Ch 43

Jareth couldn't speak; he could only gape at Merelinda in shock.

"Jareth, I'm so sorry, I swear I am, but if you don't marry me, I don't know what I'll do, and-" Merelinda's pleas were cut off.

"Why don't you just tell me what's going on," he said icily. "What exactly is this 'life or death' matter?"

Merelinda flushed. "Well, I guess it's not as drastic as that, although I'm sure my father will kill me, you know his temper, so maybe it is life or death, I don't know.." she forced herself to stop rambling as she saw the look on Jareth's face. Never in all their years of friendship had he looked so angry at her.

"Jareth," she said softly, "I'm pregnant."

His jaw dropped. "You're what? How? When? Who? How could—but that means—" Seeing the Goblin King stuttering so would have been amusing any other time, but now Merelinda had never been further away from laughter.

She sighed. Telling this to Jareth was just as bad as telling her father. She knew Jareth would be furious at her.

"It doesn't matter who," she started to say but Jareth cut her off again. "It sure as hell does matter who, because whoever he is, he's going to marry you. He's going to take responsibility for this, and so are you, and he's going to marry you, because I'm not! I can't. My god, Merelinda, my wedding to Sarah is only a few days away. What are you thinking, coming here like this?" Merelinda was right; Jareth was furious.

By now silent tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Jareth, you don't understand. He won't marry me, I know it. This was a horrible mistake we made, but it's my cross to bear now. I cannot force him to take responsibility for something he refuses to accept."

"Oh, but you expect me to take that responsibility?" he practically spat at her.

Merelinda lifted her chin. "You are already engaged to me, we have been betrothed for more than a hundred years. I know we hadn't planned on marrying, but now I need you Jareth. I will not be able to take the throne as an unwed mother, you know the rules, Jareth. Please, I need you. Help me," she was begging now.

Jareth was silent. He was seething inside. How dare she come here and suddenly demand marriage! This wasn't his responsibility, and he refused to accept this.

"Merelinda, no. I cannot marry you. I love Sarah, you know that, I would never hurt her." His voice was firm and colored with anger.

"Jareth, please. I have never begged for anything in my life, but I am begging you now. I need you, or else my whole life will fall apart." She was openly sobbing now.

Jareth softened somewhat in the face of her tears, but he refused to budge. "I gave you my answer Merelinda. I love Sarah and I am marrying her, and only her. I am truly sorry for the mess you have gotten yourself into, but I cannot help you."

"But Jareth, you have to help me, I don't have anyone else!" Merelinda looked at him with pleading eyes. "I have no one else to turn to."

"I don't have to do anything Merelinda. You know as well as I do that I agreed to our engagement only as a courtesy to you. I have the choice to back out of it any time I wish; I risked my relationship with Sarah to keep our engagement. But this is asking too much. As much as I care for you, Merelinda, I can't help you. I'm sorry." He strode past her and slammed out of the throne room, leaving her there alone to cry helplessly.

Jareth stalked to his bedroom and threw himself down on the bed. He had never been angrier in his life. He loved Merelinda dearly, but she was asking just too much of him. But as he laid there, his anger gradually melted away, to be replaced by guilt. Guilt? Why should he feel guilty? he asked himself. He had done nothing wrong; Merelinda and her idiot boyfriend were in the wrong here. But he began to wonder if maybe he hadn't been too harsh with her.

After all, she was upset and had only been coming to her friend for help. He should have tried to talk to her, and calm her down, and talk her through all of her options before blowing up at her. He sighed. Although she wouldn't get a husband out of him, she at least deserved a friend. He got out of bed and headed back to the throne room, hoping she was still there.

But she was gone. All that was left in the room was a note, sitting on his throne, with five simple words.

I'll make you regret this.

He sighed. The Merfolk were notorious for their tempers. He hoped Merelinda would come to her senses soon, but he couldn't be sure. He had seen her temper flare in the past, and it wasn't a pleasant sight to behold.

He sat on his throne, with his head in his hands. Just what kind of mess was Merelinda going to create for him?

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A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! Without them, I don't know if I would have continued this story or not, so just know I really really appreciate it! And Lady Saffron of the Daggers, I love your reviews, you make me laugh! Thank you!