Crystal Clear - Jareth the Goblin King Fanfiction

Chapter 14

I entered the hall, my gown glistening behind me as I had chosen something a little more suitable for one of Jareth's fancy dinners. My gown was a midnight blue, almost similar to the suit that he wore at the ball, while my hair remained in the same fashion as earlier.

"Milady." Jareth stood to pull the chair across from him out for me to sit on, before pushing it back in.
"Hello Jareth." I smiled awkwardly, nodding my thanks. Jareth tilted his head to the side and a harp began to play, "What is all this?"
"It's only for you."
Jareth smiled, his pointy fangs showing within that grin as two plates of chicken parmigiana were placed in front of the both of us. I honestly had no idea what was going on here, and couldn't understand what was actually happening.
"Is this your attempt to woo me?" I gazed into his eyes, unsure as I saw a twinkle appear within his gaze.
"The Goblin King never reveals his secrets." He winked. At this point, my face was almost as red as the marinara sauce. Was he really being playful? If he kept this up, I was definitely going to get used to this.

"What is it exactly that you wished to discuss?"
I cut into my schnitzel, taking a bite as he swallowed his with an audible gulp.
"Our wedding dearest." He paused, "I suppose you received the garments from Laela?" Oh, that was her name. Time for me to give him a piece of my mind.
"Yes I did. I refuse to wear those. They are simply too revealing, and they make me feel uncomfortable."
Jareth sighed, knowing that this wasn't the time to argue and quickly pondered on what I said as he prepared a suitable answer for the stubborn expression upon my face.
"Alright." I almost choked. He actually agreed with me! "I will let you wear what you choose, but the royal tailor is working on your dress as we speak. Before our wedding however, I would like it if the both of us threw a ball to celebrate our engagement." I nodded, swallowing a mouthful of mashed potato and placing the fork back upon my plate.

"I don't suppose that we are noticeably engaged." Jareth threw me a shocked expression.
"Noticeably? But we are darling! I am unsure of how noticeable you wish to be." I sighed and showed him my marriage finger.
"Don't you have to propose to me and give me a ring?" Jareth scoffed, laughing a fair amount as I quirked a brow.
"Precious, you amuse me." He paused, "Those methods are quite petty for us folk in the Underground. It is something that we do not use in the aristocracy." I looked puzzled, trying to comprehend and practically pry answers out of the Goblin King's mind, "An engagement is something kept by both the moon and the stars. The magic of a full moon begins binding the couple together."
"So, I take it there's no rings either?"
"The wedding is a further binding process. The magic that begins to bind the couple from their engagement connects to the Labyrinth and will bind them together. Unlike the Aboveground where people separate or divorce easily, it's more complicated. A marriage here is an unbreakable vow."

Jareth stood, a serious expression clouding his features. His eyes filling with something that was never seen before by anybody, as he knelt down on one knee and took my hands.
"So please, Bernadette. My queen. Love me, fear me, do as I say and let me be your slave."
I gazed into the mismatched blue and green, a pull within me urged me to make a decision. Butterflies filled my stomach and my brain froze. Before I could sit and think about it further, my own voice surprised me.
"Yes." Jareth's head pointed down to the floor, his jaw set in a firm line, before his features changed.
"I beg your pardon? What did you just say?"
"Yes." I nodded, "Jareth, I will love you, fear you, do as you say, and let you be my slave."