Loildee walked towards Sarah's little room, a smile on her face. It was half past five in the morning and the mortal would need to rise up and prepare to start her day. The king would be expecting her to wake him. That thought also made her smile: a wide grin of delight. The king had not been this happy in the last seven Aboveground years and it was all because of the lovely woman. Loildee pushed her door open and now her grin was so wide, it threatened to split her face in half. Sarah's bed was empty!
The old goblin, the same one that had been there in the goblin court when the king had been just a small baby, crept down the corridor to his majesty's chamber doors, tapped lightly upon them and then pushed the door open. The sight her old eyes beheld made her the happiest she'd ever been: in the large bed was the king, the dark haired beauty wrapped securely in his strong embrace. One of his legs was thrown over her lower half, effectively trapping her in the bed. Her king was smiling, even in his sleep: a beatific smile of pure bliss. A single tear ran down her wrinkled cheek. There would, finally, be a Goblin Queen again. Quietly, she moved to the bed and placed a hand upon the king's arm, shaking him gently.
Jareth felt a gentle shaking on his arm and opened one eye. He saw the exceedingly pleased grin on Loildee's face and returned the grin tenfold. He whispered softly, so as to let the beautiful lady in his arms remain sleeping, "What time is it, Loildee? And stop looking so pleased!"
She chuckled and the sound made Sarah scrunch her face up, fighting to stay in dreams. She spoke softly, "Majesty, has she agreed to be your wife, our queen?"
Jareth shook his head. "I have not asked her yet." He chuckled and the deep rumble in his chest caused Sarah to stir. "Go!" He commanded her out and Loildee complied willingly. "Good morning, you precious thing. How are you feeling this fine morning?"
Sarah rubbed her eyes and stretched, suddenly freezing in place when it dawned on her this was not a dream but she was actually in 'his' bed, warm and sated. She couldn't help it: she smiled. "Good morning, your majesty…I mean, Jareth." She turned in his arms and looked into his gorgeous blue eyes and touched his cheek with her fingers.
He kissed the tip of her nose and forced himself to remove his arms from around her luscious body." So, it is time to rise and start the day. Hurry to your chambers, dress and come to help me get ready. I have to hold court today and hear petitions from my subjects." He looked at her, as she still sat in his bed, confusion in her eyes. "Sarah! Come now, there's no time to waste. I'm wanting to have my breakfast before court and you have chores today. Up!" He motioned for her to rise and turned on his heel to enter the bath.
Sarah finally came to her senses and sprung up from the bed. She looked at herself in the full length mirror next to the armoire and saw she was in her nightgown. She gave a small squeak of shock and dashed out the door, to her chamber and quickly washed and dressed, knowing Jareth would be waiting for her return to select his clothes. She nearly tripped as she tried to run and slip her shoes on at the same time. She came to the double doors of the royal suite and pushed them open, only to find that Jareth was gone! On the bed, a list of chores she was to perform, with instructions to eat first and then to come to the throne room at half past eleven. She folded the paper, tucking into her chemise and headed to the staff dining room.
Loildee hurried over to Sarah and sat with her, placing her hand on the young woman's own. "So, how are you, child? Feeling alright? Any news you'd like to share." Sarah looked at Loildee like she was completely mad.
"What news do you think I have to share?" She really didn't have anything to share. What had happened with Jareth was not for public consumption. She felt confused. Jareth had behaved as if nothing exceptional had occurred. It had been exceptional to Sarah. It was amazing. Exciting. Completely wonderful.
Loildee frowned. She had hoped that after scurrying out of his majesty's chamber, the king might have asked Sarah to be his bride. Clearly that had not been the case and Loildee was immensely disappointed. "Alright, enjoy your meal, girl. I know the king is busy this morning and has left you chores to complete. Get to it!"
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Jareth lounged on his throne, lazily tapping his boot with the riding crop. He tried to look interested but by the Gods, his subjects were beyond dull and boring. A young pixie was speaking too fast. Her words almost more a buzz than language. "Majesty, he", she pointed at the nymph to her left, "he has taken over my garden." She stops suddenly and impulsively stuck her tongue out at the grey haired nymph. The nymph made a very rude gesture and then turned his back on her. Jareth had seen and heard enough.
"You!" He pointed at the nymph. "You will remove yourself from her garden and stay away. If I hear of you returning, the consequences will be severe." He scowled and the nymph swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Sire."
He turned to the pixie and nodded. "Now, you may return to your garden. Alert us at once if the unwelcome nymph returns." He gave her the barest hint of a smile and watched as she flitted out of the room, happy.
"Bring forth the next complainant." He sunk back on his throne and stared at the ceiling, wishing to be anywhere but in his throne room.
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Sarah removed the slip of paper from her chemise and stared at the chores she was being told to complete. First, strip and remake the bed. Next, air out the chamber. Then clean the bathing suite and restock the towels. She looked at the paper and grew more angry by the second. What the hell was this? After he had given her pleasures she'd never experienced in her life, he was reducing her to chamber maid!? Impossible!
She nearly crumbled the paper and threw it in the fireplace. She stopped herself when she saw that she was to come to the throne room at eleven thirty to…have lunch with the king in the gardens? Sarah didn't know what to think: he was treating her like a girlfriend and a servant. Which was it he wanted? She huffed in pure frustration and stomped a foot down hard. Fine! She would do as she was told and find out what was going on at lunch.
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He heaved a heavy sigh and tapped his heel with the end of his crop, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was nearly half past eleven. At last! He could have a lovely lunch with his lady in the gardens. He smiled at the last subject, a little goblin, causing the creature to be greatly confused over the king's reaction to the goblin's request for two new chickens for the ones he'd lost in the chicken games last night. Jareth waved a hand idly in the air declaring: "give him three chickens for his troubles. We are done hearing petitions today." He stood up from the throne and walked to the window, turning his back on all those remaining in the room, effectively dismissing them without a word.
He continued to stare out at the labyrinth until he heard a sound coming from the doors of the throne room. "Er, hm." He turned suddenly and saw Sarah, in her ridiculous uniform, standing at the great doors, waiting. "Ah, Sarah, right on time." He extended his hand towards her. "Come, we have lunch waiting in the gardens."
Sarah couldn't believe it! Was he seriously acting like last night had never happened? Had he not felt any of the pleasure she had experienced? Didn't he see how even now, even as they had never been further apart; he the monarch, she the servant; that she longed for his touch? He couldn't be that blind, could he? She just didn't know what to do, so she did that which was expected: she curtsied and softly spoke, "as you command, your majesty." And when she watched the smile turn into an angry frown, she finally felt something other than desire: she felt vindicated.
She followed him, three steps behind him, watching him move with all the grace a cat and the meticulous style of a dancer. God, but he was magnificent! She wanted to be angry at him but all she could do was lust for him. He was a drug to which she was fast becoming addicted. Even as her mind fought with her heart, warning her off him. They could never be, could they? He was the king and she was, well one of his servants. No, she was a prostitute and so far beneath him she would have to crawl up into the gutter to even get close to the hem of his glittering blue cloak. She shook her head violently, trying to destroy the idea that she had ever had a chance with him. He just wanted to have his pleasure with her and then would likely go after that beautiful Fae female from yesterday. What was she again? Duchesse of some lake or other? It didn't matter.
She looked up just in time to see a tempting spread of food set up upon a lovely woven throw blanket. He really was taking her on a picnic. He was going to sit in the grass and everything! She suddenly was no longer vexed with him. He was bewitching her again. She was again caught in his thrall. She smiled at him, her distinct pleasure shining in her eyes, as he took her hands and pulled her over to the blanket and then down into the grass.
"Sarah." He smiled at her and leaned in to place the softest hint of a kiss on her lips. "I want us to enjoy this meal together. Just us. Would you like that, precious?"
She was just about to open her mouth to respond when a feminine voice called out.
"Jareth? Are you out here?" It was Myantha.
Jareth groaned and rose up from his spot next to Sarah to try to prevent that odious female from ruining his interlude.
"My dear duchesse. Whatever are you doing here?" His words dripped with disdain. But before he could dismiss the duchesse, he saw that Sarah had removed herself from the blanket and was standing some ten feet away, looking at the ground, waiting. "Fuck." He cursed under his breath.
"Oh, there you are. You really need to speak to that insolent servant, what's her name? She refused to tell me where you were until I threatened her with a bogging. Really! It is hard to understand how you tolerate these wretched goblins." She nearly hugged him, stopping only when she saw he held up his hand to halt her progress. "Oh, now, Jareth, you're not still angry with me over our little spat are you? I do so wish to kiss and make up." She was flirting with him, moving in too close and nearly rubbing her ample bosom against his chest.
"Myantha, I though I had made it clear I do not wish to revisit the past or pick up where we left off. It is ancient history. I am not interested, though clearly, you are for some unknown reason." He bent down to pick up a peach and sunk his teeth into the juicy flesh.
There would be no hiding her motives now. "Fine, I'll tell you. Father wishes me to marry and he said if I could persuade you, he would give his consent." She drew a deep breath before continuing. "If you wouldn't have me to your queen, he would arrange a suitable match."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry for you, Myantha. Truly, I am. But I have no intention of making any female to my queen if she has such disdain for my subjects. What sort of a Queen would you be? Certainly not a kind and benevolent one." He took her hand and bent over it, barely brushing his lips over her knuckles.
Sarah gasped, as she had just looked up to see the gesture. She burned with jealousy but turned and ran, feeling hurt and used. And the tears burned in her eyes as she tried to keep them from falling.
Jareth saw her run and left Myantha standing in the garden, as he rushed to catch up to her. "Sarah! Wait!"
Sarah wasn't paying attention to where she was running and ducked into the first door she saw, running straight into Loildee. They both ended up on the floor. Loildee got up first and went to help Sarah stand, seeing that she was crying.
"What happened child? Why are you crying?" She patted her hand.
"He brought me in the gardens to make me watch him with that duchesse. Why must he flaunt her in my face? I know I'm not worthy of him." She looked at the little goblin. "He's going to marry her, isn't he?" And she sobbed, throwing herself back on the ground, looking lost and pathetic.
"No, child, no. He's not going to marry her. He's going to…" And Loildee just managed to stop herself from saying that the king wished to marry her. But it was not her place to say it. "Come, Sarah. I think you need some rest. I will see that the rest of your chores are completed." She led Sarah back to her little room and as soon as she was settled on her bed, set about finding the king.
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Jareth came running into the corridor leading to her room. He pulled up short at the sight of Loildee standing, arms crossed over her chest. He scowled at her. "Move aside, I wish to see her." But Loildee would not be moved.
"Majesty, let her sleep. She is still dealing with being brought here. You know she is changing, even as we speak, and it is a taxing transition." She shook her head. "Please, my liege, let her be for now. She thinks you intend to make the Duchesse Myantha into your queen.
He laughed. "That's ridiculous. How can she believe that after last night?" He watched as the goblin raised an eyebrow and he paused for a moment. "Oh. Oh, I see. She thinks I'm using her." He watched Loildee nod. "Even though I took no pleasure…" he stopped himself. "Come to think of it, that's really none of your business." He smirked. "Fine, let her rest, but I wish her to dine with me again tonight…in my bedchamber." He spun around on his heel, his cloak swirling around his legs as he walked down the corridor to his study, closing the door on head housekeeper.