Chapter 37: Banter

Jareth walked down the hall and knocked on the door that was on his right.
            "Come in!" He heard Sarah say. He walked in and saw Sarah sitting on a sofa in the corner of the room. There were other ladies with her. He bowed to the women and then to Sarah. Walking over to her he knelt down beside her and kissed her hand. Looking to the ladies he said,
            "Sorry to disturb you ladies. Did I interrupt anything?"
            "Oh no Jareth it is quite alright! We were just having girl talk that's all." Sarah smiled.
            "So you have been enjoying yourself?" He asked looking up at Sarah lovingly.
            "Indeed, I am!" She smiled back down at him.
            "Good!" He looked up at her and then pulled up to kiss her on the lips.
            "Well ladies I think that it is time that we leave, King Jareth and Queen Sarah alone." One woman whispered, as she smiled to them and began to get up.
            "Oh no, excuse me, I will leave you ladies alone. I have some unfinished business to attend to." Jareth said looking at the woman and getting up from the floor. He kissed Sarah once more and walked back to the door.
            "I will come back later and find you, my love!" He smiled looking intimately at Sarah.
            "Okay! I will be right here." She smiled. And watched Jareth begin to close the door.
            "Or in the gardens!" She shouted to Jareth before he got the chance to shut the door completely. When he heard her he quickly swung it open again and shook his head, smiling to let her know that he heard her. Then began to shut the door, but Sarah called out again,
            "Or in the study! Or...or...or in the dinning room having tea!" She shouted. Then she just heard Jareth laughing as he closed it all the way and continued to laugh walking down the hall.
            "God I love that woman! She is just to much!" Jareth left the castle going out onto the grounds. He walked around to see if anything was in need of repair. He also spoke with the guards and warned them that they were going to have to work extra hard and keep a firm ground. To watch out for any trouble makers and make them pay the price, for any wrong doings. After that Jareth went back to the Underground. There he, sat and waited for calls from the Aboveground, of kids wanting their siblings taken away. There was one, so he went to the Aboveground and bursted through the window of a little boy's home. He frightened the child.
            "You're him aren't you? You're the Goblin King!"
            "Jon, go back to your room. Play with your toys and your costumes. Forget about the baby!"
            "I can't!" The boy wined.
            "I've brought you, a gift!" Jareth stated in his routine tone.
            "What is it?" The boy asked curiously.
            "It's a crystal, nothing more...." Jareth began twirling a crystal around his hands, moving it around like it had a mind of it's own.
            "... But if you turn it this way and look into it. It will show you, your dreams. But this is not a gift for an ordinary boy who takes care of a screaming baby! Do you want it?..." The boy just looked at him thinking how much he wanted the crystal. "...Than forget the baby!"
            "I can't! It isn't that I don't appreciate what you're trying to do for me. But I have to have my brother back. He must be so scared!"

            "Jon! Don't defy me!..." The Goblin King screamed. "...You're no match for me Jon!"
            "But I have to have my brother back!" Jareth sighed once again. He would get annoyed with these mortals and their decisions. One minute they don't want their siblings, and the next, when he was nice enough to grant them their wish. They want them back. And have to go through the Labyrinth. So Jareth stepped aside and continued with his routine lines.
            "He's there, in my castle! Do you still want to look for him?"

            "Is that the castle beyond the Goblin city?"
            "Turn back Jon! Turn back before it is to late."
            "I can't, don't you understand that I can't?"
            "What a pity!... You have thirteen hours to reach the soul of the Labyrinth, before your baby brother becomes one of us, forever. Such a pity." Jareth laughed and then vanished from the boy's sight, leaving him to wonder the maze of hell. Jareth was back in the Underground. As he was seated at his throne,
            "I just don't understand these mortals. They are all so stubborn. Can't they just appreciate what I am trying to do for them. After all I go out of      my way to help them, and they just don't see that!" Jareth yelled taking his riding crop and whipping it onto the arm of his chair. It caused a loud sound which startled the goblin council. Jareth looked at them and then got up from his seat. He walked out of the room and down the hall. He stopped to look at the painting of him and Sarah. He smiled at the sight of his beautiful wife. Then walked into their bed chamber. He flopped down on the bed and rubbed his temples. He was getting a tremendous headache. He closed his eyes and sighed, attempting to fall asleep, but failed miserably. He wanted Sarah to be with him. He conjured a crystal and looked at Sarah. She was still in the room that Jareth saw her last. She was talking with the ladies and Jareth could see her smiling. He also saw that at every chance she could, when the ladies were not looking at her, she would rub her belly, and smile, biting her lower lip.

Back in the Half-ground:

    "Sarah?...Sarah!"
            "Oh. Yes?"
            "What ever is the matter child?"
            "Oh, nothing at all. Why do you ask?"
            "Well it seems that you are not paying any attention to what I say."
            "Oh, I'm sorry! I have a lot on my mind. That's all... Nothing bad of course!" Sarah stated as she looked to the woman on her right, seated on the sofa. Who's eyes were now wide and attentive.
            "Ah! Right. Now as I was saying...." The women went on speaking, but again Sarah had her mind on other things. So she could barely understand what the woman was talking about, nor did she care. Sarah decided that she wanted to go and get something to eat. So she stood up, bowed to the women. Who nodded in response. And walked out the door. As she shut the door, she leaned against it. Tilting her head back to rest on the door. She closed her eyes and sighed. Just then she heard someone clear their throat. So she tilted her head back down and opened her eyes to see who it was. It was Banter.
            "Hello my lady!" He bowed and took her hand, kissing it gently. Sarah sighed again.
            "Hello, Banter." And she began to walk away. But Banter sped up in front of her, which caused her to stop, so she would not collide into him.
            "...Ah, where are you going?" He asked.
            "Why does it matter?" Sarah said impatiently. She wanted to continue to the kitchen and really did not want to be bothered. She wanted to be alone.
            "Well, I just feel that you should not be walking around here alone." Banter stated, in a worried tone.
            "Banter I have walked around here many, many times alone before. Why should it concern you now?"

            "Oh no reason!" He smirked. "Please allow me to escort you to your destination." He stated simply, while putting out his arm, offering it to her.
            "Come on my Lady, I don't bite." He laughed....

Jareth had been watching this whole thing from the crystal and was furious that Banter was speaking with her. Even after the warnings he gave him. Jareth threw the crystal and then transported to the Half-ground.
            "I don't think that will be necessary Banter!" Jareth stated. Walking over to Sarah. Sarah was about to say hello to Jareth but had no time. Before she knew it Jareth was kissing her passionately. Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. He began to moan with each kiss. Banter just turned his head and growled. Jareth broke free from kissing Sarah and he looked at her and smiled. Then kissing her forehead, still holding her close.
            "Banter are you alright?" Sarah asked. But Banter did not answer.
            "You answer your Queen when she asks you a question Banter!" Jareth yelled. Sarah turned to Jareth and frowned.
            "What is going on Jareth?" She demanded. Jareth turned and looked at Banter who as beat red and frustrated.
            "Well it appears my love, that someone else is crazy for you as well!" Jareth stated simply. Sarah's eyes widened as she turned to Banter too.
            "Is this true Banter? Do you have feelings for me?"
            "Yes...my lady."
            "But how can this be? You know that I am wed to His majesty?" Sarah laughed in a shocked tone.
            "I know my lady. That's what makes you all the more irresistible..." Sarah walked up to him and slapped him across the face.
            "...I can't help what I feel!" He mumbled rubbing his stinging cheek. Sarah walked back to Jareth and took his hand.

            "Well you are going to have to control that!" She yelled. "Let's go Jareth!" And she turned around and began walking with Jareth.
            "I am not done with you yet Banter!" Jareth shouted, before disappearing with Sarah.