Chapter Thirty Two

Seeds take sprout.

Willa was surprised when Sarah had banned her from an afternoon walk in the garden. Something in the Consort's manner told her not to argue, and she left her small charges in the company of their mother. Sarah took the children deep into the garden and then though a passage. Jareth was waiting for them, holding a privet hedge open. When they reached him, he let it slip back into place.

Jareth got down on one knee. "We are going to play a little game. You are going to learn all the best places to hide in the Labyrinth, and how to come and go safely."

Jenny clapped her hands. "Hide and go seek!"

"Even better." Sarah said with a smile. "Hide and mislead." She let Jareth take the lead.

"If you need to get in, you push this hedge, just as I did." He motioned Jenny to try. She easily moved the hedge. "Can you recognize which hedge to push? Good. Now once in here, you can hide any number of places." He had the children follow him, Sarah brought up the rear and made sure they were not being followed or observed. "Always look for ordinary things! Doors with large Knockers, guards, or even garden hedges."

Jenny pointed to a set of doors. "Like that?"

"Good girl." He looked down at Gwynn. "What do you see, little man?"

Gwynn was following a strange bug that looked like half crab, half spider. "Buggaboo," he giggled.

Jareth winked at Sarah. "That's right, it's a buggaboo…and if you follow it, it will take you to a hiding place." He motioned Gwynn to follow the critter. When he did, the stones he stepped on turned into a giant slide. Down went the child, his sister, the King and his Consort. They all landed in a heap at the bottom of a wooded glade. The children laughed as they untangled from the adults.

Sarah watched them go off laughing. "Keep it a game and they'll know no fear."

Jareth nodded. "Exactly. Come on, before they get too far ahead of us."

After an hour and a half Jareth led them back to a passage that put them right in the Queen's garden again. "We'll play here again in two days. Every other day, we'll play our game."

Jenny yawned, "Ok, Mr. King," she wrapped her arms over his shoulders, looking at her brother in her mother's arms. "Do we have to call you Mr. King all the time?"

"No, sweetling, you don't. We will come up with something better, moppet. I promise." Jareth carried the tired child up the back stairs to the nursery and handed her off to Willa.

Sarah and Jareth watched as they were laid down for a nap. When both were satisfied the children were resting happily, they walked together down the hall. Jareth placed a finger to his lips and pressed a wall panel. It slid away, revealing a hidden passage leading to a secret stair to what looked on the outside of the castle to be a decorative tower. Jareth carefully closed the panel behind them

The daylight spilled into the stair shaft as they climbed up the stairs. At the top was a room with maps scattered on a large table. There were chests and shelves. Sarah looked at the room and checked her Chatelaine map. "This room, and that staircase, are not on my map."

"No, they are part of the Hidden." Jareth agreed taking a seat at the table. "Come sit," he patted the chair next to him.

Sarah looked at the map on the table. "I recognize this," her fingers traced a path on the map. "It's the tunnel of the False alarms."

"One of them, " Jareth corrected. "We've several."

"We do?"

Jareth waved his hand, a copper pitcher full of warm brew appeared. "Pour Sarah." He commanded.

Sarah looked, "Peach Cider again?" She gave him a questioning glance.

"It's not tainted, I promise you." He laughed.

Sarah poured two goblets, one for herself one for the man. Handing him his, she retook her seat. "I could get use to this, I suppose." She sipped the warmed mulled cider and relaxed, still thinking of how well the children had done in the Labyrinth. "Should they ever need to, the Labyrinth is the best place for them to hide."

"You were brilliant to think of it." He saluted her with his goblet.

"Thank you." She saluted him back. "You were wise to tell the children it was a game."

"Thank you." For a time, he just sat and watched her. "I've something to give you." He said as he stood up and came to stand behind her. From his pocket he pulled the amulet on a cord; a smaller version of his own royal amulet. "Keep this with you at all times. It will act as a safe passage for you to anywhere in the kingdom, above and below." He knelt at her side.

Sarah raised the amulet and looked at it. "It matches yours."

"It is the mate." He stated. "As consort, it belongs to you."

"Safe passage?" She turned to find stormy eyes looking at her with something akin to pride.

"No one in the Labyrinth will hamper your passage. No firey will try to molest you, no hands will get fresh, you will be as safe as a child." He reached forward, fingered the trinket.

"Thank you." She said simply.

He sniffed, made a face and stood up. Walking to a window he called back to her. "There are passages honeycombing the castle and the Labyrinth. Maps are hidden in places all over the castle, if you know where and how to look." He looked out at the living creature that was part of his kingdom. Movement below drew his attention. "Blast! We've got more company."

Sarah joined him at the window. "Who now?"

"That's Lord Timmus, the one in purple…not his best color by the way. And that lady is his wife, Lady Gia. They are members of the High Court. Blast it all, what could they want? I've not been any trouble." He pulled back from the window. "They also happen to be best friends with my stepmother."

"An unannounced visit; they are trying to catch us with our pants down!" Sarah said with a snide tone. "Want to play dress up?" she teased.

Jareth looked at her for a moment, "I think this time, I'll follow your lead. Close your eyes and show me how you wish us dressed." He reached for her temple with bear fingers and laughed. "Wicked girl."

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Lord Timmus insisted on being shown to the throne room and having himself announced to the king. He was disappointed, first in finding the throne room empty. Secondly he was disappointed in finding it clean as a whistle. He looked at his wife, and whispered. "He cleaned."

Lady Gia ran a white gloved finger over a ledge, it came up clean. "Yes, he did..."

Little goblins appeared; some held banners, and six held curled trumpets. The trumpeters put their lips on the instruments and let loose. The blast was not deafening, nor was it an unpleasant sound. One tall goblin with a bushy mustache came forward. "All Hail Jareth, the Goblin King and his consort Lady Sarah."

Jareth and Sarah entered the room. This time instead of being dressed in the owl garments, they wore midnight blue. He was in the same regalia he had worn the night he'd come into her life. She wore a gown in the same color, and matching breastplate. Jareth led her toward the dais where a smaller vision of his throne now sat at the base of the stairs to his throne. He seated his consort then took his own seat. "Welcome Lord Timmus, Lady Gia. What brings you to call?"

Timmus was older than Jareth by a good many years. He had always refused to be intimidated by the High King's ill breed boy. Yet at this moment he was not only looking but acting every bit a king. Timmus found himself feeling resentful of the pup right now. "Greetings from the High Court, King Jareth."

Lady Gia didn't look at the Goblin King, her eyes were on the consort. "Will you not introduce us?" she asked.

Jareth narrowed his eyes. "Lady Gia, are you addressing me?"

Lady Gia looked up, surprised at his tone. "Forgive me, Sire."

Jareth leaned back, "Lord Timmus, Lady Gia, this lady is my consort, Lady Sarah. Sarah, Lord Timmus and his wife Lady Gia."

Sarah rose to her feet. "How do you do." She kept her tone formal.

Lady Gia gasped. "She's mortal."

Her husband tried to hush her. Jareth looked down at Sarah, "Yes, she is."

Sarah took her seat again.

The paunchy man in purple cleared his throat. "Sire, I bring you greetings from the members of the committee who will be overseeing the transfer of power."

"Transfer of power?" Jareth raise a brow. "What transfer of power do you speak of, Lord Timmus?"

Timmus turned to Gia, wondering if the young Fae had lost his memory. "Why the transfer of kingship of course. Your time is up."

"Time for what?" He asked almost rudely.

Gia blinked; something in the air had caught her notice. She turned to look at Sarah. Her mouth dropped open, but her husband had not noticed. Sarah smirked and winked.

Lord Timmus had never had much patience when it came to Jareth and he was losing the few he had. "You've not produced or procured an heir… The Kingdom will be forfeit."

"Have you gotten permission from the High King for this nonsense?" Jareth teased.

Gia tried to get her husband's attention, but he just swatted her hands away. "See here boy! I'm here under the authority of the High Queen!" He felt the tugging on his arm and pulled free. "How soon can you vacate…. And…. What is it?" he turned to his wife with a red face.

Gia pointed to the mortal woman watching. "She's with child."

Timmus looked as if he had swallowed a boa constrictor. "What, are you sure?"

Gia gasped, "You question me?"

Jareth cleared his throat, and both Fae looked at him. "I have an heir, I have a consort carrying my heir, and I keep the throne. Goodbye," the pair vanished. He looked down at Sarah. "You were right, that was fun."

Timmus and Gia found themselves out by the front gate of the castle and next to the carriage that had brought them. Quickly they entered the carriage and left.

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Carlin had been watching and watched after the offending pair had been sent packing. Jareth came down the steps and took Sarah into his arms, waltzing her around the throne. They were joined in their dance by goblins.

"A handsome pair, don't you think, Carlin?" the voice asked.

"I do, Sire." Carlin smiled, "a very handsome pair."

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The High Queen was discussing the plans for a festival when Lord Timmus and his wife entered her chambers in the grand palace at Avalon. She looked up as the pair were announced. "Timmus, what is it?"

"The boy has a brat growing in a mortal." He flung his plumbed hat down.

"The mortal wench is still there?" Titania seemed mildly perturbed. "I would have thought by now they would have tired of each other."

Timmus disliked being made a fool. "Why was I not warned?"

Gia had more sense. "Good Queen, if he has an heir, there is no question of him not keeping his throne."

"That is if the heir is indeed his…and there may be some question there. An inquest may be necessary." Suggested the High Queen with disinterest.

Timmus frowned. "I don't have the authority to question or request a inquest!"

Titania glared, "But I do." She waved the pair off. "See to it."

Eyes watched from where they could not be seen. "Still proud, Titania." The voice sighed. "All lessons have been forgotten. Alas."

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Goblins danced about the throne room. One even tried to hang on to the king's legs as he danced. Soon the King was laughing, the goblins followed suit. He stopped dancing and the music stopped. He looked at his merry wicked little goblins. His face was full of pure pleasure, which abruptly ended when the man heard the summons. He turned to Sarah.

"I know." She said. "Go, quickly. I can feel it. It's bad."

Jareth nodded. "Go rest, Sarah. I will return as soon as I can. Goblins, to me! We fly." The room emptied in a hail of black glitter.

Sarah shook off the feeling, held her head high, gathered her skirt in one hand and walked toward the stair. They had shown a united front, and the word would spread to the High Court that Jareth would not be shaken from his throne. Sarah stopped. The reason was a twitch. She looked down, for the first time she felt the child in her womb move. "Well, I'm so glad you agree." She teased, then patted the swell. "Now be good and settle down." She continued up the stairs and to the chamber she shared with Jareth, a contented smile on her full lips.

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It was getting dark, and Jareth had yet to return. Sarah told the children their Mr. King was on a summons. Jenny knew what that meant, Gwynn didn't and didn't care. He only knew the man was not there and it made him unhappy. Dinner was quiet, as it was when ever the King was not with them.

Sarah brought them to the bedchamber, having changed them into striped pjs. It seemed Jareth had developed a passion for them with Toby's visit. She gathered them close to her and she read them two chapters from the goblin fairytale book. She listened to them chatter, worked on words with Gwynn and then took them back to the nursery. She and Willa heard their prayers, then she kissed them and left them in the care of their Elf nurse.

Sarah had changed for bed, but was restless. She worried that Jareth was so long gone. It didn't usually take this long to gather an unwanted child, but then she was not sure where he he'd gone to. She pinned her Chatelaine ornament to her robe and tucked the miniature replica of the King's amulet into her nightgown. Less and less, she relied on the map Jareth had given her. The castle was now her home, hers and her children's.

Sarah passed the Escher Room with its jumble of stairs, and she paused to look in. One of her favorite sketches had been of Toby sitting on the edge of the rim of the pit. She wondered if she could get Gwynn and Jenny to pose in the room, so she could make a new portrait of them.

She wandered down to the throne room, looked at her miniature replica of the King's throne. It had only been a short time ago, she thought, that he had even thought to place a seat here for her. Moreover, it was as dramatic as she knew it would be. Jareth was very big on showmanship. One had to admire him for that and other qualities.

Sarah took a seat in her little mini throne. A little goblin crept into the room she smiled at it.

"Lady worried? Don't be, King back soon." It said in a gravely voice.

Sarah nodded, "You always seem to know when he's coming or going. How do you Goblins do that?"

"Connected to king." It said as it scurried off.

Sarah trusted the words, for the Goblins indeed did seem to be connected to the comings and goings of their King. She was herself aware of slight changes, a tingle in the air, or a scent. By instinct, she looked to where he and the goblin band who'd gone with him reappeared. He was holding a child and each of his goblins were holding children of various ages.

"Orphanage, burnt to the ground," he explained as he handed his charge over to her. "They were trapped in the basement."

"Poor tykes." Sarah looked and noticed that none seemed to have suffered any burns. "Did you heal them?"

"Didn't have to," he was checking the others and making a head count. "They were far enough back away from the flames. We got there before the floor collapsed."

"Who called?" Sarah asked.

Jareth pulled a slightly older little boy from the crowd. "This one."

"Good thinking, lad." Sarah looked at the crowd. "Are any of you hungry?" Heads nodded. "Come on, we'll get you all fed, and then off to Nurse Lila and bed."

Jareth stood back while the Chatelaine too over. "How bout me?" he pouted.

Sarah winked, "You too." She inclined her head, turned and led the band of goblins and children down to the kitchen, followed by a smirking Goblin King.