Chapter 8, Forgotten Consequences
"Jareth, I don't know if I can do this." Sarah said in an exasperated sigh, placing a hand over her stomach as she sat. They were just about to leave for the High Castle. Sarah had been nauseous all day, and the laces on the bodice of her gown weren't helping. She was breathing heavily, almost panting.
Jareth knelt beside her, taking her hand in his.
"If you are ill, we will not go. I will not risk your health over my father's celebration." He said kissing the back of her hand. She sat for a moment, orienting herself. Once her breathing returned to normal, she shook her head slightly.
"No, we couldn't do that. He went through all that trouble, and every one will be expecting us." She shut her eyes briefly. "I think I can manage, just to make an appearance if nothing else." She said.
"Only if you're sure." He replied softly.
"Let's just go get this over with." She said with a slight smile. Reluctantly, he pulled her from the chair she had been sitting in, securing her firmly to his side. In the next moment, they were gone, leaving behind a shimmering cloud.
The night progressed as expected. Every beautiful creature in the Underground gave their unconditional love and praises to the happy couple. Sarah had to excuse herself on numerous occasions, her body simply couldn't handle all the excitement. Jareth urged that they retire, but Sarah was being stubborn as usual, unwilling to give in to a little nausea.
"Jareth, I'm fine, really." She assured.
"This is the third time you've had to leave. You are clearly not fine." He lectured.
"I just needed some space, I couldn't get any air in there." She refused to let down.
"I will not have you strain yourself." He commanded.
"You haven't even told them about the twins. We can leave after that." She stated.
"Then we will do it now." He said, taking her hand and leading her back into the Ballroom.
Oetheron, and other members of the court were merrily chatting away. Byron had enough sense to keep his distance from the guests of honor, and sought to catch up with his big brother. Byron's gaze grew more aware when he saw the couple in question approaching.
Oetheron turned to face them with a hazy smile.
"My dear boy, and sweet lady! How are you enjoying the festivities?" He asked with joyous laughter.
"It is exceptional." Jareth said, with a strained smile. He wanted nothing more than to tend to his wife in the security of their bedroom. He gave Byron a nod. Sarah smiled from the side, looking as uncomfortable as ever.
"It seems you have a purpose, son?" Oetheron asked, seeing how antsy he was.
"Yes, please forgive me father, but I have an announcement." He said. Oetheron gave him an intrigued stare, and turned away to face the crowd. He lifted his glass in the air and tapped the side. The noise echoed and boomed throughout the hall.
In an instant, the music stopped, and the dancers turned in attention.
"My fellow guests! It seems my son has an announcement to make!" He bellowed to all, turning back to face his son.
Jareth clearly wasn't interested of addressing all of the Underground, not bothering to take his gaze from his father as he spoke.
"Tonight, we celebrate the creation of one child, when we should be celebrating the creation of two." He didn't speak loud or commanding, he chose to simply inform his father. " The next prince, and princess." He added.
The hall was silent, only the people in Jareth's immediate vicinity able to hear what he had just said. The silence shattered with the sound of Oetheron's boisterous exclamations. He whirled around, flailing his arms in a grand gesture.
"Do you hear that? Not a prince or a princess, but a prince and a princess!" He screamed, making sure his voice stretched to every corner of the world. He stopped his rant and pointed to Sarah, ushering her over. He took her by the hand and pulled her close. "Look at my lovely daughter. Truly perfect in every way! You do this realm the highest honor! The fates truly have woven themselves into your very being." She wasn't sure if he was speaking to her, or the crowd. "Such a star falls but only once in a lifetime. Praise the Goblin Queen!" He exclaimed, and the crowd went up in marvelous cheer.
Sarah was getting dizzy from all the excitement. She thanked her father-in-law and drew herself from the crowd. Jareth took her hand with a concerned look and proceeded to lead her from the crowd. Sarah's head was all over the place when they were stopped by an all too familiar face.
"Hello Jareth, I don't believe I've offered my congratulations yet." Came a bouncing voice from the crowd. Sarah tried to focus her eyes, fixing them on the pale figure that blocked their exit.
"Thank you, and for future reference, you will address me as Your Majesty, and my wife as well." He glared at the snarky blonde woman. Her crystal eyes tensed, and a sly sneer curled her lips.
"Of course...Your Majesty." She looked down to Sarah. "Oh my dear, you don't look so well." She said with an over exaggerated frown.
"Excuse me?" Sarah asked, not fully paying attention. The music and riotous sounds of the dance floor were giving her a headache.
"Sarah, you remember Serena?" Jareth asked, trying to mask his concern for her disoriented state.
"Oh, yes. Of course. How could I forget?" She asked with a tired smile. Serena's sneer grew.
"Your wife seems to be out of mind. You really should tend to her. I won't keep you. I merely wanted to offer my praises. Twins is it? Isn't that an interesting development, the two of you seem to have luck chained to your doorstep." Her voice was teasing, but her eyes were a deadly snare.
Jareth felt a burning urge to strike this woman, but was torn from the enticing daydream when he felt Sarah's weight press onto him. He needed to get her home. She could barely stand she was so exhausted.
"Excuse us, Duchess." He said, practically pushing past her and out of the crowd.
Serena's gaze followed them out of the room, as her figure disappeared into the crowd. Once in the hall, Jareth scooped up his Sarah and poofed them back to the castle. He laid her on the bed, removing her dress and replacing it with a light night gown. He then changed into his usual black silk sleep pants.
"I wish you wouldn't be so stubborn precious." He said. She was on the verge of sleep, snuggling into the covers as he crawled in beside her.
"I'll be fine. I'm just really tired." She shrugged in the dark.
"You'll be the death of me." He said into her shoulder.
"I just hope I'm not pregnant for the next three years, for both our sakes." She said with a yawn.
"I'm going to arrange for an attendant to check up on you. You seem to have been developing at an increasing pace the fast few days." He said. He expected some kind of retort, but the fight had been drained out of her.
"Alright." She whispered. "And, I think will take the next...forever days off." She didn't say anything else after that. She'd passed out cold. Jareth smiled into her hair, finally, a battle he'd been able to win.