Chapter 55: She's Only Human
Sarah found to her surprise that Lorikar, her little dwarf-maid, was waiting for her in her bedchamber. "Lorikar! What are you doing here in the goblin kingdom?"
"Good day, my lady. King Jareth arranged with my king for me to come here and go on working for you. I hope that meets with your approval?"
Sarah nodded, pleased. "Very much! But why wouldn't you want to stay in your own country?"
Lorikar shrugged. "I always wanted to be an exchanger, but never thought I'd get the chance. You know, like your friend Hoggle. He's an exchanger, too. Cor, he'll be pleased to see a fellow countrywoman here, I'll wager!"
"Exchanger? You mean Jareth exchanges goblins for dwarves?"
"Dwarves, elves, trolls, what-have-you. We, all of us, like to spend time in other countries, and the servant exchange program is a good way."
Sarah smiled, charmed at the idea. Instead of "exchange students," the Underground had "exchange servants." What an interesting concept!
Unfortunately, that was the only time she had to engage in idle chatter with her maid—or with anyone else. Upon her return to Jareth's castle, she began her intense study of queen-craft. Underground history, politics, wars, dates, Jareth's ancestry—all of it had to be learned before her ascension to the throne.
Jareth himself was her tutor for much of it. For the most part he was a good teacher, knowing when to lighten the academic mood with a little flirting, but sometimes he got so involved in the lesson that he became short with her when he lost her attention.
"Sarah!" he snapped one afternoon. "It is difficult for me to explain the political nuances of the Troll Wars when you won't stop showing me your tonsils like that!"
"Sorry," Sarah said, wanting to yawn again. She blinked several times. "Maybe we should take a break. I'm so sleepy!"
"We don't have much time. If you're too sleepy to listen and study now, how do I know you won't be too sleepy to listen to my advisors when we're in a council meeting? How do you plan to stay awake during the next affair of state? You must know all of this, Sarah! We don't have time for 'sleepy'!" He paced back and forth, agitated.
Fully awake now, and furious, Sarah pushed back her chair and stood up. "Look, Jareth. You were the one pursuing me! I didn't ask for this! I accepted your proposal because I'd fallen in love with you… and if all this goes along with you, I'm willing to take it. I'm willing to learn it. Fine."
Sarah took a deep, shaky breath and went on. "What I'm not willing to do is let you treat me like a recalcitrant schoolchild, or speak to me with such contempt. If you've stopped loving me, then let me know now so we can ask Alia to release us from the betrothal. I love you, yes, but even if I can live without your love, I cannot live without respect! And I'm not feeling much of that from you right now!" She turned on her heel and stalked off.
Open-mouthed, Jareth watched her go.
A/N: Fret not!