Strangers Till Now

Sarah sat against the wall opposite Jareth's study, head leaning against Llewellyn's shoulder, barely awake. After nightfall, Llewellyn and Quillan had come to send the others to bed, though Sarah had refused to move. Exhausted, Cattie, Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus had gone off to bed already.

Quillan sat in Llewellyn's lap. He had been asleep for nearly an hour already.

Llewellyn himself was beginning to feel the edges of sleep pulling on him, when Sarah asked a rather curious question. "Llewellyn, do you love Cattie?"

"She's my dearest friend," he answered, wrapping his arm around Sarah and pulling her closer.

"But you don't love her?" Sarah asked, glancing down at the sleeping boy. Like this, he really reminded her of Toby, and how much she truly missed him. "Not like…like…"

"Like His Majesty loves you?" Llewellyn asked, looking down at Sarah, the girl looking back up at him. "No. I never have. Most Felines and Canines don't truly love their spouses."

Sarah sat up, confused, "Why not?"

Llewellyn smiled at the girl, "You still have a lot to learn about the Underground." He pulled her back against him. "Felines and Canines have arranged marriages by the High King himself. You can petition to marry who you want, though."

"Why are they arranged?" Sarah asked, getting comfortable again.

"Because Feline and Canines are servants." Llewellyn said simply.

Still thoroughly confused, Sarah decided to try again. "Do you love anyone?"

Llewellyn smiled, looking down at his son. "I'm beginning to. And before you ask, no I will not tell you who. I'm married, and I have a son. Not to mention that the lady I have feelings for is very important, yet still a child in many ways."

"Oh," Sarah said. She paused a moment before continuing, "How do you know when your in love?" Llewellyn laughed quietly. "What?" she asked, sitting up again.

"Sarah, Sarah, Sarah," he said, once again, pulling her back into place. "Are you falling in love?"

Sarah blushed and looked away. "I think so, but how do you know when you love someone?" She turned back to the Feline, now completely serious. "What's it feel like for you?"

Llewellyn smiled down at Sarah. "It's an amazing feeling. When you're in love, everything seems brighter. You feel lighter yourself and when the person you're in love with smiles at you or touches you, it's all you can do to keep from grinning madly. You know you're in love when you see the person and the first thought that comes to your head is 'I love you'."

"Oh, wow," Sarah whispered, all but staring at the Feline.

"I couldn't have put it better myself." Sarah and Llewellyn turned quickly towards the voice, Llewellyn accidentally waking Quillan in the process. Jareth and the other monarchs stood at the door to his study, watching the three on the floor. Belladonna was silently giggling. "Sarah, darling," Jareth said, "Why don't we get you to bed? Quillan, you as well. Llewellyn will you please show these Ladies and Gentlemen to their rooms."

Later, as Llewellyn helped Jareth to get ready for bed, the King turned to the Feline and asked, "So, who were you talking with Sarah about?"

Llewellyn smiled from where he stood, turning down the sheets on Jareth's bed. "Let's just say, though I may not have the depth you do, I understand the feelings you have for Lady Sarah."