Fairy Dust
Chapter One: Living in the Castle
Summary: Jareth has given Sarah magical power but there's a catch…she has one year to learn how to use her ability and she must live in the Underground.
Disclaimer: Labyrinth is the property of the Jim Henson Company, George Lucas, etc and so on…yeah.
Author's Note: this story has actually been in the works a while longer than the one shots that I've done. I'm sure I'll end up going back to those and eventually making a story out of them but I don't really have a story line to go with those yet. I think I'll just be jumping back and forth between this one and 'Just Hold On' for now. Anyway, hope you enjoy this story.
Sarah was mad. No, furious. Why she had ever agreed to this was beyond her, but there was nothing she could do about it now. A year…Sarah Williams was living in the Underground for an entire year and it was her own fault. "Had you not told that story before you so unkindly wished away young Toby, you might not be in this mess."The Goblin King had informed her when he had come for her. At first, Sarah hadn't had a clue as to what he was talking about. Sure she'd told him the story of the Labyrinth, but…then she realized. And he had given her certain powers…. That had been it. Sarah had magical abilities that the Goblin King had given her when she had brought the story to life. As a result she now had to deal with living in the Underground until she learned to control those abilities. It had only been after she had gotten to the Underground that the Goblin King had informed her it could take more than a year to learn how to properly control her abilities. Needless to say she was irked.
Oh it wouldn't have been so bad if she could see her friends. She would have probably enjoyed herself then…but no. She would be here for a year, with only goblins and that stuck up Fae King for company! Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus had been sent off on a mission three months before Sarah had been brought to the Underground. Now, having been in the Underground for less than twenty-four hours, Sarah was alone, in her room in the castle at the center of the Labyrinth.
"Stupid story" Sarah muttered.
"Now I know you don't mean that."
Sarah spun around from where she stood on the balcony to find Jareth leaning in the doorway. Ugh, why now? Why did he always appear when she least wanted to see him?
"What does it matter to you if I mean it or don't." Sarah said turning back to the balcony.
"It doesn't really" The Fae King said shrugging.
Sarah glanced at him as he walked over to stand beside her, almost surprised by his answer. "Oh?"
"I simply do not wish to deal with your negative attitude." He told her clasping his hands together behind his back as he too stared out over the Labyrinth. "I do hope you don't plan on staying this upset for the duration of your stay. It could make your training much harder, or worse it could take longer."
Training? What did he thing he was…Master Yoda? "Well if you would leave me alone to calm down for a while, then maybe I wouldn't be so upset." Sarah grumbled.
Jareth smirked. "Temper, temper, Sarah. I am trying to be patience with you, but my generosity will only last so long."
Sarah huffed. Ugh, again with the 'I have been generous stuff'. What was it with this man and saying things that were so obviously untrue?
"I came to see if you like to have lunch." Jareth stated turning to look at her.
You might as well deal with it, she thought to herself. It's not like he's being really all out evil, he's just a royal pain. Sarah giggled at the thought.
"Something amuses you, Sarah?" Jareth raised an eyebrow, looking slightly annoyed.
Sarah bit her lip, still grinning. "It's nothing" she said simply.
Jareth sighed. "Very well then, if you'll come with me" he extended his arm to her.
For a moment Sarah hesitated, but then took his arm, receiving a rather irritating smirk from Jareth. They headed down a long corridor, passing several doors and halls as they went. They turned and went down a few more halls, Sarah found herself getting lost in the twists and turns. They finally came upon a set of Victorian styled double doors at the end of the hall. Jareth moved to open the door, letting Sarah inside then followed in behind.
Sarah was in awe. The room they had entered was a gigantic dining hall. The walls were a silvery white color, and stretched up about as high as a basketball court. The windows looked like the kind you only found in an old castle in England or a cathedral with three glass panels next to each other, the one in the middle being the tallest. The draperies were a deep royal blue that shimmered slightly when it moved. The floor was tiled in a dark marble color that reflected the sunlight through the windows. To the far right of the room was a very large fireplace. In front of it were two comfortable looking chairs and on each side of the fireplace was a bookshelf. Back in the center of the room were two rectangular tables that stood side by side, almost as long as the room.
Sarah turned back to Jareth. "This room is amazing. Why didn't I see it when I was here the first time?"
"Well for one" Jareth said walking over to stand beside her as she gazed at the room. "The castle was rebuilt not long after you defeated me."
"Oh" Sarah said looking down. "Was that my fault?"
Jareth chuckled. "Not unless you have the ability to transform into a bunch of drunken goblins hell bent on making a mess of my castle then no I don't think it was your fault Sarah."
Jareth escorted Sarah to the table and pulled out the chair for her. Sarah sat down then Jareth sat beside her. It was only moments after that an old woman came out.
"Afternoon your Majesty" the old woman said.
"Good Afternoon to you as well, Ophelia." Jareth gave the old woman a smile, Sarah noted; it was respectful as well as genuine.
Ophelia seemed much older, probably about Sarah's grandmother's age, but she had deep green eyes and a motherly smile. She stood almost as tall as Jareth, her gray hair up in a Gibson girl bun; she had a slightly Irish accent when she spoke. She was fae, Sarah noted, seeing the slight sparkle to the old woman's skin. Sarah decided that she liked this woman. There was something spunky hidden behind the woman's green eyes that she couldn't quite place, but she liked it.
Jareth glanced at Sarah, slightly amused at the look on her face, then back to Ophelia. "Ophelia, this is Sarah. She will be staying with us as a guest for a while."
"Pleased to meet you, Lady Sarah." Ophelia curtsied.
"Please, don't do that." Sarah said smiling at the woman. "It's wonderful to meet you to Ophelia."
"Likewise, m'lady." Ophelia sighed and glanced at the king. "So, what will it be for lunch today, your majesty?"
Sarah glanced from Ophelia to Jareth. There had been a slight hint of motherly irritation in the old woman's voice when she'd spoken. Sarah could see Jareth attempting to hide his amusement by covering his mouth with his hand in thought.
"I'll bring you tea while you decide, my lord." Ophelia stated, and then was gone.
Jareth chuckled and shook his head staring off in the direction the fae woman had gone.
Sarah looked at the Goblin King with confusion, but decided against saying anything. She'd never seen him actually enjoying himself before today and didn't want to spoil the cheerful atmosphere.
"So what would you like, Sarah?" Jareth said returning his attention to her. "Ophelia can make anything."
"Including things that we have aboveground?" Sarah asked slightly surprised.
"Most things I would assume. Although I'm quite certain that there are some things that she hasn't learned how to make yet."
Sarah nodded and thought for a moment. She really wasn't all that hungry just yet, maybe just a little something.
Ophelia returned with a tray carrying two glasses and a bottle of what look to Sarah like wine.
"Here's the last of your cider, your majesty." Ophelia stated slightly irritated. "Those goblins of yours have gotten into my cellar again!"
"That's the last bottle?" Jareth asked slightly irritated.
"Did I not just say that?" Ophelia said folding her arms. "Now did you decide on what you want or do I surprise you?"
"You may surprise me, Ophelia, since you so enjoy giving your king a hard time." Jareth said irritated as he conjured a crystal.
Ophelia rolled her eyes then looked at Sarah. The young woman seemed slightly nervous and hadn't said a word.
"What would you like for me to make, my lady?" she asked gently.
Sarah thought for a moment more. "Well since I'm not too hungry…could you make muffins?"
"I can do better than that" Ophelia said smiling brightly. "I'll make blueberry muffins."
Sarah smiled. The older woman seemed to take pleasure in simply doing for others. "I'd like that very much, thank you."
"You're quite welome, my lady." Ophelia smiled at her. "Tell, his majesty when he's finished yelling at those goblins that I'll have his pecan pie ready shortly." With a 'humph', Ophelia walked from the room.
Sarah giggled at the cook's irritation with the Goblin King. It was good to know she wasn't the only one who got irritated by his royal highness.
"If I find that any more of you have gotten into the cellar I will throw you in the bog of stench. Is that clear?" Jareth yelled at the goblin through his crystal.
"P...P...Per...Perfectly…sir." the little goblin said, obviously frightened.
Before another word was said, Jareth tossed the crystal up in the air only for it to disappear into nothing. He turned back in his chair, taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. "Now, my dear Sarah, where were we?"
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "My dear Sarah?"
The Goblin King gave a slightly irritated look but said nothing. He took the bottle and poured out the cider into the glasses.
"Is that your only threat?" Sarah asked taking a sip from her glass. "Because if it is, it's no wonder your subjects don't listen to you."
"Is what my only threat?" Jareth asked leaning back into his chair.
"If you don't listen I'll throw you in the bog" Sarah said impersonating the fae king.
Jareth glared at Sarah and cleared his throat before speaking. "As a matter of fact, my child, it isn't. I have many threats it's just that that particular one is a favorite."
"Ah" Sarah took a sip from her glass to hide the giggle she knew was coming.
"Believe me, soon you'll want to throw a few of my subjects into the bog I'm sure. They can be…quite messy, irritating, little things."
Sarah snorted. "So I've noticed. If you remember I did see the throne room the first time I was here and let me tell you, it was nothing to write home about."
Jareth rolled his eyes. "Well if it's any consolation to you, my dear, it is no longer that messy. On the contrary it's quite the opposite."
Sarah nodded and said nothing.
For quite sometime the Sarah and the Fae King sat silently. Each lost in their own thoughts. The only sound to be heard was the ticking of a clock that seemed to be hanging from nothing….
"You do realize what you're doing by keeping me here." Sarah whispered, breaking the silence. "I'll miss Toby's thirteenth birthday, I won't have a job to go back to…my parents will probably think I'm dead…" She looked up a Jareth. "My life will be in disaster by the time I return."
Jareth felt his anger rush through him. Once again he was giving her a precious gift, and it was being thrown back into his face. "There's not much I can do about that, Sarah." Jareth stated coldly. "The magic that was given to you at fifteen must be controlled."
"What magic?" her voice raised now, and she stood from her chair. "I haven't used any magic! I wouldn't know how to in the first place. It's been fun, Goblin King, but let me tell you, I can't stay here for an entire year! I have a life; I have people who care about me that I need to go home to!"
Jareth stood and grabbed Sarah's arm, turning her to face him. "I can't send you home. In time you will understand this, but for now you will listen and be more respectful." His voice was cold, angry yet almost unfeelingly so.
Sarah felt fear. The look in the Goblin King's mismatched eyes was so full of anger. "I'm not one of your subjects, Jareth. I will not be spoken to in that manner." She told him, her voice as cold as his had been. "Let me go."
It was a command, not a request and Jareth knew as much. His grip tightened and he pulled her away from her seat and away from the table. "As long as you are living in my castle, you are one of my subjects. Learn respect or you will suffer the consequences."
Jareth let go of Sarah's arm roughly then backed away vanishing as he did so.
Sarah glanced around the room, making sure that he had really gone, and then rubbed her arm. His grip had been strong, but had not hurt her, at least not physically. Jareth had hurt her feelings and her pride. Sarah felt a tear rolling down her cheek and wiped it away. She couldn't break down, not here. She needed to go back to her room before she did that.
How do I get to my room, she thought slightly angrier. I don't even know how to do that! She plopped down on the floor where she stood, hugging her knees. She couldn't even go to her own room to break down in private. It just wasn't fair!
"Why my lady what happened?"
Sarah looked up and found Ophelia setting lunch on the table.
"I…I…" she trailed off.
The old fae woman walked over and knelt down beside her. "What is it child? Tell me what happened."
"I…I can't…go home. I'm here for an entire year, without seeing my family, my friends…without going the different places I want to go, without seeing the things I want to see. I'll miss Toby's birthday…"
Ophelia nodded. "I understand, my dear believe me, but is that all that happened?"
"He…he was so angry with me." Sarah wiped another tear. "But it's not right; I should be able to go home. He can't just keep me here, and he can't treat me like that, I'm not one of his subjects, and I'm not here by choice!"
Ophelia wrapped her arms around Sarah in a comforting hug. "I know, I know dear, just let it out. His Majesty can be very cruel sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Sarah asked. "He was like that the entire time I first met him. I doubt it's sometimes."
"Don't judge him completely just yet my dear." Ophelia warned gently. "Remember that things aren't always what they seem here."
Sarah nodded and rubbed her arm absently.
"What's wrong with your arm child?"
"He gripped it a little tightly and it tingles." Sarah sniffed.
Ophelia closed her eyes trying to keep calm. "I'll speak to him about that don't you worry."
"Could you take me to my room, I don't remember the way back."
Sarah's voice now steady, and seemingly calm, Ophelia decided to agree. "Of course, my lady, you should rest, especially after that. "
"Thank you." Sarah said. She stood, brushed off her jeans then faced Ophelia. "Ready."
The old woman took Sarah by the hand and led her down the halls, explaining in detail where they were and what was where. She knew Sarah would not remember it all, but hopefully she'd remember enough to know how to get from the dining hall to her room. They stopped in front of Sarah's door, and Ophelia turned to face Sarah.
"I'll bring your dinner to your room after you rest up, my lady. If you wish I could show you the way down to the kitchens after you've had your dinner. That way if you need me you know where to find me."
"I'd like that Ophelia thank you." Sarah smiled through the few tears that were in her eyes.
Ophelia squeezed her hand then headed down the hall, but stopped for a moment and turned back to Sarah who was already half way into her room. "It's really not that bad here, my lady. You'll see, I promise."
Sarah nodded, trying to look as optimistic as Ophelia. "Thanks, I hope your right." With that she disappeared into her room. Finally able to break down private.
So what do you guys think? The first chapter is actually longer than i expected to write it but..hey it had a mind of its own! I couldn't stop it. It just kept going and going and going...yeah you get the picture. Anyway please please please review!!! I really want to know what you think of this one! Thankies in advance to all you wonderful people!
AvitarGirl