Chapter 16
Good, Bad and the Stinky
"For your excellent talent." the Marquee said as he droped a purse full of silver into Sarah's hands.
"Thank you my Lord." Sarah said surprised at the amount of payment she had recieved for two songs.
The Marquee laughed. "You are far too polite Lady Christine. It is I who should thank you, everyone was quite pleased and taken with you, I do say."
"A lovely young maiden with such talents should not be doing menial farm work." the Marchioness added.
"We would like to offer you regular employment Lady Christine. You shall have your own rooms here at our estate, a new wardrobe. You'd only be required to sing at all our special events and dinners. You could stay here as little or as often as you like, we shall provide you with carriage services...what do you say?" The Marquee smiled down charmingly at Sarah.
"It would be an honor my Lord." Sarah exclaimed happily.
"Most excellent!" the Marquee said very pleased. "Return to us in a weeks time, feel free to bring anything from home to make your stay with us more comfortable. We shall prepare you rooms that are more suitable for your."
"Until then." Sarah curtseyed before climbing into the Carriage that would take her home. Sarah slouched back into her seat as the carriage began to move forward. "What a night!" she said exhausted. It did not take long for her to fall asleep.
At the Goblin Caste...
Mirain woke early that morning after sleeping very little. Dinner the night before had been a miserable and silent affair. She was frightened that the elf woman Priya was going to have her murdered. Her brooding was short lived as soon as she discovered the wardrobe full of beautiful gowns fit for any princess, the vanity with fine makeup and perfumes, the boxes full of expensive jewels.
"Excuse me Miss." a small voice came from behind Mirain. Startled, Mirain turned to find a small goblin girl. "His Majesty as told me to take care of you, shall I draw you a bath?" the little goblin asked.
"Yes, Thank you." Mirain replied looking at the little goblin curiously.
Jareth found Priya sitting on the ledge of the fountain that sat in the dead courtyard. Sitting next to her he conjured a crystal which transformed into a gaudy diamond encrusted necklace. "I've brought you a gift love." he offered the necklace to her, trying to amend his actions from the other night.
Priya ignored Jareth, turning her back to him. Irritated Jareth waved a hand and the necklace appeared around Priya's neck. "Shouldn't you be woo'ing your little mortal girl." she spat.
"I've put up with enough of your insolence Priya, beware." Jareth warned, his mood quickly becoming dark again. "Never disrespect me infront of anyone. ever. again."
Priya shot up from her place on the fountain ledge and spun around to face Jareth, lashing out at him. "How could you treat me this way Jareth!"
"Priya." Jareth warned again.
"You're so selfish and I am a fool to think that you had ever cared for me!" she shouted in his face. "You try to buy me off with gifts just like those pathetic mortals." she continued as she tore the necklace from her neck throwing it down at Jareth's feet. "and you're just as pathetic!" she turned and fled from her King again before he could say anything.
It took all of Jareth's will to keep himself from going on a rampage. He loved Priya but he was not going to apologize to the spoiled brat when she had wronged him. "Why can't she understand the importance of what he was trying to accomplish? She would have no one without me." Jareth shook his head, the girl was worse than an adolescent mortal. "One moment she scolds me for not trying hard enough and then she hates me when I do..." Jareth kicked the necklace out of frustration, and every goblin that crossed his path on his way to check on Mirain. Thinking that maybe if he kicked enough of them he would be calm by the time he reached her door.
Elsewhere in the Labyrinth...
Hoggle felt he would die when he had reappeared in the Bog of Eternal Stench. Hoggle had landed in a small wooden throne dressed in thick red robes, on an island only big enough to hold himself and the throne in the middle of the stench. It had taken several hours of hollering before Sir Didymus who was usually somewhere in the area had discovered his plight. It had taken a whole day for Didymus to find and return with Ludo who called on the rocks, letting Hoggle escape his fate.
Hoggle explained to them what had happened between him and Jareth. "We should go check on Christine...I want to make sure he hasn't found out." Hoggle said very concerned.
"Aye my brother! We shall leave at once!" Didymus had agreed.
AN: Alright had to update with this tiny chapter...