Three days later, Sara was feeling much better and Caronara agreed that it would be safe to transport to the Seelie Court. Rolardin sent word that they would be arriving the next morning.
"Sara, Seelie Court is very formal. We will not be allowed to use any nicknames or pet names. If asked a question about my parents, you must refer to them as High King Rolardin and High Queen Caronara. You may refer to me as the Goblin King. Whatever you do, do not use my name in court. It will go badly if you do." Jareth had his hands on Sara's shoulders. "Do you understand? This could end very badly if you show even one breach of etiquette."
"I understand. Tell me that we will not be forced to be apart at all times." She was scared and only wanted Jareth to be nearby. As long as that was allowed her, she could face anything. Even seeing Alamorn again after what he had done to her.
"I will be nearby but you will have to face this on your own. You have to show your strength. That is the only way to save Tarmain's kingdom from going to Alamorn permanently." He pulled her chin up so she would look him in the eye. "He will destroy your kingdom if he is allowed to rule."
"Jareth, she will have to declare an intent to marry. As do you soon. They may demand it at this session."
"Sara, there is one way that you and I will be allowed to be close during court. If I declare an intent to marry, and announce my intention to court you, we would be allowed to spend a lot of time together. Would you agree to that?"
"What would I have to do?"
"When I say, 'I declare intent to marry,' you will say, 'As do I.' Then they'll ask if I have an intended. At that point, I will tell them that I plan to court you as my wife to be if you will have me. That's when you would say that you will accept or decline my suit. The Court will approve it and then we will be able to sit together and walk together without escort."
"Jareth, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm scared. I don't want to face Alamorn again. He hates me and that hate just rolls off him in waves."
"That's why both of us need to declare our intent right off. That way if you get too scared and feel the urge to run to me for protection, no one will count it against you if look to me for support. They would also allow me to stand beside you when you face him. I would be allowed to leave the seats and join you if you need me."
"Jareth, I will always need you. You are my strength."
"Why don't you go get some sleep and we'll wake you up when it's time to go."
Sara nodded and went back to her room to catch a little sleep before facing her cousin again.
"Now, my dear, the first thing they will do is ask for declarations of intent. You must speak first. Then, Jareth will offer up his declaration and ask for permission to court you. Remember, in order to keep him close to you, you must accept his offer. Otherwise, he will not be able to support you when things get ugly during the trial."
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will do what is necessary. I'm too frightened to do otherwise." Sara was dressed in a beautiful emerald green gown with gold trim. In her hair, she wore ribbons of emerald green and gold. The gown was form-fitting but very modest as was befitting a virgin princess at court.
They were in a small room just off the main audience hall. Queen Caronara had arranged for Sara to enter first, followed by Jareth. She had also arranged for this private room. They didn't want anyone to see Sara before she revealed herself to the Council.
Just then, the trumpets sounded to summon those who would stand before the Council. Jareth was waiting outside the room as was proper. He could picture his mother kissing Sara's forehead and whispering, 'Be strong, dear child.' He could also picture his mother pulling the hood of Sara's cloak over her head to hide her face. She stepped out of the room and stood at the front of the line of people to stand before the court to make their declarations. She had been coached to only remove her hood when she made her declaration to the court.
"Who is that woman in front of the Goblin King?" Jareth could hear the whispers running around the room. He had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing out loud at the poor fools who would get an eyeful and more when his beloved Sara removed her hood. Those who were old enough to remember would swear that Lindarel had returned from Above to take back her throne.
When the doors were opened, those who had business with the court filed in and took their places in front of the Council seats. The High Council was next to enter. The High King and Queen were next and took their rightful places to the right of the Council. Then, the page stepped forward.
"This session will begin with declarations of intent. Let those of you who dare make your intentions known to the Council."
Sara stepped forward and took hold of the hood of her cloak. "I, Sara, daughter of Lindarel, step forward to declare both my intent to marry and my intent to rule my grandfather's kingdom." As she spoke, she removed her hood and heard the gasps of the audience nearby.
Jareth smiled to himself. He had known the people of the Underground would react like this. He had seen the remarkable resemblance the first time he had seen Sara.
"Order! Order in the hall!" the page demanded. When silence had once more descended on the hall, the page turned to the Council. "Does the Council recognize Lindarel's daughter's dual declaration?"
"We would ask a few questions first." One of the Council stood as he spoke. "The first being, why are you here and not your mother?"
"If it please the Council," Sara began. "My mother, the Lady Lindarel died in a car accident some time ago. The Goblin King could probably tell you the exact date. The Goblin King had just that night rescued me from a physical attack in the Aboveground. He took me to see my father and, at my request, brought me back to the Underground. At that time, I had no knowledge of who I was."
"And how did you know of the Goblin King?"
"In all honesty, when I was fifteen, I wished away my brother. I was given the chance to win him back by defeating the Labyrinth. The Goblin King did everything in his power to keep me here, even after defeating the Labyrinth. However, I was a stubborn child and decided that I had to go home to the Above." Sara bowed her head. "I was however given the option to call on some friends I had made when I was here. I never made use of that option until I needed help."
"And how did you find out about your mother?"
"When the Goblin King took me to my father's bedside, he was dying. He had held on to life just long enough to see me and tell me that he knew what had happened that night five years ago. That he knew who the Goblin King was. He had had an encounter of his own with the King. When I was brought back to the castle beyond the Goblin City, I slept badly. I had nightmares. The Goblin King woke me from one of these nightmares and that was when I asked him to tell me about the comment my father had made. That was when he told me about my mother and who she really was and what the real reason she had left me behind was."
"I believe that is enough questions for now. Although I'm sure there will be others later. The Council recognizes the Princess Sara and her dual declaration." The Council member sat down.
Sara stepped back into the line and waited patiently for her next show. She felt herself trembling and steeled herself not to let it show. She listened as they called for the next declaration then watched as Jareth stepped forward.
"I, Jareth, Crown Prince of the Underground, Lord of the Labyrinth, and King of Goblins, declare my intent to marry."
"Do you have in mind a potential partner?"
"Yes. If it please the Council, I would ask permission to court the Princess Sara."
"Does the Princess accept this courtship?"
"I do." Sara felt so many eyes on her that she had to fight the urge to run and hide.
"The Council recognizes this courtship." Sara relaxed for a moment and felt herself falling backward.
Thankfully, Jareth had been watching her from the corner of his eye and reacted quickly to keep Sara from hitting her head on the floor. Dristeria ran forward to help her brother. Jareth turned to the Council after making sure that Sara was alright. "My lords, may I have permission to take the Princess to another room to rest?"
"Yes." With that, Jareth gathered Sara into his arms and, with his sister's help, transported her to a room where she could rest on a bed.
Several hours later, Caronara and Rolardin walked into the room. "Is she alright, Jareth?"
"Yes, Mother. Just too much stress so soon after the ordeal with Alamorn. When she realized that everything would be fine, she just fainted." Jareth chuckled, remembering her complete embarassment when she realized what had happened. "She was so embarrassed when she woke up that she tried to hide under the pillow."
"Jareth?" Sara was lifting herself up off the pillow. "My lord and lady. Forgive me for my reaction in the audience hall. I was under a great deal of pressure."
Caronara looked at Sara, puzzled. "Just then she sounded more like her grandmother than herself."
"I believe it is her grandmother's spirit seeking to protect the grandchild she never knew from the embarrassment of making some terrible breach of etiquette. She told me that she felt an urge to run to me and embrace me just before she passed out." Jareth's explanation made sense.
It was beginning to look like Sara had her physical support group as well as a spiritual one.
"Sara, Seelie Court is very formal. We will not be allowed to use any nicknames or pet names. If asked a question about my parents, you must refer to them as High King Rolardin and High Queen Caronara. You may refer to me as the Goblin King. Whatever you do, do not use my name in court. It will go badly if you do." Jareth had his hands on Sara's shoulders. "Do you understand? This could end very badly if you show even one breach of etiquette."
"I understand. Tell me that we will not be forced to be apart at all times." She was scared and only wanted Jareth to be nearby. As long as that was allowed her, she could face anything. Even seeing Alamorn again after what he had done to her.
"I will be nearby but you will have to face this on your own. You have to show your strength. That is the only way to save Tarmain's kingdom from going to Alamorn permanently." He pulled her chin up so she would look him in the eye. "He will destroy your kingdom if he is allowed to rule."
"Jareth, she will have to declare an intent to marry. As do you soon. They may demand it at this session."
"Sara, there is one way that you and I will be allowed to be close during court. If I declare an intent to marry, and announce my intention to court you, we would be allowed to spend a lot of time together. Would you agree to that?"
"What would I have to do?"
"When I say, 'I declare intent to marry,' you will say, 'As do I.' Then they'll ask if I have an intended. At that point, I will tell them that I plan to court you as my wife to be if you will have me. That's when you would say that you will accept or decline my suit. The Court will approve it and then we will be able to sit together and walk together without escort."
"Jareth, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm scared. I don't want to face Alamorn again. He hates me and that hate just rolls off him in waves."
"That's why both of us need to declare our intent right off. That way if you get too scared and feel the urge to run to me for protection, no one will count it against you if look to me for support. They would also allow me to stand beside you when you face him. I would be allowed to leave the seats and join you if you need me."
"Jareth, I will always need you. You are my strength."
"Why don't you go get some sleep and we'll wake you up when it's time to go."
Sara nodded and went back to her room to catch a little sleep before facing her cousin again.
"Now, my dear, the first thing they will do is ask for declarations of intent. You must speak first. Then, Jareth will offer up his declaration and ask for permission to court you. Remember, in order to keep him close to you, you must accept his offer. Otherwise, he will not be able to support you when things get ugly during the trial."
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will do what is necessary. I'm too frightened to do otherwise." Sara was dressed in a beautiful emerald green gown with gold trim. In her hair, she wore ribbons of emerald green and gold. The gown was form-fitting but very modest as was befitting a virgin princess at court.
They were in a small room just off the main audience hall. Queen Caronara had arranged for Sara to enter first, followed by Jareth. She had also arranged for this private room. They didn't want anyone to see Sara before she revealed herself to the Council.
Just then, the trumpets sounded to summon those who would stand before the Council. Jareth was waiting outside the room as was proper. He could picture his mother kissing Sara's forehead and whispering, 'Be strong, dear child.' He could also picture his mother pulling the hood of Sara's cloak over her head to hide her face. She stepped out of the room and stood at the front of the line of people to stand before the court to make their declarations. She had been coached to only remove her hood when she made her declaration to the court.
"Who is that woman in front of the Goblin King?" Jareth could hear the whispers running around the room. He had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing out loud at the poor fools who would get an eyeful and more when his beloved Sara removed her hood. Those who were old enough to remember would swear that Lindarel had returned from Above to take back her throne.
When the doors were opened, those who had business with the court filed in and took their places in front of the Council seats. The High Council was next to enter. The High King and Queen were next and took their rightful places to the right of the Council. Then, the page stepped forward.
"This session will begin with declarations of intent. Let those of you who dare make your intentions known to the Council."
Sara stepped forward and took hold of the hood of her cloak. "I, Sara, daughter of Lindarel, step forward to declare both my intent to marry and my intent to rule my grandfather's kingdom." As she spoke, she removed her hood and heard the gasps of the audience nearby.
Jareth smiled to himself. He had known the people of the Underground would react like this. He had seen the remarkable resemblance the first time he had seen Sara.
"Order! Order in the hall!" the page demanded. When silence had once more descended on the hall, the page turned to the Council. "Does the Council recognize Lindarel's daughter's dual declaration?"
"We would ask a few questions first." One of the Council stood as he spoke. "The first being, why are you here and not your mother?"
"If it please the Council," Sara began. "My mother, the Lady Lindarel died in a car accident some time ago. The Goblin King could probably tell you the exact date. The Goblin King had just that night rescued me from a physical attack in the Aboveground. He took me to see my father and, at my request, brought me back to the Underground. At that time, I had no knowledge of who I was."
"And how did you know of the Goblin King?"
"In all honesty, when I was fifteen, I wished away my brother. I was given the chance to win him back by defeating the Labyrinth. The Goblin King did everything in his power to keep me here, even after defeating the Labyrinth. However, I was a stubborn child and decided that I had to go home to the Above." Sara bowed her head. "I was however given the option to call on some friends I had made when I was here. I never made use of that option until I needed help."
"And how did you find out about your mother?"
"When the Goblin King took me to my father's bedside, he was dying. He had held on to life just long enough to see me and tell me that he knew what had happened that night five years ago. That he knew who the Goblin King was. He had had an encounter of his own with the King. When I was brought back to the castle beyond the Goblin City, I slept badly. I had nightmares. The Goblin King woke me from one of these nightmares and that was when I asked him to tell me about the comment my father had made. That was when he told me about my mother and who she really was and what the real reason she had left me behind was."
"I believe that is enough questions for now. Although I'm sure there will be others later. The Council recognizes the Princess Sara and her dual declaration." The Council member sat down.
Sara stepped back into the line and waited patiently for her next show. She felt herself trembling and steeled herself not to let it show. She listened as they called for the next declaration then watched as Jareth stepped forward.
"I, Jareth, Crown Prince of the Underground, Lord of the Labyrinth, and King of Goblins, declare my intent to marry."
"Do you have in mind a potential partner?"
"Yes. If it please the Council, I would ask permission to court the Princess Sara."
"Does the Princess accept this courtship?"
"I do." Sara felt so many eyes on her that she had to fight the urge to run and hide.
"The Council recognizes this courtship." Sara relaxed for a moment and felt herself falling backward.
Thankfully, Jareth had been watching her from the corner of his eye and reacted quickly to keep Sara from hitting her head on the floor. Dristeria ran forward to help her brother. Jareth turned to the Council after making sure that Sara was alright. "My lords, may I have permission to take the Princess to another room to rest?"
"Yes." With that, Jareth gathered Sara into his arms and, with his sister's help, transported her to a room where she could rest on a bed.
Several hours later, Caronara and Rolardin walked into the room. "Is she alright, Jareth?"
"Yes, Mother. Just too much stress so soon after the ordeal with Alamorn. When she realized that everything would be fine, she just fainted." Jareth chuckled, remembering her complete embarassment when she realized what had happened. "She was so embarrassed when she woke up that she tried to hide under the pillow."
"Jareth?" Sara was lifting herself up off the pillow. "My lord and lady. Forgive me for my reaction in the audience hall. I was under a great deal of pressure."
Caronara looked at Sara, puzzled. "Just then she sounded more like her grandmother than herself."
"I believe it is her grandmother's spirit seeking to protect the grandchild she never knew from the embarrassment of making some terrible breach of etiquette. She told me that she felt an urge to run to me and embrace me just before she passed out." Jareth's explanation made sense.
It was beginning to look like Sara had her physical support group as well as a spiritual one.