Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. You know the drill.
Chapter 6: It is not Wise to Upset The Goblin King
Sarah stumbled into the nursery, her eyes seeking sight of her son. She found his small, pale body surrounded by Fae healers who in turn were watched over by a vigilant Goblin King. Shaking with fear she stepped forward, unaware of the choked sobs coming from her trembling lips. Before she knew it, she felt herself pulled into a tight embrace of her lover's arms. His face buried into her neck and hair. "He's alive, my Sarah. There was no permanent damage. We got to him in time." His soft words broke the last remnants of her control as she collapsed against him in a flood of tears. In the silent gloom of the library two men paced, waiting. o0o0o0o0o Sarah sat by Garion's bed, her trembling fingers gently brushing damp strands of hair out of his pale face. She knew, she'd always known, she'd have to give him back someday, but for now he was her son, who was sleeping so quietly. The healers said he had broken both legs when he had hit bottom. If it hadn't been for Sirius . . . A hand rest on her shoulder, as the healer said, "My Lady. His majesty requests your presence in the throne room." "Tell him I'll be right there." Sarah didn't want to leave his side, what if he woke and she wasn't there, but she had been summoned. And Fae protocol demanded obedience. She sighed as she stood, giving Garion one last look before she reluctantly left his side. o0o0o0o0o Corindel looked on his cousin with nervous trepidation. " Oh Gods!" he thought as he noted the rigid posture of his normally informal cousin. Jareth was every inch the Goblin King as he sat erect on the throne. His riding crop, usually flicking his boots, lay still across his lap. Both hands held the arms of his throne in a white-knuckled grip that boded ill for the targets of his anger. What chilled Corindel most were Jareth's eyes. They were cold and menacing. 'This isn't good" The Great Doors opened. Nanny Belle came in with her two charges. Jarrod and Garrod gulped when they saw their father, giving each other a nervous look.
'That's right, you two. You both know you are in serious trouble,' Corindel thought not moving a muscle. He knew he mustn't interfere in this. It wouldn't be wise to attract Jareth's notice right now. Sirius Black, Tutor to the Terrible Threesome, the Fae noticed looked edgy and a bit worn. 'Don't blame him there. He was the one that let three six year olds trick him.' The cold menace in Jareth's eyes coupled with his rigid posture was starting to get on Cory's nerves. 'Oh quit posing, Cousin. What are we waiting for?' Ah, he mused as the door opened and Sarah entered. Sarah walked in, clearly unhappy at being summoned away from her son's bedside. Cory watched silently as Jareth took in her tired but angry face. Jareth slowly rose to meet her. 'There are times that he can be such a bastard. How does she stand it'?' Once the King and Queen of the Goblins were seated, Jareth turned his attention to the two small miscreants before him. His sons hung their heads in remorse. "Well? I'm waiting." Jareth's words were tight with suppressed fury. Cory felt a chill run down his spine at the cold emotionless tone in his cousin's voice. The twins looked up at their father briefly through their blonde bangs trying to gauge his displeasure. One swift glance at his face told them all they needed to know. Their trembling was clearly visible and after trading looks with each other, Jarrod, at least Cory thought it was Jarrod, said, "We just wanted to go swimming. Gar'n said we didn't need to take Uncle Samuel with us." "Gar'n always wanted to play on the rope swing but Uncle Samuel won't let us. It was Gar'n's idea to tie him up. Jarrod's to put him in the closet." "HEY! It was your idea! Lame brain!" His twin squeaked desperately. "Was not!" "Was too!"
"Was . . . ." "Enough!" Jareth's cold voice broke into their childish argument. "Leave me! Belle, take these two out of my sight. I'll inform you of their punishment later." Their father's voice, coming as it did with such calm, cold finality terrified them. They tried to appeal to their mother, only to be met with a shake of her head and silence. "Don't go crying to your mother, boys. You've almost cost your brother his life and sadden her with your foolishness." Jareth watched his sons go pale as tears started down their cheeks. The nanny ushered the now sobbing twins out of the throne room to await their punishment. Jareth waited until the door closed behind them then he rose with all the grace of a stalking cat and walked towards the two men before him, slapping his riding crop into his hand. Sirius aka Uncle Samuel tried not to look nervous. "Well, well. What to do with you? A famous prankster of the Wizarding World taken in by three young boys. What would people say?" Jareth sneered, caught between cynical amusement and fury. "I take you from that hell your world calls a prison, I entrust the safety of my heirs to you. and THIS is how I am repaid?" His voice dropping to a quiet purr, the Goblin King continued, " And just how should I deal with you?" Sarah could sit quietly no longer. " My Lord husband..." she said softly, drawing his gaze immediately. " Do not forget, I was there as well. If anyone is to blame, I am. I am their mother and I failed to protect them. If there is to be punishment, then you must punish me as well, my love." Her eyes gaze upon him with tired anxiety as she wanted this over with so she could return to her son.
Jareth looked at his Queen, stunned into silence by her words. How could he bring more hurt to his soul mate? " GO! Leave my sight, both of you!" He snarled with barely controlled fury as he whipped his head back to the two men.
Corindel grabbed a horrified and shaking Sirius by the arm and dragged him out quickly. " Whew! Thank whatever gods you have that he loves Sarah more than life itself! We'd better make ourselves scarce for a time..."
o0o0o0o0o
He was hungry and cold. It was dark as he listened to the sounds of people in the distance. The smell of food made his shrunken stomach twist and growl. His Uncle and Aunt were having a party and he wasn't allowed to attend. They had locked him in a cupboard under the stairs, with no food, no light and no toilet. Why was he here? Why did he hurt? Where were Mother and Father? Where was Uncle Snuffles and Uncle Cory? Why did he hurt so? He whimpered as he called for someone, anyone, to come rescue him from the dark, enclosed prison that surrounded him. "Sh, Garion. It is only a dream. Go back to sleep," came his mother's voice. o0o0o0o0o
Thanks for the reviews. To answer one reviewer: I would think having goblins and chickens as play mates, the boys really don't need a pet.
Until next time. --GF and The Frau