Chapter 23
(A Ball to Remember)
Ari was anything but calm as she paced back and forth in her room. "This is going to be a disaster!" She said as she stumbled in her heels. The tomboy had worked very hard and although she had successfully learned all the required dances and wasn't always stumbling she still wasn't the most graceful walker in heels. 'I'm going to let everyone down!' She thought as she slumped down on the edge of her bed. 'A may look like a princess with my hair up and a tiara on my head but...this is a nightmare!'
Hearing a knock she didn't even bother getting up. "Come in," She called less than cheerful. The door opened and she watched as her father entered the room.
"It won't be that bad," King Soren assured his daughter.
"I may have gotten better but I'm no swan on heels!" She wailed. "This is going to be a disaster!"
The Dark Elf King smiled warmly at his daughter. "You have done really well and I know you're trying. I also recognize you weren't given nearly enough time to learn everything; especially walking in heels."
"That's not going to help me not embarrass you, me, or your kingdom," The blonde teenage girl said sadly.
Soren walked over and gently lifted the girl's chin. "I am proud of you," He told her. "You've had a lot thrown at you and all things considered you're doing very well." Ari went to argue but he quickly added. "Besides I think these will be helpful." Ari watched as her father pulled out a pair of duplicate shoes to those she was wearing. The only difference was they were flat slippers.
Ari Squealed with delight; jumping from the bed and throwing her arms around the king. "Thank you!" She screamed excited as she abruptly kicked off the heels that had been on her feet. Soren laughed and watched as his daughter quickly slipped on the delicate slippers he'd brought her.
"This I can do!" Ari said proudly as her confidence instantly returned. "I can do the dress, dancing, and flats. This I can work with!" Smiling at the King that she had begun to come to terms with she said, "Thank you."
Soren's heart soared at her happiness. He'd done so many things wrong in his daughters eyes he was thrilled to have finally done something right. "You're welcome."
Sarah stood before a full length mirror wearing a white dress with a Burgundy bodice and trim. Her shoes were burgundy heels and Sarah looked and felt like a princess. "I can't believe the ball is tonight," She said looking herself over.
Hearing a knock she stepped away from the mirror and turned toward the door. "Come in," She called in a pleasant voice.
The door opened and a very regal looking Jareth entered the room. He wore a burgundy jacket much like he had in the enchanted ballroom. His pants were black and he looked like he was the epitome of perfection. The very sight of him took her breath away.
Jareth didn't notice Sarah's stare of appreciation as he was too busy looking at the beautiful gown she wore and how beautiful she looked in it. He gave an arrogant pleased smile as he looked over. 'All mine,' He thought to himself. 'My perfect queen.'
"Are you ready precious?" He inquired finally forcing himself to look into the dark haired beauty's eyes. Unable to find her voice the mortal girl nodded. Jareth held his hand out to her and Sarah walked gracefully to where he stood and allowed him to put her arm in his.
"Arium said something about our introduction being important," She said as they left her room.
"You need not worry my dear. Everyone will soon know your position." Sarah wasn't so sure but didn't push for a better answer. It didn't really matter she'd understand soon enough. "I should however tell you no one may dance with you without my permission."
"Arium told me," The green eyed girl assured him. Jareth nodded and the two continued to the ballroom.
Amador stood in the Ballroom next to his father's throne as guests came and paid their respects. He smiled and was polite but internally he wanted everyone to hurry up so that Ari would make her entrance. He looked up into a shadowed area in a corner of the room not far from the entrance. Their Whippley crouched waiting. If it looked like Arianna was going to fall Whippley would suddenly knock her over so that the goblin would be blamed and not her inability to walk in heels. He figured then they could say her ankle was hurt and spare her from a possible clumsy waltz.
The prince internally rejoiced at seeing King Veldum. He watched as the doors closed behind them and knew the next faces he saw would be that of King Soren and Ari. Amador's eyes barely left the stairs to give a greeting to the king and his wife. A bare glimpse at their daughter was all the princess received. He noticed the girl was disappointed but didn't care.
A moment later an echo sounded as a staff hit the ground. "His Royal Majesty King Jareth of the Goblin Kingdom and Champion of the Labyrinth Lady Sarah; Betrothed to King Jareth."
Jareth stepped out looking as regal as ever with a very Beautiful Sarah on his arm. The couple descended the stairs as if they had done so a million times before. The High Prince was pleased to see Sarah didn't flinch at the announcement.
Sarah held her head high and couldn't have looked more regal. Her title might be Lady but she descended the stairs like a Queen.
Together they approached the High royals of the underground. They bowed and curtsied and received a nod of respect in return. Rising Sarah gave the prince a bare quick wink knowing what he was waiting for. Amador let out a small smile but tried to cover it.
Amador felt a surge of excitement as a staff hit the marble floor three times for the second and last time of the evening. "Ladies and gentlemen May I present Princess Arianna of the Dark Elves; escorted by her father, King Soren." The dignified man in white stepped aside and the doors opened.
The High Prince gasped at the sight before him. Standing at the top of the stairs in a gold dress was Arianna looking every bit a royal princess. Her dress was strapless and tapered to the waist before flowing out in a full skirt, gathering in places, the bodice was adorned with jewels leaving no question that she was of royal blood.
Arianna picked up the front of her dress, as Sarah had shown her to do, and descended the stairs; every bit as graceful as Sarah. The blonde woman smiled as she approached the High King, Queen, and Prince of the underground. Very gracefully she curtsied to the trio. Again they gave a gracious nod and Soren began leading her away.
It wasn't until she walked away that he noticed the dress laced up the back and gave a very sexy aura to the back of the dress. At least that's how the dress was seen by Amador. He silently cursed realizing as beautiful as she was and just being introduced several men would make a point to get close to her. Sarah was safe because the room had been told she was engaged to Jareth but Soren's daughter was up for grabs.
"Wait."
Amador looked over surprised to hear his father's voice. "If you dance with her first you won't be as memorable," King Riodan warned. "Let others dance with her first. You don't want to come off as eager."
"I'm not…" Seeing an amused expression on the High King's face the prince sighed. "How did…"
"I'm your mother dear," Queen Dahlia reminded him. "A mother knows."
Sarah felt safe in Jareth's arms as they danced amongst so many people she didn't know. Jareth allowed only a few people to dance with her keeping her mostly for himself.
"Jareth?" Sarah said.
"Yes my lady?" He replied.
"When are we to be married?" The dark haired girl inquired.
"Soon. Arrangements will start being made next week when you come to the Goblin Kingdom for a visit," He told her so only she would here. "Amador has said he would bring you. Arianna will also be coming. I assumed you'd want her to help you."
"What about my other friends?" Sarah asked.
"Next time perhaps. I want time with you Sarah. Time to show you how much you truly mean to me," he said in a hushed tone.
Sarah smiled. "Ari?"
"Time for Amador to spend without everyone watching," He replied glancing over at where his brother now danced with a foreign princess less than excited. "Who would've thought he'd fall for someone so different?" Jareth commented amused.
Ari danced with man after and man. She smiled and was polite but was internally annoyed beyond belief. She glanced over and smiled seeing Sarah and Jareth together. 'They really are a cute couple,' she thought to herself. Her eyes started back toward her partner when the blonde girl noticed Amador dancing with a dark haired woman very closely. Tearing her eyes away from them she looked at her dance partner.
The princess danced with a few more people before excusing herself. She walked out onto the terrace to get some air. Ari didn't know why but she felt disappointed; even sad. Her mind kept getting flashes of the High prince smiling and dancing with other women and it unexplainable infuriated her. 'I'm not that bad of a dancer!' She silently pouted.
"You truly are one of the most beautiful women to ever grace this land."
Arianna looked back to see a man with blonde hair pulled back in a low ponytail watching her. It took an enormous amount of effort for the girl not to level him or smart off; let alone not roll her eyes.
"Thank you for the…compliment," The Dark Elf Princess replied forcing a smile.
"A woman of your beauty should be worshipped." He began looking down her body as he added, "In every way."
"I…"
"Princess." Arianna looked over to see Amador standing on the terrace near the door. "I believe the next dance is mine?"
Arianna had half a mind to tell him to take his dance and shove it. The only thing that stopped her was it would stop her from decking the nobleman currently hitting on her. "I believe it is. Excuse me," She said and walked inside.
"I tried to get out there sooner when I saw him but…"
"No need I can handle a creep like that myself," Ari said shortly. She started to walk away and felt the prince tighten his grip on her. Surprised she looked at him.
"My dance."
"I think you have plenty of women already," She removed his hand from her arm and walked away leaving a very surprised Amador behind.
It took him a moment before he walked up behind her and taking hold of her insistently took her to the dance floor.
"What are you doing?" Ari demanded less than pleased.
"One you agreed to a dance if for no other reason to get away Benson and he just walked in and two what is wrong with you?" he asked pulling her close to him.
"Nothing," Soren's daughter replied looking away.
"I don't believe that for a moment. If I didn't know you can't stand guys I might think you were jealous."
"I never said I couldn't stand guys!" The princess snapped.
Amador smiled. "You are jealous."
"I am not! What do I care if you feel the need to dance with everyone but me?" She said. "You don't have to help me learn now."
"Everyone but…" Amador fell silent as what she hadn't said hit him. 'She's hurt.' The only thing he wasn't sure of was if it was disappointment, jealousy, or both.
"Look I don't want to make you feel like you have to so…"
The instant Ari started to pull away the High Prince tightened his grip. "I'm only allowed to dance with you once Arianna."
The blue eyed girl stopped trying to get away and looked at him questioningly. "Jareth has danced with Sarah more than once."
"They are engaged. Couples are allowed to," Amador explained. "You're here escorted by your father. No man but your father can dance with you more than once."
"Oh," She said feeling a bit embarrassed. "Sorry."
"I would've danced with you sooner but…I wanted to stand out." The song came to an end and Amador took her right hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss. "I'll see you later." Ari smiled and nodded.
Walking away from the dance floor Ari felt a rush of heat flow through her. Somewhere deep inside she wished she'd been escorted by Amador instead.
Ari stood in the middle of the now empty ballroom. The last of the guests had finally gone and she'd decided to take one more look at the beautiful Gold and white room that had been created. There had been creeps and gentlemen abound but overall she thought her first ball had gone well.
"Not tired?"
The blonde girl smiled hearing Amador's voice. "Just thought I'd take one last look. It is my first ball you know."
"Very true." Ari almost jumped suddenly hearing the prince's voice so close. Slowly she turned around to face the dark haired prince. Gently Amador rubbed his hand over her right cheek. "A first ball should be very memorable."
"I think it…"
Ari's words died as Amador suddenly kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck without even realizing as he deepened the kiss. Ari let the prince kiss her and began to understand what had been happening to her throughout the night.
The kiss ended and Amador looked into her beautiful blue eyes. "I don't want what happened tonight to happen again. I hated seeing you dance with all those other men. I want you dancing with me. I want to court you if your father will allow it; if you will allow it."
The blonde woman's heart soared. Answering the best way she could the princess captured the High Prince's lips with hers in a searing kiss.
Jareth walked arm in arm with Sarah back to her room. He'd loved watching disappointment on the faces of others that they couldn't court his dark haired beauty.
"Do you want to come in?" Sarah asked.
"I would but if I go in I won't be leaving before morning," The Goblin King replied. "That would be less than appropriate."
"I didn't think you cared about appropriate," She teased.
"I do in my father's home," He replied. He pulled the beautiful woman dressed in red and white into his arms and kissed her passionately. "Things will be different in my home." Leaving her breathless he disappeared.
