I don't own the labyrinth, but I do own this story. :)
In case you didn't read the summary, this is the sequel to The Challenge. Make sure to read that first, or else you're going to be confused. :)
Ahh! I couldn't do it! After I posted the last chapter last night, all I could think about was the stupid sequel! All I wanted was a break from writing ridiculously long and complicated stories, but would my brain listen? Nooooo. But I refuse to give in! I have another story to write, one that must be completed on Thursday! So now that this itch has been scratched, I will force myself to put it away. :) What that means is that this is just a chapter to tease y'all until I decide it's time to get serious. :) I hope you enjoy it... It's all your getting for a few weeks... Kukukuku... :)
Prologue
A bride's wedding day is supposed to be the happy culmination of months, weeks, and days of worry and planning. It is the start of a new life for the bride and should be one of the most memorable days of her life.
For Sarah Williams though, the day of her wedding was passing by in a blur. She hardly remembered waking up in her fiancé's, soon to be husband's, arms, getting ready had gone by as if time was stuck on fast forward, and before she knew it, here she was at the door of the castle, about to walk out and be married.
The two short, ugly goblins standing guard and waiting to open the doors for her exchanged an amused look as Sarah bid them to wait. Frantically she clutched her bouquet of blood red roses and white baby's breath, desperately trying to regain an ounce of poise.
Shit, shit, shit, shit! How did this day come already? I'm about to be married! It seemed like just yesterday Jareth had given his announcement to the court that they were to be wed. The next three months were gone in a blink of the eye and now here she was, slightly panicking about what was to take place.
With out her noticing, a figure came up from behind and whispered in her ear, "Having second thoughts?"
A strangled shriek was wrenched from her throat and her heart began to thud rapidly in her chest. Whirling to face the voice, she met the amused smirk and laughing eyes of the love of her life. "Jareth!" She chocked out. "You almost gave me a heart attack! How would you have explained that to our guests?" Shooting him an icy glare she said, "If I wasn't having second thoughts before, I am now!"
He chuckled at her anger, taking her into his arms before she could stop him. "As if I would allow you to have second thoughts," he murmured huskily to her.
Hearing his sensual whisper never failed to send a shiver of delight all through out her body. As he began to press kisses against her cheek and along her jaw line, she gave a small sigh of pleasure, her anger instantly gone. "One of these days this won't work," she told him as she clasped her hands around his neck.
"By then you'll have resigned yourself to me and I won't need it anymore," he said against her skin, sending warm puffs of air that raised goose bumps with each word. She laughed at his words, quieting though when his mouth descended onto hers.
The two were content to remain locked in their embrace, not caring that hundreds of people waited outside for them, or that they had an audience of two very uncomfortable goblins. However, when a discreet cough came from behind them they reluctantly parted. Lord Avery, Jareth's right hand man, stood with a hand over his mouth, a pained expression attempting to cover up his laughter as he coughed again delicately.
Sarah rolled her eyes at the fae lord before saying, "Yes Avery?"
"My lady," he began, clicking his heels together and giving her a debonair bow, "I hate to interrupt you, but there are a few people waiting to see you. Shall we proceed with this ceremony or are you and my lord otherwise occupied?"
Jareth answered for his fiancé, telling the lord, "Far be it for the happy couple to have a moment together before the wedding. The ceremony will proceed on as scheduled and maybe later we will be able to have a moment alone."
"My lord, you of all people should know that a king's time is not his own," Avery said with a grin. With one last bow he left the pair alone.
Sarah let loose another sigh, this time of frustration. Even now that they were together and about to be wed they were constantly getting interrupted. Catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror hanging on the wall she smoothed back a piece of hair and checked the rest of her appearance. Jareth's reflection soon joined hers and he placed a comforting arm around her waist. "Is everything ok my dear?"
Other than I'm about to throw up? "No Jareth, everything's fine," she told him with a shaky smile, trying to dispel her nerves. At his incredulous look she gave up her brave face. "It's nothing… just jitters I guess. I think all brides get them."
A frown appeared on his handsome face and his mismatched eyes became slightly cloudy. "Are you really having doubts?" There was a low note of hurt in his voice and a brief moment of pain across his face.
Quickly Sarah reassured him, placing a small hand against his cheek. "Not about you or the love in my heart." She gave him a quick kiss to reinforce her words, letting the barrier across her thoughts to slip enough to allow him to know the truth of her words.
His eyes cleared and his frown disappeared at her words and mental assurance. Pressing her for an answer though he asked, "Then what troubles you?"
"It's just a feeling I guess. Everything has been so hard up until now; I keep waiting for something disastrous to happen."
She felt the tension release from his body at her words and he gave her a dazzling smile. "My dear, nothing bad will happen today, that I promise you." His hand gave her a gentle squeeze along her side and he led her back over to the wide double doors. "I think it's time that we get this over with, don't you?"
She smiled softly at him, wishing to believe what he said, but still worried. "Yes I believe so." Turning a lascivious grin on him she added, "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can have my way with you!"
He chuckled appreciatively at her, a lustful gleam in his eye. "I'll hold you to that my dear." One last kiss against her cheek and he disappeared, using his magic to take him outside and get into place.
Sarah took a deep breath, preparing herself for what lay ahead. This is it! I'm about to be married! The thought of being joined to Jareth for the rest of their lives and beyond filled her heart with joy, but a shadow of apprehension still swept over her senses and made her want to call a halt to the proceedings. Get a grip Sarah! It's just jitters, relax! A sudden blare of trumpets broke her out of her musings and she instinctively straightened her back and shoulders, lifting her chin proudly and letting a smile float across her face.
As the fanfare ended she nodded to the goblins, blinking slightly as the doors were opened and brilliant sunlight left her blinded for a moment. When the spots had cleared, she looked out at the people arrayed out in rows before her. Hundreds of seats had been placed for the guests and they filled the large open courtyard to the max. Mixed in with the fae courtiers were goblins, dwarves, fairies, trolls, unicorns, dragons, and many other magical beasts and creatures. All stood in a hushed silence, eyeing the vision of beauty and grace displayed before them by the young mortal woman dressed in a white satin gown. At the end of the long pathway strewn with flowers, eyes trained on her, stood Jareth, along with her three dear friends, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and Hoggle.
Taking one last deep breath, Sarah prepared herself to walk forward and begin her new life as beloved wife and Queen of the Goblins. However, before she could take more than a single step forward, a loud booming voice filled the air around them, magically amplified through out the whole labyrinth. "Do not proceed any further with this travesty!"
A sudden gasp rippled through the assembled guests and whispered conversations suddenly broke out. A thunderous expression appeared on Jareth's face as a form suddenly materialized before him.
Lady Regna, Jareth's hated mother, stood before all dressed in black and bearing a smile of vindictive pleasure. Sarah stood confused for a moment, unsure what to do, when two more fae that had the looked to be guards materialized on either side of her and grabbed her arms. A startled cry came from her mouth as they suddenly began to pull her forward, forcing her to come with them.
The scowl on Jareth's face turned murderous and he moved as if to stop them. Two more guards appeared and held Jareth back, preventing him from going to her. Lady Regna smirked in satisfaction, shooting a look of warning at Sarah's friends as they too moved as if to join her.
Sarah fought against her captors the whole way, but they were too strong for her. When she finally stood before Lady Regna, she glared at her, filled with hate and contempt. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Serving the law," was the lady's response in a low voice for Sarah's ears alone. "And seeking my revenge at the same time." To the crowd now she said, "This mortal girl believes herself to be the equal of us! Our laws are clear on this matter and yet she chooses to disregard them. By order of the High King and council, she shall be punished for her actions."
Before any could react or move a muscle to stop her, Lady Regna conjured a large jeweled dagger and plunged it through Sarah's heart. Sarah felt nothing but a sharp burn and could only stand in confusion at the gold hilt protruding from her chest.
The guards holding her abruptly let go while the crowd around her began to scream. With a mighty wrench, Jareth threw off the two fae holding him and gave a loud roar of anger, running to her side. Sarah barely heard any of it as her vision began to dim and a slow thudding sound filled her ears. With out her knowing what was happening, her knees gave out and she began to crumple. Jareth was instantly there, cradling her tenderly and yelling her name.
Her vision became foggy and it wasn't until she felt a wetness on her cheeks that she realized she was crying. Idly, a part of her brain that had detached from herself noted the wild pandemonium around her. Goblins ran helter-skelter, guests shrieked in panic not knowing what to do, and her three friends were engaged in a fight with Regna's guards as they tried to get at the lady.
Jareth kneeled with her on the ground, still calling her name and holding a hand over her chest. She tried to lift a hand up to him, but her body ignored her, lying inert. "Jar..eth…" She managed to push out past her lips.
His eyes locked onto hers, his filled with sorrow and a distant fury, hers already slightly glazed. "Shush Sarah," he told her, "Don't try to talk until I heal you."
She felt his magic sweep through her body, but it was useless. A large crimson pool had already collected around her and her skin had taken on a transparent look. The burn she felt around the blade was quickly intensifying, making it almost impossible to breathe. With a sudden bolt of clarity, Sarah knew she was dying.
Tears continued to fall from her hazy eyes and she used every last bit of strength and will she had to lift up one cold hand and grab onto his much warmer one. She tried to give him a reassuring squeeze, but her fingers couldn't cooperate. A spasm made her vision go black for a moment and when it cleared she saw Jareth hovering over her shouting her name. "Damnit Sarah! Open your eyes!"
A pained smile stretched her lips as she whispered to him, "Don't yell at me, I'm dying."
The smile fell as another lance of pain hit her, causing her to shudder. Jareth held her tightly, large tears beginning to fall from his eyes. "You're not dying Sarah, you're too stubborn for that," he told her between chocking sobs.
She tried to say another joke in response, but with each second that passed she felt her heart beat slow. Only a small trickle of blood fell from her now and her tears had dried, as if there was nothing left with in her. Her eyelids were too heavy and she felt like she couldn't hold them up anymore. "I… love…" But the words died on her lips as her heart beat one last time.
Jareth felt it and shattered. Her spirit was gone and all that he had to hold onto was her broken body. "Sarah," he whispered.
"Sarah!" He screamed, the world igniting around them in flames.
I anxiously await your reviews on THAT. :) Until next time...