Even Death

by Midtnight

Raising his head ever so slightly, his mismatched eyes gazed up at her lazily through the lifeless strands of his unruly mane. Sitting there as if he was nowhere he had not expected to be, as if kneeling half naked and bloody on the floor of a college dorm room was nothing out of the ordinary for the Goblin King, Jareth smiled softly. Now fully betaed Please read warnings !

44. A gift from the heart

Chapter 44 : A gift from the heart.

Pale silvery light from the moonless sky filled the silent room, making the already pale king even more ethereal as he sat in the deep window, staring not at the mesmerising display of light that had the snowy vista alive with soft shadows, but at the raw stump that rested in his lap. Blood caked the edges of the burnt looking skin and on the flesh straining to cover the smooth edges of the sawed off bones.

His long fingers moved over the stump, and for a second it was covered in shimmering dust that slowly coalesced into the porcelain ghost of a hand.

Slowly uncurling the long glittering digits, he sighed heavily. Goddess above how he missed feeling whole, and strong. And not like the pathetic cripple that he now was. He longed to let the magic swirl around him and give him wings to fly through the sky with, bathing in the glory of the light that turned everything into silver. But he could not, because no amount of shimmering illusions could restore flesh that had been scorched by cold iron, and no bird fly without wings.

Letting the magic dissipate Jareth watched quietly as the pristine skin crackled and split like a doll smashed on the stone floor. It was just a illusion and yet he still felt every crack like a bleeding wound, as the limb withered and faded into nothing leaving behind a man with hollow eyes and scarred skin.

. .,. .

The light from the ever churning night sky made his skin look like alabaster, with only the heavy black markings around his haunted eyes ruined the image of a fairy-tale prince, and revealed the pain he tried so desperately to hide from them all. It felt wrong to stand in the sheltering darkness and watch him be so unguarded, yet she needed the insight, because his damn pride kept him from truly confiding in anyone. But to see him like this, alone and letting his pain have free reign, it told Lilly more than any guarded conversation ever could. It confirmed that no matter what he claimed, then he had not accepted that he had lost an arm. True he was happy that he was alive but the loss was still a raw wound.

Sighing as she moved silently from her unseen position in the hallway, and into the sky lit kitchen, Lilly quietly filled the stone pitcher with water from the ice chilled cold box that served as their fridge. But her thoughts were still captured by the sight of Jareth's pain as the illusionary hand had crackled and crumbled to the ground. Sucking in her lower lip, Lilly gnawed it as she considered her possibilities. There was so few, the arm was gone, that she couldn't change. But there had to be something that she could do to. Something that could help the broken king heal or at least accept what he was now. Because to see him like that in his magnificent brokenness left her thinking of sad broken dolls on a mantelpiece. Beautiful, but too fragile to be played with, condemned to merely watch as life and time passed them by.

Wiping away a stray tear Lilly cradled the pitcher as she returned to the room that she had now shared with Shiver for the last five day's. The pain that she had just witnessed, weighing heavily on her heart. Things were finally beginning to look up, Shiver was out of the woods, with the fever breaking that very morning, and he had been so happy that she had sat with him as he woke up from the fever fuelled nightmare, that he had, god bless him, actually cried like a baby as he had clung to her. It had been sweet if a little disturbing. But bottom line was that they were good, and that they had each other and maybe they didn't have forever, but they had right now and that was all Lilly needed.

Everything seemed good, only cloud on the horizon was the tortured look in Jareth's pale eyes as he drifted around the lodge like the echo of a ghost.

Closing the door behind her, Lilly couldn't keep a bright smile from her face as she met Shivers tired gaze. Dark green dusted across his eyes, making him look bruised as it stood out against the pale ash green of his skin, and yet the look in his eyes as he watched her approach the had him light up, and a weak but sincere smile brightening his face.

" I Feared that you would not return... I thought... that you... might want a night in your own bed..."

His voice was rough with sleep and most likely thirst as he tried to make light of the very real fear that lingered in his eyes, even as he smiled at her. Setting the pitcher on the bedside table, Lilly's smile softened as she poured a glass and sitting down facing him, she handed it to him, watching as he drank deeply:" Hell no! I'm not leaving you alone before that leg of yours stops leaking pus and icky stuff, and once that happens well..."

Leaning in she gentle took the glass from him enjoying the nervous widening of his already large eye's as she moved in and captured his lips with hers. The kiss was soft and chaste, and left them both quietly panting as she finally released his lips.

" I'm not sure I will want to give up my place here... I mean you might do something stupid, and hurt yourself again if I'm not here to keep an eye on you... But right now, good sir knight we will lay back down and sleep, because tomorrow I have much to do."

Nodding quietly he let her help him lie down on his back and pull the thick covers up around them, before she snuggled up against his left side with her head on his shoulder and her arm around his waist while he held her equally tight. Lying like this felt better and more right than anything she had ever felt since George had died, and letting herself melt into this freely offered warmth, Lilly tried to join Shiver in sleep.

But of course sleep would not come, as the image of Jareth sitting in the window kept invading her mind, along with the first half conscious parts of a plan. What Jareth needed was a prosthesis, something that would allow him to at least hold a cup, or a crystal, and give the appearance that he still had two hands...

Ideas began to circle like hungry sharks, driving Lilly from the warm bed to the large writing desk in front of the far window. Pulling out a pencil and a sheet of thick creamy paper, Lilly leaned over the desktop with her right hand hovering over the paper, and the left buried deep in her hair, tucking on the roots of a lock as she gnawed her lips.

It would have to be articulated, and maybe she could make some kind of harness that would allow him to open and close it when he moved his shoulder. yeah that sounded good. Maybe Shiver could do some magic on it and make it look like Jareth's own hand... Or maybe...

The pencil flew across the sheet almost on it's own accord, sketching out joints and attachments. It would have to be a snug fit of cause and if she could let the sleeve attaching it have thin wires that would activate springs that would allow him to open and close it. Yeah that would work, and maybe she could come up with some way of letting him adjust the grip of it, so that he could use a shield...

. . .

Dawns golden orange light spilled over the lodge, replacing the silvery light that had filled the night and lit the pile of more or less practical options for a prosthesis. And finally the golden light washed over the softly snoring girl who had fallen asleep mid sketch, setting her unbound hair alight with tones of gold, and giving her skin a warm cream glow. Limping slowly across the warm floor, Shiver smiled softly at the sight of the sleeping girl. Even now with her face plastered to the last sketch that she had been working on, with her own drool no less, she was easily the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. And to see that she had been passionate enough about something to actually work herself to sleep instantly banished his initial irritation at waking up alone.

Leaning on the desk, to take the weight of off his leg, Shiver took great care in not waking her as he slid a sheet out from under her, curious to see what had filled her with enough zeal to have kept her from their bed.

Letting the fall of dawn light illuminate her work, Shiver nodded in impressed approval of what he saw. The image was of an artificial arm, bisected down the middle to show the inner workings of the very ambitious design. At first sight it looked more like an anatomy illustration than a design, and only when Shiver had read the tiny meticulously scribbled notes had he realized what it was that he was seeing.

And it was ambitious. The wrist would be able to bend and twist, powered by thick coils of miniscule springs that would provide the strength of the artificial muscles, and the metal bones would be controlled by braided strands of leather, imitating the pull of tendons, it was all very impressing. But the hand though were a wonder of engineering.

Thin bones wrought from some kind of metal made up the anatomically perfect skeleton, and fine rods ran alongside them allowing the fingers to move as the rods were activared by tiny levers hidden inside the palm, and controlled by thin leather tendons. She had even found a way to allow the claws to slide out. All it needed would have been thin veins and then it would have been close to a real arm like the one they had been forced to amputate. It truly was impressive. Impossible but impressive.

Just like her he mused as he softly but firmly, shook her shoulder, calling her name:" Lilly, hey sleepy head wake up, You need to come to bed. You can not sleep like that, you will just ruin your back. Lilly."

" No.. I don't wanna go fishing... let the stork's have them.. I don't. .. Shiver?"

Blinking slowly, Lilly yawned mightily as she mumbled softly:" What are you doing here? I thought that you were up climbing tree's? I though you were..."

" Well ": He smiled as she easily followed his gentle prodding and allowed him to get her to her feet, before stumbling sleepily to their bed:" I thought that you might be tired and want to sleep for a few hour's, you have been hard at work, and will need your strength later."

Her brow furrowed in the most adorably confused way as she sat heavily on the plush mattress:" Work? ooh right... the plans... Yeah, I need your help? we need to magic it so it... works like a real arm and.. Oh this is a soft pillow... I just ..."

Curling into the pillow, Lilly yawned as her barely open eyes fell shut and her entire body seemed to melt into the mattress even as her hand reached out towards his side of the bed clearly seeking him while sleep dragged her under.

Gripping the duvet with hands that trembled with exertion, Shiver quickly covered her.

Pain began to rear it's ugly saw toothed head as Shiver slowly limped around the bed, and all but fell into the now cool sheets, with an exhausted groan. Even a walk as short as that was enough to leave him winded and dizzy, and by the gods he hated being this weak, but it was his own fault, and there was no way around it. Resting back into the plump pillows, with a resigned sigh, Shiver shuddered as his temperature spiked sharply, as if his body tried to remind him of how immensely stupid he had acted these past weeks. If only he had swallowed his trice dammed pride and told them about the constant burning that he, truth be told had known what meant. It was after all not the first time that he had been wounded with fey steel. Then the gaping gash that now hurt like nothing he had ever experienced before, and would most likely have been nothing but a unpleasant memory, hidden by a new scar. But no his dammed pride had suffered too much from seeing Didymus, the only warrior to best him in single combat since he had won his spurs, walk away from pitched battle with not so much as a bloody bruise, while he, the captain of the BloodThorn's, had nearly been killed. So to admit that he was weaker than that overgrown lapdog, had simply been far too humiliating to even contemplate.

And then to do so in the presence of a beautiful woman..

Turning on his side, Shiver smiled as her questing fingers finally found their goal and interlaced with his, her sleeping expression softening with a content curl of her lips. It was not the most comfortable way to lie, but for her, he would have slept on his head on the floor. Because she truly was beautiful. Not just physically, no her soul was what called to him, her gentle caring, and passionate temper that was endearing and utterly terrifying all at once.

How could he have let her see his weakness? When that bloody fox seemed so strong.

Chuckling at his own idiocy, Shiver feasted his eyes on her sleeping face, loving the soft content smile that curled her lips as she mumbled unintelligible words in her dream.

How could he have been so blind.

Because she had seen, and she had still come to his aide when he needed it the most. In his hour of need she had been there, and even when he had acted in the most despicable way, nearly ravaging her, she had still not cast him aside. No instead she had forgiven him, and were now sweetly sleeping beside him, a slender hand clutching his.

goddess above, he had been such a complete and utter idiot. But luckily Lilly did not care. No she forgave and pushed on just as she had with Jareth. She truly was a remarkable woman. Who other than she would stay up most of the night to work on a prosthetic limb for the man who had nearly strangled her, and who had been so viciously cruel to her that she had broken down in tears more than once. Pulling the duvet further up around them both, he smiled and shivered slightly as she slid closer and still holding his hand, snuggled into his side and rested her head on his left shoulder with a soft sound of mumbled contentment. Now that he had realised just how unique the slip of a woman in his arm's was, he would be a fool to ever let her go.

. . .

" Listen I get it Didymus it's not easy, but that's not the point! "

Stabbing her finger into the paper Lilly tried again to explain her design:" This.. right here is where the prosthesis will be attached, okay if I can get this part here calibrated correctly then this will trigger a closing motion of these two fingers.. Okay?"

The huge fox frowned as he picked up the highly detailed schematic, turning it this way and that, clearly doing his very best to follow her train of thought. But apparently, 1993 era bio mechanics was too complicated for a two thousand year old fox knight to grasp.

Heaving a deep sigh, Lilly snatched the large paper from the fox, and smoothed it across the rough work table. The shed in the far end of the winter garden really wasn't ideal for the delicate work that Lilly was preparing to do but it was the only place that offered just a little privacy from Sarah and Jareth.

Not only that, but the shed came handily equipped with a small forge and a wide variety of tools, from tiny pliers and files to four different anvils.

Pointing to the delicate levers once more, Lilly asked tiredly:" So do you think that you could help me find the materials that I need? "

Shrugging the Knights looked unsure as he said:" Verily I shall try though I feareth that the amount of metal thou require, doth supersede mine paltry skills of mining..."

"Yeah well, Any little bit will help. But what I really what need most are the bone, leather and wooden bits. And those shouldn't be so tough to get. "

Nodding Didymus paused looking suddenly thoughtful, then he blurted out:" The metal thou needs, couldst this be a fey steel? Couldst thou use say a blade to craft the parts thou require ? "

Biting her lip, Lilly starred off into the distance, as she considered the possibility.

Yes a blade would be good, but the steel was tempered and she didn't know how to untemper, if that was even a real word, something like that. Hell she wasn't even sure how she was gonna make all those tiny and precise parts that her design called for. All she really knew was that she needed them.

" Shit, I have no idea how to do this. . maybe it's a stupid idea... If this isn't done right, then it's better if I don't do it at all..."

Swiping the papers off of the table, she turned abruptly and hugged herself as she stalked to the window overlooking the dimly lit, hot spring heated garden. The shed was directly opposite the lodge kitchen, from where golden light spilled out, illuminated the solitary figure who went about his task without realising that he was being observed.

Jareth moved around with slow hesitant movements as he filled the kettle and placed it on the stove. He looked sad, and shameful as he constantly adjusted the empty sleeve of his robe. Cheeking and rechecking that the loose cloth effectively hid the fact that his arm was tightly bound to his chest.

It only took a few minutes before steam poured from the kettles nozzle, showing that the water had started to boil. Letting go of his sleeve Jareth began making tea with an almost ritualistic attention to detail. First he took the kettle from the stove, placing it on the heavy stone slate that protected the countertop, with the nozzle pointing perfectly straightforward. Leaving the kettle, he lifted the stoneware jar containing his and Sarah's favourite blend. His face darkening with anger as the tightly sealed jar refused his attempts at opening it.

Watching silently, Lilly saw how Jareth smashed the jar into tiny pieces with a look of frustrated fury on his pale face.

His long platinum blond hair falling in heavy strands around his face as tears fell and was swallowed up by the cloth of his robe when he crumbled over the table top, his face a contorted mask of sorrow anger and pain as he buried it in the cloth of his sleeve.

Pressing her forehead against the cool glass pane, Lilly cursed vehemently.

"Oh hell fucking damn it all. This sucks ass so bad ! how in the ever loving fuck did I ever get my self involved in this utter pile of epic shit! It doesn`t matter what the fuck I do! It`s just never enough ! How the fuck am I suppose to fix that ?"

Slamming her fist into the hard unyielding wooden wall, Lilly growled as tears of pain and frustration rolled freely down her cheeks. They had to find a way to fix him, and to do that they had to find a way that would restore the broken kings physical independence. Huge warm arms pulled her back and cradled her against his wide and heavily muscled chest. His large paw-hands rubbing her back as his voice rumbled through the thick leather of his crimson vest.

"Fear not young lady we shall find a way to restore our king, remember time holds no sway here..."

Pulling slightly back Lilly nodded as she wiped her nose with the edge of her billowing sleeve in the most unladylike way:" sure for you that might be great, but what about the damage that his mind has suffered? What if time is the last thing he needs? Because you have seen him as well as I have, every little thing that he can`t do eats away at him, and soon there won't be anything left to rebuild on…"

Nodding thoughtfully the fox obviously considered her words before saying:" Verily thou doth speakest the truth. Time may not be as inconsequential as we doth wish. Perchance thou should look for assistance beyond the place thou first imagined.."

Her frown deepened as she stepped back further and looked up in confusion, obviously trying to glean the meaning from Didymus's word's, and coming up short.

" So what? you want me to ask Sarah To help? "

" No" : Turning his back on her, Didymus snatched the sketch up and brought it into the bright sunlight:" No I doth mean that thou might ask Shiver to assist thee in fabricating these most elaborate designs..."

"What he knows metal fabrication? "

Nodding Solemnly, Didymus pushed on:" Verily he is as a knight, skilled in the intricate arts of creating most weapons. In fact no knight may wield a weapon that he hath not himself wrought ... This design is not so very different than say the trigger of a hand crossbow, nor the springs more delicate than the ones used to trigger a wrist blade. "

Her frown changed almost instantly into a look of curiosity:" Wait has he made that bow of his ? "

Nodding his ascent the knight said:" Verily, it wouldst not answer his summons had he not."

"So, the smaller bow he pulled out of thin air for me? "

Nodding, Didymus smiled obviously pleased that Lilly had understood the concept of weapons summoning:" Verily he must have, or it wouldst not have been possible to call it to his hand."

" But it's so small it fit's my hand perfectly, it's like it was made for me... or another... girl."

Nailing Didymus with unreadable expression Lilly asked:" Has Shiver had a girlfriend before.?"

The silence of the large fox spoke volumes as he tried to gauge where Lilly was going with this new line of questioning, because it was painfully obvious that this conversation was very close to her heart.

The moment stretched on in silence, until Didymus finally nodded and offered a vague:" He hast courted before... But verily these are matters best discussed with Shiver.."

There he had said it, without going into details. Only he had not accounted for the cultural gap, and there was no way that Lilly would let a titbit such as that slide so easily.

"And court is just another way of saying dating right, so he dated before. Look Didymus that's not really a biggie, I've dated before too, granted not long or seriously, but that was not for lack of desire on my part. And he's like what six hundred years, it would be like super weird if he hadn't dated before... But.."

Pausing, she sighed heavily as she looked up at Didymus with a strange mix of emotions in her glorious silver and aquamarine eyes. Because yes she wanted to know what had happened. She might not know much, about goblin culture, but she did know that it was not common place to date a bunch of people before settling down. And if Shiver had liked her enough to make a crossbow that beautiful and powerful for her, then this mystery woman must have been very special, leaving Lilly to wondering what had happened to her.

"So what happened to her? why aren't they like doing the whole happily ever after thing? I thought that they like... Mated for life, or something. "

"She died,... That's what happened, and a part of me died with her that day. .. A part that I had thought dead until I saw your glorious eye's."

The words were softly spoken in a voice that sent shivers down Lilly's back as she spun to face it's tall pale and sweat beaded owner. Shiver stood leaning against the sheds rough hewn doorframe, looking ready to drop as he gave her a weak sorrow filled smile and gestured with the staff that she had cut for him on their ill fated hunt:" And No we do not "Mate for life" we marry. But that was not be our fate, her name was Lace, and she died fulfilling her duty. It was a good death, a clean death but ... "

Falling silent, he looked at them with haunted eyes as he pushed away from the doorframe and hobbled further into the room using the staff to keep the weight off his wounded limb.:" That is in the past".

Panting lightly, Shiver stopped by the table, dropping the staff as he gripped the edge of the table, looking for the world like he was about to pass out. Rushing to his side Lilly had her arms around him, holding him vertical :" Jesus Fucking Christ! Again with the hero act? Didn't you learn jack shit from having your leg sliced open again. Really Shiver, you are such an idiot! "

Shuddering as he straightened, Shiver gave her a wry washed out smile, before speaking in a deceptively sweet voice:" Oh but I have learned my sweet, but a man still needs to eat, thus when you decided to hide out here, I had no choice but to stagger out to... find you..."

" Hungry? oh jesus you walking stomach! you just had lunch!"

His eyebrow rose in a sharp sardonic arch as she cupped his face with a cold hand:" Oh but my sweet passionate girl that was some five hours past, the day is vanning and night draws near."

Her jaw dropped as she gaped at him, suddenly realising that the shed was indeed only lit by the soft Fey light that basically illuminated the entire lodge, and that only the gently flickering light of the swirling sky lent its starlit glow to the plants in the winter garden. Obviously the day had gotten completely away from her.

" Oh god damnit crap.. I'm so sorry, I'll get right on that..I'll. ."

His lips curled into a quiet smile, as he bent a gently stopped her rambling with a chaste kiss that left her breathing hard and her head swimming. Resting his chin on top of her head, Shiver sighed happily:" No hurry, love... No hurry. I am far to dizzy to go back just yet... But these sketches, tell me about them, show me what pulled you from... bed last night."

the last few words had Shiver looking like a big shy school boy as he blushed and struggled to find the right words. Smiling coyly Lilly nodded and finally tore her eyes from his to focus on the scattered plans.

"Alright, I was thinking that I might be able to make a prosthesis which can open and close its hand, when he rolls his shoulder... Look like this."

pointing to the anatomical sketch that she based her design on, Lilly indicated how the small levers were to react on the minute movements of the muscles, and judging by his expression Shiver was following her train of thought as he nodded and looked deep in thought. But that assumption only served to tell Lilly never to trust that she knew what was going on in that twisting mind of his. Because the next words out of his mouth sort of changed everything.

" Yeah I see what you are attempting to do, but why do we not simple replace what was taken? ... It you remove this upper part and imitate a vascular system, then we could merely graft it onto his flesh... Provided of cause that we can find materials that are able to bond with flesh."

"What? Okay you need to go back to bed cause are not making sense, really Shiver that can't be done, Look the arm is.."

"Nay my Lady thou are mistaken, I hath seen the Gnomes craft items of a similar design, but I though that it could not be done for those of fey blood? I doth believed that the magic and metal couldst not coexist. "

Nodding slowly, Shiver smiled gratefully as Didymus pulled up a plain wooden chair up, and helped him sit with his throbbing leg resting on a box.

" You would be correct if my father had been a pure-blooded fey, but as it is, he is a quarter goblin, and a quarter human. Clearly he is less susceptible to the curse of iron, if not he would not have been able to survive as long as he did with that much iron in his system. And no fey have ever used and mastered as many human weapons as he. Not only that, but he can and have successfully used human technology, such as radios and vehicles... He..."

Pain erupted in his leg, shooting up his back, causing him to arch it, and hiss through tightly clenched teeth, as the nearly severed muscle spassemed and contracted, viciously reminding him of just how stupid and reckless he had been to venture this far this soon. Yes he had been hungry, but that was not what had driven him from his bed. No what drove him to hobble through the lodge, had been curiosity when he had realised that the sketches were no longer lying on the desk. At least that was what he told him self, as he ruthlessly ignored the tiny voice that sceamed:" And you were terrified that she might have gone outside alone again."

Breathing in through his nose he hissed through tightly closed teeth as the pain mounted and then finally after about a dozen breaths died down enough for him to open his eyes and meet Lilly's concerned gaze.

" you okay? "

Shaking his head ruefully Shiver groaned through clenched teeth:" No.. I am not okay... Though I shall be again. But until then I can still help... I can manufacturer some of the minor parts like the springs and eyelets that you shall need, I have in ... our... room an... Armourer's repair kit, and... It contains, much of what we need. And as for the major bones... I have a dagger, that can be used... Hmm... ": His eye's grew pale as dark smudges of army green bloomed and cover him from brow ridge to impossible sharp cheekbones. The strain was taking it's toll and this time Shiver knew to listen to his abused body.

" Lord Didymus... Could you aide me in returning to our great room? I fear that I am unable to do it under my own power."

Surprise filled in the fox's face, but he quickly pushed it away as he moved around the table and bowed ever so slightly to the now rapidly paling goblin:" I should be honoured good sir."

. . .

The cold of the northern wind ripped straight through the heavy woollen shawl around Lilly's narrow shoulders. It felt like knives slashing at her skin, but she valiantly ignored it as she trudged through the knee deep snow towards Didymus's private sanctuary, the chopping block. If there was one place where you could be certain that you would find the fox in the morning this was it. And granted Lilly did kinda get his need to start out the day with something that woke up ones muscles and mind. There was nothing quite as relaxing as having warmed up your entire body, and then go and fill you belly with a sturdy morning meal. And after the previous nights strained silence Lilly could more than understand the need to clear ones mind with physical exertion.

Stopping well out of reach of the massive wood chopping axe, Lilly called out to the fox, making sure that she wouldn't surprise or scare him while he had a weapon in his hands, it was one thing to scare the pants off him inside, but out here there was a real risk that he would lash out with the weapon before he even knew what he was doing.

"Yo Didymus.. You got a minute? I gotta ask you something."

It didn't matter how many times she saw it, it would always crack her up when the massive frame of the fox literally jumped a full foot and his eye grew to the size of a tennis ball.

Pressing a huge trembling paw-hand against his chest, Didymus sagged as he turned to face her: "verily my lady thou shall be the death of me!"

Wiping the rapidly cooling tears of joy off with a corner of her shawl, Lilly had to fight to get her peels of laughter under control and resume breathing in a somewhat normal fashion": Ooh don't be so dramatic. . Nothing can kill you! Any who I gotta talk to you, and you know this has to stay out here between the two of us okay"

Setting the axe down, Didymus wiped his sweat soaked forehead with his billowing sleeve, as he nodded slightly.

"Okay I went over the plans one more time last night, and I think that I can eliminate most of the metal, but that means that you need to get me some other things instead."

"Verily mine lady you have but ask and I shall do my utmost to procure anything that thou shall need"

Nodding with enough zeal that Didymus momentarily feared that she might cause herself to fall dizzy Lilly beamed:" Oh god we are gonna need so much stuff. Most of all I need Leather, or you know skin oh and you know those pale golden pines that grows in the little Grove by the big rock formation? I need like five straight branches as thick as your thumb, and about a foot long. Can you get me those the next time you go hunting?"

Glancing up over her, Didymus nodded and quickly hefted the axe again as he realised that Jareth stood on the porch gazing out towards the white peaked sea. Turning slightly so that the lone king on the porch would not see his lips moving and possibly lip read his words Didymus said quietly:" I shall do my best to ensure that thy needs be met."

And louder he said:" Verily young Lady we doth have enough wood to see us through to summer, no matter the severity of the cold. "

Nodding Lilly flashed him a bright conspiratorial grin, blinking as she turned and bounded up towards the lodge. Halfway there, she waved and called out cheerfully:" Hey Jareth! What are you doing out of bed this early? "

Not waiting for him to answer, Lilly continued as she mounted the stairs and brushed the loose snow from her skirt:" You want some tea? I'm gonna make a cup, but I might as well make a pot if you want one too."

Smiling tiredly, Jareth gave a single nod as he unconsciously adjusted the sling supporting his still healing arm:" Thank you yes, I would love a cup of tea, and..." : The smile turned hopeful as he met her eyes: Perhaps I could impose on you to cut a few slices of your freshly baked bread? I can smell it all the way out here and I am quite hungry."

Happiness and surprise widened her grin to the point where her head would have split open if her ears hadn't held her it together:" Wow you're asking for food, this is the first time you've done that! this is so big... okay you want anything on that bread? butter, jam, meat? I do this jam that's like the best thing ever! Shiver would eat it straight if I didn't make him put it on bread..."

His smile deepened in response to the endless and contagiously enthusiastic tirade, and her obvious joy at his recovery stole some of the bone raking fatigue away:" yes I would love to taste your jam."

"Oh you are gonna love it. But come on we better get inside, its freezing out here."

At first it didn't register that she had linked her right arm with his left, as she gentle led him from the harsh cold and into the dry heat that filled the lodge. Only when her fingertips graced the still raw wound edge, did Jareth realise it and by then it was too late. There were no way for him to pull away now, not without letting her see the pain it caused him to let anyone close to what he now saw as his brand of shame. And as weak and helpless as he was right now there was no way that his tattered pride could survive another blow, thus he had no choice but to endure her touch as they entered the spacious great room. Sitting on one of the barstools that took up the outer side of the kitchen isle, Jareth forced himself to smile and stay still as Lilly kept her hand on his elbow and stood beside him.

" Look I know that you really hate when we touch your arm, but you gotta get use to it, besides there is no need to hide it, it's like you know... a battle scar. Don't you guy's like, show off your scars?"

The frank and unceremonial delivery of her words should have stunned him, no one but Sarah and Morgaine had ever spoke like this to him. But it there was one thing that he had learned in these last week's it was that Lilly could always be relied on to be utterly honest. And though many fey would have found her dominant manner offensive, he personally like her candour. And that was also the reason why he answered her honestly:" Yes in most aspects you would be correct, a scar received in combat, would be as you say shown off, celebrated even. Provided it did not violently disfigure the warrior."

Falling silent, Jareth shifted in his seat, bringing the still seeping stump into plain view as he bit his lower lip lightly. Resting it gingerly on the table, he forced himself to continue while Lilly prepared their tea:" However if a warrior receives the wound in dishonour, or through torture, then it is no longer a mark of pride, but shame, and something to hide. This.. "

His fingers shook as he covered the once again stained bandage with his pale hand and his eyes darkened with a host of swirling emotions:" This is a sign of my own weakness and foolishness, Of my shameful inability to protect that which I should have protected. It is the woefully insufficient price for the lives that my idiocy have cost... "

Setting to steaming tea to steep in front of him, Lilly pulled up a stool beside him, and sat down on his left side, with a frown of incomprehension marring her brow.

"So it doesn't matter that Mommy dearest put a spell on you and pranced you around like a muppet since the day she failed to kill you in her own womb. And it doesn't matter that you withstood every attempt she ever made at you life, every bloody power play she made trying to make you forsake your throne? It doesn't matter that you have thwarted her and once you and Sarah are back to full strength you are gonna wash the floor with her ? Or that the horned lord of legend is so afraid of you that he left it to his wife to deal with you.. None of that matters? Really?"

A look of surprise had his eyebrows raised so far up that it looked as if he was trying to hide them in the thick fall of his long hair, yet he still remained silent. And seeing that he was actually listening to her, Lilly pushed on:" Well I'm sorry Jareth but that just smacks too much of blaming the victim to my taste. Look you had no way of preventing any of this but you still resisted, even as a child. And that makes you a hero in my book. And I will eat my old hat! if Didymus and Shiver doesn't feel the same way."

"Well yes if you look at it like that then yes I do understand your point. However you miss the point that I am a king, a warrior king who rules a kingdom of warriors and monsters. "

Staring out into nothing, Jareth seemed to fall into himself as he spoke in a strained near whisper:" If I am not strong then they are left weak, prey to any who would want their flesh. "

Pouring the by now slightly overly steeped tea into two stone mugs, Lilly sighed and set the tea pot on the counter with a soft thump. Yeah she might be from a different world with a completely different set of rules, but even she could see the flaw in his view of his own role. And being who she was there was no way that she could just stay silent.

"So if you are weak physically then they are in danger? Well that's just bull! it's not like you are the only one who can defend your kingdom for Christ sake. You have an army don't You? "

Sipping his tea slowly, Jareth grimaced at the bitter after taste of the excessively strong tea before answering her question:" If once again we had been living in the aboveground, then you would have been correct. But as it stands we do not, and here in the underground the strength of a realm is measured by how strong it's ruler is. "

Rolling her eyes, Lilly sighed:" Well that's just stupid!"

Setting the mug down with an irritated grunt, Jareth crossed his arms, hiding the stump, and ground out:" Well be that as it may, There is a reason for this. Any private citizen of any realm may demand the right to try their grievances in trial by combat. Even against the king. And any ruler may challenge any other ruler for dominion over their realms. Again through trial by combat. And granted while it is not commonly seen, outside of the Nightrealm that is, it is however not unheard off. And if I do not present a powerful image then some upstart may challenge me and win the throne from me... After all the Labyrinth merely requires for me to live and be bound to it. It does not need me to rule it as such. And now that it is bonded to Sarah I am not needed at all. So yes my being so glaringly weakened, will endanger not only I, but Sarah and the denizens of the Labyrinth. That is why I hate what I have been made to endure."

Oh hell that was a wrinkle that Lilly really hadn't seen coming and the effort of trying to understand the ramifications of what he had just told her was making her head spin. The concept was just too alien for her to fully grasp, but even so she could easily see why it would cause him enormous emotional agony to expose his injury when it could potentially cause such problems for them all. And seeing the deep searing emotional pain that shone out at her, Lilly realised the extreme importance of what she and the two knights had decided to do for the royal couple. Because if Jareth being weakened in the eyes of the other rulers would pose a threat to their realms security then Sarah missing an eye clearly wouldn't help either. But as she understood it, then what they were going to do would actually make the couple seem stronger. .. or something. Lilly wasn't sure that she had understood it right, but she would try anyway.

But not only that. Sipping her bitter tea, Lilly watched Jareth as he deftly moved so that the angle of his body hid the stained bandage, giving the illusion that he still had both hands. He needed hope now, because if they waited much longer he might become too caught up in the image of the useless cripple. No he needed to see that he was so much more, but to achieve that Lilly had to make him see that he was still the warrior king.

"Okay look this might sound like a really random question, but just... you know go with me on this. So your subjects are use to seeing you with gloves right? "

Watching her cautiously over the rim of his mug, Jareth simple nodded as he stubbornly continued to sip the bitter brew. He obviously wasn't about to say anything further, so Lilly just pushed on:" Okay and you probably know how to like use a shield right, and I bet you are right handed when you use a weapon. Am I right? "

Another nod and a softly spoken:" I am ambidextrous but yes you are correct.": Answered her question and had her continuing her train of thoughts.

" Okay you fey all really like your Illusions right?"

"Yes the fey do enjoy their illusions, but I however am merely three eighths fey and far more partial to substance. "

He looked tired as he set down his mug and leaned closer to her:" which is why I am going to ask you to stop this and tell me what you are trying to say".

Shrugging Lilly nodded and blurted out:" Fine I can make you a prosthesis, a proper one that can hold a glass or a shield as long as you keep to gesturing and juggling with your right hand, then no one will be the wiser."

It was not often that a mere mortal impressed Jareth, but this tiny ethereal slip of a girl had indeed managed the unlikely feat. Inclining his head in respect, Jareth turned vulnerable eyes to her as he asked:" Truly you could do this? Give back that which was taken? "

The look he was giving her was not one Lilly would have ever expected to see on a man's face, let alone the Goblin King's, but there it was. Hope and fear and utter vulnerability all in one. And damn but it was intimidating, even though she knew that she was perfectly able to do everything she had just suggested.

"Yeah I can do that, but I will have to take measurements to make it fit properly. .. And you will need to do some exercises, to keep the arm strong and keep the muscles from growing atrophied."

The fear evaporated as the hope flooded his eyes pushing all other emotions aside:" Lilly Grant you are in truth a remarkable woman. "

Blushing at his praise Lilly shook her head and got up to fetch the bread and jam:" Naah I'm just too dumb know when to give up. "

. . .

Sarah smiled as Lilly spoke the words :" Naah I'm just too dumb know when to give up. "

Because if there was something that she was not, then it was dumb. Lilly Grant was quite possibly the most talented and intelligent woman that Sarah had ever met! And Sarah was anything but surprised that Lilly was the one to find this one easily executed option. If only things were that easy for her. Ghosting her fingers lightly over the thin bandage that covered the still healing hole in her face. The pain she could deal with but it was the look of utter guilt that seemed permanently plastered to Jareth's face every time he looked at her, that was killing her inside. Yes they were still loving and happy together, but there was a slowly growing distance between them which Sarah felt certain was caused by Jareth trying to protect her from the danger that his perceived weakness would cause once they returned to the underground. They had had long deep conversations about it, and no matter how Sarah tried she could not convince Jareth that only Titania and Oberon posed an actual threat to any one. But Maybe she had gone about it wrong and maybe Lilly's approach was the way to go.

Smiling softly to herself, as Lilly Left the great room, Sarah leaned against the door frame as she watched Jareth stoking the fire and add two more logs.

Yes it still looked awkward but he was ever so slowly beginning to adapt to using just one hand. And...

He never turned but the grin could be heard in the soft drawl of his voice:" Your are quiet yes, but your magic shines brightly enough that I can see you as you approach. Did you hear what Lilly said? That tiny slip of a girl may have offered just what we need to keep up the appearance of strength. .. "

The happiness in his words had Sarah smiling even wider as she moved slowly from her shadow shrouded place, and into the light of the great room.

"Well I did have a great teacher. "

Walking up to where Jareth were now lounging on the wide fur covered sofa that stood before the fire, Sarah sat daintily on the edge beside his right side hip, so that she could clearly see his hopeful smile.

He looked happy more than anything else, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he now dared to hope again. And letting that happiness seep into her own heart, Sarah gently caressed his face as she said:" And yes I heard most of what you talked about. If she can make it then you will have to make her a princess once we return home. "

"I? ": He purred in return, as he slowly and a little hesitantly slipped his arm around her waist and tugged her close:" No not I... We will make her a princess if she decides to return with us and if not... Well we can still give her all her dreams. But..."

Running his hand up her silk covered back. Jareth found himself smirking as his sensitive finger tips told him, that the ebony haired nymph who smiled so sweetly at him was indeed naked beneath the cream coloured silk dressing gown:" In the meantime, I believe that I have been remiss in my attention to you my precious girl."

Letting him pull her in closer, Sarah smiled and burrowed her fingers into his hair holding him as much as he held her:" Hmm really you think? well if you feel up to it, I might have an idea on how to rectify that situation. .."

Leaning in she sighed against his lips, before joining them in a deep sensuous kiss. A kiss that was gentle and fierce and cut awkwardly short by the exasperated voice of Shiver groaning in a mixture of both pain and disbelief:" Truly you choose to do this in the Great room ! Really father this is not the castle beyond the goblin city! "

Their head turned in perfect synchrony to see Shiver leaning on his staff and looking thoroughly and utterly outraged with a furious dark green blush colouring his face and neck. He looked ridiculous and neither Sarah nor Jareth could keep from laughing at the sight.

" Really ! you are impossible! the pair of you! ": Shivers nasal tone rose, and the noise had Lilly and Didymus bargain into the lodge through the both garden and front door looking ready to tackle a full herd of aardvarks, only to freeze just inside with nearly identical looks of incredulous disbelief. The great room fell silent, and all three pairs of eyes rested with various emotions on the still giggling couple on the couch, who looked like naughty children caught with their fingers in the cookie jar, yet wasn't sorry at all.

Wiping the joyful tears from his eyes, Jareth took a single, not very successful, calming breath, and rolled of off the couch holding out his hand to the still giggling Sarah:" Well my precious it appears that our actions, are disturbing the children. "

"Oh my how terrible": Shooting the three others a mischievous glance Sarah took his hand and let him lead her towards the hallway leading to the bedrooms:" We had better retreat to our chambers then .

Nodding with mock concern plastered all over his face, Jareth said:" Yes we had better..."

As he suddenly speed of down the hallway pulling a now full out laughing Sarah in tow.

The door of their bedroom slammed closed with a thoroughly satisfying sound, as Jareth pulled her with him to the bed. Throwing out her hand, Sarah locked the door, and giggled happily as Jareth threw her on the thick fur filled nest bed and landed beside her.

The world vanished as he balanced on the stump and smiled down at her, with tiny three coloured pinpoints blazing in the depths of his warm bicoloured eyes:" I love you my precious, do you understand that? I love you more than life itself, and there is nothing that can keep me from your side..."

"I Know": she whispered softly in reply:" And there is nothing that can ever make me leave you again. .. I was a fool Jareth, I should never have left you alone... I should have stayed and fought, I... Can you ever forgive me for running like a coward?"

" There is nothing to forgive my precious, nothing ": His kiss was soft, a gentle brush of moist lips and raw emotions, as he claimed her lips for the first time as a free creature.

Time vanished as they slowly and lovingly undressed each other, lingering ever so often to lavish attention to the newly revealed skin, until they were both utterly naked in the faint golden light from the fireplace. Kneeling on the thick silky furs, Sarah smiled coyly as she cupped his face, running her thumbs along his ridiculously defined cheekbones:" You know, this is sort of our first time... As us I mean, truly us."

"Yes": he murmured as he turned slightly to kiss the palm of her hand:" I know..."

Those word echoed between them, as Jareth pulled her down on the bed with him, and locked her lips in another kiss only this was not chaste, nor short. It was warm and soft, but also demanding and giving all at once as if he wanted to draw out a piece of her soul and replace it with a piece of his own. This was who he was and he was offering it all to her in this single kiss. How could she possibly refuse?

Her hands buried themselves in his long thick fall of silvery golden hair, giving her control over their movements as she pushed him to his back, and without breaking their passionate kiss climbed over him to mould herself after his lean form. He was much thinner now, more bone than muscle, but she didn't care as she released his hair to run her hands down the pronounced ridges of his ribs, feeling the different textures of his skin, that she had so sorely missed. The skin had had time to thicken and the burns no longer felt like parchment, but they were still a silky contrast to the ragged knife scars and slightly leathery texture of his uninjured skin. Smiling wickedly into his lips Sarah drew her claws teasingly down his ribs, causing him to buck and moan against her in pleasure. Goddess but she loved the way he moved beneath her, and the look of adoring fire that burned out at her through his magnificent bicolored eyes. This, right now was what they had fought for, not the Labyrinth, not the abovegrounds safety. No this his hands on her skin and hers on his. Pulling back from their heated leisurely kisses Sarah panted slightly as she sat straddling him with the wicked grin still in place:" Hmm I know just what to do now..."

"Oh do you now?.."

"Yeah, but you have to put your hands behind your head, and close your eyes": Sucking in her lower lips she shot him a teasing sultry look, that had his mind running wild with fantasies, all of them exciting and intriguing. Smirking up at her he sighed in mock indifference:" very well, if you insist. "

"Oh but I do love, I do."

Resting her fingers lightly on his chest, Sarah watch in growing anticipation as Jareth first stretched beneath her, in a wave like movement that brought everyone of his now sharply defined muscles into focus as it moved from his pinned hips and up. Then with an indulgent smile, that ill concealed his eagerness, Jareth obediently slipped his right hand in under his head, while keeping the left simple resting in the pillows beside his head. Giving her a questioning look with a quizzically raised eyebrow he smiled and when she did not offer any further orders he let his eyes slip closed.

His heart pounded madly in his chest as darkness engulfed him, and forced his other senses into hyper alertness. It was stupid, and the part of him that was beginning to heal from the terrors that he had survived was screaming at him to not let himself be pulled into the abyss of fear that suddenly and without warning sprang up to engulf his mind. But it was too late.

Darkness cradled him, as he lay once more strapped to a rack unable to move and escape the cold iron needles and harsh blows that assaulted him from all sides. He could hear the cackling night goblins but there were so many and he was in too much pain to be able to anticipate where the next blow were about to come from...

Tears trickled from the corners of his eyes, and the softly laboured breath of excitement, became a harsh strained series of gasps as his entire body began to tremble in obvious fear.

" Oh goddess Jareth what's wrong? Please tell me, open your eyes Jareth you're safe here. .. Jareth.": Quickly abandoning her straddled position, Sarah knelt beside him, and pulled him into her arms cradling him:" Jareth please. . please follow my voice it's a dream, it's not real! Oh goddess I'm so sorry I didn't think! "

A voice pierced through the choking darkness, calling him telling him that he was safe that it was all just a dream. And that all he needed to do was open his eyes... just open .. his... eyes..

Golden flickering light from the roaring hearth assaulted his eyes as he blinked and returned slowly to his body. He lay on the bed, their bed, held tight in Sarah's warm embrace, his head resting on her naked chest, as she gentle stroked her fingers through his hair, calling his name over and over again. Letting go of all tension, Jareth felt himself sag against her warm naked body, and slide his arms around her waist:" I am sorry Sarah, for ruining the mood. I did not know that, that would happen."

Her brow knit in a look of sad disbelief as she softly cupped his tear stained cheek, rubbing at the wet trails with the side of her thumb:" No.. no it's not you who have anything to apologise for, if anything It's me, who should apologise. I should have known that it was a stupid thing to do so soon. But I just really wanted to ... well . Oh for the love of fuck... I wanted to give you a blow job. It's like ... oh god I'm going to sound like an utter whore now.. but it's something that the boyfriends that I had have always told me I rock at so... yeah, I just wanted to give you a nice surprise. . Sorry."

"Why are you sorry precious? I never expected you to be a virgin.": It was strange to hold this conversation, but it was so far from the hell that he had lived through that he felt it pushing the shadows of fear and pain away as he watched the love of his very long life blush and look like a school girl about to confess some heinous transgression. Which she come to think of it technically was. Besides the though of having her wrap those sinfully lush lips around his once more stirring manhood was utterly glorious, and now that she had offered he was not about to push her away. Which man in his right mind would?:" And surly you know that I did not live in celibacy while I awaited your birth into flesh... We are both adults with history behind us, what we did in our past, well it matters little to our future. "

Relief was clearly evident as Sarah nodded and licked her lips slowly and sensuously until they gleamed red and swollen. And yes Jareth knew that he was staring at those inviting lips as they flowed into a wicked smile:" So you still want me to..."

How could she even ask that?. Lustful need filled him as her slender hand glided slowly from his hair, and down his body to rest on his hip, lightly teasing the skin with her sharp claws. And gazing into her sparkling emerald eye, Jareth grinned as the last ghosts of terror fled :" Yes oh goddess yes, I want you to do your very worst to me you wicked temptress! "

His hand cupped her face as he slipped from her arms, drawing her with him until they lay side by side on the thick fur:" I want whatever you want to do to me precious, never doubt that. "

"Hmm ": She purred playfully as her fingers tugged gentle on his already erect nipples, causing him to arch into that small touch as he moaned with pleasure:" That is a very... Very dangerous thing to say. "

His fingers locked her in place as he pulled her in and attacked her lips with utter abandon, this kiss was teeth and lust, and only the need for air forced him to release his prey :" well I shall take my chances, and rely on your... mercy."

"Oh yes that will help you..."

Fear whispered softly in the back of his mind as Sarah's darkflame flared, casting crimson shadows on her face like traces of blood. It lasted a mere second then the illusion broke and all Jareth saw now was love and need burning out at him, as she rose to all four to leave a trail of open mouthed kisses from the sharp ridge of his collarbone and down his taut heaving abdomen as she crawled backwards with catlike grace until she lay between his slightly spread legs:" Hmm goddess you look good enough to eat. "

His breath came in short shallow pants as he watched her in hungry anticipation with eyes that were almost consumed by the tricoloured flames in their depths. Licking his lips slowly, he was obviously about to speak but any word he might have been about to utter evaporated like dew as her scalding hot lips engulfed him, and drew him into her warm and wet mouth, until her lips encircled his base and her nose nestled in the soft nest of hair. His head fell back into the pile of pillows, his spine arched of off the bed as pure pleasure assaulted his senses and all Jareth was capable of was a strained:" Oh Goddess Yes! ": As his hand gripped her hair holding her in place.

Her lips were like hot living silk and her mouth a cave of moist heat as she suckled and licked, forcing harrowed moans of pleasure from him with each tiny movement as she mapped out every single spot that sent shivers down his back or had light exploding behind his eyes. It was bliss pure and simple, as she glanced up his body, meeting his half closed eyes with a victorious smirk. He was hers, she knew it and so did he as she reached up, and raked her claws down his sides, causing his eyes to flutter shut as she simultaneously hummed deep in her throat sending vibrations up through him. Pulling back a little, she deftly flickered her tongue over the very tip of him before she let him pop out of her warm mouth.

" Hmm I was right, you are good enough to eat... Hmmm I want, more."

" Sarah, please.. I..": His voice was strained and truth be told, he wasn't even certain what it was the he was asking her for, all he knew just in that moment, was that he never wanted her to stop.

" You what ?": She purred innocently, cutting him off:" You want this? "

Once more he moved to answer, only to be stopped dead in his tracks as Sarah dove in and licked from the root to his tip, blowing cool air on the slick trail, making his breath hitch and whatever he was about to say disappear in a new series of moans and sighs as his head once more burrowed into the pillows with another growled :" Oh Goddess.."

Her lips and teeth nipped and nibbled and her claws teased the sensitive scars relentlessly, sending shudder after shudder through him. It was an eternity as she drew out every ounce of pleasure she could and reduced him to a moaning shuddering mess, with glowing eyes and sweat slicked skin. Pride filled her as his moans and mumbled pleas filled the room. To know that she was the one to make the all powerful male wither and moan was nothing short of amazing, and Sarah thoroughly enjoyed every single second of it as she drove him relentlessly towards his utter unravelling.

Using the flat of her tongue, Sarah licked a long line from his base to his tip, letting herself enjoy not only the taste of him, but the feeling of his silken skin against her tongue. Once she reached his tip, Sarah grinned widely as she looked up to see him watching her with dazed and slightly unfocused eyes. Gold, Azure and silver encircled his eyes in a thin ever moving pattern of swirls and circles, and the effect was somewhat chaotic as the glow of his eyes flickered and shifted like multi-coloured flames, enhancing the effect. And Sarah felt her own dark flame flare up and cast it's own multi-coloured glow on the world.

Pursing her lips, she smiled wickedly as she once again bowed to draw him into her warm mouth, only this time she kept her lips as tight around him as she could creating a seal. Pleasure washed through him as he felt her draw him into that impossibly tight heat, and once again his spine bowed as his hips rose up seeking to bury his need as deeply in her as physically possible. It was overwhelming that this young mortal enchantress could wreck such havoc with his senses. Her suction strengthened keeping him trapped between pleasure and agony, and Jareth could not take it anymore, he had to do something. Tightening his grip on her luscious locks, he forced a desperate plea from his lips as she held him on the edge of the precipice:" Please Sarah I... need ..Please.. "

Her grin widened into a Cheshire smirk as she hummed again keeping the soft vibrations going until his eyes rolled back into his head, and his entire body went rigid as he moaned her name.

She was not a virgin and as his seed filled her mouth she was anything but surprised, all she felt was joy as she relinquished her price and crawled up to lay snuggled against his side as he fought to bring his ragged breathing back under control.

Soft hands cradled his face as he slowly blinked his way back to coherence. It had not been his first experience with the French arts, many an ambitious maiden had through the years offered their considerable skill, and well he had been a man with no commitment to keep him from accepting. But never before had he experienced an orgasm strong enough to actually make him pass out! To say that she rocked at this was truly and honestly an enormous understatement.

Drawing in a deep shuttering breath, Jareth slowly inched open his eyes, to met her very satisfied Cheshire grin again. Her emerald eye sparkled and shone as she liked her lips slowly and sensuously like a cat full on cream.

" Hmm did you enjoy that? "

" Oh yes precious...,. I most certainly did. ": Stretching languidly Jareth flashed her a deeply satisfied smirk as he cupped her left breast gently stroking her taut and begging nipple, and had her arching into that comparatively innocent touch with a wanton moan. A moan that filled him with fresh waves of lust and set him ablaze with a burning desire to bury himself inside her:" But now I think it is time for me to reciprocate.. don't you."

Hmm oh yes, but only if you feel strong enough for. .."

His lips stole her words before she could finish them as he pulled her down and claimed them in a deep heated kiss. His teeth captured her lower lip as he used his still trembling legs to flip them and put him on top of her, his arousal pressed against her wet heat as he used his amputated arm to keep his weigh of off her while he kneaded he breast gently and lavished long slow kisses on her. It took no more than a few strokes for him to become soaked by her ardent need. And he was far too inflamed with the need to feel her clenching around him to resist the temptation of sliding into her.

His tongue danced with hers as he shifted between her legs, and slid into her tight wet heat. And sweet goddess she was tight as her slick heat protested the unprepared intrusion by clenching hard around him like a wet velvet fist, tearing muffled cries from them both. Keeping still he gazed lovingly into her face, revelling in the look of glazed rapture he found shining out at him from her gleaming emerald eye. Leaning down he smile against her lips as he whispered : " Sarah Williams I love you."

Her arms snaked up around his back, to grab a hold of his hair, keeping him still as she whispered huskily :" I love you too Jareth king of the Underground. "

Time flowed around them on lazy slow eddies, stealing any sense of urgency as they moved leisurely together. Soft kiss after soft kiss melted into each other as their hands slowly explored and caressed. This was no hurried frantic coupling, this was slow and intense as if they were joining more than just their bodies. Sweet pleasure had their bodies glowing with heat, and slick with sweat easing their movements, allowing them to almost glide along each others silken skin. It could have been minutes or hours, neither of them knew nor cared as they finally clung to each other panting and whimpering as their joined release washed over them in breath-taking waves. All strength vanished from his arms, and Jareth found himself collapsed halfway on top of Sarah's heaving chest, feeling utterly boneless and sated. Limp and warm arms encircled his back, holding him in place, though his weight had to be constricting her breathing. But all such thoughts were ripped from his mind as Sarah's sinful lips closed on the lobe of his right ear, sucking ever so gently, in a faint ghost of what her lips had just done to him, before she whispered huskily:" Soo was that good for you too?"

Laughter bubbled from him, as he slid of off her, rolling to his back, and holding out his left arm in a clear invitation for her to snuggle in close.

" Oh yes Precious it was... very good for me too." : Supressing a yawn, Jareth smiled and pressed a chaste kiss to her brow as he pulled a heavy pelt up around them:" And had the circumstances been different, I would have spend the rest of the day showing you my... most sincere gratitude, but as it stands" : He said smirking at the dual meaning of his own words:" I am utterly and completely spent."

Resting her head heavily on his left shoulder as she slipped her arm across his chest, Sarah sighed in a mixture of contentment and mischief:" Well old man we gotta work on your stamina then."

Grinning broadly at her gall even as fatigue pulled at his consciousness, Jareth kissed her temple and said:" Oh Precious, I will make you Eat those words. .. repeatedly. .."

. . .

Let many things be said of the goblin king, but he was a man of his words. And in the following weeks leading up to the mid winter solstice, Sarah found out just how much. Because yes Jareth did make her eat those words, repeatedly as he made a habit of suddenly abandoning what ever he was doing in favour of snatching her up and spiriting her away to some secluded spot to ravish her for the next few hours. Before returning with a satisfied smirk on their faces, and taking up what ever they had been doing as if they had never left.

It was quite frankly awkward, and no matter how much Lilly, Shiver and Didymus tried to ignore it, it was obvious from their behaviour, as they found themselves unconsciously knocking on every door before entering, even when they knew that there were no one inside. And had it been anyone else who had acted this way the trio agreed that they would have been given a stern talking to. But what kept them all from saying anything was the sudden change in Jareth. Gone was the apologetic excuse for a man, who slunk along the panels if he even left his room. Not that Jareth was gone, and frankly none the three ever wanted to see that man return again. They did however agree that the happy mischievous man who was actually participating as much in the daily work, as his injuries allowed him, was a vast improvement.

And all awkwardness aside the exercises was doing wonders for both Sarah and Jareth's recoveries. It was as if the promise of a believable prosthesis was enough to banish the darkness that for a while had held him in its iron grip. It was even enough that he had begun to speak of the future with hope and conviction in his voice. As he, Didymus and Shiver spent long nights planning out the Labyrinths possible defence, on a huge detailed map that now dominated the back wall of the great room. While Sarah and Lilly either watched and gave their input, or chatted, read or generally just enjoyed this strange little family that they had become. And when they were not engrossed in saving the Labyrinth or when Jareth had vanished with Sarah to their thankfully sound proof rooms, Shiver and Didymus would regale each other with stories of battles and adventures. Or on those special night when Lilly had treated everyone to a particularly delicious meal, they had been known to sing or play one of the seemingly endless instruments that they both mastered, sharing the music of the underground with the two aboveground girls. And on those nights Jareth would more often than not join in and lend his beautiful voice to the choir.

It was a happy time, careless and free in a way that non of the five sorely tried people had ever experienced before. And in the time to come they would all look back at their time in the lonely lodge in a world where they had no one but themselves, with warm happiness.

It was one such peaceful night that found the quintet all seated or lounging in the large couch and plush chairs that made up the fireside seating area, Shiver lying with his head in Lilly's lap, taking up a big part of the couch. Leaving Sarah and Jareth to sit entwined in the other end, while Didymus reclined in the big plush chair plucking snippets of songs as if unable to decide which one to play.

Running her fingers slowly down Jareth's arm, Sarah smiled happily. It had been a good day filled with laughter as she, Jareth and Didymus had skinned and butchered two more of the large pig/lizard looking creatures. And though Jareth had had problems being of any help with only one hand he had simple made himself useful by carrying the meat to the smoker, or laying it out on the freezing racks that Didymus had built to hang from the porch rafters. The king and the knight had laughed and poked fun at each other, as they had worked and reduced the animal to clean bones, that Didymus insisted on carrying into the garden shed alone. And now they sat full of good food, with steaming goblets of mulled wine enjoying a quiet night in the company of friends. It was a nearly perfect day. That only became better when Didymus suddenly disrupted the soft crackling of the fireplace with the first few lines of a song

Through hardships unnumbered

and dangers untold

he toiled and fought and strove

No challenge could best him,

not spurs nor ring

Both soon he won

The youngest of the crimson creed.

The look on Shivers face was one of disbelief as he covered his eyes and groaned:" You are joking You overgrown muppet! Of all the songs you choose this one.. it is now official. . I hate you. "

The older knights teasing grin merely widened as he strummed his half moon shaped guitar and sang the second verse.

He leads them on to highest glory

his lance still unbroken

he stands untouched by defeat

No challenge could best him

Not spurs nor ring

both he proudly wore

Our leader of the crimson creed

"Really Didymus": The now furiously blushing Knight ground out:" you are truly going to do this to me?"

"Verily young Shiver why doth thou whish to hide the song which was thee given in tribute? ": A look if quizzical intrigue caused the fox to slant his head ever so slightly.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Shiver snorted:" Truly you have to ask ?"

" Oh no ": Interjected Jareth with a mischievous grin of his own:" He need not.."

Through battles unnumbered

and dangers unknown

his blood he gives for our lives

No challenge could best him

not spurs nor ring

both he wears in pride

Our Lord of the crimson creed.

Jareth's voice was smooth and teasing as he sang while Didymus played the merry tune.

No rampant dragons burning rage

nor aardvarks furious roar

could curb the flame within his eye

No challenge could best him

not fang nor claw

both he quickly slew

he the bravest of the crimson creed.

he fights for me and you

With blood and pain he defends us all

our homes and land and fields

Shying never from hardship nor from pain

for no challenge to great

no matter the price

for he battles for us

make not his struggles in vain

hear me I ask of thee

all goblins of our realm

stand tall and honour bound

follow he the bravest

our prince of the crimson creed.

Resting his hand across his presumably closed eyes, Shiver growled:" Fine you had your fun now let us just forget that that ever took place, shall we?"

"But why?" : Lilly pressed, gentle running her fingers through the thick fall of his dreads:" It's a lovely song very catchy and obviously written with great love. why don't you like it?"

"I ... It's.. You do not understand, I am not that knight anymore, I am no longer the unbested champion of legend... it is all a lie now.. The unbroken lance was shattered... and that can never be mended. "

Embarrassment turned to anguish as he looked from older knight to his father, pleading:" please can't we just let it lie It ... "

Falling silent, Shiver drew in a soft breath that sounded suspiciously like a sob as he turned minutely, clearly trying to hide as single treacherous drop of moisture escaped the shield of his hand.

Stunned Didymus sat with the instrument held forgotten as realisation slapped him cruelly in the face. This was the cause of the goblins apparent coldness towards him, and the reason why he had kept his injuries hidden for so long... He Didymus had shattered Shiver's lance during the battle that he Sarah and Ludo had fought going through the goblin city. He had ruined the legend of the undefeated lord commander.

" Oh sweet goddess above, Shiver I knew not what I hath done! That, that knight was you."

keeping his face averted, Shiver sighed:" But that does not matter, I am only lord captain as long as I remain undefeated. ... now I am only Captain as long as the other goblins choose to follow me. Had they known that you were the one to defeat me they would have forsaken me during the last battle, and followed you instead. ... I am only the lord captain in name now... Nothing more, and that makes that song a lie.. I.."

" But they did know, did they not? ": Jareth's voice was soft as he untangled himself from Sarah and leaned up to grip Shiver's hand forcing him to meet his eyes:" He defeated you in front of the collected group of Captains and their squires, and as you recall non of that lot are even remotely capable of keeping anything not related to their specific area of responsibility secret in any way. Trust me Shiver the entire Labyrinth knew not only that you were defeated, by who by and how, not five minutes after Sarah defeated me. They knew, seven years ago, and still they have followed you faithfully. I read the rapports Shiver, they follow you out of loyalty and love. What started three thousand years ago, as a way to insure that only the strongest of Goblins guarded me, ended some three hundred odd years ago when you won their hearts and loyalty. They do not follow you because you can beat them in combat, they follow you because you fight beside them, and because you fight to keep them safe! They are loyal to you because you are loyal to them, and that is why they still follow you despite you being bested by Didymus. And why none of them have mentioned your defeat with a single word!.."

" But..": Blinking slowly as the barrage of words pummelled his confused mind, Shiver tried to form a reply to refute what his father had just told him, only to realise that he couldn't. :" I .."

" You what?" : Jareth pushed on:" You thought that those warriors three and four times your age simple followed you because you can beat them? Please Shiver you are not that gullible! Have you learnt nothing from those history books you poured over as a babe? What happened to lord commander Thorwind ? "

Looking sheepishly confused Shiver answered:" He was killed by his men after getting nine Knights fatality wounded, and you almost killed..."

"And lord Grain?"

" Poisoned after killing two squires for negligence. .."

"None of those knights lasted more that fifty years wearing the ring, and you know as well as I that the number of Lord commanders to wear this ring for more than a century can be counted on one hand! While those who were dispatched while remaining "undefeated" number In their dozens. You are their leader and no minor scrap with a worthy knight while being reduced to a quarter of ones size and strength can Ever Change that fact. Loyalty is a gift Shiver, and it can only be given freely and willingly. And it is up to us to make ourselves worthy of it by trusting those who gives it. And you sir Didymus, you must never apologise for being a talented jouster. There is nothing wrong with taking pride in being good! Now Can the two of you please make peace with what happened, so that we can focus on healing because we all need it! "

Letting go of Shivers hand, Jareth leaned back against the couch looking every inch the impatient monarch they all ( sans Lilly) remembered as he watched both knights wrestle to truly grasp the implications of his, words.

" But how can you know this? how can you be certain?": Turning to face the room more fully, Shiver winced as he sat up and swung his still wounded leg of the couch stretching it out with a soft hiss.

" You forget Shiver I have ruled and led Goblins long before you were wished away, yes fear will drive them into battle, but only loyalty will see them fight to keep you safe and alive. Tell me do you recall the skirmish with the last night goblin king? King Liom? The one where you slew a full dozen, before blood loss got the best of you? Well if they had not been loyal, then they would not have carried you from the field when the battle was lost, three knights gave their lives so that the rest could get you to safety. .. That is how I can be certain! I saw them when they brought you back it was fear for you life not fear for you that brought you home that night, and I am glad for it."

" Verily": Interjected Didymus :" I saw it too in the manner of which they spoke of thee. To the man they were convinced that thou wouldst conceive a way to salvage the realm and their king. So yes Lord Shiver I am certain that thou doth indeed hold their trust, regardless of whether or not you have been defeated but once..."

Shiver's eyes grew impossible huge as he sat looking back and forth from Jareth to Didymus, looking like a suddenly landed fish as his mouth opened and closed without sound.

Smiling gently, Jareth reached out once more this time softly squeezing Shiver's lightly trembling shoulder as he spoke:" It is not easy to fathom why anyone would follow one self, but I find that the knowledge that souls depend on my decisions, makes me strive to be worthy of their trust, and I hope that I can become the king we all need. But this is not a conversation for a night such as this, so let us raise our goblets and drink to becoming worthy of those who deem us so and then I believe that it is your turn to choose the next song my dear Shiver."

Lifting his nearly forgotten goblet, with a still slightly dumbfounded expression on his face, Shiver drank deeply from the mulled wine as he forced the million and one churning thoughts to the back of his mind and forced himself to think of happier and lighter things, such as choosing a song to teach the two now grim faced women. Because Jareth was right, thoughts that deep and painful did not belong at night. And come dawn Shiver would corner Didymus somewhere private and apologies for having been such a blind oaf.

Thus determined Shiver smiled brightly and said with mock innocence: Well if I must choose then I believe that it is time to teach these young ladies... the Magic dance don't you...

The dark look that was shot his way could easily have made mountains crumble to dust and oceans dry out as Jareth growled:" Fine but I will get you back..."