CHAPTER 16

Sarah woke up with her arms around Brie and Azrael was sleeping soundly across her neck. It was still dark out. She started thinking about the dream and all that was said.

She thought, 'Someone else cut off my portal back then. I wonder who? Jareth's so good looking and hasn't changed one bit. I'm glad I didn't stay in his castle. I don't want to appear weak around him. It will be nice to connect with Hoggle, Sir Didymus and Ludo too. It's been so long and I would like them to meet Brianna. Yes, this will be a nice way to stay for at least winter and heal my baby girl. We can watch Azrael grow up. I love them and need them protected and traveling from town to town is hard in the ice and snow. I do want to see all the places in Jareth's kingdom. This will be different.' Sarah fell back to sleep.

—--Day 56

Sarah woke up to puppy kisses. She smiled and scratched his ears. Sarah stroked Brie's cheek until she woke up. Brie looked up at Sarah and got puppy kisses instead. She started giggling. Sarah just loved her little family.

Sarah got up and went to the bathroom. She got somewhat dressed to take out Azrael to the bathroom. She had her belt on with her knife and put her cloak on. She put on Azrael's leash and picked him up. She said, "Get the chair Brie. I'll be right back." Sarah unlocked and locked the door hearing the chair. She left downstairs and walked straight outside letting Azrael do his business. She came back in and went back to the room. She finished dressing, deciding they would be girls. Brie put on her white blouse, black skirt, burgundy brocade corset with her belt. Sarah wore her blue outfit with her black corset. She put her knives on her belt and in her boot. Brie fed Azrael. She took the remainder of the jewelry and split it up in two bags. They would go to two jewelers. She had taken out a set of gold chains in various sizes for herself, because Brie wanted a set of silver ones. Sarah bagged the rest to sell. Sarah put her coin purse outside with twenty more in gold in it and an extra bag for the gold coins from the jewelers. She knew she would have too much on her if she sold the jewelry.

They got ready to go and had Azrael's bag under her cloak but had Azrael on his leash walking on his own down the stairs. She watched her cute pup navigate the stairs. Brie giggled and the innkeeper looked up in shock. He thought those two were men or boys. Sarah sat down and said, "May we have two breakfasts and two teas, please?"

He smiled at her politeness and said, "One silver two coppers." Sarah put the money on the counter. He collected it and got them tea and then both plates of eggs, mutton steak, potato cakes and toast with jelly.

Sarah smiled and said, "Can you tell me where a couple of jewelers are? I need to look for something and see if they have it or not." He smiled and gave her directions to two in the vicinity. Sarah thanked him. She picked up Azrael when he whined and ate her breakfast with her wolf and child.

Sarah and Brie with Azrael in his bag left the inn to the first jeweler she sold what she had in one pouch for 432 gold one of the pendants must have been worth more. They walked into another jeweler and sold the rest for 253 gold. Sarah went straight back to the inn and to the room. She locked the door and put the 685 gold coins in her locket making the total 15,480. Sarah kept the pouch on with 100 gold in it under her dress.

She took Brie shopping for girl clothes for both of them. First she bought two big leather bags from a tanner she spotted on her way to the jeweler. She got a black one and Brie got a brown one. She got some more balls for Azrael and put them in his bag with him. He 'Yipped'.

Sarah went to a couple shops with corsets and blouses and skirts and stockings and they got two pairs of shoes each from a cobbler. Sarah wanted to be a girl in the Goblin City. They were completely outfitted to be girls now. They went back to the inn with their bags full and went to the room and fed Azrael and left their cloaks in the room and Azrael's bag. They took Azrael to go potty and covered it for him. They went back inside and had lunch with a cup of mead. It was a tasty baked steak and kidney pie with some buttery sweet potatoes. Sarah ordered two more meals of the pie and took it up to the room on a tray.

It had finely diced meat and gravy in it with the potatoes. Azrael could eat it because he was weaned almost and she wanted to fill the bottle with this and some of the quart she had from picking up more goat's milk in Adharc, the Unicorn Kingdom capital city. Sarah took the tray up and put it in one empty spelled quart bottle. She mixed up the meat gravy and sweet potatoes together and started spooning it into the bottle. It was about two thirds full. She added the milk mixture for the other third. It would make him more full and would see how much he could eat of it per portion. She would take the pie crust and let him nibble it for now with the meat juices on it.

They sorted out the girl clothes from what they already had combined with the new. They had five corsets to wear outside their clothes, seven long sleeve blouses of different colors and four skirts, in different colors. Six pairs of stockings, two pairs of shoes. And of course the bag to keep them in. They put their jewelry, makeup and a bottle of perfume each of them had from the Dirtball's victims. It was an all girl bag for each of them.

Brie curiously asked, "Sar, why'd ye get us all tha girl thing's today?"

Sarah said, "Because, little one, after this week's stay we are calling King Jareth. He talked to me last night in my dream. He and I talked about everything and he told me to call him when the week is over. He will transport us with the baggage on the horses and all to the Goblin City's inn. We will be staying there indefinitely. At least past the winter, if nothing more it will be safer under the King's protection." Brie launched herself into Sarah's arms and hugged the stuffing out of her.

Brie said, "I love traveling', but it be too cold. I be going anywhere ye go, mama Sar. Ye be me family now. I love ye. Ye make me feel like I be a good girl an safe."

Sarah held her face in both hands and said, "You have been the best little girl I have ever known. You are sweet, kind, helpful and have a generous loving heart. I wouldn't trade you for anybody else ever. You're an angel and I love you so much. All I want is you to be safe and have love in your life. I will give you all you need, never doubt that. You will always be with me. If you ever want your own room, you'll have it because you may change your mind as you get older. I will deny you nothing. I just don't want you to be afraid anymore, baby girl. You have had enough in your life and I want you to be happy, play, giggle and be healthy." Brie had tears in her eyes.

Brie said, "Sar, I be with ye. I love ye so much." Sarah kissed her forehead and hugged her tighter. How she loved her little Brie. She was so small for a thirteen year old. She only came barely up to not even to her armpit. Sarah was five foot seven. Brie can't be but four feet tall. Sarah had at least a foot and a half on her. She wanted to take her to Jareth's healer with her when she goes to make sure her health is good. She is a good eater now at least. The Dirtball would starve her but make her cook for him. She would have to hide and steal food to live for that whole year she was with him. He beat her if he caught her eating and called her fat, that son of a bitch. She looks like she has put on a little weight, but Sarah knew her body when she bathed was still too boney. Her ribs, spine and hip bones showed. Now it's just her ribs and spine that show. She's such a cute little girl with her long blonde hair. It used to be dull, unevenly cut and lifeless when she took her away. Now it's glossier, even and her blue eyes are shiny. Her friends from Rince taught her a spell that brushes your teeth. She cast it on her and Brie every night and morning. Her baby girl was progressing.

Sarah and Brie explored the city for the rest of the week and all the shops and bakeries. Sarah bought ribbons for their hair and small things, along with baked goods to eat and take for a few days. By the time the week ended Sarah packed up the horses and her and Brie left to the outskirts of town.

Sarah said, "I wish to talk to the Goblin King." After a few minutes, Jareth appeared in front of her.

Jareth smiled and said, "Hello, Sarah. Are you ready? I'll take you to the inn." Sarah smiled and said, "We're ready, thank you, Jareth." He grabbed both bridles of the horses and transported them to the Goblin City. The place looked different. The cute funny looking buildings she knew must be in a different section of the city. This part looked like all the other towns and cities she had been in.

Jareth walked the horses to the front of the inn and said, "I know it must look different to you. But this is the business district and you never saw most of it. I kept you isolated in a small section."

Sarah said, "I can understand that. I can't wait to get settled in and take Brianna to see everything."

Jareth said, "I would like to show you the castle tomorrow and have you have lunch and dinner with me, if you want to?" Sarah thought that was nice.

Sarah said, "Sure, Jareth. We would love too." He smiled and tethered the horses to the post outside the inn.

He said, "Sarah, let's go secure a room and I will help you ladies by transporting your baggage to your rooms. Then I'll take the horses to the stable to board for you and return." He pointed to the stable at the end of the street.

Sarah said, "We only have one room, your majesty. Brie can't be on her own yet. She's not ready to have her own room." Jareth nodded.

Sarah said, "Brie, honey, it will be ok for you to stay out here for a minute. It's safe, my little one." Brie looked around and nodded. Sarah dismounted and went inside with Jareth to get a room to get a room.

Sarah said to the thirty something human male innkeeper, "Can I please get a room for two weeks, please?" The innkeeper stood up tall seeing the king with her.

Jareth said to the innkeeper, "The best room."

The innkeeper grabbed a key, "Seven silver a day. Meals are four coppers, drinks two and tea one. Room twelve, malady." Sarah paid him ten gold and he gave her two silver and a key. Sarah thanked him and went to get Brie.

Sarah reached up for her, took her down from the horse and said, "Come on, little one. Let's go to the room." Their baggage all disappeared from the horse's backs.

Sarah smiled at Jareth and said, "See you in a few minutes, your majesty." He smiled at her as they walked in the inn. He took the horses to the stables.

Sarah and Brie walked in the door of the room and it was a nice big room with lots of wood, a big fireplace, nice bedding, rugs, armoire and dresser. Sarah pulled back a curtained area. The bathroom was curtained off with a tub. It had water faucets, and a flushing toilet with toilet paper. Sarah was in heaven.

Brie said, "I never be seein' a bathroom like this before."

Sarah said, "It's like the ones my world has. I'll help you if you need to know how it works, baby girl." Sarah kissed her head. They started putting bags in front of the dresser and armoire. Azrael was on the bed and came out of his bag wagging his tail watching them move stuff around. Jareth knocked on the door and Sarah unlocked it letting him inside.

Sarah said, "This is the best room alright. It has running water and flushing toilets."

Jareth said, "The ones in the castle use magic. In the Goblin City it is like your world. I wanted everything in the Labyrinth's center better than the outer towns and cities."

Brie meekly and shyly asked, "Your majesty, will you show me the Labyrinth?" Jareth smiled at how cute and shy she was.

He patted her head and said, "I will take you after a while one day, Brie. You and Sarah need to get settled and get comfortable. I'll see you soon, Sarah. Tomorrow when you come to the castle, I would like my healer to see you first."

Sarah said, "Jareth, I want Brie examined too. She was starved to death for a year and she is doing much better now. I just need to know if there is anything I can do to keep her healthy." Jareth didn't think of that. Yes, he would help.

Jareth said, "Of course, Sarah, that would be fine. Until tomorrow ladies." He bowed and disappeared.

Brie said, "He be very nice ta me."

Sarah said, "Of course he is because you're a nice respectful girl." Brie smiled and thought Jareth was very good looking and fancy.

—--

Jareth materialized in his castle and thought that everything was going according to plan. He was looking forward to tomorrow. He appeared in the healers lab.

He said, "Alaric, I have two very special guests coming tomorrow. One is Lady Sarah Champion of the Labyrinth. She has changed into a fae from a human and I want to know how. The other is a tiny girl who has been abused and starved. Sarah needs to know how full her health is." Alaric was an elf. Elves were the best healers in the Underground.

Alaric said, "I will be ready, your majesty."

Jareth said, "Good, good." Jareth transported to the kitchen.

He said, "Cook Rònan, I would like a special menu for lunch and dinner tomorrow. I'm having two very special guests. They are not fancy, but I want something very tasty and nutritious." The cook nodded.

Rònan said, "I will come up with a menu tonight, your majesty."

Jareth said, "Good, good." He vanished. Jareth was getting excited to have Sarah so close. The little girl was so very tiny. He could see if Sarah loved the girl so deeply, why her petite form was of a concern. He was planning where to take them tomorrow around his castle.

—--

A kingdom away, a fae woman sat in her sitting room having tea. There was a knock on the door.

She said, "Enter." The door opened and in walked a servant.

He said, "My Lady Arabella, news from the spies at the Goblin Kingdom. King Jareth has two new guests he brought into the Goblin City. A dark haired fae woman and a human child."

She blaise waved her hand back and forth and said, "There are no dark haired fae, you fool."

The servant said, "There is no mistake, my Lady. The spy said it shocked him too. The two rode in dressed as males. The king even boarded both of their horses himself without using magic or his stables before returning to the inn and going up to the room." Her head perked up.

She said, "Get me as much information on these two then. King Jareth is mine and no fae bitch is coming in and messing up my plans."

She threw her cup of tea against the wall and shouted, "Get someone in here to clean up this mess!!!" The servant ducked out knowing that meant, to get a human male or female in there to beat, sodomize and torture taking out her frustrations. Hopefully, they will survive it. Then again they might be better off. His lady was a cruel, disgusting and ruthless creature.

He said, "Yes, my lady." He hurried away.