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As always I own nothing...
Chapter 3 – Courtship
Sarah rolled over in bed, stretching languidly. The room was dark and she had the sensation of floating. The sheets were beyond soft, and her fingers couldn't even find the end of the bed it was so large. Lazily, she turned to her side, her eyes fluttering open. Sarah took a sharp breath in as a pale blue pair of eyes stared back at her. "Glad to see you're awake! I'm Kaleena. You are Sarah, right?" a very cheery airy voice, and a loud one at that, assaulted Sarah's senses, jarring her from her respite.
"There's a hot bath waiting for you, my Lady Sarah, and then we can get you dressed for dinner." The cheery young girl flitted about the room, making sure everything was properly in accord, and then proceeded to pull a very plush robe from one of the hangers on a door and traipse lightly back to where Sarah sat, propped up on her elbows, more than a little confused. "C'mon now, his Majesty will be waiting for you." She smiled ear to ear, such an innocent and endearing smile, that Sarah couldn't help but comply. She crawled out of bed, and as the girl politely turned her back, she pulled off her dressing and climbed into the thick fabric. "There you go, now, off to the bath, you must be sore. There are oils and soaps and towels, and I will be right outside the door should you need anything." Kaleena let Sarah to the door to the bathroom, and opened it. She then turned to face Sarah, her face all of sudden quite serious – an expression it seemed to Sarah that did not fit the youthful looking firl. "By the way, I meant to tell you, I am so happy you are here, he has been so lonely without you....but don't tell him I said that." She then pulled a chair and seated herself outside the chamber.
Sarah was in awe as she walked down a short corridor, not only of the room's beauty, but with all of the thoughts spinning through her head. Jareth had been lonesome? Had he been as lonesome as her? Was she alive here in the Underground – and if so, did he expect something in return for her life? She hadn't asked to be saved, but he had rescued her – given her the wishes she had asked for once again. Soft tears threatened the corners of her eyes. He had always been there for her, hadn't he? Sarah continued down the short corridor, her mind a flurry of questions, answers to which she knew awaited her at the end of her bath. The lighting was soft and golden, accenting the bronze colored marble tile. There were two water basins and towels and soaps as the girl had described. In the center of the room, well beyond the door, was an oval bathing pool on a raised dias, full of steaming water.
"Ummmm, Kaleena was it?" Sarah called over her shoulder "Are you sure I am supposed to be here?"
A childish giggle resounded down the corridor and echoed into the bathing room, "Of course you are, my Lady! His majesty would have it no other way! Now, you will have to bath quickly, dinner is in an hour. I will let you know when you have to get out so that I may help you dress."
"I think I can dress myself, Kaleena, but thank you." Sarah called back as she slipped into the lavender scented tub. Immediately the pain in her muscles receded, and she let out a quiet moan.
"I think not, my Lady, corsets are a terrible trial to do oneself – and besides, his Majesty insisted!"
Sarah didn't hear, she was lost in the bliss of steaming water and scented soap. She had to be dead, because here, she was in heaven.
Her respite was ended all too soon, when Kaleena poked her head around the corner, "Are you alright, my Lady? I called you twice!" Concern etched the youthful features of the lovely girl and Sarah felt entirely guilty that she had slipped into a quiet sleep and let the girl to wonder if her charge had drowned.
"I am fine, Kaleena, just enjoying my bath." Kaleena sighed and walked back down the hall calling back to Sarah – "Time to get you dressed, my Lady!" With a loud sigh, Sarah pulled herself from the tub and wrapped her dark hair in a towel and crawled back into the thick warm robe.
Kaleena had pulled her best dress from her wardrobe and laid it out on the bed. It was a soft pink corset top, with cream colored open flowing sleeves and long softly layerd skirt in pink and cream fabrics that left a small train behind it. It was lovely, and Sarah smiled as Kaleena gently caressed the skirts.
Sarah smiled as Kaleena helped her into the dress and tightened the corset around Sarah's frail frame. "I hope you like the dress. The tailor will be here tomorrow to make your own, so I brought you the best one I had. I only wore it once, shortly after I came here. I wore it when I was escorted to a ball by his Majesty."
Sarah looked radient in the dress. Kaleena sat her down and began to fix her hair up off of her neck, weaving pink stones and ribbons into the mass of dark tresses. "Kaleena, you attended a ball with Jareth?" Sarah asked, a bit of concern lacing her features. Knowing that she had recently confessed her long hidden love for the King of Goblins, her heart would tear if she were nothing more than a passing interest to the King. Sarah all of a sudden felt very foolish for telling him of what was in her heart.
Seeing the look of conflict upon her face, Kaleena took Sarah's shoulders and turned her to look into her eyes. "His Majesty brought me here ten years ago, my lady. He rescued me, brought me here when I was only five. He is like a father to me, has always treated me very kindly. The others have looked down at him at times for keeping me – normally he gives the babes to other nobles, but I was too hurt. He took me in, raised me as best he could in his position. I have been his attendant ever since. Within these walls, he is my friend and father and my Lord – outside these walls, to everyone else, I am his subject, and I owe him my life." Sarah suddenly felt very silly, very small for thinking anything derogatory. "I attended the ball with him as his personal attendant – and as such I needed to appear as royalty." A warm smile adorned the small girls face, "There is so much more I could tell you, my Lady, but now is not the time. You have a dinner to get to." Kaleena turned Sarah back to the mirror, showing her the jewels in her hair. Sarah looked amazed. She no longer looked as pale and gaunt as a ghost, she actually looked lovely. She smiled at her reflection. "My Lady, the King's heart is yours. It was yours thirteen years ago. You have no need to worry." Kaleena laid out some makeup and allowed Sarah to put it on while she brought her a pair of delicate shoes. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I can be." Sarah took a deep breath. Dinner would be interesting. The questions from before still swirled about her mind. He hadn't told her he loved her, at least not that she recalled, and though she knew in her heart that she loved him, she still knew so little about him, just that whenever she was by his side, in his arms, she felt as though the world around her no longer mattered.
"Then we shall go to the study."
"The study? Why there? "
"Because that is where he will be. Trust me, Lady Sarah."
And with that, the two women walked down the hall.
xxxxx
The two men had returned from their ride and handed the stable boy the reins to their horses and made their way inside, back to the study.
Ronin lounged on the lavish chaise, a cheeky grin still playing at his lips. He was still annoyed that his friend hadn't used his brain in this scheme, but he couldn't stay mad at Jareth – after all, his friend was in love, and he was a damn lot nicer this way!
"So what do you intend to do with her?" Ronin asked, emphasizing the worth with, and licking his lips as he did so. "I mean the options are endless – on the floor, up against a wall, outside, inside – there are so many places and ways...........
Jareth rolled his eyes, and took a seat opposite his friend, and quite seriously replied, "I intend to be a gentleman, unlike certain princes I know."
"I am seriously hurt by that Jareth! I have always been a gentleman!" Ronin replied, the mock hurt in his voice – then he winked and continued " AH! But why waste the time! You said yourself she admitted her love for you, practically melted in your strong Goblin King arms and threw herself naked and wanting at you! Ok that last part – made up a bit......just take her, man, some women love that strong hero routine. They get to be the wilting innocent flower while you ravage them with some much needed savage loving. Did I ever tell you about the time that Myra had me pretend to be a werewolf? I mean, you can't get much more damsel in distress – quite the distress if you get my meaning – than that!"
"Why must you regale me with your exploits? Hmmm? Honestly Ronin – I think you talk a bit too much."
"I talk to give your out of practice mind ideas! That whole chivalrous ballroomy thingy you tried certainly didn't work! I mean WHAT were you THINKING?? She was like fourteen in mortal years – she never would have understood that – you should have just grabbed her and kissed her passionately in front of those dancers – I think that would have gotten the point across. That is what I would have done – HAVE done, I might add!"
"Some of us, my friend, have class."
"And the rest of us have fun! Dirty dirty bad naughty fun!" Ronin toasted the Goblin King and took a long drink of brandy before he continued. "In all seriousness, Jareth, you need to complete your bond. And you need to do it soon. If anyone were to find out – Jareth I ask you again, what do you intend to do?"
"I intend to court her." Jareth answered, taking a sip of brandy.
"JARETH!" Ronin nearly choked on his liquor and fell off of the lounge. "That could take forever!" He whined "How am I supposed to get any details if you actually COURT her??? Gods man – you really are daft, you know that? Just grab her and in your most devilish voice tell her you want to..............."
Before he could finish, the door to the study opened, and both men were on their feet. Kaleena walked in slowly, smiling that the two men seemed to be taken off guard, noticing that the King of Goblins was barely breathing as he awaited the announcement of his Sarah.
"May I present, Lady Sarah." Sarah entered the room, both gentlemen stood, and time felt as though it stood still for Jareth and Sarah. Not knowing what else to do, Sarah dipped into a deep curtsey, as she had done before in plays and had seen in countless movies.
Whispering to his awestruck friend, Ronin leaned in "I can see now why you lost your head my friend." Then striding to where Sarah still stood in her bow, Ronin, noticing how the two lovers stood completely still, took her hand. "Good evening, my Lady. I am Prince Ronin, the much braver and far more handsome lord of the underground. Plus I don't have to watch after goblins." Seeing that she had relaxed a bit and even smiled, Ronin continued, "May I have the distinct honor of escorting you to his majesty? I know it is not a very long trip, but his majesty seems to be incapable of movement at the moment." With a little fear and excitement in her eyes, Sarah gave a small nod. None of them noticed as Kaleena quietly slipped back out the door, a sweet smile on her face, as she raced, very unlady like, down the hall to fill the floor with gossip.
Ronin walked in stride with Sarah, only a few meters, before they stood facing one another, their eyes locked, both barely breathing.
"And with that I shall take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Sarah." Ronin, not receiving any response from either of the two, continued in his best impression of the others, "Oh thank you Ronin, you really are far more handsome than Jareth, I think I may leave him for you!" he said in his best impression of a woman, "No no no, Sarah, Jareth would be quite angry......Yes I would, but thank you for all you have done for me Ronin.....Never a problem your Majesty.........No really, why don't you take a bottle of my Elvin Brandy as thanks.......If you insist. Good night to both of you." And with that, Ronin and a very old bottle of fine elvin brandy disappeared into the night, his words never having been heard by the only two left standing in the room.
The room stood in silence for an eternity. Neither moving, both afraid to break the silence lest the dream should shatter. Finally, it was Sarah who spoke.
"Your Majesty,"
"Jareth."
She smiled at that, and his heart pounded in his ears. "Jareth, thank you. For saving Toby, and for saving me."
Jareth reached out and took her hand in his, raising it to his lips he placed a kill just above the skin, but the closeness of his lips made her heart leap. "I could not let you die, but there is more I must explain. Please, sit with me."
His voice was warm, but there was a seriousness that frightened Sarah. Damn, she thought, she had known this couldn't last. Her fairytale ending would soon come to an end. Stop it, she thought, you don't know what he is going to say.
"Sarah," he began, "When you called to me, I expected anything but what I found. I expected your anger, your resentment, your revenge. Not in all my years of life did I expect, did I hope for you to profess your love to me. I only wish it could have been under different circumstances." Sarah's face flushed as she recalled telling him what had been inside her for years. She had never been able to stabilize a relationship – and when they asked if she had been in love with someone else, she had always said yes. But to have admitted it to Jareth, and have him not say it back, it overwhelmed her a bit, she didn't know whether to feel foolish or proud. She opted for proud and raised her chin, still meeting his gaze. But he was guarded and she couldn't read what lay behind his eyes.
"When you asked me to take your mortal life for his, I could not deny you – I never could. But I could not let you die in my arms. My life would have ended with yours. So I bound you to me. You are immortal now, Sarah, we share a soul. As I live and breath, so do you, for eternity. You are tied to me. I would have given you the choice then, would have explained it, but you professed your love to me, and in our kiss, I weaved spell into spell, and knew then that I could not let you die if I could do anything to prevent it." Jareth waited, forcing himself not to read her mind, allowing all he had said to sink into her. Again, long silence permeated the room.
Sarah looked at him, her face switching emotions rapidly as she processed it all, anger was quickly replaced by hope, replaced by confusion as she digested all that was being related. When she spoke, it was quiet. "I want you to know, that what you have done for me, means more to me than anything, I could never repay the debt and if faced with the same choice a thousand times over I would always choose to save my brother. But," She stopped, biting her lip, "Do you own me?" She looked as though she would cry at the prospect.
Jareth let out a long breath he had not realized he had been holding. "Sarah, no, I do not own you. Such a barbaric thought, my...no, I do not own you. You still possess your free will, and are still free." He paused thinking how best to explain. "When mortals travel here, time slows for them and eventually they stop aging if they stay long enough. As you can see with Kaleena." Sarah made a note to ask about her later. "Sarah, very rarely do mortals and fae fall in love. But, when it happens, they can choose to bond to one another – for the magic of one to flow through the other, replacing their mortality, binding the two as one. When you gave up your mortality, I replaced your life force with my own."
Sarah was silent as she thought over all he said. "You said 'choose', that a mortal would choose to bind themselves, but I didn't choose this." Sarah said, her voice soft, but not holding anger, Jareth sighed, a wall forming over his eyes. He couldn't tell whether or not she was angry, but her words, her words had cut him down, and he realized how foolish he had been to think that she would accept this. He had known there was the possibility that she would not, but he had hoped, Gods he had hoped. She had said she loved him, it was enough, he believed. Had she only said it as a thank you? He knew Aboveground love was often a fical thing or an expression of thanks....but there had been love in her voice.....or had he only heard what he had wanted to. He sighed. When he spoke again, his voice was cold and he moved slightly away from her, letting go of her hands. When he pulled away, Sarah's heart raced.
Jareth's voice was clipped, "You professed your love to me. Here, such a thing is not given lightly, Sarah. It was all I needed to perform the spell. It replaced the choice, those words are an assumed commitment. Had I known you didn't mean it, had I known it was only some kind of trivial....." Jareth's words were cut short as Sarah's begging, shaking lips found his, her hand cupping his chin, drawing him closer in a desperate need to explain that she had meant them, had meant every word. The wall Jareth had put up in response to her words crumbled, as he embraced her, meeting her kiss and returning it full, pulling her close, so close that he lifted her onto his lap, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other finding its way into her hair. Their mouths vied for dominance, her tongue demanding entrance into his mouth, and his responding in full.
Sarah finally broke the kiss and stared into his eyes. "I meant it. I would have chosen this." She said, her breath quickening. She swallowed, "I love you, Jareth, there has never been another, and never will. Please, I only wanted to understand." She kissed him again, opening her mouth, her hunger for his touch only equaled by his. "I love you, Jareth."
As Sarah moaned slightly into his mouth, Jareth pulled back enough to speak, "Sarah. My Sarah. I lo....." a knock at the door startled the two, and cut Jareth off. By instinct Sarah, moved from his lap quickly to stand and straighten her dress as Jareth, closed his eyes, swearing silently to dip the knocker headfirst into the bog.
Without waiting for an answer, in strolled Roning already talking and wearing a huge grin on his face, which only grew wider as he noticed the blushing woman and his disheveled friend. "I thought I forgot my hat. Oh wait, didn't wear one, never do. So sorry. Mind if I join the two of you for dinner? I am so hungry. Rigorous activity always makes me famished!"
"No, Ronin....please take you le....."
"No you don't mind! Oh your generous hospitality is more than the rumors have declared! Thank you Goblin King." Walking over to where Sarah stood, Ronin took her arm and laced it through his. "Are you feeling well, My Lady, you look a bit flushed?" Walking Sarah from the room, Ronin smiled devilishly over his shoulder, "Coming your Majesty?" Then mentally, he added, 'court her my arse!'
Jareth laughed out loud and stood to follow the two. Nothing could ruin this night, and as soon as dinner was passed, nothing would ever come between he and his Sarah again. Jareth watched from behind as the Ronin led Sarah to the dining hall. She looked back over her shoulder, ignoring the story being related by the prince, and met his eyes. In an instant, Jareth had replaced Ronin on Sarah's arm, and she instinctively curled her hand tighter around him. It was as if she only felt whole now beside him. The two continued to the dining hall, Ronin following behind, not a bit phased by the fact that he was now the one several paces back. He simply continued his story louder.
As always I own nothing...
Chapter 3 – Courtship
Sarah rolled over in bed, stretching languidly. The room was dark and she had the sensation of floating. The sheets were beyond soft, and her fingers couldn't even find the end of the bed it was so large. Lazily, she turned to her side, her eyes fluttering open. Sarah took a sharp breath in as a pale blue pair of eyes stared back at her. "Glad to see you're awake! I'm Kaleena. You are Sarah, right?" a very cheery airy voice, and a loud one at that, assaulted Sarah's senses, jarring her from her respite.
"There's a hot bath waiting for you, my Lady Sarah, and then we can get you dressed for dinner." The cheery young girl flitted about the room, making sure everything was properly in accord, and then proceeded to pull a very plush robe from one of the hangers on a door and traipse lightly back to where Sarah sat, propped up on her elbows, more than a little confused. "C'mon now, his Majesty will be waiting for you." She smiled ear to ear, such an innocent and endearing smile, that Sarah couldn't help but comply. She crawled out of bed, and as the girl politely turned her back, she pulled off her dressing and climbed into the thick fabric. "There you go, now, off to the bath, you must be sore. There are oils and soaps and towels, and I will be right outside the door should you need anything." Kaleena let Sarah to the door to the bathroom, and opened it. She then turned to face Sarah, her face all of sudden quite serious – an expression it seemed to Sarah that did not fit the youthful looking firl. "By the way, I meant to tell you, I am so happy you are here, he has been so lonely without you....but don't tell him I said that." She then pulled a chair and seated herself outside the chamber.
Sarah was in awe as she walked down a short corridor, not only of the room's beauty, but with all of the thoughts spinning through her head. Jareth had been lonesome? Had he been as lonesome as her? Was she alive here in the Underground – and if so, did he expect something in return for her life? She hadn't asked to be saved, but he had rescued her – given her the wishes she had asked for once again. Soft tears threatened the corners of her eyes. He had always been there for her, hadn't he? Sarah continued down the short corridor, her mind a flurry of questions, answers to which she knew awaited her at the end of her bath. The lighting was soft and golden, accenting the bronze colored marble tile. There were two water basins and towels and soaps as the girl had described. In the center of the room, well beyond the door, was an oval bathing pool on a raised dias, full of steaming water.
"Ummmm, Kaleena was it?" Sarah called over her shoulder "Are you sure I am supposed to be here?"
A childish giggle resounded down the corridor and echoed into the bathing room, "Of course you are, my Lady! His majesty would have it no other way! Now, you will have to bath quickly, dinner is in an hour. I will let you know when you have to get out so that I may help you dress."
"I think I can dress myself, Kaleena, but thank you." Sarah called back as she slipped into the lavender scented tub. Immediately the pain in her muscles receded, and she let out a quiet moan.
"I think not, my Lady, corsets are a terrible trial to do oneself – and besides, his Majesty insisted!"
Sarah didn't hear, she was lost in the bliss of steaming water and scented soap. She had to be dead, because here, she was in heaven.
Her respite was ended all too soon, when Kaleena poked her head around the corner, "Are you alright, my Lady? I called you twice!" Concern etched the youthful features of the lovely girl and Sarah felt entirely guilty that she had slipped into a quiet sleep and let the girl to wonder if her charge had drowned.
"I am fine, Kaleena, just enjoying my bath." Kaleena sighed and walked back down the hall calling back to Sarah – "Time to get you dressed, my Lady!" With a loud sigh, Sarah pulled herself from the tub and wrapped her dark hair in a towel and crawled back into the thick warm robe.
Kaleena had pulled her best dress from her wardrobe and laid it out on the bed. It was a soft pink corset top, with cream colored open flowing sleeves and long softly layerd skirt in pink and cream fabrics that left a small train behind it. It was lovely, and Sarah smiled as Kaleena gently caressed the skirts.
Sarah smiled as Kaleena helped her into the dress and tightened the corset around Sarah's frail frame. "I hope you like the dress. The tailor will be here tomorrow to make your own, so I brought you the best one I had. I only wore it once, shortly after I came here. I wore it when I was escorted to a ball by his Majesty."
Sarah looked radient in the dress. Kaleena sat her down and began to fix her hair up off of her neck, weaving pink stones and ribbons into the mass of dark tresses. "Kaleena, you attended a ball with Jareth?" Sarah asked, a bit of concern lacing her features. Knowing that she had recently confessed her long hidden love for the King of Goblins, her heart would tear if she were nothing more than a passing interest to the King. Sarah all of a sudden felt very foolish for telling him of what was in her heart.
Seeing the look of conflict upon her face, Kaleena took Sarah's shoulders and turned her to look into her eyes. "His Majesty brought me here ten years ago, my lady. He rescued me, brought me here when I was only five. He is like a father to me, has always treated me very kindly. The others have looked down at him at times for keeping me – normally he gives the babes to other nobles, but I was too hurt. He took me in, raised me as best he could in his position. I have been his attendant ever since. Within these walls, he is my friend and father and my Lord – outside these walls, to everyone else, I am his subject, and I owe him my life." Sarah suddenly felt very silly, very small for thinking anything derogatory. "I attended the ball with him as his personal attendant – and as such I needed to appear as royalty." A warm smile adorned the small girls face, "There is so much more I could tell you, my Lady, but now is not the time. You have a dinner to get to." Kaleena turned Sarah back to the mirror, showing her the jewels in her hair. Sarah looked amazed. She no longer looked as pale and gaunt as a ghost, she actually looked lovely. She smiled at her reflection. "My Lady, the King's heart is yours. It was yours thirteen years ago. You have no need to worry." Kaleena laid out some makeup and allowed Sarah to put it on while she brought her a pair of delicate shoes. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I can be." Sarah took a deep breath. Dinner would be interesting. The questions from before still swirled about her mind. He hadn't told her he loved her, at least not that she recalled, and though she knew in her heart that she loved him, she still knew so little about him, just that whenever she was by his side, in his arms, she felt as though the world around her no longer mattered.
"Then we shall go to the study."
"The study? Why there? "
"Because that is where he will be. Trust me, Lady Sarah."
And with that, the two women walked down the hall.
xxxxx
The two men had returned from their ride and handed the stable boy the reins to their horses and made their way inside, back to the study.
Ronin lounged on the lavish chaise, a cheeky grin still playing at his lips. He was still annoyed that his friend hadn't used his brain in this scheme, but he couldn't stay mad at Jareth – after all, his friend was in love, and he was a damn lot nicer this way!
"So what do you intend to do with her?" Ronin asked, emphasizing the worth with, and licking his lips as he did so. "I mean the options are endless – on the floor, up against a wall, outside, inside – there are so many places and ways...........
Jareth rolled his eyes, and took a seat opposite his friend, and quite seriously replied, "I intend to be a gentleman, unlike certain princes I know."
"I am seriously hurt by that Jareth! I have always been a gentleman!" Ronin replied, the mock hurt in his voice – then he winked and continued " AH! But why waste the time! You said yourself she admitted her love for you, practically melted in your strong Goblin King arms and threw herself naked and wanting at you! Ok that last part – made up a bit......just take her, man, some women love that strong hero routine. They get to be the wilting innocent flower while you ravage them with some much needed savage loving. Did I ever tell you about the time that Myra had me pretend to be a werewolf? I mean, you can't get much more damsel in distress – quite the distress if you get my meaning – than that!"
"Why must you regale me with your exploits? Hmmm? Honestly Ronin – I think you talk a bit too much."
"I talk to give your out of practice mind ideas! That whole chivalrous ballroomy thingy you tried certainly didn't work! I mean WHAT were you THINKING?? She was like fourteen in mortal years – she never would have understood that – you should have just grabbed her and kissed her passionately in front of those dancers – I think that would have gotten the point across. That is what I would have done – HAVE done, I might add!"
"Some of us, my friend, have class."
"And the rest of us have fun! Dirty dirty bad naughty fun!" Ronin toasted the Goblin King and took a long drink of brandy before he continued. "In all seriousness, Jareth, you need to complete your bond. And you need to do it soon. If anyone were to find out – Jareth I ask you again, what do you intend to do?"
"I intend to court her." Jareth answered, taking a sip of brandy.
"JARETH!" Ronin nearly choked on his liquor and fell off of the lounge. "That could take forever!" He whined "How am I supposed to get any details if you actually COURT her??? Gods man – you really are daft, you know that? Just grab her and in your most devilish voice tell her you want to..............."
Before he could finish, the door to the study opened, and both men were on their feet. Kaleena walked in slowly, smiling that the two men seemed to be taken off guard, noticing that the King of Goblins was barely breathing as he awaited the announcement of his Sarah.
"May I present, Lady Sarah." Sarah entered the room, both gentlemen stood, and time felt as though it stood still for Jareth and Sarah. Not knowing what else to do, Sarah dipped into a deep curtsey, as she had done before in plays and had seen in countless movies.
Whispering to his awestruck friend, Ronin leaned in "I can see now why you lost your head my friend." Then striding to where Sarah still stood in her bow, Ronin, noticing how the two lovers stood completely still, took her hand. "Good evening, my Lady. I am Prince Ronin, the much braver and far more handsome lord of the underground. Plus I don't have to watch after goblins." Seeing that she had relaxed a bit and even smiled, Ronin continued, "May I have the distinct honor of escorting you to his majesty? I know it is not a very long trip, but his majesty seems to be incapable of movement at the moment." With a little fear and excitement in her eyes, Sarah gave a small nod. None of them noticed as Kaleena quietly slipped back out the door, a sweet smile on her face, as she raced, very unlady like, down the hall to fill the floor with gossip.
Ronin walked in stride with Sarah, only a few meters, before they stood facing one another, their eyes locked, both barely breathing.
"And with that I shall take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Sarah." Ronin, not receiving any response from either of the two, continued in his best impression of the others, "Oh thank you Ronin, you really are far more handsome than Jareth, I think I may leave him for you!" he said in his best impression of a woman, "No no no, Sarah, Jareth would be quite angry......Yes I would, but thank you for all you have done for me Ronin.....Never a problem your Majesty.........No really, why don't you take a bottle of my Elvin Brandy as thanks.......If you insist. Good night to both of you." And with that, Ronin and a very old bottle of fine elvin brandy disappeared into the night, his words never having been heard by the only two left standing in the room.
The room stood in silence for an eternity. Neither moving, both afraid to break the silence lest the dream should shatter. Finally, it was Sarah who spoke.
"Your Majesty,"
"Jareth."
She smiled at that, and his heart pounded in his ears. "Jareth, thank you. For saving Toby, and for saving me."
Jareth reached out and took her hand in his, raising it to his lips he placed a kill just above the skin, but the closeness of his lips made her heart leap. "I could not let you die, but there is more I must explain. Please, sit with me."
His voice was warm, but there was a seriousness that frightened Sarah. Damn, she thought, she had known this couldn't last. Her fairytale ending would soon come to an end. Stop it, she thought, you don't know what he is going to say.
"Sarah," he began, "When you called to me, I expected anything but what I found. I expected your anger, your resentment, your revenge. Not in all my years of life did I expect, did I hope for you to profess your love to me. I only wish it could have been under different circumstances." Sarah's face flushed as she recalled telling him what had been inside her for years. She had never been able to stabilize a relationship – and when they asked if she had been in love with someone else, she had always said yes. But to have admitted it to Jareth, and have him not say it back, it overwhelmed her a bit, she didn't know whether to feel foolish or proud. She opted for proud and raised her chin, still meeting his gaze. But he was guarded and she couldn't read what lay behind his eyes.
"When you asked me to take your mortal life for his, I could not deny you – I never could. But I could not let you die in my arms. My life would have ended with yours. So I bound you to me. You are immortal now, Sarah, we share a soul. As I live and breath, so do you, for eternity. You are tied to me. I would have given you the choice then, would have explained it, but you professed your love to me, and in our kiss, I weaved spell into spell, and knew then that I could not let you die if I could do anything to prevent it." Jareth waited, forcing himself not to read her mind, allowing all he had said to sink into her. Again, long silence permeated the room.
Sarah looked at him, her face switching emotions rapidly as she processed it all, anger was quickly replaced by hope, replaced by confusion as she digested all that was being related. When she spoke, it was quiet. "I want you to know, that what you have done for me, means more to me than anything, I could never repay the debt and if faced with the same choice a thousand times over I would always choose to save my brother. But," She stopped, biting her lip, "Do you own me?" She looked as though she would cry at the prospect.
Jareth let out a long breath he had not realized he had been holding. "Sarah, no, I do not own you. Such a barbaric thought, my...no, I do not own you. You still possess your free will, and are still free." He paused thinking how best to explain. "When mortals travel here, time slows for them and eventually they stop aging if they stay long enough. As you can see with Kaleena." Sarah made a note to ask about her later. "Sarah, very rarely do mortals and fae fall in love. But, when it happens, they can choose to bond to one another – for the magic of one to flow through the other, replacing their mortality, binding the two as one. When you gave up your mortality, I replaced your life force with my own."
Sarah was silent as she thought over all he said. "You said 'choose', that a mortal would choose to bind themselves, but I didn't choose this." Sarah said, her voice soft, but not holding anger, Jareth sighed, a wall forming over his eyes. He couldn't tell whether or not she was angry, but her words, her words had cut him down, and he realized how foolish he had been to think that she would accept this. He had known there was the possibility that she would not, but he had hoped, Gods he had hoped. She had said she loved him, it was enough, he believed. Had she only said it as a thank you? He knew Aboveground love was often a fical thing or an expression of thanks....but there had been love in her voice.....or had he only heard what he had wanted to. He sighed. When he spoke again, his voice was cold and he moved slightly away from her, letting go of her hands. When he pulled away, Sarah's heart raced.
Jareth's voice was clipped, "You professed your love to me. Here, such a thing is not given lightly, Sarah. It was all I needed to perform the spell. It replaced the choice, those words are an assumed commitment. Had I known you didn't mean it, had I known it was only some kind of trivial....." Jareth's words were cut short as Sarah's begging, shaking lips found his, her hand cupping his chin, drawing him closer in a desperate need to explain that she had meant them, had meant every word. The wall Jareth had put up in response to her words crumbled, as he embraced her, meeting her kiss and returning it full, pulling her close, so close that he lifted her onto his lap, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other finding its way into her hair. Their mouths vied for dominance, her tongue demanding entrance into his mouth, and his responding in full.
Sarah finally broke the kiss and stared into his eyes. "I meant it. I would have chosen this." She said, her breath quickening. She swallowed, "I love you, Jareth, there has never been another, and never will. Please, I only wanted to understand." She kissed him again, opening her mouth, her hunger for his touch only equaled by his. "I love you, Jareth."
As Sarah moaned slightly into his mouth, Jareth pulled back enough to speak, "Sarah. My Sarah. I lo....." a knock at the door startled the two, and cut Jareth off. By instinct Sarah, moved from his lap quickly to stand and straighten her dress as Jareth, closed his eyes, swearing silently to dip the knocker headfirst into the bog.
Without waiting for an answer, in strolled Roning already talking and wearing a huge grin on his face, which only grew wider as he noticed the blushing woman and his disheveled friend. "I thought I forgot my hat. Oh wait, didn't wear one, never do. So sorry. Mind if I join the two of you for dinner? I am so hungry. Rigorous activity always makes me famished!"
"No, Ronin....please take you le....."
"No you don't mind! Oh your generous hospitality is more than the rumors have declared! Thank you Goblin King." Walking over to where Sarah stood, Ronin took her arm and laced it through his. "Are you feeling well, My Lady, you look a bit flushed?" Walking Sarah from the room, Ronin smiled devilishly over his shoulder, "Coming your Majesty?" Then mentally, he added, 'court her my arse!'
Jareth laughed out loud and stood to follow the two. Nothing could ruin this night, and as soon as dinner was passed, nothing would ever come between he and his Sarah again. Jareth watched from behind as the Ronin led Sarah to the dining hall. She looked back over her shoulder, ignoring the story being related by the prince, and met his eyes. In an instant, Jareth had replaced Ronin on Sarah's arm, and she instinctively curled her hand tighter around him. It was as if she only felt whole now beside him. The two continued to the dining hall, Ronin following behind, not a bit phased by the fact that he was now the one several paces back. He simply continued his story louder.