Chapter Twenty Nine

Politics of Court

The last trace of sunlight had faded, Jareth lay beside Sarah in the Daan Ol Khraan watching the woman. "Sarah," he spoke quietly. "We really should dress and have dinner with the children."

"Can you keep your hands to yourself for that to happen? She kept her eyes shut.

"Twenty years of celibacy," he teased back.

Sarah rolled to her side. "You are not going to try and tell me you were celibate before we met."

Jareth grinned, "Of course not! Only after we bonded." He sat up and stretched, knowing she was watching him. He found he liked the attention, even if she felt embarrassed by the desire to watch him. "Fae are free to engage in sexual activity with whatever willing partner there may be. However, our bonding was incomplete."

"You said when Fae mate, it's for eternity." Sarah leaned up on her elbow. "How do you explain Oberon's romancing of your mother?"

"It happened at a time when the High Queen and the High King were…separated," Jareth sighed.

"Does your mother have a name?"

"She is called Aillen, of the Daoine Sidhe court. Her father, Finvarra was a King in his own right. He is known for his skill at chess. I suppose it is from him I get my love of games." Jareth spoke with fondness of his maternal grandsire.

"Finvarra of the Daoine Sidhe? Isn't he the one who was known for his abducting brides-to-be?" Sarah asked pointedly.

"Several Fae are known for that," Jareth said as if it were nothing. "Grandsire Fin, sent my mother to court to curry favor with Oberon. It worked. My mother was a blazing beauty and took Oberon's breath away."

"Oh I'll bet Oberon's wife just loved that."

Jareth leaned back a wicked smile on his lips. "She wasn't there."

"Ah court intrigue," Sarah sighed.

Jareth looked at Sarah for a moment then smiled.

"And your proud of it!" she accused. "You're as bad as the rest of those men!"

Jareth laughed; it was a throaty pleasant sound. "Oh Sarah, I'm much worse!"

"You'll have to tell me the whole story sometime," she pulled his cape over her. "Would you mind? "

"Not at all." He barely moved a finger, and they were both fully clothed again. "Take my hand," he said as she stood up. He gave one last look at the room. "Really must come here more often." Before she could object, he transported them to the hall outside the children's nursery. Sarah was about to remove her hand from his, but his closed around it. She looked at him.

His face was stern, and like stone. "A summons," he said in a dark tone. "You have dinner with the children. I must take care of this."

Sarah wondered if one should say something. "Be careful."

Jareth released her hand, placed his gloved fingers to her cheek. "I will."

Sarah watched as he vanished grimly. Entering the nursery, she smiled at Willa. The children were playing with a musical top, and it had their full attention. Sarah took a seat with the nanny. "I'll be having dinner with you this evening, Willa."

The Elf looked over at her. "I heard the summons."

"Do all Fae and Fae-like hear the summons?" Sarah asked.

"No, I hear because I'm trained to work with children. If I were not working here, I'd be in the nursery the king keeps for the unwanted." Willa said with no emotions. "The little ones are well over the fright of earlier today."

"Good. I won't mention it if they don't," Sarah said.

Willa smiled to herself. Sarah reeked of Fae mating. "You please the king."

"Do I?" Sarah sighed.

The Elf nodded. "He is what he is, mistress. It would be best for you to learn how to live with it. He will never allow anything or anyone to deprive him of you again."

"Does everyone in the kingdom know our business?" Sarah covered her face.

Willa looked at her, wondering what she meant. "If one has eyes to see."

Sarah rose to her feet, feeling embarrassed. "What is said?"

"Said?" repeated the other.

Comprehension was something Sarah had prided herself on. It came as a shock that she had little in the situation fate had landed her in. "No one is talking, because it is what it is."

Willa nodded. "Your actions on the day of the funeral sealed that."

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Sarah listened to the children's prayers, and read them a story from the Goblin book Jareth had given them. After kissing them, she left, knowing they were safe in Willa's keeping. She did not go back to the bedchamber she shared with the King. Choosing instead to go down to the garden, Master Theo and his crew had come though and cleaned up the mess made by that idiot on his horse.

Even with the trampled plants gone, things didn't feel right. It was as if the space had been violated. Sarah frowned, feeling anger toward that bastard. How dare he feel he had a right to trample another's garden. He could have killed Gwynn, and would not have felt a thing about it.

She took a seat near the pond. The water rippled and a head broke the water. Aquis watched her for a moment before he made himself known. "Chatelaine is deep in thought."

Sarah looked toward the watery voice. "Good evening Aquis. How's the new home?"

"Home is wonderful. Chatelaine is wise for her youth." He clung to the edge of the pool. "Garden was invaded?"

"More or less, yes," she sighed. "Aquis, what is the word on Grizbine?"

The Ashray hissed, "Evil man! Hides behind skirts of High Queen and his mother."

"That I already know." Her voice was calmer than she felt.

"Chatelaine need not worry. Castle folk love her and children. King would never let anything happen to them," Aquis cooed. "One hears that Chatelaine even speaks broken Goblin now."

"I'm learning," she blushed. "I don't have the dialect right just yet, but I'll get there."

Aquis smiled shyly. "Chatelaine is loved by all; Goblin, Ashray, Domovoi, and all Fae in Castle. Chatelaine is now part of us."

"Thank you, Aquis," Sarah looked at her garden. "This too will heal, I know, but for now it feels…violated."

"Chatelaine must be strong!" suggested the Ashray as he slipped again beneath the surface of the water.

Sarah nodded, "Strong."

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Carlin was going over his records; things were running smoothly now.

"Has he told her?" the voice filled the room.

The Steward looked up. "No, my Sovereign. He has not."

"Surely there have not been that many summons," The voice sounded perturbed.

Carlin smiled lightly. "It would seem that our King has trouble focusing when within a few feet of the Chatelaine."

There was a light chuckle. "Like Father, like son."

"Aye, Sire," Carlin agreed.

"And the Chatelaine, she is willing?"

The Steward shook his head, "Not knowingly."

The slivery sound of laughter filled the Steward's office.

Carlin understood his Sovereign High King, and he too saw the humor. "She learns, and is good for the land."

"Keep me posted, Carlin." The voice vanished.

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Sarah left the garden, wandering into the lower level of the castle. Goblins bowed to her as she passed by, but kept to themselves. She saw Domovoi scurry through the halls, and other things she had yet to have names for, as well. They all belonged there.

She did not linger in that passageway but moved on. Her steps took her to the empty and darkened throne room. The great circular space and its circular throne was the seat of power. Now, without the King seated or lounging, it seemed less impressive. She walked closer, ascending the steps and taking a seat. Looking on the room from here she tried to see with his perspective.

"You look troubled," a voice broke her reverie.

She looked to the direction of the voice. "When did you return?"

"Just now." He held in his arms an infant that could not be more than a few weeks old. The child was sleeping peacefully in the tender embrace of the Goblin King.

Sarah abandoned the throne to join him. She looked down at the sleeping infant. "So young and innocent. Who wished this one away? A sibling?"

"No, her mother," he said sadly. "The woman was dying. She had no one, no family, or friends…"

Sarah looked at him with sympathetic eyes. "But she had you." She touched the child's face. "Thank God, she thought to call you. Was there nothing you could do for the woman?"

"She didn't ask." Jareth stated. "Her only concern was for this child." He passed the little one over to Sarah.

Having the little one in her arms, Sarah rocked it gently. "What will become of her?"

"I've a few applicants right now for infants. She will be adopted, and live her life here Underground." He watched the woman. "I thought perhaps it was time you saw the nursery for the Unwanted."

"No," Sarah shook her head. "I'm not ready for that."

Jareth frowned. "I could make it a command, Sarah."

"Please don't." She held the child. "I'm just not ready, not after Grizbine."

"That is precisely why you need to see, Sarah," he said firmly. "I want you to know what I protect from the likes of Grizbine."

"That's not fair," she said softly.

"Life's not fair," he tapped her nose with a gloved finger. "Come." He motioned for her to follow him.

"Smart assed bastard." She muttered carrying the child.

Jareth smirked to himself as he walked ahead of Sarah. "This way."

Sarah found keeping pace with the man less difficult than she'd thought it would be. He may have known where they were going, but she had spent so much time looking over her map that she was able to keep step with him. "I've had no chance to see this part of the castle."

He cast an eye toward her, "Until now, there's been no reason for you to even venture this way."

"Well as Chatelaine, don't you think I should be familiar with the entire Castle?" She asked.

Jareth paused. "There are places in the castle the Chatelaine need not know of."

"What? Dungeons and torture cells?" she teased. The look that flickered over the man's face was not one of guilt, but one of erotic indulgence. "Get your mind out of the gutter!" She commanded.

Jareth held a door open for her; they entered a room with Elvin women like Willa tending to a few children in beds. One came toward them, her eyes on the bundle in Sarah's hands. "Sarah, this is Lila, she is in charge of our orphanage in the castle. Lila, this is my consort, Lady Sarah."

"Welcome to the orphanage, Lady Sarah," Lila had a voice like music. "No challenge, Sire?"

"No, Lila." He motioned for Sarah to hand the bundle over.

Seeing the reluctance on the part of the human woman, Lila coaxed. "I promise no harm will befall the child."

Sarah nodded, "I know," she handed the child to the nurse. She looked about the room. "I had not thought so many were wished away."

Jareth shrugged, "There's wished and then there's wished."

"Explain." Sarah watched as the nurses settled the infant.

"Some children are wished away by others, some wish themselves away." Jareth stated. "Not all our children in the orphanage are infants." He led her to a door and another room full of beds. Here older children were resting, not all of them appeared to be human.

"That child is not a mortal child." She pointed to a little boy with softly pointed ears.

"You think Mortals are the only one's who make stupid wishes?" Jareth asked pointedly. He motioned to all the beds. "More important to how they got here, is what becomes of them. Can you image their fate if Grizbine takes this kingdom?"

The color faded from Sarah's face, "eeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwww!"

"Well put," he teased. "Short and to the point, Sarah." Jareth looked from bed to bed. "These too are my subjects Sarah. I am avowed to protect them."

"Some of them look injured," she commented.

"Some are. Some have injuries one can not see with the eye," he admitted.

One child seemed to be having a troubling dream; Sarah sat on the edge of his bed and soothed him with one hand. Looking about the room, she understood some of the King's concerns. "You can't let Grizbine have this, not them, not the Kingdom."

Jareth placed his hand on her shoulder. "WE can't."

"We," she agreed. Once the child was soothed and sleeping peacefully, she stood up.

Jareth held out his arm and her hand went to it without hesitation. "We need to speak…somewhere where I will keep focused."

"Your private office?" she suggested.

"No, I'm already distracted by you there," he said with humor. "And we both know the throne is no good. Too tempting."

Sarah pulled out her map, "What about the old Chapel?"

"Ideal." He took her hand. The nursery faded out, and the Chapel faded in.

The old Chapel of the Castle was not used often. Yet it was kept orderly, and was lit with candles and smelled of sweet incenses. The windows of the room were stained glass depicting symbols of many religions. Sarah took a seat and waited.

Jareth looked round the room. "I've not been in here in awhile, I've forgotten how peaceful this place can be."

"I would not have thought you a religious man," Sarah admitted.

"Religious no; Man of faith, yes." He took a seat beside the woman. "There is a difference, you know."

"So I'm told." She looked at him. "All right, we're here in the chapel. You have something you need to tell me, you said."

Jareth looked away from her to a stained glass window. "I was trying to tell you when we were in my office and the Queen arrived. The Kingdom needs the united front of male and female, ruler and nurturer."

Sarah gave a moment's thought and looked at him with widening eyes. "Are you asking me to be mother to the entire Kingdom?"

"I'm not asking." He fought the urge to look at her. "I'm telling you."

"So do any of these so called claimants know this?"

He shook his head. "And I'm not going to tell them if I don't have to."

"Jareth we don't even like each other," she said sadly.

"You don't have to like me. You just have to work with me to keep the Kingdom," he stated as if saying it was a sunny day.

Sarah gave a halfhearted laugh, "This is insane. You bring me here, under the pretext of having me run the Labyrinth…Knowing that as an adult there's no way I'm getting through it intact…you force yourself on me in that blasted ballroom…."

"Forced?" He turned and looked at her, wickedly. "You didn't really put up much resistance, now did you?"

"Yes I did," she stood up and began to pace the chapel. "I resisted."

Jareth had been teasing, but saw a raw nerve. "You call that resisting? And I didn't have to use much force, not in…coaxing you…The only force I used was in…" He bounced on the bench.

"Stop that! You are in a place of worship…" Sarah swatted at him.

"Truth hurts, little girl?" He said, thinking of the last time he had said those words. "You didn't really resist." He stood up and took hold of her wrists.

"Yes, I did!" She protested as she tried to pull free.

"You're going to say that here, in a chapel?" He was still teasing, but noticed that her face had become apprehensive. "Sarah? Tell the truth, I didn't really use much force, now did I?"

"Yes…you did," she pulled to free herself. "Let me go!"

Jareth backed her into a wall, pressed close. "How much force would you say I used?"

"Damn you!" she shivered as his body pressed closer. "You said you'd keep your hands to yourself in here!"

"I was wrong," he captured her hands, held them out to her sides. "I don't think I'll ever be able to keep my hands off you, not for very long. Must be all the years of having been deprived of your…company."

"Stop!" she warned.

"I will if you will." He teased. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes, the crystal ballroom and what you keep calling a rape. Come now, Sarah, admit, it was more seduction than rape."

"And you want me to be mother to your kingdom?" she fumed.

Jareth pulled back. "The kingdom… ah yes, business before pleasure… Thank you for reminding me." He walked away from her. "It's not so much a matter of me wanting you to be mother as the Kingdom wanting you."

Sarah clung to the wall. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Jareth retook his seat on the bench. "The Labyrinth is alive, agreed?" She nodded. "Well, as a living thing, it too needs to be nurtured. It formed a great attachment to you back twenty years ago. No other will do."

Sarah frowned. "Have you told anyone this?"

"Actually, it was my father that told me." Jareth murmured.

"I don't want to be the Labyrinth's Mother!" she protested. "Why don't I get any say?"

"Fate," The Fae King laughed. "You and I are fated."

"It's not fair!" she moaned. "Why me?"

Jareth looked at her, "One reason, you beat the Labyrinth."