A Prophecy Speaks
Author's Note: I do not own Labyrinth. Sure don't. And I wanted to note that the dress Sarah wears for her birthday party was inspired by the dress on the cover of the book Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey, as does the ribbon idea. I only wish I could wear such a dress.
Chapter 17 –or- Three Wise Women
Jareth insisted his future queen remain in bed for the day so she would be rested for the night's festivities. She could have visitors, though, since she was properly dressed. Feeling a little put out about the 'properly dressed' remark, Sarah thought about putting on a slinky nightgown. Then, realizing she didn't own any, she let the idea go.
Princess Cara and Princess Malene were of a similar age, and had become fast friends. They were her first visitors of the day. And they were definitely the most fun to listen to. They talked about boys, hair, makeup, and dresses. They were so refreshing. They told her the rules of immortality. She could choose to look twenty-five for the rest of her life once she became Fae. That was how Jareth still looked the way he did after eons. You would look that way until you perished. Sarah liked the idea of looking twenty-five forever, and wondered if the wisdom of thousands of years would eventually shine in her eyes.
They spent a little girly time together, and took turns showing Sarah the little tricks they knew.
Jareth ushered the girls out at lunchtime, so he could spend some time with Sarah.
"Jareth? You said I could not enter the throne room until a certain time. How will I know what time to go in if all of you are inside?" Sarah asked him.
"You will know."
They ate in companionable silence until Jareth had to go back to the business of ruling his kingdom. Soon to be their kingdom.
"Your birthday party starts at eight. Your guards will escort you. You will be making your entrance alone. Xandra will come here at seven to cast spells for your hair, makeup, whatever else you need. At midnight, mortal time, you will make the change to Fae. You will need to quickly change before you come to the throne room. You have everything ready, I hope?" Jareth asked her. She nodded. He gave her a quick kiss before leaving.
Queen Carys, Queen Carla, and Princess Consort Merissa had taken to strolling the gardens together. They came to Sarah's rooms with bouquets of fresh flowers. They were full of advice and concern. Sarah felt very fussed over and very mothered. She happily absorbed the attention. After all, her own mother had died long ago, and Karen had never been what you would call the warm, cuddly type.
"My dear, will you show us your dress for tonight?" Queen Carla asked her.
"It is behind that screen, Your Majesty", Sarah told her. Carla waved a hand to move the screen aside. They all gasped at the gown Sarah had commissioned. Sarah had remembered the design from a book cover. It was a deep, blood red. It was made of lightweight crepe. She knew everyone else would be wearing the standard brocades and velvets. It had roses embossed all over it. The choke collar would emphasize her slender neck. It skimmed the sides of her breasts and was backless. It was very form fitting through the bodice and hips, but had what a designer in the Aboveground would call a mermaid skirt. She would easily be able to dance in it, and it looked gorgeous on her. Queen Carys spied a set of blood red ribbons sitting on Sarah's vanity.
"Are these for your hair, dear?" she asked.
"No, my wrists. They are symbolic, and mean a lot to me. They say that I am infinitely tied to someone. After tonight I plan to never be without them, even if they are shorter. This pair will trail on the ground when I have my arms down at my sides," Sarah told them. They nodded in understanding.
Princess Consort Merissa held out her hand, and a gorgeous pair of ruby earrings appeared there. Queen Carla held out her hand and added a ruby ring for her right hand. Finally, Queen Carys added a pair of ruby hairpins. Sarah was infinitely touched by the gesture.
"Birthday presents!" Merissa exclaimed to her.
"Thank you very much!" Sarah gushed.
Sarah knew what the ribbons meant, and so would Jareth before the night was out. She laid back and fiddled with a lock of hair. He had been right, it had gotten better. She had come here believing she would not be marrying for love, but only for the sake of survival. She had been wrong. She loved Jareth very much, and it had not taken much. She had not told him late. She had been waiting for his proposal. She knew that the perfect moment would present itself. Fate had a way of rewarding its servants.