down at her with concern, though she didn't seem to be that worried about it.
He laughed, "Annie, my darling, we've done nothing wrong, it is generally considered to be against etiquette, but etiquette be damned. To be perfectly honest, she probably ran out of here like all the hounds of hell were chasing her because I am sure that my mother has spies on us. She certainly didn't expect us to be intimate yet, that is why she gave us three weeks. She probably believed that we had been arguing. I guess the game is on her."
"We had been arguing," she said quietly.
There was always something tragic in her eyes, and her face was filled with something that he couldn't place. A memory of the past marring the wonder of the moment? Regret over giving herself to him, when she could have called the whole thing off easily and begged for another in his stead. He saw many things on her face, and in her heart, but it seemed as if she was closing herself off again. She watched the night breeze waft through the curtains gently, her eyes taking on that glazed looked at she was getting lately. "Tell me what is heavy on your soul, lady. I may be able to help you."
"I wish my mother was here."
"She is in spirit."
"No, I mean really here. I can't very well ask her spirit what to do about the castle. Or about having children or if I should be terrified at the prospect of becoming the High Queen one day, or even about being a Goblin Queen, or the Duchess Kildalton. I had never even thought that I was actually the Duchess Kildalton until Titania referred to me by it. I have done nothing to deserve the title. It is just lands plagued by trolls and creatures that my family tried to protect that ended up destroying them. " He did not interrupt her, because it had been a long time since she had sat and rambled on to him. He had missed it more then he ever guessed. "What would she say about me marrying the King of Goblins. The Prince they made a King to humble him so that when he took the High Throne he would be a better ruler. However, somehow even against their best wishes he became more pompous and in a strange occurrence the child Duchess Kildalton and her only living sibling came to his Labyrinth, on purpose, for safety. He took them in and befriended the eldest, and loved the youngest like his own, and though he practically raised the children they ended up being decreed by his parents to marry the lowly young duchess, far beneath his station."
A knock broke the tangent and with a wave of her hand they were dressed again. All magic has a side effect on the world. Weather it is sparkles, or a scent or a sound, when magic is used there is something that happens, usually the signature as it is normally referred to is the same in families, and when there are children, one of the parents signatures is passed on to the child. Jareth noticed the metallic taste in the air, and smiled when her mistress let Aelis into the room. "Lady, it is time to prepare for the nuptials." The woman curtsied to her king and left to draw the water for her mistress' bath.
"I suppose that means you must go as well."
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers one right after the other. "Yes, but soon you will be mine again, Annalisa Kildalton, you will be the Goblin Queen and mine for a season. Mine forever." He smiled and took his leave.
Annalisa bit her lip and tried to decide how she was going to wear her hair.