Due to real life circumstances I am not able to write as much as I would like to and as much as I have in the past. Because of these circumstances I will not be posting a chapter every week, but every other week. I appreciate your understanding.
As always, special thanks to my incredibly talented beta and friend, Scattered Logic.
Chapter 29: Union of souls
Sarah kept her eyes on her plate of food directly in front of her and refused eye contact with anyone at the table, including Jareth.
He was nervous as well, she could tell by the sound of the toe of his boot continually tapping the floor.
Dinner was drawing to a close and Sarah realized that the sooner they got this over with the better. If the Henry's couldn't accept their decision then too bad for them.
Looking up, she noticed that Jacob was staring at her with a look of worry on his face. He looked as if he believed something was terribly wrong.
Sarah cleared her throat. "IJareth and I"
"Well, spit it out, child," Mrs. Henry told her as she brought a forkful of beef to her mouth.
Sarah hesitated when she noticed that all eyes were on her.
"Sarah and I plan to marry this upcoming Saturday," Jareth finished for Sarah.
A fork dropped onto a plate, followed by an eerie silence and then the clapping of hands.
"Congratulations. That's wonderful!" Jacob called out. He immediately got up from his chair and walked around the table to shake Jareth's hand and to give Sarah a small hug.
Elizabeth didn't say a word. She looked a little jealous. Sarah didn't know if it was due to the fact that Jareth was marrying or that Sarah and Jareth were marrying before William had even asked her.
"That's pretty neat," Thomas piped in, his mouth full of food as usual.
Sarah laughed, starting to feel better that, one by one, the Henry's were accepting she and Jareth's decision.
Mr. Henry offered his congratulations and shook Jareth's hand across the table. He reached over to Sarah and squeezed her arm, giving her a wink.
Then everyone turned to Mrs. Henry who had been exceptionally quiet.
Mrs. Henry's face was beet red, but the color drained away after a few moments. "I suppose I should offer my congratulations as well," she said slowly.
Sarah's eyes widened and Jareth's jaw dropped just slightly.
"No opposition from you at all?" An eyebrow arched over Jareth's blue eye.
Mrs. Henry looked harshly at Jareth and then Sarah. "Let us get this straight; I don't like that the two of you care for each other. I might not ever like it, but I realize that it's something I have to get accustomed to."
Sarah and Jareth looked at each before returning their gaze to Mrs. Henry.
"Each time I have tried to pull you away, you join together stronger than before." Mrs. Henry gave a deep sigh and looked at Sarah.
"I tried to protect you, child, as if you were my own." She looked directly at Jareth and then at Sarah again. "I still can't help but feel as if you are making a terrible mistake. Are you certain you wish to marry Jareth? Marriage is forever."
Sarah almost made a comment about her mother, but remembered where she was and what time period it was before she slipped up. Divorce was not common during this era so, to these people, marriage really was forever.
Sarah nodded. "I love him. If I didn't, I wouldn't want to marry him," she said firmly.
"What will you do for a marriage ceremony? You have no dress and you have no money to buy fabric for one."
Sarah knew that Mrs. Henry wasn't going to make things easy for them. "I don't care if I get married in rags," Sarah told her. "I love Jareth and I'm going to marry him."
Mrs. Henry shook her head. "Well, it's your choice and your life. I've done all I can." She picked up her plate, even though it was obvious that she wasn't finished and began to clear the table.
* * *
Sarah decided that she would wear the pale blue dress that Elizabeth had given her. It was the nicest dress that she owned and it had the least amount of stains or damage to it. She thought it would make a suitable wedding gown with perhaps the addition of some trim and some flowers in her hair.
With the weekend behind them, Monday morning started off well until breakfast arrived. The family and Jareth and Sarah had barely begun to eat when Mrs. Henry decided that she had more to say about Jareth and Sarah's wedding.
"I don't think it's right that you are not going to marry in the church," let out.
"We've never attended church," Jareth started. "Why should we change things now? What difference does it make?"
"It makes a lot of difference," Mrs. Henry shot back. "It will get people talking."
"Who cares what other people think?" Jareth spat. He should have known not to get too comfortable with Mrs. Henry accepting that he and Sarah were to marry. The older woman would probably make them miserable all week.
Sarah, who had been quiet up until now, spoke, "I don't want to marry in the church," she said firmly. "But what if we had the minister marry us with vows that were not religious? I've heard that there is a hand joining ceremony."
"I've never heard of such a ridiculous thing," Mrs. Henry said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well, I have and I think it would be the perfect ceremony for Jareth and myself." She smiled at Jareth who nodded his approval.
"I could take you into town to speak with the minister, Sarah," Jacob offered. "It would be a good idea to make certain that he doesn't have any prior engagements."
"That's a very good idea." Sarah smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Jacob."
He smiled. "My pleasure." He turned to gaze at his mother. "I think this hand ceremony would be acceptable and the minister would still be joining them so there would be no room for controversy."
"I suppose," Mrs. Henry replied. She raised her fork to her mouth and took a bite of her egg, and not another word was said about the wedding.
After breakfast, Jareth helped Sarah carry the dishes into the kitchen to be washed.
"Why did you compromise with that horrible woman?" Jareth asked. He watched Sarah begin to pile the dirty dishes on the table. If the Henrys were not bustling about in the dining room he would have used his magic to wash, dry and put the dishes away. But it would look suspicious if the dishes were finished in a matter of seconds.
Sarah turned to look at him. "You aren't mad that I compromised are you?" She frowned. "Oh, Jareth, I should have talked with you about it in private first. I'm so sorry."
She looked horrified and Jareth stepped closer, pulling her into his arms. "I am not angry. I was slightly surprised that you would compromise with her, but I have no quarrel with the decision."
Sarah pulled back slightly. She was still frowning. "But that's not the point. I should have discussed it with you first."
Jareth leaned closer to her. He reached up and brushed her long hair back from her face. He smiled as his bare fingers touched the silky strands. She had worn her hair down ever since he had mentioned it. "I am not angry or upset. Merely curious."
"I guess I compromised for two reasons. I wanted to shut her up and the more I thought about what we agreed on, the more I wished that some part of our wedding could be traditional, not only to my people, but yours as well. The minister marrying us would be traditional to my people and we could add something from a Fae wedding, too."
Jareth grinned, his gaze predatory. "The best part of a Fae wedding is not in the ceremony. It involves the wedding night" Jareth leaned forward and brushed his lips against Sarah's. He felt her hand slide up his chest, her fingers tangling themselves in his long hair.
"There'll be none of that in here!" Mrs. Henry scolded loudly as she came into the kitchen with a few more dishes.
Sarah gasped and jumped back, nearly pulling Jareth's hair with her.
Mrs. Henry marched up to them and pointed a finger in their direction. "I won't stand for public displays in my home. Do we understand each other?"
Jareth glared dangerously at her and Sarah was looking defiant.
"We weren't harming anyone," Sarah defended.
"Save your displays of affection for when you are alone."
"But we were alone!" Sarah started.
Mrs. Henry kept speaking as if Sarah had not said a word. "It's inappropriate!" Mrs. Henry threw her hands up into the air. "What am I saying? Most of what you do is inappropriate. It's as if the two of you didn't grow up in the same time and place as the rest of us."
Sarah's jaw dropped.
"What did you just say?" Jareth asked quietly.
"I said from the way you two act it's as if you grew up in a different time and place than the rest of us." Mrs. Henry laughed at herself. "What a silly notion that was." She glanced at Jareth and became serious. "Jacob might need some help hitching the horse to the buggy to take Sarah into town. By the time you two finish that, Sarah will be done with the dishes."
Jareth looked extremely agitated and Sarah feared what might happen if he started arguing with Mrs. Henry. With his magic returning, he might become unpredictable.
"Go on and help Jacob. I'll be out soon," Sarah told him.
Jareth didn't reply so she gently squeezed his hand to let him know that it was okay.
He glanced at Sarah, squeezed her hand in return and released it slowly. He shot Mrs. Henry a dangerous look and then left the house.
* * *
Jareth finished any chores that he was required to do so that he could accompany Jacob and Sarah into town. The ride into town was enjoyable. Jareth and Jacob had become much friendlier after settling the issue that Sarah loved Jareth and not Jacob. The two men even set up an evening to go fishing before the wedding and Sarah would join them.
They rode to the edge of town where the minister lived. He was a tall gentleman by the name of Jeremy Walker with salt and pepper hair, kind blue eyes, and a bright smile. He agreed to the hand ceremony after a little persuasion. He had never performed one before and was not certain of its origin, but he did promise to research it for the appropriate vows.
Sarah was so happy that she hugged him.
The days passed by slowly for Sarah and Jareth but quickly for the Henry family.
Sarah spent the time wondering what her wedding was going to be like and what she could do to make it more special.
One afternoon while Jareth was busy with chores, Jacob brought Sarah into town to the silversmith.
Unbeknownst to Jareth, Sarah wanted to follow another human tradition, giving the groom a ring. She was hoping to give it to Jareth in a private ceremony when they were alone. The silversmith agreed to create a small wedding band for Jareth in trade for some of the Henry's apples when they were ripe.
The men went fishing late one afternoon and Sarah joined them. They had a picnic dinner when they were finished and spoke of many different things. The talk soon turned to the war. It had been quiet lately, or so Jareth and Sarah thought.
Jacob talked about the growing number of colonists that were joining the Continental army. There were farmers, blacksmiths, silversmiths, shoemakers; men of all professions were joining together. Freed slaves were even joining. Bunker Hill and much of Boston were still under British control but colonists were fighting back, picking at the British whenever they could.
As Sarah listened to Jacob speak about the war, she wanted to know two very important things.
"What happened to Colonel Davis and Colonel Rochester?" she asked Jacob. "You haven't spoken about Colonel Davis the entire time we've been staying with your family."
Jacob lowered his head and became very quiet.
Sarah frowned.
"I have not spoken of Colonel Davis for the reason that he is dead."
Sarah's eyes widened and Jareth's eyebrows rose. "II didn't know," Sarah told Jacob softly.
Jacob shifted uncomfortably on the blanket they all sat upon. "Colonel Davis died shortly after you both came to stay with us. He wanted a piece of the British and instead they got a piece of him. Our band of colonial rebels disbanded soon after his passing. His death made me rethink much about the war, and my father and I have decided that it would be best if we were involved in a non-confrontational way."
"Is that not a coward's way out?" Jareth asked.
Sarah elbowed him for asking such a question.
"Some might see it that way and I used to be one of them." Jacob glanced at them both and continued. "My family is very important to me and my father's health is not as good as it used to be. His body aches more, and he has more difficulty walking around. With him not feeling so well, I'm in charge of seeing that chores get done at the farm. If I leave the farm for too long, too many things would be left unfinished and my family would not be protected," he explained.
"I understand," Jareth told him with a nod. "I hope you did not take offense to my question as I meant none."
Jacob smiled though Sarah noticed it was uneasy. "No harm done," he replied to Jareth.
But Sarah knew better. Jacob wanted freedom for his people and being forced to run the family farm was starting to take a toll on him. He had accepted the non-confrontational way to please his family though it didn't please himself.
"And what of Colonel Rochester? Has anyone heard of his whereabouts?" Jareth asked, stretching out his long legs in front of him.
Jacob shook his head. "I know as much as you do, which is nothing. His troops were believed to have moved from their location but whether Rochester went with them is not known. Rochester does what he wants and, surprisingly the British army lets him get away with it. You've dealt with him. Certainly you know how cunning and unpredictable he is."
Jareth positioned an arm around Sarah and drew her close to him as he remembered Rochester's orders for Evan to rape Sarah in order to anger Jareth, and hoped he sought another post to command.
"We know all too well," Jareth replied and he held Sarah a little more tightly. Sarah in turn buried her face into Jareth's neck.
Jacob watched the display between them and his curiosity could not be contained. "Other than shooting Jareth, he did something to affect you both, didn't he?"
Jacob looked closely at Jareth and the young colonial man could not believe the hatred he saw brewing in his mismatched eyes. Upon second glance, Jacob noticed the hurt that lingered there, also.
Jacob looked away from the intense gaze after a few moments. "I will believe that to be a 'yes'."
Jareth nodded. "Rochester must never be underestimated. He is capable of causing irreparable damage and will stop at nothing to get what he desires."
"You sound as if you speak from personal experience."
"I do," Jareth told him firmly and he offered no explanation.
Jacob could tell that he didn't plan on offering one, either.
* * *
Friday night arrived and Sarah was beginning to grow anxious. She was fidgety at dinner and kept dropping things. It was so hard for her to believe that a few months ago she was a normal high school senior. Now she was marrying a Fae King and in Colonial America. It was unfathomable at times.
Everything was set for the wedding. She had made sure that her pale blue dress was washed and was wrinkle free. She had no idea what Jareth was wearing, and he wouldn't tell her.
They had settled for wild turkey for dinner, which Thomas proudly killed on his own. The minister had sent word that he had found the vows for a hand ceremony in one of his books, and Jareth's ring was finished.
Sarah should have been relaxed but she felt far from it. Just like any wife-to-be she was nervous and worried that things would not go well. She imagined how nervous she would have felt marrying in front of Jareth's entire kingdom instead of just the Henrys.
Sarah cleared the plates from dinner and set to the task of washing, drying and putting the dishes away with the hope that she could get the wedding off her mind. She put the last dish away with a sigh and could hear the sound of the men playing cards in the study.
She could hear Mr. Henry's hearty laugh that sounded like Santa Claus. She could hear Jareth and Jacob join in on the laughter and she sighed again. She wished that she could be enjoying herself like the men were. But it never worked that way for women when something important was coming up.
"Sarah, I need you in the living room."
It was Mrs. Henry's voice and Sarah groaned. She had fought Jareth and Sarah all week about the wedding and she probably wasn't finished.
Sarah gave a deep sigh and left the kitchen.
Mrs. Henry was sitting on one of the chairs and something was folded up in her lap. "I can't have you getting married in a blue tattered old dress."
Sarah gave her a confused expression and Mrs. Henry stood. The item in her lap unfolded and Sarah gasped at the beautiful white dress that Mrs. Henry held. The older woman smiled. "It still needs some tailoring, which we can do tonight."
Mrs. Henry laughed at Sarah's dumbfounded expression. "Well, don't just stand there. Go upstairs and try it on so we can make sure it fits properly. I'll be up in a moment so that Jareth won't see it." She handed Sarah the dress.
"So that I won't see what?" Jareth asked, walking into the living room.
Sarah immediately hid the dress behind her and began walking up the stairs backwards. "Nothing, nothing at all." She laughed and she rushed away at the top of the stairs.
One of Jareth's brows arched over his eye. What was going on that he couldn't know about?
Mrs. Henry gave a sly grin and made her way upstairs.
Sarah had just finished pulling on the dress when she heard a knock at the door. "Are you at least halfway dressed?" Mrs. Henry asked.
"I'm dressed, I just need to fasten the buttons," Sarah called.
The door opened slowly and Mrs. Henry gave a wide smile when she saw how beautiful Sarah looked in the dress. "Turn around so that I can button it for you."
Sarah did as she was instructed and watched Mrs. Henry button up the back of the dress by looking at the mirror in front of her.
"There." Mrs. Henry stepped back and Sarah turned around, smiling broadly.
Tears welled in Sarah's eyes. "It's so beautiful. Wherewhy?"
Mrs. Henry laughed. "Too many questions. Just know that it's yours."
"I don't know how to thank you," Sarah told her.
Mrs. Henry gripped Sarah by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. "You can thank me by never letting that man or any other take advantage of you. You're a beautiful, strong young woman and I would hate for anything to happen to you."
Sarah nodded. "Jareth will take good care of me," she told the older woman confidently.
"He'd better or I'll let the natives have a go at him. They can be mighty fierce."
Sarah laughed.
Mrs. Henry looked over the gown. "It's too long, which I figured it would be, but I thought it would be safer to hem it and cut it once you had it on. Don't want it being too short or too long." She glanced over the rest of the dress. "Everything else seems fine, except we might want to take it in at the waist a little. You have a nice form and there's no harm in showing a little of it off."
Sarah smiled. "I really don't know how to thank you. The dress is beautiful. I'll do whatever I can to pay for the fabric and your time."
Mrs. Henry snorted. "Nonsense. It's a gift. And the rest of the family has a few gifts as well, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow when you are married for those." Mrs. Henry looked carefully at Sarah.
"Are you sure you want to get married tomorrow? There's still time to change your mind."
Sarah shook her head. "I'm getting married tomorrow, come hell or high water."
"I'll be sure to pray for lots of rain tonight." Mrs. Henry laughed. Then she sighed. "Well, you can't blame a persistent mother for giving it a last try."
Sarah smiled sadly. A part of her wished her real mother was here to witness this event and that her father, brother Toby and even Karen were here. She missed her family and felt guilty for not thinking of them more often. Her eyes filled with tears at the realization that she might never see them again.
"Are you all right, child? I hope I didn't upset you." Mrs. Henry brushed back Sarah's dark hair and looked into her eyes.
Sarah wiped at the tears that she had not realized were there. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking about my familymy father."
"Is there a way to contact him? Perhaps Jacob could ride through the night and bring him back by the morning," the older woman offered.
"That's very kind, but he's much farther away than a night's ride." Sarah looked in the mirror and smiled. She loved the dress. It was made of a soft fabric. The style was fairly simple. Low cut neckline, but not too low, long sleeves that tapered to a point over the back of her hand and a skirt that flared out from her waist. Mrs. Henry had painstakingly embroidered some sort of design on the bodice, as well as around the buttons on the back.
Sarah felt like a princess and, glancing down at the ring on her hand, she realized she wasn't going to be a princess. Her smile widened. She was going to be a queen.
"Well, let me get the pins and we'll hem it and I'll spend the night sewing it up."
Sarah nodded.
* * *
Neither Sarah nor Jareth slept well that night. Both were too busy wondering what their wedding day would be like and what the future would hold.
Morning finally arrived. Mrs. Henry ushered Sarah into her own bedroom after Mr. Henry had gone out with Jacob to feed the animals.
Mrs. Henry had breakfast ready for Sarah, who didn't touch a thing. She was too nervous to eat. Then Mrs. Henry helped Sarah dress in her gown. The older woman wove small white wildflowers into Sarah's dark hair and Sarah was lent a pair of Elizabeth's best church boots to complete the outfit.
Sarah gazed out the window as Mrs. Henry did her hair. It had been cloudy earlier, but the sun had broken through the clouds and it was a beautiful late June day.
Sarah was anxious to go outside, but Mrs. Henry would not allow her to. Not until the minister arrived and Jareth and the family were gathered outside waiting in their places.
Sarah was growing bored and increasingly frustrated as time passed. She had thumbed through books and, now that she was no longer allowed near the window, she was beginning to feel like a reprimanded child instead of a bride.
Finally, Mrs. Henry told her it was time to go and instead of feeling relieved, Sarah felt nervous. They walked downstairs and Sarah's hands were shaking. She gripped the small bunch of wildflowers that Mrs. Henry had given her and tried not to snap the stems.
Walking outside, Sarah gasped when she saw how the apple orchard had been decorated with white fabric, flowers and two small wooden tables.
Sarah paused for a moment to take it all in and that was when she heard something. Her eyes widened. "Isis that music I hear?"
Mrs. Henry nodded. "Jacob asked a few friends if they wouldn't mind showing off their musical talents."
Sarah's eyes filled with tears.
Mrs. Henry smiled and led her closer to the orchard.
Sarah stopped dead in her tracks as Jareth came into view.
He was standing and talking with Jacob. He was dressed in a long black wool coat, a white shirt, tan pants and black knee high boots. His hair was down and it shone in the sunlight like gold. The two men were laughing and Jareth looked incredibly content.
As if sensing Sarah's presence, Jareth turned to look at her. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her and the dress she wore. He expected her to look beautiful, but nothing prepared him for how breathtaking she actually appeared. She looked as if she was born to be a queen, his queen.
As Sarah and Mrs. Henry approached, the minister asked the others to take their positions. Jacob stood to the right of Jareth, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry stood to the left of Sarah as she approached Jareth and the minister.
Jareth smiled. He inclined his head toward Sarah and whispered, "You already look like a queen."
Sarah ducked her head as a blush colored her cheeks.
The minister turned to the small group gathered, Elizabeth and Thomas, Ellie, Abigail and her husband and their two boys, as well as the musicians.
"We are gathered here today to bear witness to the joining of two souls. If anyone would not see them joined, please speak now."
Sarah held her breath and Jareth stood perfectly still, both hoping that Mrs. Henry would not say anything and to their amazement she remained silent.
"Sarah, please face Jareth, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you," the minister instructed.
Sarah did as she was asked and she took Jareth's hands. He stopped her so that he could remove his gloves and she smiled, continuing by holding his bare hands palm up.
The minister began to speak. "These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life."
"These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams."
"These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he, too, feels his child stir within you."
Jareth looked deeply into Sarah's eyes as the minister spoke of a future child. As he looked into Sarah's eyes and felt the warm of her hands on his, he realized right then and there how seriously he wanted to father a childher child.
"These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time," the minister continued.
"These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family."
Sarah smiled brightly. She wondered if those hours would be spent rebuilding the Labyrinth or perhaps tumbling through the sheets of an expansive bed with soft silk sheets.
Jareth caught a gleam in her eyes and after the minister's next words, his lips curled into a grin, revealing his pointed white teeth.
"These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness."
"These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy."
"These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind."
"These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love for you."
Sarah felt Jareth squeeze her hands with his fingers and tears clouded her eyes.
The minister then turned to Jareth.
"Jareth, please hold Sarah's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you."
Jareth did as he was instructed but only after he brushed a soft kiss on each palm.
"These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life."
"These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go."
Jareth smoothed his thumbs over Sarah's palms and when she looked into his eyes, she saw such joy and love shining back at her.
"These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times."
"These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving."
"They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness."
"These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life."
Jareth once again smoothed over Sarah's palms with his thumbs and when he looked into Sarah's eyes, his vision was clouded with tears.
"These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized."
The minister then turned to both Sarah and Jareth. He quickly acknowledged the small group that gathered for the wedding, now including them in the vows.
"Bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship, rich in caring and devoted in reaching for perfection. May Jareth and Sarah see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide."
The minister who had been reserved during the ceremony now smiled broadly. "The ceremony has concluded. Jareth, you may kiss your wife."
Jareth grinned devilishly as he lowered his lips to Sarah's. The kiss was soft and gentle, a promise of things to come.
There was clapping and cheers of joy and well wishes as the two kissed beneath the blossoming apple trees.
Breaking their embrace, Sarah and Jareth turned to the group. Jacob's friends were playing music and, in the distance at a few small tables, Ellie and Abigail were bringing out the food.
Sarah could not believe that she was married, and to Jareth the Goblin King no less. She was filled with joy as Jareth leaned closer to brush another kiss across her lips.
"I love you," he told her softly.
Her eyes filled with tears as she replied, "I love you, too."
Jareth reached for her hand and together they moved to meet their guests.
To be continued