Chapter 15.
Quinn took them straight to the healers rooms. "Talbot! We've got company coming." He called out.
Talbot looked up from his scrolls and his herbs spread out. "Company, indeed. And whom do we expect?" He put his work aside.
"Healer Phineas will be joining us for a time as will The Bard Cairbre and his spouse. Phineas has requested being housed here in the healers quarters with you. Is that to your liking?"
Talbot nodded. "Healer Phineas was my master. I should be only to glad to act as his host, my King."
Sarah looked at the lean handsome Fae. He was doing everything he could to keep Jareth alive. He was working like a demon to make the merge work. Still she was revolted at the word King, although the man using the title had every right to it. Quinn caught her grimace, but let it pass.
Quinn called her name, she did not answer, and he called again, still no answer. Walking over to her, he said her name softly distracted she looked up. "Sarah, we need to see to the housing for our other guests." He repeated his message to her. Nodding she wordlessly followed him to the corridor. He held out his hand, halting her steps. "Allow me to change your garments back."
"No." She held her hand up. "I'd prefer to go and change on my own, thank you."
Quinn looked as if scalding water had doused him. "You don't trust me."
Sarah looked up at him, her eyes brimming with sadness. "I don't know you." She said truthfully. She pulled her cloak about her, covering herself. "I'll change and see Lusha about accommodations for your guests, Sire."
His hand hung in the air; his face revealed his shocked state. With Jareth's eyes, Quinn watched her leave. Wrapping his arms around himself tightly, scowling he muttered. "This is your fault Jareth!" He turned to walk out of the healer's hall out to one of the many gardens of the palace. He walked as far as he could and leaned on the wall. "You let her think me the villain when we were playing the tourney… You get yourself nearly killed, go into hiding and now, she hates me." He said aloud.
'She does not know you.' The inner voice said.
Frowning, Quinn continued to lean on the wall. "She's not likely to get to know me either! You heard her, she want's no part of bonding with me."
'She has no choice,' the reply came. 'For us to be complete, she must bond with you.'
"She's not going to like it!" Quinn continued to mutter.
'Will you brother?' the question hung in the air.
"I don't know, most likely not." He lied. The truth was the idea of bonding to his brother's woman filled him with a strange excitement. The same excitement he had felt when he had forced Sarah to bargain for Jareth's life.
'Court her, Quinn…court her.' Jareth pleaded.
Quinn grimaced, court the woman he coveted. How could he?
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Sarah removed the mystic's gown, and left it lying on the bed. She felt lost and alone. Changing to a more demure gown made her feel better. The last thing she needed was her father seeing her in the curve revealing apparel. She went in search of the housekeeper and warned her of the impending arrival of the members of the High Court. She requested a private suite of rooms for the Bard and his wife and whatever personal servants if any they would bring. Knowing the Bard was wed to a Water Sprite, Sarah made sure the suite was close to one of the many new fountains Hoggle had added to the gardens.
It was near time for the mid-day meal when Sarah finished arranging for the stay of the guests. Entering the little dining room, she was going over a menu to hand over to Krus. She took her seat and continued to work as the others also entered. Karen had Kerry in one arm and a hand on Toby. Sarah looked up briefly, then back at her parchment menu. Karen craned her neck to see what Sarah was so intently working on.
"A menu?" Karen asked.
Sarah nodded, "We've guests coming and they have to be entertained. There's a court standard to uphold." Sarah spoke with authority. Sarah looked over at her stepmother, "Here give this a look over and tell me what you think."
Karen, considered an excellent hostess, took the parchment and looked at it with a careful eye. She was impressed. "Sarah where ever did you learn to create a menu like this?"
"From you." Sarah accepted the paper as Karen returned it.
Her stepmother blinked. "I…didn't think you even noticed."
A wistful smile crossed the girl's lips. "I didn't at first. My first trip here to Labyrinthia taught me that I took a great many things for granted." Sarah looked at the entrance to find the King leaning on the frame of the door.
Karen looked over at the man. "I see."
The King's features showed interest. "Are you saying you don't take anything for granted now?"
"No." Sarah sighed. "I find I still take some things very much for granted. I am however tying to do better."
The Fae nodded, as he headed for his seat at the table. He rang the serving bell and the meal was brought in. "Mrs. Williams, I would like you to speak to my head gardener. He will need your input on a proper play area for the little ones. His name is Hoggle and I'm sure you will find him most accommodating." He then looked at Robert. "Well Robert, how was your first morning?"
Sarah's father looked at the King with a mixture of anger and determination. "I'll survive."
The Fae regarded the man with feral eyes. "I do hope so."
Sarah cleared her throat and drew the attention of the King. "I've a tentative menu…"
The Fae leaned back lazily and eyed her. "My dear, I trust your abilities. Whatever arrangements you make will be fine. I've told you, the running of the castle is in your hands…Your very capable hands." He growled in the back of his throat.
Karen laid a hand on Roberts to calm him.
Sarah opened her mouth slightly, then closed it. She looked away again.
'I said court her, not proposition her in front of her father.' The voice within the King's body muttered.
'Yes,' Quinn answered, 'but did you see his face? Priceless!'
'Nevertheless, brother…he is not our main concern. She is.' Jareth sighed.
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Cairbre stood patiently awaiting the Heal to join he and his wife for the journey to the Goblin Kingdom. Oberon was making this a state visit to cover the true nature of the sojourn. That meant arriving in one of the Seelie Court coaches. The luggage had been sent ahead, along with what servants would be serving the Courts representatives. The only thing holding them up now was Phineas.
Solea sat quietly within the coach, trying not to take too much amusement at her husband's expense. "A watched pot…" she reminded him.
"One would think the Healer could be more timely. What if the Goblin King were on death's door?" Cairbre grumbled as he waited.
"Then I would be more timely." Came the reply. "I assure you."
Cairbre and Phineas had never been on friendly terms. The Bard shook his head. "I don't see why the High King selected you for this duty!"
Both men settled in the carriage, and the healer said with perfect tranquility. "Because I'm suited to my duties, just as you are."
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"Jareth," Giles adjusted his Archer's tunic. "A state visit on such short notice?" He was not complaining, not exactly.
The Fae King strolled through the corridor with his trusted archer on their way to the Throne room. "My father does from time to time like to see how his children are doing. And it's been nearly two years now…since…"
Giles paused, "You don't talk about that…time… much."
"It's painful." The Fae admitted. He put on his kingly game face as they entered the Throne room. "Ryan should be here within moments, Anne as well."
"Sarah as well?" Giles questioned.
The King looked distracted, "What? Oh, Sarah as well, yes…of course." He said aloud. 'I hope.' He said to himself.
Anne, dressed in the robes of the court scribe took her place below the King's dais. "Ryan will be shortly." She said quietly.
"Fine, fine." The Fae was looking around the chamber, seeing all the preparations on which Sarah had worked. New banners hung and fluttered in the soft breezes. The court Goblins wore new uniforms and looked a little less dazzled. She had worked hard on making the chamber more than presentable; she had made it memorable.
Ryan entered the hall and took his place at the king's side, still adjusting the new gauntlets the king had presented to him. His dark leather breastplate now held the bold emblem of the Goblin King. On his shoulder was a bronzed embossed dragon as well.
From the wing that housed the Wizard's Tower, Sarah entered. She was dressed in a long flowing robe of green with a buttercup yellow under gown. Quietly she moved toward the dais and took her seat. She did not look at the King, nor did she speak to him.
A blast of trumpets sounded, and the procession of the Seelie Court representatives began. The Goblin King focused on them rather than the young woman in green. The king was aware of the eyes watching from the gallery. Robert and Karen were new to his court, and he had not requested they take part in the welcome.
Robert watched as the emissaries from the High King's Court extended formal greetings to the Goblin ruler. He found the ceremony less flashy then he would have thought it would be.
A Goblin with a large staff came into the entry, and brought it down with force. "Cairbre, Bard of the High King and his wife, Lady Solea."
The Bard and his wife came forward and bowed to the throne and it's occupant. "Goblin King, we bring you greetings from your father's count." Cairbre said in a clear voice.
"We bid you welcome, Bard." The King replied coolly. "And to your lady as well."
The Goblin with the large staff brought it down again. "Healer Phineas, physician of the Seelie Court."
The Fae Healer came forward bowed and greeted the throne. "I greet you, Goblin King."
"We return your greeting, Healer." The King inclined his head.
Sarah shuddered slightly at the word we. She resisted the urge to rise and flee. Instead she kept herself busy thinking of how to make this visit go quietly. She did not want the rest of the champions to know it was far more serious then just a quiet visit by the Bard and the Healer. When the ceremony had ended, and the guests were milling about talking to court members whom were in attendance, Sarah stood up. She prepared to leave the throne room when a hand on her shoulder halted her.
"Stay put." The voice ordered.
Sarah looked knowing it was Jareth speaking. "As you wish."
He moved closer. "So much is not as I would wish." His eyes were sad, tired, and haunted.
Sarah placed a hand on his. "And I'm making it harder with my actions. I'm sorry."
There was pain, and the effort to control it. "We are all sorry, my dearest." Deliberately, at a leisurely pace he raised his arm and extended it to the young woman. "Will you do me the honor?"
Sarah was unaware of her father's watchful eyes, she only knew that for the briefest of moments the man she was bonded to was present. She tenderly placed her hand on his arm. "With pleasure."
Diner was announced, the court filed in behind the King and his consort. An Elf servant had already escorted down Karen and Robert from the gallery. They stood at there assigned seats. As the King entered the dining hall, all attention was on him. Sarah was taken to her place as hostess, and the King went on to his place. Sarah kept a watchful eye on the Goblin King; he narrowly maintained his hold during the banquet. When it ended and the guests had retired, he quietly said he was going for a walk in the garden. He invited Sarah to join him. Once out of the palace, and far from any prying eyes. Jareth let his battle to maintain cease, and he slumped down on a bench in the arbor.
Sarah knelt and whispered his name; he gave her one last look before taking refuge deep within the combined existence. Once more Quinn emerged, and Sarah wept.