Ch 35

At first, Sarah held her breath, not trusting the bubble around her to keep the water out. But when her lungs started burning, she gulped in a deep breath, fully expecting water to rush into her lungs. She was grateful to suck in only air. She swam gracefully, marveling at theodd feeling of having the air bubble around her, but still feeling the water. It was a strange sensation.

She glanced over at Jareth. When he saw her looking, he grinned and did an underwater somersault. She laughed and did the same. It was a marvelous experience, being able to breath underwater.

She looked around her, in awe at the marine life that surrounded her. There were species of fish that were indescribable, as they were found nowhere on Earth. The water was perfectly clear, and she could see Mariella swimming far below them. Sarah and Jareth swam faster, so they didn't lose her. Sarah was worried she would get tired quickly, but she didn't seem to feel winded at all.

Soon Mariella slowed, and Sarah and Jareth caught up to her. Sarah was almost awestruck at how beautiful the mermaid looked, with her glittery tail and flowing white-blond hair. She moved so gracefully through the water, and she made Sarah feel awkward.

"We're almost there," she informed them. "Stay close to me," she warned. "There are sometimes sea serpents around here. They're usually harmless, but they can give you quite a fright if they sneak up on you."

Sarah felt a flutter of fear, and moved closer to Mariella. Of course there had to be sea serpents, she thought. She wasn't fond of anything serpent-like, and she prayed that they would stay away.

They continued swimming down, far below the surface of the lake, but somehow the water remained clear and bright. Soon, Sarah could see shapes glittering down below. As they moved closer, she saw that the shapes were strangely beautiful buildings, built with no ceilings. They were many different colors, and some of them even seemed to gradually change colors. Merfolk were swimming all around, and they entered and exited the buildings through the roof. Jareth had been right; this place was beautiful, and Sarah looked around in wonder.

"This way," Mariella said over her shoulder. "Merelinda's waiting for you in her private chambers."

Mariella led them to a large, rounded building that shimmered from blue to green to pink and back again. They entered through a large opening on the side, about halfway up the building. Inside, there was a maze of strange hallways, that all seemed to end in empty water-filled rooms. They came to a large room with a domed ceiling, where a mermaid with long raven-black hair saw them enter and swam rapidly over to them.

"Jareth!" she cried, throwing her arms around him. "I haven't seen you in so long, I've missed you!" He hugged her back, then turned to Sarah.

"Sarah, I would like you to meet my good friend Merelinda. Merelinda, this is Sarah, the one I've told you about." Jareth smiled as Sarah flushed. It seemed everyone knew about her, but she didn't know anything about anyone.

Merelinda looked at Sarah and seemed to be thinking. Finally, she broke into a wide smile. "It's lovely to finally meet you, Sarah. I've heard so much about you over the years, I feel like I know you already."

"That's what Mariella said," Sarah told her with a small smile. Merelinda seemed nice enough, but Sarah still wasn't sure how she felt about her.

"Well, it's true," Merelinda said, her eyes sparkling. She was truly beautiful, Sarah thought enviously. Her long, blue-black hair complimented her deeply tanned skin. She had vivid, emerald green eyes that almost seemed to glow when she smiled. And her tail was a glittery, two-toned blue green. Sarah felt completely dowdy next to her.

Mariella swam off, calling over shoulder that she had some things to take care of. She waved goodbye, and Sarah waved back.

Merelinda motioned for them to follow her. They swam to a room that they had to climb out of the water to get to. As soon as Sarah stepped into it, her bubble popped. She panicked for a second, then realized that the room was filled with air.

"This is the room I use to entertain my land-dwelling guests," Merelinda explained. Her tail had become two human legs, and she was clad in a flowing skirt much like Mariella's. She took a seat on a normal-looking couch, and Jareth and Sarah sat down on the loveseat across from her.

"So," Merelinda said to Sarah, "I assume Jareth has told you of our…situation?"

Sarah shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, he has."

"Sarah has been quite understanding of the whole situation," Jareth added. "I'm very lucky."

Merelinda smiled at Sarah. "I imagine meeting me is rather strange for you, isn't it?" Sarah hesitated, then nodded. Merelinda continued. "I understand, dear. I would feel quite uncomfortable if I were in your shoes. I hear Jareth has asked you to be his wife?"

Sarah nodded again. "Well, just please be assured that I wish you nothing but happiness," Merelinda told her. "Jareth and I have been friends for as long as I can remember, and he is like my brother. I have no intentions of actually marrying him. I just want to make sure you completely understand that."

Sarah could tell she was being sincere, and almost against her will, she found herself liking Merelinda. "Thank you," she said simply, and Merelinda nodded. "Now, I have some news that I'm sure you will both find pleasing," she said to them both.

"What is it?" Jareth asked curiously. He always knew first what was happening in the Underground, and he hadn't heard any rumors of any sort, so he had no idea what kind of news Merelinda could tell them.

"Well," she began, "my father has been offered a position on the High Council in our sister city, in the Sea of Tranquility. He was dreading having nothing to do with his time once he passed me the throne, so he immediately accepted the offer. However, they need him immediately, so he is leaving next week." She paused. "That means he is stepping down as king sooner than expected, and the ceremony to induct me as Queen will be held next week, instead of a month from now." She smiled at Jareth. "So as of this time next week, our engagement will officially be over."

Jareth smiled back at her. "That's wonderful news, Merelinda. I know you've been excited about becoming Queen, and I'm glad it's happening so soon. I must admit, though, that I am also glad for purely selfish reasons." He looked at Sarah. "I want nothing more than to marry you, Sarah, and I hope it's okay with you if we move up the wedding."

Sarah was grinning. "Are you crazy? Of course I don't mind!" Jareth leaned over and kissed her, glad everything was going so well.

Merelinda's eyes were shining. "I'm so happy for you, Jareth. You too, Sarah. Jareth has been in love with you for so long, and it will be wonderful to see you two getting married." She came over to Jareth and gave him a tight hug, then surprised Sarah by giving her one too. "I know you two will be very happy together."

Sarah smiled at her, wondering how she could have ever dreaded meeting this woman. "Thank you, I know how highly Jareth thinks of you, and I'm glad we have your blessing."

Merelinda smiled back at her. She was sure Sarah had been nervous about meeting her, and she couldn't blame her. If she had been in Sarah's shoes, she wasn't sure she would have handled the situation with as much grace, and she admired Sarah for it. She wanted to do her best to make her feel comfortable. "I know you'll be good to him; I can sense that you have a kind heart. I think you're just the kind of woman the cold, cruel Goblin King needs." She was smiling as she said it, because all three of them knew the true Jareth, the one who was kind and warm.

Sarah was relaxed now, and she settled back on the loveseat, eager to learn more about the Merfolk. She started asking Merelinda questions, and before long, they were deep in conversation.

Jareth watched them, happy this had gone so well. Merelinda was very dear to him, and he was glad that his friend and future wife were getting along so well. It was a definite weight off his shoulders, and he leaned back to enjoy the rest of their visit.

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A/N: Thanks again for the reviews, especially you Saffy and SnapeMoment! I appreciate it, and I'm glad you like it. If anyone has any suggestions for me to improve this, please, let me know. Like I said before, this is my first story, and I'm always ready for improvement. Thanks a bunch!