Sixteen
Jareth felt his breath exhale sharply in a low hiss. Abruptly he turned from Sarah. Did she realize what she was implying? He, Jareth King of the Goblins and Ruler of the Labyrinth had been making deals with a debased, foul vermin! Count Wimberly! His jaw tightened. Was the whole family in on it? Did the countess and her daughter know of such matters? No wonder Sarah had made him promise to behave accordingly. At the moment he wanted to barge through to the library and shake Leslie until she cried. 'I'll string'em all up by their toes over the bog,' he thought darkly. 'Then I'll slit their wrists and let them bleed out slowly. I'll stuff his corpse and use him as scarecrow!' His hands fisted in anger.
"You promised," came Sarah's voice quietly.
He spun around. "Are you sure of yourself?" he questioned her tersely.
"Bartholomew and Sir Dydimus are witnesses to the fact." She told him of the conversation she had with the good physician in the recreational room and then of the noble knight's involvement. "You must still treat Leslie kindly."
"How am I supposed treat anyone kindly," he snapped.
"I don't believe she knows. Call it a woman's intuition," she explained with a shrug. After a pause she added, "I think the ball should go on as scheduled."
"Of course," he turned away again. "How else will you be able to get close to him? Yes, the ball shall go on. I must find a way now though to ensure that Leslie won't go running to her father alerting him of the changes- that could cause us great harm."
He felt her hand on his arm. "You could not break off your tentative engagement."
"What?" he exclaimed facing her again.
Her face was calm as she spoke, "Make her believe that all is well. In ten days I can deal with Count Wimberly and you can send the countess and her daughter home without another glance."
"Sarah, are you mad? That is devilishly cruel!" He couldn't help the smirk that tightened his lips. "And geniusly dark."
"Go back to her," she went on. "Talk to her about good things; let her believe the lie. For ten more days, let us behave as good friends."
"Very well," he conceded, though she could tell it was done near grudgingly. "I shall have Meep bring you to my study later tonight when the Wimberly's have gone to bed. We shall discuss tactics then. I should return to her now." He breathed deep, forcing his anger down. When he looked at Sarah again, saw her calmness and determination he drew her close to him. "You shall make a fine goblin queen Sarah mine. We shall only be good friends in public." With a kiss that left her knees shaking, he returned to the library.
Sarah did not want to know the details of Jareth's conversation with Leslie. Dinner passed politely with discussion around the impending arrival of several more guests. No one was scowling or red eyed from crying, or making snide remarks. The countess, the king, and the young lady all behaved as if things were normal. By the time dessert was brought out, the level of politeness was such that Sarah found her self becoming mildly curious what Jareth had in fact told Leslie.
Complaining about a headache she retired early to her room. In truth her mind felt full, and the constant pretending was just too much for her. What appeared to be an easy façade for Jareth was proving to be much harder on her psyche. Yet she had been the one to suggest this plan of action. In the light of the fire place she rolled her eyes. Her attacker had been named, but now an innocent bystander was going to be hurt in the scuffle. Of course then there was also the Labyrinth to consider- would the massive entity survive this change of events? Would the kingdom survive?
When Meep arrived she had the goblin help her change out of her stiff, courtly dress. She wanted comfort for the rest of the evening; to just be Sarah Williams without title or expectations. The passage ways were very quiet as Meep led her to Jareth's study. "King not here yet," explained the goblin. "Would you like company? Boys and I have been practicing with chickens!"
Sarah could sense the hopeful enthusiasm. "Alright. I'd love to see your performance."
She watched as Meep then dove under the sofa. There was a rustling noise and several slurred words. It was feat enough to see four goblins pop out from underneath, but an even greater surprise to see two chickens as well. Sarah didn't even want to begin to figure out how they had stashed chickens under the sofa. In a chaotic display of limbs and feathers the goblins had their pyramid constructed with Meep on top. Two chickens were balance in each of her hands. Sarah was laughing and applauding their improvement when Jareth entered. "Oh bother," he muttered seeing them.
The chickens squawked.
"Meep, if I find out you've stashing chickens in my study again-," he threatened leaning over them.
One of the goblins on the bottom grunted. "Just wanted to show lady!"
"You have to admit," said Sarah calming her self. "It is an impressive feat."
"Yes, very impressive until you realize that a hen has laid an egg among your seat cushions," complained Jareth. "No more demonstrations tonight lads and lasses. Come on- be off with you! No, you may not practice with the hog inside the kitchen. Keep that business outside." With the door shut he sighed. "Of all the past times they could have become interested in," he mumbled. "Acrobatic Animals!" He heard Sarah giggle from the sofa. He rolled his eyes.
She could tell he was rather put-out. "They're gone now," she said offering her hands to him. "Come, sit with me. It has been a long day," she commented when he sighed again.
"Hhhmm, yes, we've both been on an emotional roller coaster today, and it's not over yet."
His tone seemed suggest something more. "What happened today with Leslie? Does she suspect anything?"
Leaning back and stretching out his legs he said, "She has nothing to suspect. The dear thing, well, she broke up with me."
"What?" exclaimed Sarah, stunned.
Jareth snorted in mild amusement. "I went back to her this morning to some how smooth things over and go on as if nothing had changed, just like you and I had talked about, and she says to me, 'Jareth, dear, I don't think we should marry.' Just like that!"
"Did, did she give you any reason?"
"None. She says she will stay though until the end of the ball- 'It'll be less awkward for both of us', she says- and then," he paused shrugging. "go on her merry way."
Sarah leaned back, massaging her forehead. "It boggles the mind," she commented.
"I know. My tired brain is having trouble processing all of it. Prior to you coming here, Leslie was determined to become a part of the goblin kingdom; determined to be my queen. I cannot fathom what caused her to change so abruptly."
"Unless the kid has finally had her fill of goblins."
"Kid? You keep calling her that. Really my dear she's about your age in human terms."
"Which says nothing about her level of maturity. She is a kid."
He turned his head to look at her. "Not everyone has your whit and strength my precious one." Raising his hand he stroked her cheek.
"So now what?"
"Well it changes nothing. She's willing to stay and behave cordially until the ball is over, so we behave accordingly as well. Then the Goblin City will begin making preparations to receive their rightful queen."
"Do you," she paused. She hated to bring the next subject up seeing as he was trying to relax and enjoy her company. "Do you think," she began again attempting to keep voice steady. "that the Labyrinth will accept me? Your subjects may want me, but what of the Labyrinth?"
"This will work out Sarah," he interrupted her worries. Taking her face in both of his hands he continued, "We are doing the right thing. The Labyrinth is a caring creature; protective of those who live within its paths."
"Has it told you any more?"
"A few very cryptic messages, but not a single warning about my pursuit of you. The Labyrinth would not waste your return; you are its champion! Aye, my precious one, we are doing the right thing. Listen for its voice Sarah, for it may try to communicate with you." Gently he kissed her forehead. "Let us not waste this time together with worrying. Come near to me my precious one." Resting against his chest, Jareth felt her relax.
The following days were a rush of preparation for the ball. Every servant was about their job from cleaning to shoe polishing to the delicate art of candle molding. The elf replacements were not mentioned again. Sarah watched the two Wimberly women for reactions. Leslie seemed unaffected, lost as it were in her private thoughts. The countess was so rigid that Sarah thought she was going to some vital organ damage.
Before dinner every evening Sarah would find time for her self in the recreational room with Sir Dydimus to practice throwing. As soon as the Wimberly's had retired Meep would come for her and she would pass a few hours with Jareth in his study. Those few precious hours in the night helped her. With every encounter she found her body trusting in him more and more. Yet still they remained innocent to the other. "How do you sleep?" she asked one night.
"Generally on my back," he replied with a faint smile.
She laughed. "No, what I mean is, with everything going on what with the ball and the Wimberlys, and then us spending late nights together; all of the self control you practice, it must be impossible for you to shut your mind off."
"Well, how do you sleep knowing that in less than three days time you may be slitting a man's throat?"
Shrugging she replied, "I just do."
"Exactly. I just do. Don't concern yourself over whether or not my…carnal needs are being met. I am happy waiting for you. There are times I think that waiting until we have hand-fasted might just be the better thing; making our first time together the safest and easiest. Sarah, are you blushing?" he suddenly asked with amusement. He held her chin and made her look at him. "Whatever is that for?"
Her green eyes flittered around his face avoiding his eyes. "It's just… the way you talk about it, it's nearly sentimental. It's such a different attitude towards sex than what I'm used to."
She felt his thumb caress her skin. He leaned close. "Never doubt for a moment that I could pounce on you in a heart beat the moment you were to let your guard down. I may know how to sleep at night, my precious one, yet it doesn't stop my mind from giving me dreams; delicious scenarios involving us." He kissed her forehead and then the tip of her nose. "Where our carnal desires are most assuredly being taken care of."
She moved to get a better look at him. His eyes were hooded and his lips were slightly parted. "There is definitely a villain that lurks in you," she remarked coyly.
"Aye, good lady, and he awaits your invitation." Despite his comment about hand-fasting had she relented at that very moment, the idea would have been cast aside. Self-control was one thing; self-denial quite another. He sensed her hesitation. "But until," he felt her take an unsteady breath. "you are ready, I can and will manage. There is still," he leaned away. "that one small, fragile portion of your mind that I will not risk hurting."
"If we were to wait until we were married, I could mentally prepare myself."
"Anything to avoid being pushed off my own bed again," he said dryly.
"Then marry me Jareth," she said with a sweet smile. "And we can have a life time of satisfying one another."
That night she dreamed that she was in the forest where she had met the Fire Gang. Rain fell about her in huge, laden drops splashing on her face and hair. She danced among the trees. She was soaked through and delightfully happy.