DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything…I merely borrow Sarah and Jareth for my own sick and twisted amusement. (And light housework – Jareth is a whiz with a duster!)
WARNING: No warning for this one…..lots of silly UST in this chapter.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in updating gang…my laptop has been on the fritz for the last two weeks and then it took me some time to get my writing groove back. Originally this chapter was going to encompass the whole day in the kingdom, but then I felt bad for keeping you waiting so long, so I decided to go ahead and post part of it early. So expect another (shorter) chapter soon. Also, by splitting up this chapter, it has added another chapter to the story – so now there are TWO chapters left (no more…I swear it! Tho the last chapter may be pushing 10-15k words).
Enjoy!
And don't forget to the tip the author with reviews/feedback! Thx. Kay-Bye! ;)
Ch. 12: By Right of Conquest
With a yelp of surprise, Sarah watched as Jareth launched himself from the bed to lean casually against the fireplace as he stoked the blaze to warm the room. She couldn't help gazing at him, all leonine grace with tantalizing hints of strength, his musculature flexing sensually beneath the pale flesh.
…He is gorgeous….
God-like even…. purred her libido, carefully memorizing the lines of every muscles, from Jareth's legs up to…well …. just up.
Her inner-self didn't have anything to say for once, and merely quaked quietly and blushed at the unabashed way that Jareth stood, completely ignoring the fact that he was stark raving naked.
And either the cold is having absolutely no effect upon him, or he is rather more well-endowed than he seemed earlier…. Drooled her libido, hoping fervently that he would turn around further so she could get an even better view.
Peering over his shoulder at the brunette still wound into the sheets upon his bed, Jareth saw the intense gaze in her emerald eyes. With a sardonic smirk, he chuckled, "Enjoying the view, Precious?"
Sarah felt her face flush hotly, but managed to steel her nerves before replying, "Actually, yes. I am. Thanks. Would you mind turning around so I could admire…things…from a different angle?"
At this Jareth laughed, the sound ringing merrily around the room, all the while sending shivers of delight racing inside Sarah's veins.
… I love his laugh…. Sarah sighed with a contented smile. … I could never get tired of hearing him laugh.
With a sly grin, Sarah crawled toward the foot of the bed, the silken sheets sliding from her bare skin to pool on the floor as she rose, a predatory glint flashing in her eyes as she looked at him once more.
"I really think you should join me back in the bed, Your Majesty," she purred, in honeyed tones. "After all, I did agree to stay here with you for the day…. So we might as well make the most of it."
Raising an eyebrow, Jareth looked at the wanton wench who was currently stalking him across the room.
…. Hmmm….little Sarah has indeed grown into a woman who knows what she wants….
And isn't adverse to doing whatever it takes to get it, crowed his libido in triumph. So grab her, throw her back onto the bed and make damn sure that she never leaves this room or bed until she agrees to stay permanently…. It demanded.
…. Tempting though that idea is, that is not the way to get her to stay. The game must be played properly this time, no cheating….
Oi! You didn't cheat the first time! Insisted his inner-voice indignantly. The Labyrinth is the one who cheated….
A mere technicality…. Grumbled his libido ….And one that she will still blame you for when you tell her. Better to tell her after screwing her senseless. She'll be less likely to attempt to do nasty things to the crown jewels then.
Wincing inwardly, Jareth considered the likelihood of Sarah reacting badly when she found out what all had transpired during her trip through the Labyrinth. Wearing her out first did seem to be the safer course of action, but it was also the coward's path, and one thing he had never been accused of being, was a coward. He'd be damned if he planned to start now.
As if listening for something, Jareth cocked his head a moment, a frown briefly creasing his brow. Sighing deeply, with a flick of his wrist he was clothed, a quiet chuckle rumbling in his chest at the startled gasp that escaped Sarah's lips. Eyes wide, she surveyed him, drinking in the tight black breeches that disappeared into his customary black boots. An amused smirk tugged the corner of his mouth at the way her eyes seemed to become stuck at the level of his waist, before she visibly shook herself and her gaze moved upward, taking in the black silk of his shirt and the blood red leather waistcoat that was fastened low upon his chest.
"Sorry, Pet. But you agreed to let me show you my life and while I would like nothing more than to spend the day lounging in bed becoming much more familiar with every inch of your body and those most intriguing noises you make when touched in particular ways, I regret that we cannot spend the day that way. As King there are matters that I must attend to. And, as per our agreement, you must attend to them as well," he explained, while twirling a shimmering crystal in his fingertips. "In fact, unless I am much mistaken, my advisors will be arriving within the next five minutes."
Sarah went white as processed what he said.
"Five minutes?" she squeaked, her eyes wide in panic as she tried to figure out what to do. "That isn't time for me to bathe and dress. Oh hell….double hell in fact," Sarah muttered, dashing for the bathroom door.
A peal of laughter stopped her cold. Cautiously she turned to look at Jareth, her hand still on the door to the bath. Pausing, Jareth smiled at the picture before him – the delightfully nude form of Sarah, all soft curves and luscious valleys, the wild disarray of her chestnut tresses giving her the look of one who had recently been fucked – thoroughly and truly. As far as he was concerned, it was a good look on her and one he planned to see much more of, although the panic on her face at the moment rather spoiled the overall effect of satiation.
With a nimble flick of his wrist, Jareth balanced the shining crystal on his fingertips, his impish smile making her shiver under his gaze.
"Do you trust me, Precious," he asked, his voice dropping low, the breathy undertone coloring his words making her gulp audibly, her mouth suddenly dry.
He laughed once more as the light of understanding dawned in her eyes, the emerald orbs flashing brilliantly in the morning light, to dance along with the cheeky grin on her face. Holding her hands in front her, palms pressed toward him as if warding him off, Sarah backed up a pace. Then another.
"Oh no, Buster! I remember the last time you 'helped' me get dressed," she laughed, her eyes darting around, looking for a place to escape the crystal she was sure was soon to be headed her way.
"Now, Pet….is that any way to be? After everything I've done for you…and….to you in the last few days?" he teased in mock offense, the lust-filled darkening of his eyes hinting at the truth not spoken.
Sarah backed up further, grunting as her back ran into the open French doors leading to the balcony. Scooting to the side, she attempted to slide between a bookcase and the headboard of his bed, eyes still darting around the room.
….Really….this penchant he has for lobbing crystals at me is soooo unfair!...
"Tick-tock, Precious," Jareth sing-songed, as an elaborately gilded stop-clock appeared by the door, the seconds ticking down with an audible "TICK…TICK" that seemed to echo in the room. "My advisors are nearly here, and while I have no objection to you being so tantilizingly naked in my room, I am, if nothing else, somewhat possessive when it comes to my Champion.I would hate to have to bog my own advisors for having laid eyes upon something that should, by right, belong only to the King. Would you really wish me to punish them just because you are being stubborn and suspicious and won't allow me to clothe you? Is that…fair, Sarah?"
Emerald fire burned in her eyes as she felt her face heat at his words.
"Throwing my own words back at me, Jareth?" she muttered with a hint of petulance, "If you want to play dirty, I can….Mister 'I'll be your slave'."
"You're running out of time, Dearest. And really, is a lack of knickers worth being caught nude in front of my advisors? Must you defy me at every turn?" Jareth asked in that damnably reasonable tone that he had used on her in the tunnels those many years ago – a tone of voice that sent a jolt of electricity straight to her center, making her pulse and tremble with want. It electrified her then and it did now.
….Damn him…..
"All right!" she snapped, "But I expect appropriate underthings this time, Goblin King!"
Jareth laughed, his mismatched eyes glinting wickedly in the morning light. "But, Sarah…. Believe me when I say that the lack of underthings the last time was entirely appropriate. Having to rip underthings from your body later would have been a waste of perfectly good material. If I had my way you'd never wear….."
"Hold it right there," she demanded, interrupting him. "Trust me, you do not want to finish that sentence, Goblin King. Besides, time is nearly up," she said, gesturing at the clock, "So, do get on with it. Just make sure to give me underthings this time. Appropriate, underthings."
With a sly grin Jareth inclined his head, "Deal."
Flinging her arms wide, Sarah briefly thought that he had agreed a mite too readily and she was probably in for it – again - the thought rapidly fleeing as her eyes screwed shut and her face scrunched up in anticipation of the crystal that was sure to hit her.
"Must you be so dramatic, Pet?" Jareth enquired with a bemused smirk. "The crystals don't hurt, unless I want them to, and I was fairly certain you weren't ready for that sort of thing – at least not yet. However, you do have a penchant for surprising me. If you want to play like that, then ask nicely and I'd be happy to arrange it."
Another jolt of 'want' surged through her at the barely hidden meaning of his words.
Cracking an eyelid, Sarah looked down, surprised at what she saw. In her imaginings of visiting the Goblin Kingdom, she had always seen herself dressed in vaguely medieval styled dresses, but this was nothing like what she had imagined. She was wearing knee high boots of leather that were such a deep green they were almost black, her legs encased in black velvet tights that clung to every curve. Her torso was enfolded in a dress of forest green satin, the tight laced front pushing her breasts upward, soft mounds of ivory highlighting the dramatic color of the fabric surrounding them.
….Holy shit! I have cleavage….
Impressive cleavage in fact…. Giggled her libido, suggesting that she make a show of bending over and 'adjusting' herself, just to see the look on Jareth's face.
The sleeves of the dress hung just off her shoulders in large poufs of material that gathered tightly above her elbows, before falling open in a graceful bell of shimmering green gauze toward her wrists. Arching her neck to look over her shoulder, Sarah gave a brief hip wiggle and gasped as the amazing dress swished behind her. The front of the skirt fell open stopping at mid-thigh while allowing a full view of the velvet tights underneath; as the skirt belled around her, it lengthened – the back teasing lightly against her ankles.
No. This was most assuredly not what she had thought she would wear, but she liked it. A lot.
"Pleased, Precious?" he asked.
"It's gorgeous," she grinned, her face still registering astonishment.
"I am quite sure it is not what you were expecting. While women's fashion Underground does tend toward the your medieval style, the Goblin Queen being the exception, I thought that as the Champion of the Labyrinth you would be more comfortable in something designed for adventure, rather than lounging about engaging in court gossip," Jareth explained, conveniently leaving out the fact that he had dressed her in a facsimile of the Goblin Queen's daily court wear.
Flashing her a knowing look, he let his eyes wander over her figure and purred inwardly, as he waited.
….Three….Two….One…...
Sarah's eyes narrowed as she registered what she was wearing – everything she was wearing.
"You cheated, Goblin King," she muttered, plucking at the front of her dress so that she could peer down into the confines of the dress, her suspicions confirmed. "You left out the underthings…again."
With a wink, Jareth approached her, holding out a gloved hand. "Now, now, Love. It is rather rude to accuse me of cheating when I merely did as promised. Exactly what, you yourself dictated in fact – appropriate underthings. Was that not what you insisted upon?" he asked, his tone reasonable and teasing, "…demanded really."
Sarah stopped, her lips pursed in considertion. The full realization hit her with a thud that made her face flush and her breath catch.
…. Damn. Damn. Double-damn…. Bloody Fae and their tricky loopholes…..
Seriously…when are you going to start reading the fine-print before making deals with Jareth…. Snarked her inner-self, feeling vindicated by the fact that Sarah had once again, gotten trapped in a loophole of her own making, like a noose drawn tight around her ankle.
Seeing the light of understanding in Sarah's eyes, Jareth plucked her hand from where it had paused in mid-air during her rant, and raising it to his lips, tenderly kissed her palm, before tucking her hand at the crook of his elbow.
"I believe you will find that due to the design of the dress, no additional corsetry is necessary and the tights, well…they don't allow much room for additional layers," he chuckled, leading her toward the door. "And truth be told, Precious," he paused, his voice dropping low in a conspiratorial tone, "Reducing the number of items on you means that I can get you out of them and back into that rather lovely nude state, that much faster when we have finally finished court business."
WHOHOOOO! Shrieked her libido, going giddy at the mere thought of being once again naked and entwined with Jareth's coolly naked form, amongst the silken sheets of his bed.
"Now then, I think it is time to meet my advisors," he said, opening the door.
Stepping into the hall, Sarah gasped as it began to dissolve around them. The last thing Sarah heard was Jareth's frustrated roar – "BLAST!" – before she found herself standing once more in her bedroom at the Alpha Chi Omega house.
"Son of a bitch," she growled, flouncing onto her bed angrily. "This whole four hour thing is really becoming a royal pain in the ass."
Sarah pounded her fists against the bed as she screamed into a pillow.
….Again….SOOOOO not fair!... And now I can't see him again for four hours…..
She screamed once more into the pillow, kicking her legs against the mattress and sending two goblins yelping from under the bed in fear. Huffing in frustration, she stilled, her mind ticking over what her next move should be – go to class or skip it entirely in favor of holing up for a session with her new battery-operated boyfriend. So far, skipping class was winning.
Then...she sat up, a wicked smile shining in her emerald eyes.
There was a way.
She just had to be conniving. Be tricky.
In other words - think like the Goblin King, himself.
And Sarah laughed.
Still grumbling from the abrupt disappearance of Sarah, Jareth stormed into his study and threw himself into his desk chair, startling his two most trusted advisors as they stood waiting for their morning audience with him.
"Problem, Your Majesty?" enquired the tall, dark haired elven male as he placed a sheaf of papers on the desk before the Goblin King.
"Nothing that concerns you, Gaelin," snapped Jareth, his fingers closing around the quill laying on the blotter as he began to skim the papers in front of him, signing those that needed them and initialing others. Thrusting the completed paperwork back at Gaelin, Jareth leaned back in his chair and propped his feet upon the desk, "Okay, Gaelin, get on with the morning report."
Jareth half-listened to the report as Gaelin droned on, going over the reports of the previous day and the calendar for today, all the while counting down the time until he could return Aboveground and fetch Sarah back with him.
It is your own fault, mate…. Griped his libido ….Too smart for your own good sometimes with that four- hour clause - four hours per fantasy and an additional four hours before you can return Above. Gah! Idiot!
….I had my reasons…. Jareth countered, feeling his ire rise … I did it because I wanted her to feel safe and to trust me…..
His internal dialogue was cut short with a loud grunt as a sudden weight crashed down upon him with a distinctly feminine 'yelp', his arms wrapping around it in an instinctive reaction. Blinking in confusion he looked at the huddled mass swathed in green silk that had suddenly appeared in his lap.
"S-Sarah?" he asked, his shock giving way to amusement at her awkward posture – her knees pulled toward her chest while her hands covered her face.
"Fucking Hell." Sarah muttered.
"Nope. This isn't Hell. As to the rest of it, well…I suggest we consider that as an activity for later," Jareth teased, before dipping his lips toward her ear.
Peering over the top of her hands, Sarah turned toward the sound of the Goblin King's voice. Blushing scarlet at the sight of his bemused smirk, she buried her face once more in her hands. Jareth merely laughed, wrapping his arms around her more securely and settling her against his chest.
"Come. Come, Precious," cajoled Jareth, tugging gently at her hands, "No need to hide your charming face. Although, I must say, you certainly do know how to make an entrance."
Blushing further, Sarah slid a hand through her hair, smoothing it before turning to give Jareth a sheepish grin.
"Care to share how you managed to return to me, when by the rules of our agreement we are unable to return to each other for four hours after the time limit is reached?" Jareth felt his insides burn at the devilish grin Sarah gave him, her eyes alight with impish glee.
"Simple, I decided to think like the most sneaky, Fae I know. I just asked myself what the Goblin King would do and the answer came to me," she replied mysteriously.
Raising an eyebrow in his characteristically sardonic smirk, Jareth's eyes narrowed as he looked at the squirming young woman on his lap.
Grinning at the calculating look Jareth gave her, Sarah continued, " I just took advantage of a loophole."
"Loophole?"
"Yup. A loophole," Sarah giggled, winking cheekily at him as she tried to slid off his lap once more, and failed due to the firm grip he had upon her hips. "The rules stated that you couldn't return Aboveground for four hours, but they didn't say that I couldn't come here."
Curling his tongue around pointed canines, Jareth considered this... She is right. Sneaky girl. Using my own loophole against me….
I just wish she'd use other things against you – preferably naked, soft and silken body parts….. drooled his libido in a fit of lust….. If you let her get away this time, I will never speak to you again, mate! It threatened …. She is your match in every way! She can even think like you! You'd be crazy to let her go again!
…. As if I had any intention of letting her go the first time… Jareth grumbled inwardly…. I certainly have no intention of letting her escape me this time…..
"Clever wench," purred Jareth, leaning in and lightly nipping Sarah's earlobe, momentarily forgetting they had an audience. "And just how did you manage to get back here? The goblins in your closet are not powerful enough to transport you."
"Easy. I wished it," Sarah announced. "Although, the wording might have been somewhat problematic, since the Labyrinth seems to take things far too literally. I wished to be taken to you, not to land in your lap!" she explained, trying once more to stand, and failing as Jareth's fingers dug more tightly into her hips.
"Must I remind you to be careful what you wish for, Precious? Wishing is serious business. You of all people should know that by now. You are just lucky I wasn't in the bath," chided Jareth, the flash of mischief in his eyes hinting at the wicked thoughts dancing through his mind at the thought of having her once more in his bath.
"Bah! You'd enjoy that too much!" countered Sarah with a laugh, pushing against his chest and wriggling further toward his knees. "Don't even try to act like you wouldn't."
With a low groan, Jareth's arms tightened around her once more, pinning her in place. "Will you stop that infernal squirming, woman! You're driving me to distraction as is and there are things that must be accomplished before I can drag you back to my bed."
It was at this point that Gaelin cleared his throat, deciding it was prudent to remind the King that he and the mysterious lady who had abruptly appeared in his lap, had an audience. Sarah gasped, her face flushing hotly as she noticed the dark-haired male standing slightly behind Jareth's chair. Even Jareth had the good grace to look somewhat sheepish, although he quickly schooled his features into a look of smug, self-confidence – he was King after all – if he wanted to wrestle with the attractive woman in his lap, it was his prerogative.
Pushing against him once more, Sarah squirmed over his thigh, trying desperately to put her feet back onto the ground and move away from what she was sure looked to their audience as a distinctly compromising and improper position.
"Let me go, Jareth," she whispered urgently, wriggling further.
"No. I want you here," came the firm reply. "So stop wriggling and relax, Sarah."
A gasp sounded from the other side of the desk. Sarah's head whipped around and she groaned seeing the blushing face of woman with long blonde hair, sitting upon a sofa at the other end of the room.
…. Seriously….could this morning get worse? I've just been giving two complete strangers a show… They are going to think I'm just the King's strumpet or something….
"The Sarah?" asked the other woman.
"Yes," chuckled Jareth, adjusting Sarah's perch on his lap once more. "Sarah, meet Gaelin," he said, cocking his head toward the man behind him, before nodding toward the woman on the sofa, "… And Violante. The advisors I was telling you about earlier. Gaelin and Violante, I present to you Miss Sarah Williams of the Aboveground, and the reigning Champion of the Labyrinth."
Bobbing her head, Sarah managed to form a coherent and polite reply, "Pleased to meet you." Followed immediately by, "Champion…wha….?"
"Hush, Precious…. I'll explain later. Morning reports first. And do stop that wriggling. You are making it quite impossible for me to concentrate on anything Graelin is likely to say."
"Put. Me. Down," growled Sarah in exasperation, as Jareth adjusted her again, his hips arching upward just enough that she could feel the solid ridge beneath her – her face flushing once more at the realization of why he was so insistent that she quit squirming.
….Serves him right…. It is his own fault…..
Nice to know that you have an effect on him…. Drawled her libido….. Of course in those trousers, any effect would have the potential to be embarrassing…..
….Again….I say it serves him right!... Sarah thought, giving a deliberate shimmy of her hips. ….Take that, Jareth!...
"Stop. That," Jareth ground out, his voice low in her ear.
"Make. Me," retorted Sarah with a devilish grin.
"Excuse me a moment Graelin," Jareth said dryly over his shoulder, before twisting his hand into Sarah's hair tightly, arching her neck and drawing her lips to his in a deep, insistent and thoroughly breathtaking kiss. When she stopped squirming and seemed to melt bonelessly against him, he released her lips, his fingers tenderly combing through her hair, before caressing her cheek.
"Finished, Pet?" he asked, his voice a rasp of velvet against her ear.
"Quite," Sarah conceded breathlessly, feeling the ridge beneath her thigh pulse, resulting in her own insides trembling.
With a flick of his wrist, a coffee cup and a plate of pastries appeared before Sarah on the desk. "Eat, Precious," he murmured, his lips grazing lightly upon her cheek, before gesturing toward Graelin, "Do continue, Graelin."
Violante blushed watched her king soundly kiss the young woman in his arms and seeing Sarah's eyes fall on her, turned her attention to the papers spread on the coffee table in front of her, her long blonde hair falling across her cheek to hid the pink tinge of her cheeks.
The kingdom report continued and Sarah tried to pay attention the details as Gaelin continued to drone on, but it was really dull. … Poor Jareth having to go through this day after day. No wonder he taunts Hoggle, it is probably the only thing that keeps him sane…. As Jareth and Gaelin lost themselves discussing an upcoming meeting, Jareth's hands fell from Sarah's hips and she gladly took advantage of it, sliding from his lap and quickly settling down next to Violante on the sofa. Sensing her movement, Jareth merely looked at her, raising a questioning eyebrow in his characteristically smug way, before returning his attention to Graelin and the morning report.
Snuggling into the corner of the sofa with her coffee and pastries, Sarah took a good look around Jareth's study. Like most things she had encountered on her latest trip to the Goblin Kingdom, the study was not what she expected.
When will you learn not to take things for granted…. Snarked her inner-voice, shaking its head in dismay.
It was a large room, a large balcony and French doors on the far wall, opposite the door. To the right of the balcony was a large fireplace, framed with a mosaic of fairy tale creatures …. Well….I suppose here in the Underground they aren't fairy tale creatures, but actual creatures…. Sarah mused, her eyes drawn to the brightly colored bits of tile and made up the exotic art around the fireplace.
The wall opposite the fireplace was lined with nothing but shelves. Shelves, upon shelves of books, papers, scrolls. Some of the shelves were so full, the papers threatened to fall out of them – and some places already had, laying scattered on the floor amongst stacks of books that had not yet been put on the shelves. Sarah's fingers actually began to twitch looking at the messy shelves – if there as one thing she hated, it was disorganized book shelves (neat shelves being something of an obsession with her).
….Next trip, I'll have to see if I can get him out of here long enough to organize those shelves…. she wondered.
Already planning on another trip are we? Asked her inner-voice with a knowing smirk.
Forget the shelves…. Demanded her libido …. Next trip, let's see if you can't convince him to stay in bed all day!
Rather than being ornate, Jareth's desk was made of a dark wood and appeared to be quite heavy as it was rather large. The top was covered with piles of papers, rolls of parchment, quills, pots of ink and an intriguing metal contraption that held a small well of colored liquid over a burning candle, with several metal implements hanging from a hook. It wasn't until Jareth picked up an implement that turned out to be a miniature ladle and scooped up some of the swirling red liquid that she realized what it was – a wax seal crucible. She watched as Jareth ladled the wax onto a freshly signed document, then quickly pressed a ring to the wax, before sliding it back onto his hand.
….Hmm…never noticed that ring before….. she thought idly as she watched…..
Only because you are more interested in looking at other parts of his anatomy…. Snickered her libido – quite rightly, as Sarah blushed considering what parts of Jareth she was rather interested in upon this trip.
That said, he does have rather lovely hands…. Interjected her inner-voice.
Not to mention talented … drooled her libido, flashing up memories of Jareth's hands covered in buffalo wing sauce, while wondering what it would be like to suck those long, and oh-so-talented fingers into her mouth. Sarah was so engrossed in the image that she didn't realize until it was too late, that Violante had been talking to her.
"….you rooms?"
"Um…. Sorry," mumbled Sarah embarrassed to be caught out in such a way, "Could you repeat that. I didn't hear you clearly."
"I asked if His Majesty has assigned you rooms within the castle. As the chatelaine, I would be happy to do so, if you are going to be with us for awhile, that is," smiled Violante, her pale purple eyes shining with friendly light.
"Oh…well…thanks. But…um….." Sarah glanced at Jareth, but he was lost in a discussion of goblin mining rights and not paying the slightest attention to anything but Graelin and the mining map in front of him. "I'm only visiting for the day."
"Oh," frowned Violante, her face falling at the news. "I had assumed that since you were the Champion, you would be spending more time here. I could have rooms in the guest wing prepared for you if you'd like – just in case."
Smiling, Sarah nodded, not having the heart to tell Violante that she didn't think she would ever be back after today.
"Actually, Violante, as my Champion Sarah will have access to the Queen's Chambers anytime she should wish to make use of them. Please assign a maid to those rooms and see they are always ready," commented Jareth, winking briefly at Sarah, before returning to his conversation with Gaelin.
"Queen's Chambers…." Violante nodded, blushing slightly. "Of course, as Champion that would be her right."
"Sneaky bugger," muttered Sarah, shaking her head in amusement. "Never can tell if he is paying attention or not."
Violante giggled and nodded, leaning close to Sarah, she whispered, "Yes. He is a bit like that. I find it is best to always assume he is listening, less likely to be bogged that way. Although, considering the way he responded when you appeared, I can't see that it would be likely he would bog you at all."
"I'd like to see him try," whispered Sarah conspiratorially.
"I heard that," intoned the Goblin King, eying the ladies on the sofa with mock sternness, until they giggled, then turning his attention back to Gaelin.
Tucking her feet underneath her, Sarah nibbled on a danish as she watched Violante work on the papers scattered across the coffee table in front of them. Sarah surreptitiously studied what Violante was doing, taking in the parchment with a large square drawn on it, with 18 smaller squares spaced around it. Periodically Violante would write in some of the smaller squares, pause, then frantically scribble out what she had written.
"Can I ask what you are doing?"
"I'm the chatelaine," Violante said with a small shrug, as if that answered the question.
"Yes…I got that earlier. So you are in charge of seeing that the castle runs smoothly. Organizing everything from housekeeping rosters to menus and the purchasing of supplies," answered Sarah, still eying the paper curiously. "So what is this you are working on? It certainly doesn't look like a roster or menu."
"His Majesty is hosting the quarterly Undeground King's Council and I am trying to sort out seating for the banquet. But it is impossible. Every one of them has people they will and won't sit next to, places they will or won't sit. It is a nightmare," sighed Violante, tossing her quill down in frustration. Seeing Sarah smile, Violante pursed her lips. "Why are you looking at me like that, Lady Sarah?"
Without a word, Sarah hopped up, pointedly ignoring Jareth as she plucked a blank sheet of parchment from a stack on his desk. Leaning over so her cleavage was planted on the stack of papers in front of him, she grabbed a spare quill and gave him a cheeky wink before returning to the sofa.
Quill poised above the parchment, Sarah grinned at Violante, ignoring the way Jareth's eyes burned into the back of her head, "Okay, give me the list of people and their likes and dislikes and I'll help you sort out the seating."
Seeing Violante's confused look, Sarah only laughed, the sound chiming merrily around the room. "I love puzzles," explained Sarah, nodding toward the seating chart on the table. "I always have. Puzzles, riddles and even…. mazes," she turned, giving Jareth a sly smirk before returning her attention to Violante. "This is just a logic puzzle and they are a particular favorite of mine. I love a challenge….let's do this."
Smiling at the strange girl who was the King's Champion, Violante just shook her head before listing off the various guests and their details, while Sarah scribbled down notes. She watched Sarah with interest, as the brunette settled cross-legged on the floor next to the coffee table and began to draw tables of names across the sheet of parchment, muttering to herself as she worked.
Ten minutes later Sarah sat back and perused her work, nodding to herself before grabbing Violante's blank seating chart and rapidly slotting names into seats.
"Piece of cake," announced Sarah, tossing the quill onto the table with a satisfied grin. "Even the troll king should be happy and he was the pickiest of the lot!"
Violante's jaw dropped in shock. "Surely, you can't have finished already! I've been working on the seating for the last week!"
Grabbing the seating chart, Violante read it over shaking her head in disbelief. Looking up at Graelin and the Goblin King, Violante shook her head again. "She did it. I can't believe it! Ten minutes and she completed a task I've been working on all week," she muttered, sliding the completed chart onto the desk, where the King and Graelin leaned over the examine it.
Pale eyes twinkled devilishly as the Goblin King looked at Sarah, who had smugly settled herself back onto the sofa with a fresh cup of coffee from the nearby pot.
"And this is why she is my Champion and Queen candidate by right of conquest," Jareth chuckled, smiling fondly at the brunette on the sofa.
Coughing wildly as she choked on her coffee, Sarah spun to look at Jareth, her voice squeaking as she spoke, "QUEEN WHAT?"
Yup...you heard him gang...Queen Candidate by right of conquest.. (tsk tsk) Jareth has quite a bit of 'splaining to do. First the whole peach thing and now this. Poor Sarah!
'By Right of Conquest' pt. 2 will be up in the next 24-48 hours...I just wanted to give y'all something since you've been so patiently waiting. :)