Wheel of Time Ch. 11: Blame it on the Rain

The autumn sunset set the sky aflame with shades of orange and crimson, as the sun slowly sank below the horizon. Smiling, Jareth pulled his gloves from his hands, and slowly sank down to sit upon the sun-baked grass of the hill overlooking his private orchards. In the distance, the glowing sunset cast shimmering shadows over the Goblin City, while bathing the castle in shades of gold and red. With a deep sigh of completion, Jareth lay his bare hands upon the soil, shuddering at the jolt of energy that flooded him. The second harvest was still a week away, yet the land was already crying out to him. Never in all his years, had he felt the turning of the wheel as keenly as he did this time and Jareth had a pretty good idea why.

Sarah.

As far as the Labyrinth was concerned, the Queen had been chosen and accepted her place. Therefore, the land was happy. Since Lughnasagh, the kingdom seemed to blossom. Late crops took off at an unprecedented rate, covering the land in new growth, even as the first crops were being harvested. But the change wasn't just seen in the crops. The forests of the Labyrinth and kingdom seemed to come alive with the chattering of animals and the chirping of birds. Even the Fireys had seen their first hatchling in over a century – three in fact. The Goblyn people were also feeling the effect. The number of reported mating pairs who were now with child broke all previous records. By all accounts, come spring, the twists and turns of the Labyrinth and land of the kingdom itself would ring out with the cries of newborn babes in arms.

Yes, the Labyrinth was content in the knowledge that she had her chosen Queen - all that remained was for the Queen to bear the kingdom a child. Of course Jareth wasn't about to tell Sarah about that clause. He was quite sure that Sarah's viewpoint on the matter differed greatly to that of the land. In Sarah's mind she was not the 'rightful' Queen, but merely just a honorary 'placeholder'. For the moment Jareth was content to let her believe that; after all, he had another 11 months in which to change her mind.

Taking a deep breath, the Goblin King smiled at the hint of rain carried upon the air. In the distance, he heard a low rumble, signaling an incoming storm – the usual herald of early fall for the Goblin Kingdom. He could see the rain pouring from the dark bank of clouds off to the right, as they slowly moved forward, drenching the kingdom and crops prior to the next turn of the wheel. Slowly the oranges and red of sunset gave way to dark blue and grey clouds that seemed to blanket the sky, the clouds roiling with rain as they crept over the land. Smiling at the way the petrichor began to hang heavy in the airhe Jareth opened himself up to the land, letting the warmth flood into him through the soil beneath him. He could feel the kingmaking lines begin to pulse with the heartbeat of the land, the lines upon his skin flickering from deep goldenrod to burnt orange. All around him he could smell the scent of petrichor, dried wheat and apples, ripe and ready for picking. When the full moon rose upon the fall equinox, ushering in the Mea'n Fo'mhair festival and the Feast of Avalon, Jareth would once again fully join his land and his people as they celebrated the next spoke in the wheel of the year – and Sarah would return to the kingdom once more.

The first drops of rain skittered across the ground, making grass move and leaves jump. Then, the clouds overhead seemed to open, unleashing a pounding deluge of fall rain that drenched the land and its monarch. Beaming now, Jareth leaned back on his hands, tilting his face upward and letting the water cascade over him, soaking him to the skin. The feel of the rain combined with the magic of the land seeping upward through his hands, truly reminded him of his vow and his place as the protector of the kingdom. He was not just the king – he was one with the land. As it should be.

Lost in the feel of the rain and feeling of inner peace that washed over him as a result, Jareth was surprised to feel the land under his hands ripple. He felt the Labyrinth's joy in the ripple, and smiled himself.

"Interesting… our Champion has returned to us, and of her own volition," he murmured, more to himself than the sentient form of the land. Digging his fingertips deeper into the now wet dirt, he relished the feeling of water and soil between his fingers as he consider the implication of Sarah's crossing the mysts. "It's only taken her a month to make use of my gift. I'd say that was progress, wouldn't you?"

The Labyrinth didn't answer – directly. Rather he felt another shiver of magic run through him at his words.

~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~

Rain. And not just a light summer drizzle of warm, fat raindrops. No… this was akin to stepping into a tepid waterfall. By the time Sarah felt herself fully materialize Underground, she felt rain soaking her thoroughly. Her favourite Bowie t-shirt was plastered to her chest, while her jeans stuck heavily to her legs.

"Bloody Hell!" she growled, raising her arms from her sides and glancing down as she was drenched from head to toe. Glaring at the amulet still gripped in her hand, she seethed. "Fucking Jareth lied."

"I did no such thing – neither the fucking nor the lying," replied a coolly amused voice from behind her.

Whipping around, Sarah saw Jareth leaning back on his hands as he sat on the wet ground, his face angled upward – seemingly oblivious to the rain pelting down in heavy, sheets of water. His white silk shirt was so sodden it was translucent, offering her a clear view of his chest and amulet of office. Blushing slightly at the sight of the drenched trousers that were sucking wetly to his legs, she nibbled her lip. She'd often thought his pants couldn't get any tighter, but apparently they could. Glancing from his legs to his face, she harrumphed at the knowing sparkle in his crystalline eyes. Crossing her arms over her chest, as water streamed down her body, Sarah grumbled. "You did so lie! You said this amulet would take me to your castle!"

Jareth cocked an eyebrow in challenge, while a smile curled the corner of his mouth. "Think back, little witch and I think you'll find that my exact words were that it would take you to me. And so it did. Here I am." Seeing her frown as she looked around the orchard, Jareth laughed and grabbed her hand, giving a firm tug. With a yelp she fell to her knees next to him, the wet grass and dirt squishing thickly with the force of her landing.

Gasping, Sarah sat up from where she had fallen against him and tried to brush the wet dirt and grass from her hands, but only succeeded in smearing it around into a muddy mess. Grumbling under her breath she wiped the mud on her jeans. "Honestly, Jareth. If the Goblin King doesn't have sense enough to come in out of the rain, what hope is there for the rest of the kingdom?" she snapped, putting her hands on the ground and starting to push herself back to her feet, as the rain eased off a bit, falling in bulbous drops now.

"Don't you have the sense to enjoy a fall rain?" he laughed, then grabbed the back of her shirt and pulled, chuckling at the startled squeak she gave as her bum plopped onto a muddy patch in the grass. "Now sit still woman and feel the seasons. You are the Queen, you need to become attuned to the seasons as the wheel turn. "

With water dripping down her face and into her eyes, Sarah sighed, looking at the mud on her hands once more and the black-brown wet patches bleeding across the knees of her jeans. "I appreciate the seasons…I just…"

"No…you don't," Jareth interrupted. "You appreciate them in theory, perhaps. But you need to learn to appreciate them in practice."

Rolling her eyes, Sarah snorted. "And sitting here in the rain with you will do that?"

Reaching over, Jareth took her hand in his and turned it over, firmly pressing her palm to the ground. "Yes. It will. Now shut your mouth. Shut your eyes. And enjoy the feel of the rain and the land."

Jareth kept his hand on hers and leaned his head back again, facing upward with his eyes shut. Surprised, Jareth smiled when Sarah gave a deep sigh and leaned back on her hands, sitting quietly beside him. While she was sitting there quietly, he could tell that she was blocking out the true power of the land. "Sarah… open yourself up to the land and feel the power within it," he instructed, his tone quiet, but firm.

With a frown, Sarah pulled her hand away from his and sat up, leaning on her knees. "The last time I did that it was… unpleasant. Beside that, I'm not in the mood for another magical hangover so soon."

Sitting up, Jareth gently wrapped his arm around her back, and pulled her against his side. "The Labyrinth will behave herself this time, Precious. And I will make sure you won't soak up too much magic, I promise." He felt her slowly relax into him, then nod. Taking her hand in his once more he placed it on the wet ground. Slowly he felt her open to the power in the land, chuckled inwardly when she shivered as the first tendrils of Labyrinth magic seeped through her palm. "There, see…the Labyrinth is glad to see you."

Sarah blushed, struggling to stay still in his embrace, despite the fact that her libido was beside itself at being pressed close to a very wet Goblin King. As the magic of the land crept up her arm, filling her, she felt, rather than heard, a soft whisper in the back of her mind – "My Queen…Little Queen….Our Queen…WelcomeWelcome…." Gasping, she pulled her hand from the ground, shuddering at the odd intrusiveness of the feeling. "Does the Labyrinth always talk to you when you touch the ground? It's really kinda creepy and… invasive to do that sort of thing without asking."

Leaning back on his hands again, Jareth chuckled. "Yes, she does have a tendency to do that with me as well, although I've been dealing with it for so long that I can generally tune it out unless I need information."

Sarah rubbed at her muddy palm, trying in vain to rid herself of the lingering 'crawling' feeling that tickled across her skin. "So what… you purposefully talk to the Labyrinth?"

"Of course. How better to find out what is wrong with the kingdom and the people? The Labyrinth is everywhere. She knows the status of the land, the walls and her inhabitants, and informs me when she needs my help to see to their well-being."

Nibbling her lip, Sarah peeked at Jareth, relieved to see he was no longer looking at her, but sitting with his eyes shut and his face turned up to receive the misting rain. This was a side of the Goblin King she never imagined existed. Looking around, she took in the neat rows of fruit trees, bushes and vines that dotted the land around the hill on which they sat. "So, is this your orchard?"

Jareth peered at her out of the corner of his eye and smiled as he nodded. "Yes, this is my private orchard. The apples are ripe enough to eat if you would like one."

Sarah shook her head emphatically. "Oh no! You won't trap me here that easy, Goblin King."

Rolling his eyes, Jareth sighed. "You forget, love… I gave my vow that nothing would bind you to this land without your consent."

"Oh…" Sarah mumbled, hanging her head sheepishly. "Sorry… I forgot…again." Seeing the disheartened look on Jareth's face, Sarah felt an odd sense of disquiet twist inside her. 'Why is he sad?' she wondered.

"Sarah, I am not the villain you still think me to be."

At that moment the rain began to pound once more, and a great crack of lightening lit up the sky over the orchard. The rumble of thunder shook the hill they were sitting on, making Sarah squeak and jump, until she was sitting in Jareth's lap, her face buried against his shoulder. Without thought, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

"Easy, Sarah…it's just a fall storm."

Not looking up, Sarah trembled when another loud crack ripped through the sky. "I hate thunderstorms…ever since that night…."

"What night?" Jareth asked, gently rubbing her back.

"The night I met you."

Jareth's heart froze in his chest at her words, and he cursed himself roundly for his 'theatric' appearance that fateful night. Still holding her close, Jareth sighed. "Come, Precious. Allesander will have informed the staff that I will be having company for dinner. So we should get you dried and cleaned up."

"Oh…you've got company tonight," Sarah mumbled, lifting her head and struggling to get out of his lap. "I'm sorry….I should have checked in advance to see if it was okay for me to visit this weekend…I just…"

Jareth's arm tightened around Sarah, as he silenced her with a gentle finger on her lips. "Sarah… you are the Harvest Maid and Queen proxy, you have the right to use your suite whenever you wish – even if you have no wish to see me or any other of my subjects while you are here. Using the suite or my kingdom as an 'escape' is fine."

Sheepishly Sarah looked at the ground, her raven tresses streaming rainwater into her face. "How did you know I was using it as an escape?"

While his words were true, Jareth would have preferred that she visited because she wanted to be in the kingdom…or better still spend time with him. Smiling warmly, he couldn't help himself and kissed her forehead, delighting in the slight tremor that ran through her at the display of affection. "You are the Labyrinth Champion and she has granted you powers. Those powers link you to me so I can feel a bit of what you feel, more so when you are in the kingdom than Above; but I've been feeling your disquiet and frustration all week."

Tilting her head, Sarah glanced at him. "You felt that, yet you didn't ask about it?"

"No…I didn't. While you gave me leave to visit you whenever I should wish…within reason of course, your emotions are just that…your emotions. If you wanted to share them with me, you would." Seeing her seem to wilt a bit more, Jareth gave her a gentle squeeze. "Come, Sarah. Let's away. You can tell me about your need to 'escape' and what it is you wish to escape from over dinner – or not at all, the choice is yours."

"But… I don't want to interrupt your dinner if you have company. I'll just…can I… can I just have someone bring me a sandwich in my suite? That way I'll stay out of your way."

Chuckling Jareth stood and pulled Sarah to her feet, keeping her hand in his as he walked down the path toward the orchard at the base of the hill. "Darling, the company I was referring to is you. You are linked to the Labyrinth and myself, both the Labyrinth and I 'felt' your arrival, so I'm quite sure the Labyrinth has informed Alesander that I will have a guest."

As if on cue, a chiming sound rung out around them and a crystal materialized in front of Jareth. "Sire, the Champion has returned." Seeing Sarah next to Jareth, Alesander smiled. "Ah, I should have guessed that you would already be aware of that fact, Sire. Welcome back, M'Lady." Blushing Sarah waggled her fingers at the face in the crystal. Turning his attention back to Jareth, Alesander continued, "Since you have company for dinner, I have taken the liberty to arrange the usual dinner set-up in the formal dining room and…."

Jareth shook his head and smiled. "Cancel it."

Alesander blinked and stopped cold, confusion etched on his face. "But…"

"No buts… Sarah has joined us to escape something or someone that is plaguing her, so I don't feel that subjecting her to a formal dinner with the bores currently at court, would aid her in her escapism." Seeing Sarah's relieved look, Jareth knew he was on the right track. If he wanted her to want to remain in his kingdom, it would be far better to show her how he really lived. "I will make my usual arrangements for dinner and merely take Sarah with me. Once we've dried off and gotten her changed into some more appropriate clothing, that is."

Glancing at Sarah's now sodden and see-through white t-shirt, Alesander blushed deeply, averting his eyes. "Very well, Sire. I will let the staff know that you will not be dining with the court tonight. Although you will have to dine with them over the weekend, Sire – you've ignored them all week and some of the courtiers and visitors are starting to voice their offence."

Jareth rolled his eyes. "To voice offence at the actions of the King is an offence of its own. But, for proprietary's sake, I will dine with them tomorrow evening. It is up to Sarah whether she chooses to join or not… but that is a detail for tomorrow. Just tell them I am otherwise occupied for the duration of the evening and do not wish to be disturbed."

Noting the dark glint in Jareth's eyes, Alesander grinned. "Princess Oliviana won't be happy that you have missed another meal – especially with her visit ending on Sunday."

"Such a pity," muttered Jareth, taking Sarah's hand, then frowning as she shivered. "I need to get Sarah warmed up, cousin. Take care of things and I will see you for the usual meeting in the morning."

Alesander nodded briskly as the crystal shimmered briefly and popped.

Tucking Sarah firmly against his side, Jareth felt his heart shudder in his chest as the woman in his arms turned toward his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and let the wave of magic slowly envelope the two of them, relishing the gentle gasp she gave against his chest as the world seemed to fold around them.

Sarah groaned as she felt stone floor under her feet once more, gradually opening her eyes to find herself standing in the Queen's Chambers of the castle. "Ugh…does that ever get any easier?" A purring laugh met her question.

"I'm afraid I can't say, Sarah. I started disapparating from place to place before I could walk and before I said my first words – much to the annoyance of my nurse and the dismay of my mum. Of course Father was immensely proud that I showed that level of power so young." Rewarded by a giggle from Sarah, Jareth winked at her. "He was less impressed when I showed up in his lap during an inter-kingdom meeting – having been in the middle of having my nappy changed for a messy bum. He had the castle healer bind my powers until I was toilet-trained at least." The gale of laughter that greeted that admission made the somewhat embarrassing truth worth telling.

Turning, Jareth nudged the bathroom door open, revealing a small goblin woman who was busily laying out fluffy towels on a bench next to a bathtub full of steaming water and pale pink bubbles which seemed to float just above the surface of the water. Sarah smiled at the welcome sight of a warm bath, then glanced at Jareth, her jade eyes twinkling merrily. "What? No offer to do the honors yourself? No rule in the vast Labyrinth rule book that says that the King must bathe the Harvest Maid or Queen proxy-whatever?"

Jareth's hand tightened on the door handle of the bathroom as he arched an eyebrow at the teasing wench. "While I would far prefer to bathe you myself, Precious…I fear if I did we might never get to dinner and I am actually quite hungry for food at the moment – so the pleasure of your flesh will have to wait."

Sarah blushed, noting that the goblin woman didn't seem the slightest bit embarrassed by the teasing innuendo flying between her King and the Champion. Shrugging Sarah turned toward Jareth and grabbed the hem of her wet shirt in her hands, slowly drawing it upward. "Well….if you aren't interested," she purred, flicking her tongue lightly over her lower lip. "You can leave," she added, nudging the bathroom door shut in his face with her toe.

"No fair, wench!" called the Goblin King from the other side of the door.

Laughing, Sarah pulled her shirt fully off and dropped it next to the tub, followed by her wet jeans. "I wonder what your basis of comparison is!" she called out. "Now go away…I'm busy and naked." Sarah could hear his growl intensify before it disappeared. Still giggling as she sunk into the thick foam coating the water, Sarah sighed happily. 'I could definitely get used to this…both the decadent bath and sparring with Jareth.'

'You should have taken your shirt off and kissed him before kicking him out,' her libido grumbled.

'Next time,' Sarah murmured to herself, then blushed, knowing that there would definitely be another chance to taunt the Goblin King. She knew it was a dangerous game to play with the unpredictable King, but he had promised that he would take nothing from her that wasn't freely given. 'The question now is whether I want to give it…' she mused quietly as the little goblin woman began to wash her hair, muttering about the irresponsible girl and the impulsive young king, who clearly didn't have the sense to come in out of the rain.

~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~

Still amused by the way Sarah kicked him from her bathroom, Jareth returned to his own chambers next door to the Queen's suite and sunk into the bath that his valet had drawn. Truth be told, he had missed the free way Sarah had teased and taunted him as 'Lady Charlotte', so to see Sarah starting to regain that easy, teasing banter was both refreshing and a relief. Over the years, Jareth had grown tired of milqtoast women who merely simpered and blushed when he teased them. Although he hoped Sarah never would fully lose her tendency to blush when she was flustered or surprised, he did enjoy the way she teased him.

'Goblyn!' insisted his Goblyn self, and he was inclined to agree. 'Rashglang!' it screeched insistently – a sentiment he was finding far harder to continue at the door of his closet, Jareth was pulling out something to wear when there was a sharp rap on the hidden door between the two chambers, before the door was thrust inward.

"Jareth… you didn't say what we were doing for dinner, so I hope this is appropriate," Sarah blurted out, as she burst into the room. Seeing him standing in the doorway of his closet wearing nothing but a towel wrapped low upon his hips, she stopped cold with her eyes wide. Snapping her jaw shut with an audible click of her teeth, she spun on her heel. "Oh shit! I'm sorry!" Squeaking, Sarah darted back toward the hidden passageway. Before she could get there, the door slammed shut. With a startled gasp, she ran her hands over the smooth surface of the door. "No fair, Jareth! Put the doorknob back and stop teasing me! I didn't mean to burst in on you before you were dressed! I didn't know this led to your bedroom, I thought it was your sitting room or something!"

The sound of amused laughter rang from the other side of the room. "Sarah, for the love of the Gods, take a breath, and sit down." Seeing her turn around with her hand shielding the eyes, as she kept her gaze resolutely glued to her feet, he couldn't help but laugh harder, while a burst of warmth seemed to engulf him seeing her flustered in such a manner.

"Sit on the bed, Sarah. I promise it doesn't bite… and neither will I. For the moment at least."

When she hesitated, he stepped around the bed and gripped her shoulder lightly, but with enough pressure to encourage her to sit on the side of his bed. "Sit. If it makes you feel better you can keep looking at your feet, the inside of your eyelids or the wall. Or if you wanted to watch me dress, I'd be fine with that as well," he added, moving back to his closet.

Her libido crowed with delight at the blatant invitation, even as Sarah soundly thrashed it and duct taped its traitorous mouth shut. "That isn't why I came in here and you know it," the green-eyed witch grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and uncovering her face, although her gaze never strayed from the tapestry on the wall next to the hidden door. "Now just give back the doorknob and I'll get out of here."

Sarah could hear the sound of fabric rustling behind her, and fought the way her libido howled for her to turn around and enjoy the surely splendid sight of the naked Goblin King. The purring laughter from Jareth, send heat rushing to her cheeks once more.

"I didn't take the doorknob, Precious. There is no door handle on this side of the passageway, as it is the Queen's prerogative to sleep alone should she desire to do so. Thus the only handle is on your side."

Feeling the other side of the bed dip, Sarah relaxed and turned to learn her back against the footboard, only the blink in shock. She had assumed he was dressed, but that wasn't quite the case. 'Technically' he was clothed, or at least wearing leggings that looked painted on – as was usual for Jareth. But he was still shirtless, with the golden sigil hanging against his bare chest. She watched the muscles in his shoulders flex and tighten as he bent over to tug his boots on, with her libido shrieking, 'TOUCH him! Lick him! DO SOMETHING!'

Sarah gulped, trying to ignore the suggestion of her wayward libido, finally managing to croak. "So…then…how does the Queen return to her room…after…"

"After sex?" Jareth finished, his voice taking on a sultry purring quality, which was rewarded by a deepening of the pink in Sarah's cheeks. "Well, as I haven't had a queen, I can't really say. Although I would say that for myself, I wouldn't be doing my job as husband or lover if she wished to adjourn to her own rooms following initimacies."

Finishing with his boots, Jareth sat up and pulled a flowing black silk shirt on, leaving it open down the front, exposing his chest and sigil. Finally dressed, he took his time to take in the sight of her – and she was indeed, a vision. Once more she had chosen Goblyn dress, this time appearing in fine dragonhide leggings, with a black silk dress over them. The top of the dress exposed a tantalizing hint of rounded breasts, without being as revealing as the fashion of Avalon. Around her waist, the asymmetrical skirt was draped in two pieces, stopping at the top of her knees in front and hitting her ankles in back. The two silken panels slide senuously against each other, falling open to reveal shapely legs and sleek thigh high black boots pulled smooth over the curves of Sarah's calves. Her waist was cinched with a waspie of black satin, with red velvet brocade knotwork over the top of it. Smiling, Jareth watches as she unconsciously traced the velvet pattern of his sigil which was twisted into the knotwork of the cincher.

"This was the only thing in my wardrobe, so I assumed you put it there for me to wear to dinner."

Shaking his head, Jareth chuckled. "No, Precious. I did not. It would seem that the Labyrinth decided to dress you to suit my own choices tonight," he replied, holding up a dragonhide waistcoat of deep red that matched her cincher. "That said, it is a good look for you. Reminiscent of past Goblyn Queens."

"Are you sure I shouldn't change? I don't want people to think I'm putting on airs or assuming things," Sarah frowned, looking down at her skirt.

Jareth reached over, gently tilting her face upward. The feel of her skin under his fingers sent a shiver of energy through the both of them, making Sarah gasp softly as she looked at him. "Sarah, you look lovely and you are definitely not putting on airs. Those that see you will see you for what you are… a Goblyn Lady." Rising, Jareth held out his hand to her, "Now then, let's go find some food suitable for a Goblyn woman of good reputation, shall we?" he asks.

Standing up, Sarah fluffed up her skirt and gave him a sly smirk, her green eyes flashing mischeviously. "And what would you suggest for a Goblyn woman of questionable reputation?" Sarah gasped as a strong arm slid around her back, pulling her firmly against Jareth's chest, his low laugh purring in her ear.

"Darling… if you want a 'meal' worthy of a questionable reputation, we don't even have to leave this room. And you are definitely overdressed for such a feast."

Laughing, Sarah slipped out of his arms and sashayed toward the door of his room, her skirts rustling briskly as she brushed past him. "Sorry, Jareth, but I'm hungry for a 'filling' meal…not a mere mouthful," she chirped, flinging the bedroom door open and exiting into the stone hall of the royal wing of the castle – leaving Jareth staring after her in shock.

"Mere mouthful?! Mouthful?! I'll have you know… I am far more than a 'mouthful' cheeky wench. Now get back here and I'll prove it to you," he growled, grinning as he darted after her, the sound of teasing laughter and playful growling echoing through the castle.

Author's Note: The next chapter is nearly done and will be uploaded soon. As always, please review. I love hearing what things you enjoy about my chapters. :)