Chapter 2
(Birthday Wish)
Sarah was all smiles as she slipped on a jade green Sparkling long sleeve knit top and a pair of dark denim jeans. In just under an hour she'd be at her birthday party at Prime Time. Prime time was a fun center with lots to do and she couldn't wait to play laser tag against the boys with her closest female friends. The boys had cheated last time and the girls were looking to get even. She slipped on a pair of suede black boots wanting to make sure as few things as possible could make her stand out in the dark of the black lighted room.
She pulled her now curly dark brown hair up into a pony tail and applying burgundy colored lipstick and some black mascara.
"Sarah," She heard a child's voice say a split second before there was a knock and the door opened.
The dark haired girl smiled at her half brother. "Toby you're supposed to wait until I say, come in."
"Oh," The blonde little boy said looking down at the ground disappointed.
The green eyed girl giggled knowing he was trying to be good. "It's okay. Come here munchkin." Toby's eyes lit up and he raced over to his big sister. Sarah picked him up and twirled him around for a moment.
The little boy could annoy her from time to time but she still loved him. The hate and resentment she'd felt had melted away after her adventure and even her relationship with her stepmother had greatly improved. Cheryl and she had even become friends.
"What do you say we head downstairs and see if we can sneak a treat before the party?" Sarah suggested. Toby squealed and nodded happily. "Let's go." With her brother still in her arms they headed down to the kitchen.
Jareth looked at the bedroom that had been prepared for his future queen. She wouldn't be in it all that long but for a time would need a room of her own. The Bed was a white canopy with white column looking posts carved like those of Greek buildings from Sarah's world. He had paid attention and had her under watchful eyes and so had learned many things that she liked.
The room was painted gold with White ornate crown molding around the ceiling. Mythological paintings hung in the room giving it an enchanted feel. A gold and white satin comforter graced the top of the bed making it fitting for his future queen. Roses had been placed in vases on both end tables and her dresser.
The King smiled pleased. As he looked around the room he couldn't stop his smile from widening as his eyesight came across the privacy door that led into his own bedroom. 'Soon I'll have her,' He thought to himself.
Hearing a knock at the open door Jareth looked back to see Nolen and Eytan. "Yes?"
"With Lady Sarah's impending arrival you might want to actually select her guards," Nolen suggested.
Jareth brought his left hand to his chin in thought before realizing his captain was right. He'd been very careful about getting things ready for Sarah's arrival but had somehow managed to neglect selecting guards to protect the girl. "Why didn't you remind me?"
"Sire, With all due respect, I have reminded you daily for the last month," Nolen informed him crossing his arms.
"Hourly for the last two days," Eytan chimed in.
"Ah, I see," The King replied. "Perhaps I have been slightly distracted. Very well where is the list I started of potentials?"
"You never started one," Nolen said calmly. The captain kept a neutral face but was very amused to see his King's eyes widened before Jareth cursed his negligence. "No need to worry Sire I composed a list for you," The Dark haired Captain assured him holding out a rolled piece of parchment.
"This is why I keep you around even though you sometimes forget yourself," Jareth teased. Nolen smirked and gave the royal fae a nod.
Jareth looked the names on the list over before looking up at the man he trusted most in his kingdom. "You're recommendations?"
"Ian would be a very good captain for your bride," Nolen suggested.
"Especially if she doesn't react well," Eytan agreed. "While he's very loyal to you and an exceptional guard he also is very patient and may be able to aid you should the girl need to be swayed your direction."
"Precisely," Nolen replied. "Ian has the ability to handle angry women unlike anyone else." The captain watched as a hardened look crossed the king's face. "Perhaps Lady Sarah will rush into your arms. However if she doesn't you wouldn't want a guard that does not possess a patient side to them to be at her side at all times. That would send the girl reeling away from you instead of toward you."
Jareth sighed. As much as he didn't want to admit it his Personal guards had a valid concern. "Alright. Suggestions for her other guards? I assume Nenet is one of them?" The Goblin King commented.
"Nenet has been at the girl's side for much of the last two years. She knows your bride very well and has done an excellent job at ensuring Lady Sarah remains as you want her."
Jareth smiled pleased. "As I assumed. The others?"
"Arien, Dante, Eva, Faxon, Solaris, Jin, any of them would be good and all have had time to watch over Lady Sarah," Nolen replied.
Jareth crossed his arms and thought for a moment. Each had their strengths and weaknesses. Ian would be Sarah's captain and Nenet would also be among her personal guard. This being the case he decided one other male and another female would be optimal and give balance to her personal guards. "Eva and Solaris," He announced.
"As you wish," The captain replied.
"Eytan, would you notify them now?" Jareth asked. The blonde guard nodded and giving the king a respectful bow quickly left his presence.
"Thoughts?" The royal Fae asked as he turned away from the door and walked over toward the bedroom window that overlooked a rose garden.
"Both are good choices. They are very loyal to you and will not bend to her ladyship's pleas if you should make a command that Lady Sarah does not like. They will protect her from anyone save you. They will not interfere with your dominion over the future queen," Nolen said calmly watching his king.
Nolen knew that while The Goblin King often made comments about having power over the once mortal girl that he also cared about her. That didn't mean that Jareth wouldn't be harsh toward Sarah if he felt the need. If Sarah refused to accept her fate the captain knew it was quite likely that Jareth would not be gentle or kind toward the girl and might very well be cruel to her.
Dark eyes watched as the king produced a crystal and looked in on the dark haired girl. "Will you be forceful or understanding?" Nolan inquired. "She knows nothing of her fate."
"I will not allow her to refuse me," Jareth replied firmly as his mismatched eyes looked into the orb in his right hand. "She will accept or she will face my wrath!"
Nolen heard the warning in the king's voice and saw it in his eyes as he looked into the crystal at Sarah. It took effort for the captain not to frown at the intensity of darkness that had entered Jareth's eyes at the thought of being rejected by the mortal girl a second time. As much as the captain wanted to believe it could be a happy reunion between the king and his bride he very much doubted it.
Jareth suddenly smashed the crystal. "She's mine Nolen," He said and looked over at his captain. "If she refuses me I will make her pay for it."
"I have no doubt of that sire. Should Lady Sarah refuse you a second time I would be surprised if you weren't cruel to her." Nolen thought for a moment before finally asking, "How cruel will you allow yourself to be to the woman you wish to wed?" He watched as Jareth looked away for a moment. "I assume anything you do will not rob her of her beauty."
"I will not maim her," Jareth agreed. Looking back at the dark haired fae man he said, "I will not take her life either but beyond that I guarantee nothing. She will run into my arms willingly or I will make her heel at my command. I am King and she is subject to me!"
"As we all are Sire," Nolen said calmly. "I may offer a suggestion if things go very badly and protect you both but I will not easily defy you."
"I know that," The King replied. "If I ever become so angry I might kill or maim her, I would want you to protect her from me."
"Between us. Do you love her?" The Captain asked knowing he was overstepping boundaries.
Jareth's lips tightened before he gave a small frown. "I want her Nolen. I have watched over her for a long time but I admit even I do not know what exactly it is I feel for the girl. I only know I do not wish to be without her."
"You will have her soon enough, Majesty." The king gave a single nod before turning around and looking out at the garden once more. "I will see everything is in order to collect your queen."
"Thank you Nolen." The guard nodded and giving a bow left the King alone in his bride's room.
Sarah squealed as she almost ran into her friend Nenet. "Ah man!" She said as their friend Don came out of nowhere and shot both of their vests with his laser.
"Let's get him!" April said coming up next to them. Sarah and Nenet immediately followed the blonde girl and headed after the boy.
"No!" April said as the lights came on ending the game. "Ohhhh! Who won?"
"Girls rule boys drool!" Carrie said appearing before them. "We win!"
"Yes!" Sarah yelled and started jumping up and down with her friends happily.
"Ah Man!" Danny pouted causing the girls to giggle.
"Come on Danny it's time for cake and Sarah's Birthday wish!" April said grabbing the green eyed girl's hand. Sarah laughed and allowed the blonde girl to drag her out of the laser room and through the arcade before coming to the party room area.
"There you are!" Cheryl said smiling at her stepdaughter. "Who won?"
"Girls rule boys drool!" Sarah and her friends chimed.
Cheryl laughed and smiled. "Way to go girls!" She congratulated.
"Sarah make wish!" Toby announced as his mother lit the candles.
"Have to sing the birthday song first squirt," Carrie told him. Toby pouted and everyone laughed.
"Alright Toby you can start it," Cheryl said amused by her son. She laughed as the boy abruptly stopped pouting and began singing. Very quickly everyone joined in.
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Sarah,
Happy birthday to you.
"Make Wish!" Toby demanded.
Sarah thought for a moment. Then the fact she hadn't seen her friends from the labyrinth in almost two years entered her mind. 'I wish I could see my Labyrinth friends again.' She thought to herself. She blew out the candles and was surprised when they all went out.
Cheryl cut the cake and Sarah received the first piece that had a red rose on it. The dark haired girl sat down amongst her friends and began enjoying her cake. The day and her party had been perfect.
Nenet watched the future queen and knew Sarah had no idea this would be her last day in her world. Tomorrow she would lead the girl into the forest and ultimately before The Goblin King when he would claim the once mortal girl as his.
Over the last two years the red haired fae woman had gotten to know and become fond of the dark haired girl. Sarah had proven to be kind and yet strong. She'd seen the once mortal girl stand up for someone else more than once showing her strength. Nenet was pleased with the King's choice. Sarah would make a good queen. The only problem might be in getting Sarah and her king to come to an agreement. The redhead just wasn't so sure Sarah would welcome her fate and knew Jareth would force what he wanted on the girl. When the king made up his mind about something there was just no changing it.
Author's Note: Next chapter will bring Sarah and Jareth face to face for the first time since her adventure ended. Reviews are appreciated!
Thank you Reviewers of Chapter 1
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