Chapter Twenty Six

Unwanted Guests

Jareth, with Sarah on his arm walked unhurriedly down the grand staircase. As they entered the throne room, Goblins appeared with strange horns and banners. The King's presence was hailed with blasts on the trumpet. He wore a haughty expression on the handsome features as he led Sarah to his throne. He took his seat, and Sarah sat on the top stair, on a pillow that had been placed there for her. They both looked disinterestedly at the guests.

The man Sarah recognized as the Fae Grizbine. It was the woman that Sarah was more interested in. It was obvious she was of great importance and status in the Fae world. She was magnificent to look at. Like most Fae females, she was tall and slender. Her skin was like alabaster, and nearly glistened. Her face was beautiful, but vain. Her eyes the color of the Aegean Sea. Her lips were generous and mobile. Her garments were those of a Queen who was aware of her station, and her power. She was dressed in hues of greens and blues, clearly her favorite colors.

Jareth resisted the urge to lounge, sitting in a regal manner looked down at the pair standing before his throne. "Welcome, good High Queen. What brings you to my court, Stepmother?"

Sarah read the expression on the other woman's face; she really didn't like Jareth.

"How dare you keep me waiting?" she demanded.

"I was indisposed, and not aware that you had scheduled a visit," The King remarked glibly.

The High Queen's face tightened, "I would not be here at all, if you were more mannered in your greeting of guests. Grizbine has issued a complaint."

"Has he?"" Sarah spoke; she stood up and descended the stairs to glare at the man who now moved behind the High Queen. "And just what does he have to complain about?"

The High Queen looked at Sarah for the first time. "I don't answer to subordinates."

"Yet you back this ill mannered wretch who would trample down innocent children playing in their own garden! Not very judicious, High Queen," Sarah schooled her face, and her voice. She remembered running lines with her mother for a play and repeated the performance her mother had turned in.

Jareth fought the urge to lean back and toss a leg up. He watched his consort take on his stepmother with a measure of pleasure as well as shock. 'Go Sarah!' he thought to himself.

"Mortal do you know to whom you speak so insolently? I am Titania! Queen of the fairies, and wife of the High King, Oberon," she nearly growled as she spoke. "Who are you to address me in this manner, mortal?"

Jareth spoke up. "Lady Titania, I have the honor of introducing you to my Consort, Sarah."

Sarah watched the color fade from the High Queen's features. The woman looked from Sarah to where Jareth sat. "Consort?" She shoved the Fae man at her elbow aside, and advanced past Sarah glaring. "When?"

Before Jareth could say a word, Sarah said. "We were bonded twenty years ago."

Jareth smiled, 'Good thinking.' He looked at his stepmother. "We have only recently consummated our union."

Grizbine snarled, "He claims she is with child….he claims it to be his…I have my doubts."

Titania's voice shook with fury. "Mortal, come here." Sarah approached, and the High Queen moved closer and took a sniff. "She is with child."

Grizbine growled again, "Who is to say it be his?" He pointed to the Goblin King.

"I for one," said Sarah.

Jareth wore a look of utter triumph. "Did I mention I had witnesses?"

The High Queen scowled. "Why should I take the word of your cronies?"

Sarah turned, catching the look of triumph, "He didn't trust that you would. He called upon a Knight true to the code, a gentle beast and a dwarf to do the honors." Her eyes met his.

Grizbine howled like a hound. "I don't believe a word of it." He made a move toward Sarah.

Sarah caught the movement and barked out "Hor, duun ghaan!" (Guards to me!) Armed Goblins surrounded her, snarling at Grizbine, ready to tear his heart out if Sarah so willed. There was no fear on Sarah's face, nor in her manner.

Clovis came running into the throne room welding a rolling pin. Jareth called to her. "Huul kaaruuc!" (Good Lessons!)

The Goblin widow bowed before her King looked proudly at Sarah and stated. "Huul torthaac." (Good student.)

Grizbine backed down, and turned to the Queen. Titania regarded the situation.

"Teach your pet better manners."

"Curb your cur." Sarah said as the other woman passed by her. She noticed the back of the Queen stiffening, but the woman continued to move back to where her godson stood.

Titania took her place beside the man, "He says you attacked him. That you struck him."

"Actually, I struck his horse before I struck him. How is that poor beast?" Sarah said sounding a bit like Jareth.

Jareth left his throne and moved to join Sarah surrounded by her Goblins. "I believe my consort already informed you, your Godson here came charging into our garden where our children were playing."

"Human children! They breed so fast they would hardly notice two less," Grizbine snapped.

Jareth growled like a Goblin. "Children are the most precious gift. Sarah and I value our children."

Grizbine laughed. "The two in the garden are not even yours."

Jareth looked at the High Queen. "They are my stepchildren, whom I love as if they were my own blood."

Sarah looked at the King, her face schooled, but her eyes held astonishment. He meant the words; he was not just saying them for the benefit of the unwanted guests.

Grizbine snorted. "Mortals are the dregs of the universe. When I am King…"

"You shall never be king." Jareth stated. From behind Sarah, he placed a hand over her womb. "The King has an heir."

Sarah closed her eyes, catching her breath shapely. She had not expected so intimate a movement, and her reaction was read as rapture by the High Queen and her Godson.

"We shall away." The Queen announced. "I shall have words with your father."

"He already knows." Jareth pulled his consort closer. "He's tickled pink at the prospect of being a grandfather."

In a great puff of smoke and mist, the High Queen and the cur vanished.

The ring of Goblins began to dance around the King and Consort.

Jareth lifted Sarah's chin, and placed his forehead to hers. "Daach druukaan." (Well done.)

Sarah laughed quietly. "Dac o." (Thank you.)

Clovis moved closer, and grinned wildly.