Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is not owned by me… I think… therefore I am…?
Summary: Princess Sarah of Sylvan lived a quiet life, day after day, the same routine. When a demon, a fae, the same species that had slaughtered her mother years before, drops in front of her, her routine shatters. But if he thinks she's just gonna roll over and let him kill her, he's got another thing coming.
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Of Demons and Goblin Kings
By Kadasa Mori
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Chapter 5
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Once again, Sarah found herself seated by the river, a blond haired fae seated across from her, looking entirely bored. In reality, his thoughts were racing.
Have to do that before tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll get Jasper to do it. He'd be able to file everything. Oh I also have to have the paperwork done for General. Damn. I'll have Jasper do that. I'll work on the other paperwork. Oh I also have to finish Waller's thing. Grrr… damn it. Why can't anyone get their things done on time?!
He suddenly realized Sarah was staring at him and glanced up in time to spot her making a face at him. He snorted and she grinned widely, happy to have distracted him.
"So how's life Jareth?" she asked, leaning back on her elbows.
He grunted and got to his feet, hopping over the river with ease, landing lightly beside her and settling onto the ground. "You make my life all the more complicated."
She pumped her fist with a cheer. "That was my mission, did you not know?"
"Obviously not or I'd have worked harder to keep you from completing it."
She stuck her tongue out and kicked a foot lightly, watching the water splash in the sun. They lay in a comfortable silence, Sarah watching the clouds move across the sky, Jareth staring into the forest. He jumped when the princess suddenly sat up quickly and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh! I remembered my question from a few days ago."
"And that would be?" he asked dully, trying to weave the grass together. Her hands were suddenly at his side trying to pull up his shirt. He barely bit back a yelp and jumped away. "Princess! What are you doing?"
"You were hurt the first time I saw you! I just wanted to make sure it wasn't infected!" He gave her a dry look and lifted the bottom of his shirt. She blinked at the skin that wasn't even scarred. "How is that possible?"
"Demon."
She leaned forward to run her fingers gently over the bottom of his ribs in amazement that there was nothing there when a human would still be wrapped in tight bandages and in bed. When his muscles tensed, she realized what she was doing and tore her hand away, vaulting backwards with a bright red blush on her face.
When she glanced up, his shirt had been lowered and he was smirking widely at her. "Shut up," she grumbled halfheartedly and he let out a loud bark of laughter. She crossed her arms and pouted. "I was just checking to make sure you were uninjured."
"Would you like to check again?" he asked innocently.
She turned even redder and scowled at him. "No." He laughed and lay back on the grass, arms folding beneath his head. She shifted uneasily then folded her legs to the side and leaned on her hand, the other hand twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "So…" He glanced at her. "You're fine then?"
"Yeah."
"Just… you were bleeding and I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"What's with the sudden concern?"
She pouted and crossed her arms. "I can be worried about another living creature can't I?"
He sighed. "If you can call me such then I suppose you're allowed." She looked at him with a look of surprise but he raised an eyebrow. When she didn't look away, he frowned. "What?"
She blinked then turned red. "Nothing! Mind your own business!" He chuckled and shut his eyes, crossing his legs at the ankle and letting out a soft sigh. She frowned. "Are you really okay?"
"Yes. Just a little tired."
"Well then get some rest!" she chirped happily and pulled a book out of her saddlebag, flipping through to her bookmark and settling back to read.
A few hours later she looked up at the sky and frowned as realized how late in the day it was getting. "Well…" She sighed, standing and patting her dress off. "It's getting late. I should be getting back soon." When he didn't comment she turned and frowned. "Jareth?" She looked around the entire area. "Jareth?" Frowning further, she turned to Bella who nickered and nibbled the ends of her hair. She smiled faintly. "Shall we go back then?" Bella sighed and rubbed her head against Sarah's. "I know. I don't want to either." She picked up her book, shoving it into the bag and throwing it over Bella's back. Bella knelt down, allowing the brunette to climb on.
Bella stood and headed for the path, slowly walking back to the castle. Sarah sighed. "Wonder what's for dinner…"
"Food, hopefully."
She shrieked and looked up, Jareth walking in the branches. "You jerk! When did you come back?!"
He shrugged. "Few minutes ago." She scowled. "What?"
"You didn't even say good bye!"
"So?" She glared then looked forward, ignoring him. He scowled and landed beside the horse. "So?" he repeated. "Are hellos and good byes so important to life that if they're not said the entire day is thrown?"
"No! But… but it's polite to tell someone you're leaving!"
He rolled his eyes. "Again with the human courtesies… You mortals are so annoying. Life cannot be correct unless you say the proper hello, use the proper language, wear the proper clothes, use the proper fork." He shuddered. "Ugh. It's so disgusting."
"Well pardon me for being human!" she shouted and he flinched seeing tears. She nudged Bella and the horse took off down the path back towards the castle.
He grimaced and ran a hand through his hair. Damn…
As Bella trotted towards the barn, Sarah quickly wiped at her face and took a deep breath. She spotted one of the young stable hands working on washing a horse just outside the barn. She smiled brilliantly to the stable hand who didn't return it, glancing fearfully at the barn entrance. Sarah frowned in confusion but soon understood as she spotted her father standing just inside the doors.
King Richard of Sylvia was an imposing figure. He had brown hair, but lighter than Sarah's as he was beginning to gray, a goatee around his mouth and chin. His eyes were light honey brown, complemented by the golden crown atop his head adorned in red rubies. He wore a fine red velvet coat decorated in a white trim, a heavy golden pendant with a ruby center lay on his breast, pants matching the red velvet and boots of the finest leather.
He at first seemed like a kindly old father, a gentle ruler, but as Sarah got closer she saw a storm cloud cover his features as he stared at Bella. She frowned in confusion then recalled she wasn't wearing a saddle and their run had just messed up Sarah's skirt. Inwardly she winced and swore like a sailor. Outwardly she smiled brightly.
"Father!" she cried. "How good it is to see you!"
"How often have I told you to saddle that mare?"
She swallowed as she allowed the aide to help her down and another to lead Bella away, the mare glancing back in worry. "Quite a few times father…"
"Then why are you still disobeying me?"
She looked down. "I apologize father… Bella dislikes saddles so much I thought… perhaps it would be easier if I just didn't use them. They are quite a hassle to put on."
"That's why we have stable hands, Sarah." He put his hands on her shoulders. "Once day you'll be married to a husband who doesn't have the same patience with you as I do. You need to understand the levels of society. We come first and we do not dirty our hands with manual labor, the slaves do. They are next in the line and they take care of everything so that we do not need to. Next come the horses and all other manner of creatures and then the demons. Demons aren't human so they require no respect from us." He stepped back and waved a hand. "I don't understand why you enjoy that fox demon's company so much. It must be like spending time with an earthworm."
She glared at him. "Father… I respect you but if you even think about taking Kitsune away I will not make life pleasant."
He blinked then his face grew dark. "You dare threaten me? I am your father and more importantly I am your king. Do not dare speak to me in that tone again or you will learn what it's like to live like a worm. The power I hold over people… I could even turn that stupid fox demon against you with a simple wave of my hand. I could make life so miserable for you, you couldn't stand living anymore. I hold your world in my palm and if I so choose you'd be in a living hell, chained to your room with no one to care as you slowly fade into nothingness."
Sarah looked down sharply, hands clenching tightly and shaking as she went pale.
"I know your worst fears, my dear, and I will play them out should you disobey me." He spun on his heel. "You can keep the dumb fox. We've already agreed on that but start saddling that mare or you'll lose her."
Sarah bristled. "You wouldn't…"
"I would in a heartbeat. A mare like her would go for quite a pretty penny in the market place. Especially for a short lived life in the mines." He glanced back before he left the barn. "I don't want to see you riding bareback again."
She looked at the ground, fists trembling at her sides. "Yes father…" She didn't look up for a long time, trying hard not to lose it.
A hand on her shoulder made her spin angrily, a snarl erupting. The stable boy jumped back in fear. She swallowed back as much anger as she could muster. "What?"
"I… I-I left-left her in-in her s-s-stable if-if y-you'd l-like to b-brush her out…"
She sighed and nodded. "Thank you."
He nodded quickly and scurried away. She turned in the opposite direction, grabbing the brush and slipping into Bella's room, shutting both halves of the door. She turned to Bella and carefully pulled off the harness, hanging it on the wall. "Hey Bella…" Bella leaned forward, resting her head over Sarah's shoulder. Sarah hugged her tightly then sunk to the ground, wiping away the first of the tears. Bella lay down in front of her, resting her head in Sarah's lap. "I hate him… I hate him so much…" she whispered.
"That was quite rough." She stiffened but didn't dare turn around to face him. "I've seen some tongue lashings but… that one wasn't quite the worst but it was still near the top."
"What do you want Jareth?" she asked wearily. He was silent and she pet Bella's head, not holding back the silent tears making their way down her face. When the hay crunched, she turned slightly, watching his boots walk around her and stop in front of her. She slowly looked up and found him frowning. "What do you want?"
"Does he always threaten to take away your friends?" he asked softly. She nodded turning back to Bella. She heard his sigh and the crunch of hay as he leaned against the wall. "Well… he can't threaten to take away me if he doesn't know about me then, aye?"
"Are you sure you'd like to be friends with a human?" She chuckled, though there was no humor behind it. "I mean, as you said, we're quite disgusting."
"Princess…" She glanced up. He ran a hand through his hair. "I may have… over exaggerated my dislike for humans. I didn't mean you."
"Just everyone else?"
He glanced over and found a smirk on her face. "Yes."
She laughed this time, a small smile brightening her face. "Well that's good to know. I'll be sure to keep all other humans out of the way."
"Thanks. I won't have to take seven baths a day now."
She laughed again and wiped her face, blinking several times and taking a deep breath. Bending, she kissed Bella's forehead and got to her feet. At the door she glanced back with a bright smile. "Thanks Jareth."
He nodded once. She disappeared around the corner and he turned to Bella who sniffed at his hair. He smirked and rubbed her nose then glanced once more in direction Sarah had disappeared. "That was easier than I thought," he murmured. Bella nickered as though in agreement then nibbled at his shirt. "Stop that." He batted her away and she snorted and butted her head against him.
"Fine." He swung his wrist, apple appearing. "But you'd better not get fat. Her highness would kill me." Bella snorted and quickly ate the apple. "Good girl." He patted her neck. "See you tomorrow."
She nickered and rubbed her nose against his head. He scowled at his hair became even messier. "Thanks." He swore she was smirking at him. "Your mistress has far too much influence on you."
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The next day, lounging by the river, Jareth watching the clouds roll by and Sarah reading, the brunette suddenly turned to him. "Jareth?"
"Hm?"
"Will you promise me something?"
He just stared at the sky blankly for a moment then turned cautious eyes on her. "What?"
"Promise me that if my father ever makes me give up Bella you'll steal her before he can sell her."
He blinked and sat up. "I promise I will."
"And Kitsune. If he ever gets rid of her… kidnap her and keep her safe until she can find a place of her own. Please?"
"I promise that I will look after your friends should your father discard them."
She smiled brightly and lunged at him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you Jareth!" He stiffened in surprise but before he could pat her back or say anything, she pulled away, bright red. "Erm… sorry." He just nodded and flopped back onto the grass. "Hey Jareth?"
He rolled his eyes. "Hm?"
"Do you know a demon who has recently been married to a human named Alia? Alia's from Ereth."
"Ereth? Yes, I know of her. I've not met her yet."
"Then you know the demon who is marrying her?"
"Aye."
"Is… is he…"
"Nice? I daresay he is." Jareth glanced over and spotted her soft sigh of relief. "He's quite in love with this human he's found I've heard." She smiled faintly. "Why?"
"Alia's been one of my greatest friends but, well, you understand my father's stance on demons. He'll not allow me to contact her let alone visit her."
Jareth sat up angrily. "Your father's tolerance of my kind should have no say in your own."
"Oh it doesn't… I'm just restricted from certain activities such as writing the newlywed couple." She sighed once again, this time wearily. "I grow tired of such orders."
"Get up." She looked up in surprise then got to her feet quickly. He turned to Bella. "Can you find your way back?" Bella nickered and nodded. "Good." He grabbed Sarah before she could protest.
She gasped then buried her face into his neck, arms wrapping around him to brace herself against the wind. She felt him jump and cautiously peeked down to find them in the branches. When they finally stopped, she looked around. They were in the tree line around the property. He frowned, eyes flickering around the castle, obviously trying to figure out how to get in. She pointed towards the side of the castle. "If you stick to the shadows on the left you can get in through the servants door."
"I'm watching the patterns."
"Patterns?" she asked. "What patterns?"
"Guards." He grunted and took off. When the air was pushing down on her head instead of against her side, she opened her eyes to find the ground far below them. She inhaled sharply, arms tightening. He landed lightly on the railing of her balcony and quickly fell to the ground to hide from any other eyes. Her door was open, Kitsune having opened it that morning to get some fresh air in. She stuck to the ground to keep herself hidden and stood once she got into the room. Once he'd slid in and hidden out of sight of anyone outside, she crossed her arms. "Well?"
"Write a note to your friend."
She rolled her eyes. "I told you-"
"Your father wouldn't allow you to contact her through him but I go back into demon territory every night. I can bring the note to her."
Her eyes widened. "Can you? Really?!" He nodded but didn't have time to reply as her arms were flung around his neck and she hugged him tightly. "Oh thank you Jareth! Thank you!"
He blinked in surprise then smirked. "Twice in one day? Princess, I do believe our relationship isn't ready for that kind of commitment."
She pulled away and scowled. "I was just giving you a hug."
"And I was just stating a fact." Rolling her eyes, she spun on her heel and headed for her desk. As she picked up a quill to start writing, he put one hand on the back of her chair, the other on the desk beside her wrist. "Do take great care not to mention me by name or detail. I'm… not quite so liked by certain circles and I'd rather this not fall into the wrong hands if she by chance misplaces it."
She turned and poked his nose with the feathery quill. "No worries Sir Demon. Your name, nor description, shall be included."
"Thank you kindly." He pulled away and took a seat in a chair near the window so that he could see out but no one could see him.
When she was finished half an hour later, she wrapped it and tied it off with a scarlet ribbon. He turned and held out a hand, Sarah laying it gently in his palm. "Thanks again Jareth… thanks so much."
"It's no problem Princess."
"If there's anything I can do for you…"
He cocked his head. "Just continue to keep me company in the mornings and we'll call it even."
Her lips curve upward in a wicked smile. "Every morning? My dear demon, I do believe our relationship isn't ready for that kind of commitment."
Despite trying to keep an annoyed face on, he grinned. "I will see you tomorrow Princess." As he made his way to the balcony he suddenly cursed darkly.
"What's wrong?"
"There is a guard in the stable. If Bella returns without you there will be trouble." She inhaled sharply and made for the door. He grabbed her wrist and tugged her towards him. "And it would look bad if you suddenly appear from within the castle despite having left and never returned."
He picked her up and flew from the room. She inhaled sharply as though to scream, arms wrapping tightly around his neck. "Don't scream," he hissed darkly, landing lightly on the ground and taking off before anyone could see him pause. They flew past the barn and down the path, meeting Bella halfway.
The mare turned to regard them dully, three flowers dangling from her mouth. "Bella!" Sarah shrieked and jumped away from Jareth and towards the horse. "I told you not to eat them! They make you fat!" Bella snorted and swallowed the flowers. "Bella!"
Jareth let out a suspicious sounding snort. "I will see you tomorrow then Princess?"
"Yes Jareth. BELLA! Stop eating them!"
"Till then." He stepped back and disappeared.
Sarah whapped Bella's side and she batted her with her head. "Stop eating them!" Bella nickered. "I know you like them but no more eating of flowers!"
Bella snorted and looked towards where Jareth disappeared. "We made an agreement." Sarah motioned for her to bend down. She climbed on and headed back towards the barn. "He brings letters back and forth to Alia and myself and I meet him every morning to keep him company."
Bella whinnied. "Yes. You too." She pat her neck. "I don't do anything without you Bella." She leaned down to whisper. "And Jareth's promised to take care of you should father send you away." Bella's ear flicked back towards her. "He promised. You'll be taken care of."
Bella snorted. "Well… he'll feed you apples all the time-don't shake your head! I've seen all the apples he's slipped you! Don't roll your eyes you liar!" In the trees, Jareth rolled his eyes and wondered why he'd asked for more time with the insane human.
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To all readers and reviewers,
Just saw Star Trek. On movie high.
Cannot concentrate on Labyrinth. Sorry Jareth.
Kadasa Mori
Next chapter preview: Chapter 6
"I want to see my brother!" she shouted angrily.
"And see him you will," Jareth replied.
"How?" she sighed, sitting on the bed by his hip. "Karen won't let me in."
He sat up, propping himself up on his elbows. "You do have a demon for a friend you know."
She glanced at him then smiled. "While I appreciate the gesture I can't accept." He frowned. "I can't jeopardize you like that."
"How would-"
"If we got caught you would be executed and I couldn't handle that. I'm sorry Jareth but…" She smiled. "I'll see him in a few months. It'll be alright."
He set his jaw. "It's not."
She sighed. "Please drop it. Allow me my anger before I must give it up for the Princess." He sighed irritably through his nose and sat up. He slid off the bed around her then turned, grabbed her arm and dragged her to her feet. "Jareth?" she asked in confusion. He ignored her and picked her up bridal style, the girl squeaking and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Jareth! What are you doing?" He made his way to the balcony and she inhaled sharply. "Jareth! No! Bad! Put me down!"
"Bad choice of words when I'm holding you this far above the ground," he commented lightly.