Thanks very much to people like JAZZIES-GIRL, notwritten, Alexandraya,babygames1,LoveLiberty ,JoyMichelle and all the other people that have reveiwed, commented, and/or added this story to your favorites list and Me to your story watch. It means a lot everyone!
You all keep me writing 3
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The next morning Terra and Lynnett continued rambling on about something or rather, but Jareth's mind was elsewhere. Jareth watched Sarah intently at breakfast. She didn't once looked him in the eye, he did catch her a few times though, looking at him when she though he wasn't. Jareth just couldn't help himself. He was surprised his restraint was as well as it was. He didn't want to be too persistent with her, but now her feared he may not be able to help it.
"Did you hear me brother?" Lynnett said waving her hand in front of him.
"Hm?" Jareth snapped out of his thoughts to answer his younger sister.
"I said, the weather let up, there is a ton of snow on the ground. Sis and I were going to go out for a little while today. Do you want to come to?" Lynnett gave him puppy dog eyes.
"I think not, I have some other things I have to do today," He replied smoothly.
"What about you Sarah? We can have one of those snowball fights you talked about," Terra asked, leaning over the table.
Sometimes Terra was as easily exited as Lynnett.
""Sure all right," She said. Sarah loved the snow back home, they never got quiet this much, but the more the merrier right?
"Yay! Let's go get ready!" Lynnett yelled, pushing herself away from the table, and ran out the door calling for them to hurry up. Terra took one last bite of her food, and followed at a fast walk. She stood and started towards the door. She turned to look at Jareth. Did he think he as too old for a snowball fight? Surely he liked playing in the snow when he was little. She almost wondered if he was going to avoid her today. Sarah opened her mouth before she could stop herself.
"Are you sure you don't want to come? It'll be a lot of fun," She smiled softly. Jareth looked up at her, half way surprised she wanted him to go. He used to play outside in this weather all the time when he was a child. It had been on of his favorite things to do.
"I may," He answered simply, wanting to see of she would press it further. She didn't though, she just simply nodded and walked out of the room. Jareth smiled and turned back to his breakfast.
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"Like this Sarah?" Lynnett asked, patting the top of her snow fort down. Each of them had started a mound of snow a few yards from each other. Sarah had told them about how she made snow forts for snowball fights with Toby, and they insisted they do the same now.
"Yep, you got it Lynnie," Sarah told her, returning to her own 'fort.' She packed more and more snow to build it up around her waist height. The snow here was unbelievable how much they got. There must have been a few feet at least. Soon everyone started making snow balls and stocked them behind there own forts. Once it looked like Sarah had a good pile she looked the two sisters.
"Ready everyone?" She asked, Terra and Lynnett poked their heads out from there walls.
"Yes, but you never told us how you win," Terra tilted her head. Sarah picked up a snow ball and aimed.
"There is no winner, you just, play!" Sarah threw the snowball straight at Terra, it smacked into her shoulder and busted. One hit Sarah in the back and she looked to See Lynnett throwing them wildly. She laughed as the snowballs flew everywhere.
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Jareth looked out his window into the court yard. He had kept an eye on the girls for most of the morning. He now saw the snowball fight in full effect. They all looked to be enjoying themselves very much. He kind of wished he would have taken up on their offer at breakfast. He watched as the ducked behind the make shift forts, and threw snowballs blindly. His inner child was tugging at his mind. He smirked to himself and opened the door onto his balcony. He scoped up a handful of snow off the ledge and packed it into a tight ball. He deliberated lightly as his target. He gave the snowball in his hands one more look, then with incredible aim, let it loose.
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Sarah was ran out of ammo, as did the other girls. She stood up exposing herself from the protection of the fort.
"all right, lets take 5 minutes to restock? Then we can g-" a snowball busting right smack on the top of her head, cut her off. Lynnett giggled out loud.
"Nice shot Terra."
"I didn't throw it, I'm out," She told Sarah. She held her hands out as proof. Sarah cast a glance back at Lynnett who was still giggling.
"It wasn't me..." Lynnett told Sarah as her eye's drifted up to one of the castle balconies.
Jareth had his elbows resting on the ledge and his chin resting in his hands. He raised his eyebrows.
"Well don't look at me," He said sarcastically, turning one of his hands over. A snowball came whizzing by his head.
"Come down here you big cheater!" Sarah yelled playfully.
"Yeah!" Terra shouted as well.
Jareth nodded and walked back into his room. His pulled on a heavier long coat, gloves and a scarf. He mad his way downstairs and opened the door. He walked along the footprints of the girls and turned the corner to the court yard.
SMACK.
A snowball smashed flat into his face, he wiped his face off only to be hit by more snow. All three of them had him surrounded, throwing snow wildly.
"Stop!" He yelled, but they continued. After a minuet or two, they ran out. Jareth looked up with mock anger on his face. He bent down to grab some snow and ran towards them. They all shrieked and ran in different directions. Jareth kept up, hitting them back. Lynnett ducked behind on the the statues in the yard and Jareth ran past her. Terra hid behind a pillar by the doorway, Sarah ran around a tree and leaned back against it listening.
"I beat everyone at this game when I were 9 and I'll win again," Jareth stated, as he stalked around the court yard slowly, waiting for someone to move. He was a good 50 feet away from where Sarah was. Sarah looked over to Terra who waved her towards her. Lynnett was already with her, they were by the door to the house. Sarah peeked around the tree to see where Jareth was. He had his back turned to her. She looked at Terra again who nodded for her to run. She glanced at Jareth once more and bolted over to Terra and Lynnett. The girls quietly as they made their way further from Jareth. They headed for the Tree thicket right before the woods. The trees here were huge in diameter. Some as wide as a small backyard pool. Lynnett's laughter gave them away, Jareth turned his glaze automatically locked onto them and he took off for them at an inhuman speed.
They all scattered, hiding behind different trees. Jareth slowed his pace as he drew closer. Sarah had lost sight of Terra and Lynnett, they had gone into the trees deeper then her, they were faster. Sarah held her breath for a moment. She didn't see which way Jareth had gone. After a moment she worked up the courage to take a peek. She slowly rounded the edge of the tree and saw no one. She pulled her eyebrows together in frustration.
"Where did you go..." She mumbled to herself, taking another step out into the opening.
"I found you. You loose," A voice quickly whispered in her ear. Sarah turned and jumped, stumbling. She felt herself falling backwards, so she grabbed for anything with in her reach to hold her up. Involuntarily, the only thing her hands found was Jareths scarf. She tumbled to the ground pulling Jareth with her.
"Ow..." muttered with her eyes shut. She hit her head lightly, just enough so she might have a headache later. She felt something else on her, pushing her deeper into the snow. She opened her eyes.
"Even if you cant keep your balance, you loose," Jareth smirked down at her. Sarah's face turned scarlet, Jareth was sprawled on top of her. He shifted to put his weight on his elbows, still on top of her. His gaze made her want to just lay there, but that may not be the best idea.
"You scared me, thats cheating," Sarah lightly protested, she raised her hand to rub the back of her head. "Thats foul play."
"Foul play?" He asked innocently, looking down at their position and then back up to her. "Interesting choice of words..."
Sarah's already flushed face, deepened in red. Jareth picked himself off the ground and offered her a hand. She took and and he pulled her to a stand with little effort. She brushed some of the snow off her cloths.
"Alright, come out guys, I lost," Sarah said flatly. Terra and Lynnett emerged from the tress with smiles.
"You did kinda cheat brother," Terra told him.
"I can't help it if she spooks easily," He smiled. The wind picked up, sweeping his hair wildly in every direction. They all looked up at the white sky that was growing darker. The snow started to fall heavier.
"I believe its best we go in now, it looks like the weather might pick back up," Jareth said, nodding for them to head towards the castle.
"Yeah, I want to go in and get some hot coco!" Lynnett beamed, running ahead, pulling Terra with her.
"You have hot Chocolate here?" Sarah asked Jareth, it seemed they didn't have much of anything close to Aboveground anything,
"Yes, as a matter of fact we do, it's almost identical to what you have up there," He cast his eye upwards for a moment. They made it to the house, by the door were a pile of wet jackets, gloves, hats, ect. Terra and Lynnett seemed to have already made there way to get something hot to drink. Jareth Shrugged out of his jacket and such, added thing to the pile. Sarah fought with a button on her jacket, Jareth watched for a moment before pushing her hands out of the way.
"Allow me," He said simply. His hand seemed to glaze over the button, undoing it,
"Thanks," Sarah said unsteadily. She threw her hat a gloves down as well, then stepped out of her boots. Sarah headed towards the kitchen.
"Sarah, they are more then likely in the drawing room,"Jareth told her. She turned around to follow him.
"I thought you had things to do today?" She questioned him lightly.
"Well you all made it look like so much fun, I couldn't help myself," He responded. He gave Sarah a knowing glance "Plus I had much more fun out in the snow then I would sitting at a desk."
Jareth opened the door to the drawing room. A dim light glowed from the large fireplace where his sisters were sitting, cups of steaming hot chocolate in their hands. They walked in and sat down by the fire as well, there was a try to two more cups on it, Sarah and Jareth took theirs.
"That was so much fun, we should do it more often Sarah," Terra told her. Sarah leaned closer to the fire shivering.
"Yeah, definitely," She agreed. They all continued talking about this and that. A few small goblins came in an hour or so later with some dinner treys. They all ate by the fire that night. Jareth couldn't help but notice Sarah inching closer to the fire every few minuets. Lynnett had fell sleep against a cushion.
"Guess Ill put her to bed,"Terra said stretching."And I just might do that myself." She easily picked Lynnett up. "Good night everyone."
"Night," Sarah yawned. She took another sip of her drink. Terra walked out carrying her sister, the door closing noiselessly behind her. After a moment or so of silence, Jareth spoke up,
"So how do you like your drink?"
"It's wonderful, its even better then what I had back home," Sarah said, taking anther drink. She leaned back against the soft cushion on the floor. Jareth was truly flawless looking, Sarah though to herself. The fire was the only light in room, it glowed softly against his skin. It defined his face well. His slim nose, high cheek bones, the light reflecting off his mismatched eyes. Sarah much have been staring longer then she should of because Jareth took notice.
"Something the matter Sarah?" He asked quirking an eyebrow.
She sat her drink down to break her gaze on him.
"No, nothing," She replied quickly. Her face lightly scrunched up as she sneezed. Twice.
"Are you alright?" Jareth asked getting up and walking past her. Sarah didn't turn her head to see what he was doing.
"I'm fine,"She sniffed. "Maybe I just stayed outside too long today." She felt a warm fur blanket being draped over her shoulders. Jareth knelt down behind her, rubbing his hands over her shoulders, trying to warm her up.
"Well our winters are a bit cooler here, We are accustom to it, where as you, aren't," He explained mildly. Sarah closed her eyes in relaxation. He was such a gentleman. She didn't feel the tension she had felt around him her first few days here. She was settled in, though she missed her family dearly. But how was she feeling about Jareth? They had became very good friends it seemed. But ever since he had kissed her, thats all she could think about.
Sarah felt his lips at her ear.
"Tired?" He asked in a low voice. A light flush came onto Sarah's face.
"A little, I guess," Her voice was a bit sluggish. Jareth chuckled to himself. He pulled the cushion out of behind Sarah and place it behind him. His arms snaked around Sarah's waiste, pulling her softly against his chest as he laid back against the cushion.
Sarah was too tired to argue or fight back. She kind of didn't want to anyways, with the fur blanket and his arms wrapped around her she was warm. Her nose felt stuffed up though, and her head had begun to hurt. She also continued sneezing every few minuets. It sounded like Jareth was asking her something, but she couldn't focus. Her eyelids grew heavy, and sleep was creeping up on her fast. It sounded like Jareth was talking inside a bubble. She thought she better get up and go to her room, but sleep won the battle.
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The next morning Sarah peeked one of her eyes open. She was in her bed, wrapped snuggly into her blankets. The last thing she remembered was talking to Jareth in the drawing room. She guessed he had carried her here. Her head hurt, and she couldn't breath out of her nose. She looked out the window, the sun was up and light flooded the room. With a deep sigh, she sat up stretching her arms over her head. She felt sluggish, heavy. She cast a glance at the huge clock that hung on the wall.
"It's 13:41!" She groaned out loud. Why hadn't anyone come and woken her up? She flung the covers off her and swung her legs over the side of the bed. As soon as she tried to stand up, her legs gave way causing her to slump back onto the bed.
"I wouldn't advise getting up just yet," Jareth was standing in her doorway with a trey.
"Why didn't anyone come and wake me up? I hate sleeping in so late," Sarah asked, leaning back against the headboard.
"Well, I believe you got sick mildly, from being outside for so long. You might as well stay in bed all day. You'll get better faster if you are resting," Jareth said with a tiny bit of authority hidden among his words. Just enough that Sarah wouldn't fight it, too much.
"But I really don't want to lay here all day," Sarah protested mildly. Jareth set the trey down in front of her. Her favorite food were laid out.
"Well it's for the best, and don't worry I'll be here to keep you company all day.
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Sarah and Jareth carried on a light conversation most of the day. She took a short cat nap around the middle of the day, and woke to find Jareth still sitting in the same chair, a book in his hands. Sarah must have been starring at him again, because he raised his eyebrows and inclined his head towards her, as if mildly asking 'what'. A knock on the door kept Sarah from having to answer his unspoken question.
"Can I come in?" Terra asked as if she needed permission. The stepped in the doorway with Lynnett on her heels. She looked to be wearing a much more elegant dress then usual. Her hair was done up a little neater, she seemed to be wearing make-up. She also had on a thick long coat, that matched the rest of her ensemble. Lynnett was dressed the same as as well.
"I hate to rush out while you are sick Sarah," She started apologetically, "But Mother and Father have summoned us to their castle, it's just a meeting type thing. It's more or less just a formality that we are there."
"Oh, how long will you be gone?" Sarah didn't like the thought of being left alone here. She wouldn't know what do to really.
"Just a few days is all. Everything is still at your disposle don't worry," Terra smiled cheerfully.
"Are you sure your not coming brother?" Lynnett peeked out from around Terra's skirts. Sarah looked over at Jareth who avoided eye contact with her.
Jareth hadn't really wanted to say outloud in front of Sarah that he wasn't going. But this was valuable time he would get to spend with her over the next few days. Maybe even persuade her to accept him a bit more...
"No Lynnie, I'm staying. I really don't need to be there," Jareth said softly to his little sister.
"But Dad says it's important for you to be there since Rozengem fami-" Lynnett was cut off.
"Ah there ye are. I was wonderin' where you'd gone off to that fast," Lydia chimed in cheerfully. Sarah hadn't seen much of Lydia since the night at the ball. Apparently Lydia had something to take care of with her family. Ironic. But she arrived back early this morning Jareth had told her.
"We were just now coming down Lydia, just saying bye to Sarah," Terra told her pushing Lynnett out the door.
"And how are ya' feelin' Miss Sarah?" Lydia turned her attention to her.
"I'm alright, just a little tired I guess,"Sarah replied sighing.
"Well rest yer' self up and I'll be in later to check on ye," Lydia beamed.
"We'll see you in a few days Sarah," Lynnett called out, Terra adding a goodbye as well.
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A few hours later, Sarah was up and about. She really wanted a hot bath after laying around in bed all day. Jareth left her to it. Sarah opened the door to her bathroom. She still couldn't get over how immaculate everything here was. The bathroom itself was the size of her bedroom back home. The walls were all mirrors, and the tub and vanity's were silver. She let the steaming water fill the tub. She shrugged herself out of her clothes and slowly stepped in.
She was feeling much better, though some thoughts in the back of her head seemed to start buzzing. She knew Jareth had brought her to her room last night. She also couldn't help but notice this morning she was changed into her nightgown. She want to ask Jareth but she just assumed he had put her in it. This made her face bright red. Her love life left her with little experience in anything with guys. At most she had only kissed a few guys. None of them had really caught her attention. Nor had she really dated a guy any length of time.
After scrubbing herself down and giving her hair a good wash, she stepped out of wrapped herself in a towel.
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Jareth sat at his desk, catching up on some work he had neglected all day. Suddenly a brown owl swept though this window landing on his desk. It stared up at him with big dark eyes.
"Hello there,"Jareth said in a bored voice. The owl hooted softly and shook its leg, a scroll tied to it.
"Hm, what this..." Jareth mumbled to himself. His slender fingers untied the bow easily and he unrolled the paper. The owl hooted again and took off out the window. The note read:
Jareth,
Your sisters informed me that you were not coming tonight. I wonder is it because of your guest you all have been keeping hidden in the castle? Well regardless we did want you here to discus a few things, including the mortal girl as well. Everyone was dying to meet her formally. Since you are absent though, Your Father and I will be hosting another ball in 7 days time. We will host it at the Main Castle, so there is no way you can miss it. Everyone is so curious about her, Sarah is her name right? Well Lovely, I will see you there.
Love,
Your Mother.
Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Wasn't this a little much. They all will more the likely just overwhelm Sarah. And his mother had said everyone was going to be there, great. They are quiet a few people he'd rather not have there, one in particular.
"Well this should be fun..."Jareth sighed to himself. He might as well go tell Sarah now. He couldn't think of a way to get out of this one. He walked out of the room and down a few hall's to Sarah's room. He knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in,"Sarah called softly. Jareth opened the door and saw her sitting at the vanity, brushing her damp hair. She caught his gaze in the mirror and stood up. Her long silk nightgown swirled around her feet.
"Feeling better?" He asked her conversationally.
"Much,"She said taking a seat at the edge of her bed. Jareth Sat down in the chair across from her.
"Good because this might make you fell ill again," Jareth smiled sympatheticly as he held the scroll out to Sarah. She quirked an eyebrow but took it. She read threw it slowly. She dropped her hands to her lap and looked up at Jareth, her jaw slightly dropped.
"Your kidding me right?" She asked flatly.
"Afraid not dear, You'll be the center of attention."
"Ug, that's not fair," Sarah slumped her shoulders forward scowling. Jareth smiled.
"That may be true but that brings up a few things I think we should go over," Jareth crossed his knees and tapped his boot lightly.
"Like what?"
"Well as you saw a glimpse of from last time, our get together are very formal. Certain people are expected to do certain things and act a certain way. For example, the family hosting the ball eats first, the hosting party always dances the first and last dance at a minimum," He shot a glance at her," They always are presented in couples."
"Yeah I thought I saw that kind of system last time," She replied cooly.
She clearly wasn't getting it.
"Well in this case Sarah, you will be part of the 'hosting' family," Jareth leaned forward slightly waiting for her expression. Her eye's grew a bit wider, her jaw slightly loose again. Before she could say anything Jareth spoke up again.
"So I thought we could go over the 'system' as you call it, so your ready for it hm?" He asked her in a pleasant tone.
Sarah sighed and twirled a piece of her hair in her fingers. Guess there was no way around it. She just hoped she could remember everything. Just like of it like lines for a play, she told herself.
"I guess your right. What should I practice first?
"Well I thought we'd start with the hardest things, and work our way up. Sound good to you?" He stood and crossed his arms, looking at her inquiringly.
"I suppose thats the best way to do it," She replied.
"Good, put on your slippers and follow me," He waved her towards the door. Sarah got out her slippers on and followed him out the door.
"Where are we going?" She asked catching up to him.
"You'll see," He told her, a mild taunting in his voice. They walked down the dimly lit halls, turning corner after corner. Soon Sarah recognized the tall elegant doors leading to where the last ball had taken place. he pushed aside on of the doors and without looking back to her, beckoned her inside. She stepped inside the large ballroom, which was completely dark until the grand chandler over head sparked to life with a flick of the wrist from Jareth. He walked over to something that seemed to be equivalent to a record player. He quickly turned a few knobs and pulled a lever and soft music began to echo throughout the room. The room was still very dim, but clear enough to see. He walked over to her and pulled her away from the doorway. He slid an arm around her waiste and pulled her firmly against him. His free hand found hers and he laced his fingers though it, pulling their hands up to her eye level. Sarah stiffed a gasp at there sudden intament hold. She could feel his slender hand pressed into the small of her back, smell his intoxicating sent, She felt his breath on her face.
Jareth smiled and whispered low in her ear,
"I thought we could start with some dancing?"
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Sorry I didn't most anything for a few days, but I didn't get to many reviews, So I didn't rush myself too much. The next chappy is almost ready to go guys! Just make sure you tell me what you think of this one!