Chapter 36: Meeting with the council

     "Sarah I apologize for losing my temper. They should not have been saying anything about you. And I apologize for their
            actions, as well." Jareth stated quietly.
            "Jareth it is not your fault! They were just stating their opinion about me. Although I don't know what I did that would possibly get them so            mad at me. I have done nothing to upset anyone so I don't understand."
            "Sarah they are just goblins, with a wasted life. They have nothing else to do but to make fun of others, and make others       miserable...Now since our breakfast time has been wasted, we should probably go to the Half-ground now and we can eat something    on the way there. If that is alright with you?"
            "That is perfectly fine Jareth. What ever needs to happen we will do it."
            "Well then let us go!" Jareth took Sarah's hand getting up from their seats and they walked over to the balcony. They both took a deep breath and Jareth transported them to the Half-ground. They stopped at the entry way to the city. Guards bowed to them. Jareth nodded his head to acknowledge them. Then the guards opened the gates. Jareth and Sarah walked in. Jareth held Sarah close for he did not want to lose her. They traveled through the city, casually speaking with some of the peasants. Many of the peasants were very happy with the way that the Half-ground had turned out since Jareth and Sarah had become the king and Queen. As they made their way through the city they stopped once more in front of the castle. In the beginning when Sarah would visit she dreaded entering the castle. She would get uncomfortable. But Jareth would pull her closer to him and assure her that nothing was going to happen. This always made Sarah feel a bit better. Now as they stood in front of the door Sarah was not as afraid. She was gradually getting more use to it. As Jareth waved his hand the doors opened. He put out his hand and allowed Sarah to step in first. She nodded her head and smiled at him. He was a complete gentleman. He had his hand on her back as they walked in...
            "Ah good morning Your Highnesses! How are you on this frigid morning?"
            "Ah Ardor, it has been a rough morning and I fear that it will only get worse."
            "I am sorry to hear that my Lord. Is there anything I can do for you?" He said as he offered to take Sarah's cloak. Sarah whispered     "Thank you" as she untied her cloak and handed it to him.
            "Your Highness, shall I take you cape as well?"
            "Oh no thanks I am all set."
            "Of course." He bowed.
            "Ardor please send for Banter, I wish to speak with him. And tell him to meet me in the Throne room!" Jareth ordered as he looked to Ardor. Ardor bowed again and then left the open hall, turning left to go and find Banter.
            "Sarah shall we go to the Throne room?"
            "Well if that is where you told Banter to meet you than yes." Jareth kissed Sarah on the forehead, smirking at her for being so wise to him. She got up on her tippy toes and kissed him in the lips before beginning to walk with Jareth to the room. They walked in and took their seats. There were councilmen in the room. They were the usual ones that took care of everything while Jareth and Sarah were back in the Underground. Jareth asked how everything was going. The councilmen told him that there had been a few rogues but they took care of them, they were now in a oubliette inside the Labyrinth. When Sarah heard this she thought about her time in the oubliette. Then she remembered Hoggle and how she had not seen him since she had been there, nor any of her other friends. She decided to ask Jareth about them. But every time she was about to speak, Jareth would ask the councilmen another question. So she decided to wait. There was a knock at the throne room door.
            "Come in!" Jareth ordered. And the doors swung open, Banter came walking in, he bowed to Jareth, and then bowed again, only
this time to Sarah. He walked up to her and kissed her hand and then stepped back. Jareth turned his face to Sarah to see her smiling. He leaned over and whispered to Sarah. She nodded her head and then got up from her seat.
            "Excuse me Gentlemen but I have some things that I need to tend to." She said as she carefully lifted the bottom of her gown off the floor so that she did not trip on it. Banter was looking at her, as she kissed Jareth on the lips and smiled. Banter said something
under his breath.

Background information on Banter: Banter has been living in the castle of the Half-ground for over six hundred years. He has been the most trusted adviser of that castle for five hundred and forty-one years, which would explain his name. He grew up in that castle. His
father and mother were best friends of the prior king and queen. He is much older than Jareth, who has only been alive for three hundred years. When Sarah first came to the Underground Banter thought that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever heard of. And when he heard that Jareth had fallen for her, he became infuriated. For he himself had heard of her, when King Locket would mention her during his time as king. Banter had wanted so much to meet her and court her. Hearing of how beautiful she was. And when she had been held captive in King Locket's castle he would try to go and see her. But King Locket would hold him back. He himself had fallen for her.

There was a magic that she held that had all the men crazy to woo her. Now he has to deal with seeing her in the arms of Jareth. He sees her every week with the knowledge that she is wed to Jareth and that she is now Queen, and that just kills him. And before entering the throne room he takes deep breaths and forces a smile to prepare for heartbreak yet again. So again when he saw Sarah kiss Jareth on the lips, this got him upset. But he could not let it show, so he counted to ten under his breath. He watched as Sarah walked over to the door. He ran over to the door and grabbed it for her.
            "Well thank you Banter!" Sarah smiled.
            "Of course my lady!" He smirked. And Sarah left. He shut the door behind her. When he turned around he saw Jareth looking strictly at him. Banter turned red and cleared his throat, as he walked back over to stand in front of Jareth.
            "Your Highness, I..."
            "Make it strictly known Banter that she is your Queen and my wife for that matter! I am aware of your feelings for her. And you are going             to have to control yourself and get any thoughts pertaining to her out of your head. Other than, that she is you queen and you do as she says! Understand?... Because if you don't let me know right now and I will find someone else to fill in your place! And let me tell you that             there are quite a few people that I have in mind. So I will have no problem doing it! Do I make myself clear!" Jareth spoke in the most stern tone any of the councilmen had heard before. And he meant very word. When he spoke his eyes were fixed on Banter. The councilmen could see that Banter was embarrassed and was trying not to show it. They also notice that Jareth did not care about, making a fool of him in front of them.
            "Yes Your Highness I understand." Banter frowned.
            "Good! Now with that said, back to work. I have to ask you, for the next year or so I am going to need someone to watch over this place really well. And I need you to pick a group that is willing to stay here and watch over it, with you. And I warn you that if something goes wrong I can't help you. You will have to find a way to fix the problem yourselves..." Jareth got up from his throne and started walking towards the doors.
            "...I want you to let me know about your choice, later on this evening. Understand?"

            "Well yes, Your Highness? But has brought this on? Is anything that matter?" Banter asked confused. Jareth was almost out the door, when he stopped and mumbled,
            "No nothing is the matter. Everything is wonderful!"
            "Well then what is it?" Banter asked eagerly. Jareth sighed and smiled at the wall opposite him and said,
            "Your Highness, Queen Sarah is with child." Banter jumped backwards.
            "What!?" He asked in shock not sure that what he had heard was correct.
            "I said that Your Highness, Queen Sarah is with child!" Jareth turned now to look at Banter. Jareth could tell that Banter's heart had dropped into the pit of his stomach, as he watched his expression. The other councilmen crowded around Jareth congratulating him, and asking him all sorts of questions. But Jareth told them to be quiet for they were not to know yet. And that is why he had Sarah leave the room. He did not want Sarah to know that his surprise was to stay with her every day during her time of pregnancy. And that he was not going to go to the Half-ground for anything. And he made sure to tell the councilmen that.

It was a special surprise for his love. As he was telling the councilmen this Banter moved to the back of the crowd. He was dumb founded and did not know what to do. Although he mused that, Jareth was saying all this stuff to rub it in his face. To make him feel worse. He did believe that it was true, but did not like that he brought it up. After five minutes, Jareth finally told the councilmen to get back to work.

They bowed good bye and wished him a safe journey home. As well as luck with the Queen. Jareth shut the door behind him and walked down the hall with a smile on his face. He liked that fact that he made Banter upset. And he liked that fact that he could rave about Sarah being with child, even more. But he promised himself that he would not tell anyone else about their big secret.