AN: I shamefully admit that the name of this chapter comes from a Paula Abdul song. Gosh I haven't listened to her since I was a kid. But the song popped into my head for some reason when I wrote this chapter so there it is. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I'm starting to get back into this story again, Finally!
Disclaimers: if it's from labyrinth I don't own it. I'm still waiting to buy the rights of jareth but I'm not holding my breath.
"Will you marry me boy?"
"Where are we going Jareth?" Sarah asked as he whisked her inside Aiden's castle. Aiden was suddenly beside them. Dressed in a royal blue frock coat made of velvet with gold trimmings.
"It's rather sudden but to meet Count Landor. And Lord Orag. They are both interested in meeting you before the festivities begin." Aiden answered her question.
"Sarah before we introduce you we must teach you some etiquette. I didn't expect to introduce you until perhaps the day before the ball but they wish to meet you now."
Sarah tensed. Aiden had mentioned to her that she might meet one or two of the nobles before the ball, but she didn't expect to this early. She had not learned anything about politics or etiquette.
Jareth felt her tense and he stepped closer to her. "Jareth, I don't think that I am ready for this." She suddenly felt timid. The two men she would meet could be her enemies if she said or did the wrong thing.
"Sarah, my love." He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. "I know this is sudden, but it's absolutely necessary. Do you wish to stay here with me?"
"You know that I do!"
"Then we must do this. I should have thought to teach you about how to mind your manners around the other Fae, but we have had other things on our mind as of late."
"Don't blame yourself, I didn't think of it either. I sometimes forget the rules of etiquette myself." Aiden chimed in. "I don't entertain nobles very often unless they are from my own kingdom and the etiquette of my kingdom is very different from that of the court and out lying lands."
Sarah took a deep breath. "What must I do?"
Jareth took her hands into his own and smiled at her bravery. She truly was an amazing woman. "First off I must warn you that Landor is a little pushy, although he will most likely not address you. He seldom acknowledges those who don't have a title. If he wishes to know something about you he may ask Aiden or myself. He may say things that offend you or myself and we must curb ourselves and hold our tongues. I know it will be difficult but you must not speak unless you have been spoken to. And when you speak to me you must use my title as well. You can not call me by my given name."
Sarah nodded. "They will no doubt say things in there that WILL offend one or both of us. Not everyone realizes how intimate our relationship is. From the rumors I've heard, some Fae believe that you are one of my subjects, others my slave and others believe that we are lovers. And not all Fae mirror the opinions of Aiden and myself."
She looked confused. "So how should I act? As if you mean nothing to me? Should I be cold?"
Jareth took a deep breath and nodded. "I know it will be difficult but if either of us act soft around these nobles it will leak out to the court, which will make our time in court all the worse. You and I will both need to call forth our strength and you my dear will need that will of iron you possess. You'll need it to keep your wits about you and you can not under any circumstances let forth any outbursts. This will be a test Sarah. A test for both of us. I can not show my usual affection towards you. Don't take it the wrong way."
"But the Countess. Oh no Jareth I slipped and spoke your name without your title to her and she saw us walk in together. She might tell her husband!"
Jareth leaned forward and kissed her to still her nervousness and Aiden smiled warmly. "You won't have to worry about Mira. Mira is one of us." The King of Noross told her.
"What do you mean?"
"Mira was one of my father's most trusted friends, even before she married Landor. She follows the rules of the other Fae but she isn't afraid to bend a little. She seems to have taken to you already to sit by you in the gardens. She was also intrigued by mortals and what my father, Jareth and myself found so fascinating about them. I believe she may be of some help. She might even be able to convince that husband of hers to lend us a hand."
"Sarah when we enter you must walk behind me, head bowed and one of Aiden's attendants will bring you to a seat. You must not look anyone directly in the eyes including myself and Aiden unless we ask you to." She nodded and he kissed her lightly on the lips. "I know this will be difficult, for you and for me, but it must be done. We need allies in court or we will lose and I will not lose you Sarah. You mean too much to me."
"I'm afraid that we have kept our guests waiting too long." Aiden warned. Jareth nodded and Sarah sighed stepping behind Jareth, her head bowed as they walked toward the conference room in Aiden's castle.
One of Aiden's attendants opened the large white double doors and Sarah took a deep breath. She would face this. She would do as she was expected so that she could stay with Jareth.
The attendant led them into the room and she was led to a seat at a table separate from the Nobles. She took her seat and sat, her head bowed. She could feel their stares, but she refused to look at them.
"Ah so this is the little mortal girl that has caused so much chaos in the Underground." Came a deep voice. "King Jareth, what is the child's name?"
"Count Landor, her name is Sarah."
'How old is she?"
"I fail to see what the young woman's age has to do with anything." It was Aiden's voice that rang out loud and clear. Landor nodded.
" Perhaps King Jareth and King Aiden you can help to set the record straight about this mortal..woman." Sarah strained her ears to hear his voice. It was soft and not nearly as deep as Landor's voice.
"Ask the questions you wish Lord Orag." Jareth told him.
Sarah heard someone get up from their chair and she saw the booted feet of someone who began to circle around the small side table she sat at. A warm hand touched her chin and lifted up her face. She kept her eyes to the side, remembering what Jareth had told her.
"She is a beautiful mortal. She will unfortunately be sought after by many with in the court because of that pretty face." Orag dropped his hand from her face and walked back to his seat. "Perhaps you can tell us why you have brought her here and what she means to you King Jareth."
"Who cares what she means to him. She's a mortal for pity sake. She is most likely a slave. That's all that mortals are good for. They die too quickly and easily to be worth anything else. And I don't believe that she is very pretty. She has no grace, no air about her." Landor let out.
"You said that her name is Sarah?"
'That's correct." Jareth told Orag.
"Wasn't it a mortal named Sarah who defeated your Labyrinth?"
"That is also correct."
"Intriguing."
"Impossible. I don't believe THAT mortal could have possibly defeated the legendary Labyrinth."
'Yet she has." Orag smiled. He was a plump man with a dark moustache and kind brown eyes.
"Just as she found her way through the Labyrinth, she found her way to King Jareth's heart." Came a feminine voice.
Landor growled. "My dear, what is the meaning of this outburst?" Mira stood in the doorway, her long dark hair cascading around her.
Mira smiled as she took a seat beside her husband. "Not an outburst my count, a declaration of the truth."
'Rubbish. No Fae willingly allows a mortal into his heart. That is just the sort of stuff that happens in fairy tales. Please King Jareth, tell my wife how ridicules she is being. Please bring her out of the fantasy realm she lives within. She likes to believe the rumors that claim that you and the mortal are lovers." Landor shuddered at the thought. Mira smiled brightly, awaiting the Goblin King's answer.
"What have you to say of this matter King Jareth? Do you love the mortal or is she merely a slave or even a subject?" Orag asked.
Jareth let his eyes briefly touch Sarah's form. She was still sitting, head bowed, eyes on the table in front of her. Her long dark hair hung in her face and he could not make out her facial expression. The Goblin King turned back to the men and one woman at the table. "She has indeed found her way to my heart." He replied, his chin raised defiantly.
There was a gasp. "This is an outrage!" Landor cried.
"I hardly believe that love is an outrage Count Landor. You, yourself are married, you must know what love is." Aiden told him.
Mira laughed. "My husband would not know love if it bit him in the face." Aiden smiled sadly at Mira realizing that could very well be the truth. Mira married Landor due to politics and not love. It was not any wonder that she was a dreamer like Sarah.
"The outrage is that King Jareth has fallen in love with a mortal! Does no one else see a problem with this? This is just not done!"
"What could be the problem?" Orag asked. He failed to see a problem with the mortal women who bowed her head in submission at the small table.
"Mortals are dangerous."
"Not this one, Count." Aiden let out.
"Oh and you know her so well don't you King Aiden?"
"Actually I do. She is a wonderful woman who wants nothing more than to remain with the man she loves. She is strong willed, pure of heart, sweet with a charming personality. I could go on and on about her." Aiden told the group as he cast a glance to Sarah's bowed form and then to Jareth who nodded his thanks.
"Mortal come here." Landor commanded. Sarah slowly rose from the table, head still bowed, eyes on the floor. She stopped at the table, standing beside Jareth's chair. "No, come here to me." Sarah did as she was commanded. Jareth watched Landor closely. She stopped in front of the Count with her eyes to the floor. "Look at me child." She hesitated but looked up. Landor was a tall thin man. He was very handsome with his long blond hair. It was neatly kept in a pony tail so unlike Jareth's wild mane. He wore a frock coat that was wine with a black shirt beneath it. He looked into Sarah's eyes studying her and then he glanced at Jareth.
"You would risk your title, your kingdom, everything you have and are for this mortal?"
Jareth nodded and kept his chin raised defiantly. "Yes." He said clearly.
Landor glanced back at Sarah who was watching him. He sighed. "Well I suppose that I will have to learn what is so special about this particular mortal to have caught the heart of the arrogant Goblin King as well as the support of the King of Noross and my wife. I must say that I am surprised at this. It's been said that after Cyla left you your heart withered and you became cold and cruel King Jareth."
"That is the truth."
"It's also been said that you toy with mortals, making them go through your maze because of your past interest in them. It makes me wonder if she is merely a plaything to pass your time by."
'I can assure you that she is not a 'plaything'. My love for her is real. And I don't toy with mortals. I do what was required by the court. I would rather be left alone with in my Labyrinth instead of making children run through the dangers of my kingdom to save a baby they have wished away."
"If you had not felt concern for mortals in the past you would not have a problem then would you?"
"My past concern for mortals is what saved me from living within the darkness forever. Had I not accepted to rule the labyrinth I fear my fate would have been much worse. Others believe the Labyrinth to be a place of death, destruction and impossible mazes and tunnels. I once believed that myself, yet I have had 400 years to understand the Labyrinth, to learn that it is not a prison. The Labyrinth has saved me, by bringing me Sarah." Jareth gestured with his hand towards Sarah who still stood beside Landor.
Landor regarded Sarah again. "From what I understand you brought her back on your own, and by force. Tell me child, did he forcefully bring you here?"
'.....No...Count Landor. I summoned him."
"You summoned him." Landor tilted his head at her. "So he had your permission to bring you back here?"
Sarah froze. Damn. "Not... exactly."
'Not exactly? I want a yes or a no. Did King Jareth bring you here against your will?" Landor asked impatiently.
Sarah glanced at Jareth who's eyes were filled with arrogance. But he nodded for her to tell him. "Yes.." her voice was a soft whisper, barely audible.
"Interesting. I didn't realize that lovers did those sorts of things. Did he cast a spell on you as well, making you love him?"
Sarah wanted to scream at him, but remembered Jareth's words. "No, Count Landor. He did not cast a spell on me. My love for him appeared on its own."
"On its own..."
'I've always loved him." She continued as if she had not heard him speak and Landor's mouth dropped as well as Jareth's.
'Explain yourself." Orag asked.
" I have always loved Ja-The Goblin King. Even when I was a child and I was bitter and angry with him for making me run his Labyrinth. I loved him for being exactly what I needed and for letting me have exactly what I needed in my life."
"And what were those things dear?" Orag asked softly.
"Control. He let me play out the heroine who went to save her brother from the evil King."
"How cute. You and my wife sound so dreadfully alike I very well may be sick." Landor looked to Jareth. "And by what right did you have to take her unwillingly into our world? You know the rules."
"I brought her by way of the debt. She owed me for being what she asked and she owed me for taking her brother. All children who wish away a baby owe me a debt."
"And do you collect on all these children, or let me guess. You collected only from this one? Yet you waited until she was a grown woman to collect what she owed. Interesting...And what did she owe you?"
"She owed me whatever I wished of her."
Landor sighed. "And what did you wish of her?"
"I fail to understand what this has to do with anything." Aiden said standing at the table and saving Jareth from having to reply. "You both asked to meet Sarah, not dissect King Jareth's relationship with the mortal. He brought her here and he loves her and she loves him. That's all that anyone needs to know."
"King Aiden it's all right. We shall face far worse in the high court." Jareth told him.
"What exactly is your relationship to this mortal, King Jareth. You love her, but what is she to you? Just a lover, a passing fancy or do you wish to spend your future with her?" Landor asked, ignoring Aiden and crossing his arms over his chest.
Jareth's voice was calm and clear. "If fate has willed it, she will be my Queen."
The room became so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Sarah stared intently at Jareth who seemed to be trying his hardest NOT to look at her.
"If you make Sarah your Queen, you might be able to convince enough people in the court that she belongs to you and no one else." Mira said quietly. "I don't think many would challenge your vows."
Aiden noticed that Jareth suddenly looked uncomfortable. Too much had been said already. "Let us retire until supper." Aiden suggested. "We can talk more then." Everyone nodded. Aiden allowed his guests to file out first and they were shown to their rooms by his attendants. Jareth remained at the table, fiddling with his gloves. Sarah still stood beside Landor's now empty chair.
Aiden stepped beside Jareth and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Mira has a good plan. I don't know what you and Sarah have talked about, but if you two are married not many will challenge your claim on her." The Goblin King's discomfort became more evident as he shifted in his chair. "Well..I'll leave you two.." Aiden left the room, the giant white doors closing behind him.
Neither Jareth nor Sarah said anything for a while. It was Sarah who spoke. "Mira is right Jareth." He sighed and she took it the wrong way. "You don't want to marry me?"
He finally looked at her. His mask of arrogance was gone and in its place was the face of man who looked confused and pained. "Of course I want to marry you Sarah, but properly. I don't wish for a rushed wedding." He got up from his chair and moved to her pulling her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest. "I want nothing more then to marry you, for you to be my queen. But I don't want our marriage to be a bargaining tool."
"Neither do I Jareth, but it will be a powerful tool that might enable me to stay here with you."
Jareth stroked her hair and then pulled back from her. He searched her eyes. He knew that Mira was right, that she was right. Their union might be what was needed to keep Sarah by his side. The vows of a legitimate marriage can not be broken or null by anyone other then those who made the vows. No one could take Sarah from him, if she was his wife.
"We'll talk more of this later, my love. You handled yourself very well today. I'm proud of you." He told her taking her hands into his.
Sarah smiled but deep inside she was disappointed and hurt. Despite Jareth's claim that he wanted to marry her she felt as if he didn't. He wanted to push the idea away as if it repulsed him. He lowered his lips to kiss her own but she moved her face and he ended up kissing her cheek instead. He drew back, his eyes questioning her.
'I..I'm...tired Jareth." She told him lamely. "I'd like to rest before dinner." She moved away from him, pulling her hands from his. She had not missed the hurt in his eyes and his confusion at not allowing him to kiss her. But she continued out the door of the conference room, without a backward glance.
Disclaimers: if it's from labyrinth I don't own it. I'm still waiting to buy the rights of jareth but I'm not holding my breath.
"Will you marry me boy?"
"Where are we going Jareth?" Sarah asked as he whisked her inside Aiden's castle. Aiden was suddenly beside them. Dressed in a royal blue frock coat made of velvet with gold trimmings.
"It's rather sudden but to meet Count Landor. And Lord Orag. They are both interested in meeting you before the festivities begin." Aiden answered her question.
"Sarah before we introduce you we must teach you some etiquette. I didn't expect to introduce you until perhaps the day before the ball but they wish to meet you now."
Sarah tensed. Aiden had mentioned to her that she might meet one or two of the nobles before the ball, but she didn't expect to this early. She had not learned anything about politics or etiquette.
Jareth felt her tense and he stepped closer to her. "Jareth, I don't think that I am ready for this." She suddenly felt timid. The two men she would meet could be her enemies if she said or did the wrong thing.
"Sarah, my love." He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. "I know this is sudden, but it's absolutely necessary. Do you wish to stay here with me?"
"You know that I do!"
"Then we must do this. I should have thought to teach you about how to mind your manners around the other Fae, but we have had other things on our mind as of late."
"Don't blame yourself, I didn't think of it either. I sometimes forget the rules of etiquette myself." Aiden chimed in. "I don't entertain nobles very often unless they are from my own kingdom and the etiquette of my kingdom is very different from that of the court and out lying lands."
Sarah took a deep breath. "What must I do?"
Jareth took her hands into his own and smiled at her bravery. She truly was an amazing woman. "First off I must warn you that Landor is a little pushy, although he will most likely not address you. He seldom acknowledges those who don't have a title. If he wishes to know something about you he may ask Aiden or myself. He may say things that offend you or myself and we must curb ourselves and hold our tongues. I know it will be difficult but you must not speak unless you have been spoken to. And when you speak to me you must use my title as well. You can not call me by my given name."
Sarah nodded. "They will no doubt say things in there that WILL offend one or both of us. Not everyone realizes how intimate our relationship is. From the rumors I've heard, some Fae believe that you are one of my subjects, others my slave and others believe that we are lovers. And not all Fae mirror the opinions of Aiden and myself."
She looked confused. "So how should I act? As if you mean nothing to me? Should I be cold?"
Jareth took a deep breath and nodded. "I know it will be difficult but if either of us act soft around these nobles it will leak out to the court, which will make our time in court all the worse. You and I will both need to call forth our strength and you my dear will need that will of iron you possess. You'll need it to keep your wits about you and you can not under any circumstances let forth any outbursts. This will be a test Sarah. A test for both of us. I can not show my usual affection towards you. Don't take it the wrong way."
"But the Countess. Oh no Jareth I slipped and spoke your name without your title to her and she saw us walk in together. She might tell her husband!"
Jareth leaned forward and kissed her to still her nervousness and Aiden smiled warmly. "You won't have to worry about Mira. Mira is one of us." The King of Noross told her.
"What do you mean?"
"Mira was one of my father's most trusted friends, even before she married Landor. She follows the rules of the other Fae but she isn't afraid to bend a little. She seems to have taken to you already to sit by you in the gardens. She was also intrigued by mortals and what my father, Jareth and myself found so fascinating about them. I believe she may be of some help. She might even be able to convince that husband of hers to lend us a hand."
"Sarah when we enter you must walk behind me, head bowed and one of Aiden's attendants will bring you to a seat. You must not look anyone directly in the eyes including myself and Aiden unless we ask you to." She nodded and he kissed her lightly on the lips. "I know this will be difficult, for you and for me, but it must be done. We need allies in court or we will lose and I will not lose you Sarah. You mean too much to me."
"I'm afraid that we have kept our guests waiting too long." Aiden warned. Jareth nodded and Sarah sighed stepping behind Jareth, her head bowed as they walked toward the conference room in Aiden's castle.
One of Aiden's attendants opened the large white double doors and Sarah took a deep breath. She would face this. She would do as she was expected so that she could stay with Jareth.
The attendant led them into the room and she was led to a seat at a table separate from the Nobles. She took her seat and sat, her head bowed. She could feel their stares, but she refused to look at them.
"Ah so this is the little mortal girl that has caused so much chaos in the Underground." Came a deep voice. "King Jareth, what is the child's name?"
"Count Landor, her name is Sarah."
'How old is she?"
"I fail to see what the young woman's age has to do with anything." It was Aiden's voice that rang out loud and clear. Landor nodded.
" Perhaps King Jareth and King Aiden you can help to set the record straight about this mortal..woman." Sarah strained her ears to hear his voice. It was soft and not nearly as deep as Landor's voice.
"Ask the questions you wish Lord Orag." Jareth told him.
Sarah heard someone get up from their chair and she saw the booted feet of someone who began to circle around the small side table she sat at. A warm hand touched her chin and lifted up her face. She kept her eyes to the side, remembering what Jareth had told her.
"She is a beautiful mortal. She will unfortunately be sought after by many with in the court because of that pretty face." Orag dropped his hand from her face and walked back to his seat. "Perhaps you can tell us why you have brought her here and what she means to you King Jareth."
"Who cares what she means to him. She's a mortal for pity sake. She is most likely a slave. That's all that mortals are good for. They die too quickly and easily to be worth anything else. And I don't believe that she is very pretty. She has no grace, no air about her." Landor let out.
"You said that her name is Sarah?"
'That's correct." Jareth told Orag.
"Wasn't it a mortal named Sarah who defeated your Labyrinth?"
"That is also correct."
"Intriguing."
"Impossible. I don't believe THAT mortal could have possibly defeated the legendary Labyrinth."
'Yet she has." Orag smiled. He was a plump man with a dark moustache and kind brown eyes.
"Just as she found her way through the Labyrinth, she found her way to King Jareth's heart." Came a feminine voice.
Landor growled. "My dear, what is the meaning of this outburst?" Mira stood in the doorway, her long dark hair cascading around her.
Mira smiled as she took a seat beside her husband. "Not an outburst my count, a declaration of the truth."
'Rubbish. No Fae willingly allows a mortal into his heart. That is just the sort of stuff that happens in fairy tales. Please King Jareth, tell my wife how ridicules she is being. Please bring her out of the fantasy realm she lives within. She likes to believe the rumors that claim that you and the mortal are lovers." Landor shuddered at the thought. Mira smiled brightly, awaiting the Goblin King's answer.
"What have you to say of this matter King Jareth? Do you love the mortal or is she merely a slave or even a subject?" Orag asked.
Jareth let his eyes briefly touch Sarah's form. She was still sitting, head bowed, eyes on the table in front of her. Her long dark hair hung in her face and he could not make out her facial expression. The Goblin King turned back to the men and one woman at the table. "She has indeed found her way to my heart." He replied, his chin raised defiantly.
There was a gasp. "This is an outrage!" Landor cried.
"I hardly believe that love is an outrage Count Landor. You, yourself are married, you must know what love is." Aiden told him.
Mira laughed. "My husband would not know love if it bit him in the face." Aiden smiled sadly at Mira realizing that could very well be the truth. Mira married Landor due to politics and not love. It was not any wonder that she was a dreamer like Sarah.
"The outrage is that King Jareth has fallen in love with a mortal! Does no one else see a problem with this? This is just not done!"
"What could be the problem?" Orag asked. He failed to see a problem with the mortal women who bowed her head in submission at the small table.
"Mortals are dangerous."
"Not this one, Count." Aiden let out.
"Oh and you know her so well don't you King Aiden?"
"Actually I do. She is a wonderful woman who wants nothing more than to remain with the man she loves. She is strong willed, pure of heart, sweet with a charming personality. I could go on and on about her." Aiden told the group as he cast a glance to Sarah's bowed form and then to Jareth who nodded his thanks.
"Mortal come here." Landor commanded. Sarah slowly rose from the table, head still bowed, eyes on the floor. She stopped at the table, standing beside Jareth's chair. "No, come here to me." Sarah did as she was commanded. Jareth watched Landor closely. She stopped in front of the Count with her eyes to the floor. "Look at me child." She hesitated but looked up. Landor was a tall thin man. He was very handsome with his long blond hair. It was neatly kept in a pony tail so unlike Jareth's wild mane. He wore a frock coat that was wine with a black shirt beneath it. He looked into Sarah's eyes studying her and then he glanced at Jareth.
"You would risk your title, your kingdom, everything you have and are for this mortal?"
Jareth nodded and kept his chin raised defiantly. "Yes." He said clearly.
Landor glanced back at Sarah who was watching him. He sighed. "Well I suppose that I will have to learn what is so special about this particular mortal to have caught the heart of the arrogant Goblin King as well as the support of the King of Noross and my wife. I must say that I am surprised at this. It's been said that after Cyla left you your heart withered and you became cold and cruel King Jareth."
"That is the truth."
"It's also been said that you toy with mortals, making them go through your maze because of your past interest in them. It makes me wonder if she is merely a plaything to pass your time by."
'I can assure you that she is not a 'plaything'. My love for her is real. And I don't toy with mortals. I do what was required by the court. I would rather be left alone with in my Labyrinth instead of making children run through the dangers of my kingdom to save a baby they have wished away."
"If you had not felt concern for mortals in the past you would not have a problem then would you?"
"My past concern for mortals is what saved me from living within the darkness forever. Had I not accepted to rule the labyrinth I fear my fate would have been much worse. Others believe the Labyrinth to be a place of death, destruction and impossible mazes and tunnels. I once believed that myself, yet I have had 400 years to understand the Labyrinth, to learn that it is not a prison. The Labyrinth has saved me, by bringing me Sarah." Jareth gestured with his hand towards Sarah who still stood beside Landor.
Landor regarded Sarah again. "From what I understand you brought her back on your own, and by force. Tell me child, did he forcefully bring you here?"
'.....No...Count Landor. I summoned him."
"You summoned him." Landor tilted his head at her. "So he had your permission to bring you back here?"
Sarah froze. Damn. "Not... exactly."
'Not exactly? I want a yes or a no. Did King Jareth bring you here against your will?" Landor asked impatiently.
Sarah glanced at Jareth who's eyes were filled with arrogance. But he nodded for her to tell him. "Yes.." her voice was a soft whisper, barely audible.
"Interesting. I didn't realize that lovers did those sorts of things. Did he cast a spell on you as well, making you love him?"
Sarah wanted to scream at him, but remembered Jareth's words. "No, Count Landor. He did not cast a spell on me. My love for him appeared on its own."
"On its own..."
'I've always loved him." She continued as if she had not heard him speak and Landor's mouth dropped as well as Jareth's.
'Explain yourself." Orag asked.
" I have always loved Ja-The Goblin King. Even when I was a child and I was bitter and angry with him for making me run his Labyrinth. I loved him for being exactly what I needed and for letting me have exactly what I needed in my life."
"And what were those things dear?" Orag asked softly.
"Control. He let me play out the heroine who went to save her brother from the evil King."
"How cute. You and my wife sound so dreadfully alike I very well may be sick." Landor looked to Jareth. "And by what right did you have to take her unwillingly into our world? You know the rules."
"I brought her by way of the debt. She owed me for being what she asked and she owed me for taking her brother. All children who wish away a baby owe me a debt."
"And do you collect on all these children, or let me guess. You collected only from this one? Yet you waited until she was a grown woman to collect what she owed. Interesting...And what did she owe you?"
"She owed me whatever I wished of her."
Landor sighed. "And what did you wish of her?"
"I fail to understand what this has to do with anything." Aiden said standing at the table and saving Jareth from having to reply. "You both asked to meet Sarah, not dissect King Jareth's relationship with the mortal. He brought her here and he loves her and she loves him. That's all that anyone needs to know."
"King Aiden it's all right. We shall face far worse in the high court." Jareth told him.
"What exactly is your relationship to this mortal, King Jareth. You love her, but what is she to you? Just a lover, a passing fancy or do you wish to spend your future with her?" Landor asked, ignoring Aiden and crossing his arms over his chest.
Jareth's voice was calm and clear. "If fate has willed it, she will be my Queen."
The room became so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Sarah stared intently at Jareth who seemed to be trying his hardest NOT to look at her.
"If you make Sarah your Queen, you might be able to convince enough people in the court that she belongs to you and no one else." Mira said quietly. "I don't think many would challenge your vows."
Aiden noticed that Jareth suddenly looked uncomfortable. Too much had been said already. "Let us retire until supper." Aiden suggested. "We can talk more then." Everyone nodded. Aiden allowed his guests to file out first and they were shown to their rooms by his attendants. Jareth remained at the table, fiddling with his gloves. Sarah still stood beside Landor's now empty chair.
Aiden stepped beside Jareth and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Mira has a good plan. I don't know what you and Sarah have talked about, but if you two are married not many will challenge your claim on her." The Goblin King's discomfort became more evident as he shifted in his chair. "Well..I'll leave you two.." Aiden left the room, the giant white doors closing behind him.
Neither Jareth nor Sarah said anything for a while. It was Sarah who spoke. "Mira is right Jareth." He sighed and she took it the wrong way. "You don't want to marry me?"
He finally looked at her. His mask of arrogance was gone and in its place was the face of man who looked confused and pained. "Of course I want to marry you Sarah, but properly. I don't wish for a rushed wedding." He got up from his chair and moved to her pulling her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest. "I want nothing more then to marry you, for you to be my queen. But I don't want our marriage to be a bargaining tool."
"Neither do I Jareth, but it will be a powerful tool that might enable me to stay here with you."
Jareth stroked her hair and then pulled back from her. He searched her eyes. He knew that Mira was right, that she was right. Their union might be what was needed to keep Sarah by his side. The vows of a legitimate marriage can not be broken or null by anyone other then those who made the vows. No one could take Sarah from him, if she was his wife.
"We'll talk more of this later, my love. You handled yourself very well today. I'm proud of you." He told her taking her hands into his.
Sarah smiled but deep inside she was disappointed and hurt. Despite Jareth's claim that he wanted to marry her she felt as if he didn't. He wanted to push the idea away as if it repulsed him. He lowered his lips to kiss her own but she moved her face and he ended up kissing her cheek instead. He drew back, his eyes questioning her.
'I..I'm...tired Jareth." She told him lamely. "I'd like to rest before dinner." She moved away from him, pulling her hands from his. She had not missed the hurt in his eyes and his confusion at not allowing him to kiss her. But she continued out the door of the conference room, without a backward glance.