Labyrinth II
Nearly a week had passed since Sarah's adventures in the Labyrinth. She was a true heroin in her own right. She had triumphed over her adversary. Had not shown mercy. But the sad point was that she truly did regret her decision.
She could remember the painful look in Jareth's eyes, as she had said her final words. Truth of the matter being that he had held power over her, and still did. She felt truly sad for what she had done. She had lost her friends, and the only place that she had ever felt a part of.
Sarah lay on her bed, gazing up at the ceiling. Just wondering if she may ever see her friends again. She even missed the mind games that the Goblin King loved to play. Always making himself out to be the domineering type in the simple games of life not being quite fair.
She heard laughter downstairs. Her father and Karen no doubt. Just after returning from dinner and a movie. As they did every weekend. She glanced at her clock on the bedside table. Nine pm. She still had time to go for a quick walk before bed. It was a Saturday after all. What else was there for her to do?
She gazed around for something to take with her. Her eyes rested on the red covered book. Her most favorite book. The only one that ever offered her her dreams. She picked it up, looking it over. It showed the use it had received from the course of many years. The spine was cracked, and many of the pages had creases in them, and were yellowing from age. She put it in her sleeve, and headed downstairs.
"Where are you off to at this hour of the night?", she heard a voice call out. She turned around to face her stepmother.
"For a walk. I wanted to get some air tonight. It is so nice out. And, well...." She trailed off, not wanting to cause a heated debate.
"A walk this late at night? Sarah, I'm not so sure that that is such a good idea. Earlier, perhaps, but not at this hour." Her stepmother showed a hint of motherly concern. Her and Karen had been gettng along alot better than they had in the past. But Sarah would stil not let her run her life.
Sarah looked at her father for some support.
"I won't be long. I promise, Dad. I just need to get some air. Maybe something at the store too. I won't be an hour." She pleaded gently. It never took much to sway her father to her side.
" You have an hour, Sarah. Your mother is right. You shouldn't be wandering about so late in the evening, but I'll let you get away with it just this once." He smiled at her. Karen was about to protest, but Robert shook his head. Sarah ran out the door, relieved that she could get some air. And have a little personal time to just dream away in her own little world. She headed for the park. Stopping at the samll corner store for a moment to get a sucker. She slid her book out of her sleeve. Luckily she hadn't been caught with it. Karen detested anything about fairytales. She believed that they made one to live a dreamer's existance. But Sarah didn't care. This book was the only way she had of remebering her friends, and even Jareth.
She thought of him greatly. The smallest thing would make her remember him. She admitted that he wasn't as bad as he seemed. He was merely just reflecting the way she wanted him to be. And he had actually offered her her dreams. They were what meant the most to her. She loved dressing up and pretending that things were different. She was always a lovely princess. And her prince that she envisioned, always seemed to be Jareth. Regally dressed. Just standing there holding out his hand, asking her to dance as he had in the ballroom, when Hoggle had given her his peach. She smiled slightly. If only they had met on different circumstances. Then maybe things would be different..
She sat on the ledge of the bridge, in the park, and leafed through her book. She could hear the slight churning of the brook below her. It was peaceful. The slight breeze, pressed her soft cotton shirt against her. The bell shaped arms drifing behind. It was a truly a perfect night.
Her hair flew into her face, and angerily she brushed it away. Above her, perched high in the ancient tree, sat the white owl. His feathers blew softly with the wind as well. But he kept his large yellow eyes on Sarah, below. Though she smiled, somehow she looked sad yet. As though she had lost things that were most important to her. Her eyes seemed to reflect that sense of loss.
Sarah stopped leafing through the pages of her book, and set her eyes on a certain paragraph. Then, after ensuring that there was no one around her to listen, she began to speak aloud.
"Goblin King, I emplore you," she read aloud, "grant me my dreams. And bound me not to the world above. I am a dreamer, and appreciate not the wonders of reality, but the wonders of these immacualte illusions which you have created for me. Pluck stars from the heavens and place them where you will. Change the course of time, and give me all that I desire. Just grant me the one wish, of returning the child." She lowered the book, and stared off towards the heavens. That is what Jareth had offered her. Her dreams. Her desires. But she could not have forgotton about Toby. She had created her own kettle of fish. And she had lost the things she wanted the most becasue of it.
The white owl listened to her. Watching her every move. She was so young. Yet so beautiful. He remebered himslef thinking that she was far too young to be kept by him, yet too old to be turned into a goblin. The irony of it all stabbed him in the head. And tore his heart to pieces. He was not a cruel man. But he was still bound by rules in his rhelm. He could not just let her off with all she had said and done. She had wished the child away, and, as his rhelm's laws dictated, he had to challenge her to his maze. But if he could have, he would have sent the child back, and given her everything. With absolutely no questions being asked. And now, for nearly after a week of this young maid defeating him, he stood watching her regret her choices, much as he regretted his own.
There were times when he wondered if, despite her young age, they could still live in peace, and love each other for the rest of eternity. But he also knew that asking her to give up her mortality, was a difficult thing to do. It is something that somone so young could grow to regret so much. But it seemed like everything just ended up right back at regret. But he could tell that she wanted to be with him. To have her every dream and wish fulfilled. But there was the question of trust.
His mind was revolving around in such circles that he didn't notice her leave the park. Tears falling down her cheeks that she brushed away gingerly.
Her steps were quick. She hated people seeing her cry. It made her feel so childish all the time. And that is not what she wanted to feel. She was a woman. Not a little girl. A crybaby that wept everytime something didn't go quite right.
She ran into the house, and into her room. Not answering the hello's that her parents had given her.
Karen looked at Robert, and said spitefully," See how she returns your gratitude."
Robert shook the remark off, saying that that must be what it is like for young girls growing up. And Karen just rolled her eyes, going to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
In her room, Sarah looked about angerily. She wished she could have said yes to Jareth. Wished that she still had Ludo, Didymus, and Hoggle there to confide in. She was fed up with life aboveground. She undressed quickly, sliding her nighgown on over her slim body. She was tired. She needed rest and to clear her mind of things. She wished that she could see her friends again. And to tell Jareth of the secret that lay in her heart.
As she drifted off to sleep, the white owl watched her from outside her window. She was so beautiful. So young. So innocent. Jareth loved her deeply and truly with all of his heart. though he was cruel at times, it was justifiable. His heart had turned cold after many years of loneliness. Until Sarah had come along. That first day in the park, when she had been dressed in the plain gown, receiting lines from The Book, she had forever captured his heart. He would bow down to her feet, and give her the world if he was able to.
He watched her all night. And for many more nights. No matter what the weather was. He did not care just so long as he could see her there before him. A mere image in a conjured crystal would just not do. If only he could hold her. Touch her hair. Her lips. He was beginning to drive himself mad with the thoughts that could be. And every time he seen her, her eyes diaplayed the most enormous sense of loss that multiplied every day. Her smiles were beginning to slip away. And tears were beginning to take their place. Even at school, she did not associate with others like she had once tried. She always sat alone, gazing out windows, or staring into oblivion. Her teachers lost patients with her several times, and sent her to detention, or after school work. And she would not even fight back now. Not even with Karen.
Jareth felt so bad that one night he decided that he had no other choice but to intervene. He could not let the love of his life sink farther and farther away, for fear that he may lose her altogether.
It was on a Friday night. He chose this night becasue he knew that Robert and Karen would be out for most of the night. Nearly into the wee hours of the morning. Again he watched Sarah in his owl form sleep, whilst ouside her bedroom window. The rain was gently hitting the roof top, and a soft pitter patter could be heard. Sarah did not stir. He opened the window with his magic, and transformed into his human self, walking to her bedside. He gestured his right had and the window gently closed without a sound.
He kneeled beside her, watching her chest rise and fall with every small breath that she took. Her lips were a pale shade of red, and her skin nealry pure white. It all contrasted her dark hair, which fell loosely about her. This was a moment that he had dreamed of himself for quite some time.
He brushed his lips against hers, in a gentle kiss, much like the one that he had given her in the ballroom, which felt like ages ago. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, tear stained from the many nights of crying alone.
She was gazing into his mismatched eyes. She was shocked that it was him. He was there. It was just like in her dreams. "But this has to be a dream", she thought silently. "He would not come back. How could he still love me after all that I have done to him?"
She said not a word to him. Just let a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth.
"Sarah,"he said quietly. " I have come for you, my love. Cry no more." He smiled, and kissed her again.
She frowned. "I can't help but feel sad,"she said solemnly. "I know that this must be a dream, and that when I wake up, you are not going to be here." A small tear ran down her cheek. Jareth wiped it away with his gloved thumb.
"No, Sarah. I am here. I am real," he said as he cupped her face in his hand. She sat up, not believing the truth.
"Jareth? Is it really you?", she whispered, touching his hand, looking him over, to ensure that this wasn't a dream, a delusion.
"Yes. I am here, Sarah. Here, for you." He kissed her hand.
She placed her hands over her mouth, and smiled. She touched him on the face, the shoulders, and chest. Making sure that it was him. Not a joke.
"I have missed you, so much," she said as she palced her arms around him. " I love you, Jareth, I know that now."
He wrapped his arms around her, hushing her as she wept. " I know, love. I know. I have missed you too. I've watched you every night since you left me, wishing, wondering, hoping that you would still love me, though I did not give you the child back. I could not give you the child back. If I could have, I would, but the rules..." He trailed off, and she placed a finger over his lips.
" I wanted you to come back. Every night I have dreamed of oou, Jareth. Every night. But, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to stay with you. My dreams, everything. But what was I supposed to say to you, after..... the words."
It doesn't matter anymore now, Sarah. We are together again. Nothing can take that way. Rules, the Labyrinth...nothing."
They held each other for hours. Just holding, not saying a word. Sarah buried her face in the frills of his silk shirt, and listened to his heart beating inside his chest. It was the most reassuring thing she had heard in a long time. Then after time she spoke.
" So what do we do now?", she asked quietly.
" That is your decision, Sarah. I am unsure at this point. I think that you are too young to keep, and yet too old to turn into a goblin." He chuckled, and she smiled.
"Turn me into a Goblin, your Highness?Hmmm. I could find that quite appealing. But I suppose you are unable to do that. But what do you mean 'too young to keep' ?" she looked a little alarmed. Like he might leave her forever again.
He frowned before he spoke, and sat up, stroking her face softly. "Sarah, you are sixteen years old. I am centuies old. More than I care to remember.'" He smirked. "Your heart could change, and desire another. And that would leave us in a dilemma."
She sighed, and he knew that she wasn't following him. " I know that I am only a little girl to you, Jareth, but I need you to believe me that I love you. I don't want anyone other than you." She moved her face closer to his to place a kiss on his lips. " I want to be with you." She kissed him, and the feeling lingered with him. It thrilled him.
"Sarah, what I think is the best thing to do is give you time to make certain that is what you desire. I would be devastated to learn that you no longer love me, but I would die if I had ot keep you for all eternity perfectly miserable. Wen you stay in the Underground for 72 hours, you lose your mortality. You become like me. A Fae. And I want you to make sure that that is what you want in life. To be with me.....forever." He looked at her. And she smiled back at him.
"If that is what you want, Jareth, then I will wait. But, please. Don't make me wait too long. And don't abandon me whatever you do." She smiled again, and gave him another kiss.
"I propose a year then. You will be nearly eighteen. And then, I will take you as my bride, and make you my.....Queen" He said softly. She smiled.
"And will you visit with me every night, my King?" She asked as she yawned.
"Every night. And I shall stay with you until your slumber, my Queen."
"And will you give me all my dreams?" Her eyelids were starting to feel heavy.
"All your dreams, and more, sweet Sarah. But now it is time for you to rest. I will see you again tonight. Wait for me, dear Sarah, and I will have a gift for you." He added an 'I love you' in her ear as a whisper and faded away as she drifted off to sleep. Jareth too, found sleep came fast for him, now that he knew that he had his love back.
Nearly a week had passed since Sarah's adventures in the Labyrinth. She was a true heroin in her own right. She had triumphed over her adversary. Had not shown mercy. But the sad point was that she truly did regret her decision.
She could remember the painful look in Jareth's eyes, as she had said her final words. Truth of the matter being that he had held power over her, and still did. She felt truly sad for what she had done. She had lost her friends, and the only place that she had ever felt a part of.
Sarah lay on her bed, gazing up at the ceiling. Just wondering if she may ever see her friends again. She even missed the mind games that the Goblin King loved to play. Always making himself out to be the domineering type in the simple games of life not being quite fair.
She heard laughter downstairs. Her father and Karen no doubt. Just after returning from dinner and a movie. As they did every weekend. She glanced at her clock on the bedside table. Nine pm. She still had time to go for a quick walk before bed. It was a Saturday after all. What else was there for her to do?
She gazed around for something to take with her. Her eyes rested on the red covered book. Her most favorite book. The only one that ever offered her her dreams. She picked it up, looking it over. It showed the use it had received from the course of many years. The spine was cracked, and many of the pages had creases in them, and were yellowing from age. She put it in her sleeve, and headed downstairs.
"Where are you off to at this hour of the night?", she heard a voice call out. She turned around to face her stepmother.
"For a walk. I wanted to get some air tonight. It is so nice out. And, well...." She trailed off, not wanting to cause a heated debate.
"A walk this late at night? Sarah, I'm not so sure that that is such a good idea. Earlier, perhaps, but not at this hour." Her stepmother showed a hint of motherly concern. Her and Karen had been gettng along alot better than they had in the past. But Sarah would stil not let her run her life.
Sarah looked at her father for some support.
"I won't be long. I promise, Dad. I just need to get some air. Maybe something at the store too. I won't be an hour." She pleaded gently. It never took much to sway her father to her side.
" You have an hour, Sarah. Your mother is right. You shouldn't be wandering about so late in the evening, but I'll let you get away with it just this once." He smiled at her. Karen was about to protest, but Robert shook his head. Sarah ran out the door, relieved that she could get some air. And have a little personal time to just dream away in her own little world. She headed for the park. Stopping at the samll corner store for a moment to get a sucker. She slid her book out of her sleeve. Luckily she hadn't been caught with it. Karen detested anything about fairytales. She believed that they made one to live a dreamer's existance. But Sarah didn't care. This book was the only way she had of remebering her friends, and even Jareth.
She thought of him greatly. The smallest thing would make her remember him. She admitted that he wasn't as bad as he seemed. He was merely just reflecting the way she wanted him to be. And he had actually offered her her dreams. They were what meant the most to her. She loved dressing up and pretending that things were different. She was always a lovely princess. And her prince that she envisioned, always seemed to be Jareth. Regally dressed. Just standing there holding out his hand, asking her to dance as he had in the ballroom, when Hoggle had given her his peach. She smiled slightly. If only they had met on different circumstances. Then maybe things would be different..
She sat on the ledge of the bridge, in the park, and leafed through her book. She could hear the slight churning of the brook below her. It was peaceful. The slight breeze, pressed her soft cotton shirt against her. The bell shaped arms drifing behind. It was a truly a perfect night.
Her hair flew into her face, and angerily she brushed it away. Above her, perched high in the ancient tree, sat the white owl. His feathers blew softly with the wind as well. But he kept his large yellow eyes on Sarah, below. Though she smiled, somehow she looked sad yet. As though she had lost things that were most important to her. Her eyes seemed to reflect that sense of loss.
Sarah stopped leafing through the pages of her book, and set her eyes on a certain paragraph. Then, after ensuring that there was no one around her to listen, she began to speak aloud.
"Goblin King, I emplore you," she read aloud, "grant me my dreams. And bound me not to the world above. I am a dreamer, and appreciate not the wonders of reality, but the wonders of these immacualte illusions which you have created for me. Pluck stars from the heavens and place them where you will. Change the course of time, and give me all that I desire. Just grant me the one wish, of returning the child." She lowered the book, and stared off towards the heavens. That is what Jareth had offered her. Her dreams. Her desires. But she could not have forgotton about Toby. She had created her own kettle of fish. And she had lost the things she wanted the most becasue of it.
The white owl listened to her. Watching her every move. She was so young. Yet so beautiful. He remebered himslef thinking that she was far too young to be kept by him, yet too old to be turned into a goblin. The irony of it all stabbed him in the head. And tore his heart to pieces. He was not a cruel man. But he was still bound by rules in his rhelm. He could not just let her off with all she had said and done. She had wished the child away, and, as his rhelm's laws dictated, he had to challenge her to his maze. But if he could have, he would have sent the child back, and given her everything. With absolutely no questions being asked. And now, for nearly after a week of this young maid defeating him, he stood watching her regret her choices, much as he regretted his own.
There were times when he wondered if, despite her young age, they could still live in peace, and love each other for the rest of eternity. But he also knew that asking her to give up her mortality, was a difficult thing to do. It is something that somone so young could grow to regret so much. But it seemed like everything just ended up right back at regret. But he could tell that she wanted to be with him. To have her every dream and wish fulfilled. But there was the question of trust.
His mind was revolving around in such circles that he didn't notice her leave the park. Tears falling down her cheeks that she brushed away gingerly.
Her steps were quick. She hated people seeing her cry. It made her feel so childish all the time. And that is not what she wanted to feel. She was a woman. Not a little girl. A crybaby that wept everytime something didn't go quite right.
She ran into the house, and into her room. Not answering the hello's that her parents had given her.
Karen looked at Robert, and said spitefully," See how she returns your gratitude."
Robert shook the remark off, saying that that must be what it is like for young girls growing up. And Karen just rolled her eyes, going to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
In her room, Sarah looked about angerily. She wished she could have said yes to Jareth. Wished that she still had Ludo, Didymus, and Hoggle there to confide in. She was fed up with life aboveground. She undressed quickly, sliding her nighgown on over her slim body. She was tired. She needed rest and to clear her mind of things. She wished that she could see her friends again. And to tell Jareth of the secret that lay in her heart.
As she drifted off to sleep, the white owl watched her from outside her window. She was so beautiful. So young. So innocent. Jareth loved her deeply and truly with all of his heart. though he was cruel at times, it was justifiable. His heart had turned cold after many years of loneliness. Until Sarah had come along. That first day in the park, when she had been dressed in the plain gown, receiting lines from The Book, she had forever captured his heart. He would bow down to her feet, and give her the world if he was able to.
He watched her all night. And for many more nights. No matter what the weather was. He did not care just so long as he could see her there before him. A mere image in a conjured crystal would just not do. If only he could hold her. Touch her hair. Her lips. He was beginning to drive himself mad with the thoughts that could be. And every time he seen her, her eyes diaplayed the most enormous sense of loss that multiplied every day. Her smiles were beginning to slip away. And tears were beginning to take their place. Even at school, she did not associate with others like she had once tried. She always sat alone, gazing out windows, or staring into oblivion. Her teachers lost patients with her several times, and sent her to detention, or after school work. And she would not even fight back now. Not even with Karen.
Jareth felt so bad that one night he decided that he had no other choice but to intervene. He could not let the love of his life sink farther and farther away, for fear that he may lose her altogether.
It was on a Friday night. He chose this night becasue he knew that Robert and Karen would be out for most of the night. Nearly into the wee hours of the morning. Again he watched Sarah in his owl form sleep, whilst ouside her bedroom window. The rain was gently hitting the roof top, and a soft pitter patter could be heard. Sarah did not stir. He opened the window with his magic, and transformed into his human self, walking to her bedside. He gestured his right had and the window gently closed without a sound.
He kneeled beside her, watching her chest rise and fall with every small breath that she took. Her lips were a pale shade of red, and her skin nealry pure white. It all contrasted her dark hair, which fell loosely about her. This was a moment that he had dreamed of himself for quite some time.
He brushed his lips against hers, in a gentle kiss, much like the one that he had given her in the ballroom, which felt like ages ago. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, tear stained from the many nights of crying alone.
She was gazing into his mismatched eyes. She was shocked that it was him. He was there. It was just like in her dreams. "But this has to be a dream", she thought silently. "He would not come back. How could he still love me after all that I have done to him?"
She said not a word to him. Just let a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth.
"Sarah,"he said quietly. " I have come for you, my love. Cry no more." He smiled, and kissed her again.
She frowned. "I can't help but feel sad,"she said solemnly. "I know that this must be a dream, and that when I wake up, you are not going to be here." A small tear ran down her cheek. Jareth wiped it away with his gloved thumb.
"No, Sarah. I am here. I am real," he said as he cupped her face in his hand. She sat up, not believing the truth.
"Jareth? Is it really you?", she whispered, touching his hand, looking him over, to ensure that this wasn't a dream, a delusion.
"Yes. I am here, Sarah. Here, for you." He kissed her hand.
She placed her hands over her mouth, and smiled. She touched him on the face, the shoulders, and chest. Making sure that it was him. Not a joke.
"I have missed you, so much," she said as she palced her arms around him. " I love you, Jareth, I know that now."
He wrapped his arms around her, hushing her as she wept. " I know, love. I know. I have missed you too. I've watched you every night since you left me, wishing, wondering, hoping that you would still love me, though I did not give you the child back. I could not give you the child back. If I could have, I would, but the rules..." He trailed off, and she placed a finger over his lips.
" I wanted you to come back. Every night I have dreamed of oou, Jareth. Every night. But, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to stay with you. My dreams, everything. But what was I supposed to say to you, after..... the words."
It doesn't matter anymore now, Sarah. We are together again. Nothing can take that way. Rules, the Labyrinth...nothing."
They held each other for hours. Just holding, not saying a word. Sarah buried her face in the frills of his silk shirt, and listened to his heart beating inside his chest. It was the most reassuring thing she had heard in a long time. Then after time she spoke.
" So what do we do now?", she asked quietly.
" That is your decision, Sarah. I am unsure at this point. I think that you are too young to keep, and yet too old to turn into a goblin." He chuckled, and she smiled.
"Turn me into a Goblin, your Highness?Hmmm. I could find that quite appealing. But I suppose you are unable to do that. But what do you mean 'too young to keep' ?" she looked a little alarmed. Like he might leave her forever again.
He frowned before he spoke, and sat up, stroking her face softly. "Sarah, you are sixteen years old. I am centuies old. More than I care to remember.'" He smirked. "Your heart could change, and desire another. And that would leave us in a dilemma."
She sighed, and he knew that she wasn't following him. " I know that I am only a little girl to you, Jareth, but I need you to believe me that I love you. I don't want anyone other than you." She moved her face closer to his to place a kiss on his lips. " I want to be with you." She kissed him, and the feeling lingered with him. It thrilled him.
"Sarah, what I think is the best thing to do is give you time to make certain that is what you desire. I would be devastated to learn that you no longer love me, but I would die if I had ot keep you for all eternity perfectly miserable. Wen you stay in the Underground for 72 hours, you lose your mortality. You become like me. A Fae. And I want you to make sure that that is what you want in life. To be with me.....forever." He looked at her. And she smiled back at him.
"If that is what you want, Jareth, then I will wait. But, please. Don't make me wait too long. And don't abandon me whatever you do." She smiled again, and gave him another kiss.
"I propose a year then. You will be nearly eighteen. And then, I will take you as my bride, and make you my.....Queen" He said softly. She smiled.
"And will you visit with me every night, my King?" She asked as she yawned.
"Every night. And I shall stay with you until your slumber, my Queen."
"And will you give me all my dreams?" Her eyelids were starting to feel heavy.
"All your dreams, and more, sweet Sarah. But now it is time for you to rest. I will see you again tonight. Wait for me, dear Sarah, and I will have a gift for you." He added an 'I love you' in her ear as a whisper and faded away as she drifted off to sleep. Jareth too, found sleep came fast for him, now that he knew that he had his love back.