Preparations
Sarah stood staring into the mirror in her chambers. The changes her body had undergone since becoming fully fae were subtle, but remarkable none the less. She practically glowed with an unearthly radiance, her features, while lovely before, now carried the unnatural and sharply beautiful details of the fae race. She smiled softly at her appearance and sighed, still not fully accustomed to the look about her or the feel of her own body. She had changed so much in the past few months, discovered more about herself than she had thought possible. And while her magic was still new to her, she was never without the reassuring presence of her chosen, King Jareth, or the comforting feeling that her mother had bestowed upon her the greatest gift she ever could have, her magic.
Sarah turned from the mirror, her deep green dress trailing behind her. The thick fabrics of the skirts wrapped themselves around her and she marveled at how the velvet could feel so impossibly perfect. She tugged slightly at the low neckline, pulling the sheer mist fabric out just a little more, for modesty's sake. The dress was warm, but it was best as they would be traveling soon, and the Underground was unseasonably cold. But not even that cold could steal the smile from her lips, for the smile was borne of love, and nothing would ever taint something so pure. In only a few short days she would be introduced to the court, and the mere thought of it turned her stomach in knots. She may have been blessed with magic, but she was still only a young woman, who until recently, was a college student living in New York dealing with the grief of her "mother" passing away, a step-mother who hated her, a father who had practically forgotten her, and a sweet young brother, who had at one time, worshipped her.
Thoughts of Toby always saddened Sarah a little. How she wished, no wished was the wrong word, wanted desperately to share this world with him. Someday, she promised herself, she would. Someday......
But thoughts of a family in a faraway world would have to wait. Jareth would be coming to collect his Chosen at any moment so they could begin their journey to court. It was there she would be introduced as the future Queen of the Goblins, the Chosen of the King of the Fifth Kingdom, and the Daughter of Illianna, giving her a birthright to the Court and to the Underground. Together, they had decided it was best that the court not know too many details about her, until it was absolutely necessary, until she was announced. So to the outside world, she was simply Sarah of the Aboveworld who had once defeated the Labyrinth, who had returned to the Underground, and few knew more than that. There were so many rumors floating about, as rumors could never be stopped, but they were only that, rumors. Was she mortal? Half mortal? Was she truly Illianna's daughter? Had she murdered Stark? Was she to wed the King? All speculation on the part of the court, which made the upcoming presentation so awkward. They had not disclosed anything, and therefore, had nothing to defend, only to announce. Jareth had warned her there would be those who would seek to refute her claim, but the proof would be there for all to see. She was fae with a mortal soul, the daughter of Illianna, and his Chosen. He had also warned her that there would be so many vying for Jareth's attention, some men for politics, some women for different kinds of politics, and some friends, and so many more desperate to know how this young woman had captured the heart of the most elusive Lord in the Underground. Sarah smiled at that, how she loved him, truly and completely, and each day he returned that love with a mere look of his eyes, those perfectly mismatched intense eyes. She could not wait to join with his soul, fulfilling in ceremony, the words they had spoken time and again over the past three months.
"Sarah, you look lovely." Came the soft voice of Areyne, knocking Sarah from her reverie, as she knocked while pushing open the doors. She walked in, her lithe form clothed in a thick black velvet gown with soft blue accents around the modest rounded neckline and full sleeves.
Sarah smiled warmly at her petite friend. "Thank you. I am more nervous than I ever thought possible. And I thought stage fright was bad." Sarah shook her head and walked back to her dressing table and stared into the mirror, Areyne walked up behind her and began brushing her hair, fitting small jewels into it, as she had once done when a frightened young woman had found herself most unexpectedly back in the Underground. "You and Xaven are coming with us to Court, aren't you?" A suddenly worried Sarah asked. She had asked the question time and again since learning of her announcement, and always Areyne answered with the same stoic 'yes, of course'.
With a glint in her eye, Areyne spoke to her friend in a very concerned voice "Sarah, Xaven and I are not going to be able to attend"
"But we leave today! In a matter of moments!" Sarah exclaimed, suddenly very nervous. "I need you there! I've only begun to learn about etiquette and the politics, and and...." Sarah stopped short when she noticed her friend trying desperately to hide her laughter. In her best mock angry and indignant voice she giggled out "Really Sarah, maybe Xaven and I would like a bit of time to ourselves!" She could barely contain her laughter as she finished her sentence and Sarah whirled on her, a look of relief clouded by faux anger and laughter written across her face. Xaven and Areyne had returned to the castle a few weeks ago, after their joining in Xaven's home, a beautiful ceremony that Sarah and Jareth had witnessed as the couple's first guests, what Sarah thought of as being the best man and maid of honor. At the request of the Goblin King, Areyne was to tutor Sarah in the history and politics of the underground, as well as etiquette. The two lovers had taken two months together to reunite, at the insistence of Jareth, to perform their joining, and bask in the love that had been stolen from them for so long. In time perhaps, they would possibly return to the dark elf's forest home, where he and Areyne would be offered the title to govern as Lord and Lady, but Xaven's family was still in power, with a large family, and his mother the matriarch. Knowing of his Lady's deep love for Jareth and Sarah, they had returned to the Labyrinth, placed aside the position of rulership of his home for now, and were afforded places of near royalty within the Fifth Kingdom. They were to be the Lord and Lady attendants to the King and his future Queen, roles that afforded them a high place in Court. Xaven's official role was as Lord Protector of the Fifth Kingdom, and Areyne's as Lady Gaurdian of the Castle beyond the Goblin City. With a playful growl, Sarah tackled her friend, pinning her to the bed. "That's for scaring the crap outta me!" she yelled. The two dear friends laughed and tumbled, one pinning one down as the other rolled away, only to be taken down again, amidst laughter. As the two rolled off the bed, suddenly their attention was directed towards two very amused men, standing in the doorway.
His heavily accented voice was laced with amusement and arousal at watching the two women rolling about the bed chambers of the woman he desperately loved. "Do you two do this sort of thing often when left to your own devices? Oh please do not stop for us, we were rather quite enjoying the show." A half smile twisted his lips.
"Yes please, my love, do not stop on my account." Xaven chimed in.
Nearly out of breath, Areyne stood and straightened her dress, a slight blush rising in her cheeks, as Sarah tried to hide her laughter from the floor "I think you have been spending a little to much time with the King my love besides," winking at the two men, Areyne smiled sweetly "We do far more with far less on when your politics take you from our sides" she remarked as she passed him on her way out the door. "Gentlemen, we really should be going" she called from down the hall. A grinning Xaven turned and left, following his love down the corridor.
Sarah's mouth was agape at the brashness of her friend, she quickly closed her mouth when an intense pair of mismatched eyes gazed in to her own. Helping her up, he possessively pulled her towards his warm body, she could feel him aroused through her skirts, as his lips found hers, claiming her once more as his own. His kiss was primal, hungry, passionate, and hers responded in kind, tongue snaking out to find his, weaving within his mouth. Pulling up for air, Sarah breathily whispered "I thought we were to be going?" a moan escaped her lips as his teeth gently sank into her neck, biting gently downward, finally kissing the top of her shoulder. Huskily he replied, staring into her eyes "I think we can delay our leave for an hour." And with that, the two lovers fell onto the bed, clothing falling away, as they were lost in an embrace borne of the purest of love, and the deepest of passions.
Sarah stood staring into the mirror in her chambers. The changes her body had undergone since becoming fully fae were subtle, but remarkable none the less. She practically glowed with an unearthly radiance, her features, while lovely before, now carried the unnatural and sharply beautiful details of the fae race. She smiled softly at her appearance and sighed, still not fully accustomed to the look about her or the feel of her own body. She had changed so much in the past few months, discovered more about herself than she had thought possible. And while her magic was still new to her, she was never without the reassuring presence of her chosen, King Jareth, or the comforting feeling that her mother had bestowed upon her the greatest gift she ever could have, her magic.
Sarah turned from the mirror, her deep green dress trailing behind her. The thick fabrics of the skirts wrapped themselves around her and she marveled at how the velvet could feel so impossibly perfect. She tugged slightly at the low neckline, pulling the sheer mist fabric out just a little more, for modesty's sake. The dress was warm, but it was best as they would be traveling soon, and the Underground was unseasonably cold. But not even that cold could steal the smile from her lips, for the smile was borne of love, and nothing would ever taint something so pure. In only a few short days she would be introduced to the court, and the mere thought of it turned her stomach in knots. She may have been blessed with magic, but she was still only a young woman, who until recently, was a college student living in New York dealing with the grief of her "mother" passing away, a step-mother who hated her, a father who had practically forgotten her, and a sweet young brother, who had at one time, worshipped her.
Thoughts of Toby always saddened Sarah a little. How she wished, no wished was the wrong word, wanted desperately to share this world with him. Someday, she promised herself, she would. Someday......
But thoughts of a family in a faraway world would have to wait. Jareth would be coming to collect his Chosen at any moment so they could begin their journey to court. It was there she would be introduced as the future Queen of the Goblins, the Chosen of the King of the Fifth Kingdom, and the Daughter of Illianna, giving her a birthright to the Court and to the Underground. Together, they had decided it was best that the court not know too many details about her, until it was absolutely necessary, until she was announced. So to the outside world, she was simply Sarah of the Aboveworld who had once defeated the Labyrinth, who had returned to the Underground, and few knew more than that. There were so many rumors floating about, as rumors could never be stopped, but they were only that, rumors. Was she mortal? Half mortal? Was she truly Illianna's daughter? Had she murdered Stark? Was she to wed the King? All speculation on the part of the court, which made the upcoming presentation so awkward. They had not disclosed anything, and therefore, had nothing to defend, only to announce. Jareth had warned her there would be those who would seek to refute her claim, but the proof would be there for all to see. She was fae with a mortal soul, the daughter of Illianna, and his Chosen. He had also warned her that there would be so many vying for Jareth's attention, some men for politics, some women for different kinds of politics, and some friends, and so many more desperate to know how this young woman had captured the heart of the most elusive Lord in the Underground. Sarah smiled at that, how she loved him, truly and completely, and each day he returned that love with a mere look of his eyes, those perfectly mismatched intense eyes. She could not wait to join with his soul, fulfilling in ceremony, the words they had spoken time and again over the past three months.
"Sarah, you look lovely." Came the soft voice of Areyne, knocking Sarah from her reverie, as she knocked while pushing open the doors. She walked in, her lithe form clothed in a thick black velvet gown with soft blue accents around the modest rounded neckline and full sleeves.
Sarah smiled warmly at her petite friend. "Thank you. I am more nervous than I ever thought possible. And I thought stage fright was bad." Sarah shook her head and walked back to her dressing table and stared into the mirror, Areyne walked up behind her and began brushing her hair, fitting small jewels into it, as she had once done when a frightened young woman had found herself most unexpectedly back in the Underground. "You and Xaven are coming with us to Court, aren't you?" A suddenly worried Sarah asked. She had asked the question time and again since learning of her announcement, and always Areyne answered with the same stoic 'yes, of course'.
With a glint in her eye, Areyne spoke to her friend in a very concerned voice "Sarah, Xaven and I are not going to be able to attend"
"But we leave today! In a matter of moments!" Sarah exclaimed, suddenly very nervous. "I need you there! I've only begun to learn about etiquette and the politics, and and...." Sarah stopped short when she noticed her friend trying desperately to hide her laughter. In her best mock angry and indignant voice she giggled out "Really Sarah, maybe Xaven and I would like a bit of time to ourselves!" She could barely contain her laughter as she finished her sentence and Sarah whirled on her, a look of relief clouded by faux anger and laughter written across her face. Xaven and Areyne had returned to the castle a few weeks ago, after their joining in Xaven's home, a beautiful ceremony that Sarah and Jareth had witnessed as the couple's first guests, what Sarah thought of as being the best man and maid of honor. At the request of the Goblin King, Areyne was to tutor Sarah in the history and politics of the underground, as well as etiquette. The two lovers had taken two months together to reunite, at the insistence of Jareth, to perform their joining, and bask in the love that had been stolen from them for so long. In time perhaps, they would possibly return to the dark elf's forest home, where he and Areyne would be offered the title to govern as Lord and Lady, but Xaven's family was still in power, with a large family, and his mother the matriarch. Knowing of his Lady's deep love for Jareth and Sarah, they had returned to the Labyrinth, placed aside the position of rulership of his home for now, and were afforded places of near royalty within the Fifth Kingdom. They were to be the Lord and Lady attendants to the King and his future Queen, roles that afforded them a high place in Court. Xaven's official role was as Lord Protector of the Fifth Kingdom, and Areyne's as Lady Gaurdian of the Castle beyond the Goblin City. With a playful growl, Sarah tackled her friend, pinning her to the bed. "That's for scaring the crap outta me!" she yelled. The two dear friends laughed and tumbled, one pinning one down as the other rolled away, only to be taken down again, amidst laughter. As the two rolled off the bed, suddenly their attention was directed towards two very amused men, standing in the doorway.
His heavily accented voice was laced with amusement and arousal at watching the two women rolling about the bed chambers of the woman he desperately loved. "Do you two do this sort of thing often when left to your own devices? Oh please do not stop for us, we were rather quite enjoying the show." A half smile twisted his lips.
"Yes please, my love, do not stop on my account." Xaven chimed in.
Nearly out of breath, Areyne stood and straightened her dress, a slight blush rising in her cheeks, as Sarah tried to hide her laughter from the floor "I think you have been spending a little to much time with the King my love besides," winking at the two men, Areyne smiled sweetly "We do far more with far less on when your politics take you from our sides" she remarked as she passed him on her way out the door. "Gentlemen, we really should be going" she called from down the hall. A grinning Xaven turned and left, following his love down the corridor.
Sarah's mouth was agape at the brashness of her friend, she quickly closed her mouth when an intense pair of mismatched eyes gazed in to her own. Helping her up, he possessively pulled her towards his warm body, she could feel him aroused through her skirts, as his lips found hers, claiming her once more as his own. His kiss was primal, hungry, passionate, and hers responded in kind, tongue snaking out to find his, weaving within his mouth. Pulling up for air, Sarah breathily whispered "I thought we were to be going?" a moan escaped her lips as his teeth gently sank into her neck, biting gently downward, finally kissing the top of her shoulder. Huskily he replied, staring into her eyes "I think we can delay our leave for an hour." And with that, the two lovers fell onto the bed, clothing falling away, as they were lost in an embrace borne of the purest of love, and the deepest of passions.