Chapter 19, A Bundle Of Worry

Jareth appeared in his seat at the head of the councilman table in a dramatic display of glitter and smoke, receiving no real reaction from his advisors. A hunched old Goblin cleared his throat, signaling the start of the meeting. Once the smoke had settled, Jareth leaned back in his chair.

"So, what dire news and eminent catastrophe's do you have for me today?" He asked sarcastically. His head advisor grumbled, sorting through a stack of papers.

"There is a continuing draught in the southern village of Farin. Locals have complained of a rather nasty Imp infestation in the north. Aside from that...just a few local laws that seek your approval." The wrinkled man huffed and puffed as he spoke.

"I see. And what are the Council's deliberations on these matters?" He asked around the table. The old Goblin coughed once more.

"We have discovered an old irrigation system in the south. We have produced a bill instituting its renovation with your approval. We have also arranged for a shipment of irulament to the north. That should get rid of the Imps." Jareth listened to the man as he scrolled through impending bills and laws.

"Very good. It seems you already have everything taken care of." He stopped flipping through the papers, looking over his shoulder for Mage.

"Mage, please go find Sarah for me. I'm afraid I left her alone in the dining hall. She does not yet know her way around the castle." She nodded from her corner, turning to leave the room.

Sarah wandered the halls aimlessly, searching for something of interest. The hall was dark, fewer and fewer torches lit the way. She heard the echo of footsteps within the darkness, and paused in her step.

"There you are Lady Sarah, I've been searching everywhere for you!" Exclaimed Mage, stepping from around the corner.

"Mage, you scared me. This castle can be creepy at times." She said, releasing the breath she'd been holding.

"That's just because you've made it to the Queen's wing. This section is relatively cut off." She said, wobbling past Sarah.

"The Queen's wing? Why is it cut off?" She questioned.

"Because there has never been a Queen to use it. The King has his personal rooms, and the Queen has hers." She informed.

"I see. Why does the Queen need private rooms?" Mage almost laughed.

"You didn't think the Queen just lounged about all day did you? In this realm, the Queen has just as much duty as the King." She led Sarah down the corridor, towards the common room.

"Please continue." She urged.

"While the King deals with more legal matters, the Queen deals with more communal issues. It is her job to support the subjects and the land. Pretty much, the Queen tries to solve problems before they reach the importance of being acknowledged by the King, understand?" She tried simplifying it as much as possible.

"So I make less work for the King is what your saying." Mage smirked at her wording.

"Precisely, except that you are not the Queen so these matters do not fall on you." She opened the door leading to the common room.

"Not yet. Though I will be in about three weeks." She commented. Mage stopped for a moment, turning back to look at Sarah.

"Forgive me, I didn't know. I thought His Majesty would have told me he made it official. Sometimes that boy has such a one track mind." She shook her head, angry with herself for her disrespect. Sarah walked past her, taking a seat on a couch next to a fireplace.

"Boy? I didn't know anyone referred to him in that manner." She said, staring at Mage. She walked to the fire pit and took a seat on the floor.

"Yes well, I have been around since he was a boy. I fear I will always see him as such." She admitted.

"Mage, what's your relationship with Jareth? You're obviously not just another servant. It's been puzzling me, that he has you clean his room when he could just poof it clean in an instant." She wondered aloud. Mage looked at her with that old motherly grin of hers.

"I am Jareth's caretaker. Ever since he was born, it has been my job to look out for his wellbeing. I believe ordering me to clean up his messes is his way of telling me I'm still useful." She told her. Sarah smiled at this information. This newly found soft spot in Jareth warmed her heart.

"So you're like his nanny then? He must care a great deal for you, to have you by his side everyday." her warmth radiated the room.

"Yes well, he may be a grown man, but I believe he still needs some guidance from time to time." Normally she would never divulge such information to anyone, but there was something about this girl. Somehow, she knew she could be trusted. She wondered how in the world her King managed to find someone like her. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you come into contact with my King? Did you first meet at the Festival?" She was so curious about her. Aside from Jareth, Sarah was the only person who spoke to her as an equal.

"Oh no, no I've know Jareth a long time." She chuckled. Mage raised a curious brow. "I was a runner. I wished my baby brother away, and I ran the Labyrinth. I ran it, and I beat it- about five years ago." Mage's eyes widened, as realization smacked her in the face.

"You? You're the Champion? The Legendary Runner?" Mage proclaimed, throwing Sarah off a bit.

"Um, yes? That's when I first met him, but I hadn't seen him since until the Festival. I guess things just went from there." Mage was still gaping at her.

"Well it's no wonder then. By the gods I should have known. It all makes sense now." Memories flashed through her head.

"What do you mean?" Sarah was growing concerned with Mage's reaction.

"Sarah, there has only been one Champion of the Labyrinth, only one. I should have known it was you. After the defeat of the Labyrinth, His Majesty was distraught. I had no idea why, I thought it was from merely losing the game but..." She trailed off in thought.

"But what? What happened after I left?" Sarah was worried now, she'd never thought of what had happened after her victory.

"The King, he was not the same. He became cruel, and indifferent. I feared for him, for a long time his soul was dark and his heart was empty. And then there was the Goblin Festival, and everything changed. All these years, I should have known it was you who stole his heart, and that you would be the one to give it back. It is truly a match of fate, you will be a glorious Queen. Like none the realm has ever seen before." Sarah was taken back by her words. Had she really caused him to suffer so? All this time she'd resented and feared him, did she deserve his forgiveness for such turmoil?

"Thank you Mage, that means a lot. I'll do my best to live up to your words." The fire crackled as they sat in silence. "Mage, does Jareth enjoy his job? I mean, the runners, and the children. What does he do with the wished aways, does he even like children?"

"Oh my dear," Mage chuckled. "There is nothing more in either worlds that he enjoys more than children. He treats each wished away as if it were his own, never leaving its side, showering it with affection. You wouldn't know it at first, but he desires nothing more than to be a father."

"I see...Well that's a good quality to have." She said with worry. A dark thought had been plaguing her mind, something she would soon need to confront Jareth about. Seeing her worry, Mage tried to raise her spirits.

"It is a shame Fae have so few children, it may take a hundred years...But as for the wished aways, His Majesty personally sees they are taken in by a loving Fae couple. They then transform into Fae, forgetting whatever life they had Aboveground."

"That's good. He truly has a kind heart, when you get past all the flash and anger." She attempted to kid. The room fell silent again, leaving Sarah with the hum of her worries.

She noticed the dimming light as the sun started to set, and slowly rose from her seat.

"You should probably lead me back to Jareth's room." She waited for Mage to lift herself from the floor.

"Of course." She said, proceeding Sarah into the hall.

Mage left Sarah standing outside the door to the King's chambers. Making her way back had taken longer than she thought, it was now fully dark out. She slowly opened the door and peered inside. She found Jareth in his sleep pants, pulling a white night shirt over his head. She took in the view before he realized she was there.

"There you are. I was worried I'd kept you too long, but apparently you were able to keep busy." He said, walking across the room towards her. She quietly closed the door behind her, leaning into it slightly. "My darling, you look exhausted." He stood in front of her now, cupping her face in his hand. "I was planning on ravishing you the second you entered but...I have something else in mind."

Although she was disappointed she would no longer be ravished, he was right. She hadn't realized how tired she was until now. He brought her away from the door, and towards the bathroom. The tub was already filling when they entered.

He slowly undid the laces of her dress, carefully removing each individual article of clothing. She stood before him, completely exposed, wrapping her arms to cover herself. She couldn't help still being a little shy around him. Jareth smiled down at her. He gently scooped her up and lowered her into the water. He then removed his own clothing and joined her in the tub.

He took her hand and pulled her to him, turning her around so she rested in his lap. He moved her hair from her back and began to gently wash her shoulders. She relaxed immensely from his soothing touch.

"I can't tell you how badly I wanted to do this the night I brought you to Lake Aria." He whispered into her ear.

"Lake Aria? You mean the cottage?" She asked, sinking into him.

"Heh, yes. It is called Lake Aria." He answered, continuing to wash and massage her back.

"That's a beautiful name." She mumbled.

"Yes it is." He hummed, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

She closed her eyes, and laid back against him, snuggling into his chest. They were quiet for some time, Jareth silently massaging Sarah's body, while she basked in the comforting pleasure of it. After a moment he stopped.

"Sarah," He paused before continuing. "I want you to know, even if I wasn't being forced into marriage, I would have still asked you to be my Queen." She caressed his thigh below the water, though there was nothing sexual about it.

"I love you Jareth. I think I have for a long time, maybe I always have." She spoke just over a whisper.

"And I you." He whispered back. "And like you, have only been able to admit it most recently." He said with a soft laugh. "Come, I think it's time for bed."

He pulled her from the tub, drying her off with a fluffy towel and redressing her in one of his night shirts. She then dried him, but allowed him to dress himself in his own night garments. Once again, he scooped her up and brought her to the bed. Gently, he laid her down and crawled under the covers beside her. Firmly secured under his arm, she rested her head on his chest. Enjoying the rise and fall of each breath, she felt the faint tugs of sleep pulling her away. Jareth let out a deep sigh as he to started to drift.

"Jareth?" She whispered.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Do you get a lot of runners?" She asked. He shifted slightly.

"Not many anymore. There used to be two or three a month, now maybe one a year. It's a shame, I quite enjoy it." He said.

"Enjoy what?" She asked. He smiled into nothing.

"The thrill. The slight change of routine. And well...the children of course."

"Do all Fae love children this much or is it just you?" She wondered.

"We all feel the need to reproduce. But I like to think my affections are unique. that's what makes me so good at my job. That is the very reason I ascended to this throne." He stated proudly, not sensing Sarah's discomfort.

"Jareth, I read in one of your books, something about Seventh Law." His attention became more serious as she spoke. "It said the law was designed solely to prompt reproduction. Does that mean..." She was cut off when he sat up suddenly.

"Sarah." She was forced to look up at him. "I would not join myself to you with the intention of breeding you dry." The notion had been worrying her greatly all day. "If, and when we have a child, it will be a result of our love and nothing else." She could only nod, keeping her emotions locked behind watery eyes.

He held her face in his hands, kissing her forehead as she let her fears escape her.

"You shouldn't worry my love, we have all of forever." He whispered into her hair.

"That's not long at all." She replied into his chest.