MORTAL BELOVED
(Chapter 7)
the deal, the game.
1 DISCLAIMER: NO, I ONLY OWN THE CHARACTERS I INVENTED **DUH**
THERE HAVE BEEN NO REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER 6 SO FAR, SO PLEASE REVIEW AND MAKE ME FEEL LOVED.
Sarah gasped as she saw the fey from the crystal dragged into the throne room. She wondered that if Jareth truly did despise her and was bent on revenge, if he would go to this much trouble to convince her otherwise. She decided to believe him, and immediately felt terrible for those awful things she had said about him, yet incredibly happy at the fact that it wasn't Jareth. Sarah felt her ribs throb in protest as she sat up so she would be able to hear the exchange between the goblin king and her attacker.
She looked into his face, he looked so young, yet his eyes held an iron ore, a cold blue fire that burnt with rage as he stared at Jareth. Sarah wondered what Jareth had done to make this Fey hate him so much.
* * *
Jareth looked into the young Fey's face and wanted nothing more than to send on an all expenses paid trip to the bog of eternal stench. Yet getting a closer look at him, he rethought his planned, long slow and torturous revenge upon this creature and looked behind him to where Sarah was seated. He felt his anger shoot through him, desperately wanting to inflict as much pain on this little upstart as he had to Sarah.
Instead, he closed his eyes and focused on gaining a leash of his anger. Jareth knew that Sarah didn't like violence and he knew that if he was going to win her back then he would need to gain her trust. Turning back to face the fey, he forced a thin smile on his face, making him look even more dangerous than if he had been frowning.
"I'm Jareth, and you are?" he inquired semi cordially, it was the best he could manage. Jareth watched as the fey's jaw dropped, and decided that this being good thing had its good points. Jareth saw the fey gather his wits and step forward slightly.
"I'm Toran," he stated in a voice that was cold as steel.
"Nice to meet you, now would you like to take a look at the woman that because of you broke nine bones in her body?" he inquired eyebrow raised.
Toran looked past Jareth to Sarah. Remorse covered his face.
"Lady Sarah, I am incredibly sorry for the wrongs I have commited against you. My quarrel is with Jareth and he alone, and I hurt an innocent woman in the process, please forgive me" he stated humbly.
Jareth smirked, fully aware that Toran was attempting to gain mercy from Sarah and play her off against him.
He decided to intervene. Moving toward Findlay, he whispered to him to have his men ready. Jareth knew that the young fey thought that he had outsmarted him, and decided to use it to his advantage.
"Release him!" he commanded. Jareth heard the gasps of all but one in the room and ignored them.
"Toran, I'd like a word" he stated brusquely,
When they were out of earshot, Jareth grabbed Toran's collar with both hands and shoved him roughly against a stone wall. "If you ever touch her again, I will dunk you in my bog so fast you wont even smell it!" he hissed menacingly.
That done with, Jareth put the fey back down on the ground again and smiled. "I have a deal for you, You go in there, say that it definitely was you who did it, how you did it, and how remorseful you are, yes I know you have already apologised but I want my name well and truly cleared of this gross conduct" he finished. Toran nodded. "and If I don't?" he asked mockingly.
"Don't defy me Toran, do what I have said, and I will show mercy where you did not, I will exile you and you shall return to where you came from never to cross my path again" he finished.
With that, they returned to the throne room Toran did as the Goblin King had requested. and Jareth looked at the boy, then at Findlay. Nodding for his friend to let the young fey pass.
Jareth saw the look of astonishment cross his friend's features as he complied and knew that he would need to explain to Findlay his reasons for doing what he had.
* * *
Sarah watched as Findlay disappeared, stating as he did that he would come to talk to Jareth later. She watched as Jareth closed the distance between them. "Sarah," he started but broke off. He snapped his fingers and Sarah saw the manacles slide off her wrists and legs as though they had indeed never been there. She rose unsteadily and would have toppled over if Jareth hadn't caught her. Sarah broke free of the embrace and sat back down. Jareth kneeled beside her.
"Do you believe me now?" he asked, softly tracing the line of her jaw. Sarah grimaced, it was hard to stay mad at this beautiful fey, but she tried.
"Jareth, I need you to accept me as a fey, I am no threat to you, and It hurt incredibly that you couldn't support me when I needed it" she stated,
Jareth looked her in the eye, his changeling eyes showing depths that she had never seen before, and in them, deep down she saw vulnerability. Sarah recognised that look because she knew it was the one she had worn when she had told Jareth that she was fey.
Jareth knelt beside her. "Please Sarah, give me a chance, I would do anything to have you trust me again, but let me have a chance" he stated rawly.
Sarah listened, slightly shocked. She knew that the Goblin King was capable of cruelty, deceit, yet this was a side of him that she had glimpsed yet never gotten to experience.
"You mustn't mess me around Jareth, the things you hang on, Toran as you said were almost impossible to bear, I doubt I could survive it again, especially not if it really comes from you" she replied honestly.
Jareth nodded and placed a kiss on her hand. Jareth scooped Sarah up into his arms and began walking towards her room. "Jareth, I think I can walk n..." Jareth cut her off with a silencing look. "Or not.." she finished. When they had gotten to Sarah's room, Jareth placed her gently on the bed and sat beside her. He flicked his wrists and the windows opened, revealing a picturesque sky of deep purple diamond studded with stars very similar to those Aboveground.
Sarah rubbed her wrists absently and Jareth bowed his head, shamed. He lifted first one then the other, pressing each to his lips attempting to heal the pain. Sarah smiled, and Jareth got up to leave. With a parting kiss on her hand, he disappeared and Sarah stayed on the bed, deliberating what she was going to do about that magnificent fey who had trapped her heart, even if she hadn't realised it, from the moment they had met.
* * *
Findlay and Jareth sat in the dining hall and ate their midday meal. Findlay knew that Jareth knew that he wanted answers but Findlay also knew that it was in his friends nature to tease, and draw things out, So when they had met here a half hour ago, he had kept his mouth firmly shut and waited until the Goblin King tired of his jest.
"You know me altogether to well for me to be comfortable with Finn" stated Jareth, peeved at having lost out on his fun.
Finn just laughed. "Come on Jar, you know you love it" he couldn't help but tease. The Goblin Kings eyes flashed once and then cleared.
"Well, would you like to know where your going for the holiday I have planned for you Finn?" asked Jareth.
Findlay thought about this for a moment, unable to decide whether Jareth was just, as usual threatening to kick his butt into the bog of eternal stench, or whether he truly meant it.
"Enlighten me" he stated dryly. And Jareth grinned broadly glad to finally have the chance to share his master plan.
"You my friend are going on an all expenses paid holiday to the Castle of the Goblin King himself"
Findlay baulked. "Jareth, you've asked me before if I would like to come and live here and the answer has always been no, what makes you think the answer has changed? Anyway, I don't think I could stand being around you all the time, you give me the worst headpains!" he exclaimed. Jareth frowned.
"That wasn't very nice" said Jareth mock wounded and grasping at his heart.
"You know me Jareth, I make no claims of being nice," he said jokingly. But the smile was quickly replaced by one of mild annoyance as Jareth clicked his fingers and the food from Findlays plate promptly emptied itself over his dark head. Unfazed he went on, applesauce dripping from his nose.
"I would have said hang the bastard", referring to Toran.
"Finn, there are better things to do then waste rope on that fool" replied Jareth, Continuing. "And besides, not all answers are at the tip of a sword." He finished. Findlay nodded acknowledging that his friend was indeed right, then snapping his own fingers and dissipating the mess from his head and tunic.
"What are we going to do about him? I think you were crazy just letting him go like that! Do you fail to realise that he will just learn from his mistake and make a better attempt next time? He could even kill you!" ranted Findlay.
Jareth smiled. "Now Findlay, you know that's impossible, the last blade forged of steel and fey blood was destroyed during the civil war and there to the ability to kill fey's" stated Jareth blandly.
Findlay nodded, distracted. "So what's the big plan?" he asked.
Jareth stood. "You, for all intents and purposes are going to become the Goblin King.
* * *
Alanya and Sarah walked through the castle gardens. "How are you feeling Sarah?" asked Alanya, and Sarah smiled. "I don't know I guess it must be because I am fey, but I appear to be healing" she stated. Alanya nodded. "Yes, your fey half is nourishing the mortal half" she explained.
They walked on occasionally stopping to smell the exotically beautiful flowers in the gardens.
"What of Jareth?" inquired Alanya. Sarah stopped short and blushed.
"I-I believe he is well" she stammered and Alanya smiled knowingly.
"Have you told him how you feel about him?" Alanya questioned gently. Sarah shook her head. "I need to first be sure that he indeed feels the same for me." She replied.
Alanya sighed. "Sarah, know this. Jareth is a very complex fey, he lost his mother at a young age to an alloy that was forged with the intent to kill all three of the Goblin monarchs, since then he has been incredibly reluctant to trust let alone love a woman, his heart is like a fortress guarded fiercly and never readily opened, his reign has been barren, isolated and lonely, and the Labyrinth as it is connected to Jareth so deeply has always reflected that." Explained Alanya.
Sarah nodded and felt a tug at her heart at the thought of Jareth steeling himself against his emotions and keeping himself in that dreadful brooding tower.
Alanya took Sarah's hand. "You may not know it yet, or even believe it but Jareth cares for you deeply, the first time he has since his mother, so you must understand his reluctance. But to the creatures of the Labyrinth, his sentiments become obvious more and more each day. Why do you think these flowers grow? Why do you think the sky is now blue instead of grey, why do you think there is beauty where there only used to be torment, bitterness and pain? His words may not come freely, but his emotions flow in abundance through the Labyrinth" Alanya took a breath and broke off and they resumed walking.
* * *
Back in his tower, Toran had to laugh at the Goblin Kings stupidity. He couldn't believe that Jareth had actually let him go. The remorse that Toran felt for his actions regarding Sarah was authentic, yet he lost no love where the Goblin King was concerned.
He knew now, that he must wait, bide his time and find the best way to kill Jareth. The only problem he could foresee was that Jareth was immortal, therefore rendering him unkillable. He vowed he would find a way, and when he did…bye bye Goblin King.
* * *
"It's the perfect plan" began Jareth,
"You will assume my identity and wait for Toran's attempt on my life, we will beat him at his own game and catch him red handed. We will have reason to hold him here, and he will be an immensely valuable asset." He continued.
Finn looked up puzzled, wondering why they were going to so much trouble for that delinquent
Jareth smiled, and said, "I discovered this morning that Toran is indeed the adopted son of Ragan, our strongest opponent and most vigilant in his attempts at seizing my throne" he explained. Jareth went on, "We could use this to our advantage by having Ragan agree to leave my kingdom alone in exchange for his son" Jareth broke off.
And Findlay thought a moment. "We could prevent the war that is threatening to break out!" he exclaimed. And Jareth nodded, pleased.
Jareth sighed softly and spoke, "I hate to admit it, but I don't think that the kid is truly all evil, there's just something about him, and I think it may just be Ragan's influence causing this behaviour, I mean who ever heard of a demon taking a fey as a son? Something just isn't right, and you know the rules, we are not allowed to kill a being if they show any signs of possible redemption" finished Jareth thoughtfully. Findlay nodded.
"I think It's a great plan if we can pull it off" he stated genially. Jareth nodded absentmindedly then grinned wickedly. "I'll have to teach you how to be me" he stated dramatically placing a hand at his brow.
Findlay laughed and then stopped, a look of horror coming across his face.
"I wont have to wear tights will I?" he asked mortified.
* * *
In the late afternoon light, Jareth watched Sarah kiss her mother good bye and return through the gates of his castle.
I will win your trust, he thought to himself and laughed merrily as he thought of exactly how much time Finn taking over for a while would give him with the girl. He stood at the window deep in thought, thinking about how she would have no choice but to love and trust him if he was with her every single moment, she would never be alone, or forget him. He would help her heal both emotionally and physically, he would give her all her hearts desires and the some.
He felt pleased and teleported himself so that he was by her side.
"Sorry, didn't' mean to scare you" he said innocently. Sarah blushed slightly and Jareth wondered if mother and daughter had indeed been talking about him. He liked that.
Jareth caught hold of Sarah's hand and led her back into the castle.
"I have something I need to tell you" he said.
Sarah wondered what it was, decideing that she didn't know whether or not she thought what Jareth had to say would be good or bad. She hoped it was good.
"I have instructed Findlay to take my place until the threat posed by Toran is over" he stated. Sarah hesitated. She didn't know what she had expected Jareth to say, but that certainly wasn't it.
Seeing no evident response from Sarah, Jareth went on. "I don't know what in all of the underground I am going to do for that time though" he stated with emphasis.
Sarah knew that Jareth wanted to spend the time with her, but also knew that he would be courteous and leave the decision up to her.
"You could spend it with me" she suggested nervously, licking her lips. Jareth followed the motion with his angelic changeling eyes and smiled.
"I was hoping you would say that" he said softly, and looped an arm around her waist.
As they walked into the castle, both were smiling and for once they felt relaxed.
* * *
Alanya rode through the darkness towards the castle and tried to think of a convenient excuse to be there. She knew that the pair needed a good push in the right direction and she would be the one to give it to them. After she had left, she had ridden home, packed a few clothe items and had returned.
She walked through into the throne room, fully expecting to find Jareth, yet seeing only Lord Findlay his second in command and chief of defence. He turned, from where he had been standing, practicing various lines he had head Jareth use and attempting to insert the right amount of cynicism into his tone.
"Lord Findlay" she began, but Findlay waved it away.
"Findlay is fine Lady Alanya" he replied and she smiled.
"I have come to see if I am able to stay here for a little while, You see my home it was infested by Uh, tome rats" she fudged.
Findlay raised his eyebrows.
"Tome rats you say? The ones that only come out of their nests in winter?" he asked.
"Uh yeah, that's them, tricky little rascals, I guess they've acclimatised" she continued nodding fervently, and hoping that Findlay wouldn't throw her out on her ear.
Instead, the Fey's face broke into a conspirital grin.
"You may indeed, and as for your purpose of being here mi'lady, I believe we both have the same motivation" he replied.
He led her to a guest room, knowing that Jareth would have no objections and winked as she closed the door.
* * *
Toran leafed through all the books he could find for something, anything that would help him kill the Goblin King. Exhausted, having spent the best part of the afternoon on the task and having gotten no where. He lay his head down on the wooden table and accidentally knocked a book that he hadn't looked at off the table. Bending down to pick it up, he saw that it had opened to a page. Reading it, he couldn't believe his eyes.
"To kill a fey" read the heading of the page. Toran read the page quickly and discovered that it was some kind of recipe to make a blade that could kill fey's.
Reading the ingredients, he saw that there were only two,
Steel, and fresh fey blood.
"Guess they never bargained on a fey wanting to kill a fey" he said with relish.
C'mon guys, review it means an awful lot to me to hear your opinion and lets face it I love it!
(Chapter 7)
the deal, the game.
1 DISCLAIMER: NO, I ONLY OWN THE CHARACTERS I INVENTED **DUH**
THERE HAVE BEEN NO REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER 6 SO FAR, SO PLEASE REVIEW AND MAKE ME FEEL LOVED.
Sarah gasped as she saw the fey from the crystal dragged into the throne room. She wondered that if Jareth truly did despise her and was bent on revenge, if he would go to this much trouble to convince her otherwise. She decided to believe him, and immediately felt terrible for those awful things she had said about him, yet incredibly happy at the fact that it wasn't Jareth. Sarah felt her ribs throb in protest as she sat up so she would be able to hear the exchange between the goblin king and her attacker.
She looked into his face, he looked so young, yet his eyes held an iron ore, a cold blue fire that burnt with rage as he stared at Jareth. Sarah wondered what Jareth had done to make this Fey hate him so much.
* * *
Jareth looked into the young Fey's face and wanted nothing more than to send on an all expenses paid trip to the bog of eternal stench. Yet getting a closer look at him, he rethought his planned, long slow and torturous revenge upon this creature and looked behind him to where Sarah was seated. He felt his anger shoot through him, desperately wanting to inflict as much pain on this little upstart as he had to Sarah.
Instead, he closed his eyes and focused on gaining a leash of his anger. Jareth knew that Sarah didn't like violence and he knew that if he was going to win her back then he would need to gain her trust. Turning back to face the fey, he forced a thin smile on his face, making him look even more dangerous than if he had been frowning.
"I'm Jareth, and you are?" he inquired semi cordially, it was the best he could manage. Jareth watched as the fey's jaw dropped, and decided that this being good thing had its good points. Jareth saw the fey gather his wits and step forward slightly.
"I'm Toran," he stated in a voice that was cold as steel.
"Nice to meet you, now would you like to take a look at the woman that because of you broke nine bones in her body?" he inquired eyebrow raised.
Toran looked past Jareth to Sarah. Remorse covered his face.
"Lady Sarah, I am incredibly sorry for the wrongs I have commited against you. My quarrel is with Jareth and he alone, and I hurt an innocent woman in the process, please forgive me" he stated humbly.
Jareth smirked, fully aware that Toran was attempting to gain mercy from Sarah and play her off against him.
He decided to intervene. Moving toward Findlay, he whispered to him to have his men ready. Jareth knew that the young fey thought that he had outsmarted him, and decided to use it to his advantage.
"Release him!" he commanded. Jareth heard the gasps of all but one in the room and ignored them.
"Toran, I'd like a word" he stated brusquely,
When they were out of earshot, Jareth grabbed Toran's collar with both hands and shoved him roughly against a stone wall. "If you ever touch her again, I will dunk you in my bog so fast you wont even smell it!" he hissed menacingly.
That done with, Jareth put the fey back down on the ground again and smiled. "I have a deal for you, You go in there, say that it definitely was you who did it, how you did it, and how remorseful you are, yes I know you have already apologised but I want my name well and truly cleared of this gross conduct" he finished. Toran nodded. "and If I don't?" he asked mockingly.
"Don't defy me Toran, do what I have said, and I will show mercy where you did not, I will exile you and you shall return to where you came from never to cross my path again" he finished.
With that, they returned to the throne room Toran did as the Goblin King had requested. and Jareth looked at the boy, then at Findlay. Nodding for his friend to let the young fey pass.
Jareth saw the look of astonishment cross his friend's features as he complied and knew that he would need to explain to Findlay his reasons for doing what he had.
* * *
Sarah watched as Findlay disappeared, stating as he did that he would come to talk to Jareth later. She watched as Jareth closed the distance between them. "Sarah," he started but broke off. He snapped his fingers and Sarah saw the manacles slide off her wrists and legs as though they had indeed never been there. She rose unsteadily and would have toppled over if Jareth hadn't caught her. Sarah broke free of the embrace and sat back down. Jareth kneeled beside her.
"Do you believe me now?" he asked, softly tracing the line of her jaw. Sarah grimaced, it was hard to stay mad at this beautiful fey, but she tried.
"Jareth, I need you to accept me as a fey, I am no threat to you, and It hurt incredibly that you couldn't support me when I needed it" she stated,
Jareth looked her in the eye, his changeling eyes showing depths that she had never seen before, and in them, deep down she saw vulnerability. Sarah recognised that look because she knew it was the one she had worn when she had told Jareth that she was fey.
Jareth knelt beside her. "Please Sarah, give me a chance, I would do anything to have you trust me again, but let me have a chance" he stated rawly.
Sarah listened, slightly shocked. She knew that the Goblin King was capable of cruelty, deceit, yet this was a side of him that she had glimpsed yet never gotten to experience.
"You mustn't mess me around Jareth, the things you hang on, Toran as you said were almost impossible to bear, I doubt I could survive it again, especially not if it really comes from you" she replied honestly.
Jareth nodded and placed a kiss on her hand. Jareth scooped Sarah up into his arms and began walking towards her room. "Jareth, I think I can walk n..." Jareth cut her off with a silencing look. "Or not.." she finished. When they had gotten to Sarah's room, Jareth placed her gently on the bed and sat beside her. He flicked his wrists and the windows opened, revealing a picturesque sky of deep purple diamond studded with stars very similar to those Aboveground.
Sarah rubbed her wrists absently and Jareth bowed his head, shamed. He lifted first one then the other, pressing each to his lips attempting to heal the pain. Sarah smiled, and Jareth got up to leave. With a parting kiss on her hand, he disappeared and Sarah stayed on the bed, deliberating what she was going to do about that magnificent fey who had trapped her heart, even if she hadn't realised it, from the moment they had met.
* * *
Findlay and Jareth sat in the dining hall and ate their midday meal. Findlay knew that Jareth knew that he wanted answers but Findlay also knew that it was in his friends nature to tease, and draw things out, So when they had met here a half hour ago, he had kept his mouth firmly shut and waited until the Goblin King tired of his jest.
"You know me altogether to well for me to be comfortable with Finn" stated Jareth, peeved at having lost out on his fun.
Finn just laughed. "Come on Jar, you know you love it" he couldn't help but tease. The Goblin Kings eyes flashed once and then cleared.
"Well, would you like to know where your going for the holiday I have planned for you Finn?" asked Jareth.
Findlay thought about this for a moment, unable to decide whether Jareth was just, as usual threatening to kick his butt into the bog of eternal stench, or whether he truly meant it.
"Enlighten me" he stated dryly. And Jareth grinned broadly glad to finally have the chance to share his master plan.
"You my friend are going on an all expenses paid holiday to the Castle of the Goblin King himself"
Findlay baulked. "Jareth, you've asked me before if I would like to come and live here and the answer has always been no, what makes you think the answer has changed? Anyway, I don't think I could stand being around you all the time, you give me the worst headpains!" he exclaimed. Jareth frowned.
"That wasn't very nice" said Jareth mock wounded and grasping at his heart.
"You know me Jareth, I make no claims of being nice," he said jokingly. But the smile was quickly replaced by one of mild annoyance as Jareth clicked his fingers and the food from Findlays plate promptly emptied itself over his dark head. Unfazed he went on, applesauce dripping from his nose.
"I would have said hang the bastard", referring to Toran.
"Finn, there are better things to do then waste rope on that fool" replied Jareth, Continuing. "And besides, not all answers are at the tip of a sword." He finished. Findlay nodded acknowledging that his friend was indeed right, then snapping his own fingers and dissipating the mess from his head and tunic.
"What are we going to do about him? I think you were crazy just letting him go like that! Do you fail to realise that he will just learn from his mistake and make a better attempt next time? He could even kill you!" ranted Findlay.
Jareth smiled. "Now Findlay, you know that's impossible, the last blade forged of steel and fey blood was destroyed during the civil war and there to the ability to kill fey's" stated Jareth blandly.
Findlay nodded, distracted. "So what's the big plan?" he asked.
Jareth stood. "You, for all intents and purposes are going to become the Goblin King.
* * *
Alanya and Sarah walked through the castle gardens. "How are you feeling Sarah?" asked Alanya, and Sarah smiled. "I don't know I guess it must be because I am fey, but I appear to be healing" she stated. Alanya nodded. "Yes, your fey half is nourishing the mortal half" she explained.
They walked on occasionally stopping to smell the exotically beautiful flowers in the gardens.
"What of Jareth?" inquired Alanya. Sarah stopped short and blushed.
"I-I believe he is well" she stammered and Alanya smiled knowingly.
"Have you told him how you feel about him?" Alanya questioned gently. Sarah shook her head. "I need to first be sure that he indeed feels the same for me." She replied.
Alanya sighed. "Sarah, know this. Jareth is a very complex fey, he lost his mother at a young age to an alloy that was forged with the intent to kill all three of the Goblin monarchs, since then he has been incredibly reluctant to trust let alone love a woman, his heart is like a fortress guarded fiercly and never readily opened, his reign has been barren, isolated and lonely, and the Labyrinth as it is connected to Jareth so deeply has always reflected that." Explained Alanya.
Sarah nodded and felt a tug at her heart at the thought of Jareth steeling himself against his emotions and keeping himself in that dreadful brooding tower.
Alanya took Sarah's hand. "You may not know it yet, or even believe it but Jareth cares for you deeply, the first time he has since his mother, so you must understand his reluctance. But to the creatures of the Labyrinth, his sentiments become obvious more and more each day. Why do you think these flowers grow? Why do you think the sky is now blue instead of grey, why do you think there is beauty where there only used to be torment, bitterness and pain? His words may not come freely, but his emotions flow in abundance through the Labyrinth" Alanya took a breath and broke off and they resumed walking.
* * *
Back in his tower, Toran had to laugh at the Goblin Kings stupidity. He couldn't believe that Jareth had actually let him go. The remorse that Toran felt for his actions regarding Sarah was authentic, yet he lost no love where the Goblin King was concerned.
He knew now, that he must wait, bide his time and find the best way to kill Jareth. The only problem he could foresee was that Jareth was immortal, therefore rendering him unkillable. He vowed he would find a way, and when he did…bye bye Goblin King.
* * *
"It's the perfect plan" began Jareth,
"You will assume my identity and wait for Toran's attempt on my life, we will beat him at his own game and catch him red handed. We will have reason to hold him here, and he will be an immensely valuable asset." He continued.
Finn looked up puzzled, wondering why they were going to so much trouble for that delinquent
Jareth smiled, and said, "I discovered this morning that Toran is indeed the adopted son of Ragan, our strongest opponent and most vigilant in his attempts at seizing my throne" he explained. Jareth went on, "We could use this to our advantage by having Ragan agree to leave my kingdom alone in exchange for his son" Jareth broke off.
And Findlay thought a moment. "We could prevent the war that is threatening to break out!" he exclaimed. And Jareth nodded, pleased.
Jareth sighed softly and spoke, "I hate to admit it, but I don't think that the kid is truly all evil, there's just something about him, and I think it may just be Ragan's influence causing this behaviour, I mean who ever heard of a demon taking a fey as a son? Something just isn't right, and you know the rules, we are not allowed to kill a being if they show any signs of possible redemption" finished Jareth thoughtfully. Findlay nodded.
"I think It's a great plan if we can pull it off" he stated genially. Jareth nodded absentmindedly then grinned wickedly. "I'll have to teach you how to be me" he stated dramatically placing a hand at his brow.
Findlay laughed and then stopped, a look of horror coming across his face.
"I wont have to wear tights will I?" he asked mortified.
* * *
In the late afternoon light, Jareth watched Sarah kiss her mother good bye and return through the gates of his castle.
I will win your trust, he thought to himself and laughed merrily as he thought of exactly how much time Finn taking over for a while would give him with the girl. He stood at the window deep in thought, thinking about how she would have no choice but to love and trust him if he was with her every single moment, she would never be alone, or forget him. He would help her heal both emotionally and physically, he would give her all her hearts desires and the some.
He felt pleased and teleported himself so that he was by her side.
"Sorry, didn't' mean to scare you" he said innocently. Sarah blushed slightly and Jareth wondered if mother and daughter had indeed been talking about him. He liked that.
Jareth caught hold of Sarah's hand and led her back into the castle.
"I have something I need to tell you" he said.
Sarah wondered what it was, decideing that she didn't know whether or not she thought what Jareth had to say would be good or bad. She hoped it was good.
"I have instructed Findlay to take my place until the threat posed by Toran is over" he stated. Sarah hesitated. She didn't know what she had expected Jareth to say, but that certainly wasn't it.
Seeing no evident response from Sarah, Jareth went on. "I don't know what in all of the underground I am going to do for that time though" he stated with emphasis.
Sarah knew that Jareth wanted to spend the time with her, but also knew that he would be courteous and leave the decision up to her.
"You could spend it with me" she suggested nervously, licking her lips. Jareth followed the motion with his angelic changeling eyes and smiled.
"I was hoping you would say that" he said softly, and looped an arm around her waist.
As they walked into the castle, both were smiling and for once they felt relaxed.
* * *
Alanya rode through the darkness towards the castle and tried to think of a convenient excuse to be there. She knew that the pair needed a good push in the right direction and she would be the one to give it to them. After she had left, she had ridden home, packed a few clothe items and had returned.
She walked through into the throne room, fully expecting to find Jareth, yet seeing only Lord Findlay his second in command and chief of defence. He turned, from where he had been standing, practicing various lines he had head Jareth use and attempting to insert the right amount of cynicism into his tone.
"Lord Findlay" she began, but Findlay waved it away.
"Findlay is fine Lady Alanya" he replied and she smiled.
"I have come to see if I am able to stay here for a little while, You see my home it was infested by Uh, tome rats" she fudged.
Findlay raised his eyebrows.
"Tome rats you say? The ones that only come out of their nests in winter?" he asked.
"Uh yeah, that's them, tricky little rascals, I guess they've acclimatised" she continued nodding fervently, and hoping that Findlay wouldn't throw her out on her ear.
Instead, the Fey's face broke into a conspirital grin.
"You may indeed, and as for your purpose of being here mi'lady, I believe we both have the same motivation" he replied.
He led her to a guest room, knowing that Jareth would have no objections and winked as she closed the door.
* * *
Toran leafed through all the books he could find for something, anything that would help him kill the Goblin King. Exhausted, having spent the best part of the afternoon on the task and having gotten no where. He lay his head down on the wooden table and accidentally knocked a book that he hadn't looked at off the table. Bending down to pick it up, he saw that it had opened to a page. Reading it, he couldn't believe his eyes.
"To kill a fey" read the heading of the page. Toran read the page quickly and discovered that it was some kind of recipe to make a blade that could kill fey's.
Reading the ingredients, he saw that there were only two,
Steel, and fresh fey blood.
"Guess they never bargained on a fey wanting to kill a fey" he said with relish.
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