Thanks for the reviews. I wanted to anwser wolf.at.heart's question since I figured some of you are thinking the same thing. I changed the wording because in my story the Fae race can't lie, they like to twist words and they take things very litterally. You will see what I mean a little in this chapter and more fully in the next chapter (already written but needs to be edited). Jareth doesn't want the goblins to take Sarah away, he wanted Sarah to wish herself to him. Sarah being the smart heroine that she was started insisting on certain stipulations. Fae don't like to make promises because they have to keep them since they can't lie, this is why Jareth got so annoyed with her and why the wish had to be worded differently. By taking her to the underground he has agreed to the terms of the wish. I hope that explains it but if it doesn't let me know and I will try to explain it better.
Chapter 8 – Sibling Strife
Sarah came awake with a gasp, sitting straight up. It was a dream, just a dream, right?
"So glad you decided to wake up. Beginning to wonder if I was going to have to revive you with cold water?" The Goblin King smirked, as he leaned against the dresser.
"What time is it?" She groaned tiredly, trying to give him a bleary eyed glare.
"Time to get up. I don't have all day to wait around for you mortals; I have a kingdom to run. May I suggest you start rousing the children?"
"Right," Sarah said irritably, looking over at the clock. Good god, 5:00am in the mourning! Toby was going to kill her and Tessa's sleep schedule would be thrown off for days. Sarah swung her legs out of bed. A little nose and tuft of blonde hair stuck out of the blankets. The old dog gave a groan as its soft human warming machine left its side.
"Oh right" Sarah said reaching in bed scoping the dog up.
"Could you hold him while I get the others?" She asked, holding the dog out to him. Seeing Jareth look down his nose in disgust at the dog, she quickly amended "Or not, I think he will be more comfortable waiting here in bed until we are ready to leave."
"That creature is not coming." Jareth commanded sternly.
"Of course, he is coming."
"Sarah" Jareth's voice ground out in warning.
"He comes or I will have to demand you send us home almost immediately upon arrival, there is no one else to care for him." She said in way of an explanation.
"Fine!" He bit out.
Sarah hustled out of the room before the thunderous King could change his mind.
"Toby!" Sarah called, knocking on the door.
"What?"
"Toby, we have to go." She opened the door. Looking over at the bed, she could just barely make out Toby's form. Groaning Toby pulled the pillow over his head.
"Go away!"
"Toby come on! We have to go." She pulled the pillow out of his grasp and pulled back the sheets. "If you don't get out of bed and get dressed, I'll be forced to turn on the lights."
"Just go away, it's too early."
"Toby Williams, you get out of that bed this instant and pack." Sarah flipped the light switch and threw his empty backpack at him. "Leave the Xbox you won't be needing it where we're going."
Grudgingly he sat up and winced at the bright light, "What is going on?"
"An old acquaintance came by and said it was important I go with him."
"Then go" Toby grumbled irritably laying back down.
"Toby Williams" She said marching over to the bed and pulling him back up. "You get up right this instance. Karen would kill me if I left you two alone and she would be right to do so. You two are too young to be left by yourselves."
"Fine." He spat out.
That seems to be the answer of all the men in this house, she thought wryly.
Sarah ran downstairs and packed up all Tessa feeding supplies. After that she went back up to Tessa's room to rouse the Toddler. She grinned as she looked over to see that Tessa was already awake peering over the crib bars giving her a cherubic smile.
"Well at least not everyone is ticked at me."
They converged, luggage and all in the family room.
"Wait Sarah, where's Jareth?" Toby asked looking around the room.
"You may address me as King Jareth or your Majesty." Jareth said, correcting the young boy. Just what type of manners were the humans teaching now a days?
Sarah gave an alarmed look at the Goblin King and dashed back upstairs.
"Your name is Jareth also?" Toby asked.
"Yes, who else." He said starting to get irritated.
"The dog, Sarah's dog is called Jareth." At that the Kings eyebrows snapped together, eyes narrowed, posture straightening and arms crossed, he watched as Sarah carried the dog down the stairs.
"Sarah! This boy tells me you had the audacity to name that dog after me. Is that true?"
Sarah walked downstairs looking at the King in alarm as his question rang out. Oh shit!
"I don't suppose you have a sense of humor?" She said lamely. Seeing him arch an aristocratic eyebrow and his fierce glare, she finished. "perhaps not. It's just that poof of blonde hair on his head and ears reminded me of your hair."
"Jareth is a royal name that has been in my family since the dawn of time." He bit out. "It is not a name that is given to commoners or given bycommoners nor is it a name for this poor excuse of a dog."
"I did it to remind me what a dog men like you can be." Sarah spat. She immediately regretted her impetuous words as soon as they left her mouth. "I… I didn't mean it."
"What's said is said." He snarled advancing on her. "Let's get one thing straight. I have never been a man. I am fae. Right now, I am a very angry… powerful…. male fae."
Just as he had her almost pinned against the wall Toby dived between them holding his arms out to block him. "Leave her alone!"
Jareth's face smoothed over into a blank expression. "You are very foolish little boy," he said looking down at the ten year old. "Come it is time we leave." Just as Sarah started to breathe a sigh of relief, Jareth snarled softly in her ear "Do not think for even a moment this discussion is over. I will take care of your punishment later." He continued more loudly "You two need to think of another name for the dog. It is never to be called Jareth again, nor is anybody Underground to be made aware that the dog was ever called such. Have I made myself perfectly clear?" The two Williams siblings nodded both afraid to say anything in rebellion of the decree.
A fae lounged on the throne in the throne room. He looked almost identical to Jareth but with a few details difference. His blue and green eyes were opposite of Jareth's. Jareth's blue eye was right and green was left while the fae, Jordon, had his green eye right and his blue eye left. Instead of the Goblin Kings light honey colored blonde tones, his hair was more of a silvery white blonde instead, where the king left his wild, the new comer chose to have his neatly tied back in a queue with a leather strap.
Braxton barged into the room. "What are you doing here? He asked brusquely.
"I'm here to witness the arrival." Before Braxton could ask the infuriating fae just what he was getting at, the Goblin King and his entourage arrived. The little boy, who he figured must be Toby, looked confused and a bit frightened. Snuggly secured in the Goblin King's arms was the little girl who he knew of from his brief foray aboveground. Sarah looked around the room oblivious of the others, looking as if she was reliving old memories. Clutched in her arms was the ugliest goblin he had ever seen. No, he thought realizing the creature was growling, must be a dog.
Jareth seeing his good for nothing brother, Jordon lounging on his throne immediately thrust Tessa into Sarah's arms and stood protectively between the humans and the other fae.
Braxton couldn't help but grin at the tell tale sign the Goblin King was giving off. No, this young lady definitely meant more to him then he let own, he was more sure of it now then ever. He just needed to think of a way to get them together, that was going to be a bit of a challenge.
Ah well, nothing like a challenge to get my juices going, he thought in glee. Fae were truly masters of manipulation and games, thus loved ambiguities and challenges such was there nature, this didn't make them inheritantly good or evil, just players.
"And just what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Jareth intoned sardonically.
Jordon gave a mischievous grin that reached all the way to his eyes. He so did love baiting his brother. "Our father sent me to be your new guard. I believe you have been having problems replacing that Watson character."
"Indeed, I can't thing of a less likely fae then you to watch my back."
"I'm hurt." He said sorrowfully, holding a hand to his chest trying to look crestfallen. Immediately bouncing up with a beaming smile. "I have the scroll Father sent to give you."
Jareth snatched the scroll out of his hand and began reading rapidly. Rolling the scroll back up, "I'll have a room prepared for you. Braxton will be more then able to tell you what your duties are and help you procure any needed supplies. As you see I have invited guests that must be seen to, we will talk later."
"Now, now dear brother, where are your manners?" Jordon got off the throne and strode over to the newly arrived party. He didn't miss for one moment Jareth placing himself between the humans and him no matter which way he walked. "You do plan on doing a round of introductions don't you?
"Not really." The immoveable king replied curtly.
"Oh dear" he said with a mischievous sparkle in his eye and then looked over to Sarah. "You must be Sarah. It is about time you returned. I am truly honored to be in your presence." He said sincerely, giving a theatrical bow. "And you must be the young man all the fuss was over." He put a finger to his lips and said, "Aaahhh, I do believe that would make you Toby." Looking once again back at Sarah, "Now who is that angelic little girl you are holding? Is she your daughter?" It would certainly complicate things if she was, he added silently.
He saw her look apprehensively at his brother who gave a small almost imperceptible nod to answer. She hesitantly replied, "My sister's name is Tessa."
She was more intuitive then he originally thought, how utterly delightful. He was certain she knew or at least sensed all the undercurrents. Who said mortals could be obtuse to nuances, for they certainly were wrong.
"Such a relief to know, a lady such as yourself, should have time to enjoy life before the burdens of parenting is upon them."
"If you are through making a spectacle of yourself then it is time to go learn your duties." Jareth said pointedly.
Taking his cue, Braxton stepped forward, "Follow me. I will show you the armory and we can talk of your duties on the walk there."
Knowing he couldn't push Jareth any more without openly defying him, Jordon inclined his head to the mortals. "It was nice meeting you." Looking towards Jareth, he bowed. "Your majesty, I will serve you loyally."
"See that you do." Jareth replied.