“Ah, there’s the master I remember,” the Shadow King sneered. “Now it’s just you and I this go round, the less,” he searched for a word, “adept of us have been eliminated, as it were.” He thought a moment, spinning the crystal on the point of his finger as he did so. “We really should come up with a more fool proof attack this time.”
“The last plan would have gone off fine if there hadn’t been fools behind it.” Tiberon huffed in a pace across the room. “Maeve finding virtue at the last minute and sparing the mortal. And my father, managing all these years to carry out his deceitfulness with such marksmanship and grace only to meet his end on the tip of my great nephew’s blade. He may as well have gone and killed himself!”
“True our numbers have been reduced by half. Perhaps our first order of business should be to enlist a few more hands,” The Shadow King suggested.
Tiberon eyed him up and down. “What and open ourselves up to their failures? No, no one else will fight this fight. We’ve nothing to offer them in exchange for their service and besides, most everyone in this realm is so behind that magnificent Idiot King and his lap dog mortal we wouldn’t stand a chance of finding a recruit.”
“There’s the Northeastern sector.”
“Ranofyr! He’s not like us. He doesn’t understand the concept of taking pleasure in spite, his twisted ventures are sport and the creatures hurt by them, enjoy the damage he inflicts. If Jareth weren’t pleased by things Ranofyr did, the Representative would lose interest in him and return home.” It’s why he’s never done this sort of thing on his own. Tiberon’s glove swept over his face. “No, the answer isn’t in increasing our number. It’s in bettering our attack. We need to be more deceptive, more stealthy than either of us has ever been. Time for you to be what you were made to be. All that is evil in Jareth must be released.”
The Shadow King beamed. “Am I to understand from what you’ve said that I am through taking orders?”
“Never through.” Tiberon’s violet eyes narrowed fast. “Suffice it to say your orders have become a far sight more broad. Infiltrate them. While I prepare for our battle you’ll learn what the crystals cannot tell and when you have done as I asked, we’ll reconvene to plan our next step.”
“Infiltrate them. You mean walk among them as if I were king! Tiberon I have a new respect for the lows to which you’ll sink, turning Jareth’s own men against him, why, it’s brilliant.” There was a genuine glee on the face of the Shadow King.
Tiberon pinched the king’s chin between his own thumb and forefinger, “Not just his men.”
The arch of his brow told The Shadow King Tiberon meant to conquer the women as well, surely one in particular. He jerked from the Representative’s grasp. “I’ll follow your orders. I’ll get you the information you seek, but in exchange you must never put your hands on me again.” Purposefully he tightened his gloves. “Are we quite clear?”
“Quite,” Tiberon agreed. ‘Clear, indeed,’ he thought, ‘but mind you don’t get to thinking you run this show.’
“I may not run this show, but I am the only one who will, neigh, can help you. Careful what you think my friend, for you know not what the blackest parts of Jareth are capable of. If you want to prepare for this battle you’re seeking, you do best to start there. It wasn’t Maeve or your father who cost us so dearly last time, it was the fact that you underestimated your opponent and that is a mistake we cannot afford to make twice.” A simple twist of his wrist and the Shadow King was gone. Tiberon’s head titled back as he released a wail of frustration. Inside his chamber the king had himself a good laugh.
***** ***** *****
“Busy, busy,” Arulan chanted as she ran from the front door to Sarah’s office, then the kitchen and back to the front door. “Jareth!” she exclaimed as she ran headlong into him. “Oh bother, your majesty,” she curtsied. “I’m in such a rush I can barely keep track of myself let alone all these interviewees of Lady Sarah’s.”
“Speaking of Lady Sarah, love, where is my precious girl?”
“Here now,” she asked as if he had not intervened with a question of his own. “Didn’t I just see you in the back with the gardener? I’m sure the gardener was coming today to go over the arrangements for the ceremony.” Her face was filled with confusion.
“So I was. But the gardener knew far more of flowers than I did. I told him whatever he had planned would be fine.”
“Mercy, what that woman has done to you. Bless my soul, but I’ve never heard you admit anyone knew a thing more about any topic than you.” Her hand swatted at his chest.
The Shadow King in his Jareth cloak made a mental note of his slip up. After he had gone to such lengths as to first observe Jareth in the crystal in order to match his garments, it was humbling to be brought to reality by such a trivial detail. “Yes, well, she does make quite a difference in me doesn’t she. Now where did you say I might find my sweet.”
“Her office...where you left her.”
“Of course,” he feigned a chuckle. “All this busy talk of yours has me forgetting what I was in the middle of. Off with you, back to what you were doing.”
“Heaven’s me, if I recall what that was now.” Arulan started off anyway. She’d have sworn she’d felt Jareth’s hand sweep her buttocks as she did, if she didn’t know better.
The Shadow King slunk into Sarah’s office. The crystals had given him an excellent base of knowledge for the role he was being sent to play. True he couldn’t watch twenty-four hours a day and the Triumvirate’s castle was imperious, but at least he knew names, the castle layout, those kinds of things. Outside her office door, the king adjusted his vest and jacket. Throwing open the door, “Sarah, darling, your king has arrived,” he sneered.
One of the interviewee goblins, an older chap with an ability to refuse drink, was flustered by his entrance and began to stumble over his words. “It’s quite alright,” Sarah reassured him. “Why don’t you make your way to the main hall and I’ll have Arulan take you to the kitchen for a bite.” Dainty fingers wrapped around the golden cord near the door and tugged. The elf came quickly and ushered the goblin out. “Jareth, I know this being apart, keeping occupied with things that need to be done has been difficult for you, but you can’t just come storming in here demanding my attention when I’m conducting an interview.”
Sheepishly, he apologized. “Forgive me. You’re right. I shouldn’t have bothered you.”
Hearing him sound so devastated pained her. “I know your heart was in the right place. Forget I said anything.”
“As good as done,” he agreed. “Why if you ask me later, I won’t even recall this conversation.”
“Perfect. Now come see what I’ve done.” She shuffled him into her desk chair. I’ve found only two goblins to serve as instructors thus far, but I’ve great hopes for the fellow who just left. If we can find only three more, we’ll be in good shape.” Slinking into his lap, her fingers danced over his chest. “You did speak with the printer, didn’t you?”
“Of course,” the Shadow King lied.
“Good because we’ll need those books for next week. I want this to go off without a hitch.” By now the Shadow King had made himself quiet comfortable with her closeness, taking advantage of the situation to paw at her body, his hands feeling her backside and thighs. Her lack of hesitation as he crept his hand further up her leg only encouraged him more. Before long Sarah was returning his affections with long kisses, but it was when his hand dared below her skirt she stopped him. “Jareth, our promise to the Triumvirate.”
“What have they got to do with this?” the disappointment heavy in his voice, he continued kissing at her neck regardless, his teeth nipping her neck.
“Quite a lot really!” His aggressive nature did not go unnoticed. “I know this vow of chastity until our wedding night is trying, but it is a requirement and so we’ve no room to slip up. Not now when we’re only nine weeks away. Surely, we can make it nine more weeks,” her eyes pleaded with him.
Growing more and more enticed by the idea of having not only that which was not his, but that which even the Goblin King himself was not to have, the Shadow King smiled and jerked his brow. “There are other ways for us to share pleasure love, ways that would keep your chastity quite in tact.”
“Here! Now!!” Sarah threw back her head, laughing madly. “You’re a bad influence on me you know.”
“I’d like to be,” he sneered as he moved in for what he hoped would be another passionate kiss.
Knocking at the door halted their exchange. “Come in,” Sarah replied, getting to her feet.
“Go away,” the king grumbled into his now empty hand.
“Milady,” Deverell greeted Sarah. “Milady there is a project in the city taking place which I think you would be most pleased to see.”
“Um,” Sarah tried to regroup. The petting session with the man she believed to be Jareth had left her a bit more disheveled than she’d have thought. “I have an interviewee to finish with and then I’d be happy to go into the city with you.”
“Yes, milady.” The king’s assistant turned to face Jareth. “Sire, beg pardon, but were you not only just in the garden.”
“Yes,” he replied more coolly than he had with Arulan moments earlier. “Planning for my wedding.”
Before he could any further describe his doings, Sarah interrupted, “No, no, no! Don’t say another word. You promised this would all be a surprise to me. I don’t want to know a thing in advance. Not from either of you. Not a thing.”
“As milady wishes,” Deverell bowed to Sarah. “Your grace,” he bowed to the king who little more than brushed him off with a wave of his hand.
“I’m sorry Jareth, but you’ve got plenty to keep you otherwise occupied. I’ve got to get back to my responsibilities.” He approached her slowly, his hands encircling her waist, his intentions written on his face. “I really am sorry.”
“Me too, love, me too.” His lips covered hers greedily stealing her kiss. “Perhaps some other day, if I’m lucky.” She looked at him perplexed when he left.
Ringing for Arulan, Sarah continued to reflect on the way he’d left. Some other day, if he was lucky? What was that supposed to mean? By the time the elf returned with the goblin she’d still not managed to put her finger on what was bothering her so.
“Milady, are you ready for your guest?” Arulan asked, noting her screwed up expression.
Sarah shook her head, “Yes, please. I welcome the distraction.” The goblin sat before her. “I have only a few more questions for you. “Will you be able to commit for several hours five days a week?”
“If teaching pays more than breaking rocks, you can have all my hours every day of the week.”
“I haven’t much thought of pay,” she admitted, “and you are the first to ask. But it shows you’re prudent and goal oriented. There will be eight hours a day to be committed to the classroom. Several hours a week outside the classroom and instructors will be expected to get together to establish curriculum during the time the children will otherwise be excused.” Until then, Sarah didn’t realize how much she really knew about the educational system, but it was promising for her. “What does breaking rocks pay?” she enquired.
“Three gold pieces a week, miss. Enough if you are without children. Just enough if you have one child.”
“You’re kidding! How many children do you have?”
“Six miss,” he said casting down his eyes.
“Six children on a salary built for barely three individuals.”
“My wife works. Together we manage.”
Sarah did some quick mathematics in her head and then weighted in the idea that the six persons chosen to take on this challenge would be paving the way for a new underground. “Ten gold pieces,” she decided. “Ten gold pieces a week for each qualified goblin who commits to teach, but only ten months of the year. The king will never agree to pay for the time you’re not working. You’ll need to find alternate employment or budget wisely to make it plausible, but I believe you can do it.
Through tears, the goblin’s eyes shone. “Yes, miss, most definitely.”
Her hand bridged the distance of the desk between them. “Congratulations!”
Tenderly accepting her hand, the goblin, as sincerely as he could, thanked her then turned to leave. From the door he smiled back, “Will be a pleasure to serve you miss, both as my employer and as my queen. You’re going to do great things here.”
“We,” she corrected him.. “We are going to do great things.” When the door closed, she let the tears fall.
***** ***** *****
Deverell was heading to the stables when the Shadow King caught up with him. “Say boy, have you a moment.”
“Your majesty?” He asked at the way he’d been addressed.
The Shadow King didn’t notice the inflection of a question in his tone. “You’ve been with me how long now?”
“Not yet a year.”
“Not yet a year,” he mimicked. “And yet I feel able to trust you. It would be a shame if the rumors were true.”
“Rumors your majesty?”
“Rumors, misunderstandings, call them what you will. But I have heard you’ve been making the lady Sarah rather uncomfortable with your attentions as of late.”
Honest shock consumed the fey’s face. “If that is so, milady has not told me of this discomfort. I shall speak with her.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he circled the fey, inspecting him with cold eyes, eyes a little blacker than Deverell was used to seeing. “It wasn’t Sarah who made the comment.”
“Then who?”
“Never mind who. I trust you and that is enough for me. I’ve put my faith in you and I expect that I will not be disappointed. Simply modifying your behavior so it is always the utmost professional should do the trick.” The king stopped to face his likeness’s assistant head on. “I am everywhere, in fact, I may at times appear to be two places at once. Do not give me reason to distrust you.”
Deverell dropped to his knees and humbly lowered his head. “Never sire. I apologize.”
“As you should,” the king quipped as he headed off. ‘This is enough destruction for one day,’ he thought as he snapped himself back to Tiberon’s castle.
***** ***** *****
“Bastard!” the Representative shouted as the Shadow King reappeared directly behind him. “Why must you do that?”
“It entertains me.”
Tiberon eyed him, but the king did not flinch. “Have you any news for me?”
“What no drink while we catch up?”
Tiberon poured him a brandy and offered him a seat, “Talk,” he demanded.
“Well first I went to the lady Sarah. She is finely grown, is she not?” Tiberon did not reply. “There is a smoothness to her skin that I could easily come to appreciate. Her mouth so warm, so inviting and her technique flawless.”
“I did not send you on this mission for your pleasure.”
“Indeed. But what a perk it has been,” the king smiled. “Since you think so little of my exploitations, need I remind you that it was your idea to include Jareth’s women in this.” The Representative sat without speaking. “She told me quite a bit without so much as blinking,” the king boasted. “It would seem they are scheduled to be wed in nine weeks time and, this is truly the best part. Leave it to the Triumvirate. Until their wedding night they are not to have sex.” He erupted with laughter at recounting that detail. “Why if Turgomon’s replacement hadn’t have interrupted us, I’d have managed to teach her how to bend that rule too. But between that oaf and her being caught up in those damned interviews.”
“Interviews?”
“Showing interest at last are we? Yes interviews. Seems Jareth’s little token is pushing forward with her notions for schooling goblins. Sarah’s conducting interviews with the more educated,” the concept forced him to laugh, “of the useless creatures, trying to select the best of the worst to serve as instructors.”
Tiberon was now filled with interest, “And once these goblins are selected?”
“Don’t know. She sent me packing then, went back to her interviews so she could run off with Deverell to the city for some project taking place there.”
“Did you follow Deverell?”
The Shadow King sighed, “No you twit, I went and had tea. Of course I followed him, but not to ask about the project.”
“Why not? Blasted! What good are you to me if you don’t even know the right questions to ask?”
“Careful Tibby my dear. You wouldn’t want me to lose interest in this little espionage plot of yours, would you?”
“Lose interest in my plot, lose your chance at the girl.”
“One piece of ass is as good as another, makes no difference to me. The Shadow King started for the door. Slamming it behind him when he’d left, the king warned the Representative, “Let’s not forget who needs whom more in this scenario. Keep your eye on the goal.” His wicked laugh echoed in the hall. “I should see if the mortal will take me on as a counselor at that school of hers.”
***** ***** *****
Deverell waited for Sarah in the main hall. His mind replayed Jareth’s comments from earlier. Had he truly made the lady uncomfortable as the king had warned? It was a concept he had trouble with but rumors were founded from some truth no matter how small and this was a truth he could not have. “Deverell? Deverell?” The repeated call of his name brought him out of his hypnosis. “Deverell?” Sarah called once more.
“Yes milady?”
“The city? You mentioned earlier something abut taking me to the city?” She looked at him disturbed by how distracted he seemed. “Are you alright?”
“Fine, fine. I did plan to take you in to the city, but wouldn’t you prefer the company of Arulan or the king?”
Sarah cocked her head at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. Jareth is off doing God knows what for the wedding and Arulan is busy preparing for dinner. Now stop acting so foolish and take me into town this instant.” He did not rush to her side, nor hasten to begin their walk, but rather stood looking perplexed. “Deverell!” The king’s assistant eyed the mortal. “Let’s go.”
Unable to stall her any longer, the fey, bowed gracefully and led her toward the Goblin City. “So plans are coming along nicely for the schooling?”
“Fine. Just fine. I’ve selected three instructors and plan on selecting three more. If that doesn’t cover the need I’ll pitch in until we can get more instructors. The books are due back from the printer before week’s end. Everything is happening so fast and yet so perfectly.” Sarah fed her arm through Deverell’s. “In large part, I owe this to you.”
“You have no obligation to me, milady.” The assistant grew nervous at her touch. Perhaps he had been overly forward, but then again it was not uncommon in this world to take a lady by the arm when leading her. Everything he did he over analyzed, everything he said he inspected. “I mean to say that you should feel no sense of owing toward me. I expect nothing from you. That is I expect great things from you just globally, just not personally.”
“What’s gotten in to you today?” Sarah asked. “Normally you’re as eloquent as Jareth and today it seems you’ve been given a new tongue which is in constant conflict with your words.
“Forgive me miss, I just want to be clear that I am your humble servant. You owe me nothing, nor do I expect anything from you. I was happy to assist, it is after all what I do.”
They walked on after that until Sarah stopped with a gasp. There, in the center of town, in what had only days ago been a square designed for loitering and sleeping the sleep of the drink stood two mirror image little red school houses. Before them stood Mason and Hoggle, mostly covered in mortar, grins from ear to ear as if they were two school children up to mischief. As though she were blind to all but the red brick, Deverell found himself steering her around rocks and goblins as her steps took her closer and closer to the buildings.
“How did you manage this...this miracle?” she asked, her eyes making their way to the steeples and the copper bells inside them.
“’Twern’t nothin’,” Hoggle said. “Jareth has a book of mortals that Arulan got me the pictures from and Mason did the rest.”
“You built these,” stooping to his level Sarah kissed his cheek.
Hoggle rushed to her side. “It was my idea,” he added proudly. Sarah kissed him too. “So you like ‘em then?”
“I beyond like them. I love them. They are the most spectacular constructions I have ever seen.” Marveling at the detail with which Mason had done his work she entered the school house to her left. The door was split in two. The top knob opened both halves and a lower knob, for the wee ones, opened only the bottom.
“There’s four school rooms in each miss,” Mason offered. I’ve still got to build the desks and the blackboards, but she’ll be ready come next week. Right on schedule.”
“Four,” she said slowly, her eyes busy with the surroundings. I only planned to hire six instructors, but I can hire more. Yes I can always hire more.”
“About that,” Hoggle interrupted. “We think you should have one of the rooms, sort of an office away from home where you can keep a eye on things.”
“Yes, yes, I agree. It will make it all the more convenient should I find myself doing some of the instruction as well. Then I shall only hire seven instructors.”
“Perhaps you’d consider hiring me on miss. I’ll work for the same I’m paid now,” Mason piped up. “I could teach manual labors. Nothing against what you’ve planned for this kingdom, but the world needs bricklayers as much as mathematicians. It might be good for a wee one who can’t finagle numbers to know he’s still a part of our society.”
Sarah took his hand into hers and patted it gently. “I think that’s a fabulous idea Mason, and I can’t think of a fine person to do it.” Smiling she pulled him close for a hug.
Repeating himself was Hoggle, “It was my idea.” Even if she knew that wasn’t necessary the truth, she found room in her arms for him regardless. She always would.
“What’s this business?” came a booming voice from behind them. They raised their heads to find Jareth there. “I didn’t authorize this construction.” The king’s sober act couldn’t survive Sarah’s throwing her arms around him.
“Isn’t it fantastic? Isn’t it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”
“Second at best,” Jareth said. “Arulan told me where you were and what you were doing, quite frankly,” he eyed Deverell, “I’m surprised no one invited me along.” Jareth chuckled.
The king’s assistant bowed before his majesty. “Pardon your highness. I thought milady would prefer to see the schoolhouses with you, but you were busy with wedding preparations and...”
“Deverell, I was jesting. My but you’re on edge.”
“Pardon your majesty.”
“What you’ve managed to do will aid this kingdom significantly. Thank you,” Jareth told Hoggle and Mason.
“You’re welcome, your grace,” Mason told him.
Hoggle acted gruffly as always, “If we don’t start on those desks, we’ll never be done by next week.”
“Then by all means, I’ll let you get back to work.” Sarah kissed them each again before she turned, the king to her right and Deverell, oddly enough, walking behind.
***** ***** *****
Arulan was just finishing loading the serving trays for supper when Deverell slipped into the kitchen behind her. “Pardon my interruption,” he said close to her ear.
The elf, visibly startled, jumped back, knocking into the fey. A fluttering hand left her chest and smoothed her hair. “Deverell, forgive me. You gave me quite a scare.”
“Sorry miss Arulan. I was attempting to remain quiet more than I was attempting to frighten you.”
“I see. What can I do for you?” she asked.
“I hate to ask,” he began circling the topic, “but has his majesty seemed odd to you today?”
Arulan chuckled. “Mercy, but his majesty, and everyone else in this castle has seemed odd to me for weeks. Between the ceremony and the schools, it’s a wonder we’re not all batty.”
“But I mean particularly odd.”
“Well not particularly.” Arulan put her hand on the fey’s shoulder, patting gently in an attempt to seem more reassuring. “I’m sure he’s just preoccupied with things.”
“You’re probably right,” he conceded. Arulan turned, picked up a tray and started to leave. “Arulan,” he called. She stopped and turned to face him once more. As he lifted the tray from her hands, she felt the cool leather of his gloves and couldn’t keep from blushing. “Arulan,” Deverell said seriously, “do you think, that is, are you aware of...” Anticipation grew in the elf’s heart as he continued to search for words which evaded him. “Has the lady Sarah said anything about the way I’ve treated her?”
“The lady Sarah?” she repeated. Deverell nodded. “No,” Arulan looked away, gathered her tray to leave and added, “not to me anyway.”
***** ***** *****
“Hog Brain,” came a call down the stump of Hoggle’s home.
The dwarf shouted up, “Go’way Jareth. I’m havin’ dinner with my fam’ly!”
“Higgle, if I have to come down there you’ll regret it,” he replied a bit more angrily than he had intended, but it worked, for no sooner had he made the threat was Hoggle eye to knee with him on the surface.
“Name’s Hoggle! I thought we got passed all that?” When Jareth didn’t reply Hoggle stomped at him, hands upon his hips, “What do you want?”
“As you know, I’m getting married in nine weeks, and you being such a big part of things,” he turned completely saccharin, “well I just want to be certain you understand completely what is to go on.”
“You’re serious?”
“Deadly,” he added.
“What’s to go over? The Rowan tree at noon. I’m to bring Sarah at least thirty minutes earlier.”
“Good. Noon, Rowan tree, you’re bringing Sarah. That wasn’t hard was it.” Hoggle grumbled as he shimmied back into his stump. “And Tiberon will be very glad you’ve extended the invitation,” the Shadow King cackled as he left.
***** ***** *****
“It was good to see you today. It seems we’ve both been so busy, bed is the only place I see you,” Sarah said as she snuggled close to Jareth.
Sighing, he acknowledged, “It does seem that way doesn’t it?” His head fell on top of hers, lips pressing against her hair. “Sarah, you know how much I love you?” Jareth felt her nod. “You know that holding you, feeling you lie next to me, is a joy, but” he reminded her as he slunk further beneath the duvet, “our wedding night, when I’m able to show you again how much I love you, shall be a huge relief.” He kissed her tenderly on the lips. “I’m sorry I’ve been so miserable as of late, so short tempered and, what is that word you seem to use constantly? Grumpy?”
Giggling she kissed at his face, her lips trailing his cheeks, his chin, falling to his neck. “I thought you had some remedy for this not being able to express ourselves,” she cooed into his throat.
“Remedy?” he questioned before succumbing to the tingle of her touch. Moments later he finished the thought. “Remedy indeed! Sarah it’s brilliant. I don’t know why you didn’t mention it sooner.”
“What?” she asked quickly flustered by his exuberance. “What did I mention?”
“We shall elope! It is after all a mortal concept and the Gavel is so ready to meld our worlds, then we shall start here.” Jareth kissed her again. “What do you say? A small ceremony, you and I, the Cleric. I know I can get him to agree. Deverell for a witness. We’ll exchange vows, unite and then when this silly engagement period is up we’ll have the formal ceremony.”
“Do you really think the Cleric will do it?”
“Of course, he’s been the only one behind us from the beginning.”
“But they’ll know, the Gavel and the Sage. If they’ll know whether or not we’ve made love, surely they’ll know this.”
Jareth thought a moment, “Not so. They may be able to keep an eye on us, but it is forbidden for them to watch one another, hence the Sage’s secret. Anything we do in the presence of the Cleric will be hidden from them.” Seeing the worry still on her face, Jareth went on, “And when we exchange vows and make our pledges they will ask, have you remained celibate up until the time of your union, when we answer yes, it will be an honest answer and they shall never detect the technicality.”
“I don’t know Jareth, it seems risky.”
“It’s romantic.”
“It is romantic,” she sighed, “and impetuous. Patience is a virtue.”
“Then, when it comes to the woman I love, call me less than virtuous.”
Patient hands stroked her back, “Come now love, this rule they’ve made, it’s ridiculous, you and I both know that. We desire to be together, nothing will change that and,” he paused as genius flooded his head, “on the off chance the Gavel dreams up something insane to try to prevent us from wedding to try and prevent you from being christened, he’ll have no choice but to change his mind. We’ll already be united and no one, not even he will be able to take you from me.”
Sarah buried her head in his neck and clung to him at the idea. “You’re sure about this.”
“Sure as I am that I love you.”
“Then count me in!” She kissed him passionately, “Anything that promises to keep us together is worth whatever risk comes with it.”
***** ***** *****
When morning came, the Shadow King checked his crystal and set off for the Goblin City. “Being part king, it’s my duty to observe these constructions,” he told the air around him as he headed for the school house. “They’re so colloquial.” His face bore a look of great distaste. Innocently, he leaned against the brick, one knee bent. Evil eyes surveyed their surroundings looking for witnesses. When they spotted no one. The Shadow King lifted his knee and slammed his heal hard against the wall. Sliding a few inches to the left, he repeated his action, sliding and slamming until he had weakened several spots along the wall. “Job well done,” he told himself as he admired his work.
“I’ll be gone most of the day,” he heard his own voice from the other side of the school house. Jareth had come. A circumstance the Shadow King hadn’t planned for. Silently he produced a crystal and watched in as he listened to their conversation, ready at a moment’s notice to make himself scarce if either showed signs of coming passed the weakened wall. “I’ve got to find a musician to play at our ceremony today. Then I’m off to the printer’s to send the books home and drop off the template for the invitations. Afterwards, the Cleric has agreed to meet me for a late lunch. I shall ask him over the meal if he will agree to our elopement.”
‘Really Jareth, you make it too easy for me,’ The Shadow King thought.
“After lunch, the tailor wishes to discuss my attire for our special day and finally I will return home to meet briefly with Deverell before dinner. He’s been so strange lately.”
“Deverell?” Sarah asked.
“Yes,” the king said. “Have you noticed it too?”
“I have,” Sarah admitted. “I’m glad you’ll have a word with him over it.”
“So I shall, but I really must go love,” he tried to kiss her quickly, but Sarah captured him in close for a more appropriate goodbye.
“Before you go, come in and see the template for the desks. Mason finished one last night before returning home. He asked me to look it over in the morning before he made hundreds more of something I didn’t thing functional.” Sarah grasped the doorknob with one hand and the king with other, dragging him inside.
“I’m sure you’re more than capable of determining this on your own.”
“So I am, but I hate doing things on my own. Time may have but it’s constraints on what we are able to do together these few months, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try to fight it.”
As they inspected the desk, the Shadow King stepped carefully away from the wall, doing his best to remain silent. ‘Fools,’ he thought, even more so when he spied the Goblin King sitting at the desk at Sarah’s request. It was as if he’d taken a seat at Hoggle’s dinner table. Disposing of the crystal, the Shadow King used his hands to cast a magic push upon the weakened wall. The brick began to creak and the Shadow King relocated to a safe distance where he could watch his work. “Ah, being Shadow King has it’s advantages,” he cackled. “All of the power, none of the conscious.”
Jareth’s sensitive ears alerted him to the slipping of the brick. His eyes shifted all about until he saw the wall trembling. “Sarah,” he attempted to say calmly. “I really must go, accompany me to the door won’t you?”
“Stay just a minute more,” she pleaded while she tried to sit in his lap.
“Sarah please,” he snapped.
The shock on her face pained him, but not so much as watching the shock turn to horror as Sarah saw the far wall beginning to give way. The first fallen brick mirrored in the coal black center of her eye, enlarged to it’s maximum circumference with fear. His arms wrapped tight around her waist and both transported free and clear of the disaster. From the foyer of the still standing schoolhouse, they looked on at the rubble and the dust.
“Are you alright?” the king demanded clutching Sarah by the upper arm.
The mortal coughed, “I’m fine. But look, look at the school house. What happened?”
“I don’t know,” Jareth admitted sniffing the air. He could smell magic, but it was his scent making him believe it was from the transport. “Mason is a fine builder, but this is a construction he has never before attempted and mistakes happen.”
“No, I don’t believe that!” Sarah cried. “Mason would never leave his hand from a brick without being sure it’s placement was perfect. Never encourage me to enter a building that wasn’t secure. This was no mistake, no accident.”
“Sarah,” Jareth held he close to his chest, the heartbeat there bringing her comfort, “I know there have been a number of unpleasant experience for you here, but that has ended. No one means to harm you. They are all eager for you to rule this kingdom. I’m sure there’s an explanation. On my way to find a musician, I’ll tell Mason what has happened and have him inspect the fallen school house.”
“But we’ll never be ready for next week,” she began to cry.
Swift fingers wiped her tears away. “Come, come, positive thinking has never been a difficulty for you. I promise you, with or without this school house, next week shall go precisely as you have planned. Why if the school house isn’t ready I’ll donate the hill above the stables for them to have outdoor classes with. The wee ones will love it.” Weakly, she smiled up at him. Jareth couldn’t help eyeing the still remaining house. “Now promise me you’ll find something else to do with yourself, away from here,” he stressed.
“I’ve more interviewees coming in an hour. Perhaps, I’ll clean up before then,” she suggested as she looked down at her dirty dress.
“Right,” he agreed, now seeing his own ruffled appearance. A smooth pass of his hand adjust his wardrobe. “I think that would be a lovely idea. You’re sure you’re alright?” The king scanned her head to toe a few times and narrowed in on her eyes, searching for anything not quite right.
Nodding she lied, “Fine, perfectly fine.” Jareth kissed her once more before he left. “But this was no accident,” she said once he was gone.
***** ***** *****
Arulan took to Sarah immediately when she came back through the castle doors. “Heaven above us, what’s happened?”
“One of the school houses has collapsed.”
“Collapsed!” Arulan exclaimed.
Deverell’s quick feet carried him to the main hall, “What do you mean collapsed?”
“Collapsed. Fallen to the ground. What once was a fine building is now a pile of dust and brick.”
“Are you alright?” the elf asked her.
“I’m fine. Jareth was with me. He transported us to safety as the building fell.”
Arulan rushed to embrace her, “My word! I’ll never understand for the life of me why things must be so difficult for the two of you, such cruelty fate shows you.” Patting the girl’s back, she suggested, “I’ll go and run you a bath. We’ll get you cleaned up before the first of the goblins arrives.”
“You don’t think it was fate at all do you milady?” Deverell asked when Arulan had left.
Sarah searched his eyes. “You’ve not been yourself lately Deverell, not yourself at all. Your on edge around me and your exceedingly obedient to Jareth. Normally, those things would make me think you guilty, but for some reason, I trust you despite my instincts.” He humbly bowed his head. “No one considers the possibility this was not an accident and when I mention it to Jareth he denies it emphatically. No I do not believe this was fate, nor poor craftsmanship, nor a gremlin in the cogs. Someone was behind that house falling whether they meant for me to be in it when it did or not.”
“Say no more milady. If I have acted oddly it is because something in this castle is odd, something about this collapse odd. I shall keep what we’ve discussed between you and I, but in the time between what I guess and what I know, I shall do my best to uncover the truth.” He bowed to her as he left, headed for the city Sarah guessed as she headed for her bath.
***** ***** *****
Asleep in the hot water little of what had been bothering Sarah seemed relevant. Dreams of her impending elopement filled her head, replaced her previous thoughts of conspiracy and woe. Firm hands massaged her neck. Sarah stirred some at the touch, but didn’t bother to displace herself confident it would be no hands other than the kings about her throat. For the most part, she was correct in the assumption.
“I’ll give you fifteen minutes to stop that,” Sarah bargained barely awake.
The Shadow King snorted, “Only fifteen?”
“Sorry. More interviews today.” The mortal sat bolt upright in the tub and spun around to face the king, “Speaking of which what happened to all those stops you had to make today? Don’t tell me you’re not going to the printers after all.”
“I just stopped by to be sure you came back to the castle as I instructed.”
“You could have done that with a crystal,” she said, smiling coyly as she relaxed back into the water.
Breathing a deep sigh of relief, the Shadow King put his hands back on her, the massage continuing forward down over her breasts. “A crystal can’t do this,” he said throatily. “Or this,” he added allowing his hand to dip across her mid-section and plunge beneath the water.
“It did once,” she laughed.
‘Jareth you clever bastard,’ he thought. ‘I might have to respect you just a bit more for that.’ “Sarah, love,” he continued plying her from outside the tub. “It would be no crime against your virtue to allow me the pleasure of handling you.”
There was a low moan coming from the girl. “You’re insatiable! See what the Cleric says. If he agrees to our elopement it won’t be much more of a wait.”
“Yes,” the Shadow King purred. “Our elopement. When do you imagine that will take place my dear?”
“I doubt before week’s end. Oh and I hate to seem as if this isn’t terribly important to me darling, but once classes begin, weekends will be the only time I have free for an elopement.”
“Surely love, surely.” The Shadow King was no novice at these games of deception. “So you realize it may still be two or more weeks until our elopement. Surely you’re feeling some frustration.” His hands were at her crotch once more, bared hands, stroking the outer folds of her womanhood.
Sarah ached for him, she couldn’t deny it. Theirs was a lovemaking that seemed to transcend the physical act and without him to take her to those emotional peaks, she had to admit to feeling a bit grumpy herself. “Aren’t you?” she asked weakly.
“More than you know,” he breathed into her ear.
“That settles it,” she said as she shifted from his touch, brushing her lips to his. “I wouldn’t feel right if you were to give me relief from my frustration when I can give you none.”
“But your touch is no violation of our promise.”
“I haven’t the time. My first interview will be here in less than fifteen minutes.”
“Ah, well if time is our only obstacle, I shall pleasure you now and return later to claim my reward.” The Shadow King slide her thighs apart working his hand over her folds until he felt them grow slippery. “The anticipation will keep me until then.” He watched her nipples grow hard, piercing the surface of the water. One finger slid to her inner lips tracing her opening. As Sarah’s head fell back, her eyes closed, the Shadow King slipped inside her. One finger at first, then quickly two. Greedily the mortal ground against his palm and he added a third. Stroking her and using his thumb to gently roll circles over her bud, was enough to bring about the desired result. Her chest heaved just prior to her cries of pleasure, cries which played like a violin in his ears. The king worked her harder as she came, draining her of all of her frustration until she settled in his grip. Sarah’s arms reached out, hands grabbing his head and pulling him in for a passionate kiss of appreciation.
***** ***** *****
At the schoolhouses, Deverell stood. “Mason, do not take my next inquiry as an insult to you or your craft, but I must know, is it possible in the slightest there was some defect in your construction or your materials.”
“It’s not that I don’t understand how you could ask me such a thing, but of all you should know how easily it is to become devoted to the lady Sarah?”
“Why do you say such a thing? Why in that manor? Why me among all, why should I know?” Deverell questioned him.
Mason’s tiny finger jutted toward the king’s assistant, “For you are from the outside, the smaller kingdoms and here you stay a subject to the king, ready to serve him and his bride.”
“Indeed,” the fey admitted, suddenly calmer.
“To answer your initial question, I am a bricklayer by trade. I worked with stone and marble when I built his majesty’s castle and still it stands. The Labyrinth’s walls, brick by brick, built with these hands and but for what Sarah’s refusal of the king destroyed, never has a wall crumbled. Weren’t my construction, weren’t my materials. Someone wanted this to happen and on my life it weren’t me.”
Kneeling to his level, Deverell’s hand patted the shoulder of the craftsman, “I believe you good man.”
“Come and look,” Mason took his hand and led him to the exterior wall. “See there?” he asked as he pointed to a smudge on the brick.
“Looks like mud,” Deverell commented.
“Mud it is,” Mason confirmed, “but more than that it looks the shape of a boot sir.”
“A boot,” the fey traced it with his finger. “A pointed boot, the boot of a fey.” Mason shook his head. “And there are few fey who can walk in and out of the Goblin City without the king’s knowledge.”
“Fewer still that would want to.”
“Forgive me,” Deverell shouted over his shoulder to the dwarf as he ran off. Without knowing where he was off to exactly, he had only one instinct, to protect Jareth and the woman he had chosen for his queen.
***** ***** *****
“So you agree?” Jareth asked impatiently.
The Cleric took a long sip of wine, “I wouldn’t say it exactly that way. I see your point and truth be told, I will most likely do as you have asked, but I don’t know that I agree.” Jareth looked at him with pleading eyes. “The very reason you claim to want this elopement so anxiously, to keep the Gavel from taking Sarah from you, in theory your plan seems sturdy enough, but have you considered the notion that were he to find some last ditch excuse to keep her from becoming your queen only to find you had arranged all this to outsmart him, his reaction may be less than favorable?”
“His reaction is consistently less than favorable,” Jareth protested. “What will he be able to do by then? He won’t be able to send her back and it would be in his best interest to follow through with the christening, lest he have a mortal in this realm.”
“In his best interest yes, but you have seen him scorned. The Gavel is not easily backed into a corner and he would as soon search for some brutal consequence as concede to the demands of others.” The Cleric sat back, “Jareth, my son,” he said slowly and seriously, “he will not be required to christen her.” The king looked at him, questions in his eyes. “She will hold your soul, yes. She will be subject to all you are weak to and she will keep her magics, but she will remain human, subject to all the races weaknesses, including mortality. Sarah will not be able to return home, but instead she will remain Underground, at your side I’ve no doubt, growing old while you remain for the better part young by comparison. And eventually, this girl whom you love so devoutly will parish slowly before your eyes.”
Dishes rattled as Jareth slammed the wood table. “Every bend, every step he controls them all. Nothing left to fate, nothing left to the Supreme One, no individual destiny.”
The Cleric stood to take his leave. His hand fell to the king’s shoulder. “As I said, I will do as you have asked. I will marry the two of you eleven days from now at the location of your choosing, but tell me not where that is. Instead choose some place other where I should meet you. Lies are not my speciality and the less of the truth you tell me, the less of a lie I must tell the others when they ask me where I go.” Jareth looked up into the Cleric’s gentle eyes. “I believe there is happiness awaiting you at the end of this seemingly treacherous road. Sarah’s heart has melted the Gavel some and the likelihood of his rejecting her minimal, but I had to make you aware of all that love is sometimes blind to.” The fey shook hands. Before he broke their contact, the Cleric clutched the back of Jareth’s hands with his free palm. “If all else fails you, she will be your wife and that is something no one can take from you.”
No word of thanks crossed the king’s lips in response, but the tear in his eye expressed a gratitude deeper than words could.
***** ***** *****
Coming to the back of the castle, Deverell’s anxious paces grew shorter. When he could at last make out the shape of his king he slowed. “Your majesty,” he called. Huge draws of air separated his words as he attempted to catch his breath while speaking frantically. “Fey...footprints...on the wall...someone...someone did this...the schoolhouse.”
“What are you saying, Deverell?”
“The schoolhouse, it was no accident.”
“No accident you say.” The Shadow King held his chin in his hand. “Well then how did this perfectly crafted building find its way to the ground and more importantly at whose hands?”
“Not hands your majesty, feet.”
“Go on,” the Shadow King purred.
Deverell better composed himself before he continued. “There are a series of footprints along the weakened wall, too large to be goblins, to long to be elfin.”
“Are you suggesting that someone kicked down a building,” the king roared with laughter.
“No ordinary someone. To destabilize brick it would have to be someone with impressive magic. Then there is the idea that it had to be someone with access to the Goblin City. Only the castle’s residence can cross into the city with relative ease.”
“Dalkeil? Do you think he did it? He is a strong one!” The Shadow King had to turn his face to hide the laughter at his own absurdity.
“Of course not Dalkeil. Your majesty, surely you don’t suspect that someone in your castle would be capable of such a deed?” He shrugged in response as if to say back to Deverell, ‘Why not?’ “Sire, please,” the fey continued, “tell me you do not think so ill of your own staff?”
“Well your hypothesis doesn’t give me any other to think ill of then, does it?”
“The Representatives, Tiberon in specific, come to mind. ‘Tis no secret there is no love lost between the two of you and he could come and go with relative ease assuming he’s mastered a path in the Labyrinth.”
The Shadow King smiled, content the blame should fall to Tiberon. “He is exceptionally clever. I’ve most likely under estimated him. You shall journey to his home, late tonight and take notice of his behavior. Anything peculiar, anything not peculiar. It might all be evidence of his plot. I trust only you to do this.” He pulled the assistant close, “But careful how you go. No one must know. I wouldn’t want to worry my fragile bride.”
“Aye,” he agreed. “There was something more, something you wanted to discuss with me sire. Should we have this meeting now as well?”
“No,” the king spit nervously. “In fact, about that. Someone will be watching our discussion Deverell. I shan’t say whom and they will be unseen to you, but she should know nothing of what we just discussed. Later when we meet, I encourage you to pretend as though this conversation never transpired and I would stress your disinterest in all things mortal as well as your servitude to the kingdom, that is if you wish to make a fine impression.”
“Indeed, your majesty.” Deverell’s face grew glum. “I shall wait for you to call upon me then.”
“Yes, yes, that’ll be fine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m rather anxious to see the girl, now that I’ve mentioned it.” The assistant screwed up his face at the odd reference to the lady Sarah. “I expect you have plans to get ready.”
“Yes, your grace.” The Shadow King disappeared. “If you ask me, Tiberon’s not the only one whose actions should be closely watched these days,” he said to thin air.
***** ***** *****
Sarah had finished with the last of her interviews and sat at her desk mulling over a dozen or so papers in an attempt to narrow down the most qualified. Through her intent stare she failed to notice the Shadow King enter the room, making it a complete surprise when his hands reached from behind to cup her breasts as his lips slid over her neck. Sarah gasped.
“Easy love,” his words soothed. “It’s only me. Who else would it be?” He sneered at his own cleverness.
“Jareth,” she sighed relaxing in to his touch. “This is the most welcome visit I have had all day.”
“You flatter me.”
Sarah spun to face him, “No really. I think if I would have had to conduct one more interview I would have had to scream.” He smiled wickedly at her. “But you’re here now. My day is getting brighter by the minute.” She kissed him passionately as his hands roamed up her thighs beneath the hem of her dress. “Now,” Sarah chastised, “you promised I would have the chance to return the favor you did me this morning.”
“So I did,” the Shadow King acknowledged, pleased by her eagerness. A sweep of his arm cleared the blotter of her desk. Spinning Sarah’s chair back around he took a seat a top the desk where the strain in his breech’s front was eye level with the mortal. For a moment Sarah was both stunned and clueless, but the Shadow King took her hand and rubbed it over the noticeable lump until her instincts took over.
She undid his breeches and withdrew his manhood. Pale fingers folded over his shaft as she worked him slowly. The Shadow King leaned back, his palms flat against the desk, bracing himself as his excitement grew. Sarah’s free hand rose to assist the first as the king required a faster pace. Small groans grew in his throat as the girl looked on in confusion. This was so unlike Jareth. His hand reached for her head, filling with her raven hair. “Sarah,” he moaned edging her toward him.
“Jareth,” she protested, “the rules.”
“A bend at best love.” His thumb caressed her cheek as even in urgency he spoke to her smoothly. “My release is so near it won’t be but for a moment.”
Sarah didn’t wish to disappoint him, after all he had done her the service earlier. Her lips parted as she seamlessly replaced her hands. True to his word, it was but a moment before Sarah felt him grow tense and true to herself as the first drop of his hot liquid rose from his tip, the mortal spit him free, causing the Shadow King to douse himself with the spoils of his indulgence. For a split second he was lost in his lust, but as he felt his garments grow moist it turned to rage.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he shouted at her. “Was I not kind to you earlier!” He caught himself slipping from character again, sure that Jareth would never react this way over something so trivial he calmed himself. “My manners, love. I apologize. I wasn’t expecting. No bother,” and with a snap of his fingers he was freshly dressed and on his feet.
Sarah’s eyes were wet with tears. “I...I don’t know what...I couldn’t...” she stammered. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” he pulled her into his arms the sweet expression of understanding fading from his face a it was hid over his shoulder. “What have you to be sorry for?”
“For this. For disappointing you.”
“Hush,” the Shadow King whispered as he replaced his facade. “Not another word about it. As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened.” A pass of his hand and the tracks on her cheeks were dry. “There now, good as new.” Her smile reassured him that he had mended the tear in his fragile reality. “I’ve got to meet with Deverell love.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Until I’m able to drink in your beauty once more.” Once he had closed the door behind him, the Shadow King transported back to the Representative’s home to warn him he would be under scrutiny as dissatisfaction, throbbed in his gut.
***** ***** *****