Chapter 9
There seemed to be thousands of Sylphs in this room. The crystal table was alive with glitter and a slight glow radiated from it. Briegal and Konile stepped past her and entered the room. Just then Paralda stood and all stood with him and turned to the door. They all bowed as she stepped in. Sarah felt all eyes on her. The only thing she could think of was focusing on not tripping over her beautiful gown. She walked to the end of the table where Paralda was. She heard in her mind, 'You are doing wonderful, just come sit beside me. We have much to discuss' Paralda was smiling brightly. He kept his eyes on her as he pulled her crystal chair out for her. After she was seated everyone waited for Paralda then seated themselves noisily.
Sarah looked around at the dining hall. Even though she had been in here before, it looked different while occupied. She saw pictures on the walls and windows all throughout, lavish tapestries and shimmering statues. Paralda gazed at her in amusement as she sat there with awe. She felt his eyes on her and turned to him.
"You are lovely, inside as well as out." he said while lifting her hand to place a kiss on it. Sarah felt herself blush and said a shy," Thank you for the complement and for the incredibly beautiful dress."
"As you are my dear. So let's enjoy our dinner before we begin with the training."
As she looked around the servants began bringing food she looked for anything that looked familiar. Purple vegetables, bubble gum pink fruit and meat with dark polka dots all over. A young sylph finally placed roast chicken with carrots and potatoes in front of her. She smiled at her. She noticed a slight smirk on Paralda's face. "I thought you might like that' he sent to her.
After dinner was over Paralda stood and gestured for Sarah to follow. Out of the corner of her eye she saw two other Sylphs stand and become ribbons of smoke. They stood at the ceiling opening when Paralda gently placed his hand on the back of Sarah's waist to pull her to him. Sarah was slightly surprised at being pulled into his chest but for some reason she didn't pull away. As she began to look at him she noticed that they were in another room, a room she hadn't seen. It was empty except for a few benches in the corners. Sarah looked up and noticed that he was taller than she thought. He was taller than Jareth. He released her and said, "we must wait for the warriors, they need to get here the old fashioned way. While we wait, I feel I must tell you something. I sensed something when I first saw you in my throne room and again in the dining room. Do you know your family's history?"
Sarah thought for a moment, "I know my father's side. But after my mother died, my father refused to even mention her name. And worse still after he was remarried. All I know about her is what I remember and that's not a lot."
"I see. Sarah, I am drawn to you. It is odd…it's as if…Is it possible that your mother was Fae? That would explain a lot. You see, Jareth came to me after you left that first time. AS you may have guessed Jareth is Leanan Sighe and therefore has the power to control the human heart along with his many other powers. He did not understand why you had not fallen in love him as the others had. AS a matter of fact he thought that you had reversed his power and had caused him to fall in love with you."
"But how could I have done that if I didn't even know I had these powers?"
"I think you may have subconsciously done this. You see Briegal told me that you have a stronger hold on your powers than you may think. He said you willed yourself to the Underground. That is not a mortal gift."
How did she bring herself to the Underground? All she remembered doing was wishing she had a chance to get her brother, Toby back. It was true that she didn't know much about her mother. Only that she had died when she was young. That's it. She died. Had she been Fae she would've been immortal.
"My mother died when I was young. Can the Fae die?"
"Of course, we can. It is very rare but we do get sick not as often as mortals do but there is an element that not only weakens magic but can be fatal to magic bearers. Iron. How did your mother pass on? If you don't mind my asking"
"No, not at all. My father never told me. All I remember was that she and my father separated when I was a baby but she would call on Saturdays for a few moments. She even showed up a few times. She wouldn't even come in the house. Once she even took me to Central Park and we walked all day down Broadway, that is where people go to see shows in theaters, it's what mortals do for entertainment. But all that stopped long before I came to the Labyrinth the first time."
Paralda looked at her with sympathy in his eyes, "I can sense that it had a great effect on you. I must admit that I have never sensed a will as strong as yours in a mortal before."
"Have you met many?" She asked teasingly.
"A few. Obviously, not as many as Jareth but I've seen my fair share." he walked closer to her, "May I be so bold as to ask a personal question?"
She smiled not really knowing if he could already hear her thoughts.
"Of course," she finally said.
"Do you know what you feel for the Goblin King?" she had to think about that one.
"I hate him. He is my enemy. I'll help save him but I…I…I" she became so flustered she glanced up at Paralda to see a small smirk on his beautiful face.
"It's alright, my Queen. I understand"
"How?" she sighed, " I don't understand I should hate him shouldn't I?
"I can sense things in you. Things you don't know yet about yourself. I feel a very strong emotion in a memory you have of him. You were dancing in a ballroom and he was singing to you. You know, in the Underground if someone sings to you as the Goblin King did, it is considered an admission of love."
"I was only a child when I here last. I didn't know. I was afraid."
They were silent for a little while, as she thought about everything she had just discovered. Was it possible that she was in love with The Goblin King? If she was, she couldn't rule out the possibility that the only reason she felt anything was that he was Leanan Sighe. Paralda had revealed that Jareth was in love with her too but he had not told her on her previous visit. Of course, thinking back on it had he said something back when she was 1 5 she probably would have run away screaming. Maybe, he had sensed that. Paralda also said that he also had feeling for her. Why was life so complex? He was just as beautiful and elegant as Jareth but for some reason she couldn't picture herself at Paralda's side. It was at that moment that she admitted to herself that her heart had belonged to The Goblin King from the first moment she had seen him in her parents bedroom.
Just then the two warriors floated into the room and materialized.
Paralda straightened up and said, "Ah yes, Queen Sarah, this is Rastrin and Sielke' ."
They both bowed.
She was happy to see that one was a female. But they were both identical. She thought 'They must be twins as Konile and Briegal.' Paralda caught her gaze and sent to her, ' Many Sylphs are born in pairs.'
Sarah walked forward to greet them.
"There is no need for that. I believe you are here to help me. It is I who is grateful."
Paralda turned to Sarah.
"My Queen, I have explained the situation to them and they have both agreed to assist you on your journey."
Rastrin stepped forward. He had long brown hair and the most beautiful large, green eyes, "It would be an honor to be of assistance to you, My Queen."
Sielke', who looked identical to her brother with the exception of longer hair and a dress. Stepped passed her brother, "It is an honor for both of us, you Majesty."
Paralda smiled at them and told Sarah, "I will give you some lessons on how to control your magic. Sielke' here will train you briefly on swordsmanship and Rastrin will train you on hand to hand combat and agility. Prepare yourself, My Queen, for this will be a long night."
Author's note:
Thanks Moonjava & vickster223