Chapter 18, A Feeling of Angst
Sarah and Mage were busy wandering through the Queen's gardens when they heard an ear piercing screech.
"What the hell is that noise? Is that- is that an eagle?" Sarah asked, peering into the sky at the dark figure circling them. Mage stood stone still.
The sunlight stung her eyes as she tried to focus on the creature. It was getting bigger, actually, it was coming right at her. She took a step back and watched as the dark feathers of the eagle turned to flowing waves of fabric. After a twirling magical moment the High King stood in front of her.
"What the-" She mumbled before feeling s sharp jab from Mage. She looked down at her, seeing her dipped into a low bow. Sarah then looked straight ahead, realizing who it must be. With a look of surprise, she gave a clumsy bow. "Please, um, forgive me Your Majesty."
The King gave a kind smile, and a low rumble of laughter rose from his chest.
"There is no need for you to bow to me Lady Sarah. And please, call me Oetheron." He said, taking her hand and pulling her from her bow. Once she was straightened he gave his own bow. Mage was dumbfounded.
Sarah was unsure of what to say next, choosing to let him take the lead. Oetheron saw her discomfort and smiled.
"I was on my way to see my son when I happened to gaze upon such a lovely vision. It seems the Gods grant me luck this day." His tone was lovingly charming. Sarah tried to hold back her laughter
"Oh, I definitely know where Jareth gets it from." She chuckled, pulling her hand from his and urging Mage to straighten herself up. "If you're looking for Jareth, I don't know where he is." She shrugged.
"Truth be told, I was hoping to find you first my dear." He purred.
"And why is that?" She asked curiously.
"I wanted my first encounter with you to be unhindered by my sons overprotective eye." He spoke oh so charmingly.
"I see, and why would you desire an encounter with me?" She played, still a bit wary.
"Why because you are soon to be a daughter of mine of course! I saw the way he danced with you at my Ball. I knew he would crumble if he didn't preserve your place in this realm, I can only be thankful I was able to warn him in time." He was so eccentric with every gesture.
"So, Jareth didn't know about the time constraint?" She asked.
"No, I myself only found out a few days ago, I told him you had about two more days. Apparently he pulled through, he is indeed a son of mine." He cheered.
"Yes he certainly is." She replied merrily. He offered her his arm with a broad grin.
"Come my dearest, I'm sure whatever my son is doing he can make time for us." She took his arm with a light laugh. The three vanished from the garden, reappearing just outside the throne room door. She could hear the chatter and squabbles of Goblins from inside the room. Oetheron put a finger to his lips. "Shh, we don't want to disturb his court now do we?" He snickered. They slowly entered the throne room, and immersed into the crowd.
Jareth was still lounging in his throne, listening to complaints and demands of his subjects. He groaned from boredom. Swaying his leg back and forth, he wondered what Sarah was doing. The thought of her gave him new life. A wicked smile played across his face with dark and devious thoughts.
"I wonder what he's thinking about." Whispered Oetheron. Sarah laughed and squeezed his arm.
"How is it he doesn't see us? we don't exactly fit in with a bunch of knee high Goblins." She asked.
"Isn't it obvious? We're hiding." He replied with charismatic flare.
All of the sudden Mage was at Jareth's side. She was absolutely frantic, trying to tell him something.
"Sire! Sire!" She screamed.
"Yes, what is it?" He snapped.
"It's Sarah and-" He turned to her sharply, rage starting to burn in his eyes. "your father. The High King, he's here!" She cried.
"What! What are you talking about? Where is Sarah?" He commanded.
Sarah and Oetheron watched with amusement, as the little goblin bounced and Jareth flailed in frustration. They watched as Jareth drew close to the little woman. Her arm extended towards the crowd, soon followed by Jareth's sweeping eyes. No sooner had his eyes locked onto their location, Sarah found herself falling.
She landed in Jareth's lap with a thud. The room went silent as the Goblins watched a woman fall out of the sky.
"Sarah? What in the bloody hell!" Jareth roared. Sarah laughed like a five year old, wrapping her arms around him.
"Glad to see you too." She giggled.
"Sarah, what is going on?" He demanded. She could only snicker.
"Jareth, you sound so thrilled. Aren't you glad to see me?" Oetheron jeered from behind the throne.
"What? Father? Is this any way to present yourself?" He lifted Sarah from his lap, placing her in his throne as he stood. "All of you get out!" He screamed, within seconds the room was empty.
Jareth's eyes were blazing, clearly he didn't like surprises.
"Relax dear boy. It's only harmless fun." Jareth was forced to suppress his anger, although Oetheron was his father, he was still the High King of the Underground. Sarah sat in in Jareth's throne, while his father leaned against it. Jareth could only stare at them both.
"What brings you here father? I would introduce you to the lady Sarah, but it seems you've already met." He struggled to keep his tone level.
"I've come to congratulate you! And to meet your lovely bride." He gestured to Sarah, who merely smiled. Jareth eyed him suspiciously.
"Yes, she is a spectacle." He stated.
"Oh she's more than that I'm sure. I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers son, I'm just hear to inform you of the dinner I've arranged in your honor. Tomorrow night, I trust you'll be there?" He quirked an eyebrow.
"Of course. We both appreciate your generosity." He eyed Sarah with a slight bow. Oetheron looked for her confirmation, receiving an affirmative nod.
"Wonderful! I'll keep you no longer. My dearest star, it has been an honor to meet you. I look forward to your graces tomorrow evening. Until then." He echoed, vanishing in a signature cloud.
Jareth paced, running his hand through his hair. Sarah watched with concern.
"I get the feeling you don't like your father very much." Sarah said. He stopped his pacing and looked at her.
"He is a very powerful and dangerous Fae. Everything about him is seductive and manipulative. He is ancient yet careless and rash." He ranted. "And he's just so damn eccentric. It's obnoxious." He calmed himself down, his voice relaxing a bit.
"Kind of like you." She replied. He sent her a murderous glare. "Oh stop. I think you're more alike than you care to admit." She lectured.
"Careful pet." He warned. She decided to change the subject.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your business, would you like me to leave so you can get back on track?" She ran her hands along the arms of the chair.
"No. No, they won't be coming back for some time. Would you care to join me for a late lunch?" He reached for her hand.
"Finally, I'm starving." She hopped up from the throne.
"You mean you haven't eaten all day? I thought I told Mage to take care of you." He teased, pulling her into him.
"It's not her fault. She was taking me on a tour of the grounds. I wasn't really thinking about eating." He smiled down at her.
"You'll have to tell me of your exploits. I trust you're enjoying your day?" He led her towards a doorway at the other end of the room.
"I'd say it's just peachy." Jareth chuckled at her banter.
After some weaving through the castle, they entered the dining hall. It was extremely large and open. The only thing in the room was an excessively long dining table. As they walked to one end of the table, she couldn't help but notice the lonely echo of their footsteps.
Jareth pulled out a chair for Sarah, allowing her to sit before pushing it in. He sat perpendicular to her at the head of the table. She looked around, observing her surroundings while Jareth beaconed one of the Goblins. She waited until the furry creature scampered off before speaking.
"This room is so large and empty. It's a bit eerie." She turned her gaze to him.
"Well, we are the only ones here at the moment love." He said while conjuring a crystal.
"What's that for?" She asked. He gave a satisfied smirk.
"This." He replied.
With a flick of his wrist he tossed the crystal, watching it roll down the center of the table. Sarah gaped as an entire buffet unrolled in the crystal's path.
"I certainly hope you're hungry." He mused.
"Is there anything magic can't do?" Sarah beamed. Jareth started putting together a plate.
"Very little my love." He said while handing her her plate.
"Thank you." She said right before plowing into her meal. Jareth on the other hand, ate his meal light and proper.
"So tell me about you day, precious." He spoke. She paused the destruction of her helpless meal to answer him.
"Well, I reorganized your bookcase." Jareth raised a curious eyebrow at her.
"Really? That must have been a daunting task, why ever would you engage in such an activity?" He was quite curious as to why she would bother with such a thing. He wasn't used to having people rummage through his belongings. He felt as though he should be angry with her; strangely, no such feelings emerged.
"I was eyeing it earlier, and when you left I decided to maybe read through some of them. I just couldn't stand how out of place everything was, so I figured I'd organize it for you. Just a bit of an OCD thing I guess." She waved her hand casually.
"I see, and did you find anything of interest?" He said between bites.
"Um, kind of. Just some books on different creatures, and some of the laws of the Underground. I feel I should try to educate myself on the place I will be living for the rest of my life." She poked at the strange vegetables in front of her.
"My dear, you could have just asked me. I'm sure it is within my ability to educate you to the fullest extent." He said with a charming sneer.
"I have no doubt. But I need something to do when you're away, and it seems learning the life and law of the Underground is the furthest thing from my mind when you are around." She gave him a playful smile.
"Point taken, pet." She was right, he would much rather engage in more physical activities than teach her social studies. He didn't bother mentioning how busy the duties of the Goblin Queen would keep her.
"So, this dinner tomorrow." She said after a moment. Jareth gave her his attention. "Is there anything I should know? Anything I should do or not do?" She was nervous.
"Well," He started saying, placing his fork down. "I don't wish to worry you, but I don't want to surprise you either. This dinner, as my father puts it, is not a dinner. It is our engagement party, and if you thought the Ball was something, well..." He trailed off. " I can tell you this, every supernatural being of worth in the Underground will be there. And they will be there for you." He saw the worry in her eyes, and leaned to her slightly. "Your charms have already conquered one kingdom, just be yourself my love, everything will be fine." He said, squeezing her hand.
They continued their meal in pleasant conversation. Goblins gathered at the door, curious as to all the commotion coming from the dining hall. They laughed and laughed, lost in each other's bliss. They stayed long after their plates were empty, swapping tales and ideology from previous lives. Jareth never imagined how wonderful it was to simply talk to someone.
Sarah giggled and teased, commenting on his outrageous stories. In their daze, they slowly made there way closer to one another. They were leaning over the table, each resting their jaw in their hand, smiling like there was no tomorrow.
The Goblins were now peeking through the doorway, spying on the strange behavior of their King. They had started creeping through the doorway, enthralled by their own curiosity.
Their laughter started to fade as they gazed at one another. When their breathing had settled, he leaned in slowly, giving her a heartwarming kiss. His smile lingered as he pulled his lips away from hers. His clouded eyes bore into hers, only a few inches apart. His finger twirled around a stand of her hair, bringing his thumb to caress the line of her jaw and chin. His boyish grin never faltered.
Sarah blushed from the sudden intimacy of the moment, and turned away slightly. It was then that she noticed the dozen eyes gawking at her.
"Um, Jareth?" She asked. The concern in her voice drew him from his hazed state. He looked around the room and saw it was littered with nosy Goblins.
"Whoever does not wish to be bogged best be out of my sight within the next three seconds." He commanded, trying to mask his rage with sheer authority.
As the small hoard of Goblins made their way out of the room, little Mage struggled to enter. She approached a now annoyed Jareth with a submissive bow. He glared at her from the corner of his eye.
"Your Majesty, the Council convenes. They await your arrival." She looked up from her position, glancing at the slender finger that was stroking her Kind's hand.
"Thank you Mage. I will be there momentarily." And with that she took her leave.
Jareth waited until she exited the room before speaking.
"It seems I am being forced away from you yet again my love." He said, kissing her hand.
"As long as you are mine when the sun sets." Jareth gave her hand another kiss, smiling as he did so.
"I am yours any time of the day." He purred, leaving a trail of soft kisses up her arm.
He stopped once he reached her neck. The feeling of his breath on her skin made her tremble. She tilted her head to give him better access. He sensed the stir within her, and a low heat rumbled through him. Ever-so-gently, he planted teasing nips and kisses along neck, taking in the way her back arched with each touch.
His hand made its way under her dress to caress her thigh. She spread her legs slightly for him. With each caress his hand rose higher and higher up her leg. He let his fingers briefly brush against her folds, sending a sudden jolt of pleasure up her spine. She started moaning as he let himself feel her further.
Waiting until she was dripping wet from his slightest touch, he slipped one of his long fingers inside of her. He dragged his teeth across her skin, licking and nipping a trail to the other side of her neck. Once he was firmly latched on he slid another finger inside her.
The rhythm of his hand set her on fire. She started moving with him, her soft moans echoing in the hall. Just when she was about to throw him down on the table he stopped. He pulled his hand and mouth away from her, giving her a seductive sneer as he licked his fingers.
"I'll see you when the sun sets." He said with a snarky banter, before going up in a cloud of sparkles.
Sarah sat alone, all disheveled and panting. She was a bit confounded, and all riled up.