I own nothing..........though I wish I did.....
Shorter chapter, new character, should be fun.
Chapter II: Awakening
Sarah lazily opened her eyes. Her head felt thick and her body felt numb, but she supposed that this was normal when one was dead, having never been dead, it would have to be normal, wouldn't it? She supposed it was. Her vision slowly cleared and she recalled what she had done, what she had given up. Toby would live, that thought warmed her through and through, and she sighed contented in that thought. She continued to stare out, her eyes not really focusing on anything, wondering just where she was – limbo? Heaven? It certainly wasn't what she had expected, though she hadn't ever really put too much thought into it. She was almost afraid to move, she felt so contented and fuzzy – she giggled to herself, she was almost giddy. Last night, was it even last night? Had been amazing. Jareth had been amazing – he had been cold at first, angry maybe, but in the end, he had been there for her – just like he had once sung to her. Her world had fallen down, and he had been there for her. He had done for her what had seemed impossible, had done it for her...and she had told him what she had known in her heart for years, that she had fallen in love with him. It was silly really, all she knew of him was thirteen hours and his name and actions from a tattered red book, but it was as if they were one. Through the years something had always been missing from her relationships, the boys and men just weren't whole – she had always, in the end, compared them to what she thought she could never have. But she had been with him last night. When she had seen him again after years, she had known that they should have been, that she should have rewritten the story. At least, she thought, it was resolved. She had apologized, hopefully given him peace. She smiled at their kiss, as a warm sensation grew in the pit of her stomach and traveled downwards. There would have been no other way she would have wanted to have ended her life. As she thought on there kiss, she warmed again, if she could still be alive she would want to spend every waking moment in his arms, yes she thought, and the things we would do. It was funny that a spirit could be aroused, she thought.
'That's because you aren't a spirit my love. You are very much flesh and blood.'
Sarah's eyes went wide and panic filled her mind, there was a voice inside her head. INSIDE HER HEAD! A voice that sounded very much like Jareth. And if it was Jareth he had just heard all of her musings, including the ones that were very private! What the, what the.....Sarah jumped up from where she had been laying, but the dizziness she had felt proved much to strong, and she immediately began to waver, the floor rising to meet her very quickly. Jareth's arms encompassed her, and helped her to sit back down. Wave after wave of nausea went through her and she thought for sure she would pass out. After a time, Jareth spoke "My love, you must not try such things, you have gone through a great deal and you are still very weak."
Sarah turned and faced him, a look of betrayal mixed with anger and sadness, tears brimmed her eyes, and she pushed herself out of his arms, though she didn't want to. She looked completely and utterly defeated, "You lied, you lied to me! Why would you lie to me? After all I said, I...please." Her breaths were short and quick and the thought that her brother was still dead, crushed her. She let her head fall into to her hands as defeat slowly crept over her.
"I didn't lie to, Sarah. I have never lied to you." Jareth was trying very hard to understand her anger, but he didn't lie, and there was an edge to his voice that Sarah heard very clearly. She was being irrational and hysterical, and if she had just let him explain instead of jumping to conclusions, this matter would be over and they could move on.
"You told me last night that I had to give up my life for his, that you would reorder time, that he would live if I gave him my life! If I am still alive, then he can't be! Jareth please, why, why..." Sobs over took her once more, and coupled with the dizziness, she laid down upon the lounge, looking up at the ceiling, trying desperately to keep her stomach from leaping out of her throat.
"Sarah," His voice was quiet and soothing as he moved to kneel beside the lounge, gently playing with her hair, "Sarah look at me," She slowly turned her head so that her red swollen eyes would meet his. "Sarah, you gave your mortal life for his. You are no longer mortal. To save you, I gave you a part of me, you and I are bound, you are immortal, as am I. Toby lives, and will live a long and healthy life, nothing bad will ever happen to him again. I swear it. I would have explained last night, would have told you the full extent of the bargain you struck, but your lips distracted me, and even if I had told you, I doubted you would change your mind. Besides, I couldn't concentrate on anything with your tongue in my mouth."
So many thoughts wound through her head, but the only part of the sentence she heard, was that Toby, her angelic little brother, was alive. Lifting her head slowly, she wound her hand around Jareth's neck, and pulled him close. "Thank you," she whispered, "for saving his life" She closed her eyes and placed her forehead against his. Toby was alive, and it was all she had heard, the rest not really coming through. Jareth slowly lowered his lips, and brushed a small, chaste kiss against them, Sarah's eyes shot open in surprise, but her surprise was short lived as the weaving just a little spell into the touch of their skin sent his sweet angel to blissful sleep.
"Well well well!!" Came the decidedly loud voice of prince. Jareth winced, he had forgotten about the morning ride he had promised Ronin. "I see someone was busy last night!" Ronin stood in the door frame, a deep red shirt, brown breeches and boots adorning his muscular frame. "No wonder you pushed me out of the castle so fast, you really are a hawk, your Majesty! And here I thought you were all broody and pouty over that mortal girl. You devil you." Ronin began to stride into the room. Jareth stood, and approached his friend to meet him halfway. "I thought I would find you in the study going over papers, but it appears you were going over something far more interesting....Jareth, why are you decked out in full baby snatching regalia?" Ronin looked concerned as his eyes scanned over to the lounge. Dark hair fell from the sides like a waterfall of ink. A puzzled look came over his face as he began to make his way to the chaise. Jareth stopped in front of him. "What are you hiding my friend? Did you bring a mortal back to the Goblin Keep for a little fun? I knew you had a soft spot for dark haired mortal beauties, but really, Jareth, I had no idea this was a trend."
Jareth gave a half smile and replied, "I can honestly tell you my friend, there are no mortals in the Castle."
"Then who is she? OOooooooh, I get it! You two were doing a little bit of 'role playing' last night – eh? She was the helpless girl, you were the big bad Goblin King....kinky, but I've done worse....there was this one time Myra wanted to pretend to be a little slave girl and I was the big bad......"
"Ronin! Please!" despite himself, Jareth laughed at the commentary of his friend. "I think we should go for that ride. I have a lot to tell you."
"Who is she Jareth? I have never seen you so....so.....glow-y after a night of passion." Ronin winked at his friend, while still trying to look past him to see who it was that could have possibly made Jareth actually smile.
"I will meet you down by the stables my friend." And with that, both Jareth and the woman were gone, leaving a puzzled Ronin alone in the study. He glanced up at the mural and shook his head.
"Your loss, pretty girl. Oh well, Jareth, whoever she is, it's about damn time." And with that the room was once more empty.
xxxxx
Jareth stared at her, lying with her dark chocolate hair spilling out from her pale face. She was an angel, and his heart beat against his chest, just to have her so near. He had doubted she had fully heard his explanation before, but it didn't matter, there was no going back. Never again would he be without her, he swore silently to himself, they were bound.
The room was beautiful and simple. White linens adorned the large cherry bed, and there were several armoires and dressers, thick white curtains were drawn over the large windows and set of French doors led to a balcony that would over look the garden. There were three other doors in the room, one to the washroom, one to the hall, and one to his chambers. He stared at her, until a soft knock at the door came.
"Come" Jareth commanded, not taking his eyes from the form.
A small, thin girl walked through the door. She appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen, with her long sandy hair tied back in a braid that reached past her waist, and an elegant but simple pale blue dress. She curtsied to her king and let out a small gasp. Her soft voice lilted toward Jareth, and he smiled hearing it, "My Lord, is that, is...is that her?" Hope played at the corners of her lips and eyes as she stared at the sleeping woman.
"Yes, Kaleena, this is Sarah." Turning to look at her, he was slightly taken aback when the young girl ran to him and wrapped her arms about his frame. Jareth gently pushed the girl from him and stared at her, dead in the eyes. The girl's face flushed bright red, and she quickly mumbled an apology to his majesty.
"Kaleena, you know your position within the castle as my private attendant, and as such there are privileges and you are well placed above the servants. You are a lesser noble to me, and as such you must act as one. We have been over this before, you cannot show such affections, things are different here and it would be construed poorly by others should they see it. Now, you will be tending to the Lady Sarah from this point forward. You are to be her lady in waiting; do you think you will be able to handle such responsibilities?" he saw from the gleam in her eye and the broad smile that spread across her young lovely face that she was more than happy to take on the task.
"Kaleena, you will need to tend to her dressing, escorting her when I am not present, teaching her all I have taught you, etiquette, which you yourself need some reminding on, and are to be her friend and companion. I trust you, little one. She has had quite the experience, so let her rest as long as she needs, but dress her for dinner this evening. If she wakes before that, occupy her time with the library, gardens, or with simple conversation. The tailor will be fitting her for her clothing tomorrow, but in the mean time, have her borrow one or two of your dresses. I will be gone the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon. Take care, and I will see you shortly." Jareth placed a chaste kiss on the top of the young girl's head, and was gone.
Kaleena stared for a moment at the sleeping woman in the bed. Her skin was nearly as white as the linens upon which she laid, and her dark hair stood out starkly. She was lovely, and Kaleena knew in her heart that Jareth's love had finally found her way back to him. Kaleena smiled quietly before quietly closing the door and moving down the hall to her room to find her prettiest dress to layout for the woman who slept so soundly in the large bed.
xxxxx
Jareth had changed into a white shirt with black vest and gloves and riding boots and pants. He found Ronin waiting for him by the stables, their horses already tacked, a sly smile twisting the face of the prince.
"So are you going to give me the pulse pounding slick details, or do I have to fill in the blanks for myself. If I do it myself, I warn you, all kinds of interesting things will be involved – like whips and possibly even an animal or two!"
Jareth's smile spoke volumes as he mounted his horse. Ronin followed suit and without warning, Jareth was off at a full gallop. Not one to be left behind when a story was waiting for him, Ronin began the chase.
After about an hour of winding trails and open prairies, the two slowed their mounts to a walk. Ronin was nearly out of breath from keeping pace with the obviously high spirited Goblin King.
"So, are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?" Ronin inquired, bringing his horse up beside his friend. Jareth only gave his friend a crooked half smile. "My my my, Jareth, a little nooky does wonders for your personality." The smile widened on Jareth's face and he shook his head. "You know, if you aren't going to tell me then I am just going to have to start spreading nasty rumors about you and a goblin name Sputhspat or something – I don't think the ladies at court will be too quick to faint in adoration of the handsome Goblin King once they know you are courting one of your subjects, your Majesty."
"Ronin, my friend, you do have quite the imagination. Do you honestly think that beautiful creature on my lounge this morning was a Goblin?"
"Well, you do have a way with magic. Maybe you just magicked a goblin into an vision of your deepest desires. Hmmmmmm?" Ronin raised an eyebrow and stared at the King, hoping that his light taunts would bring for the answers. Jareth had always been one to kiss and tell before Sarah, why should now be any different?
Jareth looked around and then cast a simple spell, blocking all sound emanating from them to reach only one another.
"Why the cloak and dagger Jareth? Why not just come out and tell me who she is? I am dying over here and you don't care one........Oh Goddess! SHE IS A GOBLIN! I knew you were cheeky, but Jareth – at least she is a pretty goblin, what was it like......" Jareth's expression cut his friend short. "I was just having a bit of fun, really. What is it Jareth?"
"What I am about to tell you goes no further than this. If anyone else were to find out before the bond has been completed, it could be disastrous." Jareth took a deep breath and continued, "Sarah Williams, the girl from thirteen years ago, is here, in my castle. She is the woman you saw last night."
Ronin's jaw dropped. "You lied to me! You actually lied Jareth! That is a first for the great Goblin King – you bold face told me there were no mortals in the castle!"
"There aren't."
"But you just said Sarah was back......Jareth......Sarah is a mortal. Nothing can change that unless you ...... and you wouldn't.......I thought you said she hated.....that would mean it was......Jareth, what did you do?"
"Do you recall the boy that Sarah had wished away?"
"That is neither here nor there, but yes I do. Quite clearly. You had said you had plans for the boy – that he showed tremendous talent. Toberious?"
"Toby."
"Stupid name."
"Ronin, please. The boy died seven months ago, quite suddenly. Sarah asked me to reorder time to save him, to give him her life. I couldn't let her die in my arms, so I bound her to me, tied her life to mine."
"You bound her? Jareth tell me she knew. Tell me she knew the consequences of the binding – that she chose to be yours for eternity – tell me you thought this through! If the council were to discover that she was bound without her consent – your very kingdom could be forfeit! Free will – free will, Jareth, governs us all. If she was not a part of the decision, then......Gods Man! What were you thinking? Were you thinking? Jareth – DAMNIT!" Ronin was practically screaming at his friend.
"I couldn't let her die, she didn't give me the chance to explain." Jareths voice was angry.
"She didn't give you the chance? What did she do Jareth – hmmmmmm? How did you forget to explain that you are mentally and physically tied to another for all of eternity. I really don't see how that could slip one's mind – did she just jump on you and proclaim her love for you madly kissing you? Cause aside from stripping down naked and demanding you take you then and there that would be the only thing that would get you out of this! Her honest admission of love." Ronin sighed as he finished his tirade. He noticed the nostalgic smile on his friend's face. "She stripped down, didn't she? Damn, wish I could've been there..."
Jareth afforded his companion a very dangerous look for even thinking about Sarah naked. "She confessed her love to me, and as you so gently put it, she did begin kissing me." Ronin winked at his friend as Jareth continued, slightly exasperated, "And in addition, she would have done anything to bring her brother back. I will explain it fully to her tonight, at dinner. When she awoke here Ronin, she did not run, did not hide, was not angry. She is not the same girl she was all those years ago."
"You know the walls have ears – Jareth – you will need to be careful until the bond is complete. I am assuming it is not....."
"No. But even if it were, whose to say I would tell you?"
"You always told me before!" Ronin practically pouted.
"You are about to be a married man." Jareth scolded.
"And you are about to be bound. Hmmmm, that reminds me....did I ever tell you about the time Myra wanted to be this little slave girl bound up in the dungeon.....HEY!" Ronin was left behind as a laughing Goblin King rode off, leaving his friend to play catch up once again.
xxxxx
Chapter II: Awakening
Sarah lazily opened her eyes. Her head felt thick and her body felt numb, but she supposed that this was normal when one was dead, having never been dead, it would have to be normal, wouldn't it? She supposed it was. Her vision slowly cleared and she recalled what she had done, what she had given up. Toby would live, that thought warmed her through and through, and she sighed contented in that thought. She continued to stare out, her eyes not really focusing on anything, wondering just where she was – limbo? Heaven? It certainly wasn't what she had expected, though she hadn't ever really put too much thought into it. She was almost afraid to move, she felt so contented and fuzzy – she giggled to herself, she was almost giddy. Last night, was it even last night? Had been amazing. Jareth had been amazing – he had been cold at first, angry maybe, but in the end, he had been there for her – just like he had once sung to her. Her world had fallen down, and he had been there for her. He had done for her what had seemed impossible, had done it for her...and she had told him what she had known in her heart for years, that she had fallen in love with him. It was silly really, all she knew of him was thirteen hours and his name and actions from a tattered red book, but it was as if they were one. Through the years something had always been missing from her relationships, the boys and men just weren't whole – she had always, in the end, compared them to what she thought she could never have. But she had been with him last night. When she had seen him again after years, she had known that they should have been, that she should have rewritten the story. At least, she thought, it was resolved. She had apologized, hopefully given him peace. She smiled at their kiss, as a warm sensation grew in the pit of her stomach and traveled downwards. There would have been no other way she would have wanted to have ended her life. As she thought on there kiss, she warmed again, if she could still be alive she would want to spend every waking moment in his arms, yes she thought, and the things we would do. It was funny that a spirit could be aroused, she thought.
'That's because you aren't a spirit my love. You are very much flesh and blood.'
Sarah's eyes went wide and panic filled her mind, there was a voice inside her head. INSIDE HER HEAD! A voice that sounded very much like Jareth. And if it was Jareth he had just heard all of her musings, including the ones that were very private! What the, what the.....Sarah jumped up from where she had been laying, but the dizziness she had felt proved much to strong, and she immediately began to waver, the floor rising to meet her very quickly. Jareth's arms encompassed her, and helped her to sit back down. Wave after wave of nausea went through her and she thought for sure she would pass out. After a time, Jareth spoke "My love, you must not try such things, you have gone through a great deal and you are still very weak."
Sarah turned and faced him, a look of betrayal mixed with anger and sadness, tears brimmed her eyes, and she pushed herself out of his arms, though she didn't want to. She looked completely and utterly defeated, "You lied, you lied to me! Why would you lie to me? After all I said, I...please." Her breaths were short and quick and the thought that her brother was still dead, crushed her. She let her head fall into to her hands as defeat slowly crept over her.
"I didn't lie to, Sarah. I have never lied to you." Jareth was trying very hard to understand her anger, but he didn't lie, and there was an edge to his voice that Sarah heard very clearly. She was being irrational and hysterical, and if she had just let him explain instead of jumping to conclusions, this matter would be over and they could move on.
"You told me last night that I had to give up my life for his, that you would reorder time, that he would live if I gave him my life! If I am still alive, then he can't be! Jareth please, why, why..." Sobs over took her once more, and coupled with the dizziness, she laid down upon the lounge, looking up at the ceiling, trying desperately to keep her stomach from leaping out of her throat.
"Sarah," His voice was quiet and soothing as he moved to kneel beside the lounge, gently playing with her hair, "Sarah look at me," She slowly turned her head so that her red swollen eyes would meet his. "Sarah, you gave your mortal life for his. You are no longer mortal. To save you, I gave you a part of me, you and I are bound, you are immortal, as am I. Toby lives, and will live a long and healthy life, nothing bad will ever happen to him again. I swear it. I would have explained last night, would have told you the full extent of the bargain you struck, but your lips distracted me, and even if I had told you, I doubted you would change your mind. Besides, I couldn't concentrate on anything with your tongue in my mouth."
So many thoughts wound through her head, but the only part of the sentence she heard, was that Toby, her angelic little brother, was alive. Lifting her head slowly, she wound her hand around Jareth's neck, and pulled him close. "Thank you," she whispered, "for saving his life" She closed her eyes and placed her forehead against his. Toby was alive, and it was all she had heard, the rest not really coming through. Jareth slowly lowered his lips, and brushed a small, chaste kiss against them, Sarah's eyes shot open in surprise, but her surprise was short lived as the weaving just a little spell into the touch of their skin sent his sweet angel to blissful sleep.
"Well well well!!" Came the decidedly loud voice of prince. Jareth winced, he had forgotten about the morning ride he had promised Ronin. "I see someone was busy last night!" Ronin stood in the door frame, a deep red shirt, brown breeches and boots adorning his muscular frame. "No wonder you pushed me out of the castle so fast, you really are a hawk, your Majesty! And here I thought you were all broody and pouty over that mortal girl. You devil you." Ronin began to stride into the room. Jareth stood, and approached his friend to meet him halfway. "I thought I would find you in the study going over papers, but it appears you were going over something far more interesting....Jareth, why are you decked out in full baby snatching regalia?" Ronin looked concerned as his eyes scanned over to the lounge. Dark hair fell from the sides like a waterfall of ink. A puzzled look came over his face as he began to make his way to the chaise. Jareth stopped in front of him. "What are you hiding my friend? Did you bring a mortal back to the Goblin Keep for a little fun? I knew you had a soft spot for dark haired mortal beauties, but really, Jareth, I had no idea this was a trend."
Jareth gave a half smile and replied, "I can honestly tell you my friend, there are no mortals in the Castle."
"Then who is she? OOooooooh, I get it! You two were doing a little bit of 'role playing' last night – eh? She was the helpless girl, you were the big bad Goblin King....kinky, but I've done worse....there was this one time Myra wanted to pretend to be a little slave girl and I was the big bad......"
"Ronin! Please!" despite himself, Jareth laughed at the commentary of his friend. "I think we should go for that ride. I have a lot to tell you."
"Who is she Jareth? I have never seen you so....so.....glow-y after a night of passion." Ronin winked at his friend, while still trying to look past him to see who it was that could have possibly made Jareth actually smile.
"I will meet you down by the stables my friend." And with that, both Jareth and the woman were gone, leaving a puzzled Ronin alone in the study. He glanced up at the mural and shook his head.
"Your loss, pretty girl. Oh well, Jareth, whoever she is, it's about damn time." And with that the room was once more empty.
xxxxx
Jareth stared at her, lying with her dark chocolate hair spilling out from her pale face. She was an angel, and his heart beat against his chest, just to have her so near. He had doubted she had fully heard his explanation before, but it didn't matter, there was no going back. Never again would he be without her, he swore silently to himself, they were bound.
The room was beautiful and simple. White linens adorned the large cherry bed, and there were several armoires and dressers, thick white curtains were drawn over the large windows and set of French doors led to a balcony that would over look the garden. There were three other doors in the room, one to the washroom, one to the hall, and one to his chambers. He stared at her, until a soft knock at the door came.
"Come" Jareth commanded, not taking his eyes from the form.
A small, thin girl walked through the door. She appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen, with her long sandy hair tied back in a braid that reached past her waist, and an elegant but simple pale blue dress. She curtsied to her king and let out a small gasp. Her soft voice lilted toward Jareth, and he smiled hearing it, "My Lord, is that, is...is that her?" Hope played at the corners of her lips and eyes as she stared at the sleeping woman.
"Yes, Kaleena, this is Sarah." Turning to look at her, he was slightly taken aback when the young girl ran to him and wrapped her arms about his frame. Jareth gently pushed the girl from him and stared at her, dead in the eyes. The girl's face flushed bright red, and she quickly mumbled an apology to his majesty.
"Kaleena, you know your position within the castle as my private attendant, and as such there are privileges and you are well placed above the servants. You are a lesser noble to me, and as such you must act as one. We have been over this before, you cannot show such affections, things are different here and it would be construed poorly by others should they see it. Now, you will be tending to the Lady Sarah from this point forward. You are to be her lady in waiting; do you think you will be able to handle such responsibilities?" he saw from the gleam in her eye and the broad smile that spread across her young lovely face that she was more than happy to take on the task.
"Kaleena, you will need to tend to her dressing, escorting her when I am not present, teaching her all I have taught you, etiquette, which you yourself need some reminding on, and are to be her friend and companion. I trust you, little one. She has had quite the experience, so let her rest as long as she needs, but dress her for dinner this evening. If she wakes before that, occupy her time with the library, gardens, or with simple conversation. The tailor will be fitting her for her clothing tomorrow, but in the mean time, have her borrow one or two of your dresses. I will be gone the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon. Take care, and I will see you shortly." Jareth placed a chaste kiss on the top of the young girl's head, and was gone.
Kaleena stared for a moment at the sleeping woman in the bed. Her skin was nearly as white as the linens upon which she laid, and her dark hair stood out starkly. She was lovely, and Kaleena knew in her heart that Jareth's love had finally found her way back to him. Kaleena smiled quietly before quietly closing the door and moving down the hall to her room to find her prettiest dress to layout for the woman who slept so soundly in the large bed.
xxxxx
Jareth had changed into a white shirt with black vest and gloves and riding boots and pants. He found Ronin waiting for him by the stables, their horses already tacked, a sly smile twisting the face of the prince.
"So are you going to give me the pulse pounding slick details, or do I have to fill in the blanks for myself. If I do it myself, I warn you, all kinds of interesting things will be involved – like whips and possibly even an animal or two!"
Jareth's smile spoke volumes as he mounted his horse. Ronin followed suit and without warning, Jareth was off at a full gallop. Not one to be left behind when a story was waiting for him, Ronin began the chase.
After about an hour of winding trails and open prairies, the two slowed their mounts to a walk. Ronin was nearly out of breath from keeping pace with the obviously high spirited Goblin King.
"So, are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?" Ronin inquired, bringing his horse up beside his friend. Jareth only gave his friend a crooked half smile. "My my my, Jareth, a little nooky does wonders for your personality." The smile widened on Jareth's face and he shook his head. "You know, if you aren't going to tell me then I am just going to have to start spreading nasty rumors about you and a goblin name Sputhspat or something – I don't think the ladies at court will be too quick to faint in adoration of the handsome Goblin King once they know you are courting one of your subjects, your Majesty."
"Ronin, my friend, you do have quite the imagination. Do you honestly think that beautiful creature on my lounge this morning was a Goblin?"
"Well, you do have a way with magic. Maybe you just magicked a goblin into an vision of your deepest desires. Hmmmmmm?" Ronin raised an eyebrow and stared at the King, hoping that his light taunts would bring for the answers. Jareth had always been one to kiss and tell before Sarah, why should now be any different?
Jareth looked around and then cast a simple spell, blocking all sound emanating from them to reach only one another.
"Why the cloak and dagger Jareth? Why not just come out and tell me who she is? I am dying over here and you don't care one........Oh Goddess! SHE IS A GOBLIN! I knew you were cheeky, but Jareth – at least she is a pretty goblin, what was it like......" Jareth's expression cut his friend short. "I was just having a bit of fun, really. What is it Jareth?"
"What I am about to tell you goes no further than this. If anyone else were to find out before the bond has been completed, it could be disastrous." Jareth took a deep breath and continued, "Sarah Williams, the girl from thirteen years ago, is here, in my castle. She is the woman you saw last night."
Ronin's jaw dropped. "You lied to me! You actually lied Jareth! That is a first for the great Goblin King – you bold face told me there were no mortals in the castle!"
"There aren't."
"But you just said Sarah was back......Jareth......Sarah is a mortal. Nothing can change that unless you ...... and you wouldn't.......I thought you said she hated.....that would mean it was......Jareth, what did you do?"
"Do you recall the boy that Sarah had wished away?"
"That is neither here nor there, but yes I do. Quite clearly. You had said you had plans for the boy – that he showed tremendous talent. Toberious?"
"Toby."
"Stupid name."
"Ronin, please. The boy died seven months ago, quite suddenly. Sarah asked me to reorder time to save him, to give him her life. I couldn't let her die in my arms, so I bound her to me, tied her life to mine."
"You bound her? Jareth tell me she knew. Tell me she knew the consequences of the binding – that she chose to be yours for eternity – tell me you thought this through! If the council were to discover that she was bound without her consent – your very kingdom could be forfeit! Free will – free will, Jareth, governs us all. If she was not a part of the decision, then......Gods Man! What were you thinking? Were you thinking? Jareth – DAMNIT!" Ronin was practically screaming at his friend.
"I couldn't let her die, she didn't give me the chance to explain." Jareths voice was angry.
"She didn't give you the chance? What did she do Jareth – hmmmmmm? How did you forget to explain that you are mentally and physically tied to another for all of eternity. I really don't see how that could slip one's mind – did she just jump on you and proclaim her love for you madly kissing you? Cause aside from stripping down naked and demanding you take you then and there that would be the only thing that would get you out of this! Her honest admission of love." Ronin sighed as he finished his tirade. He noticed the nostalgic smile on his friend's face. "She stripped down, didn't she? Damn, wish I could've been there..."
Jareth afforded his companion a very dangerous look for even thinking about Sarah naked. "She confessed her love to me, and as you so gently put it, she did begin kissing me." Ronin winked at his friend as Jareth continued, slightly exasperated, "And in addition, she would have done anything to bring her brother back. I will explain it fully to her tonight, at dinner. When she awoke here Ronin, she did not run, did not hide, was not angry. She is not the same girl she was all those years ago."
"You know the walls have ears – Jareth – you will need to be careful until the bond is complete. I am assuming it is not....."
"No. But even if it were, whose to say I would tell you?"
"You always told me before!" Ronin practically pouted.
"You are about to be a married man." Jareth scolded.
"And you are about to be bound. Hmmmm, that reminds me....did I ever tell you about the time Myra wanted to be this little slave girl bound up in the dungeon.....HEY!" Ronin was left behind as a laughing Goblin King rode off, leaving his friend to play catch up once again.
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