This is basically the last chapter, but there is an epilogue after this that will be uploaded probably either tomorrow night or Monday. I want to give a shout out to inugirl504 for giving me a song as an inspiration for this chapter and for helping me with writing and encouragement (Truly, Madly, Deeply by Cascada)! Without that, I probably wouldn't be so motivated. I will go back and edit the chapters so that they flow better and fix any autocorrect issues.
"Higgle-"
"HOGGLE!"
"DO NOT YELL AT YOUR KING!"
Jareth kicked a nearby goblin out of frustration. Planning a wedding was no easy task. It wasn't so bad for him and Sarah's wedding since they just did it in their own castle. Problem is, Cassandra wasn't just marrying anyone. She was marrying a king. And now, with only a week left before the big day, he was going absolutely mad.
He pinched the bridge of his nose before addressing the dwarf again. "You're lucky that Sarah is your friend or I'd kick you too! As I was saying," he placed a rolled up piece of paper into Hoggle's hands, "Give this to a messenger to give to Queen Ina of Anterian. Tell her it's ideas for the location of the wedding and if she does not respond quickly, I'll choose it myself."
"Oh, and Hoggle!" The dwarf turned around, looking quite timid. "Be sure to be ready when the Goddess sends back her decision. This is the Princess's wedding and I won't let anyone ruin it!" Hoggle gave his king a clumsy bow before scooting away.
"No you fools!" He face palmed at the sight of two goblins gnawing at a portrait of Cassandra and Troy. "THAT WAS THEIR OFFICIAL PORTRAIT! The draft for you to eat is in Queen Sarah's office. Now we're going to have to redo the painting." He groaned, chasing after the two goblins. "GET BACK HERE AND LET ME KICK YOU!"
Jareth went to his study. Plopping himself down, he mumbled angrily about Ina being annoying and fickle about wedding venues. Shifting through his notes, he found something that wasn't there before. "Curious." He murmured, picking up a piece of paper that was typed, which was strange since he didn't type. After reading the note, his eyes widened and went off to find his son-in-law.
He burst through Toby's nursery where Troy was taking his turn babysitting Toby. Troy jumped, not expecting Jareth to burst in so dramatically. Luckily, Toby was awake and just gurgled at his father.
"Um, Jareth! What's wrong? You look upset." Troy had learned to get to the point when it came to talking to the King of Goblins. Jareth was a man who did not have much patience for beating around the bush. And frankly, it terrified him even though Jareth was a good and kind man.
Jareth held up the piece of paper that he found in his study. "Troy, why did you cancel the catering company? The wedding is in a week! I found this letter from the catering company telling me that we need to pay for the financial consequences." He folded his arms and glared at Troy with his mismatched eyes.
"Speak, boy!" He barked when Troy fiddled his fingers to avoid and answer.
Troy still wasn't good at being completely frank with people. It was difficult for him, especially with someone who had such a temper. He held Toby a little closer to him, almost as if the baby gave a small amount of protection from the angry man in front of him. "I just, you ordered sushi from that place. I know you want it for Cassie but I can't eat sushi. I can communicate with fish so it would be the equivalent of Cassie eating Goblins." He looked to see Jareth's absolutely pissed off face at him. "B-but Goblins from my planet don't speak! They're like chickens!"
"WHAT?!" Jareth roared. "YOU'VE EATEN GOBLINS?" It was a miracle that he didn't kick anything over. Baby Toby started to fuss at the sound of his father's yelling. Troy tried to calm his nerves (and the baby) by waving a rattle in front of his face to distract him. Seeing Toby cry changed something in Jareth. Realizing the chaos he was causing, Jareth took three deep breaths before continuing.
"I'm sorry, Troy. That was uncalled for." He pressed his fingers to his temple to relieve of the headache that he had created for himself. "It's just, I am the protector and guardians of goblins. To know that you've-you've consumed them awakens the angry part of me. Forgive me." He sat next to Troy. "Why didn't you tell me about you and seafood?" He asked quietly.
Troy shrugged. "I've tried. But it's not easy for me to be completely truthful about things like this. It's easier to just go with the flow. Cassie also likes seafood and you looked so excited for her." He saw that Jareth looked defeated.
"My boy, if Cassie knew how you feel about fish, she wouldn't eat it! That's the truth. You need to be more open to us about it. Don't go behind my back and cancel things last minute. Now we have to pay the consequences. What were you thinking?"
Troy looked down sadly. "I tried to find a replacement, but no one would cater for us this close to the wedding with the amount of guests that we were expecting to show up."
Jareth put his head in his hands, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "That's because in the Aboveground, they don't have magic. To get food from them, we must give them time to prepare. Of course no one would feed us." He patted Troy's back. "Don't worry. We'll figure this out even if I must pull some strings."
Jareth kissed Toby goodbye then went to go see Cassandra. He prepared some hot cocoa for two, trying to clear his mind a bit. Instead of using magic to teleport himself, he decided to just walk up the stairs. It did him good to not use magic sometimes. Reaching his destination, the Goblin King gave a knock on a door before proceeding in.
Cassandra quickly closed the book she was reading to greet him. "Hi Dad." They gave each other kisses on cheeks, their usual greeting. "I heard you yelling at Hoggle earlier. What's wrong?"
Jareth sighed. "I just needed a message to be sent to your mother-in-law who keeps wanting to change the wedding venues. Anyways, here's some hot cocoa for you. What have you been up to?" He leaned back in his chair and stretched his feet on another chair, looking quite lazy.
"Oh, um, not much." Cassandra sipped her hot cocoa. Jareth lifted an eyebrow. "You're a terrible liar. What's that book? A medical textbook?" He flipped through a page before Cassandra could respond. It wasn't a textbook at all, but a drawing pad. "A wedding dress design? I thought that we'd already decided based on the different designs that I gave you. We don't have much time before your wedding you know."
Cassandra snatched her book back from Jareth. "Dad, you're not the best artist or seamstress. That's Mom's specialty."
"Oh come on. I got excited and wanted to try something." He conjured his own design book.
"Dad-"
"See here? I thought maybe we could incorporate some colors if you don't want the white dress."
"Um, Dad,"
"Now how does this one look? It would suit you well and have some meaning to it!"
"FATHER!"
Jareth jumped at Cassandra's outburst. The princess stood up and wiped angry tears from her eyes. "This is MY wedding. You're upstaging it!"
Jareth blinked in surprise. "I'm not trying to-"
"NO." Cassandra shot back. "All it is, is you trying to do this and that. You didn't want a big wedding for yourself and you're going nuts over mine. I want to plan it but whenever I try to get a word in edgewise, you just HAVE to interrupt. You asked me to have a wedding for you, for mom, for the memories. Well look at us." She swept her hand around the room. "It's bad enough with Ina changing on us on purpose, but you just have to go all bridezilla on us. I'm frustrated, and I know you are too. But remember whose wedding this is. You don't listen to me or Troy that much and want things done your own way to the point where everyone is scared to even talk to you. You're moody, you're being mean and you're yelling at everyone all the time!" She folded her arms in anger before staring defiantly at her father.
Jareth looked down sadly at his hands. "I didn't mean to-" He stopped abruptly at Cassandra's furious head shaking.
"I need space. Please go." The last sentence came out softly. Jareth nodded, and headed out without a word.
"Jareth? The chef has informed me that you haven't eaten all day. Honey?" Sarah came in their chambers with some food, worried about her husband. A few Goblins informed their queen that they saw him looking sad earlier instead of angry.
Seeing Jareth broke her heart. The mighty King of Goblins was sitting on their bed, sobbing. It reminded Sarah when she had rejected his love during her run. She put down the tray of food and sat across from him, kissing and wiping his tears away.
"Love? What's wrong?" She kissed in his messy blonde hair. Jareth pulled away from his wife to wipe his tears. He looked into Sarah's emerald green eyes, grateful that he was blessed to have the most amazing person as his wife.
He told her of the conversation he had with Troy and with Cassandra. "I, I just didn't realize how horrible I must've acted. I feel so terrible." He mumbled. Sarah squeezed his hand. "Well, you have been kind of insane about it, that's true. Tell me, why is planning Cassie's wedding so important? You hate entertaining people and having a big party, and so does Cassie. You didn't even want them to get married in the first place, especially at such a young age. Why does it matter so much?"
Jareth thought about it for a moment before answering. "I guess it has to do with the whole ordeal that she went through." He shifted so he was holding Sarah from behind. "I thought we would never see her again. We were so scared of her dying, and now we get to redo that chance. I want to savor every moment with her, make every moment seem big and important. Now that I get to be with her again, I want her to relax and let me do all the work and planning. I guess I was too hot tempered."
Sarah shifted her fingers through his messy hair. "Oh Jareth. You really are the best father anyone can ask for. You are perfect for the task, believe me. You get things done and aren't afraid to tell others what's on your mind. The problem is, you're not listening. This is about Cassie, not you or me. Remember that. We'll figure it out. Let Cassie design and sew the outfits. You and I will pick the venue. The ceremony can be planned out by Troy and any favors we need can be made by Zarek on how to repay us for being more dense than a goblin with cake." She smiled mischievously.
Jareth kissed his wife. "Oh Sarah. What would I do without you? I'm so sorry for being such a nitwit. I'll go apologize to Cassie and Troy. Come with me?"
The Goblin King and Queen got up to talk to the young couple. After all, there was a wedding to be planned.
Cassandra had never expected for her wedding to be like this. It was beautiful, and full of small meaningful things surrounding her. She wore the small peach necklace her father had given her the night of Zarek's coronation, the bracelet that Troy gave her the first night they met, and the same shoes that Sarah wore on her wedding to Jareth. Toby was wrapped in the same blanket that she made for him. Her parents, Troy, Toby, herself, and even Ina wore outfits designed and made by her (it was basically the only thing that she had worked on). To fix the issue of catering and size of the venue, Cassandra and Troy suggested the Summer Palace, where they had fallen in love. It was the perfect spot, and they decorated the place with different reminders of their mediums. On every table were small center pieces of sculptures of water and fire intertwining, designed by Sarah and made from crystal by Jareth.
Cassandra asked Jareth to sing the song for their first dance, and he cried as he hugged her. She almost never saw him cry. Truth be told, she was glad that her father was the one to be in charge of the wedding. He got things done and was determined to actually listen to her after a talk he had with Sarah (her mother worked some other unworldly magic with her father, she was sure).
Even the centaurs showed up to the wedding, giving her blessings and even some potion to protect her future pregnancies. It seemed that every creature came to congratulate her (or for food). Instead of normal vows, Cassandra and Troy quoted from their favorite books to pledge their love to each other.
The new King and Queen of Anterian danced in each other's arms as Jareth sang with his deep, melodious voice. Though everyone was watching them, it seemed that they were the only ones in the room.
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do
I will be strong, I will be faithful 'cause I'm counting on a new beginning.
A reason for living. A deeper meaning.
"You are my everything." Troy whispered to his wife. "Everyday that we were separated, it broke my heart. Imagine that. It took you for me to find the strength to disobey my mother and to stop fearing so much." He gave her a small peck on the cheek.
I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of
The highest power, in lonely hours, the tears devour you
Oh can you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standing right before you.
All that you need will surely come
Cassandra kissed him back. "In my heart of hearts, I knew that you wouldn't just leave me, but it was difficult. The entire time, I fought for you. For our little family. When times were bleak, I just thought of you."
The dance ended, and everyone gave either polite or thunderous applause. The goblins were ecstatic to see their princess find happiness just as their king and queen had. The centaurs shared her heroic tale that she would have failed if not for her wit and compassion.
Jareth took his daughter's hand for a dance as troy took his mother's. The Goblin King kissed his princess's hand. "My Sweet Pea." He said lovingly. "I'm so proud and so happy for you." He placed a small kiss on her forehead.
Cassandra squeezed his hand. "I love you Dad." He spun her around before once again clasping their hands. "You really are a marvelous dancer. You have me to thank for that, you know." Cassandra laughed, a delightful sound that rang through the palace.
"You know, Cassie. You really are so powerful and strong. For you to be able to have your powers instantly after Persephone's curse, it's a feat accomplished by no one. Along with your mother and brother, you are the most precious thing to me and I'm so glad to be with you on your special day." Cassandra gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh Dad. Thank you for making me have this wedding. I know we were at odds with each other, but it wouldn't be this amazing without you."
Zarek asked for the next dance with the Princess (she would be forever a princess in the court of the Goblin Kingdom, and known as such with her acquaintances Underground except for her Queenly duties, or at least until she was coronated). He looked sadly into Cassandra's eyes. "Well, I guess we get to finish our dance, right old friend?" Cassandra playfully punched him. "Yes we do. Thank you for helping with negotiating for this Palace to be my wedding venue. Who knew that we would need the High King to help with wedding plans?"
Zarek laughed. "You're welcome, although that does sound ridiculous when you put it that way. Cassie, I want to truly apologize to you. No no, I insist. I was awful to your parents, and while it was Molpe's fault, I needed to resist her better than that. It means a lot that you're so gracious with me."
Cassandra gave a nod. "That means a lot. Thank you." Zarek conjured something for her. "This is my gift to you and Troy. I hear that you're going Above to really train Troy to be a king and for you to be a healer. In this vial is an anti aging spell. I know that you're not going to transform to humans and will have your own magic so you probably won't need it, but I figured that it wouldn't hurt if it sapped your magic. Please. Take it." He placed it in her palm and closed her fist. "It's the least I could do for you."
Cassandra hugged her old friend. "Thank you Zarek."
Taking Troy's hand, the couple walked to the balcony, watching everyone inside. Behind them was a beautiful sight of family and friends celebrating. Jareth and Sarah were dancing with Toby in their arms. The goblins were singing songs. It made Cassandra's heart warm.
And out over the balcony was the beautiful night sky, full of stars. She leaned into her husband. Neither said a single word, but were thinking the same thing: that when they were by each other's side, all would be well.
