The throne room they emerge into isn't quite as congested as it was during their last visit – thank god for small blessings – but it's still more crowded than Sarah could have anticipated. They arrive at the edge of a crowd of a dozen different lords and ladies – what she assumes must be the Goblin King's court. They're unnoticed for the moment, but from the sound of it they're the cause of a relatively tempestuous debate. Gaelan is standing at the foot of the Goblin King's throne, red-faced and staring down an equally red-faced Orlaith. It appears, at least when wild packs of goblins aren't involved, that the timid castellan can hold his own.
"-trying to tell you, it is not our place to interfere. His Highness entrusted me in his absence, and-"
"His Highness – if you are still somehow unaware after last night's travesty – is not in the best frame of mind at present. The man has been heartsick for years, and he needs our help. Someone needs to track him down and put an end to this. You should have let me go after him last night – we've waited far too long already, and I'm not about to stand by any longer and wait for things to get worse. Honestly, I can't believe you told no one of the chain you saw-"
"It wasn't my business – just as it isn't yours – and if I command you to do nothing but stand by, then that's what you'll do. Need I remind you, you're not the one running things, Orlaith-"
The woman in question tosses back her hair, and takes a firm step into the scowling castellan's personal space. "At times, Gaelan, I don't think you are, either – at least not with any sense, or to anyone's benefit."
Instead of backing off, Gaelan leans in so that the pair of them are almost nose to nose. The Goblin King is quick to step forward before things can escalate further. The crowd parts at the sound of his voice.
"I leave the castle for one night, and the two of you almost come to blows?" Jareth tuts and shakes his head. "Gaelan, for a civil servant, that's hardly very civil, now is it?"
Orlaith turns to face them in a whirl of golden hair. "Jareth? Jareth, dear heart, whatever is going on? You disappear again, you haven't answered a single message, and we've been up all night worried sick. Are you all r-?" Her eyes flicker towards Sarah, widen, and immediately find those of her king again. "She's …?"
Gaelan's mouth hangs open, but he's quick to recover – and quick to blush at the reprimand. "M-my apologies, Sire."
Jareth nods to both of them, leading Sarah carefully by the arm as they approach the throne. "And as for you, Orlaith, I appreciate your concern, but I'd thank you not to make such private matters so public – particularly before my queen was ready to become such."
"Queen?"
The murmurs start up at once, the men and women they stand before taking in the sight of their lightly smirking king and the woman beside him. Sarah takes a moment to blush. She's surrounded by a sea of faces: some shocked, some smiling; all of them gawping openly at her. The tense atmosphere in the room seems to melt away at once. As she suspected, she's swathed in blue – the implication clear as she stands beside the king, decked out in all his royal regalia. That king now lifts her hand to his lips, and presses a soft kiss against the backs of her knuckles. He keeps that hand held tight within his own as he turns to address the room, his rich voice heard by all.
"As some of you-" Jareth shakes his head and begins again. "As all of you know, some years ago, there came a girl into my labyrinth – a girl who, in spite of all the trials and everything I had to throw at her, managed to best your king. That girl stands before you today – a woman grown; a woman who, as some of you may have guessed, has captured my interest and my heart as no other ever has. A woman who, long ago, I decided was worthy of being my wife." He gives her a sidelong look, and smiles as he corrects himself. "Who at last decided I was worthy of her."
Orlaith looks back and forth between the two of them, her own smile slowly growing wider and wider. "But … at the celebration … I thought for certain that- … oh, I have no idea what's happening, but she's really …?"
Jareth waves a hand, both deterring and dismissive. "A misunderstanding; a spell gone awry – everything is settled now. It matters not." His eyes gleam with pride. "She said yes. The woman I love said yes."
Hearing those words from him causes Sarah's heart to pound just that little bit faster. She feels her smile spreading, warm and wide – feels her mouth opening to return the sentiment. Before she can speak, Orlaith shrieks and all but launches herself at the bemused Goblin King. Jareth stumbles backwards with the force of her embrace, grinning himself now, but his arms barely close around the woman's slender back before she's pulling away again. Sarah has no time to react before Orlaith seizes both of her hands and draws her closer, pressing kisses to both her cheeks.
"Darling … oh, darling one." Though tears are brimming in her strange copper eyes, she truly is radiant when she smiles, giving Sarah absolutely no choice but to smile back. "At last, at long last. Gods and all the heavens, at long last. I'm so happy for you, dear – so happy for you both." She gives a soft, hiccuping sob. "I knew you loved him too. I just knew it. He would've let you go your whole life without the two of you ever confessing it – some silly, noble idea of not meddling in your life. As if a simple truth spell would not have done it! You've had his heart for an age, and the stubborn fool wouldn't have the good sense to even tell you."
Sarah grins, though her own tears aren't far away. "He's had mine as well. I never told him; I never knew. So many years."
The other woman laughs. "I knew it – you're as stubborn as one another. Well, he needs someone to butt heads with – bring him down a notch when he sorely needs it. He never said a damned word about just who he was staying with all this time. he knows he would have never heard the end of it, had he dared come home without you. Oh, dear … to see you here at long last – to see that love in person, his smile, just to have you on his arm … and for him to do it without his proper intent declared for all his court to see? Foolish, foolish man." Orlaith shakes her head.
"I had to beg him to let me attend the ball in the first place," Sarah finds herself saying.
"I'll bet you did." Orlaith spares the Goblin King a brief eyeroll. "He knows he would never have heard the end of it if he dared bring you here without coming clean – putting you both out of your misery at last. He thought he'd try to sneak it past me instead – as if I'd be so blind or foolish. He never was any good at playing hide and seek. Honestly, there was one occasion where he actually cried-"
Jareth clears his throat rather deliberately. "Yes, well when the pair of you have quite finished defaming my character before my court …"
"My apologies, Sire." Orlaith's tight-lipped smirk says she's anything but. She gives Sarah's hands one last firm squeeze before letting her go, eyes moving back to Jareth's. "We'll need to start planning at once, of course. You haven't given us much notice, dear, but if we send the summons out immediately, I'm sure we can have all the right names in place for you to make all of the formal announcements before sundown. Of course, that gives me no time at all to warn the poor thing about all of your bad habits; share some of your embarrassing stories … " Her eyes continue to flit back and forth between the two of them, her smile blooming wider.
Sarah feels an arm slip around her waist, Jareth drawing her closer as if he fears he'll lose her. "I had rather hoped to make the official announcements … ah … tomorrow. There's much Sarah and I still have to discuss – matters that must be taken care of."
The happy tears are gone now, and Orlaith is just as smug as the Goblin King can be when she smirks. "Matters that might, by chance, be dealt with only inside your bedchamber, Jareth? By all means, enlighten us as to exactly what these important matters are."
Soft laughter echoes around them. When Sarah glances up at her lover – her king – she sees he's actually blushing.
"This is treason, I tell you," Jareth hisses.
"So have me imprisoned, Sire," Orlaith shoots back.
"Don't tempt me. It's been a long while since the oubliettes have seen any action, and I'll have you know-"
It's satisfying to see how easily her future husband can be tamed, just with the gentlest of caresses along the small of his back. Jareth glances down at her, his smile already resurfacing, and Sarah can't help but smile back. She thinks it's that shared smile – of love – that makes Orlaith have mercy on them. The teases stop, and in the new silence, Sarah is positive that she's going to be kissed – right here, right before the entire court to see.
Before they can do anything more than lean in a little closer, Gaelan gives a small cough. "Does this … does this mean you'll be staying at the castle again, Sire?"
Jareth gives a soft sigh, his lips only an inch away from Sarah's own before he draws back. "For a time." He goes on before the other man can relax fully. "However, there'll be the honeymoon to think of. A month, I expect, or perhaps two. Four at the very most, I imagine, dependent on where we find ourselves. I trust the castle will be safe in your hands during that time." His lips lift as the castellan starts to grow pale. "Gaelan, I'm joking."
"Mother of Gaia, you're sending me into an early grave, is what you're doing," Gaelan mutters, before he remembers himself with a jolt. "Sire."
Sarah lays a hand on the smirking Goblin King's arm. "Leave the poor man alone. He deserves a vacation of his own after all he's done." Maybe somewhere Aboveground – somewhere he can meet someone. Someone who – boyfriend of the month permitting – might be willing to bring him out of himself a little more. Someone with a thing for younger-looking men. She chuckles at the idea of Molly dating someone a couple of centuries older, for a change. She returns Gaelan's grateful smile as she makes her own little schemes, thinking like a queen already.
"What are you plotting behind that wicked grin, love?" Jareth asks her.
She feels her smile bloom wider as she turns to him, this king, the man who will soon become her husband. "Just a way for everyone to be happy. Everyone deserves a little magic in their lives – a little something they can wish for."
"And are you, Sarah? Are you happy, or have you more wishes to ask of me?"
"Just one."
She leans in close to whisper in his ear, and feels his warm breath in her hair as he chuckles.
"Now that I'll be more than happy to grant."
Meanwhile, the chatter of the court goes on around them.
"Of course, we have suspected for some time …"
" … the benefits of a human bride are endless. Why, the usual protective wards around the nursery won't be necessary until at least your child's fifth year …"
"With your blessing, Your Highness, the ceremony can be arranged before the year is out. The day itself can commence the Yuletide celebrations, and if-"
"Does the good lady have any musical requests for the dancing? We will do our utmost to accommodate, but-"
Sarah looks at Jareth. It's clear he's trying to hold on to a sense of decorum before her, and before his assembled court. His head is held high as he stands before them, but there's a small smile on his lips, a little spring in his heels that means he can't stand completely still. Tentative at first, she edges closer and lets her hand reach out for his. At once, his fingers close around hers. His eyes dart towards her, seeming to glance briefly at her, before he does a sort of double-take and turns to her fully.
"Oh, to hell with it," he mutters, before drawing her into a long, deep kiss.
She can't help but giggle against his mouth, but the sounds turns to a moan as his tongue pushes between her lips. In any normal setting – any human setting – the small crowd gathered before them would cough politely and turn their gaze away. Here, they only watch as the Goblin King finally displays the long held back hunger for his intended bride – their soon-to-be queen. It's a little disconcerting at first, that new and unexpected tolerance, but his mouth is bliss, and her love for him allows her to bear the small embarrassment. When the two of them finally tear away, she feels hot all over, and knows it's no longer just from embarrassment. She manages a lop-sided grin in the vague direction of the assembled court.
"Would his Highness like to continue this discussion at a later time – a less urgent time?" Gaelan asks.
"Yes," Jareth answers, a little short of breath. "Yes, I rather think he would." He raises an eyebrow and a smirk as he turns to Orlaith. "See to it none of them disturb us, hmm? I can't tell you how detrimental it will be to the kingdom if I have to spend my first evening back here discussing chamber music and china patterns instead of extending my intended bride a good, long … ah … welcome."
The golden-haired woman titters softly and rolls her eyes. "You have such a way with words, Jareth."
"I know. In the end, my wonderful way with words is most likely what won me my lovely bride."
"Your lovely bride is standing right here, you know," Sarah growls, though she's smiling.
Jareth leans in for another kiss. "Not for long, my love."
There's the sensation of being lifted by magic, but she thinks, in all her happiness, she might have simply floated into his bedchamber of her own accord. Jareth returns her helpless smile and kisses her as he lays her down on a thick fur rug by the open fireplace. The softness of it against her back is the perfect contrast for the hardness and heat of his body as he lowers himself down atop her. He kisses her again as she tries to get her head around this thing that's grown between them – the sudden seduction and the love that's finally blossomed after so many years. His mouth is too distracting for her to think for long, and soon she can do nothing but return his kisses. Their bodies twine together, lips and tongues, parted thighs and reaching hands. For a time, they breathe as one.
There's little need for foreplay this time – not with so many years of longing saved up for one another – and he wills both of their clothes away with magic, eager to claim her. She doesn't mind, not when his weight feels so right between her thighs – not when she's clutching at his bare shoulders and all but begging for him to make love to her. She moans her frustration when he rolls off of her, but the fire in his eyes silences her complaints.
"Come here," he says, bared and beautiful as he lies cushioned in the soft furs beside her. "Come on top of me, precious – that's how you first had me. I need to be inside you – always need to be a part of you."
Rising up onto her knees, she brushes a pale lock of his hair away from his forehead. "You already are," she says, kissing him softly on the mouth.
"Mmm," he agrees, letting his palms slip down her body. One presses itself to the small of her back, urging her on. "But I'd be even more a part of you if you sit on my cock, love."
She grins against his lips. "When you ask as nicely as that, how can I resist?"
She's still smiling as she kneels up again, swinging one leg over his narrow hips. He's more than ready for her to take him right now, but she straddles him low down enough on his thighs, so that only her mound brushes the underside of his cock. He tries to thrust up against her – into her – but she denies him that contact, leaning in to nip just once at his mouth. When he cranes his neck to try for a deeper kiss, she pulls back.
With a desperate little grunt, Jareth takes hold of her hips, urging her to shift up just a fraction – to impale herself on him – but she ignores him for the time being. Instead, she eases herself down so that she's lying on top of him, letting the stiff peaks of her nipples just graze his bare chest. This way, she can feel the solid length of his cock, nestled hot and hard against her belly, and yet he cannot feel just how ready for this she is too. From the feel of him, he's almost as wet as she is, dripping with desire and straining for release. She decides to tease him a little longer – after all, they've waited so many years to be together so perfectly like this. It's only right that she savour their new engagement.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" she asks, sure to grind more firmly against him. "Maybe we should wait until we're married."
Jareth groans in dismay, thrusting his hips up towards her in desperation. "You never had any problems with sex before marriage the many other times I've had you."
She smirks, feeling the slow leak of him wet her belly a little more. "Ah, but that was before things got serious. Maybe it'd be best if we waited until after the wedding."
From the look on his face, he can't decide between desire and despair. "Is that … is that really what you want, love?"
She shifts her body against his, giving him just enough stimulation to tease. "I haven't decided yet. I mean, I want you and all – you haven't felt how wet you've gotten me, just from kissing." That makes her lover almost whine in his frustration, and she has to bite back a grin. "But … maybe waiting would be best. You said, long ago, if I ever asked for anything, you'd never deny me … that you'd give me whatever I wanted. Now that we're engaged …oh!"
It appears the Goblin King isn't above a little shameless manipulation himself, one hand sneaking between their bodies to caress her swollen and neglected clit. After only a few short strokes, she knows his fingers must be covered in her honey.
"Oh … how could you?" she asks, before giving a sound that's halfway between a laugh and a moan. She shudders atop him, writhing between the hard cock that's pressed against her and the wicked fingers that slip just a little lower to press into her.
Jareth is practically purring with his new-found satisfaction. "Quite easily, my succulent little Sarah, with just how soaked you are. Why, I'll bet I could have you coming, just like this, in only a matter of minutes. Of course, if you still want to stop …"
"Oh, god …"
"I believe 'king' will suffice, love, but I'm honoured nonetheless."
Her moans grow louder, her movements more frantic – she can't help it. "You're the worst, but fuck, you're good at this."
"As are you, my wicked little seductress. Might I suggest a truce?"
"Truce." She's quick to agree, adjusting her position so that she can kiss him and have him grind against her at the same time. Her moans are swallowed up by his eager mouth, the full length of his cock now bathed in her wetness. He rubs so satisfyingly along her slick folds that it grows harder to speak between their kisses. "I think … mmm … I think I know what I want now."
"Oh, I'll give you just what you want, Sarah," is his heated reply, his voice strained as he lifts his hips to encourage her. "Anything. Everything."
"Well, right now I want you just like this." Her gasp of pleasure is as loud as his as she positions him at her entrance. Their eyes meet, full of joy and lust.
"You've got me – now have me, love."
Granting them both mercy at last, she slides down around his cock, taking him all the way inside her. The full length of him slides into her easily, wet as she is, filling her, completing her at last. Instantly, his hands clench at her ass, and he buries his face against her neck, letting out a choked little moan. "Gods have mercy," he says as she squeezes down on him, gripping him in her wet heat. "Need you to fuck me, love. Need you to move."
She smiles down at him as she gives him just what he needs – he's too hard and hot to resist for long – rocking atop him and driving him deeper and deeper. Her first orgasm is sudden and unexpected, white sparks that flash, blinding behind her eyelids; a full-bodied shiver of pleasure that leaves her trembling atop him. He slows his thrusts to watch her throughout it, savouring the fluttering heat and tight, tight grip of her body as she comes hard for him.
She's almost embarrassed at losing control so abruptly, so unexpectedly, but the satisfaction, the hunger she sees on his face readies her for yet more of that bliss he brings her. The second is even better, coming to the sound of his wild, uninhibited moans. He drags her hips down onto him as his cock throbs inside her, fucking her deeply, filling her in hot, heavy bursts as she pulses around him. Her name leaves his lips as he comes inside her, along with deep, groaning sounds of pleasure, whispered endearments and contented, nonsense sounds of release.
After, while he's still inside her, while his eyes are still shining with the glow of orgasm, she smiles down at him, filled with love – full of him. They exchange soft kisses and vows of love – words that bind them together long before they will even think of starting on plans for the wedding. There's much for them to discuss, but for now they're content just to be together, savouring the warm glow of love that's come to be between them; savouring the joy of that love finally being returned.
After a nameless amount of time, she climbs off him and lies down facing him on the rug. He stretches out beside her, before planting a small kiss to her temple. Shifting with the slow, lazy movements of someone who's well and truly satisfied, he drapes an arm around her shoulders, moving his body in close to hers and cocooning her in his warmth. When he can bear to tear his eyes away from hers, he glances across the room and grins. "I knew we were forgetting something."
When she follows his gaze, she sees the large, empty space where his tainted bed used to be. She can't help laughing. "And I thought making love in front of the fireplace was supposed to be romantic."
"Well, it was one of the reasons." He gives a soft sigh. "I do need to pick out a new bed at some point, though. As much as I love having you right here-" He traces the swell of her right breast with his free hand, to show her just how much he likes it. "It's hardly proper to expect my queen to share my bed, if I don't even have one. Blasted goblins." The pout he gives is so pathetic, she can't help but grin.
"Now you're just looking for sympathy – I'm sure they've paid the price and then some, wherever you sent them. Besides, if it makes you feel any better, you can share my bed in the meantime."
"Now that I'm amenable to – downright enthusiastic about, if I'm honest."
They share another kiss – deeper, more heated than the last. It's clear, after only a brief respite, and if the heat in his stare is anything to go by, that her insatiable king is ready for round two. Oh, to be fucked like this – as often as this – forever. The thought makes her grin. She scoots in a little closer to him, encouraging his touch.
"As queen, shouldn't I get at least some say in which bed you choose? I am going to be shackled to it, after all – powerless to resist, you said."
Jareth smirks. "Well, in that case, you'd best help me pick out a new rug to make you powerless upon as well … not to mention floors, walls; every flat surface in this castle that I can find to have you on."
That earns him a little nip to his lower lip. "What about the goblins?"
Jareth considers this for a moment, before dipping his head to nibble at her neck. "Those too, I suppose, if they stand still for long enough – and if you don't mind a scaly surface, and an audience."
That earns his ass a light smack, her arm quick to snake around his body as she grimaces. "Ugh! Jareth!"
He smirks again, this time against her shoulder. "Sarah."
"Jareth."
"Oh, Sarah …"
The hands that skim down across her ribs, combined with the low moan against her neck, are almost enough to undo her resolve, but she pushes on. "You know that's not – oh, hands off that, that isn't fair – that's not what I meant."
"You say that so often – you say other words far too often, when instead you should be moaning my name in that delicious way you have. Besides, when have I ever been known to be fair, love?"
"Never," she admits. "But the goblins you Bogged, and … uh … Caved … shouldn't you bring them back?"
His forehead nudges her breast, his grumpy little groan stifled against pillowy softness. "You're far too lenient, but if it gains me access to your … affections … then very well. You know I'm likely to agree to anything while I have you naked. It doesn't bode well for the kingdom."
She has to laugh – the thought of the powerful king she's always known reduced to a horny teenager by just a hint of breast. "Just think of the power I'll wield."
"I'd rather think of how much more interesting court gatherings will be if you attend them nude."
"And here I thought you actually loved me."
"I do – I just have some incredibly lewd ulterior motives."
She chuckles and shakes her head, lightly dragging her nails across his stomach. "And are there any more of these ulterior motives for seducing me?"
Jareth considers for a moment. "Oh, just the usual really. Wanting to sample more of your delightful body, predominantly," he says, markedly casual, turning his head upward ever so slightly to gauge her reaction. "Then, of course, there's celebrating the fact that you've been foolish enough to finally return my love – thereby making that ghastly business of being chained to you, serving as your personal sex slave entirely worthwhile. Hmm … what else? Ah, yes: trying to convince you to stay here with me indefinitely; worshipping you and the very ground you walk on the way I always will; filling every last inch of your … senses; thrusting myself even deeper into your heart …"
He cracks a smile, unable, as always, not to finish on a despicably lewd note. " … while simultaneously – and rather effectively, I think, given your moans – thrusting harder and deeper into your lovely, tight, soaking wet-"
"I hate you."
"Pft. Lies. All lies."
"No, I genuinely, really hate you. Really," she manages to deadpan. "Seriously, take me back. What the hell was I thinking, wanting to be with you always? Someone, save me."
Both his arms come around her now, squeezing her tightly. "Too late. What's said is said, and all that. Mine forever. Sorry about that."
"Oh, great. Do I need to choose someone to run a labyrinth or some crazy shit like that to save me from you?"
"No labyrinth. Only sex, more sex, and, eventually, sleep."
"For me, or for the person who's saving me? Because that might affect who I choose."
Jareth gives the most delicious growl before he rolls her on top of him again. "I'm far too hard, and you're far too nonchalant for someone who's about to be fucked quite, quite senseless, you know."
She can't help grinning, even as she gives a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, again?"
"Shut up and kiss me, love."
"But, Your Highness, I can't – you didn't wish for it."
"Fine. I wish you would shut up long enough to kiss me, you enchanting, endearing, exhausting little-"
He doesn't get to finish his wish; he doesn't have to.
It's a given she'll stay with him that night, and then next, after the formal announcement has been made. The pair of them manage to sneak off together while the celebrations are still in full swing – though Sarah can't help but think a smirking Orlaith might have something to do with the sudden distraction when a handful of rowdy goblins crash the party. Still, when Jareth wishes ever so sweetly for her to come back to be with him the next night, and the next, she can't help but agree. It amuses her to find that even without the chain, even in a different bed, their sleeping positions remain the same: she on her right side, he pressed in close behind her, curled around her body.
His next wish comes less than a month later. It involves a ring, and an amulet that is the twin of the Goblin King's own. She grants it with a resounding 'yes', but there's no breaking the spell, the new enchantment they're both helplessly under.
Both of them understand that some wishes can take a lifetime of love – a lifetime of one another – to truly be granted.