A/N: Time for our lovers to get better acquainted...
They ate in silence for a long while, with Sarah surreptitiously glancing at Jareth out of the corner of her eye.
Her mind was racing.
How did he become the Goblin King if he's a fey? And why? Why was Gookie so hostile when she talked about the Fey Council? Do they not like goblins? Do they not like Jareth? Does he not like them? Something serious definitely happened. But what? And what's up his expression? He looks like he's concentrating on something. Oh, shit! Now he's looking at me! Look away! LOOK AWAY!
She whipped her head forward, cheeks blazing.
"Something on your mind, precious?" Jareth asked.
"No." Yes.
"Sarah, you can ask me anything." His voice was gentle.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and met his gaze.
I don't think that's entirely true…but maybe I can get SOME answers out of him. Just keep it casual.
"Uh, I was just wondering…how was your meeting with the Ambassador?"
He tensed slightly and looked away.
"As well as expected." He said dryly before sipping his wine.
She analyzed the Goblin King's stony spread inside of her like a ripple on a pond.
"Whom does he represent?"
"The Fey Council." He answered shortly, still keeping his eyes averted.
So it's not just the goblins. Sounds like he has a problem with the council too. Time to play dumb.
"Fey Council?" She asked innocently.
Jareth exhaled a tad harshly.
"They're the highest form of government in our world. It's made up of seven elders in the fey kingdom of Annwyn."
"Is that where you're from?"
He turned to her and quirked an eyebrow in surprise.
"I-I mean, I'm just asking because, you know, you're obviously a fey, being all 'magic' and…stuff." Sarah fumbled, trying to save face. "I s-studied fey a bit in college and, well, since you said that it's a fey council a-and a fey kingdom, I was just wondering if Annwyn is, uh, where you originally came f-from?"
Wow. Smooth. Real smooth.
There was a long pause and she anxiously wrung her hands in her lap, until he spoke again.
"Yes, Sarah. I am a fey and I was born in Annwyn." He confirmed indifferently.
She internally sighed with relief that he hadn't caught on.
Switch the angle.
"How long have you been the Goblin King?"
His rigid shoulders relaxed a bit.
"Thirteen hundred years." He said with a grin.
Sarah gaped at him.
Come on! Don't act surprised! You studied fey in mythology, remember? And you're actually living and breathing in a 'fantasy' world! For the SECOND damn time! Keep up, will ya?
"By yourself?" She finally managed to ask.
Jareth's grin dropped a fraction.
"There are thousands of goblins in the Labyrinth, Sarah. I'm hardly ever alone."
She caught the subtle hesitancy in his words.
"But you're still the only one here…like you?"
The Goblin King eyes searched hers for a long moment before he smiled softy.
"Not anymore." He stated resolutely.
Sarah felt her cheeks flush again at his meaning and was a breath away from continuing her undercover interrogation when something flashed through her mind.
It was so strange, like a psychic warning.
Just because you two agreed to be friends, doesn't mean that he has to tell you everything on the first day. Stop poking your nose where it doesn't belong and let him tell you when he's ready.
She felt a strange sense of ease follow her moment of clarity.
It's none of my business and, frankly, it doesn't matter anyway. Just let it go. He'll tell me when the time comes.
"So Sarah," Jareth said cheerfully, "you've been asking me a lot questions this evening. I believe it's my turn now."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"Ask away."
"What's your favorite color?"
Sarah blinked at him.
That was unexpected.
"My favorite color? Oh, I don't know…uh…I guess it depends. I normally like deep, rich colors on clothing. Bright colors I like on walls and furniture and outdoorsy stuff like flowers."
God, I sound lame.
"I guess, if I had to choose one, I'd probably say royal blue."
Jareth looked completely enthralled.
"Um, what's your favorite color?" She asked nervously.
"Ah, ah, ah, precious." He said with a smirk. "You're still five questions ahead. That's not fair, and we both know how much you value fairness."
Sarah crossed her arms in a mock-pout.
"What's your favorite animal?"
"I'm a big-dog person, but I like cats too. I also like horses, tigers, wolves, hummingbirds and whales."
"Favorite food?"
Why are his questions so trivial? He can't possibly find all this interesting.
"Anything but Mexican food."
"Favorite book?"
The Labyrinth. No way am I telling him that!
"The Wizard of Oz."
"Favorite past-time?"
"Lots of things, really. I like to go for walks, I like shopping, and rock-climbing, cycling, swimming, and painting, though I'm not very good at it. Oh, and I love to read! I opened a book-store called the Page Maze."
Jareth's fascinated eyes twinkled, no doubt realizing just how she got the idea for the name.
"And how are you enjoying my Labyrinth?"
Talk about déjà vu.
"It's a piece of cake." She said playfully. "You're not going to sick the Cleaners on me now, are you?"
"On the contrary," he chuckled, "that's exactly what I was hoping you would say, but since that technically was another question, it's my turn again. How old are you?"
"I turned thirty in June."
"Your turn, Sarah."
"What's your favorite color?"
Jareth leaned towards her and suddenly the temperature of the room seemed to increase.
"Green. What kind of music do you like?"
"I-I like classic rock from the seventies, eighties rock metal, some techno and pop. I really like movie scores too. Um, favorite food?"
"Live wild boar."
Sarah felt her stomach turn over as she stared at him in shock.
"You asked." He reminded her with a shrug. "I told you that I'm mostly carnivorous. I can swallow a boar whole."
"Okay, okay!"
Geez, what is it with everybody and meat around here?
"What's your favorite film?" Jareth continued.
"It's always changing. Currently, I'd say my favorite movie is The African Queen. Before that it was Bringing up Baby. I'm kind of on a Katherine Hepburn kick, but it's filtering off into Rudolph Valentino now. My favorite genres are usually fantasy and horror, though. What's your favorite animal?"
"The barn owl." A mischievous glint lit up his eyes. "What's your best friend's name?"
"Toby's really my best friend, but there's also Lucy. We were roommates in college, and we opened the bookstore together, but we don't really hang out that much."
Mostly because of me.
"How old are you?"
"I'm a little over thirty-one thousand years."
"WHAT?"
"It's my turn, Sarah." He protested.
"B-but, I-I mean you can't…thirty-one thousand? That's impossible!"
The Goblin King stared at her and the only thing missing from the silence was a cliché cricket chirping.
She rubbed her temple in embarrassment.
"Apparently, I can't use that word anymore, can I?"
Back and forth went the questions and Sarah was vaguely conscious of the fact that, at some point, they'd risen from their chairs, left the dining room and strolled through the halls to the Escher room and were now standing outside her door.
She'd been careful to avoid questions about his past, instead focusing on his preferences. She'd learned that he liked to read as well, though he'd come across so many books in his lifetime, it was impossible for him to pick a favorite.
He liked to sing and dance with the goblins. He loved flying in his owl form. He also liked to observe humans. He named a long list of movies, music, and artists he'd come across in his numerous travels over the centuries and she was amazed at how little she recognized from the culture of her own species.
He'd asked her practically everything and no matter how dull she thought her answer was, he seemed to hang on each and every word. Like it was the most vital information available.
When they reached her bedroom door, she turned to say goodnight, but was suddenly frozen by Jareth's proximity. His face was as close to hers as it had been earlier today in the city. His eyes were tender.
She felt her knees start to shake when he slowly raised his hand and, soft as a rose petal, stroked her cheek with the back of his gloved fingers.
"Good night, precious. I'll see you in the morning." He whispered, his voice husky.
"Good night, J-Jareth."
She almost melted to the floor when he then pressed his warm lips to her forehead, before turning away and retreating down the hallway without another word.
Dance magic dance!
Dance magic dance!
Put that baby spell on me!
Gookie rolled her eyes in amusement as she finished turning down the bed.
Her mistress had been singing and smiling goofily to herself ever since she'd stumbled into the bedroom after returning from dinner.
Jump magic jump!
Jump magic jump!
Put that magic jump on me!
Slap that baby, make him free!
"Alright miss." She said poking her head in the bathroom, where Sarah was swaying to the musical beat in her head while she brushed her hair. "It's time for bed now."
"Ya have had a long day." The goblin squeaked, taking the brush and setting it on the vanity before leading her lady to the bedroom.
"I'm not tired, Gookie." Sarah said dreamily, though she climbed into the bed anyway.
"Oh yes ya are." Her servant said firmly, but kindly as she fiddled with the music armoire. "Tomorrow will be here before ya know it."
I'll see you in the morning. Jareth's voice drifted through Sarah's memory.
She eagerly fell back onto the pillows, eyelids heavy.
Her lullaby floated into the air and she was out light a light in an instant.
A/N: This was a really fun chapter to write! I enjoyed building Jareth and Sarah's relationship. What do you guys think? Please review for me! *puppy-dog eyes*