CHAPTER 3
The rough-hewn wooden cart bumped down the windy, rutted road into the village of Ghent just before sundown. Sarah's body ached from the rough and broken ride. Liam chatted in a good-natured manner nearly all the way, which had partially taken her mind off her aches and pains, and also her anxiety at being stuck in the Underground.
She thought of Hilary, probably worried about her just disappearing like that. The guilt that ate her up almost had her searching out Jareth herself to ask him to send her back. She couldn't have him finding her though. Liam may wax lyrical about his King, but Sarah didn't trust him.
Instead, she stayed put, gripping her hands even tighter to the edge of the cart, turning her knuckles white. It was out of fear of the unknown but also to stop her spontaneously hurling herself off the cart to find Jareth. He could never know she needed him. There was a price to pay for asking the fae for favours.
Instead, she was relying on a human stranger to take her in, feed her and clothe her. Miss Independent Sarah wasn't about to allow herself to be taken care of. She would pay her way, in any shape or form she had to. Even if it was just one night she stayed, she would ensure that she paid in kind.
She was tired, dressed as a cat, had been up late at the party and then awake for hours travelling in the cart, making her indecisive and vulnerable. She definitely needed a rest and tomorrow she would reassess what she would do. She didn't have the luxury of a well rested body and mind, to make life altering decisions. Her fatigue wouldn't even allow her the simple task of contemplating the question of what she should do; stay or go. If the ride wasn't so bumpy, she would have drifted off hours ago in her fatigue, despite the unknown man next to her.
The village they had arrived in stretched the distance of the valley, reminding Sarah of a quaint English town. It recalled images of the Goblin City to Sarah's mind, but the houses here were more human sized and better maintained. Trees lined the perimetre, enclosing the valley like a cosy scarf. Except for one side that opened up into fields and meadows.
Sarah took a deep breath, appreciating the view before her. Lush greenery situated cohesively aside the English cottages looked like something straight off a postcard. Perhaps one sent from her mother, who she hadn't seen in years.
Linda, had all but abandoned her as a child, leaving her and her father to fend for themselves. That is until Robert married Karen. Sarah often wondered if her feelings of abandonment played a critical role in the lead up to her Labyrinth adventure. Not that she was justifying or excusing her own actions. She had learnt to take responsibility for them long ago.
But Sarah had no idea if her mother was still alive. It had been ages since she had heard from her. A few postcards every few years and then an immeasurable period of nothing. If she ever had her own children, she would strive to be a better mother than her own had been. A better mother than she had been a sister. A sinking feeling plummeted into her stomach at the thought of Toby left to his aunt. She should have fought harder for him.
She remembered the last time she had seen him as the lawyers took him away, screeching and crying, trying to cling to her. She tried to remain strong for him, but it was so hard. She tried to visit, she tried to call, she tried to write. But she couldn't get near him. He was her version of a Stolen Pearl. Now she was stuck down here with no way to get back, she felt his loss even more. Maybe she could befriend a powerful fae and could magic Toby away from his aunt. The only powerful fae she knew, was the one she was trying to steer clear of and the two unknowns that had kidnapped her.
They had reached the other side of the village, and Liam pulled the cart to a stop outside an old-world cottage, with a thatched roof, surrounded by orchards and fields, still partially visible in the half light of the setting sun.
"Here we are, lass," he beamed with pride, throwing his blonde ponytail over his shoulder. "Cloverfield Cottage. Home for all us Spriggets."
He helped Sarah out of the cart with gloved hands, and she took the opportunity to stretch her aching muscles, the cool evening air invigorating her sleep-deprived and emotionally over-taxed body.
A little glint of warm candle light shone through the gap under the homely wooden front door, before expanding suddenly as the door flew open. In the door stood a slight woman who Sarah assumed was Helena, Liam's wife.
"Lena, this is Sarah," Liam greeted his wife with a fond kiss upon the woman's pale cheek. "Sarah, this is my wife Helena."
Helena stood there plaiting her dark wavy hair and smiling with plump rosy lips, that almost stretched to her dark, warm almond shaped eyes in a way that welcomed and comforted Sarah instantly.
"Liam, are you picking up strays again?" Helena laughed, and with a wink of those almond eyes, added, "This cat looks rather humanoid."
"She was at a party," Liam came to her rescue, handing her baskets from the back of the cart. Sarah clutched her few baskets and gave Helena a cautious smile.
"Strays are always welcome here," Helena chimed in her light, fruity voice. "Come in out of the Ghent night air."
And just like that, Sarah found herself ushered into their warm cottage, while Liam dealt with the horse and cart. Sarah found herself in a room with a central fireplace and a hard workhorse of a table, surrounded by various kitchen implements. A baby lay in the cradle near the fire, and a toddler sat on the rug staring up at the adults with his mother's oval eyes.
Helena picked up the toddler and placed him on her hip as she set about preparing the table for dinner.
"The rest of the children are in bed, through there," Helena pointed to a door off the side. "These two wanted their Dada before they hit the hay."
Sarah placed her baskets down on the table and set about aiding her host with preparing the dinner. Helena chatted to her children and uttered polite instructions to Sarah until Liam returned.
"Love, Sarah is from the Aboveground," Liam explained, as he came back through the door, shucking his woolen vest, hanging it on the hook by the door. "She believes she was kidnapped but knows no one Underground aside from the King. I found her running outside the walls of the Labyrinth."
"Welcome, Sarah," Helena greeted in a warm, sunny voice and a matching smile. "Let's enjoy a nourishing meal. Plenty for all of us."
They sat down to enjoy a hearty warm stew, while Sarah had taken note of Helena's reactions to his mention of the Goblin King as he related her journey to their heath. She had raised her brows and chuckled, under her breath.
"So you've met the King, but you don't want to go to him lassie?"
"I met the King but once, and have reason to believe I wouldn't be welcome a second time," Sarah didn't want to go into further detail that she had rejected his advances and defeated his Labyrinth. "It's nothing criminal or the like. I just don't want to ask him for help."
"Ah, pride! But he will probably be the only soul who can help you in the end. Eat up." It wasn't ominous but Sarah didn't want the reminder that the only way she could return home was in the power of the one man who had no power over her. It would be admitting defeat. And yes, pride played a part. It always did. But she was strong. Fierce. Independent. She wouldn't allow herself to be vulnerable. Weak. Powerless. Not for any man, and certainly not for Him.
Over dinner they talked about how she got there and her life above. Helena was more than happy for Sarah to help with the house and the children.
"You can stay as long as you like. For sure I have eight wee ones and Liam works the field all day. Your help would be a blessed relief. I don't have enough limbs for eight of the wee blighters."
An image of an octopus-like creature, with a child dangling on the end of each tentacle, while preparing a dinner meal, sweat on its brow, but a still smile on its face came to mind. How Helena seemed so chirpy with such a burden was beyond Sarah's imagination. Especially given her own track record of wishing away children in her care. She wondered if any of the Underground humans wished their children away. Probably not, because of their heritage. And the fae probably didn't after what she was just told about how hard it was for them to conceive.
"I'm more than happy to help in any way I can," an eager agreement. "I can't thank you both enough for taking in a Stranger like you have."
"It's nothing," Liam dismissed with a wave of a hand. "Us humans have always taken in others. That's how we've continued to exist."
"Above-grounders could learn a lot from you," Sarah smiled, stifling a yawn. She had had her second wave of alertness and now the sleepiness congruent with a full stomach was taking over.
"Ah, tonight, you can have the sofa, and if you plan on staying longer, we'll sort out a bed in the morrow," Helena started clearing the table. Sarah took her lead and scooped up dishes and cutlery, following her to the tub. "You look beat."
"It has been a very long day," yawned Sarah, unable to suppress it any longer.
"We should find you something more comfortable to wear," Helena's mouth twitched as she ran her eyes up and down Sarah's body. Through her fatigue, Sarah had forgotten she was still dressed as a black cat.
Sarah laughed at herself, stumbling over her words as she explained her attire. "I was at a party. When I was kidnapped, I had been at a party. It was a dress up party."
"Samhain?" Helena asked. "Liam had errands to run out west, so unfortunately we missed the Samhain festivities this year."
"Halloween, but they are similar I believe."
"Your aura is more powerful than that of a familiar," Helena mused, more to herself than Sarah. "I am surprised you chose to dress as a cat."
"Not now, Lena," Liam had joined them in clearing up, before he scooped up one of the waiting children. "Let Sarah settle for the night before you start all that."
Helena took the two remaining children off to their room and returned with swathes of cotton in her arms.
"We can discuss any essentials you may need if you plan on staying," she passed the bundle of fabric that Sarah presumed was a nightgown, over to her "But for now wear this."
Not long after, she had washed outside with a bucket of water warmed by the fire, with only a lantern for light, so she was able to dress in one of Helena's nightgowns without feeling extremely unclean. As predicted the white flowy material covered every square inch of her, practically drowning her in yards of fabric. She wasn't going to complain considering her predicament and her state of near collapse.
The couch wasn't the most comfortable bed space but Sarah was too exhausted to care, plopping down as soon as she was free to do so and shuffling under the covers. Her feeling of anxiety about her predicament warred with her feelings of belonging that Liam and Helena's kindness inspired in her. Eventually her tiredness steamrolled over both sets of feelings and she knew no more until dawn.
Dawn arrived with the noise of drums and chanting. Sarah's first thought was that she was under attack. She shot up from her prone position only to be hit with memories of her situation, compounded by singing children that surrounded her from all sides, banging pots and pans in jubilation.
She recalled she was Underground and with no way home aside from seeking the assistance of the one person she could not talk to. The irony of asking a kidnapper to rescue her from her kidnappers was not lost on her.
"My name is Tessa," a cessation in noise allowed her to focus on a small voice interrupting her reverie. "What's your name?"
"Hello Tessa," she yawned, rubbing her bleary green eyes with the palms of her hands. "My name is Sarah."
"Like from the stories?" another voice chirped up.
"What stories?" Sarah's interest was piqued.
"About the Princess who saves all the Goblins from..."The second child started.
"No, that's not right, Matty," Tessa scolded. "Sarah is the Champion of the Labyrinth. She saves all the babies and marries the King."
"No she doesn't marry the King," Matty huffed. "Mama said that the king has to marry a princess."
"But Sarah is a princess, so he married her because she saved all the babies. The babies were going to be eaten by the Ttchl, don't you know?"
"No, Tessa," Matty stomped his foot, his wee young eyes filling to the brim with tears. "She saves the Goblins from the Pifinarifa but she does not marry the King."
"Well, Sarah?" Tessa turned back to face her. "Are you a princess that saved the babies from the Ttchl or the ordinary person who saved the Goblins from the Pifinarifa?"
'But this is not a gift for an ordinary girl, who takes care of a screaming baby.
The Goblin King's voice was suddenly in her head after all this time. Both stories had an element of truth and an element of absolute fantasy, given that she had no idea what a Ttchl or a Pifinarifa were. Was her story now an urban myth? She looked down at the children staring up at her with their deep soulful eyes and smiled, weakly.
"Whilst I am not the Princess that saved babies from the Ttchl or an ordinary girl that saved the Goblins from the Pifinarifa," Sarah sucked in a deep breath. "I am just Sarah from another realm."
"So you will marry the King?" Tessa asked hopefully.
"No, indeed. I am an independent Sarah from the kingdom of New York. I have no need to marry a King."
Especially of the Goblin variety, Sarah thought.
"Did you at least slay a dragon?"
"No, Sir Matty," Sarah teased. "There are no great beasts where I come from. Only very bad humans that do very bad things to other humans and animals."
"Did you slay some of them?" Matty asked with a glint of hope in his brown eyes.
"Alas, I did not. I did once elbow a man in his nose, giving him a concussion."
"I see you've met Tessa and Matty," Helena observed as she walked in the room, basket of linen under her arm. "I hope they didn't wake you. I instructed them to let you rest, lassie."
"If the house is up and about, then I should be too," Sarah rose up out of bed, clutching the sheets and blankets to her chest.
"It's not every day you get kidnapped so you're allowed a lie in," Helena said as she busied herself around the room. "After you've eaten, we will discuss your plans."
Sarah, now dressed in a lilac day dress, sat down to consume a thick, creamy porridge and a cup of tea. Whilst she was eating, she was introduced to the rest of the children. In age order they were: Alicia, Robby, Tessa, Matty, Simon, Janey, Lewis, and Peggy.
They all had various shades of light brown to sandy blonde hair with deep almond shaped brown eyes. They certainly had their parents warmth and friendliness, some of them giving her gentle hugs. The house seemed way too small with all of them present but rather than chaos and mess, the children were obliging in their chores and everything had its own natural rhythm as they worked through the morning. It felt like a choreographed dance, with no one taking a single step out of line. It was mesmerising as much as it was harmonious.
Sarah busied herself with assisting with the chores throughout the morning, stopping for a lunch of bread and cheese before continuing with cleaning and cooking. There were no modern conveniences so the lack of progress Sarah made, was overshadowed by her enthusiasm. Of course throughout the entire day she thought and contemplated her options, when any chance arose where there was even a slight break in the organised pandemonium that was a small house teeming with life.
On one hand, being on the same plane of existence as Toby achieved nothing, but being a world away felt like a bigger betrayal. She was escaping Mark and all the baggage he brought into her life. But there was little else she was leaving behind. If Toby was with her, her answer would be easy. But she didn't want to outstay her welcome here either. If she could find a job, then she could take care of herself, and not be dependent on strangers.
Eventually, the afternoon gave way to evening and Liam came and joined them while Alicia and Robby took the children outside so the adults could talk.
"So how was your night?" Liam asked kindly.
"I slept very well." She sipped her hot, steamy tea as they got comfortable at the rustic table. A table that would look right at home in a boho chic magazine. "Your children are just delightful."
"No surprises we kept having more," Liam winked at his wife, who giggled girlishly, before winking back to her husband.
"So we only have 3 bedrooms," Liam continued. "The oldest two bunk in the attic. We divided the area up there so they have their own space. The younger two bunk in with me and the wife. Tessa and Janey share one room and Matty and Simon the other.
"But we could bring down one of either Alicia and Robby so you can have an attic space or we can make a third space up in the attic, which we were planning to do anyway, then the boys can go up there, and you can have their room. They are the options if you decide to stay."
"Thank you so much for your kindness," Sarah prefaced her contribution to the conversation with her gratitude. "I am honestly bewildered with your generosity."
Generous? What have you done that is generous?" Her own voice echoed to her over the years. She swallowed her jumble of feelings and focused on the task at hand.
"I don't want anyone to be put out," she continued. "I have no idea what I am doing here. I have no idea if my kidnappers will find me again. I don't know them or their purpose for bringing me here. As, if you say, my only option is J...is the King of the Goblins, or staying here, for now I have to beg to stay here. If you are happy for me to trespass on your kindness, I will do what I can to earn my keep. I can cook, clean, look after the children..."
"Thank you Sarah, but the boys will love moving up to the attic," Helena grinned. "They've been begging me for months. They will have you to thank, so certainly no one will be put out. We don't expect you to do more than your share. Helping with the children and perhaps collecting eggs or vegetables may be all we expect for now. Long term we can discuss any further responsibilities. The children all play their part as it is their home too."
"I fully support everything Lena just said," Liam added with a gentle laugh. "The boys will both love moving to the attic. If you change your mind, then we support that too. We don't know each other, but we've taken Farm Hands on before that we knew even less about. We have a good feeling about you and Helena can sense your aura, so we think it will work out nicely. "
Helena had explained that her relative many generations ago had been part fae, so she could interpret people's auras, due to some latent magic in her blood. Sarah apparently had a powerful one, but did not want to disclose too much about her aura, in case it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Suffice to say, it was an aura that led both the Sprigetts to trust her implicitly. Even with her vague mentions of how she knew the Goblin King.
They conceded that they could take it day by day, and respected any decision Sarah made to finally consult the Goblin King about her way home. Employment was scarce in the village but they would keep an ear out for any opportunities to seek her own independence. A discussion of her skills followed, and aside from some rudimentary sewing and knitting skills, there weren't many old-world skills Sarah had that she could really utilise. Boys were used on the farms and as manual labour, drawing many parallels with the Aboveground Medieval period. However, Sarah learnt that men could marry men and women could marry women if they so choose, showing that at least in some things they were more advanced than their Aboveground counterparts. Sarah insisted that if she could get paid to do some heavy lifting, she would be up to the task.
Ironic, how circumstances and environments can change a person's outlook on life. With a warm, loving home to live in, the need to prove oneself and join the rat race seemed less important than ever before. Each day Sarah would contemplate her options, but she chose to stay with Liam and Helena. She found her groove within the house. She found her place within the dance, so to speak, not stepping on toes or tripping over her own. She would fetch the eggs, feed the chickens, tend the vegetable patch, play with the children, and help out with the others if she came to a loose end.
As the weeks passed, she was able to have clothes made for her. They were simple and plain but were hers. The flow of the house adjusted to accommodate her but they seemed to naturally fall in sync with one another. Sarah had never had such a strong sense of belonging. It was overwhelming being under the wing of people who genuinely held love and respect for her, though she was naught but a stranger.
She established a solid relationship with the children and eased Helena's burden significantly with all the help she provided. Her and Helena got on like a house on fire, and Sarah grew quickly accustomed to the simple village life.
Each night she would fall asleep soundly, after a hard day's work, to rise early to tend to her duties. No one ever came looking for her, and she started to feel safe in her new life. She met most of the villagers who were friendly and welcoming. She went to the market weekly, taking some of the children with her.
She thought about Toby often wondering if he was whole and hale. He was, in reality, the only thing she wanted to go back for. As the months drew on, she was less and less tempted to approach the Goblin King to ask for passage back Above. Liam and Helena never pressed the subject, reaping the benefits of having someone they liked help around the cottage. Sarah was also less likely to try for independence, having found a family unit that included her and appreciated her. She did not want to sacrifice the bonds she had made to live on her own. She lost her own family, but now she had made a new one from strangers that were now friends.
So life continued thus for nearly two years. It wasn't to last forever.
Sarah had not seen the Goblin King since she arrived back Underground in the two years she had been stuck down here. She was informed that he often visited the market and main Street for parades and festivals throughout the course of a year, but Sarah had been lucky enough to avoid even a glimpse of him.
Until just before the anniversary of her second year Underground. The whole family made the trek into the village for the Annual Harvest Parade. Sarah could hardly refuse but she wasn't about to be caught by him after all this time.
She kept the swell of the crowd pressed close to her, using the bodies and the shadows to her advantage. He could not see her. She wouldn't allow herself to be discovered after so long. From her current spot she could see the Royal open-top carriage rumbling down the cobbled street. The noise of the crowd, that had been a gentle murmur, instantly turned into riotous cacophony at the sight of their King. Not, however, in the way Sarah had expected. Resisting her own urge to throw rotten vegetables, and yell scathing insults, she was swift to notice it was adoration and flowers he received from his human subjects.
This was the first time Sarah had laid eyes on the Goblin King in nearly 15 years. He was exactly the same, dressed in body hugging greens and greys, he looked every part the fearsome King of her childhood. He sat high in the carriage waving down with a surprisingly genuine smile at the people lining the street.
As the carriage pulled level with her, she sunk deeper into the mire of bodies. The Goblin King drawing parallel with her, stopped her breath and heart for more reasons than just fear. Her senses were on full alert and adrenaline overwhelmed her nervous system as the carriage came to an unprecedented cessation. The Goblin King climbed down to the jubilant cries and cheers of the village. He took lazy strides in her direction.
Instead of delving into the crowd to hunt her down like she anticipated, he stood in front of the small group of children that included Janey and Simon waiting ahead of the milling villagers. And again in an unprecedented move he knelt down taking their childish offerings of flowers and gifts, patting them on the shoulder in gratitude, his honest beaming smile never leaving his finely crafted face. In turn, he twisted a crystal in his hand, releasing it into a glittery butterfly of fire and light making the children jump, cry, clap and whoop in their excitement.
Sarah felt eyes upon her and glancing back up to the carriage she noticed another fae, strikingly similar to the King in demeanor and looks, leaning back into the plush cushions with one booted leg crossed casually over his knee. His piercing blue eyes dissected her as she stood half melted into shadows. His face split with a knowing grin and he tossed his head away from her in a silent laugh.
Sarah stumbled backwards. He wasn't Jareth but there was no mistaking the similarities. He had to be related somehow. But why did he look at her like that? Like he knew who she was? Sarah watched him from the shadows but he didn't look her way again. Not even as Jareth returned to the carriage. He leaned over to the Goblin King and mouthed something, but neither of them turned her way. They just went off on their royal way to greet more villagers.
Still shaking from seeing the man who haunted her dreams and nightmares alike she made her way towards Simon and Janey so they could return to the rest of the family.
"Did you see that, Sarah?" Janey gushed. "He took my flower."
"I did see, yes and I saw that he made a butterfly."
"No it was a dragon," corrected Janey.
"No, a butterfly," Simon argued. "Butterflies are way cooler than boring old dragons."
"Maybe it was a dragon butterfly?" Janey suggested diplomatically.
"Oh yeah cool," Simon agreed. They chatted about the King excitedly all the way back to their parents. Sarah took Peggy, now a toddler into her arms as they made their way home.
"Who was the male in the carriage?" Sarah asked Helena as they trudged home up the dirt road.
"That's one of the Goblin King's brothers," Helena smirked. "His name is Prince Sevlydi, the younger brother of our King. He also has an older brother and an older sister, but they're both from a different mother to Prince Sevlydi and King Jareth, and they never visit the Goblin Kingdom."
"Why is that?" Sarah's curiosity was piqued, as after all this time, she eschewed all allusions to the Goblin King, so knew very little about him.
"Below them, most likely. Ruling and governing humans and Goblins isn't exactly full of prestige."
"But surely they'd still want to spend time with their brother?" Sarah questioned thinking of Toby.
"Fae don't treat familial links the same way us humans do," Liam chimed in. "I know you've had nothing to do with the fae in your time with us, so you wouldn't know. Remember when I first met you? How I told you they were cruel and cold towards their stolen pearls?"
Sarah nodded, biting the inside of her mouth in apprehension, as Liam continued.
"They treat their fae offspring better in comparison if they have both, but they're still cold and indifferent to their own kind. Jareth and Sevlydi were raised by a different mother than the older two. My grandfather who worked in the castle told me that Cerirmath, Jareth and Sevlydi's mother, was an upstanding fae. Kind and gentle as far as fae go. Made all the difference to those two. "
Sarah found it hard to believe Jareth had a mother, let alone a kind one.
"And all of the Goblin King's family are fae born and not stolen pearls?" She asked as they crested the hill before the cottage.
"Yes," Helena answered. "Though if you ask me, despite how handsome he is, we don't need a king."
"Lena, Lassie doesn't need to hear your self rule argument again," Liam groaned affectionately squeezing his wife's shoulder.
"And why not?" Helena huffed. "The lass lives here now. She is a citizen. She should be given the choice about whether or not she should be governed by a handsome fae or form a self governed human colony."
"A citizen who is woefully unaware of the members of the royal family," Liam winked at her. "Perhaps you're right, you both should form the self governing movement together."
"I'm not sure Janey or Simon would approve," Sarah rejoined, ruffling the hair of the child in front of her. "They seemed to love their encounter with His Majesty."
"Aye, they sure did," Liam acknowledged. "Tessa was very envious."
They walked the rest of the way home discussing the parade as Sarah thought on what she'd seen and heard. Jareth having a brother was a surprise to her. It was true, over the past two years she had avoided any mention of the King and anything that entailed. The children talked of him often, and Sarah would indulge them with smiles and stories but would do her best to deflect the conversation on to safer topics.
In her mind's eye she kept seeing Sevlydi looking at her and then laughing as he turned away. She puzzled over what it could mean, if it in fact meant anything at all. Images of the Goblin King interacting with the children flashed in the forefront of her mind, interrupting her ruminations about his brother. Sarah had to admit that as an adult seeing him for the first time since she was 15, Helena was not wrong about his level of attractiveness. Still, she would maintain her avoidance of him. Kind to children he may be, but would he be so tolerant of destroyers of Goblin Cities and escher rooms?
A/N: I struggled with this one so much. Oh boy did I struggle. I struggle with them all but this one was particularly bad. The next chapter is written so will be up shortly. I can promise you we get some of Jareth's perspective and less world building and O/Cs than this one (sorry about that). Also not sorry as it is my story ;-)
Shout out to AngelGlass (check out her work) for talking me down from the hypothetical author's ledge today. I am doing this for me, and I should enjoy it and not get bogged down by my lack of talent.