*
AN: This one is wordy and conversation-y and I'm sorry there isn't more fluff. Next times, sweeties. Thank you for the great reviews. Disclaimer: I do not claim to own the labyrinth.
*
Strangely Devine Chapter Twelve: Back to Goblin Castle
*
The High Queen sat primly on the edge of her bed in her nightdress and robe, sipping a cup of tea. She smoothed her blonde hair down and fixed her son with a look of annoyance.
"I am not ready for visitors first thing in the morning, Jareth. What could possibly be so important?" It was nearly noon.
Jareth scowled "Mother, did it occur to you that Sarah is a human and that Dacian might figure that out?"
She looked offended "Why of course I did, darling. You act as if something has gone amiss"
"Why the hell did you let him near her then?" He bit out icily. "And something, has gone amiss"
She scoffed "Well, have you set it right?"
"What?" he snapped, caught off guard. "Yes but-"
"Then I see no problem" she smiled.
The High King entered the room. He looked very tired and very old to Jareth as he made his way across the bedchamber to an elaborately carved desk in the corner. Jareth followed his Father with his eyes, the man was still proud and tall but just slightly heavier in the belly region.
"Duncan, my dear, your son seems to blame me for last nights seating arrangements" The High Queen sniffed
"What? No" Duncan mumbled, he opened a drawer with a wave of his hand and pulled out a clear flask of amber liquid. His mind was obviously on other things, undoubtedly the stroll he had taken with the Troll Princess. Nasty girl.
"Yes, you did" The Queen sighed.
"Did what? What are you on about Mariead?" he looked up at her, his big bushy grey eyebrows knitting together in a frown.
"Prince Dacian" she cajoled "And Lady Sarah, the human"
"Ah, yes. Did she prove to charm him off his feet?" Duncan gave a stiff smile and then tossed back some of the amber liquid.
Jareth rolled his eyes. It was a bit early to start drinking. "You put her in a dangerous position"
The high queen fluttered her hands at him "No," she tittered "You took care of it, nothing to worry about Jareth. Honestly, you'd think you had feelings for the girl" She paused and shot him a suspicious look. "*Do* you have feelings for her?"
Jareth felt his father and the maid in the corner all turn to stare at him. He frowned and sneered "I don't need this" he muttered "Not today, Mother. Do your match making else where"
"Ah, Jareth." She pouted "Are you to return to the Goblin Castle today? We will miss you"
He sighed "I'll be back before dinner"
*
"Sarah, this it getting out of control"
It was five till thirteen and Sarah was adamantly refusing to get out of bed despite Gwendolyn's pleading. "Sarah, you must get out of bed."
"Another five minutes" Sarah whined, putting her head under her pillow and pulling the duvet up around her shoulders.
Gwendolyn sighed "You said that a half an hour ago" she put her arms around Sarah and the duvet "Please get up, I don't want to be late"
Sarah's eyes snapped open "Late for what?" she asked
Gwen made a frustrated sound. "We're to return to the Goblin Castle today with his majesty. He just needs to make sure the Goblins haven't murdered the poor caretaker yet and do a bit of peace keeping"
Sarah fingered the duvet and finally flung it off "Do I have to come?" she asked in a quiet voice.
Gwendolyn raised her eyebrows in surprise "You don't want to? It will be your home after the peace talks at Calais are over"
Sarah blinked. "It will?" she asked pointedly "Why am I going to live with his majesty?"
"Well" Gwendolyn blushed "I was assuming it would, because it is where Gaeton and I live, and well, I was under the impression you would want to stay with us"
"Oh, of course I want to stay with you, Gwen" Sarah laughed "I just thought- "
"Are you joking" Gwendolyn snorted "I wouldn't leave you alone with him for a minute."
"You did last night" Sarah pointed out.
Gwendolyn shrugged "I knew he would be out of it for a while. I figured he wasn't exactly going to be threatening in that state"
Sarah blushed just thinking about holding his hand. Don't be so stupid, she chided herself. Gwendolyn caught the look of embarrassment but decided to not comment.
"Anyway get up, I thought you could wear the yellow silk dress today"
As it would turn out, the yellow silk dress was one of Sarah's new favourites. She wasn't one to wear really bright colours, but even she had to admit that it looked fantastic on her. The corset from hell was really proving it's worth under the thin material.
Gwendolyn sighed "I wish I had your figure"
"Bah," said Sarah, pulling her friend to stand in front of the mirror with her. "You have breasts, Gwen" she giggled "Be grateful"
"I suppose we should get going" Gwen grinned.
*
Gaeton strode across the lawn towards Sarah and Gwendolyn. They were sitting under a willow tree talking and giggling. He couldn't possibly fathom what they had to much to talk about but every time they were alone it seemed there were endless topics of conversation. He just did not understand it.
Jareth appeared in a shower of glitter at his side. "Hello" he said softly, looking over at Sarah.
"Beautiful girl, that" Gaeton sighed, pressing his lips into a thin line
"Indeed" Jareth agreed, looking Sarah over from this distance. She was wearing a dress the colour of bright sunshine and looked particularly radiant.
The two men slowed to a stop about a hundred yards away from the willow tree. "It's like I always say," Gaeton shrugged and Jareth gave him his undivided attention. "Women are like elephants, I like to watch them, but I wouldn't want to own one"
Jareth snorted with laughter "I'm sure Sarah would be thrilled to hear that comparison"
"What?" Gaeton chuckled "I'm not the one who has ownership rights of that lovely vision, over there"
At this Jareth gritted his teeth "Best not to mention that" he muttered darkly as he strode forward.
Gaeton shrugged and hurried after. "Ladies!" He cried, dropping into a deep bow before rising. "Doth thou not look especially beautiful today, Lady Sarah." He said grandly taking her hands and placing a soft kiss on her cheek. He turned to his sister and kissed her as well. "Eh-you look all right to, Gwen"
She gave him a slap on the arm as she had trouble holding back a smile. "Don't be vulgar, Gaeton" She gave Jareth an impatient look and he rolled his eyes.
"I'm sick of the formalities, Gwen" he muttered kissing her cheek. "Especially if you won't concede to marrying me" He turned to Sarah and when their eyes met a flicker of amusement passed through his mismatched orielles. "Lovely as always, my lady" he murmured, taking her hands and grazing his lips softly across the apple of her cheek. Sarah was ashamed to feel a ripple of excitement pass through her.
"Thank you" she whispered
"Right," Gaeton announced, "Lets go before poor gatekeeper has to spend another moment there alone"
Gaeton and Gwendolyn vanished in showers of glitter and Jareth offered Sarah his hand. She stepped into his embrace and after doing it so many times over the past weeks it nearly felt normal. But that was terrible. Inner turmoil was still raging. Jareth was a very confusing paradox, and no matter how attractive he was, she couldn't let that blind her from the facts that he was manipulative and could be dangerous.
Jareth felt her go rigid and ran his gloved hands up her arm gently. "All right?" he asked in a low voice that brushed airily across her ear.
Sarah swallowed "Fine" she muttered, trying to relax against him. She squeezed her eyes shut and in the next instant they were standing in the strangely familiar throne room.
Goblins were everywhere, hanging from crystal chandeliers, lounging in Jareth's throne, eating messily from bowls on the floor. In the midst of it all was a gnarled old man who was attempting to clean one of the stained glass windows on the door to the throne room. A goblin went by and spat on it just as he'd finished. The old man gave a sigh an started wiping again.
"Oh-" Sarah murmured, feeling her heart go out to him. "Is that the gatekeeper?" she twisted her head around to look at Jareth. She had not yet moved out of his arms and quickly distanced herself from him.
It seemed the Goblins were catching on fast that their leader was home. Those hanging from rafters fell to the ground and those on his throne dashed out of site before he did so by magic. All it took was a pointed look to those in the pit in the centre of the room and the noise quickly dwindled down.
"I have returned for a short period" Jareth said in a high disgusted voice. "Those who belong in the kitchens-go there. Guards return to your posts, the rest of you" he made a fleeting hand gesture and soon the throne room had all but emptied of dirty goblins. Two stood at either side of both doors leading into the room and one stood next to the throne with his chin held high.
"This is lady Sarah" he said to this goblin, and gesturing to Sarah. "You are to obey her as you obey Lady Gwendolyn, Sir Gaeton and myself. Understood?"
"Yes m'lord" the Goblin squeaked
"Good" Jareth sneered, he dropped his arm around Sarah's shoulders and then, almost in double take fashion seemed to realize what he was doing and removed it. She blushed and tried to look away.
Gwendolyn sounded disgusted "This is just--- disgusting"
Gaeton returned from tending to the gatekeeper with a disturbed look on his face "There is Goblin shite, everywhere--!" he lamented.
"Take care of it, Gwen" Jareth gritted out. She waved her arms elaborately and the room began to clean itself, brushes and mops appeared. Sarah blinked. Well, that was one way to get out of doing it yourself.
"Come with me, Sarah" he said softly and pulled her to him again.
She hated herself for not hesitating and instead letting him lead her around like jello. He rested his chin atop her head and in a blink they were in a new room. It looked a lot like the room Sarah inhabited at the Calais court but a lot larger. The floors and walls were still flagstone, only instead of a deep cut window, heavy oak doors with large glass windows and crystal knobs led out to a large stone balcony.
The furniture was some darkly lacquered wood carved into intricately swirling styles. The bed was four poster again and instead of heavy dusty red velvet drapes, Sarah was delighted to see a soft sheer fabric draping from above. The duvet was heavy red velvet and the sheets satin and smooth.
The best part of the new room was the bathroom. Sarah let out a squeal of excitement and disappeared behind the heavy oak door.
"This is all for me?" she asked, peering back at Jareth with a large smile on her face.
He shrugged coolly, trying to hide how pleased he was that she enjoyed it. "If you like"
"God, this bath tub is huge." He could hear her laughing from the largely marble and stone bathroom. "Defiantly a step up from what I had in New York" She remerged and regarded him thoughtfully. "Why are you doing all of this for me?"
Jareth strode towards the balcony "Why?" he asked over his shoulder and she followed him out. There was a clear view of the twisting Labyrinth, you could almost see it changing very slowly. He crossed his arms and leaned against a stone pillar. "Why not?"
"Well" she stared out across the Labyrinth. "Last time I was here you weren't exactly kind to me"
Jareth made a fleeting movement with his hand and a large daisy appeared in his gloved hand. He held it out to her and she took it, giggling. "Please forgive me" he grinned crookedly and showing off his pointed teeth.
"But Jar-your majesty." She said, catching herself "I don't understand why still"
He watched her fidget with the flower for a moment and then said. "I don't know if you've noticed how much I hate this place-" He laughed and she saw him grin out across the Labyrinth "No, I don't hate you, luv" he mumbled, which Sarah found alarming because it seemed he was talking to the maze. "But being the Goblin King is rather-an arduous task, if you follow. Certain responsibilities, taking wished away children for example, must be complied with. And we've been over this, Sarah. You were the--- exception"
"We didn't go over anything" she said softly twisting the flower. "You didn't explain what you meant by I was different"
"I'm afraid I can not be any more Candid than I already have been" he said coldly
A silence once again descended and Sarah sighed, trying to think of something to say. "Uh-so are you going to marry Bella"?
Sarah glanced up at him and the look on his face was priceless. Shock and horror, would be correct. She busted up laughing. "I take that as a no" she said through her laughter.
"You must be mental" he shook his head, smiling in a quietly amused sort of way.
Sarah frowned "Gwendolyn said you and her were--"
He laughed sharply "Sarah, I'm not sure if you're aware of the term casual sex"
"Please" Sarah snorted. Well that was one thing that wouldn't make her blush. She lived in Soho for Christ's sake, with arty people of various sexual orientation. "My best friend was a nymphomaniac, she practically invented it," she said carelessly.
Jareth frowned "Nympho-what?" he asked
Sarah grinned slyly at him "One who is obsessed with sex. You go to therapy to cure you of it. Doesn't work, of course, she's currently fu-making her way through LA"
"Ah" He looked impressed "You have a friend with this problem, then? A mortal?"
"Mmm" Sarah nodded staring out over the Labyrinth. "She was in a sorority, the pretty wet t-shirt type and she was always having parties. College was great"
Jareth held his hands up, "If I'm to learn anything about the Aboveworld, you must explain everything" he grinned. "One, what is a sorority?"
"Oh" she nodded "Well, it's a bit like a club you join at university. There's a load of them and they all have greek names and you join the one most like you. I didn't join one, of course. But practically everyone I knew conformed to be one thing or another for a sorority or frat house" she paused "Oh, frat house-fraternity-the male version. They drink a lot of beer and have toga parties"
"Why would anyone have a toga party?" Jareth asked. He pushed off the pillar and came to stand next to her against the railing.
Sarah bit her lip and grinned "You don't wear anything but a sheet. It's supposed to be naughty or something"
Jareth grinned and nudged her with his shoulder. "Did you ever go to one of these toga parties?"
Sarah snorted "Of course. I was the queen of the toga parties. I always cheated and wore my underwear and used safety pins. Ah-safety pin in a little clip with an end on it. Catching on?"
"Oh yes" he nodded and laughed shortly. "You mortals do find ways to amuse yourselves don't you?"
"We try" she shrugged "What else? Oh, wet tee shirt contest. Well, remember what I showed up here in?"
He raised a delicate eyebrow at her "You mean those horrible stiff breeches and that undershirt?" he cast a look down at her figure "I must say this is much better"
"Ah-thank you" she stuttered under his gaze.
"What does that have to do with being wet?" he asked innocently.
Sarah leaned forward on the railing pressing her lips together and trying not to blush or laugh loudly. "Well, imagine if that shirt was white" she said "And-imagine if it got wet and one wasn't wearing anything on underneath it and one was--- female"
Jareth gave her a meaningful look "I'm imagining it" he told her intently.
She snorted and pushed his arm gently. "Stop imagining me, I never took part in it"
"How do you know imagining you?" he teased with a grin "I could be imagining Bella"
"oh-ho" Sarah laughed "That girl would win hands down"
"Why?" he clasped his hands together on the railing and attempted to look innocent again.
"Why do you think?" Sarah sputtered with laughter "She's not exactly lacking in the-in the breasty region-- unlike" She gestured to herself. "Others"
Jareth laughed, he gazed at her, his mismatched eyes sparkling with mirth "Why Sarah, do you mean to tell me you're insecure next Bella's-er- vastness"
"Insecure? Not really, more like well aware" Sarah shrugged. That reasonable voice in the back of her head was going insane. It was soooo not a good idea to talk about her boobs with Jareth. Of all people and things to talk about. Not that.
"Well" he sighed giving her chest an appraising look "I think you're lovely"
Before Sarah could stop her self the comment was out of her mouth "You should see me without this corset death trap on-" she trailed off, realizing that his amusement had quickly turned into satisfaction once again.
He shifted closer so their shoulders were touching and lowered his head to hers "Was that an invitation?" he purred
Sarah tried to pretend she didn't care and failed miserably. "No, an observation"
"One, I would be all too happy to make for you" he told her in a low silky voice.
Sarah gave him a stiff smile "Don't be obscene" she mumbled, trying to imitate Gwendolyn.
He saw through it and laughed in a very amused sort of arrogant way. "Yes, all right. But they are over rated"
Unable to help herself Sarah fixed him with a pointed look. "Statistics show that nine out of ten men prefer bigger breasts and the tenth man prefers the other men"
She was almost sure he was giggling as he answered but it was way to bizarre. "Is that a fact? Well, you've caught me then. I secretly fancy boys" his tone was so sarcastic Sarah felled compelled to give his arm a soft slap.
"Don't" she mumbled. "Do you have that here by the way?"
"What?" he raised an eyebrow
"Eruh-homosexuality"
"From my limited knowledge of Latin I assume you mean Homo- the same and sexuality as in sex, so being with the same sex" he paused "Of course"
Sarah chewed on her lip "Well, I suppose it isn't treated very well is it?"
"On the contrary" Jareth said dryly. "It doesn't matter much whether you like boys or girls, you'll be stuck in a marriage anyway. Most of the Fae have sex with whomever the please, and everyone turns a blind eye"
"That sounds-promiscuous" Sarah said, thinking about how Aislinn and her husband supposedly carried on like this, according to Gwendolyn.
"For lack of a better word" Jareth shrugged.
"So-" she was unable to keep from asking. "Have you ever" she made a hand gesture "You know with another-another bloke"
He stared at her, seemingly overjoyed that she would ask such a question as well as surprise and amused. It all surmounted in a single eyebrow raise. "Are you asking if I've had an affair with anther man?"
"Yes" she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from blushing.
"Oh-no, not really. Have you?"
You aren't discussing you sex life with the goblin king, you aren't discussing your sex life with the goblin king, you aren't discussing your sex life with the goblin king. Her mind was chanting but she blocked it out. She found this fascinating.
"Ah well" she blushed "I've kissed a girl before"
Jareth sounded unfazed by this "That's nothing, I've kissed boys" he said dismissively.
"Have you?" Sarah's voice was a bit louder then she had expected.
He looked at her with surprise and grinned cheekily "Hasn't everyone?"
"I suppose" she admitted "On of my best friends was gay"
He shot her a look "I notice you say was"
"Oh" her eyes turned gloomy "Well-I suppose I won't be seeing him again, what with-being down here and all" She rapped her fingers against the stone railing and pulled a face. "None of them"
Jareth hesitated and then slid his arm around her waist, unassumingly pulling her closer. It felt comfortable and right and he was pleased that she didn't jerk violently away. The soft silky fabric of her dress was thin and he could feel her deep hitching breathes under the corset. Stupid bloody things.
"Tell me about your friends" he requested.
Sarah looked up at him. "What? My friends? Why?"
He shrugged "I wish to know more about you. Who was your best friend?"
Sarah drummed her fingers against the railing for a bit longer before speaking. "Well-the sex addict one-she left to join green peace. She always was a bit of a hippie-oh hell-green peace is an organization that helps animals and the environment and things. A hippie was a person a few years ago who had long hair and worse jeans and sandals and listened to bob Dylan, he's a musician" She leaned her head against his chest and peered up at him upside down. "Had you been around in the sixties they probably would have had a fit for having hair like that" she tugged on one of his whispy strands affectionately and Jareth looked amused.
"So then my other best friend- Amelia- she was sort of a work-a-holic. I've known her since were in high school and she's always been obsessive about school and stuff. She went to work on Wallstreet-which is uh-a street with a lot of business on it in New York, which is the biggest city in the er- kingdom I live in"
Jareth nodded, his voice belying amusement "Very good" he said wryly "So you didn't see Amelia anymore?"
"No" Sarah sighed "She was busy and to tell you the truth, I couldn't have picked a better time to be randomly transported into another world. My life was a bit of a shambles"
"Why?" he asked softly.
"Because" she moaned. "I majored in Art History- which basically qualifies you for unemployment. I was living with my friend Emily, she designs clothes and has a load of money. Anyway, I was sleeping on her couch more or less, eating her food and being a general waste of space for six months. This, coupled with loosing four of the most important people-"
"Who else" Jareth murmured
"What?"
He grinned "You only mentioned Amelia and the sex addict"
"Oh, right. My roommate Eloise, we lived together for four years and she moved to LA-ah-the second biggest city in our kingdom to be a writer. And erm-well, Brian--- by ex boyfriend, he went up north to study to become a doctor. We-split up"
"Oh" Jareth said softly. "I'm sorry"
"Nah" Sarah mumbled. "You probably won't understand this one, but one of the biggest problems, was another close friend of mine-Fiona-she's a Junkie" Sarah sighed heavily. "Bloody hard to watch that, it is"
"Junkie" Jareth asked
"You don't have heroin-no you wouldn't. It's a drug, like how alco-"
"I know what a drug is" he said irritably.
Sarah nudged him "Sorry" she giggled "It's a really horrible one that makes you ill and really is addictive and you shoot it into your arm with a needle and all you think about is getting more." She sighed "Well, it's bad"
Jareth was quiet for a long time. "Well-thank you for that insight" he said at last
Sarah laughed "Anytime" she mumbled "Want to tell me about your friends?"
"You know my friends" he said airily.
"I know Gaeton and Gwen and Ilareo" she protested "Surely there are more"
His face twisted into a sneer. "It's rather hard to make friends when you're ponced about as the royal high prince and you're young"
Sarah nodded "Sounds hard"
He grinned at her "I'm sorry that was boring. I could list people I've slept with?"
Sarah laughed "Maybe another time.
*
AN: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I will do a thorough thanks, but unfortunately I must hurry if I want to get this up to you. :D
Remember to REVIW
AN: This one is wordy and conversation-y and I'm sorry there isn't more fluff. Next times, sweeties. Thank you for the great reviews. Disclaimer: I do not claim to own the labyrinth.
*
Strangely Devine Chapter Twelve: Back to Goblin Castle
*
The High Queen sat primly on the edge of her bed in her nightdress and robe, sipping a cup of tea. She smoothed her blonde hair down and fixed her son with a look of annoyance.
"I am not ready for visitors first thing in the morning, Jareth. What could possibly be so important?" It was nearly noon.
Jareth scowled "Mother, did it occur to you that Sarah is a human and that Dacian might figure that out?"
She looked offended "Why of course I did, darling. You act as if something has gone amiss"
"Why the hell did you let him near her then?" He bit out icily. "And something, has gone amiss"
She scoffed "Well, have you set it right?"
"What?" he snapped, caught off guard. "Yes but-"
"Then I see no problem" she smiled.
The High King entered the room. He looked very tired and very old to Jareth as he made his way across the bedchamber to an elaborately carved desk in the corner. Jareth followed his Father with his eyes, the man was still proud and tall but just slightly heavier in the belly region.
"Duncan, my dear, your son seems to blame me for last nights seating arrangements" The High Queen sniffed
"What? No" Duncan mumbled, he opened a drawer with a wave of his hand and pulled out a clear flask of amber liquid. His mind was obviously on other things, undoubtedly the stroll he had taken with the Troll Princess. Nasty girl.
"Yes, you did" The Queen sighed.
"Did what? What are you on about Mariead?" he looked up at her, his big bushy grey eyebrows knitting together in a frown.
"Prince Dacian" she cajoled "And Lady Sarah, the human"
"Ah, yes. Did she prove to charm him off his feet?" Duncan gave a stiff smile and then tossed back some of the amber liquid.
Jareth rolled his eyes. It was a bit early to start drinking. "You put her in a dangerous position"
The high queen fluttered her hands at him "No," she tittered "You took care of it, nothing to worry about Jareth. Honestly, you'd think you had feelings for the girl" She paused and shot him a suspicious look. "*Do* you have feelings for her?"
Jareth felt his father and the maid in the corner all turn to stare at him. He frowned and sneered "I don't need this" he muttered "Not today, Mother. Do your match making else where"
"Ah, Jareth." She pouted "Are you to return to the Goblin Castle today? We will miss you"
He sighed "I'll be back before dinner"
*
"Sarah, this it getting out of control"
It was five till thirteen and Sarah was adamantly refusing to get out of bed despite Gwendolyn's pleading. "Sarah, you must get out of bed."
"Another five minutes" Sarah whined, putting her head under her pillow and pulling the duvet up around her shoulders.
Gwendolyn sighed "You said that a half an hour ago" she put her arms around Sarah and the duvet "Please get up, I don't want to be late"
Sarah's eyes snapped open "Late for what?" she asked
Gwen made a frustrated sound. "We're to return to the Goblin Castle today with his majesty. He just needs to make sure the Goblins haven't murdered the poor caretaker yet and do a bit of peace keeping"
Sarah fingered the duvet and finally flung it off "Do I have to come?" she asked in a quiet voice.
Gwendolyn raised her eyebrows in surprise "You don't want to? It will be your home after the peace talks at Calais are over"
Sarah blinked. "It will?" she asked pointedly "Why am I going to live with his majesty?"
"Well" Gwendolyn blushed "I was assuming it would, because it is where Gaeton and I live, and well, I was under the impression you would want to stay with us"
"Oh, of course I want to stay with you, Gwen" Sarah laughed "I just thought- "
"Are you joking" Gwendolyn snorted "I wouldn't leave you alone with him for a minute."
"You did last night" Sarah pointed out.
Gwendolyn shrugged "I knew he would be out of it for a while. I figured he wasn't exactly going to be threatening in that state"
Sarah blushed just thinking about holding his hand. Don't be so stupid, she chided herself. Gwendolyn caught the look of embarrassment but decided to not comment.
"Anyway get up, I thought you could wear the yellow silk dress today"
As it would turn out, the yellow silk dress was one of Sarah's new favourites. She wasn't one to wear really bright colours, but even she had to admit that it looked fantastic on her. The corset from hell was really proving it's worth under the thin material.
Gwendolyn sighed "I wish I had your figure"
"Bah," said Sarah, pulling her friend to stand in front of the mirror with her. "You have breasts, Gwen" she giggled "Be grateful"
"I suppose we should get going" Gwen grinned.
*
Gaeton strode across the lawn towards Sarah and Gwendolyn. They were sitting under a willow tree talking and giggling. He couldn't possibly fathom what they had to much to talk about but every time they were alone it seemed there were endless topics of conversation. He just did not understand it.
Jareth appeared in a shower of glitter at his side. "Hello" he said softly, looking over at Sarah.
"Beautiful girl, that" Gaeton sighed, pressing his lips into a thin line
"Indeed" Jareth agreed, looking Sarah over from this distance. She was wearing a dress the colour of bright sunshine and looked particularly radiant.
The two men slowed to a stop about a hundred yards away from the willow tree. "It's like I always say," Gaeton shrugged and Jareth gave him his undivided attention. "Women are like elephants, I like to watch them, but I wouldn't want to own one"
Jareth snorted with laughter "I'm sure Sarah would be thrilled to hear that comparison"
"What?" Gaeton chuckled "I'm not the one who has ownership rights of that lovely vision, over there"
At this Jareth gritted his teeth "Best not to mention that" he muttered darkly as he strode forward.
Gaeton shrugged and hurried after. "Ladies!" He cried, dropping into a deep bow before rising. "Doth thou not look especially beautiful today, Lady Sarah." He said grandly taking her hands and placing a soft kiss on her cheek. He turned to his sister and kissed her as well. "Eh-you look all right to, Gwen"
She gave him a slap on the arm as she had trouble holding back a smile. "Don't be vulgar, Gaeton" She gave Jareth an impatient look and he rolled his eyes.
"I'm sick of the formalities, Gwen" he muttered kissing her cheek. "Especially if you won't concede to marrying me" He turned to Sarah and when their eyes met a flicker of amusement passed through his mismatched orielles. "Lovely as always, my lady" he murmured, taking her hands and grazing his lips softly across the apple of her cheek. Sarah was ashamed to feel a ripple of excitement pass through her.
"Thank you" she whispered
"Right," Gaeton announced, "Lets go before poor gatekeeper has to spend another moment there alone"
Gaeton and Gwendolyn vanished in showers of glitter and Jareth offered Sarah his hand. She stepped into his embrace and after doing it so many times over the past weeks it nearly felt normal. But that was terrible. Inner turmoil was still raging. Jareth was a very confusing paradox, and no matter how attractive he was, she couldn't let that blind her from the facts that he was manipulative and could be dangerous.
Jareth felt her go rigid and ran his gloved hands up her arm gently. "All right?" he asked in a low voice that brushed airily across her ear.
Sarah swallowed "Fine" she muttered, trying to relax against him. She squeezed her eyes shut and in the next instant they were standing in the strangely familiar throne room.
Goblins were everywhere, hanging from crystal chandeliers, lounging in Jareth's throne, eating messily from bowls on the floor. In the midst of it all was a gnarled old man who was attempting to clean one of the stained glass windows on the door to the throne room. A goblin went by and spat on it just as he'd finished. The old man gave a sigh an started wiping again.
"Oh-" Sarah murmured, feeling her heart go out to him. "Is that the gatekeeper?" she twisted her head around to look at Jareth. She had not yet moved out of his arms and quickly distanced herself from him.
It seemed the Goblins were catching on fast that their leader was home. Those hanging from rafters fell to the ground and those on his throne dashed out of site before he did so by magic. All it took was a pointed look to those in the pit in the centre of the room and the noise quickly dwindled down.
"I have returned for a short period" Jareth said in a high disgusted voice. "Those who belong in the kitchens-go there. Guards return to your posts, the rest of you" he made a fleeting hand gesture and soon the throne room had all but emptied of dirty goblins. Two stood at either side of both doors leading into the room and one stood next to the throne with his chin held high.
"This is lady Sarah" he said to this goblin, and gesturing to Sarah. "You are to obey her as you obey Lady Gwendolyn, Sir Gaeton and myself. Understood?"
"Yes m'lord" the Goblin squeaked
"Good" Jareth sneered, he dropped his arm around Sarah's shoulders and then, almost in double take fashion seemed to realize what he was doing and removed it. She blushed and tried to look away.
Gwendolyn sounded disgusted "This is just--- disgusting"
Gaeton returned from tending to the gatekeeper with a disturbed look on his face "There is Goblin shite, everywhere--!" he lamented.
"Take care of it, Gwen" Jareth gritted out. She waved her arms elaborately and the room began to clean itself, brushes and mops appeared. Sarah blinked. Well, that was one way to get out of doing it yourself.
"Come with me, Sarah" he said softly and pulled her to him again.
She hated herself for not hesitating and instead letting him lead her around like jello. He rested his chin atop her head and in a blink they were in a new room. It looked a lot like the room Sarah inhabited at the Calais court but a lot larger. The floors and walls were still flagstone, only instead of a deep cut window, heavy oak doors with large glass windows and crystal knobs led out to a large stone balcony.
The furniture was some darkly lacquered wood carved into intricately swirling styles. The bed was four poster again and instead of heavy dusty red velvet drapes, Sarah was delighted to see a soft sheer fabric draping from above. The duvet was heavy red velvet and the sheets satin and smooth.
The best part of the new room was the bathroom. Sarah let out a squeal of excitement and disappeared behind the heavy oak door.
"This is all for me?" she asked, peering back at Jareth with a large smile on her face.
He shrugged coolly, trying to hide how pleased he was that she enjoyed it. "If you like"
"God, this bath tub is huge." He could hear her laughing from the largely marble and stone bathroom. "Defiantly a step up from what I had in New York" She remerged and regarded him thoughtfully. "Why are you doing all of this for me?"
Jareth strode towards the balcony "Why?" he asked over his shoulder and she followed him out. There was a clear view of the twisting Labyrinth, you could almost see it changing very slowly. He crossed his arms and leaned against a stone pillar. "Why not?"
"Well" she stared out across the Labyrinth. "Last time I was here you weren't exactly kind to me"
Jareth made a fleeting movement with his hand and a large daisy appeared in his gloved hand. He held it out to her and she took it, giggling. "Please forgive me" he grinned crookedly and showing off his pointed teeth.
"But Jar-your majesty." She said, catching herself "I don't understand why still"
He watched her fidget with the flower for a moment and then said. "I don't know if you've noticed how much I hate this place-" He laughed and she saw him grin out across the Labyrinth "No, I don't hate you, luv" he mumbled, which Sarah found alarming because it seemed he was talking to the maze. "But being the Goblin King is rather-an arduous task, if you follow. Certain responsibilities, taking wished away children for example, must be complied with. And we've been over this, Sarah. You were the--- exception"
"We didn't go over anything" she said softly twisting the flower. "You didn't explain what you meant by I was different"
"I'm afraid I can not be any more Candid than I already have been" he said coldly
A silence once again descended and Sarah sighed, trying to think of something to say. "Uh-so are you going to marry Bella"?
Sarah glanced up at him and the look on his face was priceless. Shock and horror, would be correct. She busted up laughing. "I take that as a no" she said through her laughter.
"You must be mental" he shook his head, smiling in a quietly amused sort of way.
Sarah frowned "Gwendolyn said you and her were--"
He laughed sharply "Sarah, I'm not sure if you're aware of the term casual sex"
"Please" Sarah snorted. Well that was one thing that wouldn't make her blush. She lived in Soho for Christ's sake, with arty people of various sexual orientation. "My best friend was a nymphomaniac, she practically invented it," she said carelessly.
Jareth frowned "Nympho-what?" he asked
Sarah grinned slyly at him "One who is obsessed with sex. You go to therapy to cure you of it. Doesn't work, of course, she's currently fu-making her way through LA"
"Ah" He looked impressed "You have a friend with this problem, then? A mortal?"
"Mmm" Sarah nodded staring out over the Labyrinth. "She was in a sorority, the pretty wet t-shirt type and she was always having parties. College was great"
Jareth held his hands up, "If I'm to learn anything about the Aboveworld, you must explain everything" he grinned. "One, what is a sorority?"
"Oh" she nodded "Well, it's a bit like a club you join at university. There's a load of them and they all have greek names and you join the one most like you. I didn't join one, of course. But practically everyone I knew conformed to be one thing or another for a sorority or frat house" she paused "Oh, frat house-fraternity-the male version. They drink a lot of beer and have toga parties"
"Why would anyone have a toga party?" Jareth asked. He pushed off the pillar and came to stand next to her against the railing.
Sarah bit her lip and grinned "You don't wear anything but a sheet. It's supposed to be naughty or something"
Jareth grinned and nudged her with his shoulder. "Did you ever go to one of these toga parties?"
Sarah snorted "Of course. I was the queen of the toga parties. I always cheated and wore my underwear and used safety pins. Ah-safety pin in a little clip with an end on it. Catching on?"
"Oh yes" he nodded and laughed shortly. "You mortals do find ways to amuse yourselves don't you?"
"We try" she shrugged "What else? Oh, wet tee shirt contest. Well, remember what I showed up here in?"
He raised a delicate eyebrow at her "You mean those horrible stiff breeches and that undershirt?" he cast a look down at her figure "I must say this is much better"
"Ah-thank you" she stuttered under his gaze.
"What does that have to do with being wet?" he asked innocently.
Sarah leaned forward on the railing pressing her lips together and trying not to blush or laugh loudly. "Well, imagine if that shirt was white" she said "And-imagine if it got wet and one wasn't wearing anything on underneath it and one was--- female"
Jareth gave her a meaningful look "I'm imagining it" he told her intently.
She snorted and pushed his arm gently. "Stop imagining me, I never took part in it"
"How do you know imagining you?" he teased with a grin "I could be imagining Bella"
"oh-ho" Sarah laughed "That girl would win hands down"
"Why?" he clasped his hands together on the railing and attempted to look innocent again.
"Why do you think?" Sarah sputtered with laughter "She's not exactly lacking in the-in the breasty region-- unlike" She gestured to herself. "Others"
Jareth laughed, he gazed at her, his mismatched eyes sparkling with mirth "Why Sarah, do you mean to tell me you're insecure next Bella's-er- vastness"
"Insecure? Not really, more like well aware" Sarah shrugged. That reasonable voice in the back of her head was going insane. It was soooo not a good idea to talk about her boobs with Jareth. Of all people and things to talk about. Not that.
"Well" he sighed giving her chest an appraising look "I think you're lovely"
Before Sarah could stop her self the comment was out of her mouth "You should see me without this corset death trap on-" she trailed off, realizing that his amusement had quickly turned into satisfaction once again.
He shifted closer so their shoulders were touching and lowered his head to hers "Was that an invitation?" he purred
Sarah tried to pretend she didn't care and failed miserably. "No, an observation"
"One, I would be all too happy to make for you" he told her in a low silky voice.
Sarah gave him a stiff smile "Don't be obscene" she mumbled, trying to imitate Gwendolyn.
He saw through it and laughed in a very amused sort of arrogant way. "Yes, all right. But they are over rated"
Unable to help herself Sarah fixed him with a pointed look. "Statistics show that nine out of ten men prefer bigger breasts and the tenth man prefers the other men"
She was almost sure he was giggling as he answered but it was way to bizarre. "Is that a fact? Well, you've caught me then. I secretly fancy boys" his tone was so sarcastic Sarah felled compelled to give his arm a soft slap.
"Don't" she mumbled. "Do you have that here by the way?"
"What?" he raised an eyebrow
"Eruh-homosexuality"
"From my limited knowledge of Latin I assume you mean Homo- the same and sexuality as in sex, so being with the same sex" he paused "Of course"
Sarah chewed on her lip "Well, I suppose it isn't treated very well is it?"
"On the contrary" Jareth said dryly. "It doesn't matter much whether you like boys or girls, you'll be stuck in a marriage anyway. Most of the Fae have sex with whomever the please, and everyone turns a blind eye"
"That sounds-promiscuous" Sarah said, thinking about how Aislinn and her husband supposedly carried on like this, according to Gwendolyn.
"For lack of a better word" Jareth shrugged.
"So-" she was unable to keep from asking. "Have you ever" she made a hand gesture "You know with another-another bloke"
He stared at her, seemingly overjoyed that she would ask such a question as well as surprise and amused. It all surmounted in a single eyebrow raise. "Are you asking if I've had an affair with anther man?"
"Yes" she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from blushing.
"Oh-no, not really. Have you?"
You aren't discussing you sex life with the goblin king, you aren't discussing your sex life with the goblin king, you aren't discussing your sex life with the goblin king. Her mind was chanting but she blocked it out. She found this fascinating.
"Ah well" she blushed "I've kissed a girl before"
Jareth sounded unfazed by this "That's nothing, I've kissed boys" he said dismissively.
"Have you?" Sarah's voice was a bit louder then she had expected.
He looked at her with surprise and grinned cheekily "Hasn't everyone?"
"I suppose" she admitted "On of my best friends was gay"
He shot her a look "I notice you say was"
"Oh" her eyes turned gloomy "Well-I suppose I won't be seeing him again, what with-being down here and all" She rapped her fingers against the stone railing and pulled a face. "None of them"
Jareth hesitated and then slid his arm around her waist, unassumingly pulling her closer. It felt comfortable and right and he was pleased that she didn't jerk violently away. The soft silky fabric of her dress was thin and he could feel her deep hitching breathes under the corset. Stupid bloody things.
"Tell me about your friends" he requested.
Sarah looked up at him. "What? My friends? Why?"
He shrugged "I wish to know more about you. Who was your best friend?"
Sarah drummed her fingers against the railing for a bit longer before speaking. "Well-the sex addict one-she left to join green peace. She always was a bit of a hippie-oh hell-green peace is an organization that helps animals and the environment and things. A hippie was a person a few years ago who had long hair and worse jeans and sandals and listened to bob Dylan, he's a musician" She leaned her head against his chest and peered up at him upside down. "Had you been around in the sixties they probably would have had a fit for having hair like that" she tugged on one of his whispy strands affectionately and Jareth looked amused.
"So then my other best friend- Amelia- she was sort of a work-a-holic. I've known her since were in high school and she's always been obsessive about school and stuff. She went to work on Wallstreet-which is uh-a street with a lot of business on it in New York, which is the biggest city in the er- kingdom I live in"
Jareth nodded, his voice belying amusement "Very good" he said wryly "So you didn't see Amelia anymore?"
"No" Sarah sighed "She was busy and to tell you the truth, I couldn't have picked a better time to be randomly transported into another world. My life was a bit of a shambles"
"Why?" he asked softly.
"Because" she moaned. "I majored in Art History- which basically qualifies you for unemployment. I was living with my friend Emily, she designs clothes and has a load of money. Anyway, I was sleeping on her couch more or less, eating her food and being a general waste of space for six months. This, coupled with loosing four of the most important people-"
"Who else" Jareth murmured
"What?"
He grinned "You only mentioned Amelia and the sex addict"
"Oh, right. My roommate Eloise, we lived together for four years and she moved to LA-ah-the second biggest city in our kingdom to be a writer. And erm-well, Brian--- by ex boyfriend, he went up north to study to become a doctor. We-split up"
"Oh" Jareth said softly. "I'm sorry"
"Nah" Sarah mumbled. "You probably won't understand this one, but one of the biggest problems, was another close friend of mine-Fiona-she's a Junkie" Sarah sighed heavily. "Bloody hard to watch that, it is"
"Junkie" Jareth asked
"You don't have heroin-no you wouldn't. It's a drug, like how alco-"
"I know what a drug is" he said irritably.
Sarah nudged him "Sorry" she giggled "It's a really horrible one that makes you ill and really is addictive and you shoot it into your arm with a needle and all you think about is getting more." She sighed "Well, it's bad"
Jareth was quiet for a long time. "Well-thank you for that insight" he said at last
Sarah laughed "Anytime" she mumbled "Want to tell me about your friends?"
"You know my friends" he said airily.
"I know Gaeton and Gwen and Ilareo" she protested "Surely there are more"
His face twisted into a sneer. "It's rather hard to make friends when you're ponced about as the royal high prince and you're young"
Sarah nodded "Sounds hard"
He grinned at her "I'm sorry that was boring. I could list people I've slept with?"
Sarah laughed "Maybe another time.
*
AN: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I will do a thorough thanks, but unfortunately I must hurry if I want to get this up to you. :D
Remember to REVIW