A/N: Quicker update! Everybody celebrate! Because Jareth and Sarah are celebrating. At a Fey ball. Wish we all could be there too ;D. But hopefully I'm taking you all there in your minds! The eventful evening continues, and as much as I really want to get to the chapter after this one (ahem) this is necessary first, so take a look and get to know some new characters :)
Elisabeth S: Yep, like I've said to some other people, my descriptions can get out of hand. Lol! I just really wanted to paint a vivid picture, but that won't be needed anymore now it's established. I WANT TO SEE THEM KISS TOO! Oh wait...It WILL happen. I promise :D. It will be worth the wait...Thanks for reviewing even if you couldn't log in!
WolfeAnimation: Your review put a huge smile on my face! I'm relieved to know that the characters have stayed true to the original because that's what I really wanted to do throughout the story. Didn't want to stray to OOC territory! It happens sometimes though, but I'm glad to hear it hasn't really so far :). And also to hear that my descriptions aren't ridiculous or overwhelming! Whew. I'm so relieved, haha. I can get carried away...Thank you so very much for your review!
Heartfelt thanks to: Kaytori, Elisabeth Sinclaire, The Queen of Water, Invoguewetrust, nortega, mearra, , Senshi at Heart, gothicrocker2, WolfeAnimation, CompleteBookworm2, and deerstop. You guys always make my day!
Enjoy!
Chapter Sixteen: In Search of New Dreams
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Jareth turned around to face the new arrival whose voice he vaguely recognised. As he suspected, it was King Alaster who was one of the Sidhe Court and owner of the Adamant Palace itself. The king was as tall as Jareth, broad of shoulder, and had long brown hair down his back. His eyes were as green as the leaves on the trees. He turned up his sharp chin and bent in a subtle bow to his guest.
"King Alaster," said Jareth in acknowledgement. Alaster was decent company, but he aimed to please all too desperately at times. It kept his lands at peace, but it could become irritating when he refused to ever disagree just to avoid conflict.
"Welcome, welcome! You are very welcome here, although no on...eh, I didn't expect your attendance. It is a pleasant surprise."
"Hm. You seem to be doing well."
"Oh yes," said Alaster with a proud glance around the Great Hall at all his happy guests. "Very well. And what of yourself? Come! You must have so much news to tell after all this time hidden away in the Goblin Kingdom, and—" His bright green eyes finally dared to look upon the woman standing listening. "Who is this lovely creature?"
Jareth prepared himself for whatever variety of reactions Sarah would receive, but he at least knew Alaster would say nothing insulting. "This is Sarah Williams." It was best not to try and give her any other title or label. How would he explain anyway? Sarah stubbornly refused to choose one way or another, so he couldn't say she was a lover or an acquaintance. Friends? That made him want to laugh bitterly. He hardly thought of her as a friend.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sarah Williams," said the high king with a bow. "I am King Alaster of whose home you now stand in on this splendid evening. It's not often we, uh, receive your kind here. It is an honour."
"Thank you, your Majesty," said Sarah with a genuine smile. She never failed to be gracious whether to strangers or friends. Jareth once had been annoyed when it helped her reach the end of his labyrinth, but lately it was growing on him. "The Adamant Palace is very beautiful, and I'm glad to be able to join you tonight."
Alaster beamed. "Thank you, lady! It seems the mortals still have fair speech."
Jareth cringed and subconsciously drew Sarah closer to his side. "I'm sure we will see you again later, Alaster."
The abrupt end to the meeting made the king blink quietly a moment before cheerfully bidding them farewell till later. His eyes lingered on Sarah as he slowly turned aside to find someone else to mingle with; no doubt to gab about the pair. Sarah watched him go with a curious light in her eyes.
"He seemed kind," she murmured.
"Alaster is ever the hospitable host."
Having Sarah so close to him without breaking away was beginning to muddle his senses, but it made the entire evening worth the cost. He had agreed mostly because he wanted to give her everything she asked for—not to mention she'd promised him something in return—and yet another reason had been more of his own agenda. Midsummer's Eve was a grand and romantic occasion ideal for trying to win the heart of a woman. The night sky above, dancing to enchanting melodies, and everything dreamlike. Their dance had been interrupted once before when he nearly had her ensnared, but not this time. This time there wouldn't be an interruption to stop them from falling.
As soon as King Alaster left, a few more Fey followed in his footsteps to approach the sought-after Goblin King. They all greeted him respectfully and with genuine surprise.
A couple wearing matching shades of peach and gold in a material that moved like water were first in line. They were the definition of merry Fey.
"King Jareth! You gave us all quite the shock when you arrived," said the woman. "I cannot count the years since we've last seen you."
"Nor can I," said the man. His grin was almost unbearably bright. "The celebration is all the better to have you here."
Jareth's indifferent demeanour put them off a few remarks later. Three maidens approached with delicate smiles and vibrant dresses pooling at their feet.
"Certainly this will be a Midsummer's Eve to remember," spoke the one in the middle with black hair and deeply smooth tones. "I think your face has almost been forgotten."
One of the others giggled in her tinkling voice. "Oh, that's nonsense! How could anyone forget your face?"
"And who is this with you? I see she is a mortal. I would not have expected the Goblin King to mingle with…humans…"
Jareth tensed with those words. "Excuse me, ladies, for we must be moving on."
The three simpering women were left behind, but a few minutes later their place was taken by two rather short male Fey who made Sarah think of quiet pools of water in the forest. They clearly were brothers or some sort of relation. Both bowed in sync.
"King Jareth, welcome to the festivities at last. You were not expected. But you usually are not. I suppose we all shouldn't be surprised when you do the unexpected."
"Hm. Quite," said the king with an air of disinterest.
"Do you think we shall have any other surprises for the evening?" asked the second brother.
Jareth suddenly paid attention and tightened his hold subconsciously on Sarah. "Let us certainly hope not. If there are, they had better have nothing to do with me."
And so other guests continued to greet them.
Sarah listened as they tried to pry information out of him, asked who she was, and generally tried to slip past the walled defences barring him from their charms. They all seemed friendly enough, but they were quite nosy.
Most of them treated her respectfully, but the hall full of them was not without some icy glares or cold indifference. Sometimes she wasn't sure if it was because she was human or because she was the woman on Jareth's arm. She wasn't blind. Whether they were Sidhe or not, they were female and the looks he was receiving were very appreciative, blatantly seductive, or laced with interest more subtle. Apparently the King of the Goblins was well sought after by women.
Sarah wanted to roll her eyes at some of the looks but restrained herself to maintain decorum. Besides, those looks usually transformed rather hastily once she was noticed. Apparently some of the Fey immediately decided they didn't like her judging by the glowering.
Jareth led her towards the next room with slightly lower ceilings but just as much grandeur. Flowering vines decorated the windows and lined the walls with white and blue blossoms. Tall windows lined the far wall with a spectacular view of the lake outside which rippled onto the white shoreline and reflected the ancient trees towering over its edges.
Dancing...Oh no. I don't know if I can do this again.
Sarah was entranced by the swirling feet and moving bodies all forming together in a synchronised assemblage without one step out of place. Truthfully, Jareth had nailed down her dreams and ideals perfectly when he sent the masquerade vision because she'd always dreamed as a young girl of being swept off her feet at a ball, dancing until the night was old with a mysterious, handsome man. Dancing was a weakness of hers. It drew her in like a magnetic force into its graceful beauty. But to be swept away into the crowds with the music by an alluring man was the deeper weakness that Jareth had directly perceived.
He opened his mouth to speak, but he closed it just as quickly.
A woman approached. This Sidhe woman was like the summer sun. Her hair was deep gold and her eyes a similar shade—which startled Sarah at first because of the reminder of Fiachna, but there was a warmth in them that was not feigned. She was about the same height as Sarah and wore a pale gold gown that, in combination with her unique colouring, made her appear a beam of sunlight standing in the room. But those gold eyes were deep like wells without end: ancient and wise with many, many years written within.
"Jareth, it is good to see you," she said with a wide smile.
She definitely gave off a motherly air. Jareth actually respected her with a slight bow and did not look on her with his indifferent mask, although he still held his cool, composed visage.
"Ètaìn, I hope you are well."
"I am, thank you. And what of you?"
A bit of a smirk curled his lips. "Well enough."
Ètaìn addressed Sarah without waiting for Jareth to introduce them. "And who might you be, my dear?"
"I'm Sarah Williams." She stopped herself from putting out her hand for a handshake and curtsied instead as Jareth had taught her.
"I am Queen Ètaìn, although you needn't call me with such a formal title while I'm away from home. I've not heard tell of you before. I assume you are visiting recently? Oh dear! You're not one of the poor things wished away to Jareth are you?"
Sarah laughed, feeling at ease with this Fay woman, no matter that she was a queen amongst her people. "No, no, not that. Uh...there is good reason for my being here in the Underground, but...well..."
"It remains concealed for now," Jareth finished.
"Ah, ever the bearer of secrets and mystery; especially when you decide to attend a celebration you've avoided for so long. And not alone." Ètaìn lowered her voice a little as her smile faded. "Jareth, you know very well that rumours run rampant among all these folk and that they thirst for tidings of you merely because you keep things so close. Might I suggest answering at least a few inquiries to satiate at least a little of the curiosity? It would do you well, I think, in your position." Her eyes pointedly looked at Sarah before returning to him.
"I'm not a fool, Ètaìn. You should also know that their rumours and whispers do not trouble me in the least."
"It was not for you that I spoke."
He contemplated her remark in quiet. While doing so, an extremely tall Fay bowed before them. He had shorter earthy coloured hair and skin like bronze. Like the others, his face was ageless and his eyes long aged.
"King Jareth, my heart is glad you have come. Might I have a word with you?" the tall man asked with a deep baritone.
Jareth hesitated, glancing at Sarah and Ètaìn.
"Go, Jareth. I will stay with the girl," said Ètaìn.
Sarah nodded when he looked at her. She leaped at the opportunity to speak to the elder queen alone. Here was someone who knew Jareth and their world in a completely different way than someone like Mary. He grudgingly obliged and walked away with the other Fay lord which told her just how much he trusted this woman. Ètaìn turned to Sarah and beckoned.
"Come and walk with me. We'll stray a little from the noise."
Once they were closer to a corner of the room and far from the fair minstrels playing upon their wondrous stringed instruments and flutes, Ètaìn looked curiously at Sarah with those eyes that had seen ages of the world pass by like years.
"Sarah Williams. From the Aboveground. I know you cannot tell me much of why you're here in our world—or with the Goblin King, no less—but I have such great interest in this. Your presence is widely speculated and wondered at by all here, but do not let it trouble you."
"It might sound unusual, but it actually doesn't," said Sarah. "I'm not a stranger to the stage where hundreds of eyes are watching your every move and hanging on every word. I don't know any of them, and so their opinions just...slide off in a way. Most likely because I already knew they would speculate all about me."
"So he warned you then. Good." Ètaìn snatched two crystal glasses from a passing servant and handed one to Sarah. "He enjoys pushing people to their limits, putting them into situations where they must react or make decisions they never had to before. It's not intended to cause harm but to strengthen and reveal what is inside of them. I feared this might've been one of those situations, but it seems there's more to it than I realised."
The golden queen's words dug deep into Sarah's mind. The woman didn't know she'd been through the labyrinth and understood better than most. It was like another puzzle piece fitting into place to hear it from someone else.
She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. Jareth had warned her not to drink too much of the golden mead since it would have such a strong effect on a human, but this one was perfectly clear like water, and yet it burst on her tongue with vivid flavour. It was crisp, fruity, and something else she'd never tasted before. Better not drink too much just in case...
"How do you know Jareth?"
"Ah. His mother and father."
Sarah stared at her with even greater intrigue, those simple words enough to draw all of her in with sharpened focus.
"They were friends and dear companions to me and my husband."
"Were?" Sarah asked softly.
"They are no longer with us, but that is something he must tell you himself. He's the only one with that right, and I suspect he'd like to tell you anyway. If he even will. Don't hold too much hope for that tale."
Sarah's green eyes scanned all the faces around but could not find the Goblin King. His parents were gone then. That was unexpected and yet somehow she knew tragedy of some kind had marked his gaze just as it had all of these ancient beings who'd lived long enough to know great suffering or sadness more times than mortals. It was no wonder so many bore such wisdom.
"I..I think he's lonely. He chose to be alone, but I think it finally began to take its toll," she said. "I misjudged him sometimes, but I'm beginning to understand so much more."
"Sarah Williams," Ètaìn said with a touch of a smile and her eyes bright, "you do not know how it gladdens my heart to see you and hear you speak. Jareth may put on his usual mask for us all to see, but I've known him all his long years and can see there is something different. You are what's different. Please, Sarah, for whatever reason you are here, I ask that you consider...consider his heart."
Desperation hovered on the edge of Ètaìn's chiming voice, and Sarah found herself shaken by it. "His heart?"
"Yes, his heart. Please. Don't forget this," she said, touching a hand lightly to Sarah's bare shoulder. "Forgive me, but I must go now or else I'll say more than I should and displease him. I truly hope this isn't the last time we meet. Farewell, Sarah Williams. May your dreams soar amidst the stars."
Ètaìn nodded her head once in farewell and disappeared into the crowds, leaving Sarah standing alone drenched in confusion. There were more than a few stares directed her way, but they didn't matter right now.
Her dreams. What were her dreams anymore? Somehow she knew they were changing. Jareth had offered Sarah her dreams more than once, and yet now she couldn't say for sure what they were. Being in this fantastical world was stirring up things and chipping away at who she was and what she wanted.
A silken voice of a woman sliced through the background noise of music, laughter, and chatter. Sarah whipped her head around to see who addressed her.
The Fay was gorgeous in an otherworldly way like many of her kindred. Her hair was almost white it was so pale, her large eyes were brilliantly blue, and her features were delicate. Sarah had noticed that they were as varied in dress and bearing as humans, some demure and some immodest, some timid and some bold, and so it went on. This woman clearly was the latter on both accounts, and her presence dimmed Sarah's confidence a little.
But those eyes were so cold.
"Good evening, mortal," she said. "I had to introduce myself to the girl everyone is talking about. I am Lady Seraphina of the White Mountains. And who are you?"
Sarah gave her name with a respectful curtsy. This woman made her feel on edge. Unlike Queen Ètaìn who was all sunlight and warmth itself, Seraphina was like the biting wind from the North or the cold yet lovely snows of winter.
"How did you come to be here?"
"Oh...uh, I knew Jareth—um, the Goblin King—and am just visiting." She cursed herself for the fumbling of her words and the terrible answer. Clearly he'd told her to speak as little as possible with good reason.
Seraphina drew a sip from her golden chalice before responding. "That's very interesting. You see, I know him very well and am surprised by his company tonight. It's been long since we last were together, and I'd hoped to spend some time with him. He has always been very dear to me."
Sarah did not miss the stressed words or the coy expressions. Clearly the woman was implying a relationship of some kind between her and Jareth. But was it the truth? He'd said enough to make her wonder if he'd actually entangled himself with any of the Fey maidens, and it didn't seem likely. Or was that a determining factor in separating himself? She'd have to keep a keen ear and eye with this Seraphina.
"I see. Well, he's around here somewhere, so I'm sure you could find him."
That response seemed to throw the Fay off balance. She blinked at Sarah, then regained her hollow smile. "It makes me so very glad. This will be a joyous reunion! He will be so delighted to see me, I'm sure. And it's so kind of him to let you come to an event such as this being what you are."
That one stung a little. Seraphina obviously was versed in the subtleties of court dealings with words that could weave barbs or compliments with an adept tongue. Her façade was slipping away and baring her true intentions.
She continued. "Enjoy this evening, girl, because this will be the last you see of us all. It's such a privilege for you, but it cannot last forever." Her sweet voice was grating on Sarah's ears as it clashed with her actual words. "Besides, it's so very dangerous here for one of you who are so frail and without protection."
Okay, she's creeping me out a bit now, Sarah thought as she looked at the beautiful yet hard face. That sounded suspiciously like a threat.
Even as that thought occurred to her, she felt an unseen force brush against her neck like fingers starting to wrap around her throat. Just as panic seared a blazing path through her body, the feeling instantly disappeared.
Jareth suddenly was standing right beside Sarah with one shoulder angled in front as if coming between her and Seraphina. His face was that of a statue with such a terribly stern expression hardening every line and plane like the chisel of a sculptor.
"Jareth, darling, there are no words to express how pleased I am to see you here," Seraphina said with liquid charm. She completely ignored Sarah while laying out all her wares before the handsome king.
A strange fire sparked in Sarah's chest. Who was this woman and what was she trying to pull?
"Seraphina," Jareth greeted without even a hint of a bow or nod of his head. His voice was hard like stone. "I cannot say the same. Don't you have some other man wrapped in your ties yet?"
Sarah couldn't help but look up at him in surprise, not expecting such sharp words for this beguiling maiden called Seraphina. It sent a tinge of satisfaction through her. She'd seen many a man fall prey to a pretty woman and her manipulations in her world and was proud to see Jareth avoiding such pitfalls. That was the only reason of course...
Seraphina eyed him warily but did not give up her charade. "None of them are worthy of it. I'm holding out for one who's worth the effort, but he puts up quite a fight against it. I am not sure why really..." Her aquamarine eyes took a sparing glance at Sarah. "He is very defiant and even chose a weak plaything over me which seems an act far beneath him. I still hope to claim him despite his odd behaviour."
As if I don't know what you're really saying, Sarah thought. Under the fingers she'd placed on his arm she felt Jareth's muscles tense, and his jaw twitched. Clearly Seraphina was blinded by her own desire and selfish pursuits to truly understand Jareth and how to actually earn his affection rather than force it. Didn't any of these people understand that he couldn't be forced?
"Careful Seraphina," he said in a low, rough voice. "You play with words that might catch fire. Others may get caught in the webs you spin, but I see straight through them all."
"Then you're a fool," she spat. "You're offered something that no one else can have, and yet you still spurn the chance as if you didn't care."
"That is because I don't."
The Fay maiden clenched her fists at her sides and stiffened so noticeably that it was like invisible bonds wrapped around her. That cold gaze turned on Sarah.
"Wait, mortal girl, and you'll find that your time here is short. He'll tire of you and toss you aside because you could never compare to one of the Sidhe. You're just a frail mortal creature that doesn't belong in our world."
Just as Jareth moved as if to step forward to confront Seraphina, Sarah gripped his arm and beat him to it with her response. "I've met women like you before in my world and you're proving to not be so different. Just because you feel insufficient doesn't mean trying to make me feel the same will satisfy you. A bully is a bully in one world or the other. Your words mean nothing to me."
The muscles tensed beneath her fingers relaxed instantly, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Jareth's head turn sharply to look down at her, but she kept her eyes on Seraphina without wavering. Just as she didn't let him push her around in the labyrinth, she wouldn't let this woman try to cow her either.
Seraphina didn't throw a fit or turn red with anger, but she seemed to grow even colder and harder than before like a rock iced over by the chill. Her large blue eyes stared murderously at Sarah, but eventually she spun around and stalked away like a cat who didn't catch its mouse.
"Wow, she was..." She trailed off when she looked up at Jareth. Was he going to laugh at her?
"Sarah, you continue to amaze me." Sure enough, he chuckled softly. "It did her far more insult to have you tell her off rather than me. That went much better than I expected."
And as Sarah looked around the hall, she didn't feel quite so out of place anymore. She'd held her own.
Yet the woman's poisonous tongue had planted a seed with the one sliver of truth she had spoken: "but it cannot last forever." Sarah was mortal, they were immortal. Even if her heart was beginning to take root in this world, the image of Mary reminded her that her kind aged with every year just the same as in her world. Didn't Jareth realise his mistake?
"Can we step outside for some air?" she asked softly.
Jareth had been eyeing the dancers moving about wildly to a passionate tune, but he nodded and walked through the high arch out into the moonlit night with Sarah once again on his arm.
NOTE: Yes, I've left you on another subtler cliffhanger. Please don't hunt me down...But please do let me know what you think of the chapter :)
Reached a 100 reviews! Celebrate! To clarify, I don't write stories on here to get the most reviews possible as I know some writers on the site do aim for. That would be a vain pursuit because how many will it take to make you happy? But the stories with the most reviews do usually get the most attention (publicity in a way) so it's one of the only ways to get the story out there for people to see. Agh. Just review when you feel so inclined and I shall be content with having reached 100! But it would be awesome to reach 200...:D