Sarah was awoken early by Jareth getting out of the bed. She had slept so soundly that the day befores events had not had a chance to mull over, and, as a result, she awoke with the start of a drunk, suddenly remembering that she was naked, and in bed with a man that she loved, but had still only known for two days, though it seemed like three years, and perhaps even longer. She blinked against the shafts of rising light that filtered through a large window. Sitting up, she edged to the side of the bed, looking for her clothes.
"Dont bother with those, love." Jareth noticed. "Here, come look." He was standing in front of a wardrobe, large enough to walk into, that was filled with clothes so thick that, reaching an arm in, it seemed as though one could pop out anything. Deciding to not be modest, Sarah joined him, noticing how sore she was and also, in need of a bath.
"Good morning Sarah." He said as soon as she'd reached him. She loved how he looked down at her. He was smiling his slight, coy smile and seemed to be refreshed. He leaned towards her and they embraced in a kiss. Sarah fought back her arousal, which was quickly blossoming despite her slight discomfort down below. She couldnt have much time left, not that she'd had much to begin with-it looked to be around 6am, and if she had left around 9 the night before, that was 8 hours down, and 16 to go. The lovemaking portion of her considerations had passed her approval with no doubt, but HAD she ever doubted that it would? The thought made her smile, a bit bashfully. She needed to be strong, and find out what a day with Jareth was going to be like , as well as anything else she could about her potential new life.
"How are you feeling?"
"Inquisitive." She replied. She laughed as he arched an eyebrow at her. Before he could say anything about any idea that word may have given him, she clarified. "Do you have plans set for today?"
"Of course. As much as Id like to stay here and make love to you until you quit being stubborn and accept the entirety of my offer, I am willing to show you as much as I can about what to expect as Queen. Here-" He held out a pile of clothes. Sarah smiled as she saw that it was a practical outfit, but still elegant. She saw black riding type breeches, an undershirt, an elegant green, sleeveless leather overcoat, and knee high riding boots. Despite not having sleeves, the overcoat still had a high, fancy collar. She gave Jareth a skeptical look as she lifted the article and held it out, appraising it. "Im going to look like I just rode out of the thorn forest."
"You dont like it." He pouted.
Sarah relented, rolling her eyes. "I didnt say that." The truth was, she did sort of like it. In it, she would look like a Goblin Queen. The dark yet lively color scheme suited her nicely and it wasnt something completely outrageous, just a bit gaudy, but mostly, what made her feel strange, was that it was a similar, but feminized style of dress that Jareth paraded around in. She wasnt sure how she felt about it, but for today, she would accept it. "Its fine." She tilted her head as she smiled at him. "Now, before I get distracted, I really need to take a bath."
"A bath? Ah, yes. Id love to join you in one, but you're right, we need to stay focused today. Im already clean, its a perk you'll discover once you become one of my race. Magic can eliminate the necessity of practically any time consuming activity that you do not feel like doing. Would you prefer I use it to refresh you? It would save precious time."
Sarah agreed, and before she could blink both she and Jareth where glowing, their hair in place, and their outfits on. Sarah couldnt help but marvel at how wonderful it was to be able to do that.
"We humans need these shortcuts." She declared.
"Such a pity that the one race that dosnt need to save time is the one best able. At least in the instances where said immortal does not run a kingdom. In that case, there is just never enough time in a day. You'll find THAT out soon enough."
"Then, what are we waiting for?" She edged.
The scene that met with them downstairs was complete chaos. All sorts of creatures where spilling about, shaking the room with their unbridled noise. Jareth was jumped immediately. Goblins grabbed his legs and lept around for his attention. "Get off, Mildew!" He commanded, kicking one loose. "You all should have more respect for your king than this!"
"Of course, of course!" a choir of voices responded. "Who's this?" They demanded, suddenly focused on Sarah. A few of the smarter ones seemed to recognize her. "Its that girl!" They exclaimed. "I know who it is." Replied one, oblivious. The flock of chickens was much more interesting, to him.
"Your Highness!" One voice rose out from amid the din. A particularly tall, very thin goblin with a long, pointy head and big eyes shuffled speedily towards Jareth. "Ive got a letter for you! Is urgent!"
"Urgent, you say?" The goblin had his attention. "Everyone else, get out!" He smacked at some of the smaller goblins with his crop as they ran. Sarah had the thought that she should be offended for the goblins, but she instead found herself desiring her own crop. How sick.
The goblin groveled as he presented Jareth with a rolled up, wax sealed parchment. Sarah could see Jareths face tense slightly as he observed the seal. His lips pressed together in something of a regal scowl as he read. What the letter contained seemed to make him angry and anxious. He started to pace.
"What is it?" Sarah asked, a bit concerned.
"One of the many joys of being the king of goblins." His anger seemed to grow. His flashing eyes settled on the still kneeling messenger. "Why are you still here? Get out!" He swung his arm out in a swiping, commanding gesture. The goblin wasted no time and scurried away.
"Sarah, this is going to be a real problem. Of all days, of course this would happen today. I had hopes of showing you all of the typical, yet mostly mundane things that go on here but this is going to be something that is anything but simple to sort out. Damn."
Sarah put her hand on his shoulder. He looked at her, surprised, but obviously pleased, despite his turbid mood.
"Let me help."
"No. Im going to have to make a trip. I could have one of my subjects show you around..." His voice trailed as he spoke, his dislike of the idea quite apparent.
Sarah scowled, put off. "Can you at least tell me what it said?"
Jareth pondered a moment, then consented. "The letter comes from the court of the High King. Apparently a rouge group of my subjects has been digging a tunnel to the aboveground, something that is absolutely forbidden. Normally, this is not of too much concern, except this time, they are being led by one Hair Lip, who is not as easily controlled as an ordinary creature of the Underground, due to the fact that he is half human, and as such, he possesses a certain immunity to the laws of this land. He is an in between of sorts, able to traverse between the worlds as he pleases, and able to defy those of my race because he has discovered all of the loopholes against our magic that being human allows him. For instance, your words, you have no power over me, allowed you to escape the Underground. By using those words a human can render a fae helpless against them, unless they are bound in some way by their words, such as Toby was, due to the fact that he was wished away. Do you understand?"
She nodded. It made sense.
"Even with all of that, its not the worst of it. Hair Lip has his sights set on a princess of the human world. Not just any princess, but one of fae blood. It was her great great grandmother who sent me this letter. The entire court is up in arms because of this, and you can imagine where all of the blame is falling. Years ago, Adrienne, the great great grandmother, had a daughter who fell in love with a human prince. The human prince inherited his fathers kingdom, and would not leave it to go with her to the underground, so Adrienne stayed on Earth with him, the consequence being that she became mortal. They had children, and of their line is this princess that Hair Lip is after, Irene. He has abducted her and is trying to force her to marry him. If she accepts, he will pull her into the Underground, and, because Irene is part fae, they will both become fae, and thus immortal, and powerful. Adrienne demands that I dispose of this Hair Lip before that happens."
"What are you going to do?" Sarah asked.
"The logical thing would be to wait until Hair Brain turned fae. He would then be shackled in iron and either killed or imprisoned. However, this would destroy little Irenes perfect life. She would still be bound to Hair Lip, and would never be able to return to her kingdom, to which she is the only heir." He shook his head, exasperated. "They expect so much of me. Theres really nothing I can do to save Irene, unless she calls me. She cant call me, or Adrienne, though, because she dosnt know our names. Due to their blood tie, Adrienne is able to appear to her as a ghost, of sorts, but she cannot tell her her name. The most she is able to do is leave a few objects to help her, but they have not been enough."
"Jareth." Sarah began, her mind spinning, "What if a human went to Irene, and told her how to ask for help?"
"No!" He yelled. "I know what you're thinking Sarah, and no. Irene is deep in the Goblin Tunnels. In this in between place, no fae can hear you. So long as she is in the tunnels, or you, there can be no calling for help."
Sarah grew solemn. "I will help her."
Jareth became angry. "I shouldnt have told you so much. Do not make me regret confiding in you!"
"I wont!" She declared. "Is there any reason why I shouldnt, so long as Im back in time to make my choice about staying?"
"Yes! Dont be stupid Sarah. You have no idea what you would face down there. Hair Brain, and his entire army. You are still human, and could easily be killed. Even if you where only captured, your time will still pass in the in between as it would here. It would run out."
"Jareth. Do you not have any faith in the one human to best you in your own game?"
The Goblin King swooped over her, leaning over her in a challenging manner. "Youre not going Sarah.
"Dont make me say something we'll both regret." She roused, her gaze waging war with his. They engaged in a dual of wills with their eyes. There was so much on the line for both of them...but Sarah was not going to give in. This was as much of a test of Jareth as a potential husband as she was going to get. Jareth switched tactics, intimidation would not work. He put his arms around her lovingly. "My precious thing...I would be lost, if something happened to you." He tried to kiss her.
"No! I understand Jareth, but if Im going to be a queen, I have to be able to help whenever I can...no matter what the risks are. Dont you agree? Irene must be so scared."
"Look...as queen...you do not have to take such risks. Leave them to me. Love me, and do as I say..."
"Is that the sort of queen you want? Obedient?"
Jareths mood was thunderous, and now he had to admit that she had him. Sarah was anything but obedient, and that was one of the most attractive things about her-how she challenged him, and defied him. As angry as it made him, it also excited him, and made him love her even more. He turned away.
"What do I have to do?" She asked. "Do I wish myself there?"
"What, exactly, are you going to try and accomplish?"
"I will free Irene, and make sure that the tunnels are sealed. I will tell her the name of her grandmother, so she will be able to call to her for help."
"Its too much. Cant you see."
"Not for me." She grabbed his hand and held it strongly. "What is the alternative?"
Jareths alternative would have been to wait, capture Hair Lip after he turned fae, and just deal with Adriennes wrath about Irene-but this would never suit the woman he had had to fall in love with. Sarah softened as she saw how his face reflected his pain as he mulled the possibility of loosing her.
"Please...I want your approval."
"You do. You know I dont approve."
"Your acceptance, then? As a king. Think of Irene."
"I am thinking of you."
"And I am thinking of her." She could almost feel him tremor.
"All right." He gasped, hardly believing that he was loosing to her, once again. Damn! "Ill take you to the tunnels."