Chapter 33
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Priya knocked on Sarah's door to announce herself before entering. She stopped and kept her mouth from gaping when she saw Sarah sitting at her vanity, combing out wet hair as she hummed to herself. "Good day Priya" Sarah turned and smiled at the elf. Despite the fact that she was the Goblin King's prisoner, she was in high spirits due to the fact that she was finally out of bed. If the Goblin King wanted a fight, she was ready to give him hell now.
"Morning.." Priya responded cautiously. "You seem happy?" she questioned unbelievingly.
Sarah set the brush down and rolled her eyes. "I feel great, I'm out of bed in the first time in weeks. Of course I'm happy!" she exclaimed. "Whatever that Healer gave me, sure did work."
"That's wonderful, now if you care to get dressed I'll show you around." Priya wasn't sure how long Sarah's good mood would last.
"Alright, what should I wear?" Sarah walked over to the large armoire that she had not looked inside of yet. The armoire was filled with gaudy gowns, "These are almost more impractical than what the Duke tried to provide me with." she frowned. She definitely was not going to be walking eye candy for the Goblin King.
Priya pouted. "He's never given me anything so nice." she complained.
Sarah eye'd Priya, "You're always wandering around in gowns just as nice if not more so."
Priya rolled her eyes. "Yes well it's not the same, I picked my clothes out myself." she moved past Sarah and pushed aside the gowns, revealing a few more practical gowns hidden behind them. Finally she pulled one out, "Is this practical enough for my Lady Sarah." she mocked.
Sarah looked the gown over, it was a soft grey, the design was simple and delicate. The skirts were loose but not over sized and cumbersome. 'I bet Jareth will hate this dress.' she smirked to herself. "Yes I suppose it will do." she snatched it from Priya.
Priya smiled. "Perfect, grey is Jareth's favourite color." she thought wickedly to herself. "I'll have someone send in Breakfast and then I'll show you around." she announced before leaving.
Priya returned with a few goblins carrying in trays of food that they set upon the small two seater table that was in Sarah's room. Priya was noticed how lovely Sarah actually looked in the soft grey, it really made her beautiful face stand out. 'Jareth will be so pleased." she smiled to herself. They finished their breakfast in relative silence.
"So how about that tour? I hope there aren't any Goblin Kings on the tour." Sarah made a face.
"Hmm, no I doubt you will see the King until later." Priya sighed at Sarah's reluctance to be near Jareth.
Priya had been right, Sarah did not see the Goblin King during the tour and unexpectedly she found herself disappointed. She supposed she was looking for a fight, besides how would she talk her way into going home if she never saw him?
"Sarah pay attention!" Priya snapped irritably when she noticed the girl had not been listening to her.
"Huh? Sorry." Sarah mumbled, focusing on Priya once more.
"As I was saying." Priya glared. "You are never to go beyond these doors."
"Why? What's behind them?" Sarah asked curiously.
Priya rolled her eyes. "These are Jareth's private chambers. It would be most unfortunate if you trespassed." she warned.
'Well I don't know why I'd want to see his private chambers' Sarah thought to herself. "What would happen if I did trespass?" Sarah asked, mostly just to annoy Priya.
Priya sighed deeply. "If you promise me that you won't trespass into these rooms, then I will make sure that the King lets you send a letter to your family."
Sarah looked at Priya for a second, still not understanding what the big fuss was about. However, she wasn't about to turn down an opportunity to write to her family. "Deal" she agreed.
"Good!" Priya turned and continued down the hallway.
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The Cottage
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"Mum!" Lily came racing into the Cottage and collided with her mother. "I can't find Gavin and Seafoam is gone!" she cried, tears welling up in her eyes.
"What's that?" Concern creased Midge's brow.
"Seafoam is gone! I think Gavin took her." Lily insisted.
"Oh no..." Midge gasped as she realized what must have happened.
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Later that Day
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Sarah had been wandering for hours since Priya had to leave her to her own devices. Priya had told her that there was a new wished away and told Sarah to stay out of the main part of the Castle. The novelty of her new energy and health were fading and with it her good mood. She sat brooding on a bench in what once looked to be a grand courtyard and garden. Something she had not seen on her first visit, the gardens were dead and overgrown with weeds. The Statues that adorned the area were worn down, most of them broken. The atmosphere was very gloomy and Sarah felt a certain calmness as she sat among the ruins.
While many area's of the city and castle were dirty, thanks to the untidy goblins. This was the only place she had seen that was truely neglected. She had questioned Priya about this, but did not get a real answer from her. The mystery around the place only made it more appealing to her. She imagined, that if she were here under other circumstanced, she'd find herself out here acting out her plays.
Bored, Sarah made her way back to her room. Upon entering she found the Goblin King sitting on the edge of her bed, smirking at her. "Shouldn't you be busy with your stolen children?" Sarah glared at him.
Jareth gave her a lopsided grin and ignored her question. "I see you're feeling well."
"No thanks to you." she spat.
Jareth's face became stern. "I do believe it is thanks to me." he quipped.
"Why are you here?" she asked annoyed.
"Must I remind you, Sarah." he accentuated her name. "That I rule your. You will address me with the respect I deserve."
"I do believe I treat you with the respect you deserve." Sarah mocked him.
"You will bow to me." Jareth warned. "You will address me correctly." his eyes were dangerous.
"No!" Sarah crossed her arms defiantly.
"Very well then Sarah, you're giving me little choice." Jareth said in low tones between gritted teeth. Jareth's eye's bore into her and Sarah found herself beggining to kneel involuntarily.
"Stop it!" she screamed, trying to fight her own body. Jareth only smiled cruelly as he forced Sarah to kneel at his feet.
"Ask me properly and I will release you." his voice was cold and unfeeling. Sarah fought the tears that were threatening to emerge.
"Please, your majesty." Sarah spoke as though the words pained her. Instantly she found herself able to stand again, she stood and glared daggers at Jareth.
Jareth moved in close to her before she could move. He gripped her arms tightly. "You will remember well that I own you, I do you have power over you Sarah Williams. There's nothing you can do to change that now." he whispered into her ear.
Sarah felt vulnerable being so close to the Goblin King. His hair was tickling the side of her face and for the first time she was able to smell him. It was almost overpowering and nothing like the warm spicy sent of the Duke. The Goblin King smelt something of the woods and chill autumn evenings. There was something about his closeness and the danger he represented that excited her.
Jareth pulled away and looked down at her again. There was a look in his eyes that Sarah couldn't quite identify. She flinched as he raised his hand, he pulled his fingers through her hair and let them graze her cheek. Finally his fingers touched the thin gauzy grey straps of her gown. "Beautiful" he murmured. "How did you know my favourite color?" he smirked, whispering in her ear again.
His words brought Sarah back, shaking angrily she pushed him away from herself. "I will not remind you again that I am engaged, and you will not touch me." she spat angrily. Something deadly flashed in Jareth's eyes and Sarah recoiled, fearing he would harm her.
Jareth conjured a crystal. "Yes." he smiled cruelly. "It seems there's more than one competing for your attentions." he spat back. An image appeared in the crystal and he threw it to Sarah.
Out of instinct Sarah caught the crystal. She immeadiatly recognized the person in the crystal. It was Gavin, he was ridding atop Seafoam and they were in the Labyrinth.
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Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was a bit shorter than the last few. And yes, I couldn't think of anything to title this chapter.