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.
.
.
.
.
.
Of Demons and Goblin Kings
By Kadasa Mori
.
.
.
.
.
Chapter 6
.
.
.
.
.
Humming to herself, Sarah headed for the throne room. Her father had called for her and she hadn't really had the chance to speak with him recently as 'King Richard' and 'Princess Sarah'. Not with the birth of her new baby brother and her stepmom's need for attention and the tongue lashing he'd given her a few days prior.
And speaking of days, she'd not seen her fae friend in three days… not since he'd taken Alia's letter for her. He'd returned later that night to inform her (and scare the hell out of her as she walked out of the bathroom and found a blond haired fae seated on her bed) that he had something to do for the next few days and wouldn't be around. She'd given him a tongue lashing for scaring her out of her wits, for risking coming into the castle and for leaving her for three days. He'd replied with a smart remark about her having fallen madly in love with him and not to pine over his loss for a few days. He probably regretted that when she burst a pillow over his head and nearly shoved him off the balcony.
Kitsune had not been too happy to clean up all of the feathers.
Sarah sighed and rubbed her arm, wondering why she felt such a loss at not seeing him. It was NOT because she was in love with him. Perhaps it was because he was something new, she thought as she turned the corner, something that made her throw her usual routine out of whack. He brought something new to her life everyday she saw him whether it be something about a book or a piece of art, even the weather was new when she was with him.
Kitsune could tell her it was raining and she would sigh and ask if the fox wanted to play chess.
Jareth could tell her it was raining and they would argue over which was worse, falling in a stream or having your dog fall into the stream. Afterwards they would sit in silence and watch the rain, a peace falling over her like she hadn't felt in a long time.
Seeing the long hallway in front of her, she sighed and stared for a moment, wondering again why she hadn't just married and left yet. There was certain to be interesting things everyday married to someone in another land. Jareth was interesting and all but if she married she wouldn't have to be around her 'family.' Turning, she flopped against the stone windowsill, the window behind her open. She flicked a strand of unruly hair back over her shoulder.
All she really needed to do was stand, turn, step out of the hallway through the front door and run as far as she could… that and cut her hair. She pushed it back over her shoulder. It was really starting to annoy her. As it fell back along her face she turned, fingers around it, only to pause, staring at it. It was blond… she was a brunette… wasn't she?
She turned to look farther and found amused mismatched eyes watching her, Jareth seated in the window behind her, head just above hers enough that his hair swiped at her cheek. She scowled. "You jerk…"
He grinned wickedly. "And here I was, bringing you a gift instead of leaving it in the stables for you."
"… a gift?"
He hummed and held out a tightly wrapped piece of paper, a green ribbon tied around it. "A gift from your friend."
She smiled brightly and pocketed it. "Thanks Jareth."
He nodded down the hallway towards the large doors. "What's down there?"
She blinked and looked as well before paling slightly and hissing, "what are you doing here?! That's the king's room down there! If anyone spotted you, they'd kill you on sight!"
"Worried, Princess?" he asked with a smirk.
"Never," she spat.
He put two fingers under her chin. "Good. Only you'll ever catch me." Winking he withdrew his fingers and swung his feet onto the grass, standing and brushing himself off. He waved slightly then disappeared.
She sighed heavily and shook her head with a slight smile. "Later Jareth…" she muttered then stood, brushed herself off and headed for the throne room.
.
.
.
.
.
Snarling to herself, Sarah stormed back to her room. Several servants passed by her but none said anything, knowing in anger she would lash out at them and then feel horrible about it afterwards. She reached her room and slammed the door shut with such a force one of her pictures, a map of her kingdom, fell to the ground and broke. She cursed it as though it were the reason for all of her troubles, stalking around her room and cursing her father for ever having married her mother and given birth to her.
She flopped into the chair at her desk and jumped as she felt something in her pocket jab her leg. Pulling it out she found a rolled piece of paper with an emerald ribbon around it. Brightening, she pulled the ribbon off and scanned it quickly.
To my dearest friend Sarah,
How the hell did you find a demon willing to bring me your letters and mine back? I guess I shouldn't look a gifted horse in the mouth then aye? Well give him my utmost thanks and a hug if you've not done so already.
Life here is… it's different yet the same. The inhabitants are different on the outside but the exact same on the inside. Despite having blue skin or horns, mothers still chat over tea in the square, fathers take their children fishing, kids run around the fountain in the middle of town and splash each other. There are vendors selling things I've never heard of before. Why just yesterday someone offered me a fang from a dragonfrog. Larken says they're quite common so I needn't buy one when he could just go get one for me.
Oh! Larken is my husband. Oh I love him so much Sarah. He's the kindest and most sweetest creature to grace the planet. Unless it's a dire emergency, he will not cancel our plans. Just the other day we were on a picnic and one of the guards came with a letter from a neighboring lord asking, or rather, demanding a meeting. He replied back that he was spending time with his wife and unless people were dying or would die then he was not to be interrupted.
Oh Sarah! I wish you could visit. I know you'd love it. Your father truly doesn't understand what is lost between the races by not communicating. Do you know if your demon friend could perhaps sneak you in? Ah. No. Banish the thought. I don't want you to be thrown out of house and home. Ask your friend if he wouldn't mind these continual message relays.
You know, it would be helpful if he had a name instead of just referring to him as 'your demon friend.' Anyway, Larken is calling and I must be off.
Fly high, fly free and fly far, my dearest friend
With love, Alia
P.s. Do know that if you're thrown out you will always have a home here.
Sarah swallowed roughly and bit her tongue to keep from crying. She ran a finger over Alia's name and shuddered, setting the letter aside and breathing deeply.
"Princess?" She jumped and spun, looking sharply at the balcony as Jareth walked in. He frowned. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," she replied shortly, putting the letter away and rubbing her temples.
"Hm… you're a liar."
She shot him a dark glare. "What do you know?!" She got to her feet angrily. "My friend is in another country with creatures my father won't allow me to associate with or else I'll be thrown out of my own home! She tells me of how wonderful it is while I'm stuck here in this…" she trailed off and looked at the ground sharply. "What do you know…"
He tapped her chin and she glanced up. "At least you're alive. At least you've got friends here. At least you've a way out should things go wrong." She frowned in confusion. "I would make sure you and your friends are safe, Princess. Think of me as your personal security guard."
"… and friend?"
His eyes widened as she glanced up nervously, twisting her fingers. A slow smile grew over his face. "If you would wish me so."
She nodded. "I do."
"Then so I shall be." He cocked his head. "What did your father want?"
She felt herself bristle like an angry cat and snarled. "We had guests over and he wanted to be fatherly, cheerfully scolded me for worrying him and then sent me to my room like a child when I answered in the negative to one of his questions."
Jareth made his way to her bed and flopped onto it, crossing his arms beneath his head and feet at the ankles. "What question?"
She shifted uneasily and he raised an eyebrow. "He asked… he asked if I thought him to be a great king and I said no. He was of course taken aback and asked 'daughter? Why would you say such a thing?' and I said because you've not let me see my baby brother yet, which of course Karen got angry over. The guests asked if this was true and he said that, and I quote, 'Sarah is too unruly and has been very angry as of late. She's refused to see her baby brother and is now acting out. Princess Sarah, please go to your room until you've learned to stop lying to our guests.'" She grabbed a book and flung it at the wall. "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!"
"I am no dog, Princess."
"Put me down!"
"Bad choice of words when I'm holding you this high above the ground," he commented lightly before dropping to the ground and racing around the castle to the other end. Crouching behind the bushes, he peered over the edge into the room. Spotting its emptiness he tapped the window and it swung open, allowing him access. He set Sarah on the ground, the brunette holding her head and trying to regain balance.
Once she did she turned to him angrily. "What was that for?"
He motioned towards the other side of the room and she turned and gasped as she spotted the baby crib. She bit her lip and glanced at him. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Go."
She stepped quietly up to the crib, hands clenched at her chest. As she reached it, she peered over the side and smiled, eyes tearing up as a blond haired blue eyed babe stared back at her. He blinked and wiggled. She leaned against the edge of the crib.
"Hello Toby," she whispered. "I'm your sister, Sarah." He gurgled. "That's right." She gently reached a hand in and ran her finger over his cheek. "I'll take care of you," she continued. "When you get bigger I'll teach you how to have fun, how to make a castle out of mud, how to catch frogs in the pond, how to properly ride a horse without a saddle, which flowers Bella likes the most, how to make a mess of dinner and properly execute a food fight, how to annoy your parents to the fullest extent possible… I'll introduce you to Kitsune. She's my very greatest friend… and Jareth! He brought me here! He's a fae, darling, but he's a good friend. You'll like him."
Jareth glanced up but she still wasn't looking at him, eyes focused only on the baby.
"I'm sure he can teach you how to be even more chaotic than I ever could." She swallowed roughly. "Toby… whatever your parents say about me… don't believe them darling. I will be your greatest friend, your very best sister and I will help you with whatever you ever need. All you need to do is love me back." She sighed shakily. "Oh how I wish I could see you whenever I wanted."
Jareth's head snapped towards the door as he heard footsteps approaching. "Princess."
She looked at him then looked back at Toby. "I love you Toby." She leaned over the side and kissed his forehead. "Until next time."
She hurried over to the window, climbing out with Jareth's aide. They dropped below the window just as the door to the room opened. Toby began crying at the loud noise. "Oh Toby!" Karen's voice echoed. "What is the matter?" He cried even louder. Karen tried shushing him but after a minute the cries began to get softer. Sarah peeked over the edge and saw them walking down the hall.
She dropped back down and shut her eyes taking a deep breath. After a minute she reopened them and turned to Jareth. "Thank you."
He nodded once. "Anything for you Princess."
She scowled. "Don't call me Princess."
"Yes Princess."
"Jareth!"
.
.
.
.
.
Kitsune sighed as she made her way towards Sarah's room. As much as she loved her best friend, she did not love her when she was mad at her father. Kitsune's ears flattened against her head as she recalled the last time she'd been ordered to take care of Sarah after one of her bouts with her father. It still haunted her nightmares.
As she neared Sarah's room she paused, ear flicking towards the door as she heard a male voice. She couldn't make out the words through the thick wood but there was definitely someone in there. Taking a deep breath she threw the door open. "Sarah Williams! How dare… you?"
Sarah was at her desk, eyebrow raising and quill in one hand. "You okay Kit?"
"I… I thought I heard someone else in here." She peeked in the bathroom and Sarah snorted.
"No one wants to be around me after… him." She growled and returned to writing her letter.
"Hm…" Kitsune dropped the towels on the counter in the bathroom and crossed her arms, ears flicking in irritability. "I know I heard someone in here."
"Sure thing Kit. Sarah Williams, resident guy-hider."
"Guy-hider? Oh dear. I'll return later when your come backs are up to par."
"Shut up foxy!"
"Don't call me foxy!"
"Foxy! FoxyfoxyfoxyfoxyFOXY!"
"ROAR! SARAH!"
Laughing the brunette raced around the room and out the door, the fox running after her. Once they were gone, Jareth made himself visible once more and cocked his head. "I wonder when she'll be back…" He suddenly grabbed for his head and winced. "Yes, yes Jasper. I'll be there in a moment." Scowling he rubbed his temple and shuffled around Sarah's desk, quickly finding a blank sheet of paper and writing her a quick note before he vanished.
Sarah came back an hour later, haggard from running around with Kitsune and listening to Jenny scold them for forty minutes. She flopped into her desk chair with a heavy sigh. "Jareth?" she called lightly. "Still here?" When no one answered she sighed again and leaned forward only to spot a flash of green. Moving things around she found the note he'd addressed to her.
- Princess,
Sorry for my quick vanishing, though I suppose you forgot entirely about me and will not see this note until bedtime. Hopefully your "foxy" friend is still breathing. Something came up and I had to take my leave without the proper good bye so here it is. I shall see you tomorrow morning at our usual spot.
Your guard dog,
Jareth –
Sarah smiled faintly and ran a finger over the signature before walking to her nightstand, pulling out the book and putting the note in the pages. She had just shoved the drawer closed when Kitsune came back in and demanded she stay in her room for the rest of the night so that the fox wouldn't have to risk running into the head maid again who had also chewed her out.
Laughing, the brunette offered a game of chess. It usually took about two hours for her and the fox to play a single match because neither really knew how to play so they usually ended up sliding the pieces at each other to see which could stay on the board the longest.
As Sarah's knight flew across the board and slammed Kitsune's king off, the fox pouted. "You cheat."
"I do not."
"You lie."
"I would never!" The grin on her face said otherwise.
Kitsune smiled back and bent to pick up her scattered pieces, Sarah doing the same. "Are you okay?"
"Hm? Yeup. A little tired though."
"I mean… about earlier… with your father…"
"Oh." She rolled one of the castles in her hand. "Yeah… I worked some stuff out," she smiled brightly. "I'm fine." Kitsune's eyes fell to the ground, somehow feeling a bit left out. "I did miss having a fox head pop in so I could aim several pillows at it though."
Her eyes dulled and she sent Sarah a 'look'. "Glad to know my friendship is so greatly valued."
Sarah giggled and grabbed the fox in a hug. "No worries Kit. I can always count on you."
"For anything."
"Anything." She hugged the girl again then stood and stretched. "Now I'm counting on you to clean up this mess and get my things ready for bed." She put her nose in the air. "I am a princess you know."
Kitsune rolled her eyes. "Yes your highness," she said sarcastically before the pillow nearby connected with said princess' head.
They were stopped a half an hour later as Jenny reappeared. Sarah winced as the tirade repeated itself for a third time. With friends like these who needs enemies…
.
.
.
.
.
To all readers and reviewers,
Saw "Up" yesterday. It was adorable and hilarious. Really. The theatre was like less than half full and there were NO kids in it. It was great! Gotta work tomorrow night though. Ugh. My gum tastes minty… probably because it's spearmint…uhh… going to bed now.
Kadasa Mori
P.s. Why are my author's notes not about the actual story recently???
Next chapter preview: Chapter 7
The guard at the entrance to the hedge glanced at her then sighed.
"Again, my lady?"
"He started it," she shot back childishly.
"Started what?" Both turned and she found Sir Annoyance standing there.
She scowled. "None of your business."
"The prince acted dishonorably," the guard interrupted. "Luckily our lady is knowledgeable in hand to hand combat."
She crossed her arms with a 'hmph!' "I wouldn't have to be if they all didn't try to molest me." She shot the prince a glare. "And don't you even think about cornering me somewhere. I'm quite sure he-" she jerked her thumb in Grinny's direction "-won't be having kids."