The whole room was tinted in champagne colors. The people were all arrayed in their finest garb, with elaborate masks hiding their faces. Fresh roses mixed with a hint of honey was the scent that permeated the mirror-borded ballroom. With bubbles floating all around, it was such a romantic scene. Everyone was laughing gaily while circling the room in the arms of a lover.
Everyone except for me.
Ah yes, always that one excpetion to the rule...and I am so happy to oblige. You see this world of fantasy never ends. It is the orb of dreams of which I am stuck in for all eternity. This is where Jareth keeps his 'most treasured possessions.' Forever to be whirled about to the timing of the lullaby, always to watch these people oblivious to their neverending drunkness on ecstasy and lust. It makes me sick to be stuck here, and even worse when a new victim is brought here.
You wouldn't notice me I blend in so well, but nonetheless I am different from everyone else here. I too am dressed in a beautiful, ornate satin gown of midnight blue with silver and black accents; with my hair in curls, and face hidden behind a mask in more ways than one. However, I see the illusion, I could break out...but I choose not to.
My name is Sadie, and I am a prisoner - albeit willingly - to Jareth, the Goblin King. The one who always gets what he wants...eventually.
Once upon a time, I was in your world, and not in the greatest of situations. My father abandoned my mother and I long ago, and my mother she was a drunk who would laugh when her myriad of 'significant others' would have their way with me. One day after years of this, I cried upon my bed, begging anyone that could here me to take me away. I was so desperate, that I remembered a book I had read long ago, a book about a mysterious and handsome goblin king. I would do anything to get out from where I was that I put aside all thoughts of being childish and screamed at the top of my lungs, "I wish that the Goblin King would take me away. Right now!"
Before I even finished saying now, an owl flew into my bedroom and transformed into a tall and beautiful man. He examined me up and down, "Hmmm, well Sadie, aren't you a pretty little thing?"
Bewildered, I blinked back the tears I had been crying and croaked out, "How do you know my name?"
"That's not important, my love. You asked to be taken away, so here I am!"
"Jareth! The Goblin King!" I whispered to myself.
"Yes, and I'm here to show your dreams, give them to you if..." he inquired suggestively as he skillfully played with a crystal ball in his hands.
"If..." I encouraged him on excitedly.
"Fear me. Do as I say. Love me. And all your dreams shall come true," he smiled at me seductively.
Fear him, well I was already deeply unsettled by how he knew my name and where to find me so that wouldn't be hard. If he could make my dreams come true, I would do anything that he wanted, so there went that. Love him? As I thought about that last requirement, I was struck by his eyes. They were so inviting, so warm. Just in his presence, I felt safe - a little uneasy - but safe. This man, this KING, who did not know me was willing to save me and he was beautiful. So beautiful.
Yes. I could love him.
As if reading my
thoughts, I took his hand. As soon as our hands touched, his smile
grew wider and we were transported into the world of which I am stuck
in now. I was enchanted by the aura of the room. Jareth nodded his
head to the right and I saw my reflection in the mirror. There were
no bruises, no scars, no matted hair, no red and puffy eyes from
crying. In place of a disheveled and beaten young girl, there was a
gorgeous woman. She had a midnight blue rennaissance era dress with
bell sleaves that had silver and black trim throughout. Her hair was
a shining ebony that was done up in soft curls that framed her face;
in her hand was a mask that was painted deep blue with silver stars
on one half, and a silver cresent moon on the other. I was surprised
to find that the reflection I saw was me.
That's when Jareth
chuckled to himself, causing me to break my revelry. He took my hand
into his and we started to dance as a song came on. He drew me closer
to him whispering in my ear, "This is our song, for as your
world was falling down, I came because you asked, because you love
me. I am here for you."
His words. The song. The dance. The sights and smells. It was too overpowering, I was completely intoxicated by what was happening. After what seemed like an endless night of heaven, Jareth abruptly took himself 6 feet away from me. I shot up in puzzled bewilderment. Before I could ask what was happening, he raised his hand, "Remember this is what you wanted, Sadie. You said that you loved me. You do. You said that you'd fear me, I see that is present as well. Now, it is time for you to do as I say. You are to remain here, in your dreams. I will be back from time to time, but until then enjoy your freedom."
With that he was gone. To where, I was unsure for a while. That was until all the pieces started to fall in place...