Hey guys :-) I just want to say thanks so much for the reviews :-) it makes it sooo worth it! i just wanna point out that I don't have a Beta reader so I'm sorry if there are some mistakes, I should really get one but I just get too excited to post a chapter once I finish it :-) so I'm sorry.
this chapter was originally meant to be one whole chapter but as I wrote it it got very long so I've split it into two as there was so much I wanted to happen. Anyway, I hope you like it R and R!
Oh yeah, Happy Birthday Bowie! :-D
Disclaimer: I own nothing :-(
Crushed blue silk enveloped Sarah as she twirled her new dress in the mirror. It was a simple powder blue affair, with a square neckline and a long following skirt that hugged Sarah in all the right places. She had fallen instantly in love with it the moment she had seen it hanging buried at the back of the ornate oak closet. It was perfect. Smiling softly to herself she took in her appearance once more as she swayed gently from side to side watching the fabric glide seamlessly across her figure. Her bare toes peeped out from the bottom of the gown as she wiggled them freely against the stone floor.
Today was a new day in the Underground, and seeing as she was still stuck here, she had decided to make the most of it.
She had awoken this morning, and felt perfectly fine. The burning pain in her lungs was gone and she felt extremely well rested. Sarah had to assume that whatever magic had been healing her had done the trick as she felt fighting fit. She made a mental note to remind herself that she had to thank Jareth's mysterious female friend. Whoever she was, she thought bitterly.
Her encounter with Ebony still weighed heavy on her mind, but this morning Sarah felt so good, she had decided she wasn't going to let it get her down. Yes, he had tried to kill her, but apparently that seems to be what the males of this world try to do, she thought to herself, amused. She had faced villains before and won, she wasn't going to let this one be any different.
Pushing the dark thoughts about her encounter from her mind, she absentmindedly made her way to the window Jareth had been standing at less than twenty four hours ago. Sarah held her breath as she gazed out across the scene below. It was beautiful, nothing how she remembered it. Past the dusty Goblin city was lush green mountains, covered by a piercing blue sky. Sun beamed down across the land, dancing throughout the trees of the fiery Forrest and bathing the labyrinth in a warming glow.
"Good morning Miss" a small voice called from the doorway, pulling Sarah from her thoughts.
Turning around Sarah spotted a small female goblin wandering into the room. She was very well dressed for a goblin sarah thought, she wore a pale grey dress that would of fitted one of sarah's teddy bears. it was very pretty. The goblin smiled sweetly to her, well as sweetly as her goblin features would allow.
"I'm Dusty, the king has appointed me your personal aid while you are staying here. Is there anything you need?" The goblin asked eagerly, practically beaming.
Sarah smiled inwardly at the fitting name. The female was very well spoken for a goblin, Sarah noted. "No thank you Dusty." She replied politely.
Dusty frowned, a little crestfallen. "Well if there is anything the Miss needs, just call and Dusty will come"
"Thank you Dusty" Sarah smiled politely at the little creature unsure of what to say. She had never had anyone wait on her before, she had always been so independent.
"What would Miss like to do today?" Dusty asked hopefully.
Sarah thought about this for a while. What was there to do in the Underground apart from run the labyrinth and almost get killed by strangers?
"Does the castle have a library?" Sarah asked eventually. "I'd like to read up on some of the Underground's history"
Dusty suddenly got very excited, practically jumping up and down on the spot. "Yes Miss!" She replied quickly as Sarah watched her bounce on the spot. A very large one! I can take you there if you like?" The goblin beamed.
Sarah laughed at her excitability. "Thank you Dusty, but that's ok" she smiled. "I'm sure I'll be able to find it" Sarah continued. She was extremely curious to explore the castle on her way.
The creature's face fell as Sarah declined her help.
"But if I get lost you'll be the fist one I call, ok?" She smiled, comforting the small female. Dusty's face lite up at the thought for being the first person on Sarah's list.
"Ok Miss." The goblin beamed. "Is there any else Miss needs?"
"Please, call me Sarah." Sarah paused, pursing her lips. "Do you know what the king is doing today?" Sarah asked offhandedly, wondering if Dusty picked up on her curiousity. Dusty's face fell as she eyed Sarah cautiously.
"His majesty is a very busy man Miss." She mumbled coldly. "Miss would do well to stay out of his way." The goblin warned.
Sarah stared wide eyed at the creature before her as shock covered her features. Had she offended the small creature somehow? All she had done was ask what Jareth was doing today. Sarah continued to stare dumbfounded at the female before her.
"Erm, ok Dusty. I'll keep that in mind" Sarah smiled, the air filled with tension. "I think that's all I need at the moment."
Dusty smiled politely at Sarah and with a faint 'pop' she vanished in a shower of dust.
"Well that was odd" Sarah thought astonished, while turning back to the window she had occupied before her encounter. A phantom smile played on Sarah's pale lips as she was greeted a sight that, for some unknown reason, made her stomach flutter with butterflies.
There, riding through the castle gardens below was the almighty Goblin King. His blonde maine whipped around his face wildely in the wind as he rode hard, focusing on the path ahead.
He mounted a powerful black steed nearly twice as tall as him, that moved so gracefully she could of thought the pair were gliding across the grounds instead of galloping. The King seemed so at ease, never did he faulter in his movements, never did he hesitate. Sarah smiled and watched as the rode, carefree.
The pair were in perfect gracious harmony as he rode off towards the caste doors and out of Sarah's sight.
Sarah's smile widened as she realised her question about the riding boots had finally been unintentionally answered.
o-o-o-o-o
Pulling hard on his reigns, Jareth slowed his powerful steed moments before reaching the grand doors of the castle. Running a gloved hand through his windswept lockes he grinned a lopsided smile and patted the horse gratefully.
"Good work ol' chap" he exclaimed continuing to praise the steed while leaping gracefully from his saddle, his riding boots kicking up a cloud of dust on the floor as he landed softly. Taking the reigns in one leather clad hand, he reached out for the animals nose with the other. "That must a a new record there Blake" he spoke soothingly to the horse rubbing his nose softly. Blake grunted and tapped his hoof against the dusty ground indicating it was eager to beat the record again.
Jareth chuckled lightly "another time perhaps." He gave the horse his final pats gratitude and with a flick of his wrist, relieved him of his riding tack and send him on his way.
Turning on his dusty heels, Jareth climbed the steps to the castle, slightly less tense than he had been this morning. A brisk ride always helped to relieve the King of his troubles, if only for a moment or two. And if that failed to work, he would always try flying.
Jareth practically strutted through the hallways of his castle, his riding crop beating gently against his riding pants. He made sure that with every step he took, he radiated power.
Turning a stone laden corner, he was greeted by the sight of numerous goblins all huddled round a door, taking it in turns to peer though the keyhole.
"It's my turn! Mine!" A small dirty faced goblin proclaimed in a hushed voice, elbowing the current occupier of the keyhole out the way, who promptly fell bottom first onto the stone cobbles.
"You 'ad your turn!" Another equally as filthy goblin muttered pulling at the dirty faced goblins nose.
Jareth watched the scene unfold before him with some amusement. He lounged patiently against the stone wall of his castle, his arms folded tight across his chest, waiting for the goblins to notice him.
The goblins continued to fight over the key hole in a dirtied mess of limbs and teeth. Jareth made a mental note to make sure that they were cleaned more often.
The displayed of, what could only be described as, silent goblin wrestling, continued for several minutes before Dusty, a goblin Jareth recognised from his morning itinerary magically appeared with a small 'pop' before the group. Jareth smuggly congratulated himself for remember her name.
"Shhhh!" She scolded, pulling the disheveled goblins apart. "Miss will hear you""
"Ahhhh, so that's what all the fuss was about." Jareth thought, sighing inwardly as he continued to watch.
"So it true? Lady returned to castle?" A small goblin asked, untangling himself from the mess of limbs.
"Yes, she was injured so his majesty had no choice but to bring her here to heal her." Dusty puffed out her chest proudly while speaking of her king. The goblins around her 'ooooh'ed and 'ahhh'ed softly.
Jareth smiled smugly to himself. He decided he had watched the charade for long enough. Raising a gloved fist to his smug lips, he cleared his throat, feigning a cough and bringing the goblins attention to him.
Their little eyes all widened with fear as the spotted their king lounging elegantly in the hallway.
"Ahhh! Your majesty!" A goblin squealed before promptly fainting on the spot.
"Now, now. What is all this commotion?" He purred, his eyes glinting with mischief. An animal hunting his prey.
"Well Kingy-" the smallest goblin started before getting a swift kick in the shin for his neighbour.
Jareth face blanched. "Kingy?!" He spat coldly. Never had he heard something so revolting. With a flick of his wrist and a roll of his mismatched eyes he sent the offending goblin straight into the bog. Head first.
"I suggest that if the rest of you fine fellows don't wish to follow your dirty little friend there, that you all disappear."
The king stared at the little group expectantly, but nothing happened. "Now." He spat, his voice laced with venom.
The group was gone in an instant. Jareth smiled proudly to himself. He still had it.
Gracefully removing himself from his, rather comfortable, lounging position he set off towards his throne room, stopping only briefly to cast a conflicted gaze towards Sarah's bedroom door.
o-o-o-o-o
Many hours later, Sarah found her wandering the castle hallways, trying to get her bearings. Her bare feet padded softly along cold stone floor as she wandered aimlessly, he pale dress blowing in the cool breeze that blew mysteriously through the hallway. She had been lost for about an hour now and she was pretty sure she was going in circles.
Letting out an exasperated growl, she toyed with the idea of calling for Dusty. However, remembering their encounter this morning she thought better of it.
Residing to the fact that she was well and truly lost, she decided to look for help. Casting a wary eye around for any wandering goblins, sarah spotted a large pair of oak doors ahead of her.
"What the hell" Sarah thought to herself dejectedly "everywhere looks the same anyway."
Padding softly up to them, Sarah gave them an almighty push.
To Sarah's surprise the doors swung open with an almighty bang. Sarah squeezed her eyes closed tight as her body froze, waiting for the onslaught of abuse from one of the goblin servants about ancient oak or some nonsense.
But it never came. Slowely opening her eyes, Sarah peeked into the room.
Large dark bookcases full of ancient books, towered over her as she cautiously entered. To her left huge windows filled the wall, bathing the room in brilliant sunlight, the dust particles dancing in the beams gracefully. And there sat right in front of the magnificent windows was a glorious oak desk.
Sarah mentally cursed herself. Out of all the rooms she could of wandered into, and by the size of the castle she was guessing there were quite a few, it had to be Jareth's study. Sarah stood there for a moment debating whether to venture further or not.
Casting a cautious eye around the room, Sarah made sure there were no lurking Goblin King's waiting to pounce, before making her way further into the quiet room.
The last time she had been here, she had been too angry to absorb any of her surroundings. Now, as she entered, she became aware of a fabulous scent that greeted her nostrils. A mix of worn leather and spices enveloped Sarah's senses. Taking a deep breath she relished in the new aroma, it smelt like him. A smile played softly on Sarah's lips as she padded her way towards the desk.
Everything about it just reeked Goblin King. The wood was dark oak with orate carvings carved into the base. The parchments that were scattered in every direction were made of worn, think, paper, covered in exquisite elegant handing writing. In the centre of the desk was a broad leather journal, bound with golden twine.
Curiosity built in the pit of Sarah's stomach as she gazed on the leather bound book.
Approaching it with caution, Sarah reached out her fingertips, brushing them against the rough material.
o-o-o-o-o
Jareth strutted the corridor, leading to his study. He really needed to get some actual work done today. All this business with Ebony and Sarah had put him back quite a few days.
Stopping dead in his tracks, he noticed the open doors.
I hope you guys liked it, i really struggled with this one and it kinda sucked that I had to split the chapters but I just felt it was too long winded otherwise. I promise that the next chapter is better ;-) there's goodness fluffy goodness to keep you guys going ;-)
R and R peeps
xxxx