Chapter 20, Guile
Sarah awoke the next morning to the sound of chirping birds and the piercing rays of bright morning light. She sat up, stretching her arms. Arms which plopped down to the bed when she saw she was alone again. She huffed, looking around before crawling out of bed. Still a bit groggy, she sat in a chair beside the fire.
There was a delicate white flower on the end table next to her. When she reached for it, she found a folded piece of parchment underneath it.
My Lovely Morning Star,
I fear I must leave you yet again, duty beacons me early this day. I tried to bid you far well, but you would not stir. I've instructed Mage to start lessons on the ways of the Underground. I bid you a wonderful day, and remember, I will always be yours when the sun sets.
-Jareth
P.S.- I've brought you a gift. I hope you like it.
She laughed to herself, taking a whiff of the strange flower. Always so charming. She thought, setting the note back on the table. She sat for a bit, warming her feet against the fire. It wasn't long until Mage entered.
"My Lady Sarah, glad to see you're finally up. I trust you had a good nights rest?" She asked. Sarah turned to her.
"Yes, apparently I slept like a rock." She joked.
"With good reason." Mage quirked.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"A woman has never been in the company of the King for so many nights in a row. I do clean up after him, I can only assume..." She trailed off, wanting to keep things proper. Sarah's eyes widened and her face reddened with embarrassment. She started waving her hands in front of her.
"Oh, no, no. Nothing like that. I just had a lot on my mind last night, and it tired me out." Mage raised a curious brow at her, but let it go.
"Well then, moving on. have you had your bath yet Sarah?" She said, changing subjects.
"No, I only just woke up. What time is it?" The sun didn't seem very high, and there was still a morning chill in the air.
"About eight o' clock." Mage replied. Sarah gave her a look of disbelief.
"Are you serious? That's considered sleeping in for you people? What time did Jareth get up?" She was about to crawl back into bed for another two hours.
"He usually rises with the sun, around five-thirty. Though he does not usually start his rounds until nine or so. He was called away to deal with a dispute this morning, however." She headed towards the bathroom to start the water.
"Jesus, there's no way I could get up that early everyday." She too got up and walked towards the bathroom. Noticing a small trinket box on the dresser, she stopped and placed the note inside it. Once in the bathroom to turned to Mage. "Thank you Mage. I think I can handle it from here." Gesturing around the bathroom.
"As you wish." She said, backing out of the room.
Sarah emerged sometime later clean as a whistle. Mage was waiting patiently in a chair next to the fire, surrounded by books. Sarah walked over to her, a bit perplexed.
"I find I owe you thanks. Your organization with the bookcase is marvelous. I was able to find everything we need." Mage said. Sarah took a seat next to her.
"What do we need books for?" Sarah asked.
"Why for our lessons! Have you forgotten already?" She bellowed. Sarah sat, and scratched her head. Her stomach started to grumble. "Oh, yes. Not before breakfast though. His Majesty made it clear not to forget to feed you this time my lady." Her tone was unusually cheerful.
"Mage? Is there something I should know about?" Sarah had never seen her act so genuinely cheerful.
"Excuse me? Oh, no. I'm just in a particularly good mood. No reason to fret." Mage wasn't about to give away the information she had just attained. She'd let her find out on her own. Sarah could only raise a questioning eyebrow.
"Alright...So, these lessons then. Where do we start?" Sarah diverted from her original confusion.
"We start with this." She answered. Almost immediately, a cart rolled into the room carrying an assortment of fruits and breads. "I told you, breakfast first." Sarah didn't wait for permission.
After breakfast, the two spent the next few hours going through the basic fundamentals of Underground law. They discussed everything from lower courts to the royal lineage. Mage never took her eyes from her. Sarah was growing uncomfortable with the strange yet warming look Mage was giving her.
"So, Jareth is an only child? And his parents, they've been in charge for...oh wow, a very long time." Sarah scrolled through the worn pages of the royal family tree. "Does that mean he's the only heir? Are there other royal families?" She looked to Mage.
"There is one other heir in the royal family. If both should die, the throne will fall to the next prominent bloodline." Sarah sat in thought. So, this Seventh Law is more important than just Jareth needing a wife. If he doesn't get married and have a child, and god forbid something should happen...His entire family could lose the throne. As if there wasn't enough pressure...
Mage looked at the clock in the corner of the room, slamming her book shut in a panic.
"Oh my dear!" She exclaimed.
"What?" Sarah asked
"Look at the time! We need to get you ready!" She jumped up, scrambling for Sarah's hand.
"For what!" Sarah shouted, a bit amused with her fluster.
"Why for the King's dinner of course!" Sarah looked for the clock, it was already six.
"Have we really been sitting here all day?" Sarah asked confounded. Mage pulled her from her seat and led her towards the armoire.
"It would seem so my lady." She answered.
"Mage, I don't know what to wear." Sarah said, opening the doors to the armoire.
Hanging from the rack was a single hanger, and on the hanger was a new dress. She thought she should be getting used to this by now, but it still took her breath away. It was white, with a shinning silver design. It was simple, full length, and long sleeved with a straight neckline. It was tightly fitted, with buttons on the wrists and up the back. It was thick, made of layers of a dense and heavy fabric. She took the dress from the hanger and saw there was something else in the closet. She then took out a very luxurious looking fur boa.
"Mage? Why do I need this?" It was heavy, and soft. She wondered what kind of fur it was.
"Because it's going to snow tonight." Came a deep voice from behind her. She whipped around to see Jareth looming over her. "I can't wait to see you dressed tonight. Though, I had thought you would be ready by now." He gave Mage an implying eye.
"Wait, you said it's going to snow? It's like seventy-five out! How could you know that?" She exclaimed.
"As yourself once said, my father has an eccentric flare. What could be more dramatic than a flurry in the middle of summer?" He mused. Sarah shook her head slightly.
"Alright then...Get out so I can change." She stated.
"You dare give orders to the King?" He warned.
"Unless you prefer me to show up dressed in worn tights and one of your night shirts?" She warned back.
"I prefer you dressed in nothing at all my pet." His tone was dark and seductive. He ran a finger through her hair. "The next time I show up, I'm presenting you in whatever state of dress you happen to be in." He said, poofing in a cloud of glitter. She stuck her tongue out at the shimmering smoke.
Sarah dressed in record time, not wanting to bet against Jareth's claim. Her face was pale and glowing. She wore very little makeup, just enough to make sure she made an impression. As she looked in the mirror, trying to decide what to do with her hair, Mage snapped her fingers.
Sarah's hair went from wavy and frazzled to ice smooth and pin straight. It was parted perfectly down the middle, and held a shine worthy of the stars. Sarah stood back and looked at herself.
"I look like that elf from Lord of the Rings." She mumbled.
"Excuse me, lady Sarah?" Mage asked. Sarah looked herself over once more, making sure everything was in place.
"Oh nothing. We should probably get going." She said.
"Finally." Came Jareth's voice. Sarah twirled around to see him lounging on a couch.
"When did you get here?" She asked, a bit startled by his sudden appearance.
"What if I said I never left?" He rose and walked over to the mirror she was standing in front of and situated his own ensemble.
Sarah took the opportunity to give him a good once over. He was wearing tight grey pants, similar to the ones she saw him in while running the Labyrinth. He had a white fluffy shirt covered in a midnight blue velvet coat. He wore his trademark black gloves. He had a white collar, with his signature horned pendant in the center. His boots were the same midnight blue as his coat. Lost in her daze, she didn't notice him turn to her.
"One more thing, Elves are dreadful, uncivilized creatures. Don't ever refer yourself to one again." He said, placing the necklace he'd given her around her neck. "Perfect." Was all he said, as he looked upon her.
"Jareth? If this is your seal, then what is the pendent you always wear?" She'd never thought about it before. He just smiled.
"The owl is my seal as Goblin King. What you are referring to, my dear, is the High sigil, my families royal crest. You'll get to wear one soon enough, don't worry." He teased.
"I see. Shall we get going then?" She offered him her arm. He locked his arm in hers, staring into her eyes as they vanished; leaving Mage to clean up the sparkles.
They materialized outside the door to the ballroom at the High castle. Sarah was a little confused, and turned to him.
"I thought you said it would be snowing, I figured that meant we'd be outside." She looked to him for an answer.
"I assure you, there will most definitely be snow." He snickered.
Suddenly, they heard trumpets start to play. A bowling ball of anxiety dropped in Sarah's stomach. Jareth sensed her nervousness and stroked her hand.
"Don't be nervous. This is for you, just enjoy yourself." She tried to control her breathing.
"Easy for you to say. You're a handsome, powerful, charismatic King who knows and commands the respect of all these people. Who am I? Just some mortal about to take what I'm sure all those lovely Fae women have been trying to get their hands on for, oh I don't know, a few hundred years?" She rambled. Jareth could only laugh.
"Who are you, Sarah Williams? You are the Champion of the Labyrinth, soon to be Goblin Queen, and above all, the holder of my heart. All those Fae women, may have been after the crown, but nothing more. You have power. Power to make kingdoms crumble, something none of them will ever possess. You have the power of love, never forget that." She was about to kiss him when a loud and annoying voice started to wail.
"Introducing, the High Prince of the Underground Jareth, and Champion of the Labyrinth, the Lady Sarah!" The voice screamed.
Just then, the doors started to open. Jareth straightened his back in a firm stance, Sarah took his lead. She felt a cool burst of air nip at her skin as the door opened, slowly revealing the most beautiful spectacle she had seen yet.
The ballroom was not as she remembered. It was about five times the size than it was the first time she'd been there. And it was snowing. They were most definitely indoors, she was sure she was staring at a ceiling. Even more peculiar was the fact that there were no clouds. Snow was falling out of thin air, gliding in a graceful flurry.
"Jareth, this is beautiful." She whispered.
"I thought you would like it." He whispered back, leading them into the ballroom.
They were met by Oetheron and Linae at the base of the staircase leading to the dance floor. Sarah smiled to them both. Oetheron smiled before turning to the crowd.
"My friends! Give me your attention for this moment, I have an announcement." His voice echoed throughout the room. "There has been a royal engagement!" That statement certainly caught everyone's attention. "My son, is getting married." He said, placing his hand on Jareth's shoulder. "To none other, than this beautiful young woman." He took Sarah's hand, displaying her to the crowd. She felt hundreds of eyes on her. She was growing extremely uncomfortable. "I introduce the newest member of my family. I give you, your new High Princess, Sarah!" He praised, and the crowd went up in cheer. Sarah couldn't believe it, there was no way all these people were that ecstatic about a human taking the throne.
Jareth took Sarah's other hand and give it a kiss in a grand bow. He lingered in this submissive position, displaying his honor and devotion to his Queen. When he rose, he gave his father a nod. He nodded back, allowing him to take her away.
He walked her into the center of the crowd, holding her hand high in his for all to see. She was extremely anxious, now surrounded by judging eyes. They moved away aas they walked, making a path lined with strage faces. Once in the center of the dance floor, Jareth wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her to him as they started to dance. It was slow, and soothing, an attempt to calm her down. She tore her gaze from the crowd and looked to him. He was already staring bacl. He wanted to make it clear to her, and to all others, that he had eyes for no other, that he saw no other. A small circle formed around them. Everyone watched as they danced. One by one couples started to join the circle.
"See, this isn't so bad." He said to her, never taking his eyes from hers.
"Yea, I guess you're right. I just can't help thinking not everyone is as happy for you as they appear." She gave him a weak smile.
"Well of course they're not. I'm sure most of them can't stand the sight of us." He spoke casually, correcting himself when he saw the frown on Sarah's face. "Don't be upset precious, it is expected of them. But, they know better than to show you any level of disrespect. If it helps, my father is genuinely exultant by the fact." He smiled down at her, spinning her about.
"He certainly seems it." Her heart lightened just a tad.
"His blessing will make this a lot easier for the both of us. In fact, he was the one to push it." He admitted.
"Yes, he told me something about that." Jareth gave her a questioning eye. He didn't like his father going around behind his back, especially with Sarah.
"What did he tell you love?" He tried not to sound interrogating.
"That he was the one to warn you about my time constraint, and that he was happy he was able to tell you in time." She answered, batting her eyes innocently.
"That's all he said? I'm surprised he didn't sugar coat it a little more. After all, he very well saved my life." He lifted her up and spun them around.
"What?" She asked, suspended in mid air.
"I'm sure you've learned that a Fae may only fall in love once." Sarah watched him intently.
"Um, yea. That's why you're all so horny, the whole physical over emotional pleasure thing." She responded.
"Very true love." He laughed at her choice of phrase. "But to be more specific. A Fae may only love once, and the possible tragedy from losing their one and only love becomes just that." She gave him a puzzled look. "Once a Fae feels love, they can not live without it. If the connection is ever severed, they will die." He placed her hand on his shoulder, and continued to dance.
"So, you can literally die of a broken heart?" She became very worried, all the sudden he seemed so fragile. Or rather, she was fragile. If something ever happened to her, Jareth would die.
"It is a price I am willing to pay, for just one minute with you." He said, holding her to him. A thought ran through her mind.
"So, when you said he saved your life...you mean you loved me then, and he knew as well...So he did all this to ensure your safety, not necessarily because he approves of me. It was either marry me or lose his only heir." She rambled. He saw how upset she was getting, and held her tighter.
"Perhaps. I told you he was manipulative. But none the less, he is happy for us, and he likes you. I can tell." He placed a kiss on the crown of her head.
"And what of your mother? I haven't even been introduced yet." She asked.
"You shouldn't concern yourself with my mother. She is daft and inane. She'll consider you blessed to merely stand in her presence." Jareth spoke with agitation. She could see he had issues with her. She thought this was may be why he was so close to Mage. She looked away from him in thought.
"Fae don't have the emotional connections to family that humans do." He tried to assure her. He didn't need her pity.
"And what of you?" She asked him.
"I've always thought of myself as...rebellious." He said with a laugh. She gave a light huff, leaning her head on his chest.
"Thank you, by the way. For the gift I mean, this dress is beautiful." She spoke softly.
"The dress is not your gift, but I am glad you like it." He said.
"Then what is my present?" She looked up at him.
"This." He said, taking a small box from his coat pocket. "I know in your world it is customary for the male to offer his intended a ring of some sort. I felt it only necessary." Meeting her gaze with a smile, he took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. His smile grew larger. "Perfect." She tore her gaze from him to look at her hand.
It was a large yellow stone, and shone like the sun. Surrounding it were tiny diamonds. Her eyes widened when she realized the band itself was made of an assortment of different sized diamonds. She couldn't even fathom how much something like this would be worth Aboveground. Tears started to swell in her eyes.
"Jareth, this is absolutely beautiful. You didn't have to." She looked up at him with a smile. "What kind of stone is this?" She asked.
"It's a yellow diamond. They remind me of you." He raised her chin to look her in the eyes. "There will be no tears this night my love. I have much more to offer you than a sparkling rock, but I am pleased you like my gift." He gave her a loving grin.
"Like it? I love it. This is all such a fairy tale." She pushed back happy tears.
"Fairy tales don't exist in this world. Here, it's just the events of the day." He joked, giving her a gentle kiss. They hardly got to savor the moment, before they were interrupted.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty." Came a familiar voice. "Pardon my intrusion, I merely want to offer my congratulations." They turned to see Alasdair's wicked smile beaming onto them. Sarah gave him a cruel glare.
"Why thank you, cousin." Jareth was forced to give him good fortune.
"It seems my charms are no match for yours, you must teach me dear cousin." He annunciated. Jareth reigned in his anger. How dare he! He really has the audacity to approach me, and my bride after such events? And to accuse me of using spells? In her presence? How dare he insult her intelligence in such a manner.
"It had nothing to do with my charm, it was Sarah who won my heart of her own accord." He gave Alasdair a warning eye. Alasdair's eyes quickly darted from Sarah back to Jareth. A slight smirk graced his lips.
"I see...How positively...intriguing." He looked Jareth in the eye with a sardonic grin. Tension was flaring between the two, when an aberrant woman latched onto Alasdair's arm.
She was pale, and blonde. She was extremely thin, and positively annoying.
"There you are Alasdair, I've been looking for you every where." She stumbled into him. She acted as if she were drunk, but Sarah thought otherwise. "Oh, Your Majesty, I didn't see you. How wonderful it is, the prospect of marriage I mean." She didn't give Sarah one look.
"Serena." Was all Jareth said. He gestured towards Sarah, raising her hand in his.
"Ah, yes! This must be the lucky mortal. I can't tell you how many women would kill to be in your position." Her voice bounced in a most irritating manner, and her nose was as high as she could reach.
"Serena, this is the Lady Sarah, my future Queen." Jareth pulled her to the center of Serena's view, forcing her to look upon Sarah. "Sarah, this is Lady Serena. She is a Duchess of the Troll Kingdom." He eyed Serena and Alasdair cautiously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Sarah said, bowing slightly. Serena didn't try to hide her sneer. When Sarah rose, she quickly recovered with a grin. Alasdair took Serena's arm.
"Come, we should keep them no more. They have much to celebrate." He said to her. He then gave the couple a bow reaching for Sarah, and to much of Jareth's dislike, placed a friendly kiss upon her hand. No one noticed the golden string that slithered from the stitching of his glove, into the sleeve of Sarah's dress.
"Ta, Ta!" Serena cheered with a wave as they disappeared into the crowd. After she was sure they were gone, she turned to Jareth.
"I don't like them." Sarah muttered, scanning the crowd.
"It seems they will be bothering each other now." Jareth said, pulling her back into the dance.
They spent the rest of the night being confronted by member after member of the court. They would give there congratulations, and Jareth would introduce Sarah, and they would each offer their admirations. She tried to remember who each person was, and what position they held, but was slowly overwhelmed. After a few hours of meet and greet, they gave up. Choosing instead, to enjoy the party that was meant for them. They ate and drank and laughed, ignoring all those who tried to distract them. When they were both feeling light on their feet, they decided for one last dance.
They were clumsy, laughing along with one another. Their foreheads pressed against each other as they moved, needing the extra balance. The two lovers giggled, whispering sweet nothings with little kisses as the world faded around them.
"Would you look at them. I've never seen him look like that." Linae said to her husband.
"You mean happy? Of course you haven't, he's in love." Oetheron replied.
"I don't like this, it's far to dangerous." She waved a disapproving hand at them.
"It's too late, nothing can be done. Would you prefer him dead?" He retorted.
"Winding up dead is what worries me." She huffed.
"She's already begun the change, she'll be Fae soon enough." He looked to his wife.
"I suppose you're right. I still don't understand your infatuation with mortals, it's beneath us." She grumbled. Oetheron became stiff, this was a topic she brought up all too often.
"Our kind started out as a single human. They are the same as us, I only free their inner magic. You would be wise to embrace it after all these years. My will is law." He became dark and commanding. She didn't respond, choosing to look once more upon her son.
"I have spoken with the girl. She has a strong will, and a wise heart. I believe she to be his match, and will make a fine Queen." He stopped speaking after that, watching the two dance and stumble to their own beat.
"I feel like I'm floating." Sarah said to Jareth.
"Maybe you are." He replied.
"How long have we been dancing? I can't even feel my legs anymore." She giggled. Jareth dipped down and scooped her up in his arms with one swoop.
"Then perhaps it is best we take a break. I believe your lovely legs need tending." He teased, rubbing his nose against hers. They were gone before anyone noticed.
They appeared in midair, falling onto the bed back in Jareth's castle. They laughed, rolling around in an loving embrace. She drew her head back in laughter, when he started kissing her neck.
"And what do you think you're doing?" She asked sarcastically.
"Kissing you" He mumbled into her neck.
"I thought you were going to tend my legs." She said with a hazy smile. The room was spinning slightly
"I am. But first, I'm going to make the rest of you numb." He'd made his way into her cleavage.
"I feel kinda dizzy." She said.
"Me too." His face was suddenly level with hers, as he pulled her dress down her body. When the hell did he undo the back of my dress? She wondered. Maybe I drank more than I thought.
He started to pull the dress from her completely, stumbling when he got to her feet, apparently he'd drank more than he thought as well. Once she was free of the dress, he removed his jacket and fell on top of her, kicking his boots off along the way.
She felt her way under his shirt, ripping it free from his pants. It took her a minute, but she managed to yank it over his head.
"Did I ever tell you how good you look in nothing but skin tight snakeskin pants?" She asked jokingly.
"Oh, I know I do." He laughed. "Did I ever tell you how good you look completely bare and exposed on my bed?" He looked her up and down as he spoke.
"Yes." She teased, pulling him to her, giving him a messy kiss.
He hovered over her, returning her kiss with animalistic passion. He tore his mouth away from hers, kissing his way down her body. He cupped one of her breasts, furiously licking and sucking her nipple. She arched her back to him, rubbing her hips against his. With a snap of his fingers, his pants were gone. He wrapped his free arm around her back, keeping her arched. Very slowly, he moved against her, letting the hardness of his girth tease her sensitive nub.
She was gripping the sheets, moaning softly. He started kissing his way along her chest, making his way to her other breast. Already dripping wet, he placed himself at her entrance, teasing her as he just barely parted her lips. He moved rhythmically, moving a little deeper with each thrust; but refusing to give in, he wanted her to beg for it. After a moment she started squirming.
"Jareth just fuck me already!" She screamed, unable to control herself. He looked up at her and sneered.
"Such language is unbecoming of a Queen." He said with a snarky banter. He watched her moan with frustration. Lost in her display, he didn't notice he'd let himself push deeper. She moaned louder as he started to fill her.
"Jareth please, I can't take this." She was starting to sweat from the stress.
Without thinking, he thrust into her. They both let out hoarse moans as he started moving within her. He felt himself harden further, watching the pleasure in her face. Plunging into her deeper, he savored the feeling of her warmth and tightness.
With his arm still locked around her, he flipped them both. She rested on his lap, unsure what to do. She felt disoriented for a moment. Laying down on the bed, Jareth reached for her hips. He slowly started rocking her, lifting her up and down as he did so. She felt a sharp jolt of pleasure, but was a bit surprised when Jareth started moaning.
Once she got the rhythm down he released her, allowing his hands to roam over her body. Her head started to get hazy, and her movements irregular. I'm too drunk to do this... She thought. He saw her struggle, and sat up. Wrapping his arms around her, he embraced her in a deep kiss as they moved together.
He then pushed her back to the bed, returning to their original position. Now laying upside down on the bed, Sarah's head hung slightly over the edge. He grabbed her hair, supporting her head as he rammed himself into her harder. He moved faster and faster, feeling her start to constrict around him. She tightened her legs around him, letting out a scream as her climax overtook her. He nearly launched them off the bed as he gave one final thrust, coming to his own completion.
The two were exhausted, the room still spinning around them. After situating the bed, they locked into a loving embrace. Soon, both were sound asleep.
The night was calm and quiet. With Jareth and Sarah dead to the world, there was no one to see the golden thread creep from the folds of Sarah's dress. The two lovers slept in peace, as the thread wrapped itself around Jareth's neck. It glowed, before sinking into his skin. The light soon dimmed out of existence, and once again the night was dark, calm and quiet, as if nothing had happened.
Alasdair, still enjoying the wonder of the ball, felt a tug at the back of his mind. A creeping sneer played across his face.
"Alasdair, what is it?" Serena asked.
"It is done." He said. A grand smile burst onto her face. Alasdair quickly grabbed her by the waist and poofed them from the castle. Now they had much to celebrate.