Chapter 10, Awry
"Will you stay in our lovers story...If you stay you won't be sorry...Because we believe in you..."
A soft hum rolled through Sarah's mind as she started to stir. She tossed her head a bit, reluctant to wake up. She felt something, a pressure on her abdomen. Cracking one eyelid at a time, she waited for her sight to adjust to the morning light. Now fully cognitive, she looked down to see the wild mane of Jareth's hair resting on her stomach.
The low hum continued to float passed her ears. He was singing, something she hadn't heard before.
"What are you singing?" She murmured.
"Just a song." His voice was soft, almost a whisper, as if he might wake their unborn children.
Sarah didn't respond. She was content in taking in the loving family scene they were in. For the first time in weeks, she noticed she wasn't feeling violently ill. A peaceful smile graced her lips as she relaxed into her pillow. She almost drifted back to sleep. Jareth had reverted to humming, but had started grazing his hand along her swollen belly in a sensual caress.
"I can feel them kicking. Can you feel it?" He asked, not moving from his position.
"Yes. With the amount of fighting they're doing now...They're going to be a handful." She gave a weak laugh. He placed the palm of his hand flat against her stomach, searching for movement.
"I would have it no other way. I like a good challenge." He said. Sarah almost snorted.
"You say that now. I've had to take care of my own baby brother, he was only one baby, and still quite a handful." She laughed with the memory. "And he was considered to be an easy baby. I think you'll be in for a run for your money with twin Fae." She teased.
"You underestimate me precious." His tone was low and menacing, but ironically lighthearted.
"I hope so." She replied. They were silent a moment, each lost in their own thoughts.
"How are you feeling this morning?" He asked.
"Better, I don't want to push it though." She said, looking out towards the balcony.
"It shouldn't be much longer. The doctors keep informing me of your progress." He said, while planting kisses along the curve of her stomach.
"That's good." She started to stretch. "I guess that makes me lucky, it's only been a few months." She couldn't imagine going through this for another three years. Hell, she couldn't imagine going through it another five months.
"Yes. It seems the fates were quite...favorable to us." He said. The thought of Sarah and his seemingly perfect life brought back the wave of suspicion and worry he'd been carrying the night before.
"Jareth? Are you alright?" She asked. His body had tensed. His arms stuck around her like a statue, and he stared out the balcony as if he were a million miles away. He cleared his throat, and sat up. He looked anxious.
"Of course. Forgive me, I've lost track of time. I have a lot to do today. I'm sorry my love, but I must go." He said, with a forlorn look in his eyes. He wanted to tell her what had been plaguing him the passed few weeks, but he couldn't. She had enough stress as it was, she didn't need more worries she could do nothing about. No, this was something to be dealt with by a King. She was to be his escape, his peace and serenity, until the world fell down.
He wrapped a hand around the back of her head and pulled her in for a gentle kiss, before rising from the bed to start his day. Sarah watched him scurry about in a fluster, eyeing him heavily. She knew something was up for a while now, but didn't push him. She figured he'd tell her when he was able. After all, he was a King, and she understood that there were somethings she may not be privy to. But enough was enough. Whatever was going on was affecting them both, and it was time she found out what.
"Jareth." She spoke warily. "Would you care to join me for dinner tonight?" She asked. He stopped his rummaging and turned to her.
"Of course my Queen, anything for you." He gave a slight bow. Sarah's expression was stern.
"Good." She said, getting out of the bed and heading over towards the bathroom. "Then you won't mind telling me exactly what the hell is going on with you?" She eyed him intently as she clung to the door.
Jareth had a quick flash of a deer caught in the head lights, before composing his face to its usual charm. He opened his mouth as if to give her some snarky retort, but she cut him off.
"Don't. Don't even think of lying to me. I know something's going on, I'll see you tonight." She said, slipping behind the door.
Jareth continued to dress in silent. He had to give her credit, she knew how to handle him, putting him in a corner the way she had. She was right though, it was time he told her. It might even make him feel better. Only she could make him throw away his pride.
Sarah emerged a short time later, clean and ready for the day. She hadn't felt so energized in weeks. Maybe I'll go out to the gardens today...I could use the fresh air. She thought. No sooner had she made her way across the room did she hear a knock at the door.
"Come in." She called, turning her gaze towards the door as it creaked open. She wasn't surprised when Byron stepped across the threshold, as he did every morning.
"Good morning my dear. I'm glad to see you are feeling well." He said with a grin.
"And good morning to you. Yes, I feel much better today." She said with a warm smile.
"I hope it stays that way my lady." Byron replied.
"Knock on wood." Sarah spat. Byron gave her a curious look.
"Excuse me?" He asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just an expression from Aboveground." She said, shaking her head. Byron looked around for a moment, before raising his arm to tap on the door frame.
"There. What is the purpose of this expression?" He asked, honestly intrigued. Sarah had to laugh.
"You're supposed to knock on wood so you don't unintentionally jinx something." She explained.
"Ah, I see. How interesting." He gave it a moments thought. "So, what does my lady have planned for today?" He asked, not yet moving further into the room. Sarah paced a bit.
"Um, I don't know. Maybe we can go for a walk in the gardens? I haven't been in so long." She said.
"If that is your wish." He said with a slight bow.
Just when Sarah was about to continue, there was a drastic change in Byron's demeanor. His body tensed, and he drew his brow as if he'd come to some dark realization.
"Excuse me, my lady. I will return in one moment." He said, before poofing out of the room.
Jareth had just entered the throne room, still lost in thought over his Sarah. He leaned back into his throne, assuming his usual position. He let out a sigh as he heard the pitter patter of scattering footsteps racing to his side. Rolling his head back, he looked over to the little Goblin bouncing in anticipation.
"And what troubles do you bring me today?" He asked with heavy sarcasm.
"SIre, these!-Are the!-latest!-reports!" The thing screamed between bounces, handing him a small stack of papers.
Jareth took the papers, and dismissed the messenger with a wave of his hand. He scanned through the papers, searching for any clues as to what may be going on. He was about to give up when he spotted something. Ah hah! Finally, something useful! A creeping sneer played across his lips.
Just then, he sent a summons to Byron. A moment later, his uncle appeared before him in a low bow.
"Is something the matter nephew?" Byron asked. Jareth leaned forward in his seat.
"Uncle, I think I've found something. I'd like your thoughts." He said. Byron rose from his position and nodded. "One of my scouts, finally, may have recorded something useful. Here read this." He said, handing a paper to his uncle. "It says that there are reports of shadowy creatures in the outer rim. Some are large and -booming, while others are small and -scrappy? What do you think that means?" He asked.
Byron read over the sentence carefully. Shadowy creatures? What could they be. They're obviously different forms, are they of the same species or are there multiple? His mind processed the possibilities.
"Well, the description of shadowy most likely refers to the location. The outer rim? They must be in the Forest of Mark, which is in the eastern section of the kingdom. There seem to be dramatic changes in form, which means it could be more than one species, or one that varies as Goblins do. The fact that none of your citizens or scouts recognize them must mean that they are not native to your lands. Do you know of any neighboring creatures from the east that have resembling characteristics of Goblins?" He ended the thought with a question. Jareth pondered for a moment, and then a theory came into play.
"Trolls...maybe." He shifted in his seat. "But that doesn't explain this. I've been at peace with the Troll kingdom for...ever. It's quite possible that they are the ones behind all of these strange occurrences, but this is too delicate an issue right now. Tell me, any thoughts?" He asked. Byron was already deep in thought, searching for reasoning behind a possible troll attack.
"The Troll kingdom, is ruled over by the King Cyrus." He stated. Jareth looked up from his thoughts. "His bloodline is subsequent to your fathers is it not?" He asked, waiting for him to catch on.
"Yes..yes, they are the next in line with Alasdair gone. Do you think they would really attempt to usurp the throne? They've never shown any hostility before...I don't want to start a war if there is no call for one." He said warily.
"Majesty, think about it. With Alasdair gone, they are that much closer. The birth of your heir is eminent, the fate of the Underground hangs on the frailty of your mortal Queen. This couldn't be a more opportune moment. I'm not sure if they will have the audacity to attempt true harm on your home, but it is a strong possibility." Byron watched Jareth stew. It was obvious that all of Byron's hypothetical theories were exactly what was going on.
"Do not let Sarah out of your sight. Keep her within the castle walls. Am I understood?" Jareth commanded. Byron's stance tightened, a clear reaction from his military days.
"Of course." Byron answered, vanishing in a cloud of smoke and glitter. Jareth continued to stew, plotting out every possible course of action.
Sarah sat in her chair, awaiting the return of her "guardian". She lazily swept her gaze around the room until her eye landed on something. There was something on the end table adjacent her. It was a piece of paper, a letter of some kind.
She picked it up and unfolded it with interest, it hadn't been there a minute ago.
My Dearest,
I bid you accompany me for lunch in the gardens. I miss the way you glow in the sunlight, and we could both use the fresh air.
Love, Jareth.
Sarah smiled, he hadn't written her a letter like this in a while. She felt a gentle breeze from the balcony, and turned her gaze towards the archway. Soft rays of light broke through the dreary shadows of the room, hinting at the beauty that awaited. She took a deep whiff of the crisp, clean air.
Putting the letter back on the table, she rose from her seat and made her way to the gardens, to meet her husband.
If there was one drawback to the union between Sarah and the Goblin King, it was their undying trust. She never questioned, never had a second thought. In a normal case, this would be a good thing. There should be no reason to question something so small, so- innocent.
She didn't wait for Byron's return, thinking she didn't need him if she going to Jareth. It wasn't quite lunch time yet, but for some reason she felt compelled. She had such an urge, such a desire to be outside, surrounded by flowers. She knew she really should wait, she needed to be protected, but the thought became increasingly distant.
Speaking of which, Byron returned shortly after her departure. The room was empty, for a split second he was confused before going on full alert. He could sense she wasn't in any of the adjoining rooms, and quickly scanned the area. Another gust of air blew through, lifting the piece of parchment from the table and sending it whirling around the room.
Byron caught it between his finger tips and examined it carefully. In the next moment, he headed straight out to the balcony, overlooking the royal gardens. It was silent, and calm. His eyes darted furiously over the scene, but she was gone.