Chapter 21: Underground High Royalty
Sarah felt as if she were drowning in sensation. Jareth's lips were soft and coaxing on hers as he eased her backwards onto the bed, and Sarah soon gave up trying to resist. Her hands slid up around his neck, into his hair, as she pulled him close and gave herself over to the sensations he evoked.
Finally he pulled back and Sarah made a soft noise of protest. He smiled ruefully and sat up. "Much as I would love to continue this for hours, Sarah, I want you to meet someone. Come with me."
Sarah lay there a moment to catch her breath, and then sat up. She put her hand into Jareth's outstretched one, and almost lost her balance as the room shifted around her. Then she blinked. They were no longer in her cramped little bedroom in the dingy off-campus apartment, but in a beautifully moonlit garden. White flowers shone silver in the moonlight, and perfumed the air with their scent. "Oh!" Sarah cried in wonder. "It's lovely! Where are we?"
"A highly magical spot at the edge of my kingdom. Wait." Sarah was silent for a moment, looking around.
Then Jareth pointed wordlessly and Sarah's hand flew to her mouth. A white unicorn was trotting across the grass toward them. Jareth stepped forward to meet it, and made a shallow bow. He removed one glove and reached out to touch its turquoise horn for a moment. A drop of blood welled to his finger and he grinned at the unicorn. "Still sharp, Alia," he said.
The unicorn spoke in his mind. "Jareth, why have you brought a human here?"
Sarah could not hear the unicorn's thoughts, and was puzzled at Jareth's next words.
"I wanted you to meet her. She is... a possible candidate," Jareth admitted.
If the unicorn had had eyebrows, they would have lifted. She threw her head back and looked suspiciously down her long nose at him. "I will assess her and give you my opinion. But do not expect great things. She is human, and you know what they are."
"I do, yes. Probably better than you, Alia."
The unicorn snorted at this and trotted over to Sarah, speaking her words directly into Sarah's mind. "Do not fear me, human child. I merely wish to know what about you would possibly attract the interest of a goblin king."
Sarah lifted her chin as the unicorn nosed her all over. She somehow got the impression she was being weighed and found wanting. Finally the unicorn finished and blew air out through her nose sharply. She turned and rejoined Jareth.
"What is it that makes her a candidate?" Alia wanted to know.
"She solved my labyrinth and defeated me," Jareth said. "She is my equal."
Sarah was bewildered, hearing only his half of the conversation. Having heard the unicorn's voice in her mind, she realized that was how Alia was communicating with Jareth.
Alia snorted again. "Jareth, do not waste my time."
"She is my equal," he insisted. He hesitated, and added softly, "And...with your permission, she will be attending King Daxon's wedding with me."
Alia nickered softly; to Sarah it sounded like laughter. "And what of my daughter?"
Jareth bowed, fearing that he had given offence. "I think we both know that your daughter and I would not suit," he said formally.
Alia eyed him with amusement. "You're just prejudiced against the four-legged," she accused playfully.
He grinned. "Not for most things, Alia. You know Taliu was my best friend for centuries. It's just that I could not possibly take a wife who calls me 'Uncle Jareth.' Not to mention one whose stall I'd have to clean every day!"
Sarah, listening to him, had to stifle a giggle at the image.
Alia tossed her head in mock-outrage and changed the subject. "I will test your lady, Jareth. If she passes, she shall be a candidate. If she fails, then you had better buy a shovel for my daughter's stall."
Jareth, chuckling softly, nodded and stood aside so Alia could approach Sarah again. "Sarah, reach out and touch the end of Alia's horn," he directed.
Slightly nervous, Sarah did so. She felt a sharp pain as the horn pierced the pad of her finger, but she did not move. Finally Alia lowered her head and stepped back, this time speaking into both their minds at once. "She is a candidate."
"A candidate for what?" Sarah asked.
They both heard and felt Alia's amusement. "She doesn't know? Jareth, you brought her here, and didn't tell her why?"
Jareth flushed. "I have my reasons, Alia."
"I suppose you do. You realize, though, if she is a successful candidate, you can never see us again after your marriage."
Jareth hung his head. "It cannot be helped, my friend. I do have a kingdom to run, and I have no heirs."
"And I should be glad you're finally paying attention to your duties," Alia told him firmly. "But in case this human accepts you, you may make your oath to me now." And she lowered her delicate head to rest on Jareth's shoulder.
Jareth put his arms around Alia's neck and held her for a long moment, then stepped back and kissed first one side of her horsey face, then the other. Then he stepped back and spoke formally. "Alia of the Unicorns, High Queen of the Underground: I, Jareth of the Goblin Kingdom, do bid you farewell as I enter the next phase of my rule. I shall miss you, but promise to uphold my oath to you and all your people."
There was a light clattering sound, and Sarah caught her breath as a smaller, daintier unicorn trotted out of the mist up to Jareth. She was beautiful; she looked as if she'd been formed out of mist and moonlight. Was this Alia's daughter? Somehow she knew it was, as Jareth dropped to one knee and hugged her around the neck. He kissed her cheeks too, and touched the tip of her horn with his bare hand. Then he stood up wiping the fresh blood from his finger, and beckoned to Sarah.
"This is Arien," he told her, pulling his glove back on. "The daughter of two of my closest friends, Alia and her husband Taliu, who has passed on. Arien, this is Sarah, who shall be attending King Daxon's wedding with me."
"So you decided to go with a two-legger after all," Arien's voice sounded wispy and amused in their minds.
"It seemed best, all things considered," Jareth said dryly. Sarah got the feeling there were vast undercurrents to the conversation that she hoped would be filled in later.
"Perhaps it's just as well. You're much too old for me anyway, Uncle Jareth." The small unicorn nuzzled Sarah. "Come, Sarah, touch my horn."
Sarah reached out and touched it briefly, wincing at the pain of the puncture.
Arien nuzzled her again. "She'll do. But remember, a two-legger will never dance as well as I can! It's a balance thing." Sarah got the distinct impression that the delicate little unicorn was laughing at them.
Jareth chuckled. Then Arien and her mother faded into the moonlight, leaving Sarah and Jareth alone.
A/N: Delving a little deeper into Underground politics was rather fun for me. What do the rest of you think? And Solea, you'll be pleased to know that my fraggin' defrag is finally finished. ("And there was great rejoicing...")