Fooled Heart

Fooled Heart



Chapter Six: A Crystal Knob



Sarah sat on the tiny bed, clutching her knees to her chest. 'What is he planning?' She thought, pushing her hair out of her face with one hand. 'One minute he's threatening to let me rot away and the next he's sending me into a dream world and planting a kiss on my cheek. What is going on?'



Sarah's head pounded. She did not want to fall asleep, fearful that the Goblin King would commandeer her dreams once again. 'He's so confusing,' she thought. 'Why can't he just act civil and...'



'And what?' A small part of her nagged, 'He won't be anything I want. He will be nothing more than a villian from your childhood.'



Sarah sighed and pulled her knees closer. 'No matter what I want from him, all he wants from me is revenge,' Sarah realized.



Sarah yawned loudly. She was struggling to stay awake. She stretched and stood, pacing the small stone room. 'You've had your fun, Jareth.' Sarah smiled wickedly. She stopped pacing. 'Now I just need a plan. I need to find out how to hurt him most. He needs to know I won't just take it.'



Jareth was sprawled across his large bed, a stack of pillows tucked behind his head. He smiled, staring up at the canopy draping over his bed. Crystals danced in circles under the canopy, grazing the lightweight fabric occasionally.



'I have her under my thumb,' he thought, twirling crystals in his hand. He sent two to float above with the others and stared intently at the remaining crystal. He watched Sarah through the crystal as she crawled into her tiny bed and pulled the covers around her tightly. 'Enjoy your rest, Sarah,' he thought. 'Tommorrow, you're mine.'



Jareth shot the crystal up with the others. They circled for a few moments before disappearing entirely. A gentle knock graced his bedroom door. "Enter," Jareth spoke loudly, moving to sit on the side of the bed. Toby peeked through the doorway and cautiously entered the room dressed in a long nightshirt and loose fitting cotton pants.



"Jareth?" Toby closed the door gently behind him. "Where did Sarah go? I woke up and she was gone."



"She went back to her room," Jareth said, motioning for the boy to move closer. Toby climbed into the large bed and sat upright next to the Goblin King.



"Jareth, do you like my sister?" Toby asked.



Jareth paused, taken aback by Toby's sudden question. "Your sister is quite spirited," he started, avoiding a direct answer. "She is very determined... kind... and quite beautiful." Jareth was almost convincing himself.



"Will you get married one day?" Toby asked, hopeful. Jareth laughed and pulled the boy close, ruffling his hair.



"I'm afraid not, Toby," Jareth said sternly.



"Why not? You're not married, are you?" Toby innocently asked.



"I am not, Toby. There are not many of my kind left in this world," Jareth spoke quietly. He smiled at the young boy. "That is why I have claimed you as my heir. It is late, Toby. It is time for you to go to bed."



"Can I stay with you tonight, Jareth?" Toby asked.



"I'm sorry, Toby," Jareth said, shaking his head. "I wish to be alone tonight. Another time."



Toby slowly got up from the large bed. "Goodnight, Jareth," he said, disappointment in his voice.



"I am sorry, Toby. Goodnight," Jareth echoed back to the young boy. Toby left, closing the door slowly behind him.



'Silly boy,' Jareth thought as the door closed. 'His sister and I would never be compatible.' He smiled to himself and pulled the covers up to his chest. 'Besides, she will be begging to leave soon enough.'



The door of Sarah's small chamber flew open and Sarah sat upright in surprise. "Time to get up! The King is calling for you!" Grezzle shouted, placing a tray with a bowl of oatmeal and



a metal pitcher of peach juice on the small table. "Eat and dress quickly. His Highness does not like to be left waiting." The multicolored goblin left quickly, closing the door loudly behind her.



Sarah ate the oatmeal quickly and eyed the pitcher of juice. She was so thirsty, but she had trouble drinking the sweet liquid without thinking of the dream Jareth had given her when she first came to the Underground. She put her feelings aside and poured a glass, drinking quickly. She wiped her face with the cloth napkin tucked under the bowl.



Sarah dressed quickly and slipped a pair of plain black slippers on her feet. Sarah sighed. 'I definitely need a shower,' she thought to herself. She finger-combed her hair for a few minutes before pulling it back with a black hair elastic from her wrist. She stared at the door for a moment before heading out and quickly shutting the door behind her. She stood this time before the double door of Jareth's bedchambers. She knocked fervently on the door.



"Enter!" Sarah heard the king shout. She turned the cool crystal handle on one door and pushed it open.



"Grezzle said you had called for me," Sarah said as she entered the King's chambers.



"Yes, Sarah. I will need you this evening to help Toby prepare for the ball," he said. Jareth was sitting at the round table with a leg crossed over the other as he held a half eaten piece of unidentifiable fruit in one hand. He placed it on the plate in front of him. "I will need your assistance shortly after. We must be prepared no later than half past six. You must have Toby ready by five. I have other tasks for you before the ball."



"Am I free until then?" Sarah asked.



"Unless I have any other need for you," he said coldly and gestured for her to leave.



Sarah nodded and turned to leave. She paused for a moment before turning back to face the Goblin King. "Will I be attending as well?"



Jareth laughed. "Why would I escort a servant girl to a ball?"



Sarah clenched her fists tightly. "It was a simple question, Jareth. No need to get nasty." She quickly left the room, slamming the door behind her.



Sarah stormed across the hall and entered her own chambers. She paced the tiny room angrily. 'Why does he have to embarrass me like this? I have to come up with a plan quickly. I can't stand to look at his smug face for much longer.'



There was a light knock on the door. "What?" Sarah said angrily, roughly swinging the door open.



A handsome young man gave her a look of suprise and bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Miss Sarah. Have I come at a bad time?" Sarah stood staring at the young man for a moment. He was definitely good looking. He was tall and slightly muscular with a chiseled chin and strong nose. He had long dark hair pulled into a low ponytail with a navy ribbon. He had the most amazing blue eyes Sarah had ever seen. He was dressed in a loose black shirt and black trousers, dressing similar to the king.



"No," she said quietly, calming down, "I just was expecting someone else."



"His Majesty?" the young man inquired with a grin.



"I . . . yes. How did you know?" Sarah stammered.



"Jareth tends to be difficult with beautiful women," he said, smiling and taking Sarahs hand. He planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "My name is Dimonis. I am King Jareth's assistant and advisor."



Sarah made her best attempt at a curtsy and smiled at the young man. "It is a pleasure to meet you," she said softly.



"His Majesty has arranged several appointments for you throughout the week, if you choose to attend," he began. "Would you care to walk with me?"



"Is this a trick?" Sarah asked, pulling away from the young man.



Dimonis chuckled. "No, Sarah, I can assure you I am being sincere. Is your distrust of His Majesty that great?"



"He has given me no reason to trust him," Sarah said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.



"Rest assured, Sarah, I am not here to trick you," Dimonis said, smiling warmly.



Sarah ran her fingers through her hair, suddenly realizing that she was still in desperate need of a bath. "Can I get a raincheck on that walk?" Sarah asked.



"I don't follow what you are saying, my lady," he said with a confused look on his face.



"Oh! How do I explain..." Sarah began, "It means 'Can we postpone until later?'. I would like to bathe first, if you do not mind."



"Of course, my lady," he said smoothly. "Would you be interested in an afternoon walk in the inner gardens?"



"There are inner gardens?" Sarah asked, suprised. "Of course! Yes, I would love to."



"Thank you, my lady," Dimonis said, "I will come for you this afternoon, then?"



"Yes! I will be looking forward to it," she responded, smiling warmly at the king's advisor.



"As will I," he said, bowing to her again. Sarah made another attempt to curtsy and smiled awkwardly at the handsome man. Dimonis returned the gesture with a warm smile and turned away.



Sarah closed the door softly, smiling to herself. After closing the door, she realized she had no idea where she was to bathe. She quickly pulled the door open again, now looking into a small bathing room. There was a large clawfoot tub in the center of the room filled with steaming water. Along one side of the room stood a white vanity and a metal washing bowl.



Sarah stepped through the doorway and took a better look into the room. There was a covered bench in the corner with a short tower of bath linens arranged in a pyramid. Next to it lay a neatly foldeded tower of fabric. Sarah closed the door behind her and walked to the bench.



A card was set on top of the short pile of fabrics.



'Sarah,



His Majesty has arranged for new clothes to be made for you. Until then, my sister has donated these garments for you to wear. We hope that they are to your liking.



Your Friend,



Dimonis'



Sarah read the card over and smiled. 'The people of the Underground sure work quick,' she thought as she tucked the card under the pyramid of bath linens. She lifted the uppermost article of clothing and held it up to her. It was a smooth, silky emerald gown with a fitted bodice buttoning up the back. The neckline was low and sweetheart shaped. She folded it neatly and picked up the next garment. She held to her a plain but elegant black cotton gown with a square neckline. It also buttoned up the back.



Sarah settled for the black dress and draped it across the bench. She grabbed a washcloth from the pyramid of bath linens and a bar of soap from the vanity table and set them next to the claw-foot tub as she undressed. She folded the clothes loosely and placed them under the bench.



Sarah bathed happily. She experimented with fragrant corked bottles, washing her hair and body. She hummed to herself as she scrubbed her neck and shoulders. "Maybe being here won't be so bad after all," she said to herself. She smiled and dried herself off before tinkering with the undergarments left for her. A plain white corset was placed in the pile of garments, as well as a bright white pair of knee length pantaloons trimmed in crocheted lace.



Sarah stepped into the pantaloons and pulled the drawstring tight around her waist, tying it in a bow. She studied the corset carefully. She loosened the laces and unhooked the silver clasps in the front. She wrapped the garment around her and rehooked the silver clasps down her front. She began carefully tugging at the laces in the back, tightening just enough to push up her breasts and fit snugly around her waist. She looked at herself in the mirror of the vanity. 'Not too bad, I guess,' she thought, "I can't do much more on my own, anyways.'



Content with the undergarments, she sat at the vanity and combed her hair. She used a few pins she found in one of the drawers to wrap her hair in a loose bun at her crown, leaving several strands loose around her face. She smiled at herself and stood to put on the black dress.



Sarah struggled with the dress for several minutes. She could not put the dress on with the buttons buttoned. She could not button the buttons herself, either. She tried putting the dress on backwards, buttoning the dress while it was reversed. She could not turn the dress around.



Sarah sighed and unbuttoned the dress again, turned it around, and put her arms through the long, tapered sleeves. Sarah cautiously turned the crystal doorknob and peeked through the doorway. She was now facing the double doors of Toby's chambers. She peered down the hallway to either side and held the dress close to her as she walked across the hall and knocked lightly on her brother's door. The door opened, Toby looking up at her.



"Sarah!" he exclaimed, hugging his sister around the waist. She held him around the shoulders with one arm as she used the other to keep the dress up.



"I need a favor, Tobes," she said as she walked into her brother's room. She stopped cold. Jareth stood there, taking in her half-dressed state. She took in a quick intake of breath. "Buttons," she stammered quickly.



"Sir Toby, I can take care of this matter. Would you mind stepping outside?" Jareth asked, a devious smile playing at his lips.



"I guess . . ." Toby said, heading out the door and closing it behind him.



Sarah stepped back. "I'll just-"



"Come now, Sarah," Jareth began, cutting her off, "I can help dress you far better than your brother. He won't even be able to reach all of the buttons." He stepped closer to her and motioned her to turn around. Sarah stood motionless.



"Really, I'll just get Toby," she said quietly. Jareth ignored her and stepped around to face her back. He took off his gloves and tucked them in the pocket of his grey vest.



"You need to lace the corset tighter or you will never get the dress to button," he said coldly. He pushed the top of the dress off Sarah's shoulders and began unknotting the corset lacings. "Take in a deep breath," he said. Sarah breathed in as deeply as she could. Jareth began pulling and tugging at the laces. "Exhale," he demanded. Sarah exhaled. "Now take another breath." She breathed in deeply again. He pulled tighter and tied the laces in a knot. He tucked the laces into the lacings in the back.



Sarah could feel his warm fingertips brush the small of her back. She shivered lightly and clutched the front of the dress tightly to her chest. She felt Jareth begin buttoning the tiny fabric covered buttons up her back and his warm, slow breath on her neck. Sarah closed her eyes and attempted to block out the feeling his touch was giving her.



Jareth smiled. 'She's so nervous,' he thought to himself. He leaned in closer to her and lightly blew on the back of her neck. She shivered. He buttoned another button. Jareth repeated, blowing tiny circles on her neck. She shivered again. He buttoned another button. Soon, the hairs on the back of Sarah's neck were standing on end. Jareth finished buttoning the final button and moved in closer to her. He lightly brushed his fingertips across the back of her neck as he finished.



"T-thank you," Sarah stammered as she quickly left the room, nearly running over Toby in the process. Jareth smiled wickedly.



Sarah quickly hugged her brother and walked back across the hall and into the bathing room. She closed the door and leaned against it, breathing heavily. She closed her eyes. 'What was that?' Sarah thought to herself, 'What is happening to me? What is he doing to me?' Questions floated around in Sarah's head.



Sarah walked to the mirror of the vanity and looked at herself. The dress was plain, but it made her look absolutely stunning. The corset lifted her breasts high, displaying her cleavage in the the window of the square neckline. Sarah buttoned the tiny fabric covered buttons at her wrists.



She tidied the room before grabbing her laundry from underneath the bench and the newer garments Dimonis had sent her. Sarah quickly walked back through the carved door and found herself back in the tiny bedchamber. She placed the newer clothes into the trunk Grezzle had pulled in the day before and set her worn clothing next to it, tucking the trunk away in the corner.



Sarah wondered at the magic of her door. She looked at it intently and felt the carvings with her fingertips. She gazed into the clear crystal doorknob. She saw an image of the bathing room reflected in the surface. Sarah looked closer. The image changed to the hall in front of Toby's bedchambers. Sarah looked away. 'I wonder where else it could lead me,' she pondered.



Sarah heard a light knock on the door. She turned back around to face the door and looked intently at the doorknob. The image displayed showed Dimonis standing stiffly in front of her door in an unknown hallway. Sarah smiled and opened the door.



"Is it afternoon already?" she asked the young man as she opened the door. Her heart fluttered.



"It is not, miss Sarah. It is still late morning," Dimonis said, bowing to Sarah, "I have word from His Majesty that you were dressed. I was hoping you would like to take our walk now."



Sarah nodded and stepped through the doorway. Dimonis offered his arm to the girl. She placed her arm in his and they began walking down the hallway.







A/N: Please let me know what you think! I've got several ideas mulling in my head.