A/N: Well, how about some more May Eve fun, hmm? Without further adieu: I own nothing but the characters NOT owned by Jim Henson and Co.
MAY EVE
We call them faerie. We don't believe in them. Our loss.
~Charles de Lint
Chapter 17: Excitement
"So, when exactly were you going to tell me that I'm Fae?" Sarah fumed at Jareth once they settled back into breakfast. Jareth seemingly ignored her as he took a sip of his peach tea. "Jareth. . ."
"My dear wife, did you not find it odd that since you have been up and about, feeling better, that things have changed in you slightly? The shine of your hair, the sparkle of your eye, the flawlessness of your skin? I cannot imagine that these things, though small, didn't seem to catch your very critical eye." He replied, setting his tea down and putting all of his attention on her. The glare in his eye seemed to burn her skin and chill it at the same time. She hated him and loved him for it all at the same time. Especially when he was so damn logical.
"So what now? I don't age much and Toby does? I don't think I could stomach watching him age and wither before my eyes like that." Sarah shook her head and blanched. She knew that the Fae had very long lives, nearly immortal ones, and she wasn't sure that while she stayed close to the age she was now Toby would age like any other normal human.
"Of course, the longer he lives here the more Fae magic will enter him. Eventually it will take over. That could take years, but it would happen. Barring any tragedy, your brother will be just fine." Jareth explained. He cared deeply for the boy and wouldn't let him just suffer while his sister had an extended life. If it weren't the magic in the Underground, Jareth would have found a way to transform the boy so that he, too, could live longer.
"That makes me feel a bit better." She sighed, but then glared at him again. "Don't you ever keep something this important from me again! If we're married and we're equal then I shouldn't have to be treated like a kid. I'm an adult, you know. . . I have the right to know what's going on in my life."
Jareth smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Of course, my Queen. Please forgive an old man for trying to protect the ones he loves."
Sarah slapped his arm and laughed. "You are so dramatic!"
"Ah, and you can match me, equally, my love." He smiled and before she could blink she was sitting in his lap and he was hovering a strawberry above her lips. "Now, for breakfast. A queen needs her strength, especially one who has a king as insatiable as myself." He winked and placed the large, red fruit in her mouth. She gleamed up at him and bit, hard. Jareth shifted under her and groaned.
~M*E~
"Parry, parry, thrust one more time and I'm gonna go postal!" Toby cried as he waited for his teacher to return. He'd slumped into the corner of the padded room where fighting techniques were taught. Ari was buzzing around his head, giggling.
"You're so cute when you fight! Your face gets all scrunched up in concentration!" She cackled.
"I'd swat you out of the sky if my arms were still attached." He groaned.
"They are, see!" She zipped back and forth, poking him with her little hands. "Can you feel that?"
"Ow! Yeah!"
"Then they're still attached and working!" She grinned, swooping in and kissing his nose. "You're so much fun, Toby!"
For his part, Toby blushed and shook his head. "You're weird." He mumbled.
"I hear you're like a prince now. Is it true that your sister is our Queen?" Ari landed on Toby's bent knee and held her hands in her lap, her eyes wide with wonder.
"I don't know about being a prince, but yeah, I guess Sarah's queen. That's just weird." Toby shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around it. "I could probably guess what that involved, but I'd much rather not."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Arianna shook her little head. "Hey! If you're a prince do you think I could be your royal friend?"
"Sure!" Toby smiled.
"Oh, thank you, Toby! It means so much to be royal. Oh! Maybe I can get a little crown."
"I don't think that's possible. I think you'd have to be like my sister or something. She was wearing some kind of thing on her head this morning as a matter of fact."
"Really? A real crown? Oh, how amazing! I must congratulate her! Do you think she's available?"
"You never know unless you find out." Toby shrugged.
"Master Tobias! Who said you could nap?" A gruff voice entered the room and Toby groaned.
"Just another minute, Sir."
"Absolutely not, stand at the ready!" Sir Didymus came marching in, his 'sword' held out, his other arm held up. "En garde!"
"Ugh, Sarah said you were nice!" Toby whined.
~M*E~
"Are you sure it's a good idea to have Sir Didymus training my brother in the act of warfare?" Sarah asked as Jareth produced a throne next to his own. This one a bit smaller and more comfortable for Sarah.
"Though it seems silly to you, my Queen, he is a formidable fighter. When you ran my labyrinth I didn't have the goblins really attack you. Had I done that, you and your friends would have been lost." Jareth replied and Sarah tried not to laugh as he subconsciously puffed his chest out.
"Hey, where's my scepter?"
"What?"
"That, you always carry it, where's mine?" Sarah asked, pointing to the thing in Jareth's hand. He looked down and smirked wickedly.
"This, my love, is a riding crop and though I would love nothing else but to show you exactly how it works, we have things to do. Do you want one, or something of your own to play with?"
Sarah was a bit embarrassed, realizing exactly what he meant by that and figured if he ever came at her with that she'd want her own form of. . .protection. She simply nodded.
"Very well. . . Hmm. . ." He tapped his boot, that hung over the arm of his throne as always, and thought to himself what would suit his Sarah the best. He decided on a matching crop, only hers would be crimson red, a crystal affixed on the end of it. When he produced it for her, she snatched it out of his hand with a grin. She held it in one hand and slapped it into her other.
"Wow! That could really sting!" She said, mainly to herself, and though it was full of innocence, Jareth once again had to readjust.
Just thinking of what he could do with such an instrument on his precious one made him nearly combust. They would have to discuss such things later. . . Bringing something this sensitive up in such a new - albeit serious - relationship might upset the poor thing. "I'm glad you like it."
"So, what now? Do we have to hear grievances?"
"Yes. I hope one day I can leave this up to you." He replied.
"Yeah, that's not happening. You'd just rather do without this and you're king! The least you could do is help." Sarah tapped his knee with her brand new riding crop and winked.
"Sarah. . ."
"Hmmm?"
"Do be careful with that."
"Why? I didn't hurt you did I?"
"Not. In the slightest. . ." He purred and she shivered.
Sarah decided it was best not to reply and waited for the doors to open to the public. What she didn't expect were two Fae that stormed in, nor did she expect to see Jareth stand quickly, a growl whispered from next to her as he glared at the two who entered. "Mother, Father. . ."
"OH!" Sarah stood, quickly and curtseyed. The High King and Queen glanced at her and then returned their eyes to their son. His father had matching hair in color alone. His hair was much easier to manage as it was pulled back in a low braid. She saw exactly where he got his looks from. His mother was darker in complexion with copper brown hair, but was still unearthly beautiful.
"Might we have a word with the two of you somewhere private?" The High King asked, but Sarah knew it wasn't really a question.
"This is my kingdom, my castle, and this is where I'd rather we speak. Do sit down, Sarah."
Sarah wasn't sure exactly what was appropriate, but she wasn't in the mood to make Jareth mad, and he did say it was his kingdom, his castle. She sat down without a word and Jareth followed.
"Son. . ."
"Would you like a place to sit? I could produce you both chairs."
"Jareth. . ."
"Mother. . ."
Oh, dear, Sarah winced. "I could call for refreshments. Jareth, it is a lovely day, perhaps a chat in the gardens?" She knew this was probably stupid, but she didn't want to have a bad first impression put forth by him on her account. Especially when his parents ruled the Underground. His mother seemed to smile and nod very slightly and Sarah felt a bit better.
Jareth turned to her, his miss matched eyes blazing, but when he saw her fearful eyes and the circlet that sat atop her head he defrosted. "That sounds lovely, I will have that arranged, come." He offered her his arm and motioned for his parents to follow. "Thank you."
"I. . .was worried speaking out like that. . ."
"You are my queen, never second guess yourself. You may have just saved us a great head ache." He winked at her and she relaxed.
When they reached the gardens a lovely little table was set up with refreshments and Jareth led Sarah to her seat first, then sat. The High King and Queen took the other two seats. "What brings you here?"
"It was a bit surprising to hear from none other than Maeve that you were married. I certainly hoped we would have been alerted before she was. Tell me she's mistaken." Jareth's father wasted no time in getting to the point.
"Father, it was under unusual circumstances that Sarah and I bond only last night. Do forgive me for not letting you know of the nuptials. I'm sure even Sarah would have enjoyed a longer courtship, perhaps even a nice wedding. It was because of the Queen of Nightmare's daughter that our union happened so quickly." Jareth explained.
"Please, forgive such rudeness my dear. I am Queen Pheona and this would be my dear husband, King Cahal." Pheona smiled, attempting to bring Sarah's attention from the men at the table.
"It is quite a pleasure, Your Highness." Sarah smiled, bowing her head.
"How does my son treat you?"
"Very well, as a matter of fact he saved my life." Sarah replied.
As the two women got to know each other Jareth and his father battled back and forth quietly. "Son, she is a human child."
"She is a Fae woman."
"And how did you accomplish that?"
"She was near death when I was called to her side. Her young brother wished her away and I brought her back to save her. As the Champion of the Labyrinth it was only fair that I do what I could to keep her alive. She was suffering greatly from Fae sickness."
"So, you just decided to turn her into a Fae?"
"That wasn't my first intention, no."
"En garde!" A small creature zoomed past the four at the table and out came Toby in his fencing gear being chased by Sir Didymus.
"Come back here at once!"
"No! I need a break!"
"Young Tobias!"
"Sir, I respectfully decline. . .oof!" Toby ran smack dab into the table in the gardens. For his defense it wasn't there earlier in the morning. When his head stopped spinning he looked up at what he'd done. Tea and cakes were everywhere, especially on the four seated. "Oh no. . ."
Sarah and Jareth looked at the two guest and back at each other before looking down at a very red Toby before bursting into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
"Well, that's one way to end the awkwardness of a first meeting." Queen Pheona laughed. Her king just glared at her and his son, shaking his head as he picked cake out of his hair.
A/N: This chapter was a lot of fun to write. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! Please let me know by leaving a little contribution in the little box!