Chapter 20
Priya's Plan
"Why do I get stuck dealing with this.." Priya muttered angrily as she marched down the hall towards Mirain's room. Flinging the door open she found the mortal sleeping, it was obvious that the girl had cried herself to sleep. Priya felt a flitter of something inside her. "I suppose I should pity the girl..." she thought.
With a shrug Priya shouted. "Wake up mortal!" Mirain awoke easily, only to start sobbing when she saw the angry elf woman. Priya rolled her eyes and threw the gray maids dress that she had been carrying. "Shut up! Get bathed and dressed, I can't take you anywhere like that." Priya ordered.
"But this is a servants gown?" Mirain tearfully protested. "You have displeased your King, now do as I say." Priya had stopped shouting but her voice was still hard and cold.
An hour later, the King transported Priya and Mirain to one of the Elven provinces. Mirain looked about in wonder, the courtyard she stood in was beyond compare. It made her severely aware how ugly the Goblin King's realm really was. "But now I am to be a maid again." she muttered.
"Stop sulking silly girl!" Priya snapped, leading her towards the mansion before them. "The Goblin King has been most generous, he has not sold you into slavery. You're a free person; you've been given a job. Count yourself in favor, I would not have been so generous in the King's place."
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At the Marquee's
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Sarah stood with the Marchioness Fionna, assisting her as she finalized last minute details. She smirked as the impatient Chamberlain approached; she did not miss the nasty look he sent in her direction. The Chamberlain had not been pleased with how taken his masters had been with the mortal, and how she pranced about the estate as if she were a noble. Chamberlain presented two cloth napkins before the Marchioness, "Shall we have Ivory or Cream?" he asked.
"What do you think Christine?" Fionna asked.
Sarah couldn't help giggling as the Chamberlain rolled his eyes. "My Lady and friend, I really do not see the difference between the two."
"You wouldn't." Chamberlain sneered.
Fionna sighed with a laugh. "I suppose there isn't much difference is there? You decide Chamberlain." she said with a wave of her hand.
"Oh Christine. I've been meaning to speak with you." Fionna said leading Sarah away to her sitting room. "We're having a dear friend stay with us for the next few days. She's also a talented singer and she is going to honor us with the opening song. Does this displease you?" Fionna asked almost as if she were testing Sarah's character.
Sarah laughed politely. "Oh of course not. Whatever pleases you. It will be nice to hear something other than my own voice." Sarah joked.
"I am so happy to hear you say that." Fionna looked pleased. "Our guest, Lady Priya is her name. Will be joining us this evening for supper, I feel you two will get along splendidly."
"I do hope so." Sarah smiled. "If you'll excuse me my Lady, I want to make sure the rooms you so graciously provided for my family are ready. They should be arriving tomorrow evening, Thank you again for accommodating them."
"Your family is always welcome here." Fionna said farewell to Sarah for the day as she went to tend to other matters.
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Back at the Goblin Castle
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Priya's step was light when she returned to the Castle. "The foolish mortal is gone and now I must finish that charm.." she hummed to herself as she made her way to her bedroom chambers.
Knowing that Sarah would have an instant aversion to seeing the King, let alone give him a chance to know her. She had to figure out a way for Sarah to see the King differently; she found a glamour that would keep Sarah from recognizing Jareth's true identity. "Perfect." She grinned, finishing the charm.
"Hmm, now how to get Jareth to the ball?" Priya began to rummage through a wooden box filled with small vials of various sorts. Finally she pulled out a small blue vial, "Yes, this should do." She smiled mischievously.
"Why are you so happy?" Jareth questioned with a raised brow as Priya skipped into the throne room.
"Why shouldn't I be happy your majesty?" she smiled innocently.
"I know that look Priya. You're up to something aren't you?" he arched his brow further.
Priya's laughter sounded like wind chimes on a blustery day. "I really don't know what you're talking about my King!" she teased him.
"You know we are invited to Derryth and Fionna's Ball, it's the last of them summer."
"Hm." Jareth was obviously uninterested as usual.
Priya put on her best pout. "I'm going to be singing…. you really should come…you should meet this dazzling mortal girl they have working for them." Her eyes glinted.
Jareth scowled now. "I've wasted far too many years with mortals of this realm, they are almost worst than those from above." He scoffed.
"Suit yourself then." Priya shrugged as if she didn't care. "I'll be staying there for the next few days, I will be back before the ball to check in on you." Jareth only grunted in response before Priya left.
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Author's note: Okay please don't kill me, I lied. This chapter is a bit shorter than the last. I have a headache and it just seemed a good place to stop. There's my lame excuse for the day. But atleast its a fast update right? I may get another chapter up tonight, if not then sometime tomorrow...