Chapter 36

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Nothing as it seems

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Sarah and Jareth had rode hard in silence, it was late in the day and Jareth had made no indications that they were near their destination.They had passed by the road that would lead her to the Marquee's and then home. She had turned and gazed at that road while Seafoam trudged ahead until they were out of sight. "He's taunting me, bring me so close to home." she thought bitterly. It annoyed her even more that Seafoam seemed to be enjoying the trip, eager to arrive at their destination.

"Are we there yet?" Sarah pouted like a petulant child, as she shifted her weight on the saddle. Her rear was numb and her legs ached.

Jareth sighed. "If we were there we wouldn't still be riding." he chided.

They were nearing a great forest, although Sarah knew it could not be the forest that lay between her Duke and the central kingdom. The sun was beginning to set when Jareth stopped at the edge of the forest. "We'll camp here tonight." Jareth announced as he dismounted and set a crystal floating towards the castle.

"What!?" Sarah found she was finally able to dismount herself. Jareth ignored her and sent off a few more crystals. Sarah watched as an elaborate tent sprung up in a near by clearing. The horses were unsaddled and happily trotted off together to graze. Jareth smirked at the scowling Sarah.

Sarah was scowling both at Jareth and at her sore legs. "Your lazy." she accused.

"I'm a Fae King." he retorted.

Sarah rolled her eyes while she stretched her legs. "You're insufferable, that's what you are. Your majesty." she mocked and strode towards the tent. Jareth watched her go with contempt in his eyes, struggling as usual with the desire to both snap her neck and grab her passionately and hold onto her possessively.

"Typical" Sarah mumbled when she entered the tent, which seemed much larger on the inside than it had outside. There was a fire pit surrounded by plush blankets and pillows. To the right there were two smaller area's that looked to be sleeping areas, she gulped at the idea of sleeping so close to Jareth.

"Cozy isn't it?" his breath was cool on her ear giving her goosebumps. She stiffened, uncomfortable yet somehow excited at his closeness. She steeled herself, she would not let him get to her with his intimidation tactics. She turned with flinty eyes to face him but he was gone, whirling around he was lounging by the fire pit which was not lit. The smile he gave her gave her chills, she glared at him before she turned a left the tent. "Where are you going Sarah?" he asked her as if she were a child, running away from home.

"I'm going to get fire wood." she spat angrily as she stormed off towards the forest. Sarah knew it was a ridiculous thing to say as soon as the words left her mouth, in reality she just wanted to get away from him. She was not trying to run away, she knew it would be a waste of her time and effort. She just needed to breathe, away from him.

Jareth resisted the urge to get up and drag her back to the tent. He constantly had to remind himself that he was here to make progress with Sarah and so far he had not been doing a great job. He would give her time to cool off, he was not concerned for her safety because he had already determined that the area was free from threats. He also knew Sarah would not be coming back with any fire wood, not that he needed it. He smiled lazily and threw a crystal into the fire pit and watched it burst with flame.

Sarah had not wandered into the woods very far when she noticed what was a very large pond or small lake ahead of her. The blue moonshine caressed the water beautifully, it was at this moment that she realized that wandering into strange woods may not be the safest thing for her to do. Curiosity outweighed any apprehension and she made her way towards the water. A certain serenity came over Sarah as she stood by the lake side, her doubts and worries melted away as she gazed over the water.

Sarah caught movement in the corner of her eye and turned to find the most elegant swan emerging from behind some tall grass that sprung up from the water. Sarah smiled and watched the swan, noticing that it was coming towards her. Sarah cocked her head to the side curiously as the swan seemed to mimic her movement and walked out of the water.

"Hello." Sarah cooed, squatting down to be at the swan's level. "Aren't you lovely." she smiled as the swan blinked. The swans head jerked and stiffened, gazing past Sarah.

Sarah frowned and turned to gaze in the same direction. Her eyes went wide when she beheld a great black wolf staring hungrily at the pair. Sarah shifted to stand but stopped when the wolf's hair rose and snarled, revealing rows of sharp teeth. 'Shit!' Sarah's mind cursed and she looked around frantically, there was a large stick within arms reach. Quickly she grabbed the stick and stood in a defensive posture between the wolf and the swan. "Go away!" Sarah yelled at the wolf as bravely as she could.

The wolf let out a very low growl, barring its teeth and took another step towards them. Sarah swung the stick out, trying to frighten the wolf away. Sarah could feel her heart beat quickening as the relentless wolf continued to advance on them. She shot the swan a quick glance, she swore that the swan did not look frightened and perhaps saw amusement behinds its eyes. "Why don't you fly away?" she yelled at the swan which didn't budge.

The wolf was crouching now, Sarah new it would try to pounce on her. She knew she could call out Jareth's name and he would save her. 'I think he would save me.' her mind second guessed herself. 'Calling him would only further his power over me." her thoughts turned stubborn. "If I'm going to die, I'll die bravely..without his help." she made up her mind and swung the stick again.

The wolf let out a terrible noise before leaping at her, Sarah swung her stick one last time but missed the wolf. She pulled her arms up over her face as she felt the weight of the wolf upon her and she fell backwards. As she fell she tried to brace herself for the miserable death she was about to face, and then she felt it. A long wet tongue slid across her forehead and hair. "Uggh!" she opened her eyes to find the wolf with its front paws on her chest, looking down at her playfully.

Sarah just stared in shock for a moment, she expected to be torn to shreds by now. When the wolf made no other movement she groaned as she pushed the beast off of her. The wolf continued to stare at her with its wolfish grin, Sarah looked around for the swan and found it close by, it's wings covered its face as if it were laughing at her. Then she heard real laughter and saw Jareth emerge from the shadows.

Still sitting on the ground Sarah crossed her arms. "You!" she accused. "What are these? Your pets! That wasn't funny!" she yelled.

Jareth stopped laughing but his eyes betrayed his amusement. "I had nothing to do with it. I heard your screaming and found you making a spectacle of yourself" he laughed again.

The serenity that had come over Sarah was gone, her face flushed red. More laughter joined Jareth's as the wolf and swan began to shift shapes. Sarah stood and gapped. "Derryth! Fionna! How could you!" she cried, hurt.

Fionna had her hands clasped over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles. Derryth put a hand over his heart and sighed. "I'm most sorry Sarah, but you should have seen the look on your precious face." he laughed again. Sarah fumed red.

"I can't believe you participated in such cruel games!" Sarah accused Fionna.

Fionna shrugged. "Oh Sarah, we were only having a little fun. We hadn't expected to run into you and Jareth here." she smiled.

Sarah calmed a bit. "Well next time do it someone else's expense." she stood and dusted off her ridding clothes. Fionna came and embraced Sarah.

"It's really wonderful to see you my friend, sorry for our poor behavior." she giggled again. "We don't get away often and we can get so stifled in our duties." the Fae woman sighed.

"Fae are naturally inclined towards pranks." Derryth chimed in.

"So I've noticed." Sarah shot them one last glare.

"You both look famished!" Fionna chided. "Join us for dinner."

"As long as I'm not dinner!" Sarah exclaimed and they all laughed.

"No...but maybe dessert?" Derryth teased her. Sarah rolled her eyes and walked with Fionna and found that they had a similar tent to that of Jareth's.

Jareth followed behind, looking very amused. Hoping that this chance meeting would improve his odds.

Sarah smiled when she entered the Marquee's tent. There was a table laid for two but with a snap of the Marquee's wrist it became laid for four. "We're honored for you to join us my Lord." Derryth addressed Jareth formally.

"Come now old friend." Jareth smiled. "No need for formalities." The Marquee grinned and slapped Jareth on the back. Sarah looked at them oddly, not liking the fact that Jareth seemed to be buddies with Derryth and Fionna.

"How could such good people be friends with someone like him?" she wondered, sitting down between Fionna and Jareth. After the prank they pulled on her so was considering the fact that perhaps they weren't as good as she had originally thought.

"Sarah, I thought you were singing for the Duke now? How happen you to be with Jareth?" The Marchioness smiled knowingly at Jareth, she knew the feelings he had harbored for this girl. Jareth's face went cold at the mention of the Duke and Sarah noticed.

"Ah yes, the Duke and I are engaged." she smiled and showed Fionna her ring. Fionna and Derryth both looked shocked while Jareth looked homicidal. "the rest you can ask the Goblin King." she used his title.

"Oh...how sudden?" Fionna looked somewhat perplexed.

"Yes, I suppose." Sarah responded quietly.

"So why are the two of you together then?" Derryth butted in with a raised eyebrow looking at Jareth.

Jareth held his fork idly. "Sarah's parents trespassed, they were my prisoners Sarah traded herself for her families freedom. End of story." Jareth ignored them and began to eat. Fionna and Derryth's mouths formed a big "O" while Sarah stared down at her food with murder on her mind.

Fionna cleared her throat in the awkward silence that followed. "Well we assume you're headed to the same place we are going then?" she asked. Jareth nodded in reply. "Oh how lovely." she smiled. Sarah was still lost on where they were going but decided she didnt really care anymore at this point. "We can ride together tomorrow." she continued cheerfully.

Sarah lifted her head and smiled at this. "That would be nice." she looked at Fionna. "I've missed our talks."

The four continued to eat in a certain awkwardness before Jareth announced that he and Sarah should be retiring to their own tent. Sarah frowned, not wanting to leave Fionna and Derryth. She walked back with Jareth in more silence, reaching the tent she flopped down exhausted on the pillows in front of the fire.

"Are you still sore?" Jareth asked her suddenly, sitting down opposite of her.

"Yes." she mumbled not looking at him.

"Make the soreness go away." he stated.

"What?" Sarah looked at him as if her were nuts.

"Will the soreness from your body." he ordered. "Tell your body not to be sore. You have the ability."

Sarah still thought he was crazy but she tried it anyways. At first she felt nothing and then to her immense surprise she felt her muscles relax, good as new.

"How did I do that!" she asked, suddenly excited.

Jareth shrugged. "You seemed to have picked up a few abilities."

Sarah laid back down on her back, still amazed. "Why are you doing this?" she asked suddenly. Jareth merely raised an eyebrow in question. "Why did you bring me out here?" she restated her question.

Jareth looked at Sarah as she stared up at the ceiling of the tent, considering what words he should use. "I thought you would like to get out of the Castle." he finally said.

"Since when do you care what I would like?" she accused rolling onto her side to look him in the eyes. "I would LIKE to be home with my family."

Jareth sighed, not breaking their gaze. "Sarah." he warned. "You made the offer, I did not ask it nor demand it from you. It was your choice." he reminded her.

"He's right and you know it." her mind told her. "But he didn't have to be so cruel" she argued with herself. They sat there in silence for a long while, each of them somewhere else in their minds. 'Perhaps I should take advantage that he's been relatively well mannered, perhaps I can find a weakness and find a way to win my freedom." she pondered. "I suppose it woudn't kill me to be civil to him."

After a while Sarah realized she did not know how to have a conversation with the Goblin King that did not revolve around an argument. "Why are you cruel Jareth?" she asked finally.

Jareth shot her an odd expression. "The world has been cruel to me. I suppose it has rubbed off." he explained dryly.

"So this is just some revenge plot for you. Be cruel to the girl who defeated you?" there was no sarcasm or anger to her voice, just pure curiosity.

Jareth snorted. "I suppose it started out that way." he answered her honestly. Sarah dared not asked anymore questions lest she disrupt the quite conversation. She stood, "Now how do I wish myself some pajamas?" she asked.

"I doubt you're capable." he saw the flash in her eyes. "At least. not yet." he too did not want to start an arguement again. He tossed her a crystal which transformed her ridding clothes into a silky lavender night shift. Sarah blushed, the nightgown wasn't revealing but it was a little sexier than she'd like to be seen by the Goblin King.

"Goodnight." she turned and made her way to one of the enclosed sleeping areas.

"Sweet Dreams my love." Jareth whispered as Sarah left his sight.

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Author's note: Okay so the whole sea scene will be next chapter. I rather liked this chapter, let me know what you think. Thanks to all my reviewers and new readers!