Chapter 38: Fits of Pique and Protection

Back at school, she only had three days in which to pull a research paper out of some orifice or another. She spent the first two at the library, leaving only to go to class and to eat. The third day she spent typing up the paper she'd concocted, and the morning of the fourth day, she handed it in.

The fifth day was when Jareth came to get her for the dwarf-king's wedding.

Still stressed over her paper and her final exams, Sarah greeted him absently as she put away her books and rubbed her temples."Oh, hi."

"Sarah?"

Something in his tone made her pause and look at him. He looked tentative, a little taken aback by her coolness.

"What is wrong?"

Sarah closed her eyes and took in a deep sigh. It wasn't Jareth's fault that his timing was dismal. "Oh, I'm just tired and stressed-out about finals. And this wedding. And you," she added with an apologetic smile.

He stiffened. "I am sorry to have added to your burden," he said coldly. "Perhaps I should come back another time. Or not," he added, "If that would simplify matters for you."

He was rapidly turning into the Goblin King, and Sarah forestalled the rest of the transformation by going over and putting her arms around him. "It would," she admitted, "but not in a good way. I'm sorry about being preoccupied—I'm just worried about my final exams, that's all."

Slowly his arms came up to hold her. "I imagine I have put quite a bit of pressure on you that you didn't need," he owned.

Sarah touched her lips to his in a soft kiss. "You did, but I don't mind," she told him. "I think I'd rather have you around complicating my life than not have you around at all."

The corners of his lips turned up. "Is that all I am? A complication?" he teased, kissing her again.

Sarah returned the kiss gladly, and for several minutes. "A welcome complication, though… and maybe even a distraction. Maybe you can help keep my mind off my final exam troubles."

"I shall be more than happy to try," he promised, as he produced a crystal and whisked them away to his castle.

Sir Didymus was waiting for them, and Sarah went to hug him. "Didymus! It's nice to see you again!"

"As it is to see you again as well, my lady. Alas, that I cannot stay and bear thee company until thy departure for the Dwarf kingdom. I fear I must have His Majesty's attention on a few matters of State."

"Oh. Of course," Sarah said politely. She'd been hoping that the little fox was there to visit her.

"In my absence, however, my brother Sir Ludo has consented to be Your Highness' companion until the time of thy departure."

"Ludo?" Sarah said, looking around. "Where is he?"

Jareth smiled. "He's in the garden, Sarah. I'll be back to pick you up in an hour or so. Have fun!"

Sarah leaped at him and planted a firm kiss on his mouth, and then raced out. She hadn't seen Ludo in forever!

"Methinks Your Majesty's suit is progressing nicely," Didymus observed.

"Yea, verily," Jareth replied good-humouredly. "All right, let's get all that folderol out of the way so Sarah and I can get going.

"Your Majesty is no doubt aware that referring to important matters of state as 'folderol' is unlikely to be well-received by the other dignitaries, should Your Majesty use such a term in front of them?" Didymus said as he trotted along beside Jareth's long-legged stride.

"Thank you, Didymus; My Majesty is perfectly aware of that," said Jareth dryly.

Out in the garden, Sarah found Ludo staring contemplatively into a fountain. She called out his name and he turned his monstrous bulk around slowly.

"Sawah?"

"Hi, Ludo!" Sarah threw herself into his huge, furry embrace.

"Sawah, fwiend!" the huge orange arms surrounded her and the mournful fuzzy countenance looked slightly less mournful for a moment.

"Yes, that's right, Ludo. It's good to see you again. Sir Didymus had some business to do with the king, which gave me a chance to come and see you."

"Sawah… fwiend of king?" Ludo cocked his head curiously.

She nodded. "It's been a long time since I thought of him as my enemy. He never was, really—it was my own fault I wished Toby away. He found me a few weeks ago and we've been friends ever since then."

"King like Sawah," Ludo informed her, nodding. "Long time."

"Really? Wish he'd let me in on that a bit sooner!" Sarah said tartly. She knew Jareth's proposal was only twelve days away, and she still had no idea how she was going to respond to it.

"Ludo show Sawah new fwiend," Ludo volunteered suddenly. He took her tiny hand in his massive paw and brought her over to the edge of the fountain. He pointed. "Look! Ludo fwiend in water." It was his own reflection.

"Oh!" Sarah said politely. "Is that who you were with when I came out?"

He nodded several times. "Sure. Water friends with Ludo now."

"Oh! Well, good," Sarah said. Not knowing quite what to say, since this was the first time in twelve years that she'd been alone with the gigantic beast (when they used to visit, he always had Sir Didymus with him, who did all the talking). "So… how are you?" she asked. "Have the goblins been leaving you alone?"

"Ludo see goblins, Ludo call rocks," he replied succinctly.

"Sounds like a good plan," Sarah laughed. They subsided into a companionable silence, with Ludo staring into the fountain and Sarah sitting on the ground leaning against the side of it. He reached for her hand again and held it as they waited.

Sarah closed her eyes and tipped her head back against the fountain. Ludo's affectionate and undemanding companionship was exactly what she needed, and she could feel her shoulder muscles start to relax in the peaceful garden.

"I hate to interrupt this idyllic scene," came Jareth's wry comment a while later, "but it is time we left for the Dwarf kingdom." He smirked as Sarah scrambled to her feet—had she fallen asleep there on the ground, holding Ludo's hand?—and turned to the beast. "You guarded the lady well, Ludo."

Ludo contorted his great bulk into a bow to the king. Jareth nodded back. Sarah glanced at them both, open-mouthed. Everything was so different from the way it had been twelve years ago! She noticed Jareth's quizzical look and closed her mouth with a snap. She'd have time later to pump him for information.

"Goodbye, Ludo," she said, giving the orange giant one last hug. She turned to go, but he spoke again.

"Sawah. If Sawah need Ludo…"

She smiled. "I'll call."

She turned to go again, but he grabbed her hand and spoke a little more insistently. "If Sawah need Ludo with dwarf…" He turned his melancholy gaze upon Jareth.

"All right, Ludo," Jareth said. He produced a crystal from thin air and tossed it to the behemoth. Ludo caught it neatly for such a large creature. "If Sarah needs you when we're with the dwarves, this crystal will make you hear her when she calls."

"Thanks… king," Ludo said. He held up the crystal, admiring it in the sunshine. He didn't notice when Jareth put his arm around Sarah, formed a crystal, and they both disappeared.

An instant later, they were transported to the dwarf castle.

A/N: I know that all the students here will be able to relate to the "she only had three days in which to pull a research paper out of some orifice or another." Y'all know exactly what I'm talking about, I just know it! It's been a long time for me, but I still remember that feeling of having an impossible deadline for a huge project. I stuck that in there specially for the college students!