Chapter 18.

Sarah arrived in the breakfast room first. She had forgone the ride this morning in favor of doing a bit of soul searching. Her dream had left her with questions she was afraid to ask, and even more afraid to answer. She looked out at the terrace, and breathed in the fresh morning air. She could hear the sounds of the village awakening. Leaning on the frame of the open doors, she gazed out on the glorious new day.

He watched her, standing in the door; his heart began to pound. He could understand why the other half had been so captivated. Why he had spent time watching her in owl form, why he had followed her. Moving slowly, not making a sound he came up behind her. Gently he placed his hand to her waist, drawing her back until her back touched his chest. His lips went to her ear. "Forgive me." He whispered softly.

Sarah let her head roll back against his shoulder. She turned her face slightly toward his. "If you can forgive me."

Mismatched eyes, with hearts of deepest azure, gazed at her with curiosity. "Where do we go from here?"

"Forward." She suggested softly. "We can't go back. Even if you could reorder time to do so…"

Gloved fingers raised to her cheek. "Then forward it is." He turned his head as sounds in the hall alerted him to the approach of the family. "Come, Sarah." He escorted her to the table. He nodded to Robert and Karen as they brought the children to the breakfast table. "Good morning." He greeted them, resting his hands on Sarah's shoulders.

Robert frowned, but Karen's greetings were warm and pleasant.

Anne and Ryan having changed from their ride greeted everyone happily. As Giles and Celestia entered, Ryan commented to the King that he and Sarah had both missed a grand ride. Sarah looked at interest over at the King. He commented that he had a situation that needed his attention, and all was well now. Everyone was seated, and the King rang for the service to begin.

"Babalouie," Ryan addressed Jareth lightly. "You remember what you said to me when you first offered me the post here?"

Quinn searched Jareth's thoughts and found the comment he was sure the Paladin was referencing. "Yes, Ryan, I recall."

"Well, I'm ready to talk to you." The dark haired young man said happily. "We are ready to talk to you." He took Anne's hand in his.

Sarah looked at the pair with a brimming grin. "Is this what I think it is?"

Anne nodded. "Yep. We are ready to tie the old knot…Jump the broom…"She said in a very happy voice. "Or whatever it is they do here in Labyrinthia."

Quinn looked at them with true affection; it was not just Jareth's affection but his own. In the two years since he had merged with his brother, he had come to enjoy the company of his brother's champions nearly as much as he had enjoyed the company of Klaws. "That's wonderful. When would you like to be joined?"

Anne looked at the King. "Would Solstice be alright with you, Sire?"

"Fitting." He said turning to Sarah. "I suggest you ladies get together and start planning the wedding." He looked back at Ryan. "Who would you like to perform the ceremony? There's a Druid in the glen, or would you prefer some other cleric?"

Anne looked at Ryan and nodded. "We'd prefer…" Ryan looked at the King. "You."

Quinn drew a long breath. "I'd be honored."

Robert was frowning. "And what of your families? Your parents…don't you think you should discuss it with them?"

Ryan looked over at the disgruntled man. "My family could care less what I do, sir. They were visibly relieved when I told them I was taking a job abroad."

Anne looked at Sarah's father; she was still upset with him for having tried to marry Sarah off to someone she did not love. "Not all of life is what we think is perfect. Neither Ryan nor I had perfect families or lives above. Here, in the Underground, we have so much more. Here we are free to be ourselves. I do not know what your problems are Mr. Williams. I do not begin to understand you. However, I will try to treat you with respect. I would hope you'd do the same."

Robert leaned back in his chair.

"Robert," Karen placed her hand on his. "This is a different world… you should be glad for them…look at what they have…"

Robert sighed, "I do wish you luck." He said at last.

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Sarah went to the library with Anne after the morning meal concluded. "What's the court protocol on weddings? Sarah asked.

Anne ordered two volumes pulled by her assistants. "This one has all the etiquette proprieties. That one has suggestions."

"So what are we doing, a morning or evening ceremony?" Sarah looked at the books.

"Sunset on Solstice." Anne said softly.

"Where do you want the ceremony?" Sarah read the suggestions. "You could be in the gardens, in the throne room, or the great hall."

"Throne room, I think." Anne stated. "It's were all the excitement always takes place, isn't it?"

Sarah blushed. "I suppose it does." She looked at her best friend. "Are you happy Anne?"

"Delirious so!" she nodded. "Ryan and I have been together forever, and we know each others' thoughts. He is my heart." The girl with red hair looked at peace. "It's time."

"No qualms?" Sarah asked.

Anne eyed her. "Do you have qualms about being Queen?"

"Sometimes yes." Sarah admitted. "We went though so much…Robin…then Elise…and Quinn's sacrifice…"

Anne sat down behind her desk. "He did what he had to do to save his brother and the Kingdom…"

"Yes, I know…but the cost…"

Anne motioned her friend be seated. "Sarah, there was never supposed to be two. That is what the whole Shattered Soul texts say. There was supposed to be just one child born. One soul united. Now it is as it was meant to be."

Sarah did not correct her friend; it was a private matter between her and the shattered soul. "I think you're going to make a lovely bride." She changed the subject quickly.

Anne smiled, "I'm half tempted to go to the ceremony in that battle gear I wore when I won the dragon race."

Sarah laughed. "Oh great, his and hers armor for a wedding gift?"

"Matching swords and lances, thank you," the redhead teased.

The goblins in the room snickered, enjoying the lighthearted banter between the girls. They liked the warped humor of the Scribe. Whenever they could, they would engage her in a contest of words and images.

Sarah laughed. "Mrs. Paladin?"

Anne choked on her laughter. "Just call me Brynhildr!"

"A dragon riding Valkyrie," Sarah mused. "Yeah, that fits."

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Talbot sent word to both the King and his Mystic that their presence was requested in the Healers halls. He had set up his private offices for the use of the Court Healer.

Sarah arrived first, was asked to wait in the sitting room. She looked about the pleasant room. She had not had many occasions to visit Talbot. Therefore, his rooms were a surprise to her. The entire wing of the infirmary was a surprise to her. She wondered how many other places in the palace were there that she had not visited yet.

Talbot greeted her. "Lady Sarah, good of you to be so prompt." He held a hand out to the mystic.

Sarah had always liked Talbot, but then she found she liked almost all the Elven folk in the palace. "Thank you for allowing us to use your rooms, Healer."

"Of course." He motioned her be seated. "I dare say it will come as no surprise to anyone that the High King tries to keep an eye on all of his offspring. Asking a healer to…observe the two made one is natural."

"Is it?" Sarah asked. "I hope so…the last thing the King wants is a lot of commotion over the situation."

"Aye," Talbot read her, "Lady Sarah…" He watched her with concern. "You have, some misgivings?"

"I've a lot of questions." She said softly. "Some there are no answers for as of yet."

"Ah." Talbot was fond of the girl. "All things in due time."

Cairbre entered the rooms, "Healer, I am here." He bowed.

Sarah looked at Talbot. The healer rose to his feet. "The Bard is here to record, I'm sorry…I thought you understood his presence would be part of the procedure."

The Bard looked down at the girl who he had known in his guise of Mr. Woodland. "Lady Sarah. I do apologize for any inconveniences. I shall endeavor to be as unobtrusive as I can be."

Sarah studied the man; he was tall, lean and ruggedly handsome. His face was full of character, from the deep-set eyes to the high and well-chiseled cheekbones. His nose was straight and well formed; a shock of slivery hair covered his head, cut in rakish fashion. Something in Sarah told her she knew this man, although she kept telling herself she did not. "I trust you, Bard." She said placing her hands in the out stretched hands of the bard. "You are welcome to be here and observe."

Cairbre bowed.

The King arrived, "Sorry for my delay." He said to Talbot then moved to Sarah's side. "I see the Court Healer is taking his time."

"You know how he likes to make an entrance." The bard said lightly.

Phineas, as if cued, opened the double doors to the private rooms to be used and stood looking majestic. He was a full-blooded Fae, and dressed the part. Adorned in long flowing robe of white and blue he looked every inch a Fae Healer. He glanced at the assembled parties with a gaze that held no interest. "I see we are ready," he stated in his well practiced speaking voice. "Let us begin." He waved the concerned parties in. "Sire, if you would take this seat, Lady Sarah sit beside him." He looked at Cairbre with haughtiness. "You may sit there." He pointed to a chair in the corner.

The Bard took a seat closer. "I'll sit here." When the healer made to protest, the bard said quietly, but effectively. "Oberon ordered me to keep a close eye."

"Very well." The Healer took as seat across from the couple. He looked to find Talbot directly behind him. "You intend to be here as well?"

"I'm the Healer of the Goblin Court, do you protest my presence?" Talbot asked softly.

"Not at all." Phineas turned his attentions back to Sarah and the Shattered Soul. "I will ask you both questions for this first session. I would request you answer them completely and honestly." He looked at Sarah first. "When were you first marked?"

"That would be on my first visit to the Underground." She answered.

"Ah, and do you know where?" The Healer was taking notes on a scroll, as was the Bard.

"Actually no, I don't…I assumed it was when Jareth sang Fae song to me." Sarah sighed.

Phineas looked at the man sitting beside the girl. "When was she first marked."

The man looked slightly embarrassed. "She's wrong about when and where." He grinned slightly. "She was first marked in a park…above…Jareth watched her act out the scenes in a book written about us by Zaker." The man wore a sheepish grin.

Sarah blushed. "Oh."

Phineas looked at them. "Indeed?" He made more notes. "And what was the instance of your first contact?"

Sarah frowned, looked at her hands. The man sitting at her side gave her a sideways glance. She looked up to find all eyes on her. "I…wished away …my brother."

The Court Healer cleared his throat, "I see, so Jareth came to take the child away."

"No." the Royal Fae corrected. "He did not."

Sarah looked at him. "Yes he did."

"No," Quinn sighed. "He did not. You wished the Goblins to take the child, you wished the Goblin King to come rescue you."

The girls mouth dropped open slightly, "Oh my god, so I did."

"Your exact words were 'Oh, someone ... save me. Take me away from this awful place.'" Quinn now looked at her with the feral gaze that Jareth had.

The Court Healer looked at the man, "Why would that draw the Goblin King to her?'

Together they said the words. "But what no one knew was this: the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with her, and given her certain powers." Each looked at the other, mesmerized.

Frowning fiercely, Phineas watched them. "He gave you the power of words."

"He awoke in her the dormant seed of the Fae blood." Quinn said tensely. "And sealed our fate forever."

"Not long at all." Sarah smiled to herself.

"So he rescued you…" Phineas jotted down words.

"No, he bargained with her," the Royal again corrected. "He set obstacle and trap, and she outwitted him at every turn. That's when he pulled out the big guns."

"Singing Fae song to her…"

"He poisoned me." Sarah interjected harshly.

"No, he fed her Fae Food." Mused the Royal. "Tainted to be sure, but hardly poisoned, Sarah."

Sarah frowned. "He told you about that? You must have gotten a good laugh over that one."

"Sarah," Quinn turned to face her full on, turning her face to his. "Jareth never had to tell me…I knew when it happened."

The scroll dropped from Phineas' hands. "What did you just say, my Lord?"

He turned and looked at the Healer with a sneer. "I knew when it happened. Just as we had always know when the other half did something. From the moment of birth, on…we had shared experiences. Each experienced what the other did." He looked back at Sarah. "Each of us experienced it all."

Sarah stood up, "You said you didn't know that song."

"I didn't." Quinn watched her with almost sadistic pleasure. "I knew he'd sung, but not the song. That he managed to keep private, just as I've kept something private."

"That's…obscene." Sarah protested. "You're nothing more than a voyeur."

"I'm a great deal more than a voyeur." Quinn rose. "I'm a participant."

Sarah looked at the Fae King, then at the Healer. "We're done!" she walked out quickly.

Quinn smiled to himself. "Not by a long shot…baby." He looked calmly at the two healers and the bard. "Gentlemen, if you will excuse me. I find I have pressing… matters to attend to." Confidently he strolled out of the chamber.

Cairbre looked at Phineas, "I take it you were not aware of this."

The Court Healer was shaken quite visibly. "I was not." He did not even bother trying to retrieve the scroll.

"Interesting." Talbot declared in a slow and easy voice.

"Why would that be?" The Bard asked.

The Elf Healer took a seat closer. "Because, I was aware."

Phineas looked over at his one time apprentice. "Indeed."

Cairbre hoped his beloved wife had been Scrying. He was sure he had missed things she would notice. "Well, well, well."