DISCLAIMER
Roslyn is mine. The rest aren't, I just like to mess with them.
CHAPTER 3
Sarah awoke early the next morning, as usual. For a few confusing moments, she didn't remember where she was or the events of the night before. After one glance out the window that gave a spectacular view of the Labyrinth, everything fell back into place. She groaned when she realized that she was in the Goblin King's castle once again.
At least this time I don't have to worry about rescuing Toby, she thought. The only person I have to worry about is myself…and the Goblin King, of course. I definitely have to watch out for him. She mentally shook herself and slid out of bed.
It was only then that she realized she was in the dirty, wrinkled clothes she had been wearing the day before. She wrinkled her nose in slight disgust and wondered what she was supposed to do about them. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind, than the door opened and a girl who looked to be no older than Sarah herself bustled in.
She swept through the room, tidying up as though on autopilot. Sarah stood awkwardly by the bed, not knowing what to say, or even if she should say anything at all. It wasn't until the other girl nearly ran into her on her way to make the bed that she realized Sarah was there.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, milady! I thought you'd gone out already!"
"Uh, actually I just got up," said Sarah, feeling slightly confused. "I was just wondering if I might freshen up a bit, actually…" Her voice trailed off uncertainly.
"But of course madam! Right this way!" She bustled off again to the other end of the room. Sarah suddenly noticed how large the room was; much larger than her room Aboveground, almost as big as her whole house.
"Here we are!" The girl—who Sarah assumed was a maid or servant or something—stepped through a door and held it for Sarah. She found herself in yet another huge room, this one a bathroom. It wasn't nearly as big as the bedroom, but it was absolutely gigantic by bathroom standards. The tub alone was at least as big as a small swimming pool. Sarah felt she could've done laps in it.
She must have been staring. "You like it, eh?" Said the maid with a knowing grin. "That's the tub, obviously. Towels are in this cupboard, soap, shampoo, and all that stuff is over here. These other drawers and cabinets are all yours, you can put whatever girlie stuff you have in 'em. Any questions?"
Sarah was slightly dazed by all this because the maid was talking rather fast. "Uh…no. Wait! Yes, I have one question."
"Yes?"
"What's your name?" To Sarah's immense surprise, the maid blushed.
"My name is Roslyn, my lady, however it is unlikely that you will see me again. I'm only filling in today for the guest chamber maid."
"Oh. Well, what is it that you normally do then?"
"I'm a servant. I am one of the few that has direct contact with His Majesty," she said as her blush deepened.
"What kind of contact?" Sarah was curious.
"I prepare meals, clean his chambers, find papers he's misplaced…that sort of thing," Roslyn said with a dismissive wave of the hand.
"Do you see him often?"
The servant raised an eyebrow. "Why so curious?"
Now it was Sarah's turn to blush. "I just am."
"Well, I see him at least once or twice a day personally, and up to a dozen or so times if I'm helping out elsewhere in the castle."
"Oh."
"Was there anything else I could do for you, my lady?"
Sarah shook her head. "Not that I can think of."
"Well then you'd best get cleaned up. When you're finished, I'll have clean clothes laid out for you, and I'll take you to the dining room. His Majesty requests your presence at breakfast."
"Alright…wait, what? Why does he want to see me?"
Roslyn grinned broadly and said, "I believe he's taken a special interest in you, if you know what I mean."
Sarah stared at her blankly. "No, I don't."
Roslyn rolled her eyes. "He likes you. And I mean he like likes you." When Sarah still only gave her a dull gaze, she rolled her eyes and added, "Just trust me. His Majesty doesn't take a personal interest in very many things, but when he does, I can tell."
"Okay," said Sarah uncertainly.
Roslyn nodded and turned to leave. Just as she reached the door, she turned back and said, "Oh, when you're ready to go, just touch this crystal and I'll be here right away." She rolled her wrist and a crystal similar to the kind that the Goblin King seemed to pull out of thin air appeared. She set it on a small table and left.
Sarah looked at the crystal for a few moments, then quickly undressed and sank into the bath. It was absolutely amazing. The hot water relaxed her immediately. After soaking in the water for several minutes, she sat up and scrubbed herself clean. Dirt and sweat clung to her from her attempt at cleaning the attic the day before.
When she turned her attention to her face, she winced slightly. It was obvious that she had some serious bruising, and when she rinsed the sore spots she noticed flakes of dried blood coming away with the water. She scowled at them and mentally cursed her husband.
When she finally felt clean enough, she got out and wrapped a huge fluffy towel around herself and went back into the bedroom. As promised, a clean outfit was laid out for her: A pair of comfortable, loose fitting jeans, a cute cotton t-shirt, clean underclothing and socks, and tennis shoes.
Sarah dressed quickly and looked around the room. It seemed that Roslyn had finished tidying before she left, because the bed was made, the floor cleaned and the windows opened to let in the fresh air. Sarah briefly wondered what she was supposed to do now before she remembered the crystal. Walking over to it, she uncertainly extended a finger and poked it.
"Ready to go?"
Sarah gave a short scream and stumbled sideways, for Roslyn had just—just—appeared next to her. She was completely unprepared for it. She nodded, too busy trying to slow her racing heartbeat to say anything.
Roslyn let out a small giggle. "Well let's go then!"
Fifteen minutes of seemingly just wandering around the castle later, and Roslyn, with Sarah in tow, stopped outside a carved wooden door.
"Wait here for just a moment, I'll make sure he's not being attacked by goblins or something."
Sarah blinked and stifled a laugh at the image that popped into her head. Roslyn motioned her inside.
"Your Majesty, the Lady Sarah Williams has arrived."
Sarah entered the room, suddenly nervous at what awaited her.
The Goblin King stood next to the table that was in the room and nodded. "Thank you Roslyn, you may go."
The servant gave a quick bow to him and left the room. When the door had shut behind her, the Goblin King gave Sarah a small—and slightly disturbing thought Sarah—smile.
"Sarah, do have a seat," he said, and with a wave of his hand, one of the chairs obediently backed away from the table and stood waiting almost expectantly for her to sit. She did, and looked at him. He still had that smile on his face.
Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Sarah asked herself. I don't know anything about how you're supposed to act around royalty! What if I screw up and he throws me in the oubliette again? Or worse, she barely suppressed a shudder, the Bog of Eternal Stench.
As all of this ran through her mind, the Goblin King took his own seat and various servants stepped forward and served he and Sarah their food.
Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into? The Goblin King wondered. I don't know how she and I can co-exist after everything that she's been through. I suppose if she gets truly unbearable I could put her in an oubliette. Or even better, he hid a small grin, the Bog of Eternal Stench.
This was certainly going to be an interesting breakfast.
Wow, this chapter was REALLY long and practically nothing happened! Sorry! I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have reviewed so far!
MariaGonzales: Thanks for your support, and I can't wait to see it either.
Darklady26: Thanks for reviewing both chapters 1 & 2, but I think I did scare Jareth off...notice how he practically wasn't in this one?
Ladystrider77: Thanks for the review, and I hope I'm able to stand out as well.
Katy16: Thanks for the review, we'll just see how long it takes for Jareth to throw her into an oubliette ;-)
Phoenixkid: Thanks for the review...don't stab me with that sword or I can't write anything more.
Princess1980: Thank you for reviewing, and I'll keep 'em coming as long as I keep getting reviews .:hint hint:.
Jareth: Here we go again
TXReaper: Hey shut up! I'm trying to thank everybody for reviewing, stupid goblin-face!
Jareth: .:pouts:. Am not!
TXReaper: Moving on... I also want to thank my friend Becky for helping me think of names and for reading the story so far. She couldn't leave a review because her computer sucks because it's not a Mac (lol) but it's the thought that counts.
Jareth: If it's the thought that counts, why are you begging people for reviews?
TXReaper: Because! That way I know people are reading it, duh! Go back to your cave!
Jareth: Technically, it's an oubliette...ouch! .:gets hit over the head with a paper fan:. Alright, I'm going!