Sarah-

Ghamlia and I walk at a leisurely pace back towards my room. "Can you see auras?" I ask her, receiving a set of raised eyebrows from the kind lady.

"Oh, dear girl, no. If I had that talent I probably wouldn't have to work as a maid, " she chuckles.

"So it's special to see auras?"

Ghamlia looks thoughtful for a moment. "Not special, per se, but more revered. Common Fae like me do not have the resources to train in it like Nobles would. It's much like human music academies - I believe. You must first possess a natural talent for it, however small, and you must be able to progress adequately."

"Oh," I am thoughtful for a moment as I let my brain chew on the information. "Thank you for filling me in, Ghamlia."

The lady offers a smile as we stop in front of my room.

I frown at the door, not wanting to be cooped up. I've spent long enough cooped up since my injury.

"Is there a problem, mis- Sarah?" Ghamlia asks worriedly.

"Uhm, not exactly... I- I was just wondering if it would be possible for me to go to the stables?"

"You don't need to ask permission of me, dear," Ghamlia practically giggles.

I flush slightly. Of course she wouldn't get my slight hint. Oh, how I hate asking for things. I feel like I'm using people when I do. Might as well, though. I really don't want to stay in my room... "Oh, uhm, I was actually wondering if I could get some riding clothes? OR the clothes I arrived in?"

The gentle maid's hands flutter to her face. "Oh, oh dear, I'm sorry. His Majesty informed us you would be staying and had me get rid of your human clothing. If - if it's quite alright, I can show you where your riding clothes are?"

I'm a little miffed that Jareth had my clothes tossed, but I smile at Ghamlia and tell her that will be quite alright with me.

After showing me how to get in to the back of the wardrobe (which, I found out, is much like that magical bag Mary Poppins lugs around) Ghamlia leaves me to get ready and so that she may tend to some of her other duties.

I pull on a dark, sapphire riding shirt with black breeches that I discovered in the mystifying wardrobe. I've enver actually worn breeches as I've only ever ridden western, but seeing as the Fae apparently do not beleive in jeans I'll have to make do. My feel slither in to the black leather riding boots that were left for me and I find that I rather like them. Scratch that - I'm absolutely in love with them. Imagine wearing the comfiest slippers: now turn them into your leather boots. I tie my hair in a long, loose braid with my trusty hair-tie and walk swiftly out the door.

-And straight into a very solid chest.

My eyes slowly travel upwards until they're met with my favorite pair of dual colored eyes. "Er, hey," I stammer while quickly backing up. "S-sorry. I didn't realize anyone was just outside the door.."

"It's fine, I assure you. You need not be so hesitant with me, Sarah." Just listening to his deep voice sends shivers right through my core.

"Uhm, okay."

We stand in silence for a moment. It seems like this has become a quick-habit.

"Is there-"

"Were you-"

I cover my mouth in a sorry attempt to stifle my giggle. "You first, please."

Jareth raises an eyebrow, but thankfully goes on. "I was only about to ask if you were heading to the stable-yard, but I can see it would've been in vain."

"Yes, I guess it would have," I respond. "I was only wondering if you needed something, being just at the door and all...?"

Jareth's eyebrow stays up as he smirks. "May I accompany you to the stables? I find myself with a free evenging."

His request brings me up short; more so the fact that he asked instead of just doing. "Of- of course."

Jareth starts off down the hall in his long strides and I'm left to scurry after him.

As soon as we stepoutside, the butterflies and dragonflies simultaniously take off from the bushes around us. If I weren't already trying to keep up with Jareth's pace I woul have stopped to stare at the beauty of their action.

Our walk was silent and, apart from my slight effort in keeping up with him, comfortable. I could immediately tell that Jareth really did not take care of his own horses personally because as soon as the Goblin King stepped foor in the stable-yard all of the grooms and stable hands lept into action. As I walked to Caine's stall with purpose, Jareth pulled aside a semi-important looking man and prceded to hold a whispered conversation.

Caine stretched his head out of his stall and blocks my view of Jareth and the man. I oblige in his obvious request of affection and rub his nose. A groom walks over holding a box filled with the grooming tools and at my nod leaves them on the stall door.

"Hey, there," I murmur while opening the stall and letting myself in. Caine snorts and stomps to which I respond with a solid stare. "Now, now. I won't have any of that. You respect me, I respect you. We clear?"

The stallion flicks his ears at me and lowers his head. Smiling, I rub his neck before grabbing a brush and getting to work on his lovely - but dirty - coat.

The familiar process of grooming a horse slowly, but surely thoroughly relaxes me. It's like whole world just fades into the background. It's just me and the horse; the brush sweeping over a soft coat.

"E-excuse me, my lady, but here is a saddle for you to ride in," says a timid voice, breaking my little spell.

Caine's ears go back, and I just roll my eyes at him. The young man is standing far enough away from the stall door that if Caine went near, he couldn't reach. I smile gently at him. "Thank you, but I won't be needing it just yet. I've never ridden in an English style before."

The stable boy looks back at me with panicked, sea-blue eyes. "B-but, my lady, His Majesty specified that I was to tack your horse with it before you r-rode."

I walk out of the stall and look down at the saddle. "It won't make much of a difference to me. Wouldn't it be the same as bareback?" The boy scrunches his brow at me from underneath his turqoise hair, trying to see my view. I smile. "Thank you, but if he says anything tell him I refused. I'll make sure you won't be in any trouble."

"T-thank you, my lady. If you ever n-need anything let me know; I'm your man," He states proudly.

I laugh. "Well, you're in luck. I find myself in need of two things."

"Yes?"

"First, may I know your name?"

This seems to cause the young man to fumble. "Oh, I beg your pardon, miss. I'm Quitin, son of the stable master." His smile reveals these cute little dimples that just bring out the big sister in me.

"Okay, Quintin, the second thing I need is very important," I start with the most serious tone I can muster. "Please don't address me in any sort of formal manner. My name is Sarah and I'm definitely not anything special."

"B-but His Majesty-"

"Quintin," I say, using my nicest smile. "Call me Sarah."

He flushes a cherry red over his pale blue skin. "Y-yes... Sarah."

Jareth-

I shake my head at the stable master. "No, Zanthid. I have gifted the Lady Sarah with Caine. She has unlimited access from here on out." I raise my eyebrow at him and give him a glare that has sent others to their knees. "Am I clear?"

"Y-yes, my lord," He squeaks.

"Pardon the intrusion, Your Majesty, b-but Sar- er, the Lady says that she won't be needing the saddle," Quintin informs while holding said saddle.

I glance over at him. He's the spitting image of his father, save for being smaller and... more timid. "Thank you, Quintin. Put it away until she has need of it."

Without another glance, I ignore the child-Fae's muttering and stalk towards Caine's stall.

To find it empty.

Confused, I stare for a moment and see that Caine's bridle is gone. She didn't...

Without sparing a second, I pop in beside the fenced riding area. There, atop the arrogant stallion, is Sarah. She sits without a saddle, riding with ease. Although seeing her in such a dangerous situation causes physical pain to shoot through my chest, I must admit that I've never seen a more beautiful creature.

And I know, with every familiar beat of my heart, I will try to make her happy no matter what it is that will bring her the utmost happiness... Be that somehow sending her home, or having her by my side. Forever.

Sarah-

Surprisingly, Caine let me mount with ease. He listened immediately responded to every cue and I could tell that he was being extra gently with me. I rub his neck often, praising his behavior.

He's probably the best horse I've ever ridden.

After walking a few rounds and getting comfortable with each other, I ask Caine to trot. The transaction is smooth and his gait is gently. I rock with each step and grip with my thighs with each bounce. For such a huge horse his gaits are surprisingly gentle. I keep my hands loose on the reins and with tangle a few fingers into his coarse mane.

All of my attention was focused on Caine so I noticed as soon as his attention focused on something else. A big, important, handsome something else...

I pull Caine into a stop beside Jareth, the very unhappy looking Goblin Kind. I roll my lip in to my mouth and wait for him to say something.

"Sarah," he starts, "Why in the Underground are you riding a very spirited and arrogant horse without any form of security?"

I blink at him. "Security? Really? He's a horse, not a bomb."

Jareth sighs and pinches he bridge of his nose. "No, but sometimes he's way worse than a 'bomb', as you put it. Put a saddle on him next time... Please."

I'm pretty sure it's the fact that Jareth just said "please" to me that made me say, "But I don't know how to ride in an English saddle. I've only ever ridden bareback and Western."

It's Jareth's turn to blink at me before he sighs dramatically. "Then I guess I'd better teach you."

After another five minutes of not-so-nicely telling me to get off of a "ticking time bomb," Jareth and I are walking back to the castle so that I can shower before dinner; which I've been informed is mandatory for me to attend.

"I don't know why you're so adament about me using the English saddle when it's practically the same thing as bareback riding," I mumble. Yes, I'm pouting. Yes, it's awful childish of me. But I really, really don't think i'd enjoy riding on a slab of leather that would only cause me to chafe instead of just riding natural.

"I'm not arguing about this, dear Sarah. You will learn to ride with the saddle and I will personally teach you." His tone is hard enough to smash rocks with.

I walk into my room, still put off that he's being so obstinate about the stupid saddle thing. I flop onto the bed and start to take off my boots. Stupid, handsome Goblin King lording over me.

I place my boots back in the wardrobe and sit at the vanity to start working on my knotted hair when I notice another rose in my vase. It's petals are the deepest shade of red and the smell is so sweet. The note beside the roses says:

Sarah,

Ghamlia will be there soon to assist you to the bathing quarters. Let her dress you again for supper; it is rather formal. And enjoy the rose.

J.

Figures. Giving in, I pick up the rose and inhale it's sweet essence. Of course, when someone goes out of their way to give you a flower you can't stay output with them.

Dinner should be... entertaining.

*A/N: I'm back! I'm so sorry I left for so long. Everything has just been awful. But I tried to keep you guys in my mind and honestly, I just wrote all of this today. I just... wrote it. I think I freed my small (large) writer's block. At least for a bit. I can't make any promises as to the next chapter but I promise it won't be so long a wait anymore. I tried to make this chapter pretty lengthy, but I don't know if I succeeded. Thanks for sticking around guys: This is for you.

-Eattie.