Ch 39
Sarah found herself standing in a large room, with windows instead of walls. The view was breathtaking; Sarah could see out for miles and miles. She moved closer to the window, trying to get a better look
Jareth stood beside her. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, slipping an arm around her. She nodded, entranced with the landscape. The sky was just beginning to darken, casting violet shadows over the land.
"This place doesn't really make you eager to return to the Goblin Castle, does it?" he asked, only half serious. He had never really cared about the décor of his home, but now that Sarah was to live with him, he wished it was more like Bayron's castle.
"Oh, Jareth, it'slovely here…I love it. But there's nowhere I'd rather live than in your castle. I actually kind of like it, it's cozy." She smiled at him, earning a kiss.
"Come on, love," he said, taking her hand and leading her away from the window. "The ceremony is down here."
They walked down a short, brightly lit hallway and came to a small room. The room had light stone floors and walls, and was glowing with the rosy light of hundreds of candles. It was very elegant andbeautiful.
A large window took up most of the wall facing the door, and before it stood Bayron and Julie. When Julie saw her, she ran over to her and embraced her.
"Oh, Sarah, I'm so excited but I'm so nervous too, this is it, you know? I'm getting married!" She grinned at Sarah with a half ecstatic, half terrified expression.
Sarah soothed her friend. "You'll be fine, Jules. Just look at that man you're going to marry, and see how much he loves you. You two are going to be happy together, for the rest of your lives. Now go get married!"
Julie gave her one last nervous smile and went back to stand next to Bayron. There were only two other people in the room, an older looking couple who Sarah guessed correctly to be Bayron's parents. They were standing off to the side, looking proudly at their son and soon to be daughter-in-law.
"I thought Merelinda was coming," Sarah whispered to Jareth. Just as she spoke, Merelinda entered the room, looking impossibly beautiful in a loose, flowing green gown that matched her eyes. Merelinda caught her eye and smiled, then went to over to speak to Bayron and Julie for a moment.
Suddenly Bayron cleared his throat loudly. "We're ready to begin," he told the small group. He smiled broadly at Julie and took her hand.
Merelinda came over to stand next to Sarah, as Jareth walked in front of the couple. He looked at them for a moment, smiling, then began the ceremony.
"Friends and family," he began, "we're here today to celebrate something very special, something very rare, and that is the union of two people who truly love each other. Bayron and Julie have opened up their hearts to one another, and allowed each other entry into their souls. From this day forth, they shall be forever united as one."
From there, Jareth asked Julie and Bayron to exchange a simple set of vows. As was custom Underground as well as Aboveground, they each slipped a shining gold band onto each others finger. Then, before Sarah knew it, the wedding was over, and Bayron and Julie were locked in a deep kiss.
"I thought it would be more…complicated," she whispered to Merelinda, who smiled. "No, Sarah, ceremonies Underground are always fairly short. We don't drag things out like you Abovegrounders do!" Sarah grinned at her, then watched as Bayron and Julie spoke with Bayron's parents. They both embraced Julie tightly, welcoming her to the family, and Sarah was glad they seemed excited for the newlyweds.
Jareth came back over to her and casually put his arm across her shoulders. He greeted Merelinda, and watched Bayron and Julie. His friend had finally found true happiness, and Jareth felt honored that he had been the one to officially bind them together.
"They certainly look happy," Merelinda observed. "What is it with you men marrying mortal women?" She smiled at Sarah to let her know she was teasing.
"I don't know, Merelinda, it's just that they're so damn cute," Jareth replied, patting Sarah on the head. She swatted him away, laughing. They all looked up as Bayron started speaking.
"Everyone, we're having a small dinner reception in the dining hall, so please follow us there." He and Julie started out of the room, hand in hand. His parents followed, then Jareth stuck out both of his elbows. Sarah and Merelinda grinned at each other, and each stuck one of their arms through Jareth's.
"It's not often a man gets to escort two extremely lovely ladies to dinner," he said with a smile. Sarah found she wasn't the least bit jealous of Merelinda holding onto Jareth's other arm, which surprised her a little. She had thought when they left the city of the Merfolk that she was over her jealousy, but she hadn't been completely sure. She was glad to find out that she felt nothing towards Merelinda but friendship.
"You just need us to look good," Sarah teased Jareth, and Merelinda laughed. "Yes," Merelinda joined in, "it's not every day that two lovely ladies get to boost a man's ego!" She and Sarah laughed as Jareth pretended to look hurt. "What have I done, putting the two of you together?"
Merelinda and Sarah just kept laughing, each knowing that they were at the beginning of a true friendship. Jareth knew it as well, and smiled as he escorted his two fiancées down the hall to dinner.