The landscapes of the Underground had a lot of charm to it. It really did feel like a different world. Skies blazed furiously during sundown, stretches of grass were softer than downy feathers and flowers bloomed in countless varieties and colors.
While Sarah wasn't old by any means, their current stop along the route gave her a youthful itch she couldn't help but scratch. She'd tied Gaeth down with a meal and while the soldiers used the break to exercise Sarah wandered off.
Now she was looking up at a gigantic tree with thick branches. The lush leaves shielded her glittering eyes from the afternoon sun. Tying her hair back she grinned excitedly, calculating the distance up towards the first branch. It was somewhat high, but she could jump it. Once her hair was secured she stretched her arms and legs.
The brunette leapt up and clasped her hands around one of the branches. The bark was just the right amount of smooth so as to not cut her hands, but had enough texture to give her grip. Letting a deep breath fall from her lips she swung her body back and forth until she gained enough momentum to swing her leg around the branch. Sitting up on the branch she giggled and braced herself against the tree's trunk while her eyes scanned for the next branch.
One branch after another she climbed her way higher and higher up, reveling in the feeling of increasing blood flow and her muscles stretching. While her breath grew labored she was eager to see how high she could get. Grabbing hold of another branch she hoisted herself up and found herself face to face with a rather amused pair of mismatched eyes.
"Why hello, my little arboreal angel."
Still panting from her exercise she blew some of her hair out of her face, suddenly feeling very self conscious when she swung a leg across the branch. Settling on it she noted how he seemed perfectly at ease despite the branch tipping just slightly with their combined weight on it. He was facing towards the trunk, one leg resting on the branch while the other dangled down. He didn't even feel the need to use his hands to support himself. "Jareth," she said in a rather businesslike fashion. "What brings you here?" The woman tried to steady her breath, taking a moment to settle back against the tree trunk.
"You. I noticed you'd snuck off."
Timidly Sarah attempted to fix the loose strands that fell over her face, tying them back with the rest before rubbing her forehead with the back of her hand. "I just needed a break from horseback. I spotted this tree when we stopped and it reminded me of when I climbed trees as a kid. Thought I'd check if I still had some of those monkey genes in me."
Jareth smiled warmly while she continued to preen and fidget. "Monkey genes? Hardly. I'd liken you to more feline climbers, kitten."
Blushing, she looked down at her progress, spotting several soldiers closeby. "Did you ever climb trees as a kid?"
"My parents strictly forbade it. As royalty, especially as a strong contender for an heir, it is inappropriate to partake in such unrefined behavior."
While it was simultaneously amusing and saddening to imagine, Sarah found herself grinning at him. "Oh, really now, Your Majesty. I'm disappointed. You are too mischievous to let boring grownups tell you what to do."
He grinned back at her. "Oh, I was. And I still am. Regrettably there was little time for sneaking out and such practices. By the time I was allowed even the littlest bit of leeway for leisure activities, I had taught myself to teleport and fly at will. Why would I bother with physical strain when there are effortless alternatives?"
The brunette looked at him dryly. "Spoken like a true royal brat."
"Why Sarah, you wound me," he said with a gasp and a hand over his heart.
"Oh, please." The woman chuckled. "I bet you're just skipping training due to said 'physical strain', rather than wanting to find me."
"Untrue," he said firmly. "I daresay I would refrain from attending the vast majority of my duties to find you." The blush forming on her cheeks caused him to scoot a little closer towards her. The branch underneath them groaned softly. "Besides, I think you'd agree that I'm in a fit enough state to pass up a training or two. That is, unless you channeled the childlike affinity to climb trees in order to gain a better vantage point of yours truly."
She couldn't help but return his grin with one of her own. "Your Majesty, if your head gets any bigger, you'll fly off like a damn air balloon." The way his eyebrows rose nearly up into his hairline and his confused expression told her very clearly he had no idea what she was on about.
"You seem convinced that having confidence is somehow unfavorable or problematic. I don't think I understand mortal modesty and adversity to self esteem. Especially coming from such a pretty thing such as yourself, with skin like the ripest peach and eyes that could bring down a kingdom."
The brunette couldn't help but feel incredibly flattered, if a tad uncomfortable. She giggled. "Call me 'ripe' in any way ever again and I will kick your ass."
The Goblin King theatrically rolled his eyes. "Your gracious way of receiving compliments is truly astounding, darling."
"Tell me, Sarah," he said in a more serious note. "How are you faring with this more… nomadic way of life? I imagine it's quite different from your normally sedentary lifestyle."
"It has its perks." She took the waterskin he offered her, taking a good gulp to soothe her dry mouth. "I love seeing more of your world. Though I'm excited to see more without the constant presence of the Regiment." Handing the waterskin back to him, he fixed it back onto his belt.
"Before you're due for leisure exploration and personal adventures, you will be required to keep out of trouble for at least three days in a row." Sarah rolled her eyes and leaned back against the tree, letting one leg dangle over the edge. He gestured towards the dagger strapped to her thigh. "And perhaps I ought to teach you how to use one of those, before you hurt yourself."
She followed his eyes down towards the dagger. Despite the fact he'd already spotted it, she quickly angled away from him in an attempt to hide it.
"I presume Girvin gifted you that," he said.
"What makes you think that," she challenged.
He leaned in towards her, causing the woman's heart to skip a beat. With a deft flick of his wrist he unsheathed the weapon. The blade winked in the light when he tossed it up, catching it by the spine. "Girvin's home sigil is on it." The man held up the weapon to show her the ferrule, which bore a small branding.
Looking up at him she tried to gauge if he was upset, but he was simply smiling. "Please don't be mad. He only gave it to me as a means to protect myself in case of an emergency."
"I'm not upset," he insisted, tossing the dagger up to catch it by the handle again. Briefly he studied the blade. "I've come to terms with the fact that you're here now. Among my next priorities is to provide you with a better understanding of my world and to prepare you for possible scenarios. Defense, while not the only aspect, is the most important thing. The mortal race has a tendency to bleed and break even under light strain." Sheathing the blade in the holster on her thigh he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"So what will you teach me first?" The thought of the Celtic queen Boudica or Norse shieldmaidens came to mind.
"I see that sparkle in your eyes, Sarah." Jareth sounded amused. "You're not planning on using my teachings of battle prowess to turn against me, are you?"
"That depends," she said with a teasing undertone. "Do you suppose I could persuade Alana to join me?"
Effortlessly he adapted to her playful mood. The man pulled up one leg to join the other so he could sit cross-legged on the branch which wasn't even as wide as his hips. Another groan wrenched from the strained wood. Still, the man didn't seem bothered in the slightest that he might fall. "Lesson one, Sarah dearest. Do not debate strategies or alliances in the presence of your adversary."
"Why thank you, Your Majesty." She carefully braced herself on the branch in her own attempt to get more comfortable. His hand reflexively reached out to her arm. "Allow me to offer you some of my own wisdom, then." His mismatched gaze was fully focused on her. Her hand wrapped around his amulet. A faint sizzling she now recognized to be magic trickled into her skin. The cord of his necklace hadn't even pulled taut from her tugging before he followed. Distractedly his eyes lowered to her lips. "Never let your adversary believe they have the upper hand."
His eyes flashed back up towards her. For a moment he held completely still, making it seem as though time had stopped. Then the trademark grin appeared on his face. His sharp teeth and often near-overwhelming presence immediately turned the tables on her. Gone was the hope of catching him off guard. Unrelentingly he held her gaze. His hand rose up to her face to cup her chin, the tip of his gloved finger brushing her lower lip.
Seemingly an eternity later he shifted, jolting her out of the trance and making her drop the amulet she had been clutching somewhat tightly. His legs unfurled to hang down on either side of the branch. One arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. Reflexively she jerked at her loss of control on her position. Gathering her close the man let her settle against him, her cheek against his chest. While keeping still, she giggled. His heart rate briefly picked up at the sound.
"Jareth, this is a pretty bad moment to cuddle up." Her statement was affirmed by the soft sound of wood creaking. Her arms wrapped around his waist, partially to steady herself. But only partially.
"You know, despite our brief history as adversaries, we would do terribly as such."
"Why?"
His fingertips gently brushed down her spine. "All that sensual tension would make things terribly complicated."
Sarah made a theatrical sound of revulsion but couldn't repress a grin. Her arms slightly tightened. Even though their position was somewhat awkward, it was still comforting.
"Let's head down and reunite with the others, before we're left behind." He held her against him, one hand on the side of her head. "Close your eyes."
She did as she was told, closing her eyes with a soft sigh. There was a moment that she lost her balance and sense of direction, but his steady and confident hold kept her from staggering even when she felt her body repositioning. His hand fell from the side of her head and the other moved to her waist. Her eyes opened and their eyes briefly connected, a soft smile on his face, before Jareth strode back towards the rest of the group.
—-
The cold could be rather beautiful. The moderate chill had made way for frigid temperatures and decreased the further they climbed up the mountain. Temperate, tall-standing trees and grass had been exchanged for thick pines and snow. The breaths of the horses drifted into the air in pale puffs of smoke.
It was remarkable how diverse the temperatures had been so far. It made Sarah wonder how big Jareth's domain was, seeing as the Labyrinth had been only a fraction removed from a barren wasteland.
She huddled up into her cloak, wrapping it around her with the hood up. Jareth had given her a pair of gloves to keep most of the frigidity from her fingers but despite wearing an outfit lined with wool and furs, Sarah was still freezing. Her nose and cheeks felt stiff and numb yet stung at the same time. Her eyes were watery from the cutting winds whipping around her. She briefly blew into her hands, rubbing them together.
"Are you alright, Sarah?"
Looking around, she watched Jareth trot up to her, his pale blonde hair which protruded from his hood tipped with little crystals of ice. His glass skin was even paler than normal and somehow void of the blush of cold.
"Just cold. You?"
He stretched his neck. 'A little sore still. If it turns out my brother isn't here, I'll be quite cross with him."
Sarah looked ahead, past the few soldiers. "I can't wait to hunker down around a fire with a warm meal."
Jareth's head snapped forward, as though he had been hit in the back of the head. He immediately sprung to attention, growing rigid and harshly pulling the reins. His horse whinnied, alerting the soldiers ahead. "Who dares-!" He turned around and fell quiet.
"I thought I felt gloom shadowing my mountain," said a voice with clear amusement.
"Your mountain, dearthair?" The hostility had dropped from Jareth's voice, coloring it with playfulness. Curious, Sarah turned Gaeth around towards the unfamiliar voice.
The man up ahead was tall and dressed in white. He was also guarded by two men. He seemed taller and a bit older than Jareth. His hair was a rich strawberry blonde that leaned towards red. It flared out in thick curls reaching just past his ears and stood in stark contrast to his white winter attire. The man's face was rounded, with a beard and mustache. Strangely, his face had something… timeless to it. His eyes were a deep inky black, like Jareth's eyes when using magic. It made it difficult to tell what he was looking at.
The man walked their way, trudging through the snow. "I did not expect a visitor. I'd recognize your aura from a mile away, Jareth. And you aren't alone."
"You've met the Regiment. Though this time I'd also like to introduce someone else. I'm sure she is thrilled to meet you." Jareth looked around to meet Sarah's gaze and awkwardly she spurred Gaeth to walk closer. The brunette cleared her throat.
"Indeed?"
Sarah stopped in front of him and he held out his hand. Now that he was standing right next to them, she was certain he was taller than Jareth. She placed her hand in his and he immediately brought it to his face, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Good day to you, my lady. The name is Warren, Jareth's elder brother."
Suddenly it clicked. The strawberry blonde hair in a familiar shade like Alana's, the winged shapes by the eyes, the casual way he and Jareth spoke to each other. She probably should have seen it sooner. Her heart skipped a beat in excitement and she smiled. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm Sarah."
Warren grinned widely. "The very same, brother? Quite pathetic. You never were any good at taking no for an answer."
"Charming as always, Warren. Why don't you show us your camp so we might get out of this wretched cold?" There was a hint of iciness in Jareth's voice.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Warren didn't seem bothered and waved the group to follow him. "It's not quite a camp, but I'm sure it'll do."
Twenty minutes later they walked up to the strangest place for a cabin Sarah had ever seen. Well, 'cabin' was a little modest, it was huge. It lay nestled in a wide crevice of the mountain, as though the mountain itself was in the process of swallowing it whole. If the sun hadn't been reflecting off the windows she would have walked by it.
"I didn't know this was here," Jareth mused more to himself than anyone else.
"No one seems to," Warren stated. "Which makes it a perfect retreat. My guards will take care of your horses. I presume you will stay the night?"
"Indeed. I'm sure my men would very much appreciate a good night's rest with a roof over their head. As well as Sarah and I." Jareth dismounted, helped Sarah off and followed the man.
The moment they stepped inside they were greeted by a blissful homely warmth. A wide set of stairs led up to the second story. Paintings, rugs, statues and all sorts of furniture were scattered throughout the room.
"Please hang your coats and join me in the sitting room." Warren smoothly took off his cloak and coat. Before Jareth and Sarah had taken off theirs, he was already headed through a door. It struck Sarah as a little strange.
Walking into the sitting room, Sarah decided Warren was a hoarder. All the furnishings, bits and baubles, depictions, clocks and statues made the room rather claustrophobic. There was a set of couches and a window with heavy drapes on the left and a table with chairs on the right. There was also a fireplace on the far wall. The flickering flames looked incredibly inviting.
"Please, lady Sarah, make yourself at home," Warren offered with an outstretched hand. "If you would be so kind as to excuse us while my brother and I discuss a few things." He rang a bell on a small side table.
Jareth and Warren sat down at the table while Sarah rather keenly and quickly headed for the fireplace. Sitting down on the carpet in front of it, she gratefully started warming her hands. The glowing heat of the flames and the gentle crackling of the fire was blissful. Before she knew it, her mind slipped into a state of relaxation, hypnotized by the dancing flames. Even though she was sitting upright on the floor her eyes grew heavy while her mind tuned out the baritone voices across the room.
A while later the front door opened and her mind caught up with the present. Familiar voices broke the silence, rejoicing the comfortable warmth inside. She crawled up from the floor and headed to the hallway.
"Lady Sarah, are you alright?" Girvin walked up to her dutifully.
"Yes Girvin, thank you. I'm doing fine. How are you all doing?"
"We are thrilled, I assure you. Being offered a luxury such as this is very much appreciated."
"Soldiers, please follow me to the guest wing. You will be situated there for your stay," One of the guards held out his arm.
Most soldiers followed, except for Girvin. The guard gave him a pointed look. "At ease, sir. I am the personal guard of lady Sarah."
"She won't be needing you, boy. Follow me."
Sarah smiled at Girvin, who was clearly tempted to seek out the king for direct orders, but decided to follow the other men. A maid walked up and smiled at her before heading into the sitting room. Sarah followed. Mutely, the maid put the food and drinks on the table, holding out a chair for Sarah next to the king. Sarah thanked her quietly while she sat down.
"So, lady Sarah. Jareth has told me a lot about you." Warren took one of the warm beverages with a smile, briefly stroking his beard.
"All good things, I hope?" She looked up at him after grabbing a drink herself and wrapped her hands around the warm cup. She immediately noticed his eyes were different. They were no longer a solid black. His eyes were now milky white, contrasted by the reddened skin underneath his eyes that looked like scar tissue.
"You are the first lady my brother has bothered to mention. That in itself makes it good. I never expected Jareth to find an interest in anyone. Or rather, I hadn't expected anyone to find a genuine interest in Jareth. Not enough to follow him all throughout his kingdom, that is. Please, help yourself." He held out his hand to a plate of food.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Please, call me Warren. I'm sure my baby brother told you much about me."
The man's eyes were somewhat unnerving. The pale irises and blank pupils were somewhat creepy. Especially because his eyes seemed to be looking straight through her. Additionally, she had to tell him that Jareth had barely spoken a word about him. "Uh," she blurted out awkwardly.
"I jest, child," Warren insisted with a warm laugh. "I am well aware my brother is rather socially and emotionally stunted." Jareth cleared his throat in warning. "At ease, little brother. Seeing you haven't scared her off yet I'm sure she is used to it." Playfulness definitely ran in the family, Sarah realized. Though Jareth seemed less than tolerant of personal jabs. "Please, Sarah, feel free to ask me anything."
Sarah looked at Jareth, who rolled his eyes and settled back into his chair. "You're older than Jareth, right? How much older are you?"
"A hundred and twenty eight years. Almost to the day."
"If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you king?"
Jareth scoffed, earning an agitated frown from his brother, but didn't speak.
"While my brother is very enamored by the idea of control and power, I was not made to shoulder such responsibility for many reasons. My lack of interest in politics and the disfavor from my father for example." He smiled widely. "And of course a rather glaring problem. My lack of eyesight."
Sarah looked into his milky eyes. So he was blind. "How did you manage to hit Jareth with a snowball, then?"
"My magic allows me to map familiar surroundings and familiar people for short periods of time."
"So you could see Jareth?"
"In a way. His aura is familiar to me. My magic can reach out to such things. Regrettably, it does not allow me to see much else."
Sarah looked at Jareth briefly, who already seemed bored with the conversation. Since Warren would not be able to tell, she kept her eyes on him while she asked another question. "Did you grow up together?" As expected, Jareth tensed, his wandering gaze flashing back to the table and his rather slumped position growing rigid.
Warren seemed to notice the shift in Jareth's energy and became hesitant to continue. "Do you have siblings, lady Sarah?"
The woman looked back at Warren, his heavy brow lowered. "A younger half-brother, Toby."
"That must be the young lad you wished away years ago." Sarah felt defensiveness bubble up, which he must have sensed as he immediately raised a hand. "It is not my right or my place to pass judgment. Family is more complicated than the concept of it makes us believe. Our family was no different," he said contemplatively. "It is not my place to share this past. I hope you understand. I am aware of Jareth's need for privacy. But I am sure he will tell you more when the time comes."
While it was tempting to look back at Jareth, something in her refused to make eye contact. "So… Warren, do you have a wife? Children?"
"A wife, yes. My wonderful Beyza. She lives near the Southern border. We have not yet been lucky enough to conceive. Children do not come easy for us, unfortunately."
"Why didn't she come with you?"
Warren smiled softly, his eyes somehow growing even more distant. "Oh, my dear Bey detests the cold. I would not ask her to roam here. Certainly not since I have spent many weeks wandering in this cold."
Jareth and Sarah shared a glance before he looked at the man opposite of him. "Do tell, brother."
Warren nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "I stumbled upon some old writings from Father. Roaming his castle I felt a familiar pull to his aura and found a hidden document compartment in his study. Beyza managed to decipher those documents. It mentioned a location of importance in Cosan Oighir during the Era of Sieges."
"And what exactly are you hoping to gain from this site?" The king's voice was cautious.
Warren sighed. "I don't know, little brother. Perhaps I am just chasing the final remnants of our past, but I'm hoping to find the reason why this location was so important. Perhaps these mountains hide the reason for our father's madness."
Jareth rolled his eyes and rubbed his face. "Frankly, brother, I think it's a fool's errand to try and find an explanation for his insanity. Father was vile, power hungry and wayward, that is all there is to it. He was a monster of such proportions that even he ultimately succumbed to it. The mark he left on our family and on this world is irreversible and your efforts, centuries after his death, are wasted. It will not change who he was or heal the ongoing destruction caused." Warren leaned back, frowning at his brother's very clear distaste for his quest. "If you find your current duties lacking, I would happily accommodate you with additional obligations. Clearly, you have more time on your hands than can be fruitfully spent. Responsibilities or otherwise. Stop skulking on this desolate mountain away from those that love you in pursuit of worthless remnants of the past."
Warren's demeanor shifted, a dark shadow falling over his features. It etched his face into a rather frightening visage, with harsh lines running down from his nostrils into his beard. His heavy brows lowered and drew together. His nose crinkled like that of a wild beast and his lips set into a thin and harsh line. Somehow, it completely changed his appearance. Sarah had expected Jareth to match that energy or at least the intensity. However, instead he pulled back a little. He almost seemed… scared.
"How dare you accuse me of negligence after all that you have done? After everything you have abandoned for your own selfish reasons?" Warren's voice was steadily rising, the low and kind rumble of his voice rising to the likeness of thunder. "King or not, you do not have the right to deny my need for answers and closure. You took that away from me when you made your choices. Caged in your trauma and forcing silence and compliance on those around you. I am sick of it. This might very well be my very last chance at answers. If you want to stop me you had better steel yourself to use those blood stained talons!" Warren had risen to his feet with his hands on the table and his tall frame looming over the two guests.
Sarah looked from Jareth to Warren, wide-eyed. Her heart was in her throat. Warren's fury was possibly even more terrifying than Jareth's. It was almost as though the room temperature dropped and a shadow fell over the cabin.
The king sat wide eyed, leaning back in his chair rigidly. His mismatched eyes stared at his brother, then shifted down towards his hands. They curled into fists, the leather groaning. Then he rose to his feet, his chair screeching across the floor before he left the room with large strides.
The woman hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath until she heard Warren sigh and sit back down.
"I do apologize, lady Sarah," he said quietly, the darkness fading from his features and settling back into kindness. "It seems that my recent isolation has cost me some of my manners. It was not my intention for this conversation to turn hostile. Especially not in the company of a valued guest such as yourself."
"That's okay," she said quietly.
Warren took a calming sip from his drink. "Eigra does make the loveliest of teas." His suddenly casual comment was both rather comical and uncomfortable. A long silence later Warren put aside his cup. "Jareth can be a difficult man sometimes."
"He's not so bad," she said kindly. "He does care for the people around him. For his men, for his subjects and for Alana and you."
His eyes lit up and the man grinned. "Ah, you met little Lana, then? How incredibly interesting."
Sarah looked up when the floorboards creaked. Girvin walked in with a small nod. "Hi Girvin, what's up?"
"Good afternoon. His Majesty has instructed me to accompany you. I hope you don't mind."
The woman huffed. "Warren, this is Girvin, one of Jareth's closest soldiers. Recently demoted to be my babysitter."
"Promoted, lady Sarah," he insisted, putting emphasis on the first half of the word. Girvin walked over to the two. "It pleases me to see you again, Your Highness. The beard suits you."
"It's been too long, Girvin. Thank you for your continued loyalty to my brother. His reign would not have run so smoothly without you."
Sarah giggled at the faint blush on the soldier's cheeks.
"You are too kind, Your Highness."
"Now, lady Sarah," Warren stood from his chair again, circling the table to stand by her side. "It might be rather forward to ask, but seeing your involvement with my baby brother, I am thrilled to know what you look like. May I?"
Sarah looked up at the man, who was easily 6"6' and towering over her. A little awkwardly she rose from her seat. "U-uh, sure?"
Warren smiled and discarded his gloves, revealing large and burly hands which started giving off a faint glow. They moved towards her to cup her cheeks. Not knowing what he might do, she couldn't help but flinch. He chuckled, his cool palms coming to rest on her cheeks. She kept still, fighting the urge to hold her breath. There was a growing discomfort, her instincts pulling on her to back away. His eyes had blackened again, fully masking the edges between pupil, iris and sclera.
She'd expected him to move his hands. Touch her hair, maybe. But instead he kept completely still, the glow on his palms visible from the corners of her eyes. A smile started appearing on his face. "Such a waste that I am unable to see the color of your eyes."
"Uh… They're green, or hazel to be exact." Her nerves made it difficult to stand her ground.
"And your hair?"
"Uh, dark brown. Not quite black."
"You are from beyond the veil, correct? How very interesting. There haven't been many of your kind in this world. Should my brother no longer be of interest to you, I would not be adverse to the idea of entertaining you."
Sarah wasn't quite sure if she heard and understood that correctly. Whether she did or not, she started feeling really uncomfortable at this point.
"Girvin, were my instructions not abundantly clear?"
The woman flinched at the baritone voice behind her.
Warren just smiled. "There's no need to be so defensive, Jareth. I know better than to intrude upon your possessions."
Sarah stepped back, Warren's hands falling from her face. Her body refused to turn around to face the man behind her.
"I will make rounds on the mountain for your pathetic site. If I find nothing, you will return home within two days. Escorted. Once we leave this mountain, you will never speak of it again."
"A most gracious gift, Your Majesty," Warren said with a nod of his head.
"Do not mistake my kindness for leniency." His warning tone caused the older man to stiffen and Sarah to turn around to face him. "If I discover that your responsibilities have suffered due to your personal endeavors, there will be consequences." His eyes turned briefly to Sarah before shifting to Girvin's. "Do not disappoint me again, saighdiuir. I will be back by nightfall."
"Be safe, Jareth," Sarah said quickly while he turned from her. He paused for a second, before he walked out of sight. A moment later they heard the front door.
"I… had better go and answer some letters," Warren muttered with mild concern, before turning to leave.
—-
All the windows in the house faded to black. Night had set in. The soldiers, Girvin and Sarah had been provided with dinner while Warren tended to his work. It had been hours since Jareth left and small specks hitting the window told Sarah that it was snowing. The glass had tinted with frost, doing nothing to soothe her worries for the king's wellbeing. The house had been difficult to spot during daytime. What if he got lost in the cover of night?
Girvin hadn't let her out of his sight since Jareth's orders and had joined her in the sitting room. Sarah had procured some paper and ink, writing another letter to her family. It seemed months since she'd last seen them. She had kept herself busy, straining to write in the prettiest calligraphy she could. She also doodled a little bit at the edges, which she knew Toby loved to see.
The moment Sarah heard a shrill screech outside, she was immediately alert. A white flash sailed past the window which caused Sarah to jump up, throwing off her blanket and running to the hallway. Opening the front door, a strong chill immediately intruded into the house, Sarah's breath billowing from her lips and countless specks of snow swirling around her.
A familiar white owl swept into the house. Sarah quickly closed the front door. After circling the hall once the bird smoothly landed on her shoulder with a hint of talons digging into her sleeve.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty. You're late." She held up her arm and the small feathery shape carefully moved down her arm. It was strange to see him so close by in his owl form. His wide black eyes blinked at her, his head tilting. He ruffled his feathers, a few specks of snow darting off of him. His beak tended to a few ruffled feathers. It was somewhat funny to see him puffed up like he was.
Sarah hesitated for a moment before reaching out to him with her free hand and letting her fingers brush down the feathers on his chest. Her fingers sank deep until she could feel the skin underneath. It wasn't until then that she realized he was freezing and physically shivering.
Walking up to the fireplace in the sitting room Sarah sat down on the carpet and with a flurry of feathers he stabilized himself. "Feel free to change back to your normal self anytime, Birdbrain."
When he made no effort to, Sarah guided him from her shoulder and sat him in her lap. Gently she caressed the pale feathers with their ivory frosting. It felt easier to be more physical with him when he was not the tall man with the piercing eyes and the big mouth. She wrapped a blanket around him while careful not to ruffle any feathers. The owl snuggled into the blanket, closing his eyes while her fingers petted his head and nape.
Meanwhile Sarah let her mind wander, her eyes drawn by the flames. Petting the monarch in disguise was rather therapeutic. The gentle weight of his shape in her lap. The silky softness of his feathers. Eventually everything almost blended together into a meditative state and suddenly time slipped away from her. It wasn't until she felt him snuggle up against her stomach, clearly very much enjoying himself, that she snapped out of it. "Okay, buster, that's enough." The woman picked him up from under the blanket and tossed him aside with a smile.
His wings flapped and with a flash of light, the owl turned back into his regal shape.
"What a pity," he sighed, letting himself drop down onto the couch. One leg rested on the arm rest while his back rested against the other let out a heavy sigh, clearly tired.
The woman got up with a blanket in hand, looking down at him. He had closed his eyes, raking a hand through his hair. He looked positively exhausted, the angles of his face sharp and slightly ashen. Bashfully she sank down onto the couch just past his knees before covering both of them with the blanket. The blonde opened his eyes and looked at her, his lips parted in surprise. An encouraging smile curled around her lips. Offering her his hand, their eyes met and he moved against the arm rest. Jareth lightly pulled on her hand until she came to rest with her back against his chest. Sarah felt her cheeks burning, his presence wrapping around her in a blanket that felt so much more comforting than the physical one on her lap. Yet still it was somewhat uncomfortable. Girvin mutely dismissed himself. Sarah had almost forgotten he was there too and looked at his retreating form from the corner of her eyes. "Traitor," she mumbled.
Jareth seemed more than pleased. She could feel the iciness of his body, stinging against her back all the way through her clothing. She repositioned slightly so she could sit more comfortably, very much aware she was nestled in between his legs. She took his hands and clasped them between hers. They were freezing.
Peeling the gloves off, she brought his hands up to her face to gently blow warm air on them. His chest expanded against her back from a quick intake of breath. The man briefly jerked on his arms in surprise and Sarah froze. Taking off his gloves had always been his rather tentative initiative. Her heart raced when he leaned into her. His chin came to rest on her shoulder, his voice a gentle if somewhat amused whisper. "Don't stop."
The feeling of his breath against her cheek speckled countless goosebumps along her arms and neck. Her body shivered in response to his low purr. After a moment of hesitation she continued. Her hands cradled his, for as far that was possible considering his hands were larger. Her thumbs rubbed his palms. He relaxed against her and his fingers flexed every now and then when her nails would accidentally lightly scrape the sensitive skin. Gradually warmth returned to his extremities.
She let herself study the pale skin of his hands. Soft, long and unmarred. Looking a little closer, his fingers were almost too long, but not quite.
Slowly Sarah started to lean back against him, feeling his chest rise and fall and his amulet lightly curving into the back of her shoulder. Looking down towards his wrists she could see a faint outline of the veins underneath, blooming into his palms like winding vines. Her fingertips delicately traced the veins, causing his fingers to twitch and his body to shudder.
Pulling his hands back slightly he embraced her, arms slithering around her like firm but comforting snakes. Slowly he squeezed. His face nuzzled into her neck and one of his hands came up to brush her hair across the opposite shoulder. From the corner of her eye she could see he had his eyes closed. His long lashes rested peacefully on his cheeks, his usually sharp features smoothed, save from a small upwards curl in the corners of his mouth.
The woman smiled and crossed her arms over her chest to cover his hands with her own, petting the soft skin. Slowly, she let her fingers intertwine with his. The man squeezed just a little bit tighter and brought his face closer to her neck with a soft chuckle. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. Then he settled back on her shoulder, rubbing his cheek gently against it. She could feel him take a deep breath.
"Brother, you have returned!"
Jareth groaned and buried his face in her neck. Sarah jolted to attention, practically throwing her legs over the edge of the couch to sit up. Feverishly she pried his arms away from her.
His brother walked up, arms outstretched. "I-"
Jareth waved his hand and Warren disappeared. Sarah blinked in confusion. "What the… Where did he go?"
"I sent that large buffoon up to his room."
Sarah couldn't help but laugh. Especially seeing the look of petulant annoyance on Jareth's face. "To be fair, the man is blind."
"I don't suppose I can persuade you back into my embrace after that rude interruption?"
While brief, the moment had been very pleasant. It had been a while since she had been hugged, not counting her family. It was hardly the same, anyway. It made his currently outstretched hand all the more inviting. "We should probably get you something to eat," Sarah said kindly. His nose crinkled in dissatisfaction and he pushed himself up from the arm rest.
She put her hand against his chest. Their eyes met. "But you've been a good boy, so…" The moment she leaned in he grew considerably less glum. She kissed him sweetly. Nothing more than a brief though sweet peck on his lips. His muscles flexed underneath her hand while he attempted to lean closer. She pulled back, her hand pushing lightly against his chest.
Then his trademark grin graced his features. "I know something I'd love to eat," the man purred. "But I'd have to renounce my title of 'good boy' for that." Playfully he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him. Sarah yelped and laughed, squirming when he nuzzled into her neck with a growl.
Gradually the childlike playfulness turned a little less… childlike. Sarah's breath caught when one of his hands squeezed her upper arm. Soft lips brushed along her neck. Languid motions gradually became less chaste. Her heart fluttered and her lips parted in a gasp. The small sound, soft as it had been, was more than enough encouragement for him. There was a sharp sting on her skin, causing a flush to bloom from her neck to her face and down to her shoulders. Sarah wasn't sure when it had happened, but at some point her hands had grabbed hold of the ruffles of his poet shirt. His hand buried into her hair, craning her head back to give him easier access. His breath on her collar bone felt infinitely warmer than the fire behind her. She could feel herself melting in his grasp, his warm scent overtaking the smell of the fireplace. His nails raked along the nape of her neck, sharp but not painful and reflexively her fingers tightened on his shirt.
Shaking her head in an attempt to clear her mind she pulled back. "Okay, okay. Let's settle down, Your Majesty. Time to get you a meal."
Jareth slowly pulled back. "As you wish." Hearing the breathlessness of his voice she quickly wriggled out of grasp and stepped out of the room. Her hand rested over her chest, trying to contain the frantic beating within. Her feet swiftly carried her further into the cabin.
—-
Approximately an hour later Sarah returned to the living room with a plate of food. Warren was seated opposite of Jareth, who was practically draped over the couch in his trademark boneless manner, scowling. The air seemed tense, Jareth's gaze fixed on the fire.
Warren's rather dispassionate expression brightened as she stopped by the entrance. "Lady Sarah!"
The woman smiled. "Good evening, Your Highness. How'd you know it was me?" With part of the tension seeping away she felt comfortable enough to move further into the room.
"I recognized the rhythm of your gait. Besides, you are the only mortal in my residence. You human folk have a certain… fleeting aura about you. I can almost taste it."
"Warren," Jareth uttered with agitation.
"At ease, brother."
"Okay, well," Sarah uttered softly, moving to Jareth's side. "Sit up straight, Your Majesty. I made you some dinner." She handed him the plate and sat down next to him.
"Oh, lady Sarah, you didn't have to do so yourself. If I'd known I would have called for one of my servants."
"I don't mind." Sarah really had been more than happy for the distraction. Jareth's touch was still alive and warm on her skin. It was so vivid that the only reason she knew he wasn't touching her right now was that she could see he was having dinner. "I hope it's okay that I've taken some of your stock."
"Absolutely, you are welcome to help yourself to anything in this house." There was a rather obvious insinuation in his voice, though his tone was light.
She could feel the blonde next to her tense up, his hand on the plate tightening. It was then that she noticed he'd put his gloves back on. "With all due respect, Your Highness, while I appreciate your hospitality and kindness, I would be a much more comfortable guest if you could stop with the casual flirting. I'd hate to have to remind you that you have a wife and to be blunt, I'm not interested. I'm sure it is in your own best interest too. His Majesty is giving me the impression that capital punishment isn't quite out of the realm of possibility."
Warren kept his smile, quite clearly not bothered. "Of course, it wasn't my intent to make you uncomfortable."
"There's more than one reason this old fool fares better on deserted mountains," the king commented.
"Admittedly, I am happy my brother's heart hasn't completely frozen over. His duty to pursue a continuation of the royal bloodline is long overdue."
Sarah uncomfortably shifted in her seat, her hands wringing together. Something that didn't go unnoticed by the man next to her. "Uh… Let's not go quite that far. We're just… I don't… I'm not…"
"Don't waste your breath explaining yourself to him, Sarah. He is out of line."
Once again there was an uncomfortable strain. A friction between older brother and monarch. Each with centuries of experiences and interactions that she wasn't privy to. An unfathomable amount of time compared to hers. She put her hands on her knees, looking between the two while pressing her lips together. "Okay, I don't know about you two, but I could do without the continuous tension. You two have been bickering since we got here. Surely there are more enjoyable things to talk about? Like how Alana or Beyza are doing or something?"
Warren chuckled, stroking his beard. "You remind me of little Imogen, lady Sarah."
"Tanya naa leor, dearthair!"
Sarah jumped at Jareth's sudden booming voice. She watched him put his plate aside and rise to his feet. She quickly took his hand. "Wow, okay. Settle down, Jareth. Please," she said carefully. He irritably pulled his hand from her grasp.
Warren's pale eyes narrowed. "What did I say this time?"
Honestly, Sarah was wondering the same thing.
"Do not speak so lightly of-" The Goblin King fell quiet, audibly taking a calming breath.
The tight lines in the older man's face smoothened. "Oh, Jareth, don't tell me… Even after all these centuries?"
"You weren't there," Jareth spat.
Warren rose to his feet and rounded the coffee table. He grabbed Jareth's arm and pulled him closer, wrapping his free arm around him. "How the wounds of the past leave such vicious scars."
"Don't patronize me, Warren," Jareth snapped while he wrestled his way out of his brother's embrace.
"I am not patronizing you, Jareth. You sovereign millions of lives and carry your crown day and night. You have done so for such a long time. At some point you'll have to tend to the wounds within you."
"I am doing just fine," he replied sharply, pushing away the taller man.
Warren scowled. "Did you accidentally meet with Alana, brother? Were you ever going to tell lady Sarah about her if you didn't? What about me? What about-"
"Quiet," the king snapped. His anger hung heavy in the air. "You forget your place, Warren. I am your king and you will treat me as such."
Warren sighed defeatedly, taking a step back and bowing. "Yes, Your Majesty. I… I will make myself scarce." He straightened and moved to walk out of the room. Before he did, he paused. "Visit my study at your leisure. You will find something in there that might help your hauntings. Something you haven't seen in much too long." A sad smile played around his lips.
Sarah could see Jareth stiffen while he stared at the now empty door frame. The woman rose to her feet. She could barely see any of his features from this angle. His gaze was distant. A muscle by his jaw twitched.
A long silence stretched between them.
"I'm here for you, Jareth," she said quietly, taking and squeezing his hand. She could see the struggle in his eyes. "I need your help." Those handful of words seem to break him out of his thoughts. Jareth looked at her. "I'm on a quest, of sorts…" The woman smiled at the questioning way in which his eyebrows rose. "A quest for liquid courage." After that she pulled her hand back, heading for the doorway. "Do you suppose your brother has a wine cellar?"
"I'm not sure," the Goblin King mused with a smile. "But if he does, we are finding it."