A/N: I do not own any part of the Labyrinth save for my own rambling additions...
This is the first of 100 stories surrounding the fantasy world in our favorite David Bowie movie. I chose randomly and while it was not easy (nor my best work) I have come up with this little nugget for you to enjoy. Reviews are always welcome...
Robert Williams could not believe the gall of Sarah's friend. It was one thing for the arrogant, curiously dressed foreigner to weasel his way into the family circle, entertain his only son, and charm his wife and two daughters. With his dashing good looks and his suave personality, Robert was sensible enough to accept that the interloper would always be something of a novelty, especially for the women in the house. He was man enough to know that his own position was in no way threatened by the 'younger' man's arrival - at least not in any of the important ways anyway.
Still, it was not right.
Never once, had anyone else come close to challenging him on this rather delicate point, and now it seemed that Sarah's significant other was finally going to break that record.
The patriarch of the Williams family narrowed his eyes in concentration, remembering the dinner conversation that led to his current predicament. As if sensing his thoughts, the man facing him smirked knowingly.
"Regretting the decision to take me up on my offer?" The conceited little bugger grinned widely as Robert glared at him in retaliation. "I will tell you now that I always win."
A not so discreet cough sounded from the object of the 'younger' man's affection and Robert nearly laughed aloud at the scowl that crossed his opponent's face.
"That is a moot point to continue rubbing in my face precious," He growled, temporarily distracted from the challenge to stare down the green-eyed beauty that Robert was having a hard time letting go especially into the arms of this strange enigma with guts enough to throw down the gauntlet. "I won in the end and you know it."
"Only because you cheated and the rules were not explained to me until after the game was over," Sarah retorted with a coquettish wink at her beau that nearly gave her poor father a stroke.
Since when did his innocent Sarah learn the art of seduction?
"I do not see you complaining at all my love," Toby gagged from his position at his older sister's side and Robert frantically looked to his wife for assistance. Karen studiously ignored her husband, cooing at the newest member of the family while Sarah leaned over to place a kiss on her half-sister's downy head.
"Can we get back to the matter at hand?" Robert managed to gasp out, concerned that his entire world was being turned upside down at the devious hands of his daughter and her suitor. "I would like to finish tonight if possible."
"Certainly. My apologies, Mr. Williams," The feral look in the 'younger' man's eyes cleared up immediately, and both men turned their attention back to their situation.
Several long moments later, Sarah's beau grinned triumphantly and made his final move.
"I believe that is checkmate sir," He smugly stated as the onlookers cheered for various reasons – most having nothing to do with his winning move. Having sat for several hours while the two men fought their battle, they were all very relieved it was finally over.
Robert gaped at the board, an old, family heirloom passed down from father to son for many generations. He was flabbergasted and mentally reviewing the final moves to make certain it had all been done correctly. Never, in all his long years had he ever been bested in this game – especially by an upstart, rich foreigner with designs on his daughter. Leaning back he contemplated the young suitor with a calculating eye and begrudging respect.
"Never once have I been beaten in the game of chess young man," He wondered absently at the choking sound that Sarah made during his comment. "However, I must concede that for once, you are the better man."
"I appreciate that sir," Sarah's special friend actually seemed to drop his arrogant demeanor for a moment. His next words quickly restored his personality to its vain conceit. "My prize if you will allow me to ask it of you."
"What is it you wish to claim as your prize?" Robert returned thoughtfully, suddenly wishing he had set more specific stakes before the game began.
"It is a trifle really," The wish grew stronger as the victor's feral grin turned once more to linger on his innocent daughter. Sarah's blushes seemed to indicate that she already knew what the man wanted. "I wish to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."
The words left his mouth with a resounding bellow as Robert's face became an alarming shade of purple and he hastily stood.
"You challenged me to a game of chess so that you could ask to marry my daughter? Don't you think this is a bit sudden? You have only been seeing one another for two weeks," He panted with effort as the handsome man stood to face him. Robert was a tall man, but Sarah's sweetheart towered over him with a regal air that seemed otherworldly and intimidating.
"I can assure you that I have known Sarah for much longer than two weeks and I do not make such a request lightly. I had hoped that challenging you to a friendly competition might lighten the mood enough so that my proposition would not be taken badly," The sternness in the 'younger' man's voice added to his imposing figure. "I love your daughter enough to respect her world's traditions, but I warn you that this request is not necessary in my own world. I could very easily have carried her away with no further word to any of her family and no sign that she ever existed here. I am asking her father's blessing; I do not need it."
"Jareth," The soft, reasoning voice of Robert's eldest daughter cut through the tense atmosphere as she placed a gentle hand on her beau's arm. At his name, the man visibly relaxed and sighed.
"Forgive me Sarah," He stated and it was the first time Robert could hear genuine remorse in his voice. The man was an enigma to be sure. "This did not go the way I intended."
"Jareth, the chess game was not the only challenge you gave my father tonight," Sarah responded, the loving look directed at her chosen only serving to make Robert's heart ache more. "You challenged him for my heart and my hand; give him time to adjust."
A second throat clearing sounded from the timid form of his own wife and the three standing in the middle of the room turned to look at Karen in curious surprise.
"I know this is kind of off-topic, but I am just struck by something you said earlier," Karen was gazing directly at Jareth with a confused expression. "What did you mean by worlds?"