Perchance To...

Sarah stiffened at the High Queen's pointed question. That had been unexpected. She had thought the Queen was being nice, instead she intended to taunt Sarah. Did Jareth mention children? Just what she needed to be reminded of right now, she mused.

"Yes, your Majesty. I am aware of what Jareth does." Sarah felt herself grasping for words and making her face a mask.

"Oh, that! Nay, my dear, you misunderstand. Hast mine son expressed any desire to HAVE children? Of his own blood, I mean," Titania's eyes glowed with interest.

Sarah bit her inner cheek to keep from laughing now. She had been so in awe of how different the Fae were, she had forgotten to notice the similarities. The Queen was suffering from what Sarah's friends called 'grandmother syndrome'. 'So when am I going to become a grandma?' was one of the most dreaded questions her married friends had to endure from parents and in-laws alike.

"Shouldn't you ask him?" Sarah tried to back out of this situation gracefully, without causing insult or mis-steping.

Luckily, Jareth decided to start singing at that moment. His voice was clear and sweet, and held an enchantment all its own.

"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.

And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.

Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun.

And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

Come by the hills on the land where life is a song

And sing while the birds fill the air with their joy all day long.

Where the trees sway in time, and even the wind sings in tune.

And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land where legend remains

Where stories of old stir the heart and may yet come again.

Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won.

And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.

And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.

Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun.

And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.

And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done."

The crowd had fallen silent as Jareth had started, all attention fixed on the solitary figure standing before them.

The tune was haunting and old. It carried both joy and sadness together with longing. As the last strains faded, applause erupted from throughout the tent, and it was far from merely being polite or sycophantic.

Jareth bowed, but  there was nothing submissive in the gesture. He was in control and was well aware of it. As he returned to the dais,  some tumblers and jugglers came forward to entertain.

"I thank thee, Jareth. 'Twas lovely." Titania offered her cheek for kissing, and the compliment seemed genuine.

Sarah returned to her seat as the Goblin King returned to his.

"Bravo. I hear you can juggle as well. Perhaps you should have become an entertainer." Gwyn raised a glass to Jareth.

"No one could be quite as entertaining as you. I know I find you endlessly amusing." Jareth signaled a server to bring more wine.  Sarah bit her tongue.  That was the fourth goblet and she'd only drunk what amounted to half of one over the evening.  He showed no signs of drunkenness so far. 

Without preamble a person appeared, lounging on the high table. He appeared to be a child of twelve or thirteen, but with goatlike legs and two tiny horns sprouting from his temples.

"The bickering brats brave boorish battle to bedazzle the boundless host,"  the boy broke into a giggling laugh.

"Robin," Jareth smiled without humor, his tone flat.

"Hmm?" The boy batted his eyelashes at him.

"If you remain on the table I'll have to consider you part of the meal and begin carving you up," Jareth tested the edge of a silver knife.

"Oh, I'm frightened,." the boy gave a mock shiver. "Actually I'm here to ask if this gorgeous girl wants to go without the goons and grace Goodfellow with a gavotte." The boy's almond eyes focused on Sarah.

"Did you just ask me to dance?" Sarah found this odd little fellow quite funny. At least he was an easy distraction.

"Beauty and brains! Come along, dearie, party with ol' Puck." He took her hand and pulled her around, dragging her toward a place where some fifty people were dancing to some sort of jig or reel.

"I'm not sure I should." Sarah stopped in her tracks, suddenly very self-conscious.

The boy looked up at her. "Do you always do what you should? How boring. I want to have some fun."

The child looked harmless, but Sarah had learned years ago that appearances were deceiving in this place. And having read 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', she did have some clue as to who she was most likely dealing with.   And that he was no boy, but likely hundreds of years old.  "I think I can spare one dance."

She looked back at the high table to find Jareth watching her. She shrugged at him. What was she supposed to do?

Sarah felt the Robin pull her forward with more strength than she would have thought him to have. Soon she was twirling around in a mad dance, the moves of which were to link arms and skip about, trading partners whenever you passed an empty arm, male or female didn’t matter.

It was insane, but fun. In no time she found herself spinning about on the arm of a familiar blue kimono.

"Sai!" Sarah laughed, suddenly not feeling the outsider in this mayhem. It was amazing how wonderful it was to see a friendly face.

The Kitsune laughed as well. "I see you've discovered Puck. The only Fae to get away with anything he chooses at all times."

"Did I hear my name?" The boy danced between the friends, then grabbed Sai by the waist, impossibly lifting her to twirl around, leaving them both laughing madly.

"Be nice, dear Robin. This is Sarah, a friend of mine. Treat her kindly or I'll shave your bottom and paint it purple," Sai winked at the little fellow.

"Didn't we do that just last week? It was good for me, luv. A friend of yours? I thought she looked out of place between the royal pet, the royal pain and the royal mess." Puck kicked one hoof high and began to spin on his own, apparently disregarding the scant rules of this reel.

"The royal what?" The cool voice stopped Puck mid leap, causing him to crash to the ground.

"Oops." The imp looked up at the Goblin King. "Nothing."

"Mmm. I'm sure," Jareth ignored the hapless little man and held a gloved hand out Sarah. "I was wondering if the lady would like a more proficient dance partner?"

Sai clutched at her chest, over-dramatically. "The Underground has ground to a halt, Jareth wants to play. Grab your mate and lock the doors, the worlds are coming to an end."

"Yeah, this isn't exactly your crowd, your goblinship." Puck stood and brushed himself off.

"And tell me, good Robin, how would you define my 'crowd'?" Jareth's smile displayed his sharp teeth.

"Uhhh... a better class of people?" Puck backed quickly away, but his face showed no fear, and the retreat was more a game than an escape.

"Robin." Jareth's voice was silken.

"Yeah?" The irrepressible faun leaned forward with a grin.

"Puck off." Jareth tilted his head.

Robin Goodfellow gave a raucous laugh and twirled away, into the crowd. Was he looking up that pixie's skirt?

The music paused and a second reel began. Jareth looked at Sarah. She considered. Last time she took his hand she had ended up here. Remembering her musings in the tub earlier, she slid her hand into the warmth of his and they began to spin. It was a matter of trust, after all.

Sai took Sarah's other hand and grabbed one of Puck's, pulling him away from his voyeuristic exploits. Soon a circle of dancers was formed. They danced in one direction, then another, stepped out, then in. The circle dissolved into couples between one another. This dance had a more formal form, yet remained loose and free.

Sarah held tight to Jareth's hand. She had to follow his lead if she was to keep from knocking others over. Her head was swimming and her breath was coming quick as the heavily crystal encrusted hem of her dress beat against her legs.

She could not help but grin. Catching Jareth's eye she saw an answering smile and her breath caught. It was a real smile, one that went all the way to his eyes, not mocking or condescending. He was always a beautiful man, but that smile made him breathtaking.

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Sai stepped away from the maddening dance. She had released Robin Goodfellow to find another dance partner, a short old man who reminded Sarah of a lawn gnome.

Seeing the Queen raise a hand to her, Sai made her way to the high table.

As she approached her sharp ears picked up Gwyn's words.

"He's making a fool of himself before your entire court."

The Queen laughed. "Mine court is out there dancing as well.  They are not so hypocritical as that. Stay your tongue, good sir.  'Tis called having fun. Would that I could join them. I could turn a jolly reel in mine own day."

Sai stood at the Queen's side and bowed. "You could still, honored Majesty, if you would allow yourself. One must find joy in life where one may. After all, we are only as old as we feel."

Titania gestured to the chair Jareth had occupied during the feast and Sai took it. "Than at this moment I am ancient, Lady. Lady Sarah appears fond of thee, Lady Saishoku," the Queen observed, her quick eyes looking for something in Sai's.

"We are friends." Sai nodded.

"Tell me, does she make mine son happy? Is she just a leman?" The Queen could not see Gwyn's face twist with disgust as he walked away, but Sai could.

"Oh, she is much more, majesty.  Both would take offence at the term. I believe she does make him happy. He seems of a lighter spirit, even now, does he not?" Sai inclined her head to the dance area.

Titania watched the dance, a smile on her lips. "And hast they made mention of children? Doth they plan on producing an heir? She is most beauteous, human or nay I believe only good favor would fall upon any such offspring.  And humans are such a fertile lot."

Sai thought quickly. "Shhh. Your Majesty, Sarah's folk believe it the worst of luck to discuss such things while one is hoping. To even mention the subject, they believe, could prevent conception."  Sai made a quick thanks to the Celestial Kitsune that Titania had not left the Underground in four hundred years.

"Ah. I know well what power belief and words do hold. But you have answered mine question in thine warning, dear Lady." Titania positively glowed. Literally, a light emanated from her indicating her high spirits.

Sai inclined her head, "I am overjoyed to be of service."

Dismissed, she stepped down, preparing to make her leave and seek out the comfort of her husband. Pausing, she turned to spy Gwyn ap Nudd in the shadows. He was glaring with undisguised hate at the Goblin King and his 'Lady'.

Sai shivered and made her way from the tent. She had to be certain Ian had started the rumor they'd invented and warn him of the raised level of danger from the direction of the King of Annwn.

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Sarah had to call a stop when she developed a stitch in her side and her cheeks ached from grinning.

She had never expected to enjoy herself tonight. She had never dreamed that Jareth, of all people, would be such fun. Maybe with his goblins, but since arriving here he was constantly on edge. All was not as it seemed here, not even the people.

She was still trying to catch her breath when Jareth pulled them before the thrones. He bowed to the High King and Queen.

"We shall take our leave now. My thanks for the hospitality."

The Queen's smile was knowing as she nodded. "We are pleased thou didst enjoy thyselves. We shall see thee both on the morrow. Good Nigh'."

Outside Sarah shivered in the cool night air. She wondered what time it was. The stars sparkled brightly overhead, millions of them. Many more than she had ever seen before; with the lights of civilization to block them out. She searched for any familiar constellations and came up empty, stumbling for her efforts.

"It's usually a good idea to watch the ground as you walk,"  the amused tone reminded her she was actually walking arm in arm with Jareth and it was not unpleasant.

"I never saw so many stars," She looked at him in the moonlight.

He smiled tolerantly.

"I actually had fun tonight. Not dinner. That was dreadful, but after. I never expected you to dance," she teased.

"You don't know me as well as you think. Thank you for making a terrible evening slightly tolerable." He swept aside the tent flap, "and now, you need to sleep. We'll be riding out in the morning, and neither of us will enjoy the destination."

Sarah frowned. "Where are we heading?"

Jareth sighed. "Our first stop is Annwn."

Sarah felt her heart chill as Jareth left her to seek his own section of their tent.

To be continued...

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A/N:

"Come By the Hills" is a traditional Celtic song (thus not copyrighted). Thanks to my friend Talarian for supplying the lyrics for me.