Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't. Well, we are done to the final stretch. --GF
Chapter 26: It isn't Wise to Mess with Sarah
Sarah was the only one that made it through in less then 13 hours. She had been lucky as well as determined to get her brother back. A woman like Allienor would never have the compassion necessary to even try.
"This summer and Fall, Allienor was the reason behind Jareth's confinement to the Labyrinth, wasn't she?"
Before Cory could answer, a goblin came up to Sarah. "Nice Lady. Nice Lady. The Goblin King sent a message. He needs you to come to him. He's very angry. I hope he doesn't take out on you, Nice Lady."
0o0o0o0
Sarah was tired. She had a lot to consider and all she could think about was sleep. Tonight was supposed to be very special and meaningful. Instead some bimbo of a banshee decided to ruin everything. She was so sure that Jareth had meant to propose tonight, but of course that was ruined also.
Sarah sighed as Cory left her outside the Throne Room. Should she play dumb? No. She was too smart for that and Jareth knew it. He would see through that act in a New York minute. 'Oh uh. This isn't good,' she thought as she pushed open the huge wooden doors.
Jareth was stalking in front of his throne, slapping his riding crop sharply against a booted thigh. The goblins were watching him silently, only their heads and eyes tracked his furious movements, flinching with each crack of his crop against the boot. She walked up to him unsure whether she should be her normal self, or play up the loyal subject. He however, took the decision away from her by pulling her into a desperate embrace, burying his face into her neck.
"Sarah," he breathed. "My Sarah. You are mine. I'll never let you go."
She shivered as his hot breath ghosted across her skin. The meaning of his words penetrated her chaotic thoughts. A year ago, his words would've enraged her. He was hers and she wasn't going to let him go, not without a fight anyway, damn it all!
She could feel the heat of his body through the silk gown she wore. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him closer. 'Damn that Banshee,' she thought. 'for spoiling everything!'
Jareth pulled away slightly to look down into her eyes. A gloved finger stroked her cheek. "I've been requested to appear before my brother and to bring you, My Love, My Sarah."
Sarah smiled, fingering her key. "My Jareth. When were you going to tell me about this?"
She hid a giggle as his mismatched eyes widened slightly. A flicker of fear flashed through them, before he could mask his fear. Giving him a tentative smile, Sarah pressed her body closer to his.
Closing his eyes, Jareth bent forward to touch his forehead against hers. "Tonight after the performance. I wanted the night to be perfect."
"The best laid plans usually go awry, My Love," Sarah whispered as she gleefully thought, 'Caught you, did I? You are getting very predictable, My Love.' Then, to keep him off-balance, she continued, "Yes. I will marry you."
He opened his eyes, spine stiffening as he tried to read the truth in her words. Throwing back his head, he laughed, sending the already frighten goblins scattering helter-skelter. Suddenly, she let out a squeal, as he spun her around and around.
0o0o0o0
Jareth teleported them to a beautiful castle surrounded by well cared for gardens and hedges. All Sarah could think of was that the castle reminded her of Camelot or rather what Camelot would've looked like. 'And there isn't a goblin in sight,' she thought.
He liked the gown that she had worn to the theatre. He just added some improvements. If she was to be his queen, she had to look the part. With a wave of his hand, a shower of fairy dust settled on her giving her an ethereal glow. As for her necklace, he changed it from a simple silver key to a key carved from a single diamond hanging off a gold chain.
As they were announced by the heralds, Jareth escorted her into the Great Hall. She really didn't have time to look around. She was too busy playing the role that had been assigned to her, that of Jareth's intended. In other words, she walked proudly with her head held high, eyes straight ahead as if she was Princess Di meeting her future mother-in-law at court.
Sarah noted the tall regal Fae couple standing in front of two silver and green thrones. They were both blonde and slender with silver filigree tiaras encircling their foreheads. 'Must be Jareth's half brother,' Sarah thought as they came to stand in front of the pair.
Jareth didn't bow. After all, he is the Goblin King, a law unto himself. With a curt nod, he acknowledged, "Tauthal. Helena."
Sarah, knowing how much the Fae treasured their sense of decorum, sank into a deep regal curtsy never taking her eyes off the Fae on the dias. She kept her spine straight as she slightly pulled her skirt out of the way. It was a bit painful as her heels weren't made for this type of stunt. "Your Majesties."
"I see you have your pet well trained, Your Majesty," Lady Allienor Hennequin sneered as she stepped out of the crowd to stand by the queen.
Sarah bit the side of her cheek as she slowly gracefully rose to stand by Jareth who placed a hand on her back to help steady her.
"Lady Hennequin, that is quite enough," said King Tauthal. "You would do well to remember that my brother isn't a subject of this court but rather its equal. We all know you wish to be his queen and have petitioned this court time and time again to make it happen. However, there is one thing you seemed to have forgotten."
Jareth sneered at the Fae woman as his hand pressed against Sarah's back.
"If you please, Your Majesty?" Lady Hennequin asked.
Tauthal raised an eyebrow. "My brother is king in his own right and can do what he wishes within the Law. Is this not so, Jareth?"
Jareth gave a slight nod. "Indeed. Who I choose to share my life and bed with, is no one's business but my own. I have felt like a prisoner within my own kingdom for months while this harridan laid siege."
"HARRIDAN!?" Allienor rushed forward as if to strike Jareth or at least Sarah.
However, Sarah'd had enough. She had been polite, genteel, and easy going. Well, no more! She hadn't had stage training for nothing, plus all that walking around the Labyrinth had kept her body toned. As Allienor rushed forward before anyone could stop her, Sarah smirked. "I wish that the goblins would come and drop you into the oblivette nearest the Bog, right now." Sarah's voice carried easily to the far corners of the court.
Jareth laughed, stepping away for a moment from Sarah as Allienor was seized by several goblins and disappeared. The one remaining goblin bowed. "Anything for the Nice Lady." Then, in an explosion of glitter, he was gone as well. Raising an eyebrow, Sarah dared anyone to object.
Silence, except for Jareth's laughter, filled the Great Hall until Sarah slapped his arm. "Stop that! And I refuse to walk the Labyrinth for that bimbo of a banshee, so you can do whatever you want with her."
"Ahem? Would someone please introduce me to this very intelligent and gifted young human?" asked Tauthal, who looked of very unsure about what just happened.
"Well, I never," sneered Tauthal's queen, Helena. "I thought the goblins were not allowed in our court. Tauthal, do something! Allie is my cousin!" The queen's voice took on a bit of a shrilled whine.
Jareth looked down at Sarah, ignoring the royal couple. His eyes glittered in amusement. "This is Sarah, my queen. The Labyrinth chose her for me. She holds the record of defeating my game in under 13 hours. She stole my heart and soul that day. My goblins adore her and as you see, they would do anything for her." Raising one of her hands, he kissed her palm. "She also is a Bard. She has the gift to create magic."
The court gasped. Many started to whisper around them. However, Sarah only had eyes for the man in front of her. She smiled and blushed as Jareth pulled her closer. "I am also deeply in love with the man behind the Fae mask. I was a child when we first met but now . . ."
"Bring her back!" the queen screeched, breaking the mood. Jareth closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against Sarah's.
"Enough Helena," Tauthal spoke sternly. "Jareth, I am sorry that my wife and her cousin have caused you such grief. Both will be dealt with. Might I suggest that you keep Allienor for a few months before returning her? Maybe by then she'll have learned her lesson. If not, I'm sure I can find someplace to put her to keep her out of your hair and kingdom." Tauthal walked off the dais to stand in front of the couple.
The High King softly brushed a knuckle across Sarah's cheek. "You have indeed found your soul-mate brother. I sense that she has the ability to keep you on your toes."
Jareth chuckled. "You don't know the half of it."
0o0o0
Dear Jareth,
Tonight is a night that will definitely go down in memory. It isn't often that I can second guess you, but I did manage, didn't I?
Life is so funny. A year ago, I just dreamed about you. Now, my dreams are coming true. They are better then I could ever imagine. But do I really have what it takes to be your queen? Your brother seems to think so. I can see why Cory calls him Uncle Fluffy.
Thank you for the best night of my life. Even though that bimbo tried to ruin it, it was still by far the best. I will cherish it forever as I will cherish you, My Love.
I close this journal with this last entry. Maybe one day, I'll show it to you.
All my Love,
Sarah
Goblin Queen
Wife
Lover
0o0o0o0
How many caught the Indiana Jones reference? This is the second to the last chapter. Sorry I took so long in updating but between health, sewing and family dealings, I kept putting it off. Remember reviews are welcomed, flames are not.
Until next time. –GF