As they walked down the endless steps from the tower room, Sarah lent into Jareth, closing her eyes and breathing deeply, enjoying his scent. Jareth smiled down at her, feeling his heart swell with an emotion he had come to suspect he would never feel. He loved this girl, wanted to cherish her, wanted her to want him, needed to test her devotion. But he wanted to be gentle, to be allowed to love her. He was coming to realise that she would do anything for him. So as he smiled down at her as he slipped his arm from hers and wrapped it round her waist.
Sarah felt Jareth's arm move round her waist possessively. She smiled and breathed in contentedly. It was right, she belonged body and soul to him, and would do anything for him. His fingers spread slightly, feeling her slimness. Sarah longed for him to increase the pressure, to move his hand up or down, to do something to alleviate the tension she felt coiling inside her, the pressure that had remained unfulfilled since he had first reappeared, and that he had aggravated almost past endurance. At the entrance to the castle they paused, Sarah lifting her face to the cold light, relieved to be outside again after the long spell indoors. On the steps of the castle Jareth turned Sarah to face him and lowered his head until his lips brushed her ear. His hands slid up her arms, grasping her firmly.
"Hold tight," he whispered.
He wrapped his arms round Sarah pulling her body against him and this time Sarah did not try to pull back but held herself against him, letting him feel every one of her curves, feeling for herself the large swelling beneath Jareth's tight leggings. She heard him sigh slightly as she met his pressure with pressure.
A goblin in the city looked up. Seeing his king and a beautiful young lady held tight together in an intimate embrace he raised his bushy eyebrows and turned his head to call his wife to view the spectacle. When he turned back, both figures had vanished.
As they reappeared Jareth released Sarah and took a step back. The building they now stood before was one of the most ostentatious that Sarah had ever seen. Grand steps led up through a row of ornate pillars and above heavy, gold studded metal doors hung a crest and description which read "Grand Council of the Underworld".
Jareth leant down and muttered in her ear, "Remember, I conquered you. Be respectful but confident, answer every question truthfully and fully, they will know if you are lying and will take pleasure in punishing you for it." He smiled and took her by the elbow. "Come."
He led her up the carved stone steps and as they approached the doors they opened of their own accord. The atrium was large and polished, with gold sculptures marking the way. As they entered a young human looking boy fumbled to meet them, almost tripping over himself at the importance of his job.
"My Lord King," he stammered, bowing low before Jareth. "And Lady Sarah." He took her hand and bowed over it. "This way My Lord," and he indicated that Jareth should follow him. A small door led out of the atrium and was marked "Council Chambers". "My Lord must wait here, the Lady must proceed alone."
Jareth looked as though he was about to protest but Sarah smiled weakly at him and he managed to hold his tongue. Sarah squared her shoulders and walked through the door. Blinding light dazzled her and she raised a hand to try to shield her eyes. A voice spoke.
"Sarah Williams?" it enquired.
"Y...yes," stammered Sarah, still trying to peer through the light at the voice's source.
"Sarah Williams, formerly of the Overground, now here at His Majesty's pleasure?" the voice asked again.
"Yes, I suppose so." Sarah was confused. They clearly knew exactly who she was, especially since Jareth had met with them to discuss her.
"You will remove your clothes. As an Overgrounder you require full physical examination."
Sarah sighed; it appeared that even here she was to be subject to humiliation.
"Hurry up." The voice commanded.
Sarah reluctantly pulled the dress Jareth had given her over her head, biting back a response.
"You will put on the blindfold that you will find on the desk in front of you." The voice dictated.
This time Sarah could not help herself. "Why?" she exclaimed.
"Do not question a council representative Overgrounder!" the examiner shrieked. "No person can know the identity of their examiner, in case it should cause future problems." He paradoxically went on to explain.
Well, Sarah thought, if she was going to have dealings with this man in the future, she would rather not know that he had seen her naked and vulnerable. She picked up the blindfold and tied it firmly round her eyes. Through the fabric of the cloth she saw the brightness dim and heard footsteps approach her.
"Hmmm," the examiners voice was right in front of her now. "Height," she felt a hand on her head, "five foot six and weight," the hand lifted slightly and Sarah felt herself lift slightly with it, "eight stone." She heard the sound of scribbling as more measurements were taken and noted down. "Breasts, round and full, size..." more scribbling.
Sarah could feel the burn of the council man's eyes on her and although she couldn't see him she felt her cheeks grow red.
"Behind you is a couch of sorts, kindly lie on it and do not move. I am now going to search you for any malformations of body or any substance carried with you from the Overground that may be harmful here. Lie on your face please."
Sarah obediently lay face down on the scratchy surface of the hard couch. She didn't know what to expect now. What felt like a cool metal rod was placed at her head, pressing into her hair. She felt it run down to the dip between her shoulder blades, down each arm and then down her back, up over the curves of her buttocks, pressing hard and unlubricated a few centimetres into her puckered opening, stinging against her aching muscle that fought against it. She tried not to cry out. And then it was gone, running down her leg to her feet.
"Turn over." The voice commanded. Knowing what was coming Sarah had to force herself to turn. She was so nervous that she was dry as a bone, so when the probe forced its way into her, the pain was nearly unbearable and she couldn't help but cry out. Her cry was immediately followed by the crashing of the doors and Jareth's angry voice.
"What are you doing? We had a deal. She remains intact." Even from across the room Sarah could feel his rage.
"My Lord, this is merely the prequestioning examination – no harm has come to the Lady." The examiners voice was courteous and respectful. "I must ask your Lordship to leave now so that we can finish the examination.
"No." Jareth shook his head vehemently, looking down at the naked and blindfolded form of Sarah. "I'll not leave her alone with you again. You must question her and consider your verdict in my presence."
"Yes My Lord, if you so wish. I'll call the council to order. Excuse me My Lord."
As the examiners footsteps retreated Jareth tore the blindfold from Sarah's eyes, hugging her to him before pulling her dress back over her head.
When the assembled line of councilmen trooped in Jareth again refused to leave Sarah's side, as well as vouching for her truthfulness and forbidding them to attach any of what looked like electrodes to her person in order to keep her to the truth. The questions ranged from when she had started her periods to how many chickens she had owned in her life, and while Sarah had to swallow some initial embarrassment, as well as her pride, the ordeal was soon over and the councilmen prepared to deliver their verdict.
"It is traditional that the proposed husband should be called to hear the verdict, but since you are already here My Lord," the head councilman cleared his throat. "In the absence of purification of the female genitalia, the proposed bride underwent cleansing, this is far from satisfactory...however as it is a special case My Lord," again he paused and cleared his throat. "We pronounce the Lady Sarah fit for Underworld marriage. My Lord King Jareth, you may be married forthwith. We wish umm much happiness. The councilman cleared his throat a third time and sat down.
Jareth looked at him steadily. "Thank you, mu council, for this service." He linked his arm through Sarah's and walked sedately from the room, leaving the council house by the large imposing doors. At the top of the steps he paused, beaming at Sarah before picking her up, whirling her round and laughing.
"We can marry," he rejoiced, "in the eyes of the law you are my wife; we only need to make it official."
He put her down and pulled her into their first truly loving embrace. He pulled back slightly looking straight into her eyes.
"Sarah, my love." He whispered, before leaning in and kissing her mouth gently, wrapping his arms round her back. When Sarah drew back, slightly shaken for all the chaste nature of the kiss, they were again on the steps of his castle.
Sorry it's been so long!!! This is just a holding chapter, I had to force myself to write it and it didn't flow like the others. Anyway, hope you like it. Please R+R. Things about to get interesting. Love you all. xxx