Chapter 64: Sink or Swim
Before the next week was up, Sarah was officially living Underground. The Goblin King had resumed his lessons—
"And why on earth can't you just put all this stuff into another lesson crystal for me?" Sarah complained one evening with her brain on overload.
"Because, my darling Sarah, it is necessary for you to learn these things the 'real' way this time. This isn't just social etiquette for a wedding this time—this is preparing you for your rule as queen. It makes a difference, both mentally and magically."
—and Sarah was slowly going insane.
She started sitting in with Jareth—with the Goblin King, rather—on his "open court" days. This is when goblins with complaints could come before him and express them. The first part of the day she simply watched while the king dealt with his subjects efficiently, if somewhat ruthlessly, and then when they broke for lunch, the king winked at her and told her she was going to handle the afternoon cases.
"Wha…? Me? What about you? Aren't you going to be there?"
He shook his head with an evil smirk. "I have business elsewhere. It's sink or swim for you, Sarah. Do have fun, won't you?" And he quickly spun a crystal and was gone.
Sarah groaned. "Ohhhh!" She stiffened her spine and turned back toward the throne room. "I cannot WAIT until I have my own royal persona, and can give him a taste of his own medicine!" she muttered as she faced the raucous throng of goblins waiting for her.
That evening, Sarah fell asleep at the dinner table in the middle of telling Jareth about her afternoon. With an amused and sympathetic smile, he summoned Lorikar to come and accompany Sarah to bed. He hadn't anticipated the scolding he'd receive.
"I say, King Jareth, you should have known better!" she told him, shaking her head at the sight of the sleeping Sarah. "Putting the poor lady in charge of Court Day, and her without even any magic yet, or even a public face! Shame on you!"
Jareth frowned. "Do watch your mouth, Lorikar," he warned. "I'd hate to have to send you back to Daxon before you've even been here a year."
Swallowing the rest of her scolding, she curtseyed. "My apologies, Your Majesty."
"Fine. Mind you take good care of my lady, here."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lorikar bobbed her head several times and placed her hands on Sarah's shoulders. Jareth tossed over a crystal and the two women disappeared.
Had he rushed Sarah too much? He didn't think so. He'd watched her in a crystal for at least part of the time that she had sat in court, and she seemed to do quite well. She was too lenient on them of course, but had done no permanent harm. The truth was, he wanted to see how she did at ruling now, as just "Sarah," before she developed a public face and personality as Goblin Queen. She had done very well for her first time.
It was obvious, however, that today had been extremely hard for her, and tired her out. He'd been planning to take her out for a ride before breakfast, but he changed his mind and decided to let her sleep late.