Author's Note: This is it. With this last chapter for 'A Universally Accepted Fact', thus ends the story. I hope this chapter is a fitting end to something I know I've worked so hard over, and for what all of you have been so kind to review. I'd like to thank all of you for all the beautiful things you've said to me about my work and I'd really like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of this fiction. There are those who've been there for ages, and there have been those who've joined us fairly late. Unfortunately I've also lost a few reviewers (I think), but that's just life, isn't it? I'll send out personal thank yous as soon as I can.
Author's Note: I don't know if people even want to know, but unfortunately, I also have a few ideas as to how I want the sequel to this fiction to go. It will still contain at least Jareth (Toby might be dead), but it will focus primarily on the three children. What do you think? I don't want overkill either and I like how this ends.
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The Goblin King relaxed on his stone seat and stretched, yawning wide enough to break his jaw as the droning formality of the document in his hand threatened to put him to sleep. He lifted his left hand to rub his heavy eyes and caught the glint of dull gold. Stopping to smile at it, he was very aware of his daughter laughing at him from her seat opposite him.
"Something amuses you, Arradine?" he asked casually.
The girl's blue eyes danced evilly even as her pretty face stayed pleasantly blank. "Nothing at all, Father," she replied demurely, "I was merely considering Sutton's proposal to rebuild the old water mill in the south. It seems pointless."
"Pointless or not, Sutton does argue convincingly," Jareth sighed. He swung his legs up and settled his long body into the contours of the throne. The eerie silence was getting on his nerves. But he refused to admit- even on pain of death- that he missed his 'advisers'. Those drunkards and imbeciles had been a source of seething irritation for every year of his rulership. And now he itched to have their intoxicated antics brought back into his squeaky-clean throne room.
"Is something wrong, Father?"
"Hmmm? Oh. Nothing, my dear." He found himself examining his Christmas present again. "Tell me- the relationship between yourself and Lord Zaraith. Have I reason to consider cautioning you?"
The heir to the Goblin Kingdom raised a dark eyebrow and stiffened in her chair. She'd taken the trouble to dress in the appropriate garb of her station for the morning and the cream gown looked distinctly good on her curves. It was giving her father palpitations.
"We are bond mates," she replied warily, "Why?"
"Your dad is a little suspicious."
"I see."
Mismatched eyes glanced briefly at her and then glanced away. A flick of the fingers and a crystal was in his hands. "As am I. But I am prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just how serious are you?"
"We are not serious," Arradine growled, aggrieved at getting the inquisition. "Lord Zaraith has been everything that is proper and gentlemanly and while some of us may have no control of our- our passions, certain of us do!"
The Goblin King flicked her the crystal and then nodded, swinging his legs down to the floor. "Point taken," he agreed, "But the question stands as it does- how serious are YOU, my dear. The draconite was never in question."
"The water mill…"
"Will never be rebuilt until my people ask me for it," Jareth finished matter-of-factly, "Do you mean to fall in love with him?"
Arradine sat back, her mouth thinned with obstinacy. She wasn't very inclined to talk about such matters with her friends, let alone with her father. And she was a little suspicious as to what Jareth would ask of her. "Not yet," she settled on.
"In that case some rules need to be set down." Jareth got out of his seat and began to pace, the white-feathered cape swaying gently against the backs of his calves. "I won't ask for a detailed account of your sex life, and you are free to sleep with whom you choose. On one condition- it will be discreet. If you require contraceptives, go to Lorelei. And for the Gods' sake, do not attempt to play games with people who will create more trouble than they are worth!"
Arradine was white with suppressed shock. "You are the King of the Goblins," the Princess eventually murmured, "Your word is law." An uneven lock of silver-blond hair was tugged in absent nervousness.
Jareth softened. It couldn't be pleasant having to have this conversation. Good sense told him that the girl hadn't really thought this far ahead. And his precise instructions had sounded rather cold. He stood behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing lightly in understanding.
"I only want your happiness, my dear. If Zaraith will make you happy, I will not oppose it."
A tragic little sniff was barely audible in the stone room. But the sound echoed from wall to wall. "Thank you. He- he would make a powerful ally, would he not?"
Jareth laughed softly and kissed the top of her head. "Quite beside the point. I don't believe you will find happiness with him, but I will let you decide that for yourself."
Blue eyes blinked up at him. "Why not?" Arradine demanded, "If I were to fall in love- and I don't say it will happen- and if he were to love in return- which I won't say will happen- what would be wrong with that? We are compatible." Suddenly she found herself on the defensive. It was not as if she were actually planning to snare the Draconite Lord as a lover or mate or anything; but she resented being told that it was impossible anyway.
"Yes, yes, you are a Child of the Night and the draconite is of the Sun; very convenient. But that is not all that weighs with a good relationship. Do you respect him?"
"Yes!"
"Do you genuinely like him? For a relationship based on desire alone is an affair and not a marriage."
"I enjoy our time together."
Jareth took his time- "Does he respect you?"
Ah. The question. Did he? Arradine believed he liked her well enough. He seemed to enjoy talking to her. But he never flirted with her. He was never clear with his thoughts. She couldn't read admiration in his eyes at her dress and his body language said no more than that he was not quite repulsed by her presence. But respect… she amused him.
"Arradine, it seems to me that he sees you as a child, someone too young to of potential interest in any adult way. He wishes you well, but he doesn't see himself involved in your future."
"And how would you know," she shouted, springing to her feet with an insulted blush on her face, "You can't possibly know a thing about his thoughts."
The Goblin King didn't rise to the bait. Instead he looked regretful and confident. "There are things," he told her, "That one learns to see in another's face. If it were merely my opinion, I'd keep well out of this. But your dad asked me to speak with you."
"Dad thinks so too?" She looked instantly crestfallen.
"He thinks you should take things slowly. Zaraith is not someone to trifle with, Arradine. His last bond mate died protecting him at the hands of goblin soldiers. His wings were ripped from his dying carcass and pinned to our gates in victory. He wouldn't hold a grudge against you, personally, but I don't think he'd forget that in a hurry."
Arradine bowed her head and sniffed again. Jareth stayed away from her this time. She needed the time to compose herself and he was too experienced with his emotions to believe that she would appreciate any attempt to sooth her. Likely she'd unleash her magic in a sudden rage and that would only hurt someone.
He studied her, sitting straight-backed in her elegant gilt chair, the golden streaks in her silver-blond hair glinting beneath the soft light of the winter's morning. Pale, fair skin with warm pink tinges in the hollows of her cheeks and her neck. Properly positioned hands clasped in her cream lap. No jewellery, no accessories of any kind, except a pair of startlingly deep rubies in her ears- she had trained very well under him. He was grateful for that.
Jareth freely gave his permission when she asked to be excused. Arradine was a fighter. If she felt unable to continue, it meant she was on the brink of tears. Well, then, the half-goblin decided, let her cry. One good bout of weeping and it would be over.
Only he wasn't so sure.
The document in his hand was tossed distastefully to the floor and he strode out the door to find his own bond mate. Down to the kennels where Toby was meant to be over-seeing the housing of a new litter of the bear-like creatures that played the canine role in the Underground. But the round, furry things were settled and Toby wasn't to be seen. A goblin informed him that the mortal Lord had returned to the Castle, meaning to get his knives for practise with the young Prince. But Aidan was alone in the grounds and was sitting in a particularly pensive state on a bench, gently tracing some memory on his lips and staring with perturbed concentration at a patch of virgin snow.
And that had been happening far too often. Jareth made to turn- he wasn't in the mood to cope with two such conversations- but let out a sigh and turned around. His conversation with Toby could wait. Aidan seemed in some kind of revelatory fit.
The snow crunched with satisfying crispness beneath his boots. A brilliantly gold snowbird circled lazily overhead, baying like a bloodhound for the grubs that it fed on. Taking the most public path, Jareth made sure his son saw him well in advance, giving him the chance to make his excuses or decide how best to evade the queries. It was only fair.
"Well?" he asked, finally reaching Aidan's side and sitting down, "Tell me all about it."
"There is nothing to tell."
A dark eyebrow rose. The young immortal was going to be lying, then. Jareth didn't like lies Evasions, yes, but not lies. "I don't believe you."
The soft mouth twitched at the corners, the same tip-tilted smile that Jareth had been hoping to encounter in someone else. "You rarely do," came the answer, "I can't think why."
"Perhaps because you have been too silent since Christmas," Jareth pointed out, "Did something happen? Were you insulted or harmed in some way?"
Aidan tossed him a withering glance. "Father, I am capable of killing someone in the Aboveground should they try to harm me. Short of a mad psychopath with a gun, I can protect myself from anything."
The Goblin King could think of someone else who had had that same confidence in their ability to protect themselves. Of course, his bond mate hadn't had the fighting ability then that Aidan had now. Oh, but Toby had made sure his children knew how to defend themselves; his own confidence had been corroded far too badly for him to let that happen to their children.
The Prince put out a hand and picked up a handful of snow, carelessly forming it into a ball before using his slowly emerging magic to frost the surface.
Jareth applauded politely and accepted the gift with good grace. "You're changing the topic," he reminded him, "Now, I have very little time left so I advise you to confess the truth now, or face the consequences."
"And what would those consequences be?" Aidan asked, smirking a little.
"I will be forced to… press the issue? A trip into your mind will not be so hard to arrange."
"You wouldn't!"
The frosted snow ball was gently being sculpted with rare flowers. "No, I wouldn't. But you look like you can use someone to talk to." Jareth handed the completed snow sculpture back to his son with a smile. "If it is something too private, I will not pry. Just tell me that this is neither life-threatening, nor something I would disapprove of."
Aidan shrugged. His black attire was simple enough to rival his father's choice of wardrobe, but of a completely different style. Where Jareth liked silks and chiffons, Aidan liked cotton and linen and a smooth, thick fabric of the Underground known as fogcloth. Where the Goblin King wore revealing shirts and breeches, Aidan's tunics were long waisted and long sleeved, the trousers fitted but not skin-tight. His hair was never allowed to fall loose to his shoulders and he rarely used feathers or jewellery even on formal occasions.
Jareth was getting the feeling that for all Aidan's dependence on him, the boy would be more difficult to handle than the two girls. They were essentially rational creatures; Aidan had an irrational, tempestuous streak allied with a secretive nature. The years ahead were liable to prove difficult for them.
"I don't think you will quite disapprove," Aidan murmured, "It might worry you. It worries me."
Jareth shifted on his seat just a little. "In what way?" He really did want to hurry this conversation up; he wanted to check on his lover before night fell. It was a new quirk of his.
Slender fingers clasped and unclasped before burying themselves in thick, golden hair. "I may not precisely be attracted solely to men," Aidan admitted, "I kissed one of Cassie's friends that night. I- I didn't quite mean to, but she was- what was the mortal term for it- coming on to me, and the situation got out of hand."
Dual-coloured eyes blinked. Jareth swallowed a laugh and kept a tight hold on the serious look on his face. It would be just his luck for him to burst out laughing and make the poor child feel even more mixed up! "That seems confusing. Did you like her?"
"She seemed a very nice sort of girl."
The half-goblin wondered how many other youths of sixteen used quite that line to describe a girl. "A- a nice girl. I see. But she was coming on to you?"
The golden bird dipped down suddenly on a worm and they turned to look for a second before Aidan refocused. "Father, if you mean to laugh at me, this conversation is over! If you must know, she was dressed like a prostitute and Cassie assured me she wasn't a virgin. Does that make much difference?"
"If you had gone through with it, I might have a few things to say, but it was a simple kiss." A sudden idea struck and the Goblin King looked suitably horrified. "It was, wasn't it? Just a kiss?" He had visions of being a grandfather and they were not pleasant. He could just imagine having to appear to the girl and tell her exactly what kind of family he would force her to marry into.
"Just a kiss. But I enjoyed it. Is that so wrong?" Aidan was looking upset again.
Jareth tried to think of how to phrase what he had to say without sounding patronizing. It was hard work being an active parent. He was just beginning to find that out. "Luv, you're sexual preferences are not determined from the day you are born. No one has the right to tell you whether something is wrong or right. Being attracted to women is just as acceptable as being attracted to men. Being attracted to both certainly has its advantages. Both your dad and I feel the same."
Aidan wrinkled his nose for a second in thought. "But I have never been attracted to a female… ever. This was the first time. Even my- my dreams are- are about men. Why now?"
"Your dad was only ever attracted to women," Jareth pointed out, "He had a girlfriend in the Aboveground and they acted as any normal teenaged couple would act. The point is, there is no shame in being attracted to someone. And anyhow, perhaps you were reacting to the music and the atmosphere more than to the girl you were with."
"I've already thought of that," Aidan sighed, "It doesn't help."
Jareth gave up. "Aidan, there is no wrong or right desire. If your urges don't prompt you to kill or hurt someone, or to indulge in something that you know is actually wrong, then what harm is there? You're young. You're growing. You are going to want to experiment and please, for the love of the Gods, don't tell me about that! But it is only natural."
"So you're saying that I shouldn't worry about this?"
The Goblin King stood up, pulled his son up with him and shoved the boy in the general direction of the Castle. "Let me put it to you this way- with your age and the state of your hormones, you could get aroused by almost anything in this universe. Girl or boy, it won't matter too much to you at this age if all you have to do is shut your eyes and take what pleasure you're given."
Aidan snorted and kicked at a snowy clump of shrub. "Thank you. I feel very comforted by that thought."
Jareth chuckled and said nothing, content to walk in companiable silence. He was completely unprepared for the sudden introduction of a new facet to the discussion.
"What was your first kiss like?"
His heart began to slow down to an ominous thudding and icy prickles slithered down his spine. "M- my first kiss? It's not something I'd like to talk about."
"Oh." The youth nodded, embarrassed and quick to understand why his father might not want to mention it. "I just wondered."
"Perfectly natural." Jareth risked a glance to the side. Aidan was biting his lip, clearly chastising himself for having brought the topic up. "It was completely charmless. The… male didn't exactly want to participate in what we were about to do, but hoped to comfort, or arouse me if it were possible. It didn't succeed and I was too petrified to respond to it."
"Oh."
"The second time went better. Archer told me that I might perhaps feel less pain if I relaxed and didn't fight it. He also just 'happened' to leave a very explicit book in my bedchamber. I believe Harvey gave you an Aboveground version of something similar? I thought so. There were different positions and various manoeuvres that I thought I would die rather than perform, particularly on the partner I had. But kissing someone, the book told me, was meant to be nice. So I tried it."
Aidan was fascinated. Jareth hated the entire conversation and felt nauseated by the very thought of the situation. But his son wanted to know. He couldn't think why; most of it wasn't a pleasant story and the rest of it was repulsive. But Aidan seemed genuinely interested in knowing, and never with any kind of ghoulish pleasure or wish to hurt. He just wanted to know.
"Father, may I ask you something?"
"I'm not sure I should say yes," Jareth replied seriously, "But I will. I reserve the right not to answer, however."
"If you don't want to tell me it's fine," Aidan was quick to promise, "But how did you spend two hundred years with- with Him, and have other lovers? Why would you need others if you were in love with someone?"
"It's simple. I was so young that sexual pleasure and filial respect translated into a sort of twisted love that I believed was real. I wanted to flaunt it but I was forbidden to openly display any hint of intimacy in public. So I chose others to openly display that affection to. They were aware that I was not truly interested in them. They served only to satisfy whatever impulses I was forbidden with my father. Does that answer your question?"
"It answers one part of it."
The Goblin King sighed in frustration and nodded impatiently. "What's the other part?" He was feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
"What makes Dad so different to everyone else?"
Jareth actually stopped and stared at Aidan incredulously, shocked that the boy couldn't see what was so perfectly obvious. The plain gold wedding ring on his left hand burned against his skin and he held it up to plain view. "This is why," he said, "My elf spent sixteen years of his life believing homosexuality to be wrong. Down here, in this fantasy world we call the Underground, it was all right to play a different a part, to turn himself inside out and play pretend. But he went back to that previous world where his urges for me were considered wrong and still chose to keep me as a part of his life. Why would I not love him for that?"
Aidan blushed and nodded to someone lounging in the entrance. "Hey, Dad," he said sheepishly.
Jareth whirled around and cursed. "Do you have to sneak up on people? Damned wolf!"
"So," Toby grinned, "You love me?"
The Goblin King lifted his chin and challenged his lover to keep up the teasing charade. "Have I claimed otherwise?"
Toby shook his head and laughed, reaching out his left hand where his own wedding ring gleamed. "Never," he agreed softly.
Jareth relaxed and took the hand in his, pulling his lover close. Close enough to smell, to kiss, to hold. A contented sigh told him that Toby was quite happy to have any of those things done to him. So Jareth did, and added more besides. They were too engrossed to even notice that Aidan was still there, a smirk on his tip-tilted mouth and a humorous gleam in his knowing blue eyes.
"Love you too," Toby whispered back, "I'm so glad you agreed to the rings."
"Could I possibly have said no?"
"You could have. You know it will really bind you to me. No more other lovers, Jareth; no separations and possible ways to escape. At least, not without a damned good reason why, first."
The Goblin King considered his options. He could have the small, golden little idol in his arms- all delicate bone and fragile ego; sunshine and fire- or he could live without. "I couldn't possibly ask for more," he agreed, swooping down to kiss his bond mate extremely hard for one more time, completely uncaring that they were in the Castle entrance, in plain view of the City and anyone else who cared to watch.