Chapter 26. Holding the truce

Devon was thinking of Bryn when he joined Jareth for breakfast. He looked at the flushed skin tones on his cousin's face; "Someone's been busy I see," he said with biting wit.

"One must strike while one's iron is hot," Jareth said without looking up. He was intently eating his breakfast and going over notes that Philo had given him on household needs. Feeling out of sorts and put out Devon took his seat with a grim face. Jareth looked over at him, and commented quietly. "You look like hell."

"Thank you," his cousin said placing his napkin in his lap. "I feel it too."

"Why don't you go home," suggested the King giving the matter some thought. "I think I can handle the rest of my week now."

Devon leaned on the edge of the table eagerly. "Are you sure? I would not wish to leave you in a lurch," his eyes said differently.

Jareth nodded, "I'm mending, and there's no formal court for a week or two… mostly office stuff. If you could check in every day or so, I'm sure I can handle the rest." He waved his cousin off. "Go; play with that pretty little playmate of yours…."

Devon rose, not waiting to hear more. "I'll see you in a day or two." With a flick of his wrist he was gone.

Jareth smiled as one of the little elf maids came in with Devon's breakfast. "Lord Devon has decided to break his fast in his own home, Delssia. I however would love some more toast." He watched the maid blush and give him a curt bow.

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Daisy was busy setting food on the table when Sarah now fully refreshed and bathed, entered from the curtained off area. She was draped again in a sheet, but this time her hair was pulled up and held back with a tortoise shell comb. Even with out makeup, her appearance was startling.

Daisy held a goblet of wine out to her, which Sarah refused. "It's a bit early in the day for me," she said in a gentle rebuff.

The Goblin snickered. "What would you prefer to drink at this time of day?"

"I'd kill for a cup of coffee," Sarah confessed. "However I'd accept a cup of nice hot tea in its place. I doubt very much that coffee is a common beverage item here." She sat down at the little table quietly.

"There you'd be wrong," Daisy stated. "I'll remember that you like coffee and have some brewed for you. It became a staple of our kingdom a few decades ago. You see, my lady… goblins not only mimic mortals, we parallel them. You will find many of the same foods in our world that were popular in yours."

Skeptically Sarah looked over at the Goblin who was taking a seat opposite her. "You're telling me there's some kind of… commerce trade system?"

"Not exactly, no…." replied the woman of the Labyrinth Kingdom. "But because there's been, shall we say traffic back and forth; there have also been samplings of things brought here. Some things long before the veil was drawn that separates our worlds." She cut cold meat and cheese and a slice of crusty bread and handed the plate to Sarah. "I think you'll find most Goblin Fair to your liking."

Sarah looked at the meat, gave it a sniff and looked over at the Goblin. "Mutton?"

"Yes, and that's a fine farmers cheese, and the bread is made from wheat grown just outside the City. The wine that you refused is from the King's own vineyard." Daisy was proud of her Kingdom and it came across clearly as she spoke.

"I'm sure the wine is very good," Sarah said trying to mend a fence. "I just don't imbibe so early."

"I shall remember that," promised the Goblin female soothingly. Sarah took a bite of the bread and cheese and surprisingly enough found they were not only edible, but delicious. The mutton she was a bit more hesitant about. Daisy snickered. "Mutton not a breakfast favorite?"

"I've never really cared for the taste," Sarah confessed feeling strangely at ease with her guard.

"I understand," Daisy opened the hamper again and removed a bowl of ripe berries; "Perhaps some of the last of the season's fruit?"

In the bowl were large red ripe sweet strawberries, and succulent juicy raspberries as well as some others that Sarah did not recognize. "They look delicious," Sarah said eagerly as she plucked a ripe strawberry from the group. Her lips caressed the berry as she sunk her teeth in; soon juice was covering her mouth. "Oh God," she moaned blissfully. "They are good."

Daisy leaned back in her chair once she'd finished her portion of the meal, and sipped her wine. "You must give me a list of the foods you prefer," she suggested. "That way I shall be able to be sure the hampers always carry what you will eat. Keeping you healthy is part of my duty."

The meal had been so pleasant that for a time Sarah had forgotten she was a prisoner and that Daisy was her guard. "It's all just a job to you, isn't it?"

The Goblin looked at the young not so mortal female and allowed her face to become serious. "No, not all of it," she placed her goblet down. "I am a guard, and I serve my King… but I am a Goblin first. And my first duty is to the Kingdom, and my people. I am honored to be in the service of our King. Honored to be picked to guard his Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, and I take my duty seriously." She looked at Sarah with trepidation. "You don't yet know all that has taken place… and so you are at odds with the reality of your station. I understand, and I can give you time. It will be my duty to teach you the ways of the people to whom you now belong."

"I don't belong to anyone," Sarah protested. "I was taken captive when….that fruity Baron and you two came running to the rescue of that lecher King."

"We didn't actually come running," Daisy snickered. "You see we'd been watching for almost the entire time."

"You watched me…do…" Sarah rose from the table, disgusted. "That's twisted… you just said you are honored to serve your King and yet you allowed me to…"

"Play a very strange foreplay game with him, yes… yes we did." Daisy stood as well, her hand went to her hilt. "It was not until you actually put the King in danger that we were moved to act against you." Her stance was poised, but not threatening. "The moment the King claimed you, you became one of us… forever."

'You have thirteen hours in which to solve the Labyrinth before your baby brother becomes one of us … forever…such a pity…' the words echoed in Sarah's head. "He kept me here for more than thirteen hours… and didn't allow anyone to run for me..."

"You were not wished away," corrected the guard gently. "You were and are the spoils of a misguided war." Inquisitively Daisy prodded. "Just what was your plan? I know something of what the third witch left behind had wanted to do…it was written in her eyes… but you…You are very hard to readTagaan or Rhuukarlaan, and I should like to understand you better."

Sarah appeared to be taken aback, "I don't know…" she answered in a quiet almost child like manner. "I wanted my dreams back… Lilith said the rites in that musty old book would help… I thought if I made Jareth as miserable as he'd made me, he'd… surrender them to me…"

Heaving a weary sigh, Daisy looked at the other with sympathy. "You really don't know much about the Fae, or the Goblin King, do you?" When Sarah shrugged Daisy went on. "Our king is Fae born, that makes him, arrogant and somewhat spoiled, and that works for us. He has always with the exception of one time; put the Kingdom first because it was good for him to do so. We Goblins have learned to live with the Fae rules, but this one… this one in many ways has so embraced us that he's become one of us." Daisy held both hands up. "Let me explain to you a few important facts. First, Goblins are not good or bad; we are both…much like humans or any other race are both… But when we are denied, or refused or rebuked, we retaliate… He retaliated… You refused him, more than once during your run, and he demanded payment for the services rendered…. Your run in the Labyrinth was a service, not a privilege. Those who wish a child away have a right to demand a chance to win the child back, true…but the right comes with a price tag…"

"No one ever said anything about a price tag," Sarah protested hotly. "Even in the book!"

Daisy scoffed at her, "Sarah Williams, some things are 'you understood'."

Sarah, shocked by the Goblin's frankness went silent.

"He took more than your dreams," Daisy continued. "He took your first real Kiss… stole it from your sleeping lips… and sealed both your fates." Sarah turned away. "You belong to the King, your attack on him created the opening by which he could claim you. Had you not made war on him, he would have been happy to content himself with your dreams."

"Content himself with my dreams?" Sarah looked at her guard. "What exactly does that mean?"

Daisy who knew more than most of the guards in the palace was completely frank. "He has used your dreams as an entertainment, shunning the company of women who would seek to give him more physical pleasure. He preferred to be pleasured by your dreams."

"That's sick," Sarah groaned.

"That's Goblin," corrected Daisy. "He could not have your body, he satisfied himself with your essence."

Shuddering and feeling scandalized the girl began to rub her bare arms. "So he's been… what, fucking my dream persona?"

"I would say it was mutual," Daisy quipped coolly.

Denial, a state of mind that Sarah excelled at, leapt forward. "Don't kid yourself," she snapped. "I would never have any thing to do with that baby snatching, over sexed prancing ponce!"

'Me thinks the lady doth protest too much,' Daisy hummed to herself.

Sarah went on defensively. "I was never once attracted by him during that hellish time I spent in the Labyrinth…"

"Not once?" Teased Daisy lightly; "Not even when you stood with him on the hillside out side the gate? Or when he came to you in the tunnels? Or perhaps when he swept you into his arms to dance? Not even once?"

"Go to hell," Sarah groused and moved toward the window. Her feelings were at war, and she didn't want to face this. "He stole my brother," she said more to herself than to the guard. Needing to remind herself of whom the King really was. "He stole my dreams and maimed me, and now holds me captive… and raped me."

Daisy knew the Girl was not ready to face more truth and changed the subject. "Perhaps we should work on that list of foods."

Sarah leaned into the window frame. "I'm not attracted to him."

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Bryn was sitting forlornly in the garden when Devon arrived. He could tell she was upset, and he could not blame her. She looked up as he approached, stood and with a gentle sob moved to his open arms seeking comfort. Gently he soothed her. "Bryn, it's not our war…" He reminded her softly. "You can feel bad for your friend… but remember it's not our war."

"He hurt her.." she looked up at him, "I heard her…scream of pain…."

"He hurt himself as well," Devon stated wisely. "And both of them pay for the stubbornness they both possess. Even the High King tired to warn him…"

Bryn pulled free of the embrace. "The High King? You mean High King as in Oberon? Why would he concern himself with this… dispute?"

"Jareth is one of his own, his son." Devon said softly. "One does not mess with the son of Oberon without the High King sticking his nose in."

"Oh poor Sarah," fretted Bryn lightly. "She's into this up to her neck… and no one to help her."

Devon shrugged, "I warrant Sarah Williams is not as easy to damage as she looks." He held a hand out to the girl. "I have yet to break my fast, have you? No, well then let us go in and have something to eat and just talk."

"Baron, Sarah will not surrender to Jareth." Bryn warned.

"Surrender is the last thing Jareth wants, whether he knows it or not." Devon tucked her arm into his. "Now, tell me how you've spent your time."

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Linda move though the veil of sleep and slowly batted her eyes open. Instantly she was aware that she was between two curled, and very warm bodies. She was also aware that one was male and the other not. Turning to the feminine and very womanly body beside her she looked to see who it was. She didn't recognize the features, but she recognized the scent of flowers and knew she was still in that flowery bower of Oberon's.

Her movement awoke the woman beside her, eyes the color of autumn skies opened and showed delight. "Good morning," the cherry voice belonging to the strange woman greeted.

Linda didn't smile; "We'll see how good," she muttered trying to pull the milkweed sheet about her nakedness. "Who are you?"

"I'm Tatiana, Linda, and I guess I'm your hostess…" the Fae woman quipped lightly.

Swallowing the lump in her throat that had gathered, the actress looked at the stranger with alarm. "Tatiana… as in Fairy Queen?"

"That is but one of the titles I wear, but yes." She leaned on her elbow and gave the actress a simpering smile.

Placing a hand to her eyes Linda groaned, "I'm not modern enough for this situation," she took a deep breath. "Look toots, much as I appreciate the …" she paused and started over. "I'm really not into threesomes."

Tatiana blinked, looked over at Oberon who was beginning to waken. "What's a threesome?"

"Group sex," he stretched then smiled down at both women. "Ménage à trois, dear."

"Oh," Tatiana looked less than shocked as she looked back at the actress. "Not to worry, I prefer male lovers."

Linda felt trapped between these Fae. "You're both cracked."

Tatiana giggled. "You'll get use to us."

"Want to bet," Linda retorted.

Hugging the mortal female, the High Queen giggled again. "Oh I already adore her wit and fire, Oberon."

"Yes," He said as his hand began to wander under the sheet.

"Hands off!" Linda slapped away the hand moving over her. "I'm not staying…I've got a life and a boyfriend; remember?"

Obstinately the hand returned this time becoming immobile. "You don't need a boy, my pretty, you need a man."

"I'll pick my own playmates, thank you!" snapped Linda continuing to struggle to free herself from the two Fae. "Back off!"

Oberon looked over at his wife, "I think perhaps my paramour would be more comfortable if you were not present while I plunder her treasure trove." He suggested quietly, his hand still moving over the struggling actress. "Why not have a nice dip in the pond and we shall join you later."

"I'm not joining anyone anytime!" Linda, now violently struggling, roared. "I'm going to find my daughter, and pound some sense into that dunder headed Goblin King."

"Your daughter is out of your reach," Oberon said as he waved his wife off. When she'd vanished he rolled on top of Linda, pinning her down. "Why fight what gives us both pleasure?"

"I don't have time for your sexual games, High King." She addressed him formally trying to ignore that her body was responding to his.

"Linda," he murmured enticingly.

"Oberon, please," she pleaded.

He paused, took a deep breath and slowed his assault. "Dearest heart, I have seen the Goblin King whist you slept, and I fear I know a bit more of these sordid tales than you do. I will tell you that your daughter is alive, but you are going to have to give up any plan of rescuing her… she has been taken prisoner under an article of war."

"What war?" Linda gasped, "I was not aware of a mortal, Fae war."

"You were not made aware because your daughter knew you'd stop her." He nuzzled her neck letting the soft hair of his beard tickle her. "Sarah declared war on the Goblin King and lost the battle…she is now his trophy and accolade."

"And what am I?" She asked stiffly.

"My beloved paramour… and hopefully a mother of one of my children." He smiled at her gently. "Come, love, give in."

"You don't fight fair," she sighed.

"I'll make a truce with you, my beauty." He offered tenderly. "And I will promise to keep an eye on the Goblin situation for you."

"But Jeremy…." Linda complained softly. "He loves me… and I..."

"Have refused his proposals," Oberon stated firmly. "Linda, I know you care for the lad… but he's not enough…nor was the mortal you wed… I my darling am." He kissed her eyes softly. "Tell me you didn't feel completely satisfied." He prodded.

"Old goat," she refused to look into his eyes.

"Yes, my dear." He found that she was not resisting his advances, and pressed his knees to hers, spreading her legs to give him entry. Cupping her derrière with one hand to tilt her hips to greet him, he sighed contentedly as he slid into her like a sword into its sheath. "By the Seven Hills of Rome, woman… you are a delightful little creature, and a lovely fit."

"You are a horndog," she muttered. "An over sexed timeless horndog."

Giving the rounded cheek in his cupped hand a tender squeeze the King snorted. "Thank you."

"I was not giving you a complement," she complained.

"Weren't you?" he teased as he began to thrust into her. "It sounded like one."

Surrendering and yielding to his prowess, Linda began to enjoy the skills honed over many centuries. "mmmmmmmmmmm," she murmured enthrallingly. "I could really get off on you…." She caught her breath as he moved deeper and growled in her ear. "Oh God, that's so good."

"As I said," he crooned having found the right rhythm to draw her into his game. "You need a man… And I am just the man for the task."

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Devon excused the girl and watched as she made her way up to her room with the excuse of freshening up; he turned to find his housekeeper coming toward him. "Let me guess, the mortal girl is using the books in my library to find a means of escape."

"Sir, did you expect her to?" the woman looked perturbed.

"Yes, in fact my dear Mrs. Finch I'd have very disappointed in her had she not." Devon smiled gently. "She considers herself a prisoner… and she's not really far off the mark. However I have no intentions of allowing her to escape." He signed softly. "Bryn is not aware that there are wards that she can not master. Her magic is infantile compared to mine." Standing up he instructed the woman who kept his home as he liked it. "She's free to read all she wants… however if you find her trying her hand at magic you are to alert me."

"Yes, sir." Bobbed the woman as she exited the breakfast room.

Devon looked up toward the ceiling, he was pleased, and it gave him an excuse to 'hold it against' her some time in the future. A man could never have enough ammunition in the constant battles of the sexes.