Chapter Twenty
The last stage, Acceptance.
Jareth held Jenny in his arms Gwynn was snuggled into his mother as Sarah read from the storybook. Somewhere in the middle of the tale, Gwynn lost the battle with the sandman, and it was just Jenny listening to the story. Sarah set the book down to finger the soft downy hair on her son's head. Jenny looked up at Jareth.
"What is it, little wise eyes?" he asked.
"You're not going to let Daddy hurt us again, are you?" Huge green eyes, much like her mother's, looked up into the stormy seas of his eyes.
Jareth cupped the child's face with more tenderness then Sarah had witnessed before. "I will never let anyone, not your father, or anyone else, ever harm you again. I give my oath to you."
Jenny's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. "Your oath?"
The reaction surprised Jareth. "Do you know what an oath is Jenny, my love?"
The little girl nodded, "Mommy says it's the strongest promise there is."
Looking over the child's head, he caught her mother's eyes. "That it is, that it is."
Jenny hugged him tight. He closed his eyes and hugged her back. "My oath, Jenny."
Willa came for the children; Jareth carried Gwynn to his bed. After hearing Jenny say her prayers and giving her a song, Jareth returned to his chamber. "She's quite the charmer, that one is," he said to Sarah.
"Yes, she can be."
Jareth looked at Sarah. "So you explained oaths to her, eh?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "Now why would you do that?"
His gaze could be so unnerving. Sarah hated that she felt compelled to answer. "When Paul left, I was reading some old Celtic tales to Jenny. One had a man foreswearing an oath."
Jareth didn't seem to be appeased, his gaze told her he expected more.
Sarah sighed. "Her father had just left us, and she wanted to know how he could do that… there was this man in the tale taking an oath to love forever…and I had to explain the difference between a promise, a vow and an oath."
The Fae man listened carefully. "So you explained to a five year old child the differences? And you are so sure you know them, do you?"
"I just know there is giving one's word...which is often broken... and making an Oath,...which carried repercussions when broken." Sarah stated.
Jareth chuckled softly. "Mortals take words lightly. Much too lightly, wouldn't you say Sarah?" Reclining on the bed, he looked at the woman.
"Words have power," Sarah admitted. "In the modern world, they don't always understand that. Things move too fast." Her hands moved over the storybook. "But in the old tales, it's clearly written…One just has to see it."
"Some never see what is right in front of them," he cautioned.
"None so blind?" she asked looking at him. "I suppose."
Jareth removed his gloves and flexed his fingers. "Fear of repercussions, or responsibility."
Sarah looked at his hands, wondering what he was expecting of her.
Her expression was pleasing to read. "What I want, I'll take, Sarah," he said with aplomb. To demonstrate, he waved his hand and they were both naked. He moved to join her beneath the blankets. His hand moved over her hip and rested on her abdomen. "What I give, I alone give."
Sarah waited, expecting him to make demands. He didn't, he just kept his hand on her belly, his fingers making little circles, and causing the strangest sensation she'd ever felt. Lying back, she closed her eyes. She opened them again when soft angel hair brushed against her belly as he laid his head over the place where his seed was growing within her. Sarah froze, fearful of movement. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep.
Jareth listened, and knew when she was at last asleep. He placed a hand on her hip, and kissed her belly. "Sleep well, woman and child."
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When Sarah awoke, she found Faun standing near the bed with a tray in her hands. "Faun?" She sat up in the bed. "What time is it?"
"It is mid morning. The healer said you would be tired." Faun placed the tray on the bed. "He also said you would need to be urged to eat."
Sarah smiled. "There he's wrong. No urging will be needed, I'm famished. Are the children finished?" Sarah asked.
"Yes, Ma'am. They are in the playroom."
Sarah stopped eating. "We have a playroom?"
Faun rolled her eyes, "We do now."
Sarah could only imagine. "And the King?"
Faun nodded.
Sarah snickered, "I've always thought he was a case of arrested development." She said to herself eating more toast.
Faun was busy smoothing the blankets and comforter. "The Healer will be on his way to see you, Ma'am."
"I don't need a healer. I'm fine." Sarah protested. "Besides, I want to see this playroom."
"Kings orders." Faun said quietly.
Sarah dropped the toast. "Well, there goes my appetite." She let the maid fluff the pillows behind her. "Ok, bring on the healer."
The healer was of the Elf races, and Sarah was not going to ask which one. His name was Gibbs, and he was old enough to have a long white snowy beard. His eyes were like gray clouds, under heavy brows. He was tall and lean, and his fingers seemed to be twice the length of what was normal to Sarah.
Gibbs entered the room in a graceful sweep of movement. His robes, in various shades of green, were draped elegantly, and flowed with his movement. He was unhurried and confident, and his eyes seemed to hold all the secrets of the universe, "Ma'am." He looked at Sarah indulgently.
"Good morning, Master… Gibbs is it not?" Sarah motioned him to be seated, knowing he would never take a seat unless so directed.
Gibbs looked at the breakfast tray, and the half-eaten food. "No appetite, child?"
"Comes and goes," she said honestly.
Faun cleared away the tray.
Sarah waited until the maid was gone to speak. "Master Gibbs, I've some questions for you."
"I am at your service always, Ma'am." Gibbs prepared for the questions that would come. "Ask what you will."
"I'm really pregnant? It's not just a trick?" her voice was a quiet whisper, barely audible.
Gibbs raised one elegant brow. "Why should anyone trick you?" he asked with mild interest. "The answer is, of course you are with child. The King would not tell you he'd given you his seed if he had not."
Sarah didn't know whether to be overjoyed or dismayed. "I'm mortal."
"I am aware." Gibbs found her charming.
"What can I expect? I mean… I know what happens when I'm pregnant with a mortal child. I've had two, but a Fae? There I'm lost."
Nodding, the old Elf pulled on his beard. "I was wondering when you were going to ask." He teased in a gentle tone. "There is so little information above on the subject these days. Not like in the old days. Back then, the joining of Fae and Mortal was common. A Fae pregnancy is not much different in some respects. Both are nine-month duration. Both have the mother uncomfortable. For now, your body is adjusting to carrying a Fae being. You need to rest for now, let your body do its work. You are a healthy female, you must eat right and get exercise once the implantation is complete.
What is good for a Mortal baby at this stage is also good for a Fae. I expect to see you at least once a week."
"That often?" Sarah was startled.
"Ma'am, you carry the heir," he stated as if it were the only explanation needed.
Sarah took a deep breath, "Then everything is alright now."
"You are fine. You have good color, and are in good health. The King chose wisely." Gibbs rose from his seat. "A day more of bed rest. Tomorrow you may attend to your duties. Of course, you know the rules of no heavy lifting, no horses, and no sky diving…"
Sarah laughed, "Funny, Master Gibbs!"
Gibbs was in the hall when he whispered. "I was serious."
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Faun had given Sarah her needlework; squares of linen with hand drawn designs on them. She took thread and ribbons and threaded them though the right needles. She placed the first square in a hoop and sat quietly, sewing. Faun watched her for a bit before she went about her work.
Jareth looked in on Sarah. "We have seamstresses and textile workers you know," he snipped.
"I'm making a quilt," she said quietly.
"A quilt?" He was about to say something when she shut him down.
"For the baby."
Jareth picked up the patterned linen, and noticed one over-all theme. All her drawings were dealing with the Labyrinth. "You did this?"
"Yes, Jenny has one, so does Gwynn." She kept her eyes on the hoop.
He shook his head, sat down and tossed the piece of linen back in the pile. "Do they all deal with my Labyrinth?"
"Yes," she said flatly. "They do."
"Sarah," he sighed as he leaned back into the pillows. "You are a mass of contradictions."
Sarah looked at him, nodded and went back to sewing.
"What did Gibbs tell you?" he asked after watching her for a time.
"That I need to eat, sleep, exercise…and no sky diving." She started to giggle. "No sky diving.."
Rolling to his side, he placed a hand to her belly. "But everything is alright with you both?"
"Yes, we're fine," she said, looking at his hand. Finding it strangely comforting, she did not want to comment. A sad thought passed, and she felt a little tremble.
Jareth looked up at her. "What was that?"
"A sad thought," she said, know it was wiser not to hide things from this man.
"Paul?" he asked quietly.
She nodded. "He never…" not being able to word it, she placed her hand over his, closing her eyes.
"He was a fool." Jareth stated harshly. "He never understood what he had, or else he'd never have wished away the children." His hand flexed and again his fingers made the little circles. "I know," he sighed. "And this time, I won't allow you to go anywhere."
"Sire, I…"
"Silence woman," he ordered, fearing he'd already revealed too much softness.
Sarah made no rush to remove her hand from his. "Yes, Sire."
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Carlin required after the health of the Chatelaine, and the Healer informed him that she'd be up to receiving guests but not to taking on the office for at least a day. Carlin, armed with the scribe's tablet and his own notes, called on the lady after she'd had her mid-day meal.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am," he set everything down. "There is some household business to discuss."
Sarah set her sewing aside. "Fine."
The Steward reported the progress, including the items Sarah had asked about the day before. He told her there had been no problems in transition, and that most of the new staff seemed to be getting on quite well together. He handed her notes of suggestions. She read them over, picked up the scribe's table and began dictating. Carlin suggested holding off on the rosters for a day or two. He wanted to see what the natural rhythms of the new staff were.
Carlin finished up the business. "There will be three or four persons to see you in the morning Ma'am. I look forward to seeing you in your office."
"Thank you." She watched as he left then snuggled down thinking she'd get a quick nap in.
Jareth picked that moment to bring in Jenny and Gwynn. "Look who's here, Mommy." He released their hands and two little bodies in striped pjs went scurrying to the bed. The little bodies were followed by that of the Goblin King. In his hand was a storybook. He placed it down on the bed as he lounged beside Sarah. "Hello, Mommy."
Her hand was slapped away when she reached for the book. "Not so fast."
Jenny was all excitement about the new playroom. "We even have a slide, Mommy."
Sarah looked at Jareth. "You're spoiling them."
"I know," he agreed.
Sarah looked at the pjs. "Really, Jareth!"
He smiled, winked and laughed wickedly.
Jenny threw her arms around his neck. "I love you Mr. King." Gwynn followed suit. Only his words came out 'Lub ooou .'
Sarah could not blame them; he was wonderful with them, to them and for them. His words in the Crystal Ballroom came to haunt her. "You've made bad choices, starting with leaving here" Quietly, she leaned back into the pillows and watched as Jareth and the children wrestled and wrangled. Paul had never done anything like that. He didn't even want to touch Gwynn, let along Jenny, who craved hugging. She remembered a time in her life when she felt 'unwanted' the way Paul made her and the children feel. She had blamed Toby for the feeling. Then wished him away, fought to get him back, and somewhere along the way….Jareth….He looked up, straight into her eyes. She wondered if he had read her mind.
After dinner, the children snuggled into place. Jareth handed the book he'd brought to Sarah. She read the index page and looked over the book at the man. "These are all fairytales about Goblins."
"Yes, they are," he winked.
Sarah read over some of the titles, "Oh come on now! Midsummer's Night Dream?" She protested. "They're too young for that one."
"One is never too young to appreciate a good fairytale, Sarah," he scoffed. "Besides, it's sort of like a family history…" he began to snicker. "You should have seen the look on her face!" He was now laughing outright. "Oh it was priceless."
"Look on whose face?" Sarah asked.
"My stepmother! When this was published." He was near tears with his laughter. Even the little ones were giggling. "And then the first time it was publicly preformed…."
Sarah shoved the book back into his chest, hard. "I'm not reading that!"
"Mommy please…"Jenny begged. "We want a goblin story!"
Sarah looked at her two children, dressed in jammies like their uncle had been. They were begging and jumping on the bed. "I give up! I'll read a story." She looked at Jareth's smug face. "Just not that one. Not yet, at any rate." She held out her hand, and he placed the book back in it.
Jareth pulled Jenny into his arms and snuggled. Little Gwynn also curled up on the Goblin King's lap. Anyone entering the chamber would have thought it was just a normal family. Sarah knew better. She looked at the titles and picked a story. She read with an expressive voice. When she finished the tale the little ones begged for another, but were firmly told it was time for bed. Jareth and Willa took the little ones to their room.
Jareth personally tucked each of the children into their beds after hearing their prayers. He sang a lullaby the goblin mother's sang, and watched as Gwynn lost his battle and fell into sleep. He looked down at Jenny, whose great green eyes were on him.
She sat up and looked worried.
Jareth knelt beside her, "What's wrong, Jenny my love?"
Reaching out she pulled the man into her embrace. "He's going to hurt us again. That's what he does."
Soothing the child, Jareth felt his own pains. "I promise you Jenny. He can never hurt you or Gwynn again."
Jenny looked up at him with confusion. "But it's Mommy he hurts the worst. He makes her cry, he takes things from her. He told her he was going to marry again and take me and Gwynn away…. He told her she was a bad Mommy…He hit her…"
Jareth kissed the brow of the little girl. "I promise you, he can't touch you, and he can't touch Mommy. Not ever again. You all belong to me now. And I will never let him near any of you."
Jenny lay back against her pillows. "I love you, Mr. King."
"I love you, Miss Jenny." He returned the sentiment. "Sweet dreams, my dear." He thought about Jenny's fears and her words. He entered the bedchamber and looked at Sarah. She was skimming thought the rest of the goblin tales, a smirk on her face as she read. Jareth came to the bed, took the book from her hands. He waved a hand, and they were both naked. He let his hands explore her. "My touch does not frighten you?"
"Frighten is not the word for what your touch does." Sarah said as quietly as possible.
"Will you welcome your king?" he asked.
Sarah didn't hesitate, she wrapped her arms around him.