Chapter 55. Declarations of a Goblin King
Jareth laughed at Circe, "I'm not the one who declared war, Circe…you are." He turned to the High King. "I and my subjects just defended what is ours."
"Rubbish!" Circe growled. "You set that harpy upon my father." She pointed to Della. A hiss from above altered the woman that harpies were present. "And he has more of them to bring us down… destroy him and them."
"Silence," Oberon bellowed. He moved forward with fire in his eyes. "I don't take orders from you, Circe. You have issued some very damning accusations," the High King seethed. "Let us see if they hold any weight." Turning to the Goblin King he asked straightforward, "Did your harpy kill Talagon?"
Jareth smiled, "I'm pleased to say she did." The room filled with the sounds of murmurs and low urgent whispers. "However, it was a matter of self preservation," he added.
"Self preservation?" Oberon looked from Jareth to Circe. "Why would a harpy need to commit such an act?" She remained silent, and Jareth said. "I shall allow the harpy to tell her own tale.
"The one called Lord Talagon and some of his servants came here and drugged goats. They knew that goat meat is a favorite of the harpy. They used the goats as bait to trap a harpy, I happened to be the one who fell into their trap. Talagon then near staved me, giving me only enough food to sustain life. His plan was to train me to do his bidding. He considered the harpy to be little better than the beast of the wilderness." Della sauntered forward, unafraid of the High King or any other Fae. "Given the opportunity, I waited, and watched and listened. The old fool boasted of his part in the death of the last true Goblin King. He boasted of the part he and other Fae lords played in the kidnapping, rape and murder of the first human to hold the title Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan." Della cast a sideways glance at Circe. "Your father could not hold his liquor."
Circe shook her head, "I know nothing of this claim," she denied. "She lies!"
"I have no reason to lie," chuckled Della. "Not when the truth is a far better weapon."
Oberon looked sideways; he saw the squirms of some of the Council. "Go on harpy."
Della spread her wings and let them twitch, knowing it would put fear into those who'd never seen the wingspan of a harpy up close. "He boasted of what he was going to do to this King and to the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan he keeps. When I'd heard enough damning admissions, I broke free of the puny chains he'd placed upon me. And I showed him what justice is. He was responsible for the death of one of my line, and for the shame we bore. I avenged my King, my line and my Flock! And I would do so again."
"She confesses," Circe bellowed. "Destroy the creature," she demanded.
Oberon tapped a long index finger alongside his noise. He was considering something, and looked over to where the Matron of the Flock was perched on a high ledge. "How old is this chick?" he asked her.
"She has reached maturity," Iris crowed.
Oberon whispered something for Della's hearing alone and she cawed. The High King shrugged. He looked over at Circe, "Your father made many claims against goblin lands… and never agreed with those whom I placed to act as regents. I find it all too possible that he did indeed come across the border and plant tainted game for the harpy as bait." He gave the young woman a cold glare. "His death is on his own head, and I will not find the harpy guilty…" the Fae behind him rumbled; "Even if I were in authority to judge her."
The murmurs gave way to silence; even Circe stared at the High King. Oberon shrugged. "This is not a matter for the High Court; we are not in Fae territory…"
"How can you say that?" Circe gasped. "There has always been a Fae presence here."
"No," Oberon looked at Jareth, "There has always been a Goblin presence here, as there should be."
"He's a Fae," Circe accused. "He's sanctioned the harboring of a creature that has broken escheat laws…"
"On the contrary," boasted Jareth looking proudly at Della. "Harpies are not Kithain, her being the instrument of your father's death does not break escheat."
"You however are Kithain," a voice declared as a portal opened. Sarah stepped into the throne room. "You are far guiltier of breaking escheat laws than anyone else here, Circe."
Leaning back, enjoying the show, Jareth greeted the new arrival. "I was wondering when you were going to show up," he looked at her hand. "What is that?"
Sarah looked at him, her face calm and tranquil. "It's a present." She said to him moving forward; "The heart of your enemy."
Della huffed, "Don't know a good lunch when you see it, eh Sarah?"
Sarah ignored the comment, moving closer to the King. "He who would have harmed your boy… and I've learned a powerful lesson." She dropped the heart into the hand that was ready to receive it, it was still beating.
"What would be," Jareth asked.
"Never make the same mistake twice," Sarah sneered. "I let him live once before when he tried to kidnap Toby." She squared her shoulders. "I wasn't about to make that mistake again."
"She's bloodied herself," Circe accused. "Human blood is on her hands."
Oberon looked to Jareth who answered the accusation. "The Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan is not Kithain," he watched the heart slow and then stop altogether.
"She's your human pet, and humans are under the Kithain." She looked triumphant. "She will have to be destroyed."
"Sarah's not human," Jareth dropped the heart into the hands of a goblin who had been sitting at his feet. "Sarah's a goblin." He stood up.
Sarah turned to look at Circe, "You should never have counted on Daniels doing your dirty work, foolish woman." Her voice hissed. "Daniels never could do his own, and he liked to talk… loved the sound of his own voice. He spoke of you several times, Circe." Sarah moved threateningly toward her. "You should never have set him upon Toby," she growled. "For that alone I could kill you and do so with a smile."
"She threatens me, and I've done nothing." Circe claimed.
"You were the one who sent me into the human realm," Sarah accused. "You entered my tower in a disguise and disabled my guard." Sarah spoke slowly, deliberately. "You removed me from the tower by means of a winged horse."
"I don't own such a beast," boasted Circe, "The one female here about who does is Tonya Winderspire; perhaps it was she who set you free."
"I saw through the glamour Circe," Sarah claimed as a gasp was heard from above.
"You stole my steed, slaughtered my father's herd, and tried to incapacitate me!" Tonya accused as she came down from the safety of where she'd been held. "I'll swear before the Seelie court that you did!"
Jareth took hold of the Fae girl's hand and pulled her back away from Circe with a smile. "I'm sure she didn't expect you to find a way to free yourself. Now behave and stay put." He pinched her cheek playfully. The Duchess would have moved forward to reclaim her daughter, but her husband and the High King were barring her way. Jareth looked at Circe. "Your finished Circe, not one of these Fae here will defend you."
The woman saw that he was right; she pulled a knife and lunged at Jareth. She screamed that he would never find Devon in time to save him. In a flash Della, Daisy and Sarah were all upon her. Della hand the hand with the knife pinned to the floor, Daisy had the other hand pinned and Sarah was seated upon Circe's chest with her hands at the woman's throat.
"Devon?" the High King asked, but seeing Jareth smile Oberon's expression toward the woman was one of little interest. "Do what you will," he said to the Goblin King.
"Sarah, what sentence should I pronounce?" Jareth asked quietly.
Sarah smiled down into Circe's eyes. "I know of a place of hopelessness," she said. "Take her powers and bind them, force her to live out her madness in the mortal realm. Unable to use that which is most natural to her…"
A crystal formed in his hands as Sarah spoke, he placed it on Circe's brow and the woman vanished. As she did a hatch opened and Devon and Bryn entered the throne room.
Winderspire drew a relieved sigh, "Nasty business that," he commented lightly. He looked at his wife. "We should go home," he extended a hand toward his daughter. "Come Tonya, we will take our leave."
Tonya stood up but looked at Jareth. The Goblin king shook his head, and she didn't move. "I'm afraid I will have to insist that your daughter remain here." Jareth stroked the cheek of the girl gently. "She belongs to me, now."
"Belongs to you," Winderspire sputtered before turning to the High King. "What is this?"
"I don't know," confessed the High King. "Jareth what are you doing?"
"Establishing my dynasty," Jareth said calmly. "Tonya belongs to me."
The Duchess twittered, "A marriage with the Royal family is fine with me."
"No," Jareth said coldly turning to the woman. "There will be no marriage, and your daughter will never wear the title of Queen."
The woman sputtered before turning to her husband. "Do something!" She was near croaking on her words. "Before he despoils my baby…."
Tonya lowered her head slightly, "Jareth, please… she's my mother…"
"Hush," he reprimanded her gently. "Leave this to me." She looked up at him and nodded. He turned to the Duke. "Your daughter is a living bond betwixt me and the Seelie court, and her child will be a living link." He looked at the Duchess for a moment and said firmly. "I've planted my seed, and I claim Tonya as a consort, not a wife, not a queen but not by any means a whore. She will remain here, with me and mine." Sarah came to stand beside the King, Rosalind stood behind her. They were flanked by Goblins subjects.
"Tonya," Duke Winderspire gasped. "Is this true?" Tonya bit down on her lower lip and nodded. The old Duke looked at the High King, "Can you not reason with him?"
"Not this time," Oberon said with regret. "He's following an older rule than that of the Fae."
"Older than the Fae?" Winderspire asked. "What rule is older than ours?"
"That of the Goblin," Jareth answered for Oberon. "As the heir promised to the Goblins, I am reestablishing Goblin Rule."
"When did you find out?" Oberon asked his son.
"Not long after a certain woman left me and my kingdom in shambles." Jareth answered. "Though it took some time for it all to sink in."
Oberon nodded, "I am glad you learned this way," wistfully he looked at the child that had been born of a moment of weakness. "Your Grandfather was a remarkable Hobgoblin, may you be just half the man he was."
The Duchess broke down in tears. "She should have been a queen."
"Tonya," Jareth sighed. "Take your place."
She turned expecting to stand beside the King, looked at Sarah and frowned. "Jareth," she whispered urgently. "Shouldn't she stand down, and let me have the place beside you? After all she's but a slave…"
"No," Jareth said strongly. "Sarah's place is at my side, she is the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan and she comes first."
"A slave comes first," Tonya asked.
Jareth looked over at Oberon, "Who translated the Goblin language? Everyone who hears that term misreads it." He looked gently at the Fae girl. "Tonya, Sarah is the price of peace with the above, you are the price of peace with the Fae."
The girl looked over at the Fae woman with red hair. "And her?" she asked still not taking her place.
"A worthy servant to the King," he assured her. "Take your place behind Sarah."
Once the girl had moved to stand behind Sarah Jareth looked at the members of the Seelie Council. "I am willing to keep communications with the Fae open. I am not however going to allow you to tell me how to rule. I will consider the next infraction a declaration of war." He faced them down. "There are dark days ahead; the world above and the world below are connected. You've allowed us to become a joke while you squabbled over who gets what, and who has power. The goblin realm is no longer going to be your whipping boy. My kingdom does not need you, but you and the realm of man need us. So you will learn to respect the Goblins and all the subjects of my kingdom."
He looked at the beaten army of Talagon. "I offer you your freedom," he said loudly. "Under the condition that you serve me, and remember that the Talagon was once Goblin Lands… given to the High King as a marriage price." He looked at Oberon. "The price was paid, and the lands return as they were meant to." Crossing his arms he smugly said. "This audience is at an end. And you are dismissed."
Oberon chuckled. "Well said, boy well said." He turned to his council. "Let's go home, we are not needed here."
Jareth looked over at Devon, "None the worse?"
"You owe me new boots," Devon said tossing his at the King. "One of your false alarms was hungry." He walked barefooted to where his cousin stood. "Delivering ultimatums again I see."
"It worked," chuffed the King, the members of his personal court joined in the laugher. "Court members may go home," he said gently. "Don't mind the bodies; the cleaners will be making pickups." He strolled to his throne and took a seat.
"This is not your throne, is it?" Tonya asked softly coming to his side and picking at a lose thread on the draping.
"This is a working throne, the other is for show," he patted her face. "Be a good girl and go with Rosalind, she'll show you to your rooms. I'll speak with you later."
Bryn walked over to Sarah, "I've missed you," she enfolded her in her arms; "Oh Sarah."
"Bryn," Sarah pulled back quaking with pain. "Sorry." Shuddering violently she eased back. "I've missed you too."
Devon leaned on the throne and smiled at his cousin, "So what's on the agenda next, scale a mountain, declare war on the trolls?"
"Take an elf princess," Jareth said placing a gloved finger to his lips. He saw the look shot his way by Sarah and changed the subject, "What kind of wedding and when?"
"He hasn't asked me yet," Bryn said boldly. "I don't know that I'm of a mind to say yes."
Jareth snickered. "I could order you to," he teased.
"He won't," Sarah assured her friend.
Della bowed to the throne, "I'll be taking my leave of you now, Sire."
"Leave, you've just returned, why do you need to leave?" Jareth looked at her oddly.
"She has a nest to feather," the Matron announced.
Jareth looked at his guard and pouted. "And here I thought I'd get first crack at you."
"Promises promises," Della said wickedly placing a hand over her belly. "This is the first time a harpy has mated with a Fae. It will be an unusual gestation. I am to be watched over by the flock."
Iris leaned close to Della and her pride shown like a thousand suns. "My daughter did well, did she not Sire?"
"She did indeed," He looked at the harpy who had served him for a few years. "Della, you and your daughter will always have a home here in the Goblin castle, not just in the Goblin Kingdom." He snickered. "There are enough Fae here who will be more than willing to tutor the child in her Fae heritage."
"She'll be a harpy first and foremost." Della said and bowed once more to the King. "Live long, and don't get into trouble while I'm away, King baby."
"Go feather your nest," he teased.
Della turned to Daisy, "Don't go taking on any partners while I'm gone, except for that one," she winked toward the Master of the Guild. "Oh I have a little gift for the bride to be." she pulled a clothe from her harness. "Something for you to remember me by."
Daisy opened the package and looked up with a smile, "Della you shouldn't have," she laughed heartily. Lifting one item she showed it to the king. "A new purse for my winnings," The King winced recognizing the purse as a scrotum sack. Daisy looked at the item under purse and looked over at Della. "I shall wear them on my wedding day."
"Let me know where and when, and if I'm not sitting on an egg, I'll be there." Della promised. She looked over at the Hobgoblin who was standing closest to her partner. "Take care of her, or you'll need to watch out for me."
"Captain Bookworm will have no complaints," Donatien assured her.
Della paused before leaving, she stood before Sarah. "So long hag,"
"Goodbye, parakeet." Sarah quipped.
Della flashed her nails and talons at Sarah, who didn't even flinch this time. "Next time Sarah, eat the heart."
"Wasn't mine to eat," Sarah said. "I'm mealy the messenger." She sighed, "Hurry back, and stay safe."
Della smiled and let out a caw, the members of the flock who were present in the throne room answered. One by one they moved out the window, soaring into the sky.
Jareth looked down at the heart still being held by a goblin. "So what did you use, a knife, a spoon, perhaps a scoop?" he directed his question to Sarah.
"My hand," the girl answered coming to look at the object. "He had it coming, dirty bastard." She flexed her fingers and growled.
Bryn looked down. "What is that?"
"Daniels heart," Sarah answered factually. "He kidnapped Toby, took him to the asylum ruins. Gods and Goddesses only know what he planned to do to the child."
Without flinching the Welsh witch looked down. "May he rot in hell;" She spit and the goblin holding the heart dashed out of the way.
"I'm going home," Devon announced. "I plan to sleep a week, perhaps two." His hand extended outward toward Bryn. "Come darling," he invited.
Sarah watched as they walked out of the throne room, "He loves her," she muttered.
"Yes," the King's voice was at her ear. "And I doubt she'll ever turn down his offers."
Sadly Sarah turned to look at him, her green eyes calmer, but still stormy. "She doesn't have to balance a child in the equation."
Jareth had not moved his face mirrored hers. "How is our boy?" He asked slowly.
"He'll not remember, he was unconscious, drugged." She winced remembering having to leave him yet again. "But he's safe; Daniels will never go after him again." She met eyes with the Goblin King and informed him. "I have no regrets… about killing him."
Breathing in her scent, he could believe it. "No one has the right to touch what belongs to us," he agreed.
"The council, they will tell the High King that I am dangerous." She sighed.
"You are," he stated.
"They will call for my execution." Her tone darkened.
"They have no jurisdiction," he assured her. "Besides, you carry my son."
"How do you know that the baby Tonya carries is not a son, or Rosalind?" Sarah walked past him. "Any one of us…"
"No Sarah, only you." He walked behind her, in her wake. "You are the only one who will give me sons; the others will supply daughters for me to marry off to other kings, to secure ties."
"That's cold blooded," Sarah denounced.
"It's what Kings do," Jareth stated.
"Most kings don't build a harem," she argued softly.
"That's true," he reasoned. "However most kings don't have three to four lifetimes to live out." He placed a hand on her arm. "You have been through much this day. Go to your tower," he looked at Daisy "Captain," he motioned the injured Goblin forward. "Take the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan to her tower." The two women faced each other, one goblin born, one goblin made, and they smiled.
The Master of the Guild stood beside his King. "Remarkable women," he commented.
"Indeed," Jareth agreed. "Is a date set?"
"Not as of yet," the Master sighed. "There is much for us to accomplish with the Kingdom, and it's King."
Jareth looked at the circular room. "We have a foot hold my friend, something we didn't have before."
"Perhaps in time you could offer your mother a sanctuary here," Donatien suggested.
"I will take that into consideration," Jareth leaned back into the throne, hooking one foot into the arm. "Now about this elf you want me to deflower…"
****
"What's he doing?"
"Reading,"
"Has he said anything?"
"Not since he mentioned something about tying her gut into knots, six ways to Sunday."
"Has he thrown anything?"
"Not yet, he just… quiet."
"Oh that's so not good."
"Shouldn't someone warn the Scribe?"
"I'm not going to!"
"Me either!"
"Well I can't, she's barred me from coming into her office…"
"She wrote it, let her worry about it!"
"Oh, oh… he's stopped reading and he's grumbling again."
**#**
Jareth soared into the open window of the tower; he looked at Daisy asleep on the cot beside Sarah. He sat down and watched for a few moments. His soul ached, and he could not find what he needed here. He soared out of the window once more and headed to the crystal portal that would transport him to the world of man.
He glided on the wind past the park and toward the far end of town. Landing in the branches of a tree that stood beside an old Victorian house. Peering in the window he watched as the mother and father sat on either side of the boy's bed, protecting him and showering him with love. The feral eyes of the bird spotted the man seated in a car across the street. He didn't belong here, and looked out of place. But having Fae sense Jareth even in owl form could read the man. He was there because of an oath he'd given. He was there to watch over the boy.
He knew the child would be safe. He would grow and would become a man. He was safe.
Taking flight once more Jareth returned as he had come.
--
Sarah awakened to the sounds of wings flapping and Jareth winging his way back into the tower room. Daisy stirred and moaned. "Sleep Daisy," Sarah whispered. "It's just the king," she rose from the bed. "She was injured, did you know?"
"I've just been informed," he addressed her formally. "I've come to send her to the infirmary and to take you to the castle." Jareth looked over toward the sleeping goblin. "I'm told she crawled out the window, and nearly fell to her death."
"She's the bravest Goblin I've ever met," Sarah nodded. "She stood up to Circe." Sarah whispered. "She doesn't like to feel she's being given special treatment, you know."
"Sharing a bed with you," the King teased. He knelt down beside the bed. "Daisy, you can go home now…." He suggested gently. "I'm taking Sarah to the castle."
"I'm on duty," she muttered sleepily.
"You're all done in," Jareth helped her up. "Donatien is awaiting you, the west wing…" He walked her to the window, "Go rest, you've earned it."
"Good night, sire." She yawned. "Good night Sarah," she whistled and the griffin appeared.
After the goblin guard had been dispatched, Sarah looked about the room, "So I'm not the first human Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan."
"No," Jareth said quietly.
"Tell me the truth, Jareth," she challenged. "Is having the same as wanting?"
Stormy eyes regarded her, and at first it appeared he was going to ignore her question. Then in a heartbeat he changed his mind. "Not always."
"I had to face a truth in the asylum," she sat down on her cot. "I had to face and shoulder my… guilt… my part in Toby now being more or less a Goblin possession." She looked up at Jareth. "It's my fault, not yours that he was wished away, and it's my fault that Bryn is here as well."
"Truth hurts a bit, doesn't it," he asked keeping his distance.
"Hurts like hell," Sarah winced. "Jareth, if I'd broken open the orb…"
"The dreams would not have returned to you even if you could find a way to shatter the orb." Jareth admitted. "And if your friend Lilith had succeeded in murdering me, the dreams would have died with me."
Burying her face in her hands Sarah groaned. "Is it enough?" She spoke into her hands. "Is it payment enough?"
"No," Jareth whispered. "It will never be enough."
Sarah looked up, "Why then, why have children with me… you don't love me…"
"No," he said taking a seat beside her. "I did once, passionately…" He reminded her. "No other runner ever reached the castle," his voice filled with awe. "You were my equal…. In will, in strength, in stubbornness… in all things."
"I was a child," she protested.
"So was I," he looked away. "So was I."
"Fine mess we've made of things," Sarah muttered. "I can't bear to be touched by mortals, even now."
"I'll not regret what I did, Sarah." Jareth stood up. "Fortunately there are few humans whom you'll come into contact with. I suggest you steer clear of them." He snapped his fingers. "Come Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, your king is tired, and wishes to sleep in his own bed." He moved toward the window.
"I won't share a bed with the other women, Jareth." She stated. "I'm not that modern."
"You'll do what you are told to do," he crossed his arms.
"You wouldn't want to make a wager on that now would you?" Sarah scowled.
Jareth dropped his arms, and looked at her. "I'm willing to offer you a~ comprise. I shall not bed any of the other women in the royal bed."
"So far so good," she cocked her head to one side, "What do you want from me in return, Goblin King."
He leaned toward her. "Cooperation."
"I'm having your child, is that not cooperation enough?" She saw his hunger. "How can I ever trust you, you took my dreams."
Jareth pulled her into his arms, savagely assaulting her mouth with his. He kissed her breathless, once she was as aroused as he, the King spoke again. "Foolish woman… I am your dreams…"
Gasping for air, Sarah moaned.
**Fin**