Chapter Eleven

Jareth recalled sitting across from the Iftanzel envoy and staring at him with barely concealed contempt. They had apparently taken umbrage (big college word... thank you, Sarah) at the subtle alterations of time he'd had to perform in order to make his communication with Sarah smoother. It wasn't the real reason, of course, but it made a convenient excuse.

After about two hours of receiving veiled (and not so veiled) insults and a few threats from the pompous jackass, Jareth's patience had run out, "The reasons do not concern you, Ambassador" he had said silkily. "If it distresses you so, perhaps I should give some thought to freezing time altogether."

Said jackass then stomped from the throne room, shouting the usual threats of war. Oh yes, the Fae were at it again. He held in his hands the most recent declaration of war from Iftanzel. It would appear that they didn't appreciate the threat conveyed to their ambassador. Thankfully, they appeared to be alone in their belligerence. Garthan had intercepted quite a few communiques to other kingdoms bordering his, but none so far had decided to join in. The drubbing they took from him in the last war likely deterred them from participating in this one.

He was currently seated on his formal throne in the Tír Ceilte court. Court days were always something of a slog, but it was even worse now what with the war. Everyone had an opinion on how the war should be run, and thought they should share them, vociferously. The younger Othánas of his court were brimming with unspent aggression and insisting on joining the fight.

He was glad to finally escape to his chamber, forgoing the dining hall and requesting that a tray be sent to him. He soaked himself for at least an hour, letting the heat and steam whittle away the petulant voices of the ambassadors, the strident ones of his courtiers and the general annoyances that kept ricocheting through his head. When he finally emerged, he saw his dinner tray on the table, with an envelope propped up beside it. His heart tingled with excitement as he opened the latest missive from his love.

Jareth,

It probably won't surprise you that most people think to themselves that being a King is the be all, end-all of wonderful experiences. This is because they have no idea of how much work it really is for a conscientious ruler. They see the monarch, with their fancy clothes, gourmet food, harem of beauties and unparalleled power. They don't see the backstabbing, the headaches, the rage, the heartbreak, or the exhaustion that comes with it. I've always been fairly realistic about what being a royal would entail but I have to admit that even I was taken aback a bit by how hard you really have it. That said, I am glad that I can give you at least a little light and laughter in your "dreary existence".

You do, love. Sometimes I think you're the only reason I wake up in the morning.

For myself, there is nothing so exciting, I'm afraid. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I have very early classes, so early that it's still a little dark outside when I start heading over to campus. My alarm goes off, I stagger to the shower and then drink about two cups of coffee while nibbling on some toast (I have never been able to eat a big meal so early in the day).

A taste for coffee had recently become popular in his court. He preferred tea himself but could understand its allure.

I pick up my book bag (which weighs more than I do) and walk to my first class, Political Science. I don't know how much you know about American politics but…you know what? Never mind. Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to know.

I know enough about it to know that you are correct.

My next class is my Mythology in Literature class. I love this one. We study the various myths, legends and tales told throughout cultures around the world. Right now, we are doing a segment on India.

Hmmm. Not very familiar with India. I should take a closer look; it might be entertaining.

I then have a short break between classes. Sometimes I will grab a larger meal than I had earlier in the morning (chicken wings if I'm lucky, ha ha) but sometimes if I'm not hungry I'll go over to the library for a quiet hour of reading.

How alike we are, my love.

Next is my Creative Writing class. I like this one, but the professor is a little…odd. I can't really put my finger on it but he kind of gives me a creepy vibe. Thankfully, this is a class of about 80 kids, so I haven't really had to deal with him on any level so far. I've gotten good grades on my assignments here, so that's all I really care about.

Jareth made a mental note to keep an eye on the situation. It might well warrant closer attention.

My last class of the day is Ancient History in the Mediterranean. We are working through the Greece/Macedonia unit now. This is another class that I really enjoy. So much of Western Civilization is based on the culture of Greece and Rome that it fascinates me to see some of the parallels.

Ours too, although they were inspired by the Underground as opposed to the other way around.

From there, I will go over to the cafeteria to pick up dinner for myself and the Ughlánas if they have something decent. They have burgers and hot dogs which are passable. If they're not serving anything I'm in the mood for, I just go back to my place and heat up some soup or nuke some frozen dinners (the Ughlánas aren't picky). If I'm in a celebratory mood, I'll stop at this little Italian place called Ciglione's on the way back and bring home some pasta or a pizza. After that, it's homework and study time. While the Ughlánas are always here, for the most part they stay out of my way when I get back from class, at least until I've put my books away. Then we'll all watch a movie, play a game, listen to music, or just sit around and talk. Oftentimes, if they don't have duties Underground, my other friends will show up too.

On the one hand, Jareth was glad that she kept mostly to herself and away from any potential rivals for her affection. At the same time, he wondered if it wasn't a bit lonely for her to have no friends among her own kind.

Tuesdays and Thursdays I can actually sleep in. I don't have class until late in the morning. Of course, try sleeping in when the Ughlánas are in the house. Yeah…it doesn't happen.

No. No it doesn't.

My first class is Oceanography. It isn't anything I need for my degree, but I needed the credits, and it sounded interesting. This teacher is amazing. He really knows how to get his students interested in his subject. I've been told that some students were disappointed that they couldn't take his class twice in a row. I believe it.

Jareth did too. Teachers like that were a national treasure among the Othánas.

My next class is another one that I didn't need for the degree but had to take to "round out" the college experience. We're supposed to take some form of physical education, either playing a sport or doing some other type of exercise. I chose kickboxing. I'm not very good at it, but it's a lot of fun and it keeps those empty calories I eat from settling on my ass and thighs in a bad way.

I'm trying very hard not to think about your ass and thighs right now, Sarah. And I am failing.

I have time before my next class to dash home and jump in the shower. I'll make some lunch and check to make sure no one has gotten into the makeup. Then I'll trudge off to the bane of my existence…Trigonometry, all while praying that a meteor would come hurtling in from space and take me out in a spray of pink mist.

Jareth laughed aloud at this. How many times had he made a similar wish?

After surviving the mind-numbing hell that is Trigonometry, I head back to my apartment. You guessed it, more study and homework. Thursdays are also when my family calls to check in on me. I spend a happy hour talking to everyone and catching up with my brother on his latest adventures. After dinner, the Ughlánas and I then repeat our evening activities of movies, games, music, or gossip.

Jareth wondered if she knew that the Ughlánas visited Toby, too. She'd never mentioned it, and he was hesitant to tell her, for fear she would be upset.

Saturday is my cleaning day. You can imagine what my apartment looks like after a week of living with the Ughlánas.

Yes. Yes, I can. And it is not pretty.

I used to kick them out (except for Tippy) so I could give the place a thorough cleaning, but they ended up being happy to help and surprisingly good at it. We put on some disco music and sanitize the place in between boogie moves. I then gather my laundry, grab a book, and go to the laundry room in the basement of my apartment building. A couple of hours later, I am back at the apartment. This time, we pick a television show to binge watch. Currently we're watching a classic show called I Love Lucy. I swear, the main character had to be an Ughlánas in a previous life.

The Ughlánas were surprisingly good at many things if one knew how to motivate them properly. It was one of the reasons that Sir Didymus had charge of them during Army training. He was able to get them to function as a unit as opposed to a chaotic mess, which was no mean feat.

And…with what little he knew about I Love Lucy, he had to agree. If Ughlánas could reincarnate as humans, Lucy Ricardo would have been one of them.

Sundays are my day of rest (much like yours). I sleep in…the Ughlánas know to be very quiet on Sunday mornings or they forfeit their candy for the day. Sometimes we will go to the park, sometimes to the movie theater. We've gone to some nearby museums. I especially love going to the giant bookstore just off campus and browsing for hours. We went to the beach a time or two, but try explaining that sunscreen is to be worn on the skin and not eaten… I took the Ughlánas to the zoo once, and let's just say I won't be repeating that experience. For the most part, we try to pick an outdoor activity if the weather permits.

It delighted him to no end that she was so social with the Ughlánas. Othánas loved their brethren, of course, but they didn't necessarily socialize with them. Sarah not only socialized with them but enjoyed doing so. It was only fitting, seeing as she was to be their Queen.

Then it's back to the apartment, back to bed and off to the races the next morning. Pretty boring, I know. Thankfully, I have a mysterious, powerful Goblin King who writes to me and opens my eyes and my mind to a whole new world.

I would give you my whole world Sarah, if I thought you would take it from me.

My day is always made better when I get a letter from you. I look forward to the next one.

Sarah

Just the thought of you is enough to make my day better, Sarah.