AN: Hi again people. I'm sorry this took so long to post, but RL has been
awful, I've had sick kids to deal with. :shudder:
This is my favourite chapter (so far.) This is the chapter that started this fic, and believe it or not, but most of this chapter was written before I even started, so I hope you enjoy it.
Special thanks and *hugs* to my beta Scattered Logic, a fantastic beta and an incredible writer.
Also *Hugs* to Cormak and The Hooded Crow. Really good friends.
Warning! This chapter contains underage hanky panky, if you're too young to be here go away, or if it offends you don't read it. That way everyone will be happy. Ok, on with the show.
Too Much, Too Young
She's so vulnerable.
The wedding and her sixteenth birthday were in two days. Sarah felt as though she were balancing on a tight rope. For the last month her days had been filled with lessons. Lessons in behaviour, lessons in politics, dancing lessons, lesson on management of a huge estate.
She felt lost and alone. Jareth had been exceedingly busy the past weeks. She had seen him rarely, and when she did see him it was only for a few minutes at a time.
Walking in the gardens so early in the morning provided Sarah some solitude. None of her instructors ever rose before eleven. And she liked this time with no one telling her she should stand straighter, or that kneeling by the rose bushes was not genteel behaviour. To be quite honest, Sarah was sick of being talked at. There was almost always someone with her, whether it was one of her instructors, or a servant asking about a detail for the wedding. Sarah couldn't ever remember feeling so alone; a deep loneliness that was the result of being constantly surrounded by strangers. Even Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didimus had not been to see her. When she had asked Jareth, on one of the rare times she saw him, where they were, he had replied that lesser goblins were not allowed beyond the goblin city. And then before she could ask permission to see them, he had disappeared on yet more business.
Sarah knew she was being ungrateful; Jareth was only working so hard now so he could relax for a little while after they were married.
"I wish I had someone to talk to." The words were out of her mouth before she thought.
"And just what, would you like to talk about?" The whispered voice in her ear startled her.
"Oh, Jareth, I'm sorry! I didn't think. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?" Sarah gave a long sigh, and turned away from him. Under her breath she said. "I really can't get anything right, can I?"
Jareth noticed her slumped shoulders, "You didn't interrupt me at all," he lied, thinking about the pile of documents and scrolls on his desk that needed his immediate attention. "Actually, I was just on my way down to see you. To ask if you felt like taking time off from your studies, to spend some time with me." It would be no small upheaval in his working day, but he felt sufficiently rewarded when she turned and gave him a smile of pure joy.
"I'd love to. No lessons, I almost feel like I'm playing hookey." Sarah felt like cheering.
Jareth took her arm and they began to walk. A long silence stretched between them. Neither could think of anything to say. The silence grew heavy.
"So, Sarah, what have you been learning?" Jareth gave a sigh of relief, finally a topic of conversation.
"Well," Sarah said, grabbing at the opportunity to fill the silence, "I've been learning how to think, what not to say, what I should say, and the correct way to say it." Her brows lifted as she fought a smile. "I'm even being taught how to walk!"
Jareth laughed. "How to walk, I'd have thought you were already taught that one quite some years ago."
Sarah lifted her nose in the air, and said in a perfect imitation of Madame Cheeval, her deportment tutor, "One must learn not to gallop everywhere. One must learn how to move like a queen, and not like a horse." Sarah's over pronounced nasal tone sent them both into full gales of laughter.
After a few minutes, Sarah had to stop; tears rolled down her face, and she was doubled over holding her stomach. Laughing so hard had given her a stitch in her side. The Goblin king was only doing slightly better.
Sarah took hold of Jareth's arm as she straightened back up. Her eyes were glowing and her face flushed from laughing. Jareth thought that she had never looked so beautiful. He brought a leather-encased hand up to cup her cheek, and leaned into her.
Sarah stopped laughing abruptly and took a step back. All her laughter suddenly gone.
"W-what are you doing?" she asked, hating the way her voice trembled.
"I'm going to kiss you, it won't hurt, honest." Jareth had forgotten just how young, sixteen really was.
"Why would you want to do that?" Sarah couldn't believe she'd just asked that.
"Well. We are getting married in two days' time, I'm told kissing is something that engaged couples do." Jareth didn't know whether to be amused or annoyed by Sarah's obvious reluctance to kiss him.
"I knew that, of course I knew that. You just took me by surprise is all." Sarah put her hand gently on Jareth's arm. "It's just that, I've never." Sarah could feel the blush rising. She cleared her throat. "What I mean to say is that I've never actually. well, I've never even dated."
Jareth was doing all he could not to laugh. "Sarah, are you trying to tell me that you've never been kissed?"
"Of course I've been kissed, when I was fourteen, Peter Barnes grabbed me outside the Odeon and kissed me. I had to hit him, of course, because it was gross, but he was a boy, you're a man.A much older man. And I'm pretty sure it's not going to be the same. I mean, well, when Peter kissed me, he put his open mouth on mine, and I was kinda covered in drool." The thought of it even now was enough to send her stomach rolling.
Jareth lost the battle. His laughter echoing around them. Sarah didn't find it at all funny. Here she was trying to admit to him that he made her nervous, and he was laughing at her.
Sighing huffily, she turned on her heel and made to walk away.
Jareth caught her by the elbow. Calming himself, he managed to say, "I'm sorry, Sarah. Only please, try to see it from my perspective."
Sarah thought for a moment. Her anger faded. Remembering the sight of Peter, his shocked face as she decked him. A small giggle escaped, that fast became full-blown laughter. After a few minutes she stopped, and tried to catch her breath.
Jareth caught her round her waist. "If I promise not to drool, Sarah, may I kiss you?"
Sarah began giggling again, stuttering out, "I don't believe it. You, the King of the goblins, have just asked permission to kiss me."
"Well," he said seriously, "I don't want you to hit me."
Sarah ran her hands over her mouth trying to wipe away her smile. Her nervousness almost made her giggle again; she nodded.
Jareth stepped forward and slid his arms around her. Just as his lips were about to meet hers, she started laughing again. Sighing, Jareth stepped back.
"Sarah!"
"Okay, okay." She held up her hand. "I'm finished now, honest."
Jareth thought for a moment "Maybe I'm going about this all wrong."
Making up his mind, he turned Sarah around in his arms.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking your mind off your nervousness?" So saying, he covered her eyes with her hands. "Close your eyes. No peeking!"
Sarah felt a gush of freezing wind. She remembered that sensation. She opened her eyes to see where they were, but Jareth's hand still covered them.
When he finally took his hand away, she saw they were standing on the bank of a beautiful stream, the waters shining in the early morning sun. Weeping willows bordered the stream; their long drooping branches trailing in the water. A fairytale scene come to life.
Sarah left his arms and walked to the edge of the stream. She turned to face him, her smile lighting up her face.
"It's beautiful, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Don't you think it's the most beautiful sight in the world?"
Jareth kept his eyes on her. "No, I've seen much more beautiful things." He rose his eyebrows pointedly at her. Sarah blushed at the compliment. "You're just being gallant."
"No, I'm not," he said shortly, surprised at himself when he realised he'd meant what he'd said.
She did look magnificent backed by the sparkling water, her cheeks still slightly flushed from her laughter.
Jareth saw that Sarah was giving him a strange look. He walked forward with a smile, "Where were we?" He pulled her into his arms. "Ah yes, I remember."
Sarah was having trouble breathing, her chest felt so tight and she was sure that was caused by her heart which was threatening to burst, it was beating so fast. No giggles now. All her attention was focused on the finely sculptured mouth descending on hers.
When the kiss came, Sarah almost breathed a sigh of relief that changed when Jareth's lips nudged her mouth open, and slowly slipped his tongue between her teeth to gently touch her own tongue.
Jareth was delighted with the way Sarah was responding to him, no maidenly giggles now. She allowed him to part her lips and when he slipped his tongue inside, he heard her gasp. Jareth deepened the kiss, pulling her tightly to him. Her arms wove around his neck, pulling him closer still.
They sank together to lie on the grassy bank. Never losing contact.
Jareth was freely exploring her mouth with his tongue now, and Sarah was making tentative advances of her own.
Sarah hadn't known anything could feel like this. His mouth was causing sensations that she couldn't identify, all she knew was that she liked it.
Jareth heard Sarah moan low in her throat, his heart rate sped up and he had to hold back his own growl of desire. His hands caressed their way down to her breasts. He stroked them through the fabric of her dress.
Sarah felt his hands on her. Panic started to claw at her. She wasn't ready for this, not yet!
Pushing at his shoulders, she managed to dislodge him. He was poised above her, his eyes cloudy with desire, his breathing as harsh as hers.
Sarah couldn't help herself, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry."
The whisper cut through Jareth's desire. He looked down at Sarah seeing the tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, the tears rolling from the corners of her eyes.
Jareth leaned down, resting his forehead against hers while he got his breathing back under control.
After a while he raised his head again, "Well, that was a bit unexpected."
Sarah gave him a teary smile. "I'm sorry. I'm just not ready for that yet."
Jareth got off her and sat up. "I understand Sarah. I promise not to rush you into." Jareth stood thinking quickly for the right word so as not to unnerve her more. "Lovemaking, until you are comfortable with the idea. Ok?"
Sarah got to her feet and brushed at the wrinkles in her dress. She nearly sighed with relief until she realised how insulting it would look. And if there was one thing she had learned from her instructors, that was not to insult the king.
Jareth waved his hand and a clock appeared. "Well, I'm afraid I have to get back to work. And I'm sure you have lessons that need attending."
Sarah looked so glum, Jareth laughed. He pulled her to him and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Close your eyes."
A moment later she opened them and looked into Jareth's mismatched ones that were twinkling suspiciously. She looked round; they were still outdoors, she could see trees all around them. Happening to look down, she noticed with alarm they were several inches above the water.
Holding onto Jareth more firmly, she gasped, "Jareth what are you doing?"
Jareth couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "I thought you might need cooling off." So saying, without giving her a chance to say anything, he dropped her.
She closed her eyes and held her breath, expecting to hit the water. She was not a little shocked when she landed on something soft. Opening her eyes, she saw her room; she had landed on her bed, Jareth's laughter still echoing all around her.
This is my favourite chapter (so far.) This is the chapter that started this fic, and believe it or not, but most of this chapter was written before I even started, so I hope you enjoy it.
Special thanks and *hugs* to my beta Scattered Logic, a fantastic beta and an incredible writer.
Also *Hugs* to Cormak and The Hooded Crow. Really good friends.
Warning! This chapter contains underage hanky panky, if you're too young to be here go away, or if it offends you don't read it. That way everyone will be happy. Ok, on with the show.
Too Much, Too Young
She's so vulnerable.
The wedding and her sixteenth birthday were in two days. Sarah felt as though she were balancing on a tight rope. For the last month her days had been filled with lessons. Lessons in behaviour, lessons in politics, dancing lessons, lesson on management of a huge estate.
She felt lost and alone. Jareth had been exceedingly busy the past weeks. She had seen him rarely, and when she did see him it was only for a few minutes at a time.
Walking in the gardens so early in the morning provided Sarah some solitude. None of her instructors ever rose before eleven. And she liked this time with no one telling her she should stand straighter, or that kneeling by the rose bushes was not genteel behaviour. To be quite honest, Sarah was sick of being talked at. There was almost always someone with her, whether it was one of her instructors, or a servant asking about a detail for the wedding. Sarah couldn't ever remember feeling so alone; a deep loneliness that was the result of being constantly surrounded by strangers. Even Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didimus had not been to see her. When she had asked Jareth, on one of the rare times she saw him, where they were, he had replied that lesser goblins were not allowed beyond the goblin city. And then before she could ask permission to see them, he had disappeared on yet more business.
Sarah knew she was being ungrateful; Jareth was only working so hard now so he could relax for a little while after they were married.
"I wish I had someone to talk to." The words were out of her mouth before she thought.
"And just what, would you like to talk about?" The whispered voice in her ear startled her.
"Oh, Jareth, I'm sorry! I didn't think. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?" Sarah gave a long sigh, and turned away from him. Under her breath she said. "I really can't get anything right, can I?"
Jareth noticed her slumped shoulders, "You didn't interrupt me at all," he lied, thinking about the pile of documents and scrolls on his desk that needed his immediate attention. "Actually, I was just on my way down to see you. To ask if you felt like taking time off from your studies, to spend some time with me." It would be no small upheaval in his working day, but he felt sufficiently rewarded when she turned and gave him a smile of pure joy.
"I'd love to. No lessons, I almost feel like I'm playing hookey." Sarah felt like cheering.
Jareth took her arm and they began to walk. A long silence stretched between them. Neither could think of anything to say. The silence grew heavy.
"So, Sarah, what have you been learning?" Jareth gave a sigh of relief, finally a topic of conversation.
"Well," Sarah said, grabbing at the opportunity to fill the silence, "I've been learning how to think, what not to say, what I should say, and the correct way to say it." Her brows lifted as she fought a smile. "I'm even being taught how to walk!"
Jareth laughed. "How to walk, I'd have thought you were already taught that one quite some years ago."
Sarah lifted her nose in the air, and said in a perfect imitation of Madame Cheeval, her deportment tutor, "One must learn not to gallop everywhere. One must learn how to move like a queen, and not like a horse." Sarah's over pronounced nasal tone sent them both into full gales of laughter.
After a few minutes, Sarah had to stop; tears rolled down her face, and she was doubled over holding her stomach. Laughing so hard had given her a stitch in her side. The Goblin king was only doing slightly better.
Sarah took hold of Jareth's arm as she straightened back up. Her eyes were glowing and her face flushed from laughing. Jareth thought that she had never looked so beautiful. He brought a leather-encased hand up to cup her cheek, and leaned into her.
Sarah stopped laughing abruptly and took a step back. All her laughter suddenly gone.
"W-what are you doing?" she asked, hating the way her voice trembled.
"I'm going to kiss you, it won't hurt, honest." Jareth had forgotten just how young, sixteen really was.
"Why would you want to do that?" Sarah couldn't believe she'd just asked that.
"Well. We are getting married in two days' time, I'm told kissing is something that engaged couples do." Jareth didn't know whether to be amused or annoyed by Sarah's obvious reluctance to kiss him.
"I knew that, of course I knew that. You just took me by surprise is all." Sarah put her hand gently on Jareth's arm. "It's just that, I've never." Sarah could feel the blush rising. She cleared her throat. "What I mean to say is that I've never actually. well, I've never even dated."
Jareth was doing all he could not to laugh. "Sarah, are you trying to tell me that you've never been kissed?"
"Of course I've been kissed, when I was fourteen, Peter Barnes grabbed me outside the Odeon and kissed me. I had to hit him, of course, because it was gross, but he was a boy, you're a man.A much older man. And I'm pretty sure it's not going to be the same. I mean, well, when Peter kissed me, he put his open mouth on mine, and I was kinda covered in drool." The thought of it even now was enough to send her stomach rolling.
Jareth lost the battle. His laughter echoing around them. Sarah didn't find it at all funny. Here she was trying to admit to him that he made her nervous, and he was laughing at her.
Sighing huffily, she turned on her heel and made to walk away.
Jareth caught her by the elbow. Calming himself, he managed to say, "I'm sorry, Sarah. Only please, try to see it from my perspective."
Sarah thought for a moment. Her anger faded. Remembering the sight of Peter, his shocked face as she decked him. A small giggle escaped, that fast became full-blown laughter. After a few minutes she stopped, and tried to catch her breath.
Jareth caught her round her waist. "If I promise not to drool, Sarah, may I kiss you?"
Sarah began giggling again, stuttering out, "I don't believe it. You, the King of the goblins, have just asked permission to kiss me."
"Well," he said seriously, "I don't want you to hit me."
Sarah ran her hands over her mouth trying to wipe away her smile. Her nervousness almost made her giggle again; she nodded.
Jareth stepped forward and slid his arms around her. Just as his lips were about to meet hers, she started laughing again. Sighing, Jareth stepped back.
"Sarah!"
"Okay, okay." She held up her hand. "I'm finished now, honest."
Jareth thought for a moment "Maybe I'm going about this all wrong."
Making up his mind, he turned Sarah around in his arms.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking your mind off your nervousness?" So saying, he covered her eyes with her hands. "Close your eyes. No peeking!"
Sarah felt a gush of freezing wind. She remembered that sensation. She opened her eyes to see where they were, but Jareth's hand still covered them.
When he finally took his hand away, she saw they were standing on the bank of a beautiful stream, the waters shining in the early morning sun. Weeping willows bordered the stream; their long drooping branches trailing in the water. A fairytale scene come to life.
Sarah left his arms and walked to the edge of the stream. She turned to face him, her smile lighting up her face.
"It's beautiful, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Don't you think it's the most beautiful sight in the world?"
Jareth kept his eyes on her. "No, I've seen much more beautiful things." He rose his eyebrows pointedly at her. Sarah blushed at the compliment. "You're just being gallant."
"No, I'm not," he said shortly, surprised at himself when he realised he'd meant what he'd said.
She did look magnificent backed by the sparkling water, her cheeks still slightly flushed from her laughter.
Jareth saw that Sarah was giving him a strange look. He walked forward with a smile, "Where were we?" He pulled her into his arms. "Ah yes, I remember."
Sarah was having trouble breathing, her chest felt so tight and she was sure that was caused by her heart which was threatening to burst, it was beating so fast. No giggles now. All her attention was focused on the finely sculptured mouth descending on hers.
When the kiss came, Sarah almost breathed a sigh of relief that changed when Jareth's lips nudged her mouth open, and slowly slipped his tongue between her teeth to gently touch her own tongue.
Jareth was delighted with the way Sarah was responding to him, no maidenly giggles now. She allowed him to part her lips and when he slipped his tongue inside, he heard her gasp. Jareth deepened the kiss, pulling her tightly to him. Her arms wove around his neck, pulling him closer still.
They sank together to lie on the grassy bank. Never losing contact.
Jareth was freely exploring her mouth with his tongue now, and Sarah was making tentative advances of her own.
Sarah hadn't known anything could feel like this. His mouth was causing sensations that she couldn't identify, all she knew was that she liked it.
Jareth heard Sarah moan low in her throat, his heart rate sped up and he had to hold back his own growl of desire. His hands caressed their way down to her breasts. He stroked them through the fabric of her dress.
Sarah felt his hands on her. Panic started to claw at her. She wasn't ready for this, not yet!
Pushing at his shoulders, she managed to dislodge him. He was poised above her, his eyes cloudy with desire, his breathing as harsh as hers.
Sarah couldn't help herself, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry."
The whisper cut through Jareth's desire. He looked down at Sarah seeing the tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, the tears rolling from the corners of her eyes.
Jareth leaned down, resting his forehead against hers while he got his breathing back under control.
After a while he raised his head again, "Well, that was a bit unexpected."
Sarah gave him a teary smile. "I'm sorry. I'm just not ready for that yet."
Jareth got off her and sat up. "I understand Sarah. I promise not to rush you into." Jareth stood thinking quickly for the right word so as not to unnerve her more. "Lovemaking, until you are comfortable with the idea. Ok?"
Sarah got to her feet and brushed at the wrinkles in her dress. She nearly sighed with relief until she realised how insulting it would look. And if there was one thing she had learned from her instructors, that was not to insult the king.
Jareth waved his hand and a clock appeared. "Well, I'm afraid I have to get back to work. And I'm sure you have lessons that need attending."
Sarah looked so glum, Jareth laughed. He pulled her to him and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Close your eyes."
A moment later she opened them and looked into Jareth's mismatched ones that were twinkling suspiciously. She looked round; they were still outdoors, she could see trees all around them. Happening to look down, she noticed with alarm they were several inches above the water.
Holding onto Jareth more firmly, she gasped, "Jareth what are you doing?"
Jareth couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "I thought you might need cooling off." So saying, without giving her a chance to say anything, he dropped her.
She closed her eyes and held her breath, expecting to hit the water. She was not a little shocked when she landed on something soft. Opening her eyes, she saw her room; she had landed on her bed, Jareth's laughter still echoing all around her.