Chapter20

Homecoming and a New Year

Sarah had managed to wash her face with some melted snow by the fire and already looked and felt a lot better. Her feet were still giving her troubles and Jareth gingerly pulled off her boots. They were blistered and bleeding, and her left knee was swollen and bruised.

"Oh babe", Jareth groaned with empathy, "that looks painful. We need to get you to the doctor's office as soon as we get home."

"I don't need to go to the doctor's office", Sarah objected. "It's not that bad."

Jareth rummaged through his bag and pulled out a small tub of cream which he applied gently to her blisters and wounds. It was the same cream Faron had given Sarah after the rescue from the oubliette.

"This ought to make you feel a little better". He wrapped her feet with some bandages they had brought in a medical kit and carefully put her boots back on. Sarah winced with a tear in her eyes but didn't cry out.

Jareth sat next to her and took her hand gently into his as Sarah laid her head on his shoulders.

"I was so worried about you, babe. I thought you had died in that avalanche." He kissed the side of her head.

"I knew you were", Sarah replied quietly. "It had been my decision to try to make it through the cave, and Bethan was a perfect guide. He kept seeing a path where I didn't, and he kept me save. He needs to be greatly rewarded for his bravery and loyalty."

"He will be, precious, I promise you, he will be." Jareth took her head in his hands and kissed her gently. "Sit there and stay off your feet while we pack up. That is an order from your king", Jareth smiled softly and helped his hunters to load up the sleds with the meat and supplies.

The entire group, including the goblins, trudged through the woods for the next three hours to get to the edge of the northern forest. After they had arrived, the guards from the base teleported back out with the goblins.

Once all the meat had been teleported to the butchers, the hunters bid their farewell. Each of them gave Sarah an extra salute which made her feel quite special. Jareth stood there quietly and smiled proudly.

"Ok, our turn to go", he whispered to her.

"What about Paradox?" Sarah asked.

"What about her?" Jareth inquired with a questioning look.

"Can she come with us?" Sarah looked gently at Paradox and petted her on her neck. She only whinnied and stuck her muzzle into her hand.

"I must stay here", Paradox told Sarah before Jareth could answer her question. "This is my home, it has been for thousands of years. Please, do come and visit me. I can hear your messages from far away, and if you ever need my help, I'll be there for you."

She turned around shook her head and galloped off. Jareth put his arm around Sarah and motioned her to come with him. They both teleported back to the castle.

The first thing Jareth did when they got back to the castle was draw a nice hot bubble bath for Sarah. He was worried about her hurt feet and didn't even try to make any advances towards her. He only wanted her to be comfortable.

"Honey, I'm not hurt that bad. I really would love for you to join me. I want to be with you. It's my feet that are hurt, and you're not going to make love to my feet", Sarah had to convince him before he agreed to join her in the tub.

He was gentle and careful, and it felt like magic to Sarah. How she had missed his embrace. She felt one hundred percent better after her bath, and so did Jareth.


The news of the search for the queen and the discovery of the Einhorn made the news like wildfire in the Labyrinth Kingdom. Everyone was talking about it and it was a front page article in the Goblin Gazette special edition:

THE EINHORN PRARDOX!

Details on what happened during this year's WSF hunt.

"You're famous girl. The whole kingdom is talking about you", Sarah thought and wondered if Paradox got her message.

It had been over five hundred years since the last Einhorn had been spotted. A small group of seven, high up in the mountains of the northern forest. Apparently Paradox was the last one of that group. Sarah wondered if there were any more groups or if Paradox truly was the last one and all alone.

She felt sad thinking about the possibility of being the last one of your kind, and how lonely that must feel.

"Maybe we can find more and get her the company she needs", Sarah mentioned to Jareth.

"That would be hard to do, babe. She's the first in five hundred years. The chance that there are any more is so slim, I don't have any hope of finding more."

He put his arms around her and tried to console.

"But we can try after the winter. When the weather warms up we can send a research party up there. In the meantime, I have declared a royal proclamation that Paradox and any other Einhorn is under the protection of the king and queen and cannot be harmed, harassed, or hurt in any fashion or manner. She's going to be safe, you just need to sign it too. I already have."

He handed her the official proclamation and an ink pen.

Sarah signed it with a big smile, and then she rewarded Jareth with a long sensual kiss and the promise of a night in his roman bathtub. He gave her a wink and his famous smirk before he left to post his proclamation for the kingdom.


Tomorrow was the Winter Solstice Festival and the kingdom once more was in a festive mood. And with Christmas Eve only two days later, people planned to party for nearly a week straight through, especially since the solstice fell on a Friday.

It was the first time for Marjorie and Mark and they were both stoked to the extreme. Mark had finished brewing his first batch of beer, a blonde and a dark beer to start off with. He planned to sell it at a booth and at his club during the celebration week starting tomorrow.

Marjorie had t-shirts and sweatshirts made with "Winter Solstice Festival 1995" slogans. Others read: "Love making lasts the longest during the winter solstice" and"The Einhorn Paradox, Winter Solstice 1995".

Sarah loved the Einhorn Paradox sweatshirt as it depicted a headshot of a unicorn which bared a striking resemblance to the real thing. She got one for herself and one for Jareth.

She also got herself a tank shirt with the "Love making lasts the longest during the winter solstice" slogan just so Jareth could see it. She was sure he would take it as an invite, and she already had to giggle about it.

"I really shouldn't encourage him. He surely doesn't need any more encouragement, but it is so much fun", Sarah told Marjorie, and Marjorie gave her two, one in pink for her and one in blue for Jareth.

Faron and Kelan had been particularly interested in Sarah's story about Paradox and her ability to communicate with her without using magic.

"Telepathy as a natural gift is extremely rare. I need to research this." Kelan had told Faron in a private meeting.

"We always knew Sarah was special in some way. We found out about her relationship to Krum, but I think there is more, much more to it all. I'm going to dig for the answers. I bet we'll find something in her history that will explain all of this."

Faron nodded in agreement, yet had a worried look on his face. Sometimes digging in someone's past could not only bring out the good but also the bad history. Some things just needed to stay buried. He kept his thoughts to himself though.


Jareth loved the tank shirt with "Love making lasts the longest during the winter solstice" slogan Sarah had gotten him. And exactly as she had feared, he took it as an invite.

He wore it first thing in the morning before she had even woken up and while he was sending his winter solstice greetings to his subjects.

Hey, babe", he smiled teasingly at her when she woke up and stretched sitting in bed. "Want to do the longest activity of the day today?"

A pillow hit him squarely in the face followed by Sarah's laughter.

She had to run into the bathroom real quick to escape him, but since he could walk right through the door, that didn't help her much. It took an hour for them to come back out, with a smile on each of their faces.


Goblin City, Elvenwood, Faeville, Trollston, and Dwarf Town were all decked out in decorations with huge Christmas trees on their squares. The Winter Solstice and Christmas Market in Elvenwood was renowned for its size and vendors of fireworks. Goblin City had the biggest Christmas tree on its square at forty five feet, nearly as big as the one in the castle's garden by the entrance.

It was illuminated with over ten thousand fire crystal balls. The goblin volunteer fire department stood by in case the whole thing was going to go up in flames, which happened occasionally.

Mark had his Underground Brewery booths set up in every town and he hoped to make a good profit for the next week.

The club had opened at ten in the morning and was already above capacity by noon, and his stock of eggnog ran low. He had to send three of his goblin Underground Railroad connections to get another couple of shipments delivered before the evening.

Marjorie had her fashion booths set up in two towns with Krimble tending to the one in Dwarf Town and Marjorie the one in Elvenwood. Sarah had wanted to help Marjorie with her booth but as queen she was not able to.

"I don't want anyone accusing me of nepotism or favoritism. After all I'm the queen of equality", she had told Marjorie with a disappointed face. Marjorie totally understood.

"That's ok girlie", we all have our jobs to do. You go do yours, and I'll be fine here working my booth. Don't worry. Peace out."

She threw her the peace sign and laughed. She already had sold thirty shirts with her "Peace Out in 1996" slogan. And each shirt came with a 50% off Troll doll.

Marjorie was a true entrepreneur indeed. Her and Mark were going to go far, Sarah was sure of that.

Jareth had helped Mark with getting another shipment of eggnog as well as more seeds for hops and barley so he could plant another harvest soon. Mark had taken him to his brewing chambers and let him be the first one to taste test his new beer.

"That is pretty damn good beer right there, Mark", Jareth exclaimed after tasting the dark beer. The goblins are going to go nuts over this one." He went on and tasted the blonde.

"This one is a fae and elf beer. What are you going to call them?" Jareth inquired.

"I guess after your taste test I call them goblin dark and elven blonde?" Mark looked at him and Jareth gave him a high five.

"Perfect, dude". He grinned as he helped himself to another glass of each.

By the time Jareth came back to the castle, his head was spinning from the beer tasting and his teleporting was slightly off target as he ended up in the broom closet instead of his study. Sarah made him lay down for a couple of hours with a cold wet rag over his forehead.

"Sweetheart, you are three hundred and thirty three years old now, you can't party like a two hundred year old anymore."

She laughed and gave him a gentle kiss as he lay on the couch.

"Oh you know, babe, I still got it in other areas though", he grinned with a painful grimace and winced. "How strong is that beer he's making?"


By the time the evening had rolled around Jareth was back to his old self. He had to officiate the opening ceremony and all the hunters had to be present again. Sarah was decked out in her new hunting clothes and bow and so was Jareth. He gave her a gentle look and a soft smile before they teleported out and met the rest of their group.

The crowd especially cheered for Sarah, their new "Einhorn queen" and Bethan. He had been celebrated as the hero who saved the queen. Both took to the stage together, held their hands up in the air and bowed, as the crowd went wild.

Sarah glanced over towards Bethan and grinned. "I'm glad you are doing so well again. I was worried there for a while." Bethan blushed and smiled back.

And once again, he was thinking how nice it would be if Sarah were unattached so he could pursue her.

After all the official speeches had been given and the festival had been declared open they each went their separate ways. Jareth took Sarah by the arm and let her over to the big tent where live music was being played by a fae band. It was quite a party atmosphere with lots of drinking, dancing, and laughter.

She and Jareth took to the dance floor for a couple of hours, and when Jareth did a rendition of 'Let's dance' and 'The boys keep swinging' with the band the crowd once again went wild. Sarah laughed and gave him a big kiss afterwards.

"My handsome wild party king. I'm crazy about you."

Jareth laughed and drug her over to the next tent for more of the same. By then Mark and Marjorie had joined them, as well as Faron and Chayrone. They all grabbed one big table and celebrated the Winter Solstice Festival in Underground fashion.

During the fireworks at midnight Jareth and Sarah were hiding underneath the stage again kissing. They missed most of the firework show.


The next few days were one big party, and by the time Christmas Day had come and gone Jareth was completely worn out.

They had spent Christmas Eve at the castle with the entire family and their friends, and then Christmas Day at Marjorie's and Mark's. After everyone had finally left, Jareth plopped himself on the couch, grabbed Sarah, and had her lay down beside him in an embrace.

"Ok, now I'm worn out. I had a lot of fun, but I'm glad it's over too. We barely had five minutes alone with each other, and then at night we were too tired for the most important part. What happened to the "Love making lasts the longest during the winter solstice? I barely got any." he pouted, and Sarah couldn't help but to giggle.

"Poor thing, I'll make it up to you tomorrow." She gave him a devilish smile and wink.

"Good, I already feel better", he grinned.

"Jareth?" Sarah asked resting her head on his chest. "If every day has thirteen hours of day and thirteen hours of night, how come during the winter solstice that one day it doesn't? It has a much longer night time. Why is that?"

Jareth looked at her with a contemplative look.

"I have never thought about it too much. It's just the way it is since the beginning. I'm sure Kelan could give you a better answer if you want to ask him. I think it marks the end of one full cycle and from there everything goes back to normal as it should."

He gently wiped a hair strand out of her face and noticed she had her eyes closed. Sarah had fallen asleep. He tenderly kissed her forehead and closed his eyes as well while holding her close to his heart. Within minutes he too had drifted off.


The next few days remained fairly quiet for the kingdom. Everyone had a huge hangover and even the hardest core partygoers had to take a few days off and rest up for New Year's Eve, the next big thing in the Underground.

Jareth didn't mind the down time, and he spent it at home with his boys and Sarah. Marjorie had gotten Jay and Jeremy a basic Lego set for Christmas.

"Really Marjorie?" Sarah had laughed, "Legos for two year olds. Isn't that a bit early?"

"They are magical boys aren't they? It should be fine don't worry." She had replied dryly.

Oh it was fine for them, but Sarah kept stepping on little Lego blocks wherever she went and her feet still hadn't healed completely. She finally banned all Lego activities to the nursery.

Jareth had been the best husband ever. He kept doting on Sarah at every turn. The avalanche incident had shaken him to his core and seeing her in pain hurt him as much, or even more, than it did her.

"I'll be fine, honey", she had told him several times. "Bad things happen sometimes. I'm still here with you and I will be for a long time, like forever." She had gently kissed him.

Bethan had gotten his promotion to captain of the elven guards of the 1st Battalion. He had beamed with pride when he received his accommodation and promotion. He had also received the royal Medal of Honor and the Silver Star for saving the queen's life and his gallantry in action.

His career and his personal life was taking off like a flying goblin with a bottle rocket strapped to its wings. He was not short on fae and elven girls who wanted to date him, but he kept thinking about Sarah.

Jareth and Sarah had been invited to go to The Underground Club's first New Year's Eve party, and they had graciously accepted, but decided to leave a couple of hours before midnight. Jareth had told Mark he had some plans with Sarah and Mark had only nodded and given him the thumbs up. The place had been so crowded nobody would miss them and Marjorie had been busy behind the bar.

After all the winter solstice celebrations and Christmas activities Jareth had wanted to spend the last couple of hours of the old year alone with Sarah. He took her to Emerald Cave Pool which had been absolutely wonderful, before they teleported to the castle and sat by the window sill to watch the upcoming fireworks display.

It was a crystal clear starry night and the northern lights were shining again. It was shaping up to be a spectacular light show combined with the goblin fireworks. Jareth had his arm wrapped around Sarah as they sat and watched the aurora.

"Jareth?" Sarah whispered quietly, "how would you feel about trying again?"

Jareth knew what she meant and he didn't need to ask, as they had talked about it off and on over the past few months.

"I think that would be wonderful, precious. As long as you are ready." He looked at her with affectionate eyes.

"I want to try again, honey."

She squeezed his arm and cuddled even closer into his chest.

"You know that means a lot of lovemaking, babe. You're ready for the task?"

Jareth smirked and was juggling a crystal ball with his left hand which he held right in front of her face. Sarah couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Oh Jareth, what am I going to do with you?" She turned and gave him a tender kiss.

"I know what you could do with me", he replied and kept her kiss going by holding her very tight.

"Another three thousand years of that, you said?" Sarah sighed with a chuckle.

"At the very least", Jareth replied proudly, "I have a strong libido. That doesn't wear off quickly. You are one lucky lady."

He kept juggling his crystal ball for a few seconds and then turned it lose. They both watched it float into the night sky which was illuminated by the aurora and the first colorful bottle rockets of the New Year.

"What did you put in the crystal?" Sarah asked

"Our forever dream of togetherness", he replied softly; and as Sarah kissed him, fireworks exploded in the night sky.

"Happy 1996", Jareth whispered and went back to kissing Sarah with a fiery passion that rivaled the light show in the night sky.