Chapter Four
(A Talk amongst Kings)
It was very early in the morning when Jareth arrived back at his castle. His goblins were finally tired out. He smirked as he noticed a very tired goblin run into a wall before turning and heading down the hallway.
"Perhaps I shall have to call on Arianna once in a while to wear them out once she is a permanent resident of the underground." He commented. Silently he thought he should do it the next time he was going to host a ball. The last time had been a near disaster. His goblins were so tired from their fun thanks to Ari he thought for once his subjects might actually let him sleep in.
He walked down a hallway the left and headed for his study. The Goblin King couldn't help but silently approve of the unknown royal's antics. If he didn't know better he might think the girl had goblin blood in her. She was as mischievous as some of his goblins. He laughed remembering the girl Delilah's tantrums at the pranks.
"Late night?"
Jareth looked over to see Soren sitting in a chair as he entered his private study. He was obviously more tired than he realized if he hadn't known another royal was there right away.
"The goblins were having fun." He replied with a shrug.
"I thought you were going to check on your little mortal and my daughter." The Dark Elf King said, less than pleased.
"That's where we were." The Goblin King informed him. Seeing his surprise he said, "It seems your daughter and my Sarah are becoming good friends."
"That must be convenient." Soren's captain, Tae, commented.
Jareth smirked. "Indeed."
"Why were you allowing your goblins to terrorize them?" Soren questioned. He didn't like the idea that Jareth had let his goblins harass his daughter at all. If he wanted to harass his little mortal fine, but not his daughter.
"Actually it was Arianna who was doing most of the terrorizing." Jareth informed him. "I admit my goblins got in on the action as well but it was your daughter that initiated it. She, Sarah and their friends decided to play some pranks on those that had been terrorizing my Sarah."
Soren quickly found he was unable to keep some form of a smile off his face as the Goblin King informed him of exactly what had taken place that night. Both their captains were equally amused as one or the other seemed to snicker here and there.
"Her antics were amusing but you will not be happy about everything concerning your daughter." Jareth warned. Soren regarded him with interest.
"By all means, enlighten me." Soren said when he didn't immediately continue.
"How shall I put this?" Jareth said not hiding his amusement. "Arianna is a strong girl and a force to be reckoned with in the mortal realm however… she lacks a ladies grace, shall we say?"
"The girl couldn't possibly be unattractive. Brianna was beautiful and, as much as I hate to say it, so is Evelyn." Soren said, annoyed at having to admit a compliment toward the woman.
"You misunderstand." The Goblin King replied. "Your daughter is indeed beautiful and her attentions are sought by males around her."
"You said she..."
"Soren your daughter is beautiful, but she dresses far more like a man than a woman." Jareth informed him.
"What?" Soren said as his eyes narrowed, not hiding he wasn't pleased.
"I've never seen your daughter in a dress or skirt." The Goblin King announced. "To be honest the only thing I've seen her in is basketball apparel."
Soren groaned. He knew what basketball apparel was because Brianna had also played basketball. "That's the only thing you've seen her in?" The Dark King was hoping he'd heard him wrong. Seeing the Goblin King nod he sighed.
"You're daughter is no wilting flower to be sure, but she is also not the epitome of a lady, let alone an underground princess."
"Is that the only problem you foresee?" Tae inquired.
"Your princess has no problem with retaliation at all. Basketball keeps her from doing too much in the mortal realm but once she is here that will change. Although in truth I imagine we could both have our hands full."
"Worried about your little mortal when I hand her over to you?" The Dark Elf King commented sounding amused.
"Well your daughter has become rather protective of Sarah." Seeing Soren's surprise he added, "After what I witnessed tonight I may have to change my tactics a bit."
"Are you concerned what our princess might do?" Tae inquired sounding amused.
"Let us say I have the feeling your princess could turn a square round," Jareth drawled. Seeing the dark elf king's captain raise an eyebrow he added, "I would suggest getting some sleep before she arrives."
"You would say she has a strong disposition?"Soren asked.
"I would not be surprised to see those who do not normally bend, bend before her. You need not worry if she can handle a sudden change. Your problem will be in turning her into a Fae Princess."
"Any suggestions?"
"Avoid pink and flowers in her room." The Goblin King said in almost warning. Soren was somewhat surprised by his suggestion but nodded.
"What is your plan to obtain the two girls?" Jareth inquired.
"I considered taking them in two weeks before All Hallows Eve, but then Evelyn might figure it out and try and come for my daughter. I think the last night we can enter would be best. We can be gone before Evelyn find's out."
"Indeed." The Goblin King knew Soren's logic made sense, but he was also disappointed. He had hoped to have Sarah under his control by All Hallows Even. Unlike Soren, he was not patient. Especially where Sarah was concerned.
"Don't worry, you'll have your Sarah." The Dark Elf King assured him as he rose to his feet.
"Yes I will. Even if your daughter won't like it." Jareth said. Silently he hoped Sarah didn't fight him. He actually did not want to deal with an angry Ari himself. Ari might not know or understand her Fae powers now but she would. Still he wouldn't let the Dark Elf Princess prevent him from having Sarah either. Sarah was his.
"Do go away." Jareth said sleepily as he felt someone's presence.
"Come now, is that anyway to greet your brother?"
Jareth rolled over and glared at his sibling. "What in the blast are you doing here this early?!" He demanded with narrowed eyes.
"Early?" The other Fae replied. "It's nearly eleven." He smirked seeing Jareth look at him confused. "Late night with the goblins?"
"Very." He said wiping his eyes. "What are you doing here Amador? You hate coming here."
"Yes, well, Mother and Father wanted me to deliver your invitation to the ball next month personally." Amador said not hiding his annoyance. "I'm afraid your excuse the goblins ate it before you could see it won't work this time. Pity you didn't make it really. I'm sure you would have enjoyed Princess Belina's humiliation at my hands."
"A pity indeed," The Goblin King agreed. "No one rejects a woman as coldly as you."
Jareth groaned hearing a knock. "It seems my time for sleeping is over." He sighed sitting up in the bed. "Come." The door opened and Whippley approached his sovereign's bed side.
"King."
"Yes Whippley?" He had a feeling he already knew the question the goblin would ask but waited for the round creature to confirm his suspicions.
"We go play with Ari and Lady?" He asked hopeful. "Please?"
Jareth smirked his suspicions were confirmed. "Very well, but no being seen by the princess or Lady."
"Okay King." The goblin turned around and quickly scampered out, the door closing it behind him.
"Who is Ari and Lady?" Amador inquired. "Wait, your mortal Sarah? Is that whom he was referring to?"
"Her and her new friend who just happens to be Soren's daughter." Jareth informed the High Prince.
"Since when does Soren have a daughter?" Amador questioned.
"She's Brianna's daughter. Evelyn's granddaughter." The High Prince looked at him, amazed. "I was surprised as well."
"Why is his daughter in the mortal realm?" Amador inquired taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Evelyn took the child and left no trace."
"She stole her?" Amador announced. "That is punishable."
"Yes well she's already been banished and…she has retained her youth. She's no longer Fae but cannot age either."
"An immortal banished to the mortal realm. Interesting." The dark haired Fae man commented. "You say your Sarah and his daughter are friends?"
"Yes, Arianna led a group girls, including Sarah, last night on spree of pranks. My goblins ended up getting involved and..."
"No wonder you were still sleeping." Amador remarked. He had been part once and had slept the entire next day. "I do apologize for waking you." Jareth shrugged and yawned. "I will let you go back to sleep and inform father you will be there. Your mother will also be in attendance." Jareth nodded and the high prince vanished.
Tired Jareth lay down to go back to sleep. "Wait, all our parents?!" He said, as his half brother's words rang in his ears. "Bloody hell!" He said and flopped back down on the bed. It was going to be a long ball. He could only hope Sarah was over being kidnapped by then. If all the parents were going to be there, it was quite possible every available female was being called there as well.
Authors Note:
Look for the Goblins in the next Chapter! For those of you waiting for Ari to learn who she is it's coming up!
If you have questions Ask.
