~As always credit must go to my Beta Joie Cullen. Her constant little notes in my story are the best part of my day and make me laugh along with her. I have the best beta ever! Again, I own nothing of the Labyrinth if you saw it in the movie and or book. Only that which I created is mine.~
Jareth stood in the bathroom, leaning against the counter. Fully dressed and a bit unsteady, these last few days of little to no sleep had taken a toll on him but he would be the last to complain. Sarah's changing had kept them shut up for two whole days, her shape and features having been added to over time. Adding a lash dash of color to his hair he did without the glamour, letting the harshness of his eyes give testimony to his state. Sarah wouldn't like it, beautiful flower that she had become, but they might as well be honest and get this over with. He would stand beside her, whatever her decision, for now. Opening the door he moved in to the room, his breath catching in this throat. Sarah had just finished putting her hair back in a simple braid, it brushed at the lower side of her bottom causing her gently pointed ears to look more pronounced. Her creamy skin now matched the paleness of his own perfectly and her clear green eyes seemed to pierce him in place. She was of the Fae now, and most radiant to boot. Genevieve was going to eat her tongue when she saw her. The green dressed accented her eyes perfectly making it hard for him to look away. Frowning at him, she moved closer, running a hand down his cheek.
"You are so tired. Perhaps we should spend another day abed Jareth. I do not wish for you to become ill merely to protect me."
"I am not ill Sarah. Merely tired. I will get much more sleep when I know that this is over and done with. Come, let us face this together and then we will discuss sleep once more." He smiled softly at her, taking her hand and kissing it. When she nodded he moved to the wall, placing their hands against it. It did not surprise him when her own magic surged forth and removed the barrier, allowing them to step through. Aireya awaited there, beaming even though she couldn't help the gasp that spilled forth.
"My dear! Why you are most radiant Sarah! Fae suits you. You were indeed born into this life." Turning to Jareth she frowned, taking in her son's sorry state. "I gather you have not slept."
"Not much." Reaching over he took Sarah's hand in his, moving closer to her so that they were shoulder to shoulder.
"Indeed. Rydin will be most put out if we wait much longer."
"He is here?" Sarah ignored the fact that they spoke as if she were not there, merely reveling in Jareth's closeness.
"Yes, and…eagerly awaiting news of his granddaughter."
"I see." Jareth stiffened a bit, ignoring the odd glance Sarah gave him.
"Shall we to the study then?"
"Let's." Sarah followed Aireya, keeping pace with Jareth who moved a bit slower. From his tiredness perhaps or from merely not being in the mood to deal with this she wasn't sure. Sighing it was her turn to ignore Jareth's glance. Reaching the study they allowed the guards to open the doors. Sarah grunted her displeasure as the King and Rydin stood, watching them as they entered. Rydin stared at Sarah as if she had grown a second head. Turning to take in Jareth's state he started forward, his hands balling in to fists at his side. No one missed the gesture as Sarah released Jareth's hand and stepped in front of him as if to shield him.
"Aside Sarelyn!" Growling at her he quickened his steps only as the King grasped him from behind.
"Remember where you are friend and who he is. You would forfeit your life were you to attack him and we can't have that."
"Father, sit down." All eyes turned to Laelyn, Sarah rolling hers, Aireya's narrowing. Genevieve smiled happily in the corner, apparently oblivious to the current situation.
Rydin sat in the nearest chair, right at the edge as if to spring at any moment.
"Well son, Sarah, do sit down. I believe we have a discussion that is most important." Dracomus motioned to the chairs furthest from Rydin, putting Sarah next to her mother.
"So Jareth, we will let you speak first, answer only that which is most important. Is Sarah still innocent?"
Rydin stood, Dorian, who had come out of nowhere shoving him back into his seat. "Sit. Listen."
Dorian stood sentinel next to Rydin's chair. He knew well that Rydin could over power him at any time but that did not matter. He wouldn't, at least till he could no longer help it.
"No Father." Sighing as Rydin stood and was once more shoved back in to his chair; Sarah rolled her eyes. Jareth shook his head at her, effectively keeping her quiet for now.
"Your intentions?"
"To make her my wife. If she'll have me."
"IF?" Rydin came unglued, barreling past Dorian towards Jareth. Sarah stood once more, placing herself between them.
"Stop this at once!" Aireya, Laelyn, and Sarah all shouted at once, effectively pinning all the men in place.
"I believe that Sarah has a question to answer, should my son wish to ask it again."
"And her honor? What of that Your majesty?" Rydin growled between his teeth, glaring daggers at his granddaughter.
"Rydin, a marriage will settle all that." Harrumphing he moved back to his seat, plopping down.
"Excuse me?" Apparently having just caught on, Genevieve suddenly realized why they were all there. "You have lain with my sister?"
"How observant you are my dear." Jareth ignored her, Raising an eyebrow in question at the answering Mordin.
"This cannot be! Mother, Father, you must find her a husband at once. Let us settle this that way!"
"Genevieve hush your foolish mouth. Not another word." Mordin tugged his daughter back into her seat, ignoring her shocked cry of outrage.
Ignoring the present room, Jareth knelt down before Sarah, speaking quietly. "This is not how I wished this would be Sarah. I want you to be my wife because that is your wish, not something that was forced upon you. Should you deny my suit I will leave this place and never return to your side as a suitor but merely a friend. Regardless of the outcome this is your choice and I will have it no other way. If you accept me it will be because you wish to be my wife, my love, my Queen, and nothing more. I give you leave to deny me, as is your right, regardless of protocol." Pulling the little box from his pocket he presented her once more with the large Emerald ring. "Sarelyn, Arch Duchess of Ivy and Champion of the Labyrinth, it is my greatest desire that you would accept my hand and agree to be my wife. What say you Sarah, will you marry me?"
Sinking to her knees before him she took his face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. Leaning forward she kissed him softly, before leaning back to look up at him. "On one condition?"
"Anything!" His shock was evident as she whispered something in his ear to which he began laughing and nodding.
"Yes, then I'll marry you."
The roar was deafening, the shouts and cries of surprise and delight were drowned out for Jareth as he took the ring from the box and placed it on Sarah's finger. Grinning he swept her up in a crushing embrace, kissing her breathless, ignoring the laughter that coursed through the room. When things began to quiet down it was finally the King's turn to speak.
"Sarah, I must ask you if you do this because you love my son or because society demands it?" Sarah frowned, Jareth glared. Rydin didn't care so long as they were engaged. Everyone else waited, holding their breath.
"I believe I can answer that." All heads turned to Aireya making her hard pressed not to laugh at the confused looks on their faces. "You see, I have known since a week before the wedding that she was to accept Jareth's proposal. Had her changing not occurred that evening we would have already been celebrating rather than being at war with each other." This glare was mostly reserved for her husband and Rydin. "Sarah confided in me that though she feared him she loved him too much to let him go. I am sure that she will learn over time, as I have done, that our husbands would never put us aside for another, even if there is forever in front of them." Sitting down on the chaise behind her she leaned back casually, as if having just announced the weather.
"You knew! That's why you allowed me to care for her during her changing." Jareth was in shock, thankful that the question of whether or not she really wanted him was answered. Sarah blushed a bit. Rydin looked extraordinarily put out.
"Wife, you test my patience! Such upheaval for so many days when you had the information to set it right!"
"Well I would have told you if you and Rydin would have listened but you were so busy arguing! Now, no more talk of this. I have a wedding to plan, an engagement to announce." Leaning over towards her husband she whispered rather loudly "and apparently a husband to find for that one." Motioning her heads towards a red faced and crying Genevieve.
"Woman, I think it's time you moved back into your proper wing."
"Indeed husband."
Laughter rang out, all but the tear faced Genevieve joining in the celebration. Sarah stayed by Jareth's side for the remainder of the discussion. The King refused to allow them to excuse themselves, calling the entire family together for a celebration of sorts, minus Vale and Garin who were already on their honeymoon.
If the crashing and wailing in the next room were anything to go by Genevieve was seriously pissed. Not that Sarah gave a damn. Cradled in her future husbands lap, she stroked his hair, humming to him, as a happy Toby played at their feet with Hoggle, Ludo, and Didymus.
"Are you sure Sarah?"
""Hush, go to sleep." Chuckling he kissed her forehead, before leaning over to hand Toby yet another crystal. The last three having been thrown at the wall. Apparently the sparkles were more interesting upon impact.
"I am not tired woman. Answer me."
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Well I must say that I don't mind having a babe so soon but I merely thought you would like time to grow a bit more. You are still young Sarah."
"I know. Perhaps we will wait but I am serious. At least one Jareth in the next two years."
"I would deny you nothing." Growling playfully he nipped at her bottom lip, smirking when she yelped and melted against him. "Besides, making the babe is one of the fun parts."
"Jareth!" Squealing with laughter as she was crushed against him, Sarah squirmed to free herself of his grasp. Without warning she slid to the floor, laying most becomingly right next to Toby, grinning at her escape.
"Will he always remember Jareth? Coming here, staying with me?" Joining her on the floor he sat behind her, placing his head against her hip as he leaned over to stare at the boy.
"He will. For he shall always be here. When he is older I intend to make him an Elden of the realm. He too can live here as Sophie does, if that is his choice."
"Oh thank you!" Sarah rolled, laughing when his face smothered against her stomach. Turning his head to grin at her he reached out and pulled Toby to them. Enjoying this new game Toby began to crawl all over them, laughing and tickling broke out amongst them all, Jareth's subjects merely shaking their heads in amazement at them. Who'd have thought it?"
When Sarah woke, an arm about her waist, she could hardly be shocked. Much to Rydin's displeasure Sarah refused to sleep anywhere but in Jareth's rooms, threatening to postpone the wedding as long as she possibly could if he did not stop his ranting. When Aireya came in Sarah suddenly found herself clothed in a beautiful gown beneath the covers, Jareth likewise dressed in a poets shirt and breeches to match.
"You know, I can feel the magic Jareth." Laughing Aireya took a seat, shaking her head. "Rydin is going to be unbearable until the two of you marry."
"Then why don't we? Can't we get married today?" Jareth sat straight up, his hair a wild mess of disarray, Sarah laughing at his shock.
"Sarah, this is a royal wedding my dear. It cannot simply be thrown together as Garin and Vale's was. There must be a proper announcement of the engagement, being a ball, and then the wedding plans themselves will take at least many aboveground months…."
"She is ticking that off in her head isn't she?" Sarah grinned at Jareth who nodded at her in answer.
"I don't want to just get married Sarah. I want no doubt as to you being my wife. I will not have it questioned. We will marry formally which can take some time. Then the Crowning ceremony will be held that same weekend before we can leave."
"Leave?" Rolling his eyes he mouth the word 'honeymoon' at her. She mouthed right back 'Aboveground?' to which he wiggled his eyebrows playfully and nodded his assent. "Yay!" Throwing herself at him they rolled across the bed, however, when the kissing became too much Aireya couldn't help but clear her throat.
"As I was saying, we might as well get this started. Sarah, it is time for you and Jareth to break your fast so that you can go and discuss the betrothal contract with Dracomus."
"Yes Aireya." Smiling she ran from the bed to the bathroom, fixing her appearance while Jareth leaned against the headboard, hands folded behind his head.
"You look well rested now Jareth."
"I am."
"How angry are you?"
"Scores, mother."
"I was going to tell you. Did you use the amber?"
"I did. I poured the bottle in her water before so that she would not conceive."
"You know it does not always work."
"Yes well, it does not matter. Sarah assures me that she would like to have a child within the first two years. That was her condition that I agreed to for her to marry me."
"How lovely!" She laughed at Jareth's expression. "Don't frown. She may be young but Sarah is not like other girls Jareth. Having been raised aboveground and in her situation she is much more mature in some areas, perhaps less in others. You'll make wonderful parents."
"That does not excuse you keeping my future wife's acceptance of my proposal from me."
"Yes well, it was much more fun this way. Mostly for you it seems." Chuckling she poofed away in a pool of flowers as the pillow Jareth had thrown landed amongst them.
~Authors note: It's not over! So stay tuned! Oh, and I am really really wanting to get to 100 reviews and I am soooo close! Please review, even if you say one word I don't care. I got so many wonderful comments through email. Please, let me hear from you by review ~