Chapter Eight
Crime and Punishment
"I'm telling you," Bridget managed "she's trouble." Amelia rolled her eyes as she, Bridget and Jareth were discussing handfasting plans.
"Amazingly," Jareth muttered "she hasn't done much. Besides turn me into an owl but…" Both women looked at him and he mentally hit himself in the head. WHY had he said that?
"Oh really?" Bridget asked "well, I believe law states she is to be punished under the circumstances that she casts a spell on fae. Especially royal fae at that."
"She didn't mean to," he said, trying to correct his error "she wasn't even aware of it really."
"I'm afraid it doesn't matter," Amelia said, trying to comfort the Goblin King. "Bridget, would you be so kind as to fetch the young woman from her quarters?"
"Happily," she smirked and promptly disappeared.
"Now what," Jareth sighed.
"Now Jareth," Amelia put a hand on his shoulder "you've got a month before you've got to get handfasted. If you can't change the young lady back before that time… well, you know your fate. The girl on the other hand is going to need you until you can change her back, love."
"How do I change her back?" he asked, looking puzzled.
"You'll find a way," the old woman laughed "believe me. But she must learn up until she is changed back. Learn about herself, and you."
"Me?" he asked and the woman nodded. "What does anything have to do with me? She's the one-"
"In time," she smiled "you'll understand in time." Bridget was pulling Sarah down the hall, Sarah looked terribly worried. "My dear," the woman took Sarah into her arms and whispered the situation to her. "By law in our land, dear," she explained "you must be punished. For you see, though you didn't mean to, you turned Jareth into an owl. And that has broken our law." Sarah moved back a moment, a bit dumbfounded about the whole thing.
"Alright," she said "what's gonna happen to me?" The woman paused.
"Well," she said "being just as I am, the punishment will fit the crime. So I will turn you into an animal." Sarah concealed her shock, for Bridget was looking at her attentively. "Jareth will try and break the spell. But if he fails to, and you fail to learn as you should, then he will be forced to marry Bridget." Slowly Sarah nodded, not seeing what else she could do. "You understand?"
"I do," Sarah said quietly. The old woman nodded and took Sarah by the hand.
"Where's your room, my dear?" she asked Jareth "the girl will need to be taken care of of course." Jareth pointed down the hall and Amelia nodded, taking Sarah down the hall with her. "Don't worry," she said "Jareth's a smart lad, he'll figure it out." Sarah wiped away tears and the woman stopped, gave her a blank stare. "Why do you cry?"
"I'm," she wiped another tear away "I'm just a little scared." The old woman's face softened and she but her hand on Sarah's cheek.
"It is good you not admit that around Bridget," she sighed "but I promise, Jareth will help you as much as he can."
"So he won't have to marry her," Sarah muttered.
"Oh no, child," she brushed oncoming tears away "I believe he cares for you very much. He didn't mean to give your secret away, he even tried to take it back. He's willing to help because he cares for YOU, not because he dislikes her." She opened Jareth's door and took Sarah in. "You should've seen him when you left the first time. A wreck he was."
"Why would he be a wreck?" Sarah asked.
"He must have not done as good a job as he said," she sighed "he loves you honey. He wanted you to stay with him." Sarah didn't know how to feel at the moment, but she was sure she already had had a full day. "Oh," Amelia covered her mouth "I've said too much already. In time hon, in time. Now, just close your eyes, this won't hurt a bit." Sarah did as she was told. She didn't feel anything, she heard a few popping noises and then the old woman laughed. "Well," she chuckled "I must say that's fitting. Sarah opened her eyes. Everything had gotten much taller, she'd admit, seemed a lot brighter… clearer. She looked down and her eyes grew wide. She had paws. She opened her mouth to speak but all that came out was a light meow.
"I must say," she said again and picked Sarah up and set her on the dresser. She looked in the mirror. She was a calico, orange, black and white splotches covered her body. Her eyes were still a deep brown, something unusual for cats. She looked at Amelia and nodded, it was better than something strange, like a ferret or something smaller. "Alright love," the old woman smiled kindly at her "be brave. Trust Jareth. And learn all you can, about this new form, yourself and Jareth." Sarah nodded a little and looked back in the mirror. Amelia left the room, closing the door behind her. Sarah sighed and hid under the bed, she really didn't wish to be seen like this.
"I wanna see her!" she heard Bridget gush but Jareth pushed her out of his room.
"Sarah?" he looked around. "Sarah come out."
I'd rather not, she thought to herself.
"Why not?" he asked looking around "it can't be that bad."
Oh thanks, she managed to sigh.
"Would you just come out?" he asked and she poked her head from under the bed. "A cat."
Yep, she gave a nod a cat. Thanks for telling them by the way.
"I'm sorry," he muttered "it slipped."
I know its not your fault, she came out from under the bed how am I gonna fix this?
"Better yet," he mused "how am I?"
And what's with the whole, she paused learn about yourself, and this form and… you. No offence, but what ABOUT you.
"That's what I was thinking," he muttered and they both sat there a moment.
This is embarrassing, she admitted.
"Why?" he asked "cats are very interesting creatures. And it suits you."
People keep saying that, she muttered damn my independence. Jareth laughed at this and Bridget opened the door.
"OH LOOK AT THE CUTE LITTLE KITTY!" she squealed and went to pick Sarah up. Out of reaction she hissed and Bridget took a step back.
"Instinct," Jareth smirked "oh this is going to be interesting."
She touches me, Sarah growled and she's gonna be pulling back nubs. Nobody pets me. Jareth patted her on the head and she growled.
"Nope," he teased "not maimed yet."
I'll let you off this time, she teased giving him a dry look and he laughed again. Strangely, she liked him touching her, though she won't admit it. She shook her head a bit, instinct was kicking in.
"I wanna pet her," Bridget pouted.
"Uh," Jareth paused "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Aw," Amelia smirked standing in the doorway "don't tease her. She'll probably bite."
She has no idea, she murmured to herself, though she didn't know if Jareth heard her.
"Naw," Bridget patter Sarah on the head and Sarah swatted at her. "Oh," she knocked her on the head "bad kitty." Sarah reared back and hissed at her. How she wished she had the ability to speak, because she had a good twelve curse words she'd like the try out.
"Okay both of you," Jareth snapped "Amelia, would you be so kind as to take Bridget home? I believe I have things to do." Amelia nodded and they promptly disappeared. "Now you've got to act like a cat."
No, was his only answer.
"Sarah you've got to," he said.
Sorry but the idea of rubbing against people's legs doesn't really appeal to me, she grumbled jumping up on the bed to she could see better.
"The idea of this is for you to learn," he said "you've got to learn to be a cat." He sighed. "I've got to help you."
Yeah and some cats a freaking psycho, she mused I'll be one of those.
"Sarah," he sighed "I need your help with this…"
Oh yeah, she got up and paced a bit I'm so sorry for being selfish. I forgot you need me so you don't have to marry that bimbo. Please, forgive me. She rolled her eyes and jumped to the windowsill.
"Is that what you think?" he asked.
I mean I can't blame you, she thought quietly I'd be desperate not to marry her too. I just suppose its nice to believe I have some other means of being.
"You talked to Amelia, didn't you?" he asked and she nodded. "Didn't she tell you anything?"
Like?
"Like," he paused "about, me?"
Sorta, she paused she just said a lot about me needed to know you.
"Is that all?" he asked.
She said something about the first time I met you, she muttered.
"I thought so," Jareth nodded "I knew she'd do that." He sighed and shook his head. "Gotta keep her away from you. You'll get some really interesting childhood stories from her." Sarah smirked, but still felt… kinda upset. Sorta unwanted. "What exactly did she say?"
That you were upset, Sarah muttered.
"Did she say way?" he mused.
It doesn't matter, Sarah muttered coming from the window so I've got to act like a cat, do I? Jareth nodded. Geez. Alright. How am I supposed to go about doing that?
"Me," he smirked. Just as quickly, they were outside. Another cat was before her, a peach-white cat with mismatched eyes. Sarah stared, a little surprised. Like what you see?
Just… a little surprised, she admitted I wasn't aware you could do that… besides an owl I mean. He nodded and walked by her, letting his tail rub across her face. She glared at him, annoyed.
First lesson, he said you do as I say.
FYI, Sarah said running towards the garden cats do as they please. So I suggest you keep up. He chased after her, though it didn't take long for him to catch up, he was very fast and Sarah was still getting used to the whole four legs thing. He grabbed her by the scruff of the neck with his teeth and she froze. Okay, let go, let go, I stopped!
Now, he teased are you going to be a good kitty or am I gotta have to drag you everywhere?
Depends, she smirked and he pulled up ouch, okay!
You gonna be good? He asked.
Yeah, yeah, she grumbled you're the boss. He let go and she swatted at him, he growled and she swatted him on the nose and ran away.
Sarah get back here! He chuckled with an annoyed sigh. Sarah?
Hum? She was stalking a snail and he rolled his eyes.
Watch out, he teased that snail's vicious. She turned around and smirked at him.
Do you HAVE to be a smart ass, she asked all the time?
If you'd listen to me I wouldn't have to be, he grumbled.
Yeah but what's the fun in that? she asked and went back to stalking the snail.
How about something a bit harder? He mocked and she shrugged. She followed him to a very large tree and looked up. Climb it.
Your insane, right? she asked how the hell do I get down?
Trust me, he said climb it. With a sigh Sarah hooked her claws into the trunk of the tree and climbed… and climbed… and climbed some more. Soon she was as far as she could go. She looked down.
Oh great, she murmured.
Jump, he said.
No I KNOW your crazy, she sighed.
Please, he said would you just trust me? Sarah took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Just like instinct take over. You'll be fine. She closed her eyes and leapt out of the tree. She turned and twisted, her spine curled and bent. And somehow, she landed perfectly, on her four padded feet. Told you.
Woah, was all she managed that was nuts. Jareth yawned, which made her yawn. And then came the terrible sense of wanting to lick herself. She sat down and licked her paw a few times, and rubbed it against her face. This lasted a few moment, and she noticed Jareth looking at her funny. What?
Nothing, he said simply just… you know. Instinct. She paused a moment and gave him a sly look.
You mean for me? she asked or you? His ears went back and he didn't say anything. She yawned again and stretched. Maybe we should go.
We've only got a month, he said at least lets get the basics down. So Jareth taught her easy things, just balance, climbing, jumping, hunting, the norm.
How come you know all this? She asked after they'd finished and started heading in.
I'm very old, he said and when you're a kid, you get bored and mess around. So I know a lot about a few animals. Cat being one of them.
Owl, she pointed out and he nodded.
Yes, he agreed owl. They made their way up into the castle and Jareth paused in front of his door. I think it'd be best if you stayed in my room, Sarah. Goblins aren't really trust worthy when it comes to cats. So I'd better protect you.
Protect me? she almost laughed I think I'll be okay Jareth I mean-
I know, he said but I mean, I'd feel better if you did. I wouldn't have to worry or anything… And I'm sure your still freaked out, I'd hate for you to feel alone or something. The idea of being all by herself in a room wasn't really tempting either. Slowly she nodded and Jareth changed back into his normal self and opened the door. Sarah ran in and jumped up on the bed, and Jareth looked for something to change into for bed. He started undressing and Sarah promptly turned around, a little shocked that she didn't really want to turn around.
He finished and tossed his clothes off to the side and sat on the bed. Sarah slumped down, worried. She was worried about being a cat. It was just… weird. She'd rather be human. She wanted so badly to be human again… she sighed. Jareth was watching her, reading her mind. He placed an un-gloved hand on her back. She looked at him.
"Don't worry," he promised "I'll find a way to turn you back. Promise." She paused a long time, remembering what Amelia had told her.
I'll do my best to learn, she said so you won't have to handfast Bridget.
"That's not why-" he started.
I know, she thought quietly and even if it was I wouldn't be upset. I mean I would but… I mean I wouldn't hold it against you or anything.
"You'd be upset?" he asked a smirk growling on his lips.
Well… she paused. You know what you can just shut up because if you think for three seconds that I… your still gonna lose that bet.
"I think you've lost already," he muttered with a smile.
