Chapter 33: New Lessons
Sarah sighed as she completed the last task Ione had assigned for her training. She was tired despite being excited. Her wedding was mere days away! Jareth had seen to it that she had everything she needed. Ione had supervised the decoration of the castle until everything was spotless. The Goblins had even been kicked completely out of the castle for the time being. Her mother had provided a gown that was exquisite and beyond compare for her daughter's wedding.
"This would have been my wedding dress if I had not run away to marry your father. It is only right that you should wear it."
Sarah had not known what to say then and still didn't. Everyone was working so hard to make her day special.
"Before we finish, there is one more task you must accomplish."
Sarah groaned, "What is it this time."
"We are going to work on bringing out your magic."
"What!" Sarah exclaimed eyes bulging.
"You are Faye, Aranel. Yes, you have magic within you!" The centauress was smiling over Sarah's reaction. She handed Sarah a rock. "Here. Without touching the pebble physically, I want you to raise it as high as you can. Concentrate on the object and what you want it to do. Your own natural ability should kick in."
"But I thought magic meant attempting to control spirits!" Sarah protested shying away from the thought.
"Didn't you listen to what I just said?" Ione questioned. "Magic is a natural ability for the Faye and other creatures of magic; as natural as breathing. That is why you will never see Jareth or I saying 'magic' words. If you were a human what you are thinking of would be very true. Humans do not have a natural affinity to magic and must rely on another source, which often turns on them and consumes them. They have yet to learn that their race should leave magic to us. Also different magical races have different levels of affinity. The Elves have a very subtle ability. Only their eldest and wisest could ever compete with a Faye, and they could never compete with Jareth and I. My magic takes a back seat to my mental power so I cannot compete with Jareth."
"So how did they plan to keep Jareth in line once he became king?"
"The Council, Aranel. Alone they may not be able to stand up to him, but together they wield an unimaginable force. However, they must be in agreement before they can use it. But you have stalled long enough. Back to the task at hand!"
Sarah turned her attention on the pebble. She concentrated hard contemplating everything about the pebble and what she wanted it to do, but nothing happened. The pebble did not even budge.
Ione sighed. "You're just going to give yourself a headache until you allow your spirit within you to reach out."
"But how do I do that?" Sarah asked in exasperation.
Ione held up her right hand. "Put your right hand against mine." Sarah hesitated remembering how drained Jareth had been after that experience, and Ione could sense her fear. "I will not harm you, Lady Aranel." Taking a deep breath Sarah followed the centauress' directions. As soon as her right hand touched the centauress, she felt a great vastness touch her heart. Frightened she tried to pull back. She could get lost in that great expanse!
I will let no harm come to you... Come to me, Aranel...
Ione's voice washed through her in a soothing wave of reassurance. Tentatively she let her heart probe into the vast openness. As soon as she did, feelings not her own began to wash through her. Peace, reassurance, serenity all seemed to flood her senses.
You feel my emotions, Aranel. You see my peace of mind in leaving Jareth in your care. You sense my reassurance that no harm will come to you, and you hear the serenity by which I keep everything in check.
This exhausted Jareth. I don't understand...
I am only allowing you to feel the emotions I want you to. I had no control when Jareth tried to comfort me, Aranel. The passions and emotions of the centauri are very strong! Already what I am allowing you to feel reminds you of waves. If I let you into the full force of my heart, it would crush you. You do not yet have the ability to deal with so many years of emotions.
If I can feel your emotions, does that mean you can feel mine?
Yes, Aranel. I can feel your reluctance and fear. I can also see your love for Jareth and your trust. I am flattered.
I shouldn't do this then...
Wrong, Aranel! Be careful who you allow into your heart, but when Jareth touches you on your wedding night, hold onto his heart. I have not taught you this tradition lightly. By allowing you this glimpse you can understand how close the King and I once were.
You knew all along that he didn't love you the same way!
A sense of bitterness entered the centauress before the vastness pulled away. Sarah realized Ione had removed her hand. "Yes, Aranel. I knew every night Jareth and I were together that he was not mine. I knew every time he kissed my hand that it was not as I wished it. I revealed how I knew this the last night we shared together. Before he simply thought touching my hand was only an intimate gesture. Now he understands he is touching my heart. He will not initiate contact, Aranel. He would not wish to scare you."
"There is so much I don't know yet about being Faye!"
"And there is plenty of time to learn. Now try again with the pebble."
Sarah concentrated again and found that this time the pebble obeyed her command by lifting off her palm and wobbling a few inches in the air before plopping back on her hand. She smiled and turned to Ione.
"Good. Keep practicing with that pebble on getting it higher in the air and holding it there longer. I don't think we will get to another exercise before your wedding so keep up with that."
Sarah smiled and put the pebble in her pocket. She could hardly believe all that she had accomplished under the centauress' instruction. She hoped she could be an asset to Jareth on the throne.