Chapter 3

(His Sarah)

Demitri sat quietly in the window seal of the war room waiting for everyone to arrive so the meeting could begin. He sighed disappointed he hadn't been able to go and see Meridian in two days. His green eyes scanned the room and finding we was still alone he produced a crystal as elegantly as his father. "Meridian".

Instantly the image of the mortal woman appeared within the sphere. An amused smile crossed his face as he watched Meridian playing with a couple of chipmunks.

"Demitri."

"Hmm? Wha…" the prince started almost dropping the crystal as his attention snapped back to reality.

Jareth raised an eyebrow at him. He looked at the crystal his son had nearly dropped as well as the expression on his son's face. "How long has it been since you've seen her?" The king asked knowingly.

"Two days. It's the first time I've used a crystal," Demitri admitted feeling a mixture of both disappointment and guilt at being caught.

"You won't be of much use," Jareth stated.

"My apologies," Demitri said and vanished the crystal.

"Demitri…" Jareth began.

"I'll pay attention," He replied quickly.

"You'll try," Jareth said giving his son a sympathetic smile. He watched as his son took on a look of almost hurt. "Son, try as I know you would…your thoughts will be on young Meridian." Demitri lowered his head.

"Go to her." Demitri was surprised to hear Lord Askots words. The prince looked at him. Seeing the younger fae's surprise he said, "Never has a woman caught your attention before. You've certainly done more for this kingdom than your brothers ever have. I think we can agree to allow you to skip this meeting."

Hopeful eyes looked toward the king. "They're right. Go, Go to her."

"Thank you," he replied and quickly leaped out the window transforming and flying away.

"He's really taken with her," Dante remarked.

"Yes," Jareth agreed. "I was going to dismiss him early anyway but since he's gone… I need scouts sent out. I need the girl wathed and a weakness found."

"Weakness sire?" Lord Askots inquired.

"Meridian isn't just some mortal girl, she's a forest child."

"Sire, I fail to see…"

"As a Forest Child she could be subject to the elves," Jareth informed the other Fae men in the room.

"Of which we aren't currently on the best of terms with," Lord Askots said recognizing the problematic situation.

"Yes and there is only one way to ensure they have no say," Jareth continued.

"If someone wishes her way," Dante said knowing full well where the king was headed with his words.

"You want us to determine if there is anyone …"

"Yes Forday but quietly," The king replied. "Sarah would have a fit. There is no doubt in my mind of Demitri's feelings for the girl."

"She's he Sarah," Dawson commented.

"Yes," the king agreed. Jareth let out a sigh before saying, "I was willing to take the girl on All Hollow's Eve but Sarah wouldn't hear of it. She's against taking the girl period!" Jareth was quickly becoming annoyed at not having already obtained the mortal girl.

"Your queen may become very angry with you," Lord Askot warned becoming concerned for the king.

"Sarah won't find out if we are careful," The king said and looked down at a map. The others gave each other a concerned look but none dared to comment. Somehow Queen Sarah seemed to always find out if their king did or attempted to do something that was questionable. Each was aware of the potential of this becoming a disaster. A disaster none of them truly wanted to be a part of.

"Jareth," Sarah said entering the room. "Do…where's Demitri?" She asked surprised to not see their eldest child. Demitri was always at every meeting.

"Do you truly need to ask my dear?" The king inquired.

A frown crossed Sarah's beautiful face. "Meridian," she said disappointed. The king gave an elegant nod. "What are we going to do about this?" Sarah asked openly concerned.

"Do about what?" Jareth asked. Sarah put her hands on her hips and glared at her husband. Her actions left no room for any possible amusement. "What would you have me do?"

"Tell him no!" Sarah demanded.

"That girl belongs in the mortal world even less than you did!" Jareth insisted.

"No she…"

"Actually my queen his majesty is correct," Lord Askott interrupted. Green eyes looked his direction. "My queen she's a forest child and therefore even less understood than you were."

"The Prince cannot stop his heart any more than his Majesty could where you were concerned," Dante added a moment later.

"That's what concerns me," Sarah replied before turning to look at her husband. "Do you really want them to go through what we did?" She asked. Her eyes were full of concern and pleaded with the king to see things her way.

"No, no I do not," Jareth admitted. "But we can't tell him no. He's fae and his heart is set on Meridian."

"He can';t take her by force!" Sarah demanded. "You have to tell him he can't…"

"That I will agree to," Jareth said quickly.

"You will?" Sarah asked a little surprised at his quickness to agree with her.

"Of course my dear," he said and walked over to where she stood. Gently he took both her hands in his and placed a gentle kiss on each. "I do not want Demitri to have the same trouble with Meridian that I had with you."

"You caused it!" The queen snapped and went to take her hands away.

"I know," Jareth said keeping hold of her hands. "I accept that I was demanding and yes by human standards what I did was wrong. I promise I will not allow Demitri to do to Meridian what I did to you,"

"You'll talk to him?" Sarah asked hopeful.

"Talk to him and forbid him," Jareth assured his concerned wife. He took his left hand and gently stroked her cheek.

"Okay," she said feeling much calmer now. Jareth gave her a gentle chaste kiss and watched as the queen left the room allowing the door to shut behind her.

"I thought…"

"I said I would forbid Demitri," Jareth said interrupting Dawson. "I never said I wouldn't take the girl for him." He turned and faced the other men in the room. "Find me something."

"As you wish." The king nodded and left the room.

"Queen Sarah will not be pleased," Dawson stated.

"No," Askott agreed. "Still it will free Prince Demitri from ever becoming blind by obsession as our king was where our queen was concerned. "We need to do this before she finds out."

"Agreed." It was time to find a way to bring Meridian to the Underground that didn't involve the elves permission.

Demitri watched from a tree as Meridian tended to a young rabbit that had gotten a thorn stuck in its right hind leg. Every part of him wanted to approach her but the fae prince just didn't know how. He was afraid if he simply walked out that he'd scare her and that was the last thing he wanted.

"You can stare at her through a crystal you know." Demitri jumped and whirled around to see both Kavan and Tiernan leaning on different trees looking at him.

Demitri silently cursed. Why did everyone keep catching him watching Meridian today? "What do you want?" He asked annoyed.

"Actually we're rather curious what the problem is?" Kavan said crossing his arms. She's just over there and there is no one around to interrupt.

"I don't want to scare her," Demitri said crossing his arms and glancing down at the ground.

"You don't think you'll frighten the girl if she catches you staring through the trees at her?" Tiernan questioned. The two princes watched as realization began to dawn on their older brother.

"Well you two are experienced with this kind of thing. What do you suggest?" Demitri grudgingly inquired. He hated the idea of asking his younger brothers for help but he had to admit they both had a point. Starring at her through crystals and in between trees was not going to get him anywhere.

"Just act like your walking through the forest and act surprised when you see her," Kavan suggested. Demitri looked at him less than convinced. "Trust me it'll work. We use this type of tactic all the time."

"What do you mean…never mind. I'm sure I don't want to know," Demitri decided. The heir to the throne was well aware of how decadent his brothers were when it came to most women. There had only ever been a couple they had been very respectful of. "Alright, I guess I can try." Demitri turned to approach Meridian only to hear someone call the girl's name. The fae men watched in silence as another mortal girl with brown hair approached Meridian.

"What is it with you and the woods?" Allison inquired.

"I feel at home here," Meridian said unconcerned.

Allison looked at the rabbit in her lap and frowned. "You really need to start spending less time around animals and more time around people." Her eyes scanned the area to find several animals watching her. "This many animals is creepy."

"Feels right to me," Meridian said unconcerned.

"Meridian…you're going to end up being an old hag that everyone makes up stories about if you don't make some changes," Allison warned. "There are a few guys that think you're pretty but they don't want to deal with all the animals. I mean these things are so tame with you they might as well be your pets."

"Allison this is who I am. I enjoy my animal friends. If someone has a problem with that it's their problem not mine," she replied.

"No guy will ever want you like this," Allison said hotly. She had wanted Meridian to see the problem with her ways but the blonde woman was secure in who she was. There is more to life than these stupid animals!" The brunette girl said openly frustrated.

"It isn't your decision Allison," Meridian replied calmly. "You don't have to like my choices but I ask that you respect them. Just as I respect your choices."

"You're throwing your life away for a bunch of flea infested animals!" Allison snapped.

"No, I'm not. I'm happy here Allison. I don't expect you to be," Meridian replied keeping calm even though the other girl was becoming more upset.

Demitri listened for only a couple of moments later and was finished. He did not approve of the girl named Allison or her attacks on Meridian. Demitri left the cover of the trees to make his presence known.

"I see another furry friend has found you," Demitri commented entering the area.

"Demitri," Meridian said openly surprised to see him. "Ummm….hello." Meridian watched as the other girl turned and became instantly delighted at his appearance.

"Is the animal alright?" Demitri asked looking at its hurt leg.

"Yeah she has a thorn in her leg. She'll be alright though," Meridian assured him. She smiled at him and Demitri felt his heart warm.

Demitri approached and looked at the animal in her arms. "Lucky for you Meridian was here," he told the rabbit before gently rubbing the animal's side.

"I'm Allison," The other girl said openly admiring him.

Demitri barely looked at her before turning his attention to Meridian once more. "Shall we return your friend to its burro?" He asked. "I wouldn't want to chance a predator getting a hold of your injured friend. If you can't I would be happy to take her for you."

"You're kidding," Allison said sounding almost annoyed.

"Animals are as much a part of this world as humans. To be loved by animals says a considerable amount about one's character. Animals don't come to just anyone. Especially not wild ones," Demitri said in a way that insinuated she wasn't as worthy. "I would take the company of one loved by nature over others any day." Suddenly realizing the insult the dark hared girl turned around and stormed off.

"What are you doing here?" Meridian asked.

"Am I not allowed to pay you a visit?" Demitri asked. He watched as the mortal woman smiled and blushed as she looked away. "The disaster at the fair took away our ability to speak." Meridian remained silent and he quickly realized she was uncomfortable. The prince wanted to hit his head on something. Had he scared her? Was he saying the wrong thing? "Do you want me to go?" Demitri asked finally.

"No!" Meridian said far faster and louder than she meant. "No," she said much quieter. "I'm not used to people wanting to spend time with me just for me. Usually it's because they want me to do something for them."

"Surely you have friends," he replied.

"I get along with most people," Meridian said. "They just aren't as accepting of my love for the forest. Nearly everyone tries to take me away from the forest after a short period of time with me." Meridian looked away and then back at the prince. "This is who I am Demitri. I won't suddenly walk away from the forest in a few weeks. I don't expect you to understand but… I need the forest." Sadly she looked down.

Gently Demitri reached over and stroked the left side of her cheek before lifting her chin to look at him. "I don't want you to give up spending time in a forest or with animals," he assured her. "I admire your devotion to nature and respect you for it. A thousand years from now I would still expect you to be spending time in the forest. I just might spend a lot of time in them with you."

"You mean that don't you?" Meridian asked.

"Never change Meridian," he told her. "No matter what anyone else says love what you love."

"Meridian!"

"I'm sorry that's my mother. I have to go," she said openly disappointed. "Will I see you again?" Meridian asked hopeful. Demitri nodded. "Meet me here three days from now at noon." Demitri nodded and watched as she disappeared through the woods.

He smiled at the thought of seeing her once more very soon. "Let's get you home," he told the female. The bunny rubbed her head against his hand. Pleased he began walking through the woods.