Chapter 17.
The screen in front of Sarah was hard to read, and the symbols hurt her eyes to look at. Sarah noticed Sophie coming into the Library and closed the window with the strange symbols. She smiled up at the blond. "Sophie, I didn't know you even knew where the Library was."
"Funny Sarah," the perky blond in the punk clothes dropped down into the seat beside Sarah. "What are you working on?" she peered at the screen.
"More information on the report," Sarah was grateful the other girl was not interested in what she was really doing.
"Boring," Sophie teased. "When did you become such an overachiever?"
"I just want a good grade on this one." Sarah said. "My dad had a fit with my last report card." She began to close up the computer. "So have you started your Christmas shopping yet?" She skillfully changed the subject.
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Jareth looked at the room being prepared for his little prince. "Yes." He breathed deeply. "The boy will enjoy this room."
The old man shook his head. "Sire, there's no guarantee…"
The Goblin King turned on the old one. "Of course there is…" He strutted past the old one. "Sarah will deliver the boy back to me."
The hat whispered in the old man's ear. "I say we get while the getting's good."
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Sarah looked at the symbols on the screen, after nearly a month they were a breeze to read. She was beginning to understand all the differences and nuances. She printed out an enlarged picture, and folded it carefully; sliding it into a book she knew it would be safe in. Moving in secret was becoming easier, and she was finding less guilt attached to keeping Sophie out of her business.
She had made the trip down to the metal shop during a library break. Sophie was in an art class and at the other end of the building. Sarah sought out the instructor, gave him a cock and bull story about wanting to give her father and brother something special for the holiday. The instructor bought it, and Sarah congratulated herself on finally showing some acting talent. He promised the medallions would be ready for her on the last day of school just before she left.
Sarah sat listening to Sophie's banter on the drive that last morning. She smiled at the appropriate times, and scowled at her friend as well when she should. "So you want to make a quick run over to Paradisia with me this afternoon?"
"Oh Sophie, no can do." Sarah said lightly.
"Oh come on, we get out an hour early today." Sophie giggled.
Sarah looked at her with a smile painted on her lips. "I'm sorry, I thought I told you. I have to go with my dad to pick out Karen's Christmas gift. You know how bad men are at such things."
"Oh, you mean you have to go straight home for that?" Sophie looked very disappointed.
"Dad's picking me up; I could swear I told you that." Sarah frowned.
Sophie blinked. "Did you? You may have…of late I don't have much more than Pablo on my brain." The blonde confessed. "Oh Sarah, I think I love him, I mean really love him."
Sarah felt uncomfortable. "Do you?"
Sophia sighed, "Oh yeah." She looked over at Sarah with eyes full of hope. "I've never felt this way about anyone."
Sarah nodded. "Well I'm happy for you….for you both."
The blonde turned her attention back to the road. "Ok, so you're booked for today, what say we do a little naughty girl shopping tomorrow? The stores will be open until six for the last minute shoppers… and we could get some really great deals."
"I thought you were going to New York, to see your dad." Sarah reminded the girl.
"Damn, you're right." Sophie giggled. "Hey what say when I get back the day after Christmas we do a bit of shopping, then go see the boys at Wilde house and drive them wild."
Sarah laughed at the pun but didn't really give an answer.
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Sarah left the study hall with the pass she'd been given. She went to the metal shop and tapped on the door. After being waved in she sat down at the instructor's insistence.
"I think you're going to really like this." He handed her a box.
Shaky fingers opened the box, within were two perfectly formed circles of iron. Each had Celtic knot work at the edges and symbols in the center. Each was also on a sliver chain. "Their perfect!" She said lifting one. "Thank you so much. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing, it made a great project for the class. Thank you for designing them." The man said. "I hope your father likes his."
Slipping the box into her large shoulder bag, Sarah walked down the hall with a bit more confidence. It was going to work, and the Goblin King would never know what hit him.
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Sarah saw her father's car sitting at the curb, and waved good bye to Sophie. She felt like she had wings on her feet as she jumped down the stairs and ran off to the car. Once inside she opened the box in her shoulder bag and fastened the sliver link chain to her neck. "Drive dad, drive." She suggested.
Robert looked at her, "What is going on?"
"I'm in trouble daddy." She said quickly.
"What kind of trouble?" The man driving asked without looking at her.
"The kind a lawyer can't fix." She said. "The kind granny calls draoidheil, Daddy."
"Draoidheil!" Her father exclaimed. "Sarah, what have you gotten into?"
"A mess daddy, a mess." She admitted. "But I may have found a way out." She handed him the matching medallion to the one she had on. "Put this on Toby the moment you get back to the house. Don't let Karen take it off him."
He nodded. "Alright."
"Daddy, don't tell anyone where I've gone. Not anyone, understand?"
He looked at her as the traffic light had turned red. "You don't want Sophie to know where you've gone, is that it?"
"Daddy, she's being used, she can't help what she's doing….I've seen this before." She thought of Hoggle and a certain peach. "I don't blame Sophie, although it would be really easy to put the blame on her."
"Alright, Sarah," her father said softly. "We won't tell Sophie where you are." He headed toward the airport.
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Jareth had his mask on and was supervising the decorating of the Christmas tree in the foyer. "It has to be perfect!" He barked.
Pablo looked at the tree and then at the Master. "Crystals?" He shook his head. The tree and all the decorations in the room sparkled in the light of the little Italian lights strung everywhere. "You don't think this is a bit much?"
"This is nothing compared to the ballroom I created for her." Jareth said looking about. "This is mild."
"And you think this will impress the girl?" The Artist asked.
"It will sweep her off her mortal feet." Jareth said with confidence, looking at the clock in the hall he said. "Shouldn't Sophie be arriving with her in tow soon?" He pointed to the drive. "Ah right on cue, here comes Sophie's car now."
Sophie entered the foyer and looked up at the tree. "Wow!" she looked over at the two men. "That's some tree."
The Master frowned, "Where's Sarah?"
The blonde shrugged, "She had to go shopping with her dad for her stepmom's gift."
Jareth felt let down, but sighed. "Ah well, at least she can't get into too much trouble with her father standing over her." He motioned Sophie and Pablo to follow him.
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Sarah held the medallion, and smiled as she settled into the seat on the jet. She thanked the stewardess and leaned back to enjoy the flight.
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Jareth looked at the wooden horse his master craftsmen had designed. It was a work of art, and something no other boy in the world would ever own. The little horse had gems for eyes, and real hair for the mane and tail. The reins were fine leather, and the saddle had Toby's name embossed into it. The knee joints went up and down as it rocked back and forth.
"He will love this." Jareth said proudly. "It will be the finest toy he's ever known."
"Yes, Sire." The craftsmen all agreed.
The old man cleared his throat, "Yes, yes, it's all very nice. Lovely for the boy… but what about the girl?"
Jareth turned to look at the old man. "She will be with me, which should be more than enough for the troublesome Miss Sarah Williams." He declared with a callous tone.
The bird rolled his eyes and shook his beak at the King. "You think so?"
Jareth placed his hand on the unique hobbyhorse. "I'm having a lovely room made for her, I shall dress her in satins and laces, I shall allow her to entertain me and keep me happy."
"And why should she do any of those things?" the old man asked.
Jareth's hand sent the horse rocking quickly. "Because, she is mine." His voice roared as he stormed from the room.
The bird in the hat craned his neck and looked down his beak at the old man. "I hear hell is nice this time of year."
The old one nodded. "So I hear."
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Linda and Jeremy were surrounded by adoring fans, signing autographs and allowing tourist to take pictures as Sarah left the plane. She watched as her mother mugged for the camera and as Jeremy flirted outrageously with the women who had gathered round him. When the last tourist and fan had scurried away, Linda waved to her daughter.
"Hello baby girl!" she greeted the teen as she took her into her arms. "My God!" she exclaimed. "Where did my little girl go? Why Sarah, you're nearly as tall as I am."
"Mom." Sarah breathed in the sweet scent of her mother's perfume.
"Hey what am I? Chopped liver?" Jeremy pouted.
Sarah turned and hugged the man who was very nearly her stepfather. "Hello handsome."
Linda sent Jeremy to collect the luggage and took a good look at Sarah. "Baby, what have you been up to? You …you look…grown up."
"Oh Mom, so much has happened." Her hands sought out her mother's, hoping her mother would remember. When Sarah was little they had worked out a finger word code. Sarah moved her fingers over her mother's and spelled out danger. Her mother blinked, narrowed her eyes and spelled out 'what kind'. Sarah felt a surge of relief, her mother remembered. Sarah spelled out another word and her mother closed her eyes and let go a long sigh.
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Jareth stood alone in the bedchamber he created for Sarah. It was reminiscent of his crystal ballroom, in that it had long flowing drapes that were encrusted with perfect little crystals. The bed was magnificent, and looked like a giant swan. It was a storybook fairytale bedroom, one that should please any romantic female. On the satin bedcover he had placed a gown of pale green gauze. He felt it was a fitting gift for the girl upon her return. He was looking forward to seeing her model it for him. He made sure everything in the room was perfect.
Pablo stood outside the entry, in the King's own bedchamber. "It's very nice." He said then added. "For a gilded cage."
Jareth frowned. "It's not a gilded cage! Had I wanted her in one she'd be in one."
The Artist shook his head. "You expect her to be grateful for all this?"
"Of course." Jareth waved about the room. "Is it not a dream?"
"For some," Pablo conceded softly. "For other's this would be a nightmare. Which do you think your green eyed vixen is?"
The Goblin King glared at his subject. "It matters not." Only after Pablo withdrew, did Jareth give the room a second thought. He sat down on the down filled coverlet, and prayed he had not made a mistake.
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Linda had not said a word, during the long drive to the rented house on the estate outside the town proper. She asked Jeremy to see to the luggage while she took Sarah out to see the garden. She led the girl straight to an iron archway arbor. Taking a seat she motioned for the girl to be seated. "Alright my girl, we're safe to speak now."
Sarah looked at the archway and nodded. "I am so glad you remembered the finger-speak."
Linda placed one smooth leg up over the other, "I remember everything, Sarah. Now tell me what and who you've managed to rile up in the Ethereal Realms."
Sarah took a long deep breath. "Every hear of Jareth The Goblin King?"
Linda's jaw dropped.