An: Hello everyone. I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed the first chapter. Thank you for the wonderful reviews. Please keep them coming!
Disclaimers: See the first chapter....
Plans for the future...
It was mid morning when Aiden arrived. He had decided that teleporting himself to the castle beyond the Goblin City would be easier then riding there. He knew of the hidden tunnel that would lead him straight through the Labyrinth to the castle but he wasn't in the mood for riding this day.
He appeared in the library in a silent cloud of smoke. Jareth immediately went to his friend's side. Sarah however was no where to be seen.
"Aiden, it's good to see you." Jareth greeted his long time friend.
"Yes. We've been seeing more of each other these last few months then we have in a few hundred years. It made me realize how much I've missed your friendship." Jareth nodded slowly. Aiden glanced around the room. "So let your friend in on the secret. What's going on with you and Sarah, hmm?" He raised his eyebrows and flashed a devious smile.
Jareth smiled to himself, thinking of the past few days. He had grown so accustomed to having Sarah in his arms that he felt incomplete and lost without her at the moment.
"I saw you two flirting with each other at Farris' castle." Aiden prodded.
"The last few days have been like a dream. There were times when I feared that I would awaken to find that they had been such. I never imagined a woman could make me feel the incredible things I have felt. My feelings for her, have somehow tripled. What I felt for Cyla in the past could not have been love or if it was it is a weak comparison to what I feel for Sarah."
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of your feelings for her, but what about Sarah?"
"I never thought it would be possible, but she feels the same way about me. She loves me." He announced proudly.
Aiden was grinning like an idiot but he didn't care. "This is wonderful!" He gripped Jareth's shoulders, the joy radiating from him. " So the two of you are together at long last?" Jareth nodded and Aiden watched the joy fade from his eyes. "You're worried about the court?" He realized quickly.
"How can I not be worried? I may very well lose the woman that I strove so hard to gain in my life. Now that I have her I never want to let her go. The thought that they could take her is killing me."
The doors to the library creaked open and both Fae looked up to see Sarah slip into the room. She was dressed in a lovely lavender dress and Jareth grinned to himself when he realized it was the very same dress he had ordered her to wear to dinner some months ago. It felt as if that night was ages ago. She smiled sweetly as she entered and made her way to the two men.
"Hello Aiden. It's wonderful to see you again." She greeted.
Aiden smiled in return and gently took one of her hands into his, placing a light kiss on her soft skin. "And you as well Sarah. A pleasure as always." She nodded and glanced at Jareth who gave her a sweet smile.
They made their way to the long cherry table in the center of the room and took a seat. An unnatural silence drifted among them. There was so much to be said, but where to begin?
"Any word on the court?" It was Jareth's accented voice that seemed to echo loudly through the quiet room.
Aiden cleared his throat before he spoke. "I've heard that they are gathering. They've summoned all the members and they appear one by one to begin discussions."
"I feared as much." Jareth said softly. "I was hoping that no one had noticed."
"As often as it happens, the death of a powerful Fae brings everyone to attention not to mention the appearance of a beautiful mortal woman. Rumors spread like wildfire and not only that Farris alerted them all to the situation."
"Wonderful." Jareth let out, drumming his gloved fingers on the dark wood of the table.
"Jareth you knew this could happen." Aiden allowed softly. He truly felt for his friend. To just gain the love of your life and be plagued with the fear of losing her.
Aiden quickly changed the subject. "Has anyone found Metta and the elves?"
Jareth shook his head. "No and that's a mystery. I've had my guards look for them and I've even tried to locate them with my magic. No luck."
"Strange."
"When I get my hands on them, they will wish that they had never crossed me." Jareth let out angrily.
Sarah shifted uneasily in her chair at the mention of the elves. There was a dark anger in her eyes. Jareth knew she wanted revenge against them as well. They had bullied her, shot her with an arrow and tied her to a wagon, not to mention delivered her to Farris. The scar on her arm was a terrible reminder of what had happened. It would always be a part of her; forever reminding her of that terrible ordeal and what could have happened had he not saved her.
He glanced at her arm, noticing that it was carefully covered with the silky fabric of her sleeve. She had been concealing the injury the last few days. The sight of it disgusted her. The only times Jareth had seen the scar was when they had made love over the past 3 days. The injury still bothered her, even though she would not admit it aloud. Each time he had paid careful attention to her body he placed soft kisses on the flesh, disguising the magic he wove into the injury to help it heal faster. He didn't want her to feel any pain or suffer in any way. He knew of her stubborn streak and that she would never allow him tend to the wound. So he took it upon himself to remedy the situation.
"It's still so hard to believe that those elves would be capable of betraying you both. They lived with you for 7 years."
"It was all part of Farris' plan." Sarah let out. "He conveniently placed them so that they would go into Jareth's service. They were his spies. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing."
"Yes, well he's dead now so at least he can't plague you both any longer." Aiden reminded her.
"Even in death he plagues us." Sarah said in a cold, angry voice.
"How so?"
`He lives in our memories." Sarah explained. "And he lives in our nightmares." She glanced at Jareth as she said her last words. He had several nightmares last night alone. She had awakened to find him tossing and turning in the sheets more then once. His spiky hair had been matted to his face, sweat beading and pooling on his pale skin, his breathing frantic and chaotic. She had sat up quickly, reaching for him and shaking him violently out of the dreams. He awakened with a start and reached for her in the darkness desperate for her comfort. They had remained awake into the early hours of the morning after the third dream had passed. He kept dreaming of what could have happened, had Farris defeated him. And he kept seeing himself driving the blade into the dark lord's heart. He had never killed and his own actions frightened him, even if he knew they had to be done.
"They will fade." Aiden told her and he reached across the table to squeeze her hand. She did her best to smile at his kind gesture.
"How is Cyla doing?" Jareth asked to again change the subject.
"Quite well actually. She asked me to stay that night and I did so. The army was outside and needed direction so I figured it wouldn't hurt. She is so different then how she used to be. Farris changed her. She's frightened of everything and regrets everything she has done wrong. She is managing well though. Already Darkwood is a better place. The sun shone for the first time in over 600 years the following morning. The trees had buds on their branches and a family of birds have made their home in a tree outside her window. She has a lot of healing of her own to do but I think she will survive."
"She continues to surprise me." Jareth admitted. "How is her son?"
"Shaken by the death of his father, but all right. He's a handsome lad. His father's dark hair, but crystal blue eyes like his mother. He was very polite and remained strong. He seems nothing like his father. Cyla raised him well."
"Perhaps we could invite her to dine with us sometime and her son as well?" Sarah suggested. "Maybe it would help us all continue to heal."
Jareth nodded despite the fact that he believed the only way for him to heal was to be within Sarah's arms. "That could be arranged. I'd like to see how they behave for the time being, just to be safe. But if all goes well, perhaps they would join us."
"Cyla would be a wonderful help in court, Jareth." Aiden started. " It was obvious she loathed her husband and she already told me she would be willing to do everything within her power to see that you and Sarah remain together." The Goblin King let out a heavy sigh. "Yes I know the past you've shared, but Cyla has changed as hard as it is for you to believe that. And she is very interested in getting to know Sarah better. She's intrigued by her strength and wisdom. Sarah might be able to help her reform even more."
"I'd like to help her. I understand why she betrayed us. She feared for her son. I would have done the same thing had I been in her shoes." Sarah told the two men.
Jareth nodded again. `Very well." He didn't like the idea that his past lover would be spending time with Sarah or visiting his castle, but he didn't let that be known. Aiden and Sarah both seemed to put some trust in Cyla. It was only he who could not bring himself to do so. Perhaps Aiden was right. He was allowing the past to hold him back, much like what Sarah had done to him.
"I have a wonderful idea." Aiden announced. "A masked ball at my castle in celebration of you both getting together. Not only will it allow us all to spend time making preparations for court in the previous days of the ball's planning but it will show not only the people of our kingdom's but others how close you and Sarah truly are. Think of it Jareth, if everyone realizes for themselves that you both love each other and they get to know you, they might be willing to put in a few good words for you in court."
"I don't know Aiden. Masked balls have never been a pleasant experience for me, even yours. There was only one masked ball that I ever attended that I enjoyed but it was only a dream." Sarah caught the sadness in his voice and knew that he spoke of the ball she dreamt of 10 years prior. The ball she had literally shattered when she saw the clock in the distance.
"Jareth it isn't like you will be going alone to be at the mercy of all the women. You and Sarah will be together."
`I know that and there is no one I would rather attend with then Sarah, but I fear they will mock her as they might mock our relationship. I need not remind you that not many echo our thoughts and feelings when it comes to humans and mortals. And as far as I know I am the first to ever fall in love with one. I will not put her in a situation that may offend her or myself either."
"Jareth, no I think it's a good idea that we do this. It will prepare us for the court."
"She's right." Aiden told him.
Jareth reached over, taking Sarah's hands into his gloved ones. "Love, you do not know how cruel other Fae can be. I will not have them attacking you like vultures."
"Jareth, let them attack me. And let them feel stupid for acting like immature children. They will learn that I am not a threat and that all either of us want is to be together. We could make allies Jareth. Allies that could defend us through the High Court's ridicule and cruelty."
He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the skin. "You're right."
"Splendid. I will begin making preparations for the ball and will send out the invitations." Aiden leapt to his feet.
"Will we have enough time? You said that the court is gathering." Sarah asked.
"The court may be gathering but it takes them weeks to get organized. That will be enough time for us to plan, have the ball and make a few allies. I will begin the preparations. Be my guests tomorrow night." Jareth and Sarah stood and they both nodded. "Terrific. I shall see you both at 7 o clock in the eve." He bowed graciously and the King of Noross disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Jareth moved closer to Sarah and eagerly took her into his arms. "You're not afraid of them are you?"
"I'm terrified." She admitted and she leaned her head against him. "I have to be strong though and I will be strong because you will be beside me. The thought of facing those Fae makes me tremble, but I'll do whatever it takes to stay with you."
Jareth tightened his hold on her and stroked her hair with his hands. "Just as I will do everything within my power to make sure that you stay with me."
They stood for a long time, holding each other beside the cherry table as the sunlight bathed them in its warm glow.
Disclaimers: See the first chapter....
Plans for the future...
It was mid morning when Aiden arrived. He had decided that teleporting himself to the castle beyond the Goblin City would be easier then riding there. He knew of the hidden tunnel that would lead him straight through the Labyrinth to the castle but he wasn't in the mood for riding this day.
He appeared in the library in a silent cloud of smoke. Jareth immediately went to his friend's side. Sarah however was no where to be seen.
"Aiden, it's good to see you." Jareth greeted his long time friend.
"Yes. We've been seeing more of each other these last few months then we have in a few hundred years. It made me realize how much I've missed your friendship." Jareth nodded slowly. Aiden glanced around the room. "So let your friend in on the secret. What's going on with you and Sarah, hmm?" He raised his eyebrows and flashed a devious smile.
Jareth smiled to himself, thinking of the past few days. He had grown so accustomed to having Sarah in his arms that he felt incomplete and lost without her at the moment.
"I saw you two flirting with each other at Farris' castle." Aiden prodded.
"The last few days have been like a dream. There were times when I feared that I would awaken to find that they had been such. I never imagined a woman could make me feel the incredible things I have felt. My feelings for her, have somehow tripled. What I felt for Cyla in the past could not have been love or if it was it is a weak comparison to what I feel for Sarah."
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of your feelings for her, but what about Sarah?"
"I never thought it would be possible, but she feels the same way about me. She loves me." He announced proudly.
Aiden was grinning like an idiot but he didn't care. "This is wonderful!" He gripped Jareth's shoulders, the joy radiating from him. " So the two of you are together at long last?" Jareth nodded and Aiden watched the joy fade from his eyes. "You're worried about the court?" He realized quickly.
"How can I not be worried? I may very well lose the woman that I strove so hard to gain in my life. Now that I have her I never want to let her go. The thought that they could take her is killing me."
The doors to the library creaked open and both Fae looked up to see Sarah slip into the room. She was dressed in a lovely lavender dress and Jareth grinned to himself when he realized it was the very same dress he had ordered her to wear to dinner some months ago. It felt as if that night was ages ago. She smiled sweetly as she entered and made her way to the two men.
"Hello Aiden. It's wonderful to see you again." She greeted.
Aiden smiled in return and gently took one of her hands into his, placing a light kiss on her soft skin. "And you as well Sarah. A pleasure as always." She nodded and glanced at Jareth who gave her a sweet smile.
They made their way to the long cherry table in the center of the room and took a seat. An unnatural silence drifted among them. There was so much to be said, but where to begin?
"Any word on the court?" It was Jareth's accented voice that seemed to echo loudly through the quiet room.
Aiden cleared his throat before he spoke. "I've heard that they are gathering. They've summoned all the members and they appear one by one to begin discussions."
"I feared as much." Jareth said softly. "I was hoping that no one had noticed."
"As often as it happens, the death of a powerful Fae brings everyone to attention not to mention the appearance of a beautiful mortal woman. Rumors spread like wildfire and not only that Farris alerted them all to the situation."
"Wonderful." Jareth let out, drumming his gloved fingers on the dark wood of the table.
"Jareth you knew this could happen." Aiden allowed softly. He truly felt for his friend. To just gain the love of your life and be plagued with the fear of losing her.
Aiden quickly changed the subject. "Has anyone found Metta and the elves?"
Jareth shook his head. "No and that's a mystery. I've had my guards look for them and I've even tried to locate them with my magic. No luck."
"Strange."
"When I get my hands on them, they will wish that they had never crossed me." Jareth let out angrily.
Sarah shifted uneasily in her chair at the mention of the elves. There was a dark anger in her eyes. Jareth knew she wanted revenge against them as well. They had bullied her, shot her with an arrow and tied her to a wagon, not to mention delivered her to Farris. The scar on her arm was a terrible reminder of what had happened. It would always be a part of her; forever reminding her of that terrible ordeal and what could have happened had he not saved her.
He glanced at her arm, noticing that it was carefully covered with the silky fabric of her sleeve. She had been concealing the injury the last few days. The sight of it disgusted her. The only times Jareth had seen the scar was when they had made love over the past 3 days. The injury still bothered her, even though she would not admit it aloud. Each time he had paid careful attention to her body he placed soft kisses on the flesh, disguising the magic he wove into the injury to help it heal faster. He didn't want her to feel any pain or suffer in any way. He knew of her stubborn streak and that she would never allow him tend to the wound. So he took it upon himself to remedy the situation.
"It's still so hard to believe that those elves would be capable of betraying you both. They lived with you for 7 years."
"It was all part of Farris' plan." Sarah let out. "He conveniently placed them so that they would go into Jareth's service. They were his spies. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing."
"Yes, well he's dead now so at least he can't plague you both any longer." Aiden reminded her.
"Even in death he plagues us." Sarah said in a cold, angry voice.
"How so?"
`He lives in our memories." Sarah explained. "And he lives in our nightmares." She glanced at Jareth as she said her last words. He had several nightmares last night alone. She had awakened to find him tossing and turning in the sheets more then once. His spiky hair had been matted to his face, sweat beading and pooling on his pale skin, his breathing frantic and chaotic. She had sat up quickly, reaching for him and shaking him violently out of the dreams. He awakened with a start and reached for her in the darkness desperate for her comfort. They had remained awake into the early hours of the morning after the third dream had passed. He kept dreaming of what could have happened, had Farris defeated him. And he kept seeing himself driving the blade into the dark lord's heart. He had never killed and his own actions frightened him, even if he knew they had to be done.
"They will fade." Aiden told her and he reached across the table to squeeze her hand. She did her best to smile at his kind gesture.
"How is Cyla doing?" Jareth asked to again change the subject.
"Quite well actually. She asked me to stay that night and I did so. The army was outside and needed direction so I figured it wouldn't hurt. She is so different then how she used to be. Farris changed her. She's frightened of everything and regrets everything she has done wrong. She is managing well though. Already Darkwood is a better place. The sun shone for the first time in over 600 years the following morning. The trees had buds on their branches and a family of birds have made their home in a tree outside her window. She has a lot of healing of her own to do but I think she will survive."
"She continues to surprise me." Jareth admitted. "How is her son?"
"Shaken by the death of his father, but all right. He's a handsome lad. His father's dark hair, but crystal blue eyes like his mother. He was very polite and remained strong. He seems nothing like his father. Cyla raised him well."
"Perhaps we could invite her to dine with us sometime and her son as well?" Sarah suggested. "Maybe it would help us all continue to heal."
Jareth nodded despite the fact that he believed the only way for him to heal was to be within Sarah's arms. "That could be arranged. I'd like to see how they behave for the time being, just to be safe. But if all goes well, perhaps they would join us."
"Cyla would be a wonderful help in court, Jareth." Aiden started. " It was obvious she loathed her husband and she already told me she would be willing to do everything within her power to see that you and Sarah remain together." The Goblin King let out a heavy sigh. "Yes I know the past you've shared, but Cyla has changed as hard as it is for you to believe that. And she is very interested in getting to know Sarah better. She's intrigued by her strength and wisdom. Sarah might be able to help her reform even more."
"I'd like to help her. I understand why she betrayed us. She feared for her son. I would have done the same thing had I been in her shoes." Sarah told the two men.
Jareth nodded again. `Very well." He didn't like the idea that his past lover would be spending time with Sarah or visiting his castle, but he didn't let that be known. Aiden and Sarah both seemed to put some trust in Cyla. It was only he who could not bring himself to do so. Perhaps Aiden was right. He was allowing the past to hold him back, much like what Sarah had done to him.
"I have a wonderful idea." Aiden announced. "A masked ball at my castle in celebration of you both getting together. Not only will it allow us all to spend time making preparations for court in the previous days of the ball's planning but it will show not only the people of our kingdom's but others how close you and Sarah truly are. Think of it Jareth, if everyone realizes for themselves that you both love each other and they get to know you, they might be willing to put in a few good words for you in court."
"I don't know Aiden. Masked balls have never been a pleasant experience for me, even yours. There was only one masked ball that I ever attended that I enjoyed but it was only a dream." Sarah caught the sadness in his voice and knew that he spoke of the ball she dreamt of 10 years prior. The ball she had literally shattered when she saw the clock in the distance.
"Jareth it isn't like you will be going alone to be at the mercy of all the women. You and Sarah will be together."
`I know that and there is no one I would rather attend with then Sarah, but I fear they will mock her as they might mock our relationship. I need not remind you that not many echo our thoughts and feelings when it comes to humans and mortals. And as far as I know I am the first to ever fall in love with one. I will not put her in a situation that may offend her or myself either."
"Jareth, no I think it's a good idea that we do this. It will prepare us for the court."
"She's right." Aiden told him.
Jareth reached over, taking Sarah's hands into his gloved ones. "Love, you do not know how cruel other Fae can be. I will not have them attacking you like vultures."
"Jareth, let them attack me. And let them feel stupid for acting like immature children. They will learn that I am not a threat and that all either of us want is to be together. We could make allies Jareth. Allies that could defend us through the High Court's ridicule and cruelty."
He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the skin. "You're right."
"Splendid. I will begin making preparations for the ball and will send out the invitations." Aiden leapt to his feet.
"Will we have enough time? You said that the court is gathering." Sarah asked.
"The court may be gathering but it takes them weeks to get organized. That will be enough time for us to plan, have the ball and make a few allies. I will begin the preparations. Be my guests tomorrow night." Jareth and Sarah stood and they both nodded. "Terrific. I shall see you both at 7 o clock in the eve." He bowed graciously and the King of Noross disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Jareth moved closer to Sarah and eagerly took her into his arms. "You're not afraid of them are you?"
"I'm terrified." She admitted and she leaned her head against him. "I have to be strong though and I will be strong because you will be beside me. The thought of facing those Fae makes me tremble, but I'll do whatever it takes to stay with you."
Jareth tightened his hold on her and stroked her hair with his hands. "Just as I will do everything within my power to make sure that you stay with me."
They stood for a long time, holding each other beside the cherry table as the sunlight bathed them in its warm glow.