Jareth walked into the great hall with Sarah on his arm and his family all stood up from the table. He couldn't help but notice his brothers eyes sparkle as he looked at Sarah. He would have to take care of that and take care of it soon. There would be no outside interference of him being with Sarah. Jareth nodded at everyone and then nodded at the table full of food. "Everyone, please take a seat. Let's get this dinner started." He stated as he walked down the stairs with Sarah.
When they reached the table, Jareth pulled out Sarah's chair and allowed her to sit in it, then pushed it in for her. "Thank you Jareth." She said, smiling sweetly at him. He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. He was shocked that she hadn't recoiled and slapped him in the face. Instead, she blushed. He liked the color in her cheeks.
Jareth sat down in between his mother and Sarah. His mother leaned over to him. "She's beautiful." She grabbed his hand. "Is she the one who beat your Labyrinth? Or is this some other mere mortal?"
Jareth ground his teeth at hearing the words mere mortal, but also at the fact that she had rubbed it in his face that Sarah had beaten his Labyrinth. He didn't exactly like to be reminded of that. "She's the one who won." He looked into his mothers eyes. "And she is not a mere mortal. She is my equal, and you know what that means!" He said quietly, but deadly.
His mother bowed her head and let go of his hand. "Yes, I do know what that means. I'm sorry." She began to fill her plate full of food. "So, how long has she been here?"
Jareth rolled his eyes. He was tired of her questions already. This was probably a bad idea. "Two days. Does it matter?"
"She needs to get used to the Fae way. Especially when-"
"Especially when nothing mother." He sighed and looked at her. "I'm sorry, I'm just stressed. Let's just eat and have pleasant conversation. I'd rather not talk about this right now." His mother nodded and turned her attention towards Sarah.
"So Sarah, tell me a little about yourself. What makes you think you are good enough to be with my son and be queen?" Jareth gave his mother a stern look. He was hoping that this wouldn't backfire in his face. All he could really hope for in this moment was that Sarah was still under his control.
Sarah dropped her fork, not really sure how to answer her. "Well, as you know my names Sarah, I'm 19 and I'm in college trying to be an actress." She picked her fork back up and took a bite then looked at Jareth's mom. "I don't exactly know how to be a queen, so I'm not sure how I can answer that question, but I am good enough for him. I'm his equal. I beat the Labyrinth, and only people who beat the Labyrinth can be his equal right?"
"You are correct." Sarah started eating again hoping that no one would talk to her. She wanted to just sit there and watch them engage in conversation. "By the way, my name is Esmerald."
Sarah wrinkled her nose. "Esmerald?"
"Is there something wrong with my name?"
Sarah shook her head. "No, I just-" She sighed. "I just thought it would be something more eccentric, like Jareth." She said as she nodded her head at him.
"It was my grandmothers name." She pointed at the guy sitting next her. "This is Darin." Then she pointed at the girl sitting next to Darin. "That would be Rowanda. Those are Jareth's brother and sister. His father is right there, and his name is King Abbot."
"Thank you Esmerald." Sarah said while slicing into her pork.
"So Sarah, how do you feel about my brother?" Darin asked her suddenly. Sarah sat up straight and looked horrified. She swallowed. How was she supposed to answer this? She looked at Jareth and Jareth looked back her silently hoping that she was still under his control.
Sarah glanced over at Darin. "I feel-" She stopped and looked at Jareth again and he shrugged with a smirk on his face eagerly waiting to hear her answer. "I feel like he could be a good match for me. In truth, I've liked him for a while, but I miss home sometimes."
Darin nodded. "Understood. I can see why that be a problem for you. You've been aboveground for so long. You don't exactly know how the underground is run."
Sarah nodded looking at Jareth. "Enough with all the questions. Do you all think we could eat in peace now. Please?" Jareths mother placed a hand on his, trying to comfort him. "No mother, I'm trying to make this as enjoyable as can be, but you are making my betrothed very uncomfortable."
The rest of the dinner went smoothly. No one asking any questions that weren't needed. When she was asked simple questions, she answered and smiled politely. She asked them questions also. Although, they didn't really answer her questions. Which was quite furiating to her. After dinner, Jareth snapped the table away. It was to have no clean up. Jareth started some music and asked Sarah to dance. He led her to the dance floor.
While they were slow dancing she looked lost in thought. "What's the matter darling?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. My head just feels foggy."
All of a sudden, Darin came over tapped Jareth on the shoulder. "May I cut in?"
He stared at Darin intensely. "You shall have one dance with her. And I do mean one." Jareth handed Sarah over to Darin and walked away. Darin grabbed her waist and held her tightly against him. Something told Sarah that this was wrong. She didn't want to be in his arms. She couldn't wait for the song to be over. And for him to keep trying to talk to her was annoying her.
"Do you really want my brother?"
"I don't believe that's any of your business."
He laughed. "It's definitely my business. It is most definitely my family's business. So why don't you just tell me the truth." He leaned closer to her ear. "If you don't want him, you could always come and be my bride."
Sarah had had enough of this. "I think you should leave now." She said as she tried to push him away, with no avail. Jareth had heard the commotion and walked over to them and grabbed Darin by the neck and threw him across the room.
"You do not touch her! She is already spoken for." Their parents ran over and stood between them. "She is my betrothed! You will never touch her again! Do you hear me? If you do, you will not be allowed here again."
Darin stood up and looked at Jareth. "I got it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Can we just go back to the way things were?"
Jareth stared at his breathing heavily. "Only if you promise to never touch her again. And I do mean never again."
Darin nodded and walked away. Jareth walked towards Sarah who was trembling and he grabbed her by the waist. "It's alright darling. I'm here. I'll protect you forever. From everyone." She shook her head. "Let's have this dance. I do believe this is the last one." He swept her out onto the dance floor.
On the dance floor, Sarah looked at Jareth. "Why did I say all of the things I said tonight? I didn't want to say them?" She whispered to him.
"I didn't make you say any of those things, I just made sure you behaved yourself."
She tried to push him away also. "You can't just go around using mind control on me! I've told you this! It won't make me love you. It will just make me hate you."
Jareth turned to his family. "I would like to ask everyone to leave please. I would like to spend time with my betrothed alone. We need to spend time together." Then he turned to Sarah and whispered in her ear. "Be quiet for a minute while I get rid of them and I will stop with the mind control."
Sarah nodded as Darin, Queen Esmerald, King Abbot, and Rowanda walked over to them and said goodbye. "I'm sorry we didn't really get to talk Sarah, but we will next time. I promise!" Rowanda said as she hugged her. Then they left.
Jareth looked at Sarah and grabbed her waist. "I think it's time for bed." They transported to Jareth's bed chambers. "I think you shall sleep in here with me tonight. This way I can keep an eye on you."
Sarah's eyes went wide with worry. "Jareth, I'd rather sleep in my own bed."
"Tonight, you will sleep in my room." She walked over to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked and she couldn't figure out how to unlock it.
"Jareth, please? Open the door. I'll stay here and behave if you let me sleep in my room."
He sat down on his bed. "If you sleep in here with me tonight, I will not use mind control anymore."
Sarah sighed and walked over to the bed. "Fine. But don't expect me to sleep next to you. I will sleep on this side of the bed, and you will sleep on that side of the bed." She started to lie down but Jareth cleared his throat.
"Do you really expect to sleep in that dress?"
"What else would I sleep in? Considering you have me locked in here with you?"
He flicked his wrist and a silk nightgown that was something she would certainly not wear if she lived alone. It had a deep v-neck and it went up to her thighs. "I expect you to wear this."
Sarah's mouth dropped open. "This?" She exclaimed as she pointed to it. "I would never wear this, and to be honest, I most definitely would not wear this in front of you."
"Would you like me to mess with your mind to make you wear it then? Because that could be done."
Sarah swallowed and hesitated. "No, I'll go change."
She walked into the bathroom and cried while she got dressed. Before she walked out, she dried her eyes. "See my darling, this is how a Queen dresses for her king."
"It's not how I will dress. I can assure you of that." She said as she sat down on the bed.
"It is what you will do. Now, please be a dear and go to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow."
Her head spun around to meet Jareth's. "What do you mean a busy day?"
"You'll see. Now goodnight." Sarah lay down and finally got comfortable, Jareth leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight my love."
Going to try to update as much as I can, but without a working computer, it is hard. I hope you all like this chapter. Next chapter should be a little bit better. ;) Hope you all like it! I'm going to get working on it right now!