Ch 50

Merelinda stood back and looked at Sarah. "My, don't you look lovely."

"Thank you," Sarah said as she eyed her warily. What was she up to?

Merelinda saw the suspicious glint in Sarah's eyes and was quick to reassure her. "Sarah, I am not here to cause you trouble. I have apologized to Jareth, and now I want to apologize to you."

"You came here, on my wedding day, just to apologize?" Sarah asked.

Merelinda nodded, continuing. "I am truly sorry for what I did, Sarah. I should have known it wouldn't work, but I was desperate! I was scared, and worried about losing the throne, and I did the only thing I could think of, and I know it was wrong." She looked at Sarah sadly. "How I envy you! You're marrying the man of you dreams, someone with whom you're madly in love, and who madly loves you back. You and Jareth will find great happiness, I am sure of that. And I'm glad you're finding it despite my actions."

Sarah could not help feeling for Merelinda; she looked so sad and alone. "Oh, Merelinda, you'll find someone, too. You'll see."

Merelinda slowly shook her head, as a single tear ran down her cheek. "No, Sarah. I married the father of my child this morning, and although I know our union will not bring me happiness, it was the only thing I could do."

Sarah's eyes opened wide at this news. "You got married? Well, I would say congratulations but I sense that would be the wrong thing to do."

Merelinda smiled. "You would be right. Just as Jareth was right; it was my own stupid mistakes that got me in this position, and I had no right to try to take away your happiness just to solve my selfish problems. Sarah, please accept my apology."

Sarah was quiet a moment, thinking over what Merelinda had told her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't work up the same level of anger she'd first felt towards the mermaid. She knew she would never be close to Merelinda, not like she'd hoped. But Sarah's own happiness was really all she could feel, and she didn't have the heart not to accept Merelinda' s apology.

She broke into a small smile. "All is forgiven, Merelinda. Not quite forgotten, but forgiven."

Merelinda smiled back in relief, feeling like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. "Thank you so much, Sarah, you don't know how grateful I am to hear that." She also knew that she had ruined her chance at friendship with Sarah, and was saddened by that fact, but she had no choice but to accept it. She turned to leave, but Sarah stopped her.

"Merelinda, wait," she said, thinking furiously. She hoped Jareth wouldn't get upset, but she wanted Merelinda to come to the wedding. No matter what she'd done, she and Jareth went back many, many years, and that had to count for something. "Would you like to come to the wedding?"

Merelinda was a little nervous at what Jareth's reaction would be to seeing her, but that didn't stop her. "Of course I want to come! Thank you, Sarah, this means a lot to me," she said with glistening eyes.

Sarah smiled at her. "Come on, then. I don't want to be late."

Helma had somehow managed to keep quiet during this scene, sensing something important was happening. But now she could no longer contain herself.

"No, my dear, we most certainly don't want you to be late! I told you that ages ago! Now let's go and get you married." She turned and scurried down the hall, leading the way to the gardens.

After a few twists and turns, Helma motioned towards a set of double glass doors. "There you go, dearie. They're all waiting for you out there." Sarah knelt and quickly hugged the little goblin, thanking her for her help, then she stood and took a deep breath. This was it.

"Good luck, Sarah," Merelinda told her sincerely. Sarah smiled her thanks, and slowly opened the glass doors.