Here is the next chapter. Again, there is a bit of a time jump as I wasn't sure you needed to know about all the dirty nappies etc! Poor Jareth is feling a little bit worried, so be nice to him. You don't want to be locked in an oubliette, trust me. He tried that one on me when I wrote this chapter, but I escaped using a very cunning system...OK not that cunning, Hoggle let me out because he was tired of babies and wanted me to make them children instead. LOL.
Hope you enjoy it and please, please review.
Love you all, FY.A
"On guard, noble sir!" the little fox like creature cried brandishing is short sword.
"Hah! I will fight you to the death, you slimy cur," the dark haired four year old answered in mock defiance, struggling to free is wooden dagger from the belt of his tunic.
Didymus lunged forward in playful attack and Rath leapt back, squealing as he tumbled backwards into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall in Jareth's secret garden. As Rath rose to the surface, hair plastered flat to his head, the blond streak that ran from his temple stood out in stark contrast to the sleek black of the rest. His blue eyes flashed but as he opened his mouth to speak there was a flash of light and Didymus was thrown backwards to land hard on the green grass as a small figure appeared before him. Rath's cry of "It's not fair" died on his lips as he scrambled to his feet in the pool, dripping wet and looking anxiously over at his father.
Jareth was on his feet in a moment, mismatched eyes like ice as he strode to where Nathaniel was standing over Didymus, hand raised over his prone figure. The air turned thick with the tingle of magic as Jareth drew himself to his full commanding height.
"Nathaniel..." he said, his voice cold, a clear warning.
"But Father," came the stolid reply, "he pushed Rath in the water."
"Let him go."
Nathaniel did not move. Didymus eyes flicked from Nathaniel to Jareth, before returning to fix on the blond four year old's hovering hand.
"Nathaniel," Jareth warned again.
Without shifting his gaze from his own outstretched hand, the little boy shook his head.
"Let him go Nath, I don't mind," called Rath as he pulled himself from the water, instantly drying as his feet touched the bank. He shook his head and his hair returned to its customary perfection of disarray.
Nathaniel shook his head again and Jareth sighed. There was the sound like a whip crack and Nathaniel pulled his hand away sharply as though burned. Elixsyure shied away from where he had been grazing, Phoenix slipping sideways and losing her grip on his glossy shoulder. Jareth spun, raising his hand in her direction and slowing her fall so she could land on her feet. He turned slowly back to Nathaniel who was nursing his hand and glowering up at Jareth through his thick white blond fringe.
"Help him up," commanded Jareth.
Nathaniel continued to glower.
"Nathaniel, help him up."
Scowling Nathaniel turned and held out his hand, offering it to Didymus who grasped it, leaping lightly to his feet and ruffling the young prince's hair.
"Well noble sir, it seems you caught me unawares as I dispatched your good brother." Rath grinned good naturedly back at Didymus. "And if my good master over there had not been on hand to defend me, I fear I should have been the worst for it. Sir...I yield to thee."
Didymus swept off his hat with a flourish, bowing low before the small fae Prince who shyly began to smile.
"But good sir," cried Didymus bounding upright again, "let me teach you how to parry a slide thrust, one of the most deadly cross guards in the art of duelling."
Nathaniel reached eagerly for his sword as Rath jumped up grinning, finally managing to free his own weapon from the folds of his tunic. Jareth glanced over at Phoenix, who was now sitting happily on the grass and making daisy chains which, one by one, she was then feeding to Elixsyure, giggling as his soft muzzle tickled her palm. The kindly Pegasus rested his muzzle lightly on the young princess's shoulder, blowing his arm breath against the crook of her neck. Jareth smiled contentedly and turned, strolling back over to where Sarah was reclining on the river bank. Reaching her he extended his hand.
"My dear, let us take a stroll," he said and then, observing Sarah's anxious glance towards their children, "do not worry for them, they are happy and playing."
Sarah took his outstretched hand and he aided her to her feet, reaching round to brush the grass from the back of her dress. As his hands smoothed down her back Sarah took a step closer to him, reaching up to run her fingers along the line of his jaw. Jareth's fingers tightened their hold over her bum, pressing her body against his as he stared into her face. Slowly, he pulled her in and kissed her mouth and as he drew back, Sarah could see his pupils had dilated with desire. He kissed her lightly again and brought his lips close to her ear.
"Let's go to the summerhouse," he murmured.
Together they turned their backs on the excited shouts of the duellers. Jareth's arm snaked possessively round Sarah's waist, fingers curling round the point of her hip as he held her firmly to his side. As they walked Sarah moved her arm so the children couldn't see, letting her hand rest briefly on Jareth's upper thigh, allowing her loose sleeve brush the bulge in his breeches.
"Temptress," Jareth muttered low in her ear, his voice silky and dripping with lust.
Sarah felt herself begin to melt at the sound. As they reached the door, Jareth spun Sarah round so her back pressed against the sun warmed wood. Trapping her body with his own, he leant in against her and kissed her, tongue delving deep into her mouth. He placed his hand flat against the door so the lock mechanism clicked and Sarah stumbled back into the room. Jareth caught her arm, spinning her again and pressing her against this, cooler side of the door as the lock slid shut behind them. Jareth's lips descended on hers, devouring her and sucking the breath from her lungs. His body pressed her tight against the solid door, his need pressing into her stomach. Suddenly, he tore his mouth from hers and stepped back. She looked up at him, dazed.
"Strip," he commanded, his voice harsh as his eyes swept hungrily up and down her body.
Sarah licked her suddenly dry lips. Still, after seven years living in the Underground, his voice could tie knots in her stomach, his eyes cause a red flush to rise. Every time with him was new, was special. There was never a routine. She remembered the first time she had entered this summerhouse, two days after the spiders had been banished and Time defeated. She had stared up in awe at the portrait of herself, never finding the words to ask the questions that burned through her mind. And Jareth had made love to her on simple bed against the wall. Afterwards, as Sarah had rested her head on his naked chest she had wept for the silence she could hear, her tears running down the groove at the centre of his rib cage to pool in the hollow of his stomach. So he had made love to her again. And again. To prove his love and his life and his vitality. He had kissed the swell that had been Phoenix, telling her that while she may come in the midst of fear, her life would be filled with love. And when he was inside her he had stopped, and kissed her, and told her she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. And as Sarah had slipped into sleep she had heard again his words, as though he were saying them now, which perhaps he was.
"'Til the world falls down. Forever. Forever and ever."
Sarah could no longer hear the shouts of the twins as they mock duelled with Didymus, the wood soundproofing them in. Slowly she raised her eyes to Jareth's, dragging them up his body, feeling the heat grow as she saw the extent of his arousal. She slid off her sandals, raising her hands to the buttons that started at the back of her neck. Carefully, she began to undo them. Jareth watched her, his eyes blazing, foot tapping in impatience. After a few moments he growled in impatience, striding over and turning her, pressing her front against the smooth wooden wall and holding her there with his left hand at her neck, while with his right hand he deftly unfastened the remaining buttons. He pushed his hands through the gap, circling her waist and pulling her hard back against him, mouth finding the soft skin of her neck, dress slipping to her waist as his hands rose up to fondle her breasts. She pressed back against him, reaching her own hands back to find his hips, holding them together. She leant against him, tipping her head back and to the side until their mouths could meet. Carefully, she turned in his arms and he moaned into her mouth as the movement caused her to rub against his aching erection. Lowering his hands from her hair where they had been resting, he pushed her dress the rest of the way down, sliding her underwear off with it. He took a step back, allowing her to step out of it. After a few more moments he broke the kiss, looking down into Sarah's flushed face.
"Lie on the bed," he commanded silkily.
Sarah crossed the room to where the bed stood against the wall. She lay down on top of the soft red blanket. Jareth reached one gloved hand into the air and produced a soft, black blindfold. Crawling up the bed and covering her body with his he kissed her hotly, pressing his body tight against hers, tongue pumping in and out of her mouth in anticipation of what was to come. Suddenly he pulled away leaving Sarah dizzy and unable to see, her eyes securely covered. She could hear absolutely nothing for a few moments, which was why she jumped when Jareth's voice spoke right in her ear, cold and smooth, and more than a little turned on.
"You will do as I tell you." Sarah nodded her head as she was sure all she would have been able to do was squeak. "Raise your arms."
Obediently Sarah lifted both arms above her head. She felt the soft caress of leather as Jareth secured first one wrist, then the other, to the head board. Again there was silence. Pad of leather tapped against the inside of her ankle, the swat of his riding crop she realised. Obediently she opened her legs, feeling herself becoming more aroused than ever as she felt Jareth secure each ankle to the foot posts of the bed. She couldn't move a muscle. Jareth's voice sounded silky in her ear.
"Sarah," there was an undertone of reassurance in his voice, making Sarah wonder exactly what he was planning. "I'm not going to gag you because then I can't kiss you. But I'm going to take away your voice. And your hearing. I want you to know only the sensation. Is this alright?"
Sarah hesitated a few moments, the well known thrill of fear coursing through her, working up her adrenaline her body, and she felt herself growing wetter at the prospect. She would be completely defenceless. Slowly, she nodded her head. The soft leather of Jareth's gloves brushed lightly across her lips, as though searching for an invisible thread. In that moment Sarah realised that she could hear it, the brush of the leather, the creak of the bed, the sound of Jareth's tongue as it darted over his suddenly dry lips. And the life of the Labyrinth. Her breath. Her heart beat. Pan's life. And then Jareth's finger tips brushed lightly over the shell of her ears and it was gone. There was nothing but blackness. And silence. And love.
"Are you still alright?" Jareth's voice spoke into her mind.
Unable to follow a coherent line of thought, Sarah again nodded.
Jareth stepped back and looked at the figure of his wife, lying naked and defenceless before him. His eyes were so darkened with lust that they felt hot in his head, pounding in his head, through his veins, gathering in unbearable readiness in his cock. He retrieved his riding crop from where he had laid it on the bed. Sarah twitched as he rested it lightly on the soft skin of her stomach. Despite her carriage of twins, the ivory expanse was still flat, smooth, unmarked. Jareth brought his lips down next to his crop, running his hands over the line of her waist and letting his teeth graze the skin bellow her naval. Sarah's lips parted in a silent gasp and her head turned to one side. Jareth pulled himself up the bed and captured her mouth, kissing her deliciously slowly. As he pulled away her head rose a few inches in an attempt to follow him. Jareth smiled and leant close, darting his tongue between her parted lips once, twice, never allowing her to establish contact. Then he plunged his mouth back over hers forcing his tongue between her teeth to engage hers in a hot pitched battle.
His mouth tore away from hers and once more Sarah was left with the darkness and the silence. She tried to imagine what he might be doing. With her heightened senses she could feel his gaze burning her body. She imagined him reaching down to stroke himself lightly, the look on his face that of one who was cold, cruel and powerful. She imagined his leather clad fingers curling sensuously around the grip of his riding crop and startled when, a moment or two later she felt its swat dragging slowly over the line of her cheek.
Jareth drew the crop down her pale neck, watching as she twisted her head to allow him better access, over her left breast, teasing lightly at the nipple before drawing further down across her stomach to trail down the outside of her thigh. He brushed the swat over the sole of her foot, biting his tongue lightly between his teeth as her toes curled in reaction. He leant down and kissed the pad of her foot, teeth nipping lightly at the skin. He pulled away again and Sarah felt the crop travelling once more, this time up in the inside of her leg, towards her centre. But Jareth stopped just short of wear he knew she longed to be touched, drawing light circles at the top of her thigh, enjoying the sight of her parted lips, the rise and fall of her chest as she panted for breath. Deftly, he flicked his wrist, tapping the crop lightly against her engorged clit. Sarah's body spasmed up off the bed as pleasure rushed through her system. Jareth counted slowly to ten before repeating the movement. And Sarah came undone, releasing herself on a tidal wave of passion. Quickly Jareth twirled the crop in his fingers, thrusting the softly bound handle up inside her, pumping hard between her shuddering walls. He bent his head and sucked her clit into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive numb, flicking it and grazing his teeth over the flesh. Barely had Sarah's first orgasm subsided when her second hit. Her fingers clenched and her mouth opened, the exposed position of her body heightening the sensations as she felt Jareth shift between her legs, fingers parting her nether lips so his intense gaze could observe in intimate detail.
Sarah lay in the darkness and the silence, shuddering as the after affects drained away. She was panting and it felt like her skin was on fire. She gasped as she felt a cool tongue lick away a trickle of sweat that was trailing over her breast. His clever fingers, played with her nipples, teasing them back to erectness as his body covered hers once more and their mouths met. Two realisations hit Sarah at once. First, that she could taste herself on his lips and tongue, and second that he was naked. She bit lightly on his lower lip, her body stilling in anticipation. Jareth thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, at the same time entering her forcefully, filling her completely. Her head snapped back and he thrust again, his foot catching his riding crop where it lay discarded on the bed, sending it clattering to the floor. He ignored it. He concentrated on the feeling of being inside his Sarah, her hot walls squeezing, rubbing, stimulating as he set a fast rhythm. He rotated his hips slightly; hitting that spot inside her that he knew made her lose control. And she was coming again, her walls tightening around him as they worked out their climax. He let himself go with her, the build up having made him all but ready. His climax hit him hard as he thrust once more, penetrating deeply, holding himself off her as the final waves shuddered through his shaking body. When it had finished he withdrew carefully, smoothing his hands over her sweat damp body. He released her legs and she closed them, drawing them up to near her chest. When he freed her arms she reached for him, wrapping them round his lean, muscled torso. His fingers brushed her lips, restoring her voice before ghosting over her ears. Hurriedly, he placed his palms flat against them; block most of the noise that she could suddenly hear lest it be too much for her system to bear. After a few moments he eased them slowly away to remove the blindfold, shielding her eyes from the light as he did so. Her green eyes blinked up at him.
"Are you alright, Precious?" he asked. She nodded her head. "You can speak again; I have returned your voice."
She nodded her head again.
"That was...amazing," she breathed as she looked up at him, her eyes full of love.
They lay side by side for a few moments, staring up at the ceiling, the sweat cooling on their bodies.
"Jareth?"
"Yes Precious?"
"Jareth, I'm worried about the twins."
Jareth truned onto his side, propping himself on his elbow to look down at her.
"How so, My Love?"
"I'm not sure...They are so different and yet...so the same. Nathaniel is powerful, that is for sure. But there is a hard side to him. He doesn't engage, except where it comes to Rath. And then there's Rath..." Sarah tailed off and Jareth smiled down at the look of worry on her face.
"Yes Precious, Nathaniel is powerful, more so than his brother and sister. But in comparison to some it is not extraordinary."
"You, you mean?"
"Yes," Jareth replied, though not with arrogance. "And yes, he can be harsh. That display with Didymus just now for instance...but he is fae and he is arrogant, full of his own self importance."
"Sounds like someone else I know," Sarah smiled and Jareth glared down at her.
"You should mind your tongue," he warned, " you may be my wife and queen, but that does not put you above a good beating." He grinned wolfishly and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Rath...yes. He is much weaker. His magic is...weak. He leans on his brother and yet..." Jareth's eyes slid from Sarah's his expression vacant as he retreated into his thoughts. Sarah reached up and brushed a stray blond lock from his face. His attention snapped back to her. "We are probably worrying over nothing," he smiled again, "come on, we hadst best return."
Sarah nodded and rose, crossing to wear her clothes lay on the stone floor. Quickly she dressed before slipping out the door, closing it quickly lest any of the children be nearby and happen to catch a glance of their naked father who was still lounging in the bed, despite his words.
As Sarah turned from the door she realised immediately that something was wrong. The garden was silent, no noise from the children, even the birds had stopped singing. While they had been inside a fog had drifted in, filling the air with damp and cutting out the sun. Sarah shivered and she glanced behind her. The summerhouse was barely visible through the swirling mists. She looked around for any sign of the children, panicking when she realised she could barely see five feet in front of her. In her distress she called for them, shouting their names along with those of Didymus and Elixsyure. Her throat felt hoarse as the cold invaded her lungs. Her knees shook and tears sprang to her eyes. As she fell silent she stilled, sure she had heard something, drifting through the whiteness. Singing, low and mournfull, as though of a telling of a deep sadness. Sarah began to run towards the noise, stumbling over unseen ruts in the damp grass. As she approached she saw the figure of a woman, wandering through the grass as though searching, her eyes blank and unseeing. At the same moment, the words of her song became clear.
I left my baby lying here,
Lying here, lying here
I left my baby lying here
To go and gather blaeberries.
Hovan, hovan gorry og o,
Gorry og o, gorry o go,
Hovan, hovan gorry o go,
I never found my baby, O!
I saw the swan upon the lake
Upon the lake, upon the lake
I saw the swan upon the lake
But never found my baby, O!
Hovan, hovan gorry og o,
Gorry og o, gorry o go,
Hovan, hovan gorry o go,
I never found my baby, O!
I heard the curlew crying far
Crying far, crying far
I heard the curlew crying far
But never heard my baby, O!
Hovan, hovan gorry og o,
Gorry og o, gorry o go,
Hovan, hovan gorry o go,
I never found my baby, O!
I searched the moorland tarns and then
Wandered through each silent glen
I saw the mist upon the ben
But never saw my baby, O!
Hovan, hovan gorry og o,
Gorry og o, gorry o go,
Hovan, hovan gorry o go,
I never found my baby, O!
The woman fell to her knees, desolving into tears as the last "O" became a howl of misery. Sarah stopped a few yards from the woman, expecting her to look up. The woman continued to sob into her hands.
"Never found him, never heard him, never saw. O, my poor baby, O," she wailed.
"Um, excuse me?" tried Sarah.
"My poor, poor baby," sobbed the woman.
"What happened to him?" Sarah asked, taking another step forward.
"Lost, my poor lost baby boy, oh," the woman was still crying into her hands.
"I'm very sorry," Sarah said. "I'm looking for my children, have you seen them? They were her a minute ago?" Sarah was getting very worried that there was still no sign of any of the children.
"Gone," whispered the woman. "Gone. Never to return. I should never have let him go."
Sarah was growing impatient. She felt sorry for the woman, she truly did, but at present she was more worried about finding Phoenix, Nathaniel and Rath. She reached out her hand and took hold of the woman's arm, dragging her hand from her face. The woman spun round, as though aware of Sarah's prensence for the first time. Sarah felt the ground shift beneath her feet and the blood drained from her face.
The woman was her. Tear streaked and unkempt, but unmistakeably her. The other Sarah seized her forearms, her grip digging into the flesh of her arms, so tight it was painful. She seemed to stare through Sarah, as though she couldn't really see her.
"Will they?" she asked and her breath was cold on Sarah's face. "Will they?"
"Will they what?" she stammered, more than a little freaked out.
Her duplicate self shifted, her bright green eyes suddenly staring intently into Sarah's, drawing her face closer. Her breath smelled of loss.
"When they come, will the lost souls be forgot?"
Suddenly the duplicate Sarah pushed, toppling Sarah over backwards with surprising strength. Sarah's eyes closed in anticipation of the impact, but instead she felt strong arms wrap round her as her back came into contact with a strong, muscled chest. Jareth's voice spoke in her ear.
"Steady there Precious. What has happened? You look pale."
Slowly, Sarah opened her eyes. The sun beat down in the clear garden and shouts of play floated across for the pool. There was a splash as Nathaniel leapt from the top of the waterfall, and shrieks from Phoenix as the cold water reached her. She could here Rath laughing loudly as he stood, stripped to the waist beside the tree against which she and Jareth had once made love, his boyish stomach sucked in and his hand outstretched.
"Look," he cried to Didymus who was sitting on Elixsyure's quarters, recline gin the sun, "I'm Daddy!" And he leapt in the before spreading his arms wide and running along the grass, flapping like a bird in flight.
Jareth's arms tightened around Sarah.
"They're safe," she whispered, "they're all safe."
Instead of asking her, Jareth sought her with his mind, watching what she had seen unfold before him. When she tried to seek him back however, he placed a barrier in her way, closing off her thoughts.
"What does it mean Jareth?" Sarah asked as she turned in his arms to look into his face.
"I don't know Precious. It was probably just a sun illusion."
He disentangled himself from her arms, but as he turned away his face was troubled. Sarah reached for his hand and together they crossed back over the lawn to the edge of the pool.