Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth. I do not own David Bowie, the Goblin King known as Jareth, or any character mentioned. I make no profit from this story.
Love's Alchemy
Teris
The boy on the bed looked so fragile, even more so than he had as an infant. He'd grown so weak that it took almost all of his strength to whisper her name, or suck on the ice chips she fed him attempting to slake a thirst that hadn't abated as his fever spiked and the methods that were being used to save him had begun to prove as damaging as his disease. The counselors couldn't understand her guilt. It was far greater than that of a normal sibling, that of being healthy while a loved one withered before your very eyes. No, hers was a greater guilt, because somehow she knew, she just knew that he wouldn't be going through this if she'd only been willing to give him up.
She looked at him carefully, her sad eyes caressing the sunken hollows of his eyes, and the dark bruises on his arms from the needles. She had thought that she was saving him, and had given up his future and her dreams in the process. She placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, and rubbed her hand contemplatively over where his hair had been. "Don't worry Toby, I'll fix this somehow."
She knew what she had to do, but that didn't make it any easier on her. She'd tried so hard to get him back when she'd thought him lost to the Labyrinth. She'd fought so hard to protect him then and ever since, that the thought of surrendering him to anyone hurt. The thought of surrendering him to Jareth was painful beyond words, for she knew the Goblin King would not be so disposed to kindness towards her this go round. If she wished her little brother away, she could not save him again. She held no illusions that this would be the last time that she would ever see him. He would be a goblin, and she. Well she had no idea of what would become of her, but truthfully the thought of losing Toby hurt so badly that she couldn't fathom going on without him anyway.
But surely being a goblin was better than being dead, wasn't it? For all she knew he couldn't or wouldn't help her this time, or might not be able to heal Toby even if he took him. But she'd waited as long as she could praying for a miracle, born of God or science she cared not, just so long as it saved Toby. No such miracle arrived, and she began to get desperate as he grew weaker. His time had grown short now, they were estimating a day or two at the most before his body simply gave out. Karen had been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown, triggered by the knowledge that the medicines weren't working, and her baby was going to die. Her father worked, paid the bills, and when Toby was awake visited and tried to keep the boys spirits up. But as Toby grew weaker his visits grew shorter and shorter, and her father began to age in front of her eyes.
There was nothing left to do. He may not answer her call, but she had to try. She had to ask. Because if she let any chance go by to save her brave little brother, who'd grown from a bother to the dearest thing in her life, she'd never forgive herself. Her voice was rusty, grainy from holding in screams, and tears, and heartache beyond measure. It sounded foreign to her eyes as she stared to whisper his name only to falter half way through it. She cleared her throat, licked suddenly dry lips, and clung to the rails of Toby's hospital bed for support so tightly that her knuckles went white. She closed her eyes, and drawing up the little bit of courage that she hadn't yet lost whispered her plea. "Jareth, Jareth please I need you."
AN: I've always wondered how Jareth would react to Sarah calling him again. Will he be generous? Or will he be cruel? What do you think? Thanks for reading. Let me know if you want to know what happens next.