Heidi and The Book.
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The next morning Sarah awoke to a knock on the door, just as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, someone walked in. There was a girl that looked about fifteen or so, her hair was pulled back with a few straggles hanging down. She had on a long blue dress with a white apron and a bandana tied around her hair. She also carried a basket of what looked to be cleaning supplies.
"Good Morning," She curtsied quickly. "I'm sorry I thought you would be up by now, if you want I'll leave and come back later."
"No, it's alright," Sarah stood up. "I was getting up anyways, don't let me throw off your schedule."
The girl went to work right away as if Sarah wasn't there. Sarah went to change and came back out to find the girl cleaning off the windows. She seemed to be working quickly, avoiding Sarah's eye contact.
"Need help with anything?" Sarah offered. The girl paused for a second as if Sarah had shot her before going back to her work.
"Of course not Miss," She lowered her head. Sarah sat at her vanity, brushing out her hair. She eyed the girl in the mirror.
"So how long have you worked here?" Sarah tried to strike up a conversation to break the awkward silence. The girl jumped at Sarah's voice.
"For a few months," She answered shortly. Well this wasn't working too well. Sarah continued to ask questions trying to get a friendly conversation going, but the girl gave just the basic answer without hesitation. She cleaned quickly, almost nervously.
"Well you know my name, what's yours?" Sarah asked.
"Heidi."
Sarah was about to ask some other random question but her door opened, Lynnett standing there. She wore a golden colored dress today, with little white flowers patterned all over it.
"Are you coming down for breakfast Sarah?" The little girl asked smiling as always.
"Just leaving now," Sarah stood up and followed Lynnett out into the hall.
"What's the matter with the maid in there?" Sarah asked quietly. Lynnett thought for a moment.
"Oh you mean Heidi? I don't know what's the matter with her?" Lynnett asked curiously.
"Well she just seemed to be in a hurry and wouldn't talk much," Sarah explained.
"Hm, maybe what my brother said I guess," She shrugged.
"What did he say?" Sarah asked raising a brow.
"Just to make sure anything you wanted was giving to you without hesitation, that the guards were to be in top form, your word is to be followed like his would, all that stuff," Lynnett mumbled.
So everyone had to listen to her as they did for Jareth, hm? Interesting. Sarah wasn't used to giving any kind of orders, but since she had the power to do so, maybe she could get someone who could read to her.
The girls went downstairs to eat breakfast with everyone else. Terra suggested maybe going to the Marketplace right outside the city walls for some shopping. Lynnett seemed tangled up playing with the goblins and Jareth said today he needed to catch up on some paper work, so Sarah agreed.
"Can I hope you two may need an escort?" Falken piped in out of nowhere.
"Good morning," Sarah smiled.
"Good morning my ladies," He bowed and smiled his tooth paste commercial winning smile.
"Morning Falken," Terra answered. "You can come if you like but you'll be nothing but the bag boy I'm afraid." Terra smiled and crossed her arms.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Falken answered.
"Alright then, let me run upstairs and get my coin pouch and we'll be off. I'll meet you two at the stable," Terra proceeded to head upstairs. Sarah and Falken made their way down to the stable to ready a carriage.
"So they have shops here and everything?" Sarah broke the silence.
"Sure do, shops for dresses, shoes, jewelry, everything you could think of," Falken answered pulling two coats off a coat rack that hung by the door. He handed one to Sarah. He opened the door for her and followed her outside. It was a bit warmer here it seemed. There was no snow on the ground but still cool. It almost felt like autumn. Falken whistled over a nearby goblin and instructed him to ready a carriage right away for the trip. The goblin hopped right over to the stale calling for a few others to come help as well.
"So how often does Terra and Lynnett visit Jareth here?" Sarah asked.
"Well they used to come all the time. It's been the last year or so she's been very busy with everything that involves being a princess I guess," Falken watched the goblins open the stable doors for the horse drawn carriage to emerge.
"She?" Sarah questioned the singled out word. "Terra?"
"Uh well yes, both of them I suppose," He never let that big brother smile off his face. Sarah opened he mouth to press the subject but Terra walked up just then.
"Everything set?" She asked.
"Looks like it," Sarah said as Falken opened the carriage door for them.
It wasn't a long ride into the city, just a few minutes. The coachmen stopped in a town square looking place. Shops were packed together along the streets. There seemed again to be an aray of creatures here, but mostly goblins and Fae's from what Sarah could see. Falken handed them out of the coach and the shopping trip began. Terra immediately went to work picking out tons of different shades and styles of dresses and cloaks, shoes and accessories. Sarah admired all the lovely looking clothes around her silently.
"Sarah, pick some things out," Terra nudged her. Still Sarah seemed a bit apprehensive. Terra worked her magic into pulling several dresses off the shelves for Sarah to try on. They both headed off to some dressing rooms while Falken waited outside them, taking a seat in a nearby chair. Sarah slipped on one of the dresses Terra had picked out for her. It was a deep purple that cut low in the front and were angled more off her shoulders. The sleeves were short and the skirts flared out just a bit. Sarah stepped out of the dressing room the same time as Terra.
"See! It looks wonderful on you!" Terra smiled triumphantly. They both dodged in and out of the dressing room for a few more minutes until Sarah ran out of dresses. She changed back into her original clothing and went to join Falken while Terra tried on her last dress.
"Well what do you think?" Terra asked stepping out of her room.
"It looks amazing on you," Sarah complemented. It was a dress of deep red, off the shoulders. The corset looking middle tied with elegant ribbons. The trim was lined in a peachy color, and sparklers twinkled brightly all around the dress, the skirts falls all around her. She did a bit of a 360 turn to reveal the low cut back of the dress.
Sarah caught Falken's gaze at Terra. His eyes were fixed on her in a dreamily like state. He didn't blink for a full 30 seconds and it looked like he had forgotten how to breathe.
"Falken?" Terra asked. Her voice seemed to semi snap him out of whatever daze he was in. "What are you staring at?" Terra eyed him.
"Nothing," He cleared his throat. "The dress, it looks beautiful on you Miss Terra," He told her in all sincerity.
"Really?" Terra's eyes sparkled. "I might have to get this one then," She mumbled going back into her dressing room to change. Sarah turned to Falken.
"You can breathe now lover boy," She smirked. Falken turned to her with a confused look on his face.
"Don't give me that look I saw how you were looking at her," Sarah crossed her arms and lowered her voice.
"What are you talking about?" Falken defended. Sarah gave him a knowing look. Falken sighed in defeat and seemed to stare into nowhere, his smile left his face only half way, almost giving off a pity look. "She's a princess Miss Sarah, of the High King nonetheless."
"But your second in command here, Guardian of the Labyrinth isn't that right?" Sarah whispered back. "That must stand for something." Falken just shook his head.
"Not for much," He stated. He seemed to pause for a moment. "You know when we were little kids, I was just a servant boy at the families castle. The first time I saw her, she was out playing in the gardens by herself. I was heading off to the barn with a bucket of water for the horses. Well she fell and cut her knee open. I ran over to her and poured some water over it and tore off the sleeve of my shirt and made a makeshift band-aid." Falken smiled at his reminisces. "After that day, whenever she wanted to go out and play or do anything she would instruct me to go with her. We became very good friends ever since."
"That's sweet," Sarah told him. Before Sarah could say anything else, Terra emerged from the dressing room with the dress in her hands. They rang out and Falken carried the things back to the carriage.
The girls continued shopping for hours. Sarah was growing tired but Terra as usual seemed to have an endless streak of energy that drove her into more shops. All the shopkeepers seemed very helpful, no doubt with Terra being who she was, and some curious to see the human that everyone still seemed to be buzzing about all this time. As they walked out of a shop, Falken right behind them with his arms full of bags, they noticed the sun setting.
"Ladies, don't you think it may be wise to head home now?" Falken suggest looking around and stepping closer to them. A few street torches were lit and most of the people had taken their leave.
"Might be a good idea about now," Terra agreed and they walked back towards the carriage. Sarah couldn't help but noticed they walked in a speeder pace. When they got to the carriage Falken managed a free hand to open the door for them. Terra ushered Sarah inside first while Falken tossed the bags in the back. Once they were all three in the carriage, Sarah spoke up.
"Why were we in such a hurry?" She questioned Terra.
"Well, not that it is really too much to worry about but," Terra seemed to be searching for the right words. "The Market Place takes on a new face and a new set of people at night. It's not exactly the best place to be at that time."
Sarah looked out her window as they pasted the last few streets. There were only a few people here and there, most leaning against walls, eyeing the carriage as it rolled on by. Falken and Terra struck up a lighter conversation as Sarah watched out the window as the few dim lamps from the Market place faded further away.
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He watched the royal buggy trot on past him and the others. A quick look told him that the eldest princess, an escort and the human were riding along in it. He let his eyes follow the carriage until he could just see a glow from its light. He pushed himself off the wall standing up straight and in a flash two others were beside him. Without making any eye contact one spoke up.
"So that's the right one Leon?" The girl spoke up. She was slender, small almost pixie like. She folded her arms in front of her and waited.
"That's right," The husky voice belonging to Leon answered.
"What exactly are we supposed to look for?" The third asked. It was a boy, his short dark hair blow back wildly from his face. His frame was slim and built for speed no doubt.
"I tell you when we get there," Leon answered coolly. "Let's move."
And just like that the three faded into what seemed like the shadows themselves in a blink of an eye.
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"Enjoy your shopping trip?" Jareth greeted them as soon as they arrived home. Dinner was waiting and everyone made their way to the dining hall. After they were all settled, dinner began and everyone began talking about their day. Falken and Jareth conversed on topics Sarah tried to pay attention too, but found herself bored with it. They spoke mainly of finances and such going on in the city. Sarah picked at her food and took a bite here and there. She let her mind wonder to the book she had found last night. She wanted to get someone to read it. She wanted to know more about it, the book intrigued her.
"Sarah, don't you like your food?" Terra asked her, noticed not much being eaten off her plate.
"Oh its fine, I'm just not too hungry I guess. It's been a long day," Sarah covered.
"Yes I suppose it was," Terra agreed.
"But if no one minds I think I am going to head up to my room and change for the night," Sarah stood up and tried to keep her eyes off Jareth's concerned look. She made her way out of the dining hall and walked quickly down a few halls. She looked back every now and then to see if anyone else had followed her. It seemed no one had. Sarah tried to retrace her steps to the library she was in last night. She walked past door after door until she recognized the corner door at the end of the hall. She glanced once again behind her to find the hall empty before she slipped inside the room and shut the door.
"Now where are you..."Sarah mumbled to herself, looking for where she had stashed the book, after a few moments she found it. She picked it up and ran her hand over the cover. She headed back to the door and paused when she touched the door knob. She felt bad for taking this book. It was really none of her business what was in this book or any others books in this room. She had a feeling she wasn't supposed to be in this room. She also wondered if Jareth would find out, or if he would be angry.
She bit her lower lip indecisively.
Then she turned the door handle, book in hand and quickly made her way to her room. She made her way down the halls she came, passing no one. She knew she was going to have to pass the dining hall again, and from the Fae's keen senses, she wondered if they would notice. She heard voice growing louder as she drew nearer to dining room. The door seemed to be only cracked and she bolted right past it, keeping a fast pace. As soon as Sarah got to her room, she closed the door snuggly behind her.
"Running from someone?" A cool voice rang out. Sarah turned around to see Heidi, who was standing up, cleaning bucket in hand. She waited expectantly for an answered.
"No," Sarah dropped the book to her side. "Just, these halls give me the creeps sometimes at night."
"Ah," Heidi wasn't buying it, but she just smirked.
Sarah walked past her and towards her closet, she was going to put the book there until Heidi left. It seemed that wasn't going to go over as smoothly as she wanted.
"What you got there?" Heidi snagged the book out of her hands and held it up to examine it. "What kind of book is this? It doesn't even have a title."
Sarah snatched it back away from her rudely and pulled it snuggly to her chest.
"It's none of your business," Sarah said calmly. Heidi laughed to herself.
"No need to be so defensive, is it your journal or something?" Heidi pried taking a seat, showing she wasn't leaving in a hurry.
"No, not really," Sarah sat down on her bed.
"You won't be able to read that you know," Heidi fiddled with a strand of hair as she crossed her legs. "Unless it's where you are from," Heidi suggested. She could tell by the look on Sarah's face it wasn't, her curiosity was being stirred.
Sarah wasn't sure what to say about that. The girls attitude wasn't helping much either, she seemed very stubborn, nosy and upfront. There wasn't much use in picking a fight with someone though, much less in Jareth's home. So Sarah sighed heavily in defeat.
"No, I can't read it. But I would like to find someone who can read it for me," Sarah hinted.
Heidi got up and started towards the door with a crooked grin on her face.
"Wait," Sarah called. "Where are you going?"
"To finish my chores for the night, I'm a maid not a language teacher," She slightly stuck her nose in the air.
"Grr.." Sarah grumbled as the door shut. Heidi seemed to know just the right things to do to get under people skin. Didn't Jareth say everyone was to treat her as they do him? Jareth wouldn't stand for someone like Heidi, then again, maybe she just didn't like Sarah. She really didn't have enough knowledge of Sarah to form an opinion.
Sarah stared at the book, caressing the cover. She opened it again to look at the images inside, still trying her hardest to put this puzzle together.
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Heidi walked down the hall quickly, wanting to finish up so she could go to her room. All the rooms she was in charge of were cleaned spotless, even Sarah's room. The human girl was weird that was a fact. She seemed to get offended so easily. She only spent the time around Sarah that she had to, not anything more. She didn't think it was such a big fuss she was here. Humans shouldn't be here in the first place but still, it was just a little human.
Heidi continued her pace down the hall until something seemed to flash beside her. She stopped for a moment and looked around, nothing seemed to be there so she made her way closer to her room. Another flash passed her on the other side. This time, she turned around and called out,
"Alright who's there?" No one answered as her voice echoed slightly in the tall hallways. They seemed to look a little darker, more ominous. Heidi narrowed her eyes and kept walking, quicker than before. Her feet were silent as she passed door after door. Out of nowhere she heard a childish giggle that seemed to be coming from every direction.
"Miss Lynnett? Is that you?" She called out in a polite tone. Heidi didn't scare easily, but she had to admit something felt amiss.
'Did it just get colder?' She wondered.
The impish giggle rang out again this time only closer. Heidi leaned back against the wall as the laughing didn't cease. Her eyes darted skittishly back and forth, she felt her heart rate skip a beat then pick up a bit faster. She heard a shuffling noise and looked up.
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Cliff Hanger. Oh snap. Sorry it took so longs guys, between moving, two jobs, night classes and a family death, my life has been a been crazy. Next chapter will be posted soon. As always thanks to my lovely Beta, you put up with so many typos from me 3