Chapter 5, Chroma And Caller
Sarah awoke to a tickling sensation in her lower abdomen. She started to toss, the feeling growing stronger. Finally giving in, she opened her eyes to see Jareth planting subtle kisses all around her belly button. He was already staring back, waiting for her to rouse.
She started to smile and say good morning, but the words never came. Instead, she leaped from the bed, nearly smacking Jareth in the face in the process.
Jareth lay bewildered as she leaped across the room, slamming the bathroom door behind her. Apparently, the tingling feeling wasn't just from his kisses. She was sick again.
Jareth watched with sympathy, remembering the past few times this had happened. He was so worried. Although he now knew the cause for her morning sickness, it didn't make him feel any better to see her suffer. Part of him felt as though he should comfort her, another part knew how stubborn she was and would not have him see her in such a way. She liked to handle herself.
After a moments contemplation, he resided to siting on the bed twiddling his thumbs, and staring at the door like a lost puppy.
When it seemed Sarah wouldn't be emerging for quite some time, Jareth decided to get ready for the day.
He put on some clothes and poofed himself as clean and glamorous as ever. Today, he wore tight black pants with his usual black boots, a flowing white poets shirt and a dark grey vest. With a flick of his wrist, the fire was lit and a small tray of fruits and bread appeared on the table.
He strode over towards the bathroom door. He raised his hand and paused, not sure if he should knock or just go in. He opened the door slowly, making sure she knew he was there.
Sarah stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair. He noticed there were tear marks staining her cheeks. He stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. She gave him a look of acknowledgement, but continued to brush her hair. He placed a light kiss upon the top of her head.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. She looked at him through the reflection of the mirror, her eyes were still glazed.
"My stomach's still a little upset, but I'm fine." She said with a reassuring smile.
"You should relax today." His voice was soft, but his eyes were intent.
"Jareth, as you said last night, this is only the beginning. If I can't handle a little morning sickness now, I'm afraid I'l be incapacitated by the end of the month." She laughed. He knew she had a strong will, and she knew he was possessively overprotective.
"I do not like seeing you suffer when I am unable to do anything about it." He said.
"What are you going to do when I have the baby?" She said sarcastically. " Does the Underground even have epidurals? Or, any kind of pain medication for that matter?" She hadn't thought of what would happen when she actually had the baby. The thought of being in labor without any kind of medication suddenly hit her.
"We have other methods." He answered, turning slightly to look down at her. She turned in his arms.
"You should go, I'm sure you're already way behind on everything, and I think I'm going to be in here a little while longer." It wasn't that she wanted him to leave, she just didn't want him to be witness to her being sick all over the place. Jareth gave a reluctant smirk, holding the sides of her face as he placed a kiss on the crown of her forehead.
"Then I shall take my leave. But I really do insist you take the day to relax." He spoke soft and loving. Sarah almost rolled her eyes at him.
"I'll think about it. Maybe I'll take a hot bath." She wondered aloud for his satisfaction. He let his hands trail down her waist before slipping through the door and off to his duties.
Jareth's office was flooded with papers. It seemed his father had wasted no time spreading the word. He sat for hours going through one congratulatory letter after another. Mage joined him, attempting to help him sort through all his mail.
"I'd like you to keep watch over Sarah. She's ill today, and I'd like for her not to be alone." He said from behind a stack of papers.
"She's taking a bath. She insisted I not wait around for her. She seemed a little disgruntled." Mage replied. Jareth smirked, but didn't look up.
"She doesn't take to playing the damsel. I told her to take the day off. Just make sure she's of good heath and spirits while I am away." He said. Mage bowed and went to exit the room.
"As you wish, Your Majesty." The one thing she'd been forced to get used to was being a go-between from Jareth to Sarah. At least she was getting the exercise.
Sarah had finished her bath, and was feeling a bit better. She decided to get some fresh air out on the balcony. Maybe I'll go for a stroll through the gardens...I wonder what my friends are up to. She wondered. It wasn't long until Mage entered the room and joined her on the balcony.
"You look radiant this morning my lady." She said. Sarah cocked her head and nearly snorted.
"Thanks Mage, but I feel like shit." She said playfully.
Although she didn't take Mage's compliment seriously, she truly was radiant. She wore a simple lavender dress with short sleeves. It was a slender fit, with no real laces and strings. Her hair was wavy, and her natural beauty shone in the bright morning light.
"Is there anything you would like me to get you?" She asked. Sarah thought for a moment.
"No, I pretty much devoured breakfast, and I'm not sure what the Underground's version of Tums is." She said light hearted. "I think I'll go to the gardens today, maybe see what Hoggle is doing." Her mind trailed off, scouring over the Labyrinth.
"I'm sure your friends would love to see you. Shall I call for them?" She asked.
"No...um, I don't no. I kind of just want to be alone for now. Should I be feeling this moody already?" Sarah asked. Mage gave a motherly grin.
"Anything you feel is completely normal. If you would like to be alone I can leave." She spoke. Sarah turned around to fully face her.
"No that's ok, I just meant I'm not sure I'm up for all their energy and excitement. Would you care to join me in the gardens?" She asked.
"Of course." Mage said with a slight bow.
Jareth had finally finished sorting through the days paperwork, coming down to the last envelope. He recognized the royal seal and proceeded to open it with interest. He gave a huff while reading it.
To the King and Queen of the Goblins,
Upon the night of the new moon, you will be honored in celebration of the procreation of the next royal heir. In fealty, I send you my gift now.
The High King
Wow, thank you for inviting me to my own party father. Jareth thought. No sooner had he read the letter, there came a knock at his door. He looked up in confusion, guests were usually ushered in, while servants simply entered at their discretion.
"Enter." Jareth commanded, placing the parchment down on the desk.
A tall broad shouldered man entered the room. He was a thick man, but not overweight. He had chestnut hair with heavy streaks of grey. He had a chiseled beard that framed his angled face. His eyes were a piercing grey, and there was a deep scar that went from his cheek up through his left eyebrow.
The man stood stiff and absolute, like a soldier waiting for Jareth's signal. Jareth's expression went from baffled to concerned, and finally a little joyous as he rose from his seat. He crossed the room, and embraced the man in a brotherly hug.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" He bellowed.
Sarah and Mage walked through the royal gardens, listening to the pleasant songs of birds blow through the breeze. It seemed every time she came here Sarah managed to find something new. This time, it was a tree. It was white, and had thin scraggly branches. It reminded her of a white birch from the Aboveground. It held beautiful white blossoms and strange pale fruit which resembled peaches.
"Mage, I don't believe I've seen this tree before. What is it?" She asked. Mage looked in the direction of Sarah's pointing finger and smiled. She was surprised she hadn't thought of it sooner. She looked up to Sarah with a witty eye, as if she were about to divulge some deep dark secret.
"That my Queen, is the tree of Natality." She said. Sarah looked from the little woman the the tree, and back again.
"What does that mean?" She asked.
"It is a special tree, only visible when one is about to give life." She revealed.
"So it's here because I'm pregnant?" Sarah clarified.
"Yes." Mage answered.
"Does it do anything?" Sarah inquired. Mage's voice became light and joyous.
"Actually, yes. Take a bite of its fruit." She gestured towards the tree. Sarah was reluctant, remembering the last time she ate a piece of unfamiliar fruit from a Goblin. "Oh, go on. Take a bite, if the juice turns your tongue blue it means your child will be a boy, and red if it is to be a girl." Sarah was intrigued. She stepped towards the tree and thought. Did she want to know what gender it would be? Would it really matter?
She thought of Jareth and wondered if he would prefer a boy or a girl. She ultimately decided he would be ecstatic with either and thought- Oh what the hell!
She reached out and plucked a piece of the strange fruit from the nearest branch and examined it carefully. Mage kept gesturing her on. A little reluctantly, Sarah took a bite from the fruit. It was sweet and sugary, like candy, certainly not what she was expecting. After taking a moment to make sure her tongue had successfully absorbed all the juices, she swallowed.
With a little smile she turned to Mage, sticking her tongue out in an innocent way.
"Wwell? Wwhat collorr iszz my tonguee?" She tried to say.
Mage's eyes widened, and an almost eerie smile spread across her face.
"Purple." She said, causing Sarah to raise a confused eyebrow.