"There is a hidden panel here. See, you can reach sort of under it. You shall hide your dagger there."
Sarah observed Jareth in the reflection of the mirror. A few special dresses had been made for her, ones that provided a secret place for her to discreetly carry her weapon of choice. The panel was located on the side of her bodice. The dress she wore tonight was a stunning array of green and gold. To further enhance her appearance, making her as convincing as possible, he had also sent up certain jewels from his personal vaults- necklaces, earrings, and rings that frosted the skin. She watched as he reached around her waist and moved his hand into the hidden compartment with ease. "See?" he asked removing his hand.
She nodded. "Yes, very convenient."
The guests had arrived that very afternoon. To avoid any awkward introductions Jareth met the first to arrive, the Wimberly's, alone. The countess and her daughter were the only two to arrive, "Father will be late," explained Leslie taking his arm. Jareth smiled. In the back of his mind he was rehearsing how he was going to explain Sarah- a lady who had known several of his subjects for many years, whose presence was requested as a sort of reunion. The finer details he would leave out were that the acquaintances in question were a grumpy dwarf, a frisky fox, and a simple red beast. That and along with the fact that he had ultimately refused elf servants were going to be a huge surprise for the Wimberly's come the day of the ball.
After twenty minutes of refreshments, he excused him self claiming that he was on the look out for another guest. In truth he had gone to Sarah's room to make sure she was presentable and aware of the hidden panel. "I want you ready for when he arrives."
Sarah felt an odd calm come over her. She had often wondered how she would feel at this moment- would she cry, break out in hysterics, tremble? In the few precious moments prior to the encounter she felt resolved. As long as she didn't visualize Jareth fondling another woman that is. "What is his name?" she asked as he moved away from the mirror.
"Lord Edenberge. Now Sarah, I am confident that this man injured you, but you must assess him your self. Trust to your senses and I in turn will trust your actions. I have a gift for you," he then said.
She shook her head. "Really Jareth after everything you have done for me-,"
"Shh!" Having shown her his two empty hands, he clapped, and slowly folded his hands out palm up- a slender black box appeared.
"What is this?" she asked taking it.
He smiled. "Open it."
A slight rapping on the door broke the moment. A servant appeared saying that a message had arrived from the outer perimeter- "The guards send you a message sire." Jareth irritated at having this special moment interrupted simply told him to put the message in his study. His eyes focused on Sarah again he watched her untie the silver ribbon and lift the lid on the box. Inside, lying against a velvet cushion was a discreet dagger. "I couldn't have you use just any weapon," he said as she lifted it out.
The sheath had the emblem representing the crescent moon carved on it. "Jareth," she breathed surprised. Gingerly she took hold of it- it was light in her hand. She pulled the blade forth. The sight of the shiny surface with its smooth sides and sharp point caused her heart to race. It was lovelier than all of the jewels he had lent her.
"It is a special silver," she heard him explain. "Harmless to the touch, but deadly with the right force. Use it well Sarah."
She was lost in the sheen, the light reflected so alluringly. At that moment, with the weight of the weapon in her hand, Sarah knew she could either burst forth in passion or in furry.
"It is a lovely thing." He was at her ear sharing her perspective of the dagger. Her burst of adrenalin was a like sweet perfume to his senses. He nearly envied her, her chance to cut the flesh of Lord Edenbrge- it was going to be a glorious moment.
Closing her eyes she broke her trance. "Thank you," she said and then taking a deep breath turned to look at him. 'The bog take the Wimberly's,' she thought looking into his eyes. She was the one who for the last month had been living day to day life with him and gaining the respect of his subjects; not some fickle court woman. "Thank you," she repeated.
Abruptly he turned from her. "Come down and I shall have Dink announce you." Pausing at the door he looked back at her, "From this night forth you shall be known as Lady Sarah Williams."
When she found her self in the main hall, her dress trailing around her, her neck cool under the stones of the necklace she had chosen to wear, and her dagger firmly secured, she felt a shift in her personal balance. The calm she had felt up stairs was replaced with tingles. She still had her resolve, but knowing that the Wimberly's, Miss Leslie Wimberly specifically was on the other side of the door made the hairs on her arms raise up. In her mind she saw her self in the old familiar park near her house where she used to play. 'Be that girl Sarah,' she told her self. 'You're going to have to act!'
The doors were pushed open. "Announcing Lady Sarah Williams!" Dink's voice rang clear. The little goblin bowed to her as she passed by. The room's occupants stood and everyone bowed politely to the other. "Sire," she said holding her curtsey. "It is a pleasure to be in your company again."
"Likewise Lady Sarah." Jareth's voice was cool and calm. "Arise and meet my other honored guests: Countess Amilia Wimberly and her daughter Miss Leslie Wimberly from the land of Norfolk." Looking up Sarah regarded the two women before her- both favored fairer hair that was twisted and done up in intricate braids. "Ladies it is my pleasure to introduce to you Lady Sarah Williams who has travelled a great distance to be here for our ball."
The younger of the two smiled warm and friendly at her. "Lady Williams, any friend of his majesty's is most welcome."
The countess managed a brief smile. "Pleasure Lady Williams."
As they all took their seats another goblin appeared who apparently had a dish rag thrown over his arm as a butler would. He leaned near Sarah. "Some tea to drink lady?" he asked with a grin.
She noticed a tea set on a side table. Countess Wimberly had whipped open her fan and turned her face away in disdain from the servant. "Perhaps you could bring me something stronger," she said. "Coffee or even a cappuccino perchance?"
Leslie giggled. "Cappuccino?" she repeated. "There's an uncommon drink in the Underground!"
Jareth cleared his throat sensing the sharp look Sarah was controlling. "Moss, see what can be done." He waved the servant away.
The countess folded her fan with a flick of her wrist. "Surely you must be joking about that drink Lady Williams," she said. "After all… it is a… human drink." Human came out as it were a four letter word- bitter and disgusting.
Sarah shrugged. "Yes, and thank the Moon for their creation!"
"I see."
"Ladies," said Jareth in a sort of bored mock-scolding tone. "Are we really going to discuss the pros and cons of the human beverages our first night together? My guests are arriving to celebrate the changing of the seasons- it is a time for merriment!"
"I quite agree Jareth," chimed in Leslie. "Oh," she then added looking mildly embarrassed. "Excuse my sense of familiarity with his majesty Lady Williams. We are very old acquaintances."
Sarah wished she had a fan she could flip to make a silent remark with. Instead she smiled, near cryptically, and said, "As are we my dear Miss Wimberly."
Bearing the Wimberly's- the countess' fastuous attitude and Leslie's naivety- was proving the most difficult task. How had Jareth been bearing this family's ridiculous attitude? Sarah nearly wished that Lord Edenberge would hasten his arrival. Moss had returned with coffee, saying that they could not manage a cappuccino, "At least not tonight- frothing is tricky," he explained. She accepted the beverage grateful to have the caffeine. Much to her disappointment, dinner was announced before his arrival.
Conversation at dinner eventually became over run with the topic of this up coming ball. Miss Leslie grew increasingly excited as she talked- her gown was going to make her the envy of the ball! Her mother continually dropped names of certain royals and court members who had accepted their invitation. Jareth sat silent through most of it with a faint smile on his lips. "Everyone adores the idea that it's a masquerade!" exclaimed Leslie briefly touching his arm.
Sarah nearly dropped her fork. "It-it's to be a masked ball?" she asked recovering from her surprise.
"Why yes- didn't he tell you?"
Sarah wasn't sure whether to laugh or just smirk. "No," was all she said.
Her attitude troubled Leslie. "Whatever is it Lady Williams- don't you like masquerades?"
"Well, it's just that, umm, I haven't a mask." What was another lie to add to the list of one's all ready told tonight? She gave Jareth an amused look, her eyebrow flashing up brief and poignant.
With a light laugh Leslie continued, "Never fear Lady Williams! I have a few extras- I am certain one of them will do you justice."
It was at that opportune moment that Dink appeared. "Announcing his lordship, Lord Philip Edenberge of the Far Reaches!"
'Saved from frivolities!' thought Sarah taking a sip of her wine.
The table was about to rise to greet the new arrival when the man came pounding in. "Don't get up! Don't get up!" he exclaimed waving his arm. "I am late and you all want a hot supper. Jareth, still ruling the goblins I see! How are you your majesty?" He spoke with formal words, but with a careless tone. Having gripped Jareth's shoulder, he shook his hand with vigor. "Haven't seen you since that day at court. What has it been- a month? Whatever did you do with that scrap of a mortal?"
Jareth response was merely to smile. "That," he began to say, squaring his shoulders and tilting his chin up. "Would be a most improper topic in front of the ladies." He watched Edenberge take the seat at the far end of the table. Naturally it would be hard for him to recognize Sarah- here she was bathed, healed of her wounds, and fully changed. She hardly bore any resemblance to the state he had found her in. Then his gaze shifted to Sarah's face- she seemed to be absorbed in her food.
The man smelt like a garden. She took another bite of her food. His scent was all most a perfect match. But aside from the soil factor, there was also a sort of flower element to it- like a garden. She glanced up at him- a well trimmed beard, dark hair, and an awkwardly large nose. He seemed familiar. "My dear Philip!" She heard the countess exclaim. "Whatever is that cologne that you are wearing? It is simply bewitching!"
"Yes isn't it though? It is the essence of spring my dear countess. Winter is not my season I'm afraid."
Still observing Sarah, Jareth noticed her hands tighten around her cutlery. He would trust to whatever actions she deemed worthy to take. Yes, he would trust and be proud of her.
Lord Edenberge was an obnoxious, egotistical, loud narcissistic bully. Though his character hardly seemed to bother the countess- she acted a little too familiar with him- he definitely appeared to bother Leslie. The young woman kept her distance and dialogue in check. Sarah noticed this as they moved from the dinning room to the parlor. She wanted to behave in a similar fashion, to keep a safe distance, but she had a mission to accomplish. She needed to get closer to the lord.
Miss Leslie agreed to sing for the small group. Casually Sarah moved to his side, breathing deep. Standing at his shoulder, she inhaled and separated out the cologne from him. Yes, there he was; that rich, deep earth smell. Leslie's voice rang out, clear and full. "Lord Edenberge." She spoke his name low and friendly-like gaining his attention. "I am Lady Sarah Williams. I believe we have not been formally introduced yet."
He took her offered hand. "Pleasure my good lady."
When he briefly kissed her hand she felt her stomach tighten threatening to dispense its contents on his shoes. She managed a smile instead. "Am I to understand from earlier comments, good sir, that you have a certain inkling towards humans?" She was making it up as she went along.
He smirked. "Why yes! It is no secret that I have a predilection for those in the Above." He shifted his weight leaning a bit closer. In response Sarah stood up straighter, lifting her chest in his direction. "Might I inquire why it matters to such a fine fae woman as your self?"
'By the Seven Graces!' The Underground exclamatory ran through her mind without a second thought. 'He doesn't recognize me!'
"Well, good sir," she responded. "in my experience it has proven to be beneficial to know those with similar tastes. Humans, after all, are fascinating creatures with equally fascinating habits."
"And what fascinating things have they taught you?"
"Plenty." She smiled, crooked and suggestive. His scent suddenly over powered his cologne. She had him! Her fingers twitched excited; she struggled to control them. Leslie's voice rose and fell.
"Care to teach me what you've learned?" he then pressed speaking in quieter tones.
"Perhaps." She moved her eyes up and down him in assessment. "Prove yourself a worthy student first." With a nod she moved away from him.