2Chapter 8: Bells Will Chime
The wedding was planned in record time. Between Jareth and Ione, the King and his soon to be Queen had tailored outfits in seconds. The halls Jareth chose for the ceremony and reception were decorated in moments. Sarah quickly decided that they should include her three friends Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus in the wedding party as well. Some fairies were added to the bridesmaids to compensate for Jareth's party. The day itself tried to outdo the brilliance of the wedding, but even the glorious day couldn't outshine the radiant assembly. The goblin subjects dressed in their best, which meant they glittered with various trappings. The Labyrinth Knights not included in the wedding party were dressed in parade attire and seated at the foremost places in the hall according to rank and division. Ione had a surprise for Sarah. Just as the group was prepared to walk Sarah down the aisle, she realized the ring bearer looked familiar. A small fairy and elf had been chosen, but when the ring bearer looked back and smiled at her, she knew she was right.
"Toby!" she exclaimed.
"Happy Wedding Day, Sarah! Ione told me you needed an adorable ring bearer so I volunteered." Sarah smiled, but Ione cleared her throat, and Toby started down the aisle with the fairy flower girl. Each of the bridesmaids followed until finally Sarah herself began the walk. The whole wedding party sparkled, as was the way of the Labyrinth. Sarah and Jareth's outfits were based on the ones they'd worn in the ballroom dream except grander due to the royal function. The groomsmen wore copies of Jareth's outfit suited to them but done in black instead of blue. Apollo had streaked his hair with black coloring and glitter. The bridesmaids' outfits were not as puffed up as Sarah's magnificent ball dress, and they were done in a soft peach color instead of white. Sarah's hair was done again with silver decorations, but her bridesmaids had gold that matched the color of their dresses better. Ione and Isis had tops that matched the bridesmaids, but all three centaurs wore sheets of satin over their equine bodies. Apollo's covering was black but studded with so many gems that it gleamed. Ione and Isis had peach colored coverings also studded with gems but also done with golden embroidery. All three centaurs had they're tails layered with gems. The ceremony itself seemed to stand still and fly by all at the same time. Ione was Matron of Honor, and she had to keep Sarah's long train under control as well as hold the gorgeous bouquet. The ceremony's completion came with Jareth and Sarah's first kiss as King and Queen. Their kiss set off shouts throughout the hall as the kingdom greeted its new Queen. The two walked arm in arm back down the aisle followed by Ione and Apollo, Isis and Ludo, Hoggle, and finally Sir Didymus.
"Well," Sir Didymus commented as they continued down the aisle. "It would seem My Lady Sarah's dream has come true."
"Yeah," Ludo agreed as they reached the end of the hall. "Sawah happy!"
The wedding party proceeded to the banquet hall that had been set up for the large banquet of the reception. Sarah was saddened to find that Toby could not stay much longer. He'd told his parents that he'd gone to a friend's house. Sarah and Toby said their good-byes as Jareth walked over.
"No hard feelings?" he asked as the boy turned to look at him. Jareth offered his hand to shake and Toby took it.
"No hard feelings, Your Majesty."
Ione sent the boy to his friend's house as Sarah once again expressed her gratitude to the centauress.
"Thank me not yet, Your Highness. We have not yet even given thee thy gift!" Jareth looked over during this exchange.
"By all means present thy gift to the Queen."
All the denizens of the Labyrinth had presented gifts from their particular region to the Queen, and the knights had as well. No it was Ione's turn. Ione took Isis' hand and motioned for Apollo. A wedding's blessing always meant a bit of showmanship.
"Are you sure about this, Mother?" Apollo ventured to whisper to her. The elder centauress nodded.
Standing in the center of the space before the raised table where the wedding party had been seated, Ione suddenly threw up her hands and threw back her head. In an instant all light was summoned to shine on the three centaurs leaving the court in the pale of twilight. Apollo and Isis held their heads down as their mother took center stage. In unison the three began to move their human halves with the grace of swans while soft melody played in the ears of the gathering. Apollo was positioned to his mother's right, and Isis was to her mother's left. In the swiftness of the shift of the light, the centaurs' clothing had changed to a brilliant white the almost hurt the eyes to look upon. Only now did it seem noticeable. They were positioned in a half circle facing the King and Queen. They were dancing. The three were accomplished dancers, but the centaurs moved a bit differently because of their unique form. A well trained centaur could bend to the extremities of laying down on their own back and bending forward to reach their own hooves. The three seemed connected to each other and the music that swelled throughout the hall. They awed the audience with their supple grace. At a crescendo in the music, Ione and her children seemed to come alive with the music and they moved in intricate patterns with each other. At times it seemed that the three would crash into each other, but always their movements were perfectly timed. The dance lasted only a few minutes, but it was spectacular to the audience that had never seen the like. Each centaur raised their hands over their heads and clapped their hands together. A small star formed above each centaur. With a crash of cymbals, the centaurs moved their hands to the center of their circle causing the three stars to crash together. A wave of power reached to the end of the hall, and the audience looked up to see a large orb had been created from their combined power. The centaurs had ceased movement having ended up in the positions they had started in. The music seemed to have ended without the audience noticing, and the centaurs began to speak in the forgotten languages of Olympus and Avalon. Their quiet voices exuded power and were equally heard by everyone in the hall. Having spoken thus, they began to translate one at a time. Isis was the first to speak in an understandable language. Stepping forward she held up her left hand to the orb over her head.
Queen Sarah, this gift I give to thee, The gift of immortality, Let forever know that beauty be, Stopped here for all eternity.
The audience watched and saw the left side of the orb light with a blue color. Isis stepped back and Apollo came forward. He raised his right hand and spoke.
Queen Sarah, of this gift I would tell, Your wisdom all shall know well, The ignorance peoples you shall quell, This gift to thee the centaurs indwell.
Apollo stepped back as a red color came into the right side of the orb. Ione came forward raising both hands to the light.
Your Majesties both, we wish to send, Joy and prosperity no one shall rend, The happiness of Your Majesties blend, In an eternity without an end!
The two colors combined during Ione's part of the blessing creating a purple light. Apollo and Isis raised their hands with their mother. The brilliant orb moved slowly over the heads of the King and Queen where it seemed to explode, and showers of stardust settled on Jareth and Sarah. The centaurs lowered their hands and bowed while the lights returned to normal. As the hall re-lit the audience noticed the centaurs were wearing their wedding clothes again. The crowd stood and gave a round of applause for the centaurs. The more magically inclined residents of the Labyrinth knew perfectly well that the show had been unnecessary. The blessing could well have been spoken without the hypnotic dance and lights, but they still appreciated the special effects. As the evening continued, the guests gradually began to thin out until only the centaurs and royals remained. The royal wedding had taken the entire day, and the centaurs retired early to give the newlyweds some privacy. Jareth had led Sarah to the parlor that now opened off to both of their rooms. True to Isis' word, Sarah's room was fit for, well, a queen! Sarah sighed as they were finally able to relax.
"I can hardly believe that woman sometimes."
"Who, Ione?" Jareth asked inquisitively.
"Yes, Ione. She knows you and she will live forever, and I will not. So what does she do? She and her children give me immortality!"
"She's a very unselfish woman."
"I wish I could be half so unselfish!"
"Sarah, she's had centuries to fix her personality faults. You are only just beginning!"
"You always seem to know the right thing to say. When you're not torturing me in your Labyrinth that is." Jareth laughed and began to help her undo her hair. He carefully removed the sparkling diamonds and decorations then bent down to kiss her cheek. She directed him to sit down next, and she removed the coloring and glitter from his blond mane. She noticed that like most of the glitter in the Labyrinth, this glitter didn't spread all over the room and her hands. Jareth closed his eyes intoxicated by the feeling of her delicate fingers in his hair. He seemed able to tell when she finished, for the instant she was done, Jareth swept his surprised and giggling bride into his arms. She couldn't believe how quickly he'd stood and picked her up in one smooth motion. Jareth kissed her tenderly as he set her gently back on her own feet. His arms settled around her waist drawing her close to him. Sarah drew back a bit when she felt a tug on the back of her dress and saw the impish gleam in Jareth's eyes. That gleam was replaced with concern as he noticed the tension on her face.
"Jareth, I'm. I'm afraid. I mean. I've never done this."
Jareth kissed her gently to still her.
"And you won't learn until we try it."
Sarah blushed a scarlet red, and Jareth kissed her forehead. She sighed softly. She'd come back to be his, and she knew he wouldn't harm her. She felt a tug on her dress again and knew Jareth was undoing the ties of her dress. Her hands seemed to remove his coat on their own volition. Jareth made her transition easy and gentle. She was only slightly shocked when she felt his hands on her bare back. She slowly undid the buttons of his shirt while he massaged her back. He ceased holding her only long enough to allow his shirt to fall away. Her dress dropped to the floor at the same moment. With her perfect form revealed to him, it didn't take long for Jareth to hold her close once more. She didn't even notice as Jareth maneuvered them both in the direction of the bed. Sarah couldn't believe her dreams could come so true. Jareth was everything she imagined plus more as well as a willing and patient teacher.
Morning seemed to be only moments later. Sarah woke slowly. She felt fine silk beneath her cheek, and she was completely comfortable. Then she remembered the previous day and night and smiled. She opened her eyes to find Jareth awake and smiling down at her.
"Well, you look like an angel already so words can't describe you in your sleep."
"I can see why your son's name is Apollo. You certainly do look like a sun god."
Jareth laughed a little.
"Well, that's not the reason for his name, but we needn't go into that."
A look of concern flitted across her face.
"Was I ok, Jareth?"
Sarah was laying on her back, and her eyes had gone to the ceiling.
"Why would you ask?" Jareth asked as he watched her face.
"I'm just not sure I could stand it if I knew I came up short compared to the other women you've had."
Jareth leaned over her with his hands braced on either side of her head so he could look into her eyes.
"Contrary to popular belief in your world, there have not been many. Those, excepting only Ione, were long before I knew you. Ione herself was only a vent of frustration. I caused her pain not pleasure." Jareth leaned down and kissed Sarah passionately. She could feel tingling energy surging through him. "This is love, Sarah. Don't feel that you could ever fall short in my eyes."
Sarah giggled as Jareth rolled over reversing their positions. She inhaled sharply as she came down on top of him, and she noticed a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You would keep at this all day if I let you!" she accused as she shifted her weight knowing it would pleasure him. She was rewarded to see his eyes close in ecstasy.
"You, My Heart, are a quick learner!" he murmured. Sarah smiled and reversed their positions once more.
"And you, My Love, are a good teacher!"
