Awaken My Love – Chapter Thirteen

Sarah lazily opened her eyes to find Jareth's arms securely around her waist, his body entangled possessively around hers as usual. The stars shone brightly in a black velvet sky through the open stone windows of Jareth's personal chambers. She felt completely drained, yet energized at the same time. She turned to her other side within his embrace, waited briefly as Jareth repositioned himself to his stomach, then leaned over him to trail gentle kisses along his bare back, a treat she simply couldn't pass up no matter what.

"Would you honestly arouse me after all I've been through?" he asked groggily, opening his eyes into slits to look at her sleepily in the dim lighting.

"After what 'you' have been through?" she asked, sounding slightly indignant. "What about what 'I've' been through?"

He rolled over onto his back, facing her with a smile on his lips. "You're the one who woke me up, remember?" Then shifted his head on the pillow to look at her more intently, frowning slightly. "Why 'are' you awake?" he asked rhetorically. "You should be completely exhausted from all the magic you expelled."

She snuggled up against him, laying her head upon his shoulder, sighing contentedly when he wrapped his arm around her. "I am exhausted," she admitted. "But, I feel like I could run through the entire castle, twice, if I wasn't too tired to get out of the bed, that is."

"Oh dear," Jareth voiced with mild amusement. "That is a quandary, now isn't it?"

"How do I get rid of this excess energy? I feel like I'm going to implode or something."

"Have you ever imploded before?" Jareth asked laughing lightly, idly caressing her shoulder.

"You know what I mean," she tsked at him, tugging on a long lock of his hair with playful irritation, then raised herself into a half sitting position next to him. "Let me check your wounds," she stated, moving the sheet that lay haphazardly across his stomach down to his hips.

"They're all but healed," he told her casually. "You have excellent healing gifts, Lady of the Labyrinth," he complimented in a sultry tone.

"Yea," she mused quietly, resting her hand on his chest. "Apparently I have equally destructive gifts as well," she added remorsely, pausing as a deep frown creased her features. "I almost killed him, Jareth," she stated quietly, meeting his eyes in the dim lighting. "And, I'm not even sorry for what I did. What kind of person does that make me?"

"Cruel," he grinned, cupping the side of her face with his palm as he rolled her to her back, hovering his upper body over hers. "Possessive," he grinned with admiration. "Daring," he added with finality, his eyes gleaming as he looked into hers. "I sensed all those things within you as you fought your way through my labyrinth. But, you have a heart for fairness, my Defiant One, that I mistook for weakness." He touched his forehead to hers, playfully rubbing his nose against hers. "Only I've come to realize that it's your heart, your sense for fairness, that is your true strength."

She felt soothed by his words, and reached up to slip her fingers into his hair at the sides of his head. But, an inner worry that she would become a monster, evil and destructive whenever someone or something got in her way weighted heavily within her. "What if it happens again, Jareth? What if I…"

"Become like me?" he asked teasingly, quirking his elegant brows as he looked down upon her face. "Would it be so bad to be feared, Sarah? To know that creatures far and wide will tremble in your presence? For them to know that as long as your command is adhered to they are safe? Let them know that you have the power within you to defend the entire kingdom if need be, my Defiant One. For as long as you are by my side no living thing would dare challenge us for this kingdom."

She chuckled nervously when he frowned at her prolonged silence. "I don't have that much power, not to defend the entire kingdom anyway."

"Perhaps not yet, but you will. Your power will strengthen over time, as will your knowledge for how to control it." He lazily shifted onto his back, gathering her in his arms to roll her on top of him. "Tomorrow you will be recognized as my queen, and all will know that I have chosen a woman who is my equal in all aspects."

She lowered her gaze slightly, letting what he said sink in. She would be feared and loved at the same time from now on, something deep inside liked the sound of that, to proudly stand beside him as his queen. She only hoped that her friends wouldn't treat her differently.

Jareth lifted her chin with two fingers, letting her gaze settle on him before he spoke. "You bow to no one but me from now on," he told her matter of factly.

She smiled tentatively at first then grinned sheepishly before lifting her chin arrogantly. "I'm sure the High King and Queen would disagree with you on that one."

"I didn't say not to show respect," he explained simply, then let his eyes show his cunningness. "I'm merely reminding you that I am your king, your lord, and no other has power over you as I do."

"Well, my King," she whispered, her voice turning sultry as she shifted her body upon his. "My Lord." Her fingers lazily brushed aside wayward strands of long blonde hair from hiding his neck, then slowly trailed a finger from his lobe to his collar bone, the pointed nail briefly creased his tender skin. "You still haven't told me how I'm to relieve myself of all this pent up energy that courses within my veins."

His eyes darkened with arousal as she seductively moved her body upon his, trailing her fingernail along a highly sensitive area of his neck. He'd taught her that little trick, and he knew it. He was the one who had awakened her desires, and shown her so many ways of how to satisfy them. It was by his design that she knew how to arouse him so easily, and look upon him with the promise to satisfy his every need. "You, my little imp, have already discovered a way to relieve such energies," he stated with ragged breaths. He cupped the sides of her face with loving hands. "Show your king how deeply these energies course through you."

Her heart leapt in her throat, pounding rapidly in her chest as her senses flooded with emotions for the man who had fallen in love with her, and given her certain gifts. He had saved her from her nightmares, encouraged her to be true to herself, and had awakened a love so complete that she would willingly become as frightening as he was to protect him and be by his side forever. "I love you," she whispered, her throat constricting with her admission.

"As you should," he replied haughtily, laughing lightly as her eyes widened with incredulousness. He caressed her cheek with a thumb, his fingers weaved into her hair, and gazed up at her sincerely. "As I love you."

She lowered her head, tilting it to the side, and met his waiting lips with hers. She closed her eyes to absorb the shocking flashes of heat that always consumed her when their lips touched. She smiled secretly at his sudden intake of breath when she shifted her body over his arousingly. There was no doubt that he was her king, that he ruled over her completely, but at such times as this, Sarah knew without a doubt that she ruled over him with just as much power. For her kingdom was as great, and her will as strong.

With one fluid motion he suddenly rolled her to her back, settling himself between her inviting thighs. Sarah held onto him with her hands grasping his shoulders, her head burrowed deeply into the pillow behind her head as he poised himself above her. She met and held his gaze with as much intensity as he gazed down upon her with. He slowly lowered himself upon her, subtly thrust his hips forward, and proved once again that he would always have power over her.

XxXxX

Everyone seemed subdued as they demurely gathered in the throne room to await Jareth and Sarah. They shared knowing glances amongst themselves, though no one spoke a word, even the goblins seemed humbled and quieter than usual.

Something wonderful and frightening had occurred during the night that left every living creature shaken to the core of their being. The King had claimed his Queen, his Lady, his Equal, and the very foundations of the kingdom had rumbled, the air had been charged with energies no one had ever felt before while lightening streaked the skies in blinding colors of blue, purple, and red. To even speak of it seemed treasonous and wrong, if only out of respect for the royal couple.

"Why is it so quiet in here?" Sarah questioned as she entered the room, having Jareth magically transport her to the nearby corridor so she could make a grand entrance by walking in. "You all look as though someone died," she commented, looking pointedly from one friend to another. "No one died, did they?" She turned confused eyes up to Jareth as he magically appeared by her side. "Jareth, everyone's acting weird," she fretting in a hushed voice. "I knew this would happen! I just knew it!"

Jareth suddenly straightened is back and squared his shoulders, his chin rose haughtily as he peered at everyone with a regal gaze. "They're paying you homage as my Queen," he told her quietly. Sarah turned her gaze back to her friends and gasped in utter astonishment at finding them all bowed before her.

"What are you doing?!" she yelled incredulously, moving to step forward. Jareth placed a restraining hand upon her arm to hold her back.

"Return their homage, Sarah," he whispered quietly for only her to hear.

"They're my friends, Jareth!" she seethed between her teeth. "I won't let my friends…" he pulled her roughly closer, bending slightly to speak sharply into her ear.

"They must, Sarah, this is propriety speaking, and friendships have nothing to do with it. Return their homage. Then, yell at them to get up off the floor."

Her blood boiled hot, but, she did as he directed and slightly inclined her head to acknowledge her subjects. The air seemed to clear as soon as Sarah's chin was erect from its inclination. The sun suddenly shone brightly through the arched windows, and goblins could be heard as they suddenly struck up their daily shenanigans somewhere nearby.

Heidi was the first on her feet, crossing the room towards Sarah. "Do me a favor, and never become queen again," she laughed. "That entire experience was just too bizarre for words." She reached Sarah, pausing only a half a step from her friend. "Is it permissible to hug the queen?" she asked with a grin on her face, then opened her arms wide.

"It's very permissible," Sarah returned, leaning forward to wrap her arms around Heidi as her friend lurched forward. Gail rushed up behind Heidi, her face flushed for some reason, but her eyes shone with happiness, something Sarah hadn't seen in long time in Gail. "Make room," Sarah stated, poking Heidi playfully. "Group hug!" she announced joyfully, opening an arm for Gail to join in. Heidi opened her other arm as well, and the trio laughed and cried and laughed again as they murmured to each other within their huddle.

Jareth stepped away at the first sign of overt affections about to ensue and stood apart from the females. He gave Seph a warning glance as the younger lord approached him. "Had one hell of a night, heh?" Seph quipped with his usual, wayward pleasantness. Jareth fixed unwavering eyes upon him and quirked a brow, otherwise remaining stoic.

"She knocked the humor right out of you, I see," Seph breathed uncomfortably, stepping back with a bowed head. "My apologies, King Jareth."

Jareth finally let a smirk spread across his features. "Not at all," he responded lightly, causing Seph to look up. "I merely felt the need to be intimidating while my queen showed open displays of affection to anyone within arms reach."

Seph chuckled, feeling slightly at ease. He glanced over towards the women, noticing that there were now two goblins in the mix since his last glance in their direction. "I see what you mean."

"I want everyone to come over here so we can practice," Sarah announced suddenly. A few goblins and Seph immediately stepped in her direction.

"Practice for what?" Jareth questioned with incredulousness, remaining where he stood.

"Okay, everyone go over 'there' so we can practice," Sarah corrected, pointing in Jareth's direction, making everyone turn on their heels to change direction.

"Stop!" Jareth commanded, putting an end to this little dance she had created. "What, are you so intent to practice?" he asked Sarah with precise wording.

"For our procession into the hall at the High Counsel," Sarah answered innocently.

"What in Fate's name would you have to practice that for? You'll never have to go through this again!"

"Yes," she agreed impatiently. "But, we have nothing organized. We have to go over the precession into the hall, then our positions in the Counsel Chambers. We have to establish who will go first, and who will come last. When we bow or curtsy, and…" she stopped, her eyes growing wide all of a sudden. "Oh no! Gail can't curtsy! Jareth, you have to do magic or something so Gail won't be embarrassed!"

Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut tight. "There will be no practicing of how to enter the Counsel Hall," he announced in an authoritive voice before opening his eyes to look upon Sarah. She had turned ghostly white, her hands trembled before her at her stomach, her fingers wrung nervously before her, and he slowly became aware of how the very air became still within the room, as though the very castle held its breath.

"Fine!" he conceded reluctantly, waving his hands in the air with surrender. "Have your practice. But, I will not be a part of it!" he declared, pointing at Sarah specifically.

XxXxX

"No," Sarah voiced thoughtfully, scrunching her face displeasingly. "That doesn't look right. Jareth, I think you looked better standing on the other side of…"

Jareth was suddenly standing directly in front of her looking none too happy, everyone else remained in formation at his back. "I have subjected myself to your beck and call for the past hour and a half," he pointed out in an even, menacing tone as he slowly advanced upon her.

"I know," she whispered, taking a cautious step back with wide eyes.

"I have succumbed to your command, before others, without question or complaint," he added, continuing his advancement upon her.

"I know," she repeated in the same tone, taking another cautious step back.

"My patience has come to an end. I can no longer tolerate your indecisiveness in this matter."

"Okay," she agreed, her back reaching a wall to stop her retreats. "You can stand were you were, then," she informed him in a compromising voice.

He stopped directly in front of her, leaning forward to place his forearm over her shoulder while dipping his face close to hers. "You realize that all of this is for naught, don't you?"

"But, it's important," she replied, looking up at him with sincerity. "I want everyone to see that we aren't to be shunned, that we can be as proper and haughty and as organized as everyone else," she explained, her tone becoming stronger as she spoke. "I want us to walk in there, and make everyone step back as we enter the Counsel Hall." Her eyes suddenly set with determination. "I want them to know that the Labyrinth Kingdom isn't to be sneered at behind masks and fans!"

He gazed upon her with renewed admiration. Jareth had thought her practice was some silly dream pageant, not her way of displaying her power as a new queen. A pleased smirk touched the corner of his lips. "Then why didn't you say as much?" he stated amicably, spinning suddenly on his heel to face the rest of the room. "Back in order!" he commanded. "She's not quite finished with us yet."

XxXxX

"How is it possible that you can achieve every stance possible while wielding a sword, yet you can't curtsy to save your own life?" Jareth asked with Gail exasperation. He had taken over the instruction of 'how to properly curtsy' after Sarah, Heidi, and three goblins had given up.

"My knees just won't bend that way," Gail answered with a tremble in her voice. She felt beyond embarrassed about her short coming at this point. If king Jareth's threats to toss her into the bog didn't work, she doubted anything would. Especially after he had taken her to the bog so she would know the true value of his threat.

"Take this," Jareth commanded in a light tone, Gail's sword was suddenly in his hand before he tossed it towards her. In the time it took her to step forward and catch it with an adeptness that was natural to her, Jareth had armed himself and stepped forward swinging.

Gail blocked his aggressive onslaught, positioning herself with perfect balance as she stepped back, to the side, and forward while Jareth continued to keep her moving. Then, as quickly as he had started, Jareth stopped. His sword locked with hers, him having the upper hand as he slightly loomed over her. Gail panted harshly as she looked up at him, holding her weapon steady while waiting for him to slip his blade just a little bit for her to make a counter move against him.

"I want you to look down upon yourself, Goblin Girl."

"Huh?"

He lowered his gaze to her feet, tilting his head so she would see where his line of vision was directed. Gail turned her head and looked down to find her legs positioned in a criss-cross fashion. "Your knees have no problem bending 'that way'."

As soon as she realized how Jareth had tricked her, Gail promptly lost her balance and nearly fell to the floor. Jareth's hand shot out and took hold of her elbow, magically relieving them both of their weapons. After ascertaining that she was balanced on her feet, Jareth released his hold of her, frowning slightly as she tried to compose herself. "Who has told you that you can't curtsy?"

"Oh, I don't know," she laughed uncomfortably. "Everybody has at some point, I'm sure."

"I'm sure," he repeated in a disgruntled tone, stepping closer to her. "But why, I wonder, would you believe them?"

"Because it's true," she answered, looking up at him reverently. "You've seen so yourself."

"I've seen my Goblin Girl defend her king with grace and agility that others wish they possessed," he told her in a pleasant voice. "I've seen my Goblin Girl dance gracefully in the folds of darkness when she thought no one was watching," he informed her with mischief in his eyes. "And I've seen this frail and tender creature overcome her greatest fears for the sake of friendship." He gently placed a finger under her chin so she would look up at him. "I am your king, and I tell you that you are capable of anything you set your mind to."

He stepped back from her suddenly, turning to walk towards the table where the others were seated. The winning smile that spread across his face as soon as his back was to Gail was breathtaking by all accounts. He regally seated himself in his chair, throwing his leg over an arm to leisurely watch Gail. "Try it once more, Goblin Girl."

Gail looked at everyone who watched her with hopeful, expectant eyes. She could see Heidi's crossed fingers, her head bobbing slightly with encouragement. Sarah was most likely holding her breath, while Seph picked at something from under a fingernail with the blade of his knife, pretending to be oblivious to what was going on. Taking a deep breath, she replayed in her mind what his majesty had just told her, closed her eyes, and placed one ankle before the other before bending her knees.

"WHOOOO!!!" Heidi shouted in sudden exultation. Sarah shouted a resounding, "Yes!" And Seph stood up to formally bow to her with one arm behind his back, the other across his stomach. Gail laughed with excitement. She was doing it! She was honestly curtsying! Her eyes slowly went towards the king who looked upon her with a knowing gleam in his eyes.

"Now, if you have had enough of practices for the day," Jareth directed at Sarah. "I demand my meal to be served."

"Yes, my King," Sarah smirked at him, clapping her hands twice before cupping them around her mouth. "Bring in the food!" Jareth stared at her impassively while the others snickered and smirked behind hands and bowed heads. "What?" Sarah questioned with feigned innocence. "Wasn't that loud enough?"

Unable to contain the appearance of displeasure any longer, Jareth let a broad smile grace his features, laughing out right with amusement. "I will remember in the future that you can't summon them as I can."

XxXxX

The air in the great hall of the High Counsel was suddenly charged with excited anxiety. Everyone present took notice, and gave pause as an army of goblins appeared at the great archways. The crowd immediately parted, creating a wide aisle from the entrance arches to the High Counsel Chambers, and looked on with curiosity.

The twelve goblins began their march in unison with precision, after a few strides into the great hall they stopped curtly, stomped their feet, and hit the marbled floor with the handle of their spears with a resounding echo. "We are the goblins from the Labyrinth Kingdom," they announced in one voice. "Make way for our king, Jareth, and his royal entourage!" They again stomped a foot, turned to face each other, then stepped back three paces to form a guarded line formation.

The onlookers whispered and murmured in awe and expectation at the synchronized display, never before have the goblins shown such discipline and orderliness. Without pause Heidi and Seph appeared in the archway to proceed down the center of the line of goblins. With her hand resting in Seph's palm high in the air, and her chin raised regally, Heidi followed Seph's lead with her gaze focused upon the golden double doors of the High Counsel Chambers ahead.

People whispered amongst themselves as the couple slowly walked by, the entire great hall filled with the din of murmurings. 'That's her.' 'I heard she perished.' 'She was the one.' 'I heard rumors…' 'He swore his life to her.' 'She's beautiful.' 'She looks dangerous, just like him.' 'Perfect match.' "Will she stay?' 'They haven't decided yet.'

Heidi felt anxiety creep up her spine at all the things she was hearing. Her step subtly faltered under the scrutiny only to feel Seph squeeze her hand encouragingly. With renewed bravado, she squared her shoulders once more and continued onward, pooling strength from the man by her side.

As soon as Heidi and Seph were halfway through the hall, Gail appeared in the archway with her own private set of goblin guards. Four of them surrounded her at each point with battle axes presented before them in a relaxed, non threatening manner. The murmurings started all over as she stepped briskly into the hall with her chin held high. 'It's her, she's the one,' the crowd whispered in awe, almost at the same time. 'She bested him twice.' 'She seems so frail.' 'She bears the sword.' 'Jareth's sword...' 'She saved his life.' 'She saved us all.' 'She'll be honored, counsel is pleased.' 'As they should be!'

Gail took in all the murmurings and whispers in stride as she marched along, when suddenly a boy her own age spilled out into the aisle in front of her. Without thinking Gail withdrew her sword and assumed a defensive stance, pointing the sharpened tip towards the young man's throat. A gasp of surprise filled the hall as everyone drew an intake of air at once.

"Don't hurt me, please!" he yelled in a panic, shielding his face with his forearm. "I just wanted to get a closer look of you, I swear to it!"

"Quit harassing the crowd, Goblin Girl," Jareth chuckled at her as he and Sarah strode past. "And rejoin the procession."

"I don't think you'll catch a boyfriend by the edge of a sword, Gail," Sarah teased laughingly, glancing over her shoulder at her friend with a broad smile.

"That's not even funny," Gail retorted, sheathing her sword with a deep frown. "You could get hurt jumping out at people like that," she chastised the boy staring up at her from his sprawled position on the floor at her feet. "Don't you know who I am?" she spat rhetorically, stepping around him to follow behind Sarah and the king, her goblin entourage resuming their positions around her.

"Yes," the boy answered quietly, getting to his feet to stare after Gail mesmerized. "You are the one I wish to be with forever," he continued in a whispered voice, gaining the attention of those closest to him in the crowd. He slipped past the goblin line to disappear into the crowd just as Gail slightly turned around to give him a second glance. She thought she heard him mutter something, but since he disappeared back into the crowd she shrugged, and continued onward.

As soon as the crowd had realized that Jareth and Sarah appeared while their attention was distracted by the girl warrior, a hush had filled the great hall. Not one person dared to utter even the smallest of comments in their presence, and bowed respectfully before them as they strolled down the aisle in the center of the hall.

Sarah, having just turned her attention forward again from her comment to Gail, caught sight of bright red hair out of the corner of her eye, and stopped dead in her tracks, causing Jareth to stop a half a step after her, and half turn with curiosity.

"So, now you bow before me, do you?" Sarah asked haughtily, staring down her nose at the red head with her pompous sister next to her in the crowd. The women lifted their gazes with apprehension. "What?" Sarah asked sardonically. "Don't you have something snide to say? Where is your bravado and snickering?"

"Sarah," Jareth called in a soft but warning tone. "Let them be."

"Why should I?" she asked, her ire at these two women in particular sparking to life. "They cackled and laughed at me more than once. They snickered, and sneered at you when you were weakened from being aboveground too much. Give me one good reason why I should spare them my disdain now?"

"They look like jealous old biddies who've never been laid in their entire lives," Heidi stated, walking back to join Sarah by her side. Sarah turned a baleful glance toward her friend. "I think you should make them play bingo on Wednesdays," Heidi added with her eyes full of mischief, and a smirk on her lips.

Sarah laughed at the suggestion despite herself. She really wanted to put these two in their place, but, Heidi was right, they were probably just two old women who had nothing better to do than stir up trouble. Sarah turned her gaze back to the women, forcing her expression to remain impassive. "I don't think so," she stated flatly. "I think they need to learn a lesson."

"Sarah," Jareth called, his voice stronger with warning. She held out her palms and manifested an elemental in each, focusing her attention upon them as they spun and swirled in her hands. "I would drop your ill intention, if I were you," Jareth threatened loud enough for all to hear.

"Or what?" she questioned innocently, meeting Jareth's gaze. "Perhaps these aren't big enough, is that what you mean?" The elementals in her hands dropped to the floor and increased in size and power. Lightening struck from the very air overhead, causing many people to gasp in alarm. "Perhaps they think I'm not good enough to wield this power," Sarah surmised, holding the red head's gaze steadily. "But, I can show you what this mortal slip of a girl is capable of. Would you like to see?"

"No, please," the red head pleaded. "We were wrong for our malice tongues and thoughtlessness. I beg of you, please, give us another chance."

Jareth remained quiet but watchful while Gail and Heidi sidled up to Sarah, one friend on each side of her. "What do you think?" Sarah asked aloud.

"I think they're only sorry because you can kick their asses, and they know it," Heidi stated, crossing her arms firmly over her chest.

"I think they're used to no one daring to put them in their place," Gail added, mimicking Heidi's stance.

"And what does my king think?" Sarah asked in a reverent tone, not moving her gaze from the other woman's.

"I think my queen needs to do whatever she feels is justifiable," he answered definitively, gaining many gasps and unsettled mumblings from the crowded hall.

"Then it's settled," Sarah declared. "You are hereby found guilty of being malicious old biddies who have never been laid and have nothing better to do with yourselves than to stir up gossip and trouble on others." She stepped closer to the redhead. " I think you need to find something constructive to do with your time that doesn't involve belittling others."

"Thank you," the redhead proclaimed, bowing her head with relief. "We'll do just that, My Lady."

Sarah walked away with her head held high, feeling pleased with herself for scaring the crap out of those two. Jareth was immediately by her side as Heidi hurriedly rejoined Seph in front, and Gail brought up the rear with the goblins. With pleased smirks on all of their faces, this is how they entered the High Counsel Chambers as one force.