What I Really Meant To Say
Jareth made his appointed rounds at his brother Jared's wedding reception, envying the happy couple. 'That should have been me and Sarah.' Trying to be polite and follow tradition Jareth felt the rising need to run away and seek solace in a bottle of brandy. On his way out a gentle touch on his shoulder made him turn and what he Jareth saw nearly stopped his heart…
Sarah stood before him in a rich sapphire blue dress, looking as beautiful as ever. She was close enough for Jareth to reach out and take her in his arms. A queasy sensation coiled in his stomach and his breathing was shallow. 'My love!'
"How have you been?" Her soft, slightly husky voice asked. God, he loved her voice, longed to hear it in the night beside him in bed. But it wasn't meant to be.
"Just fine." He smiled, body feeling as if it had been stretched and twisted. Jareth lied to Sarah's face.
'How could I have said that? My life has been hell since she left!' Jareth wanted to break down in tears, to tell her how much he had missed her. Sarah had traded herself for Toby, but soon grew distant and came to live in Jared's court. Each night Jareth would either get drunk or would cry himself to sleep in his dispair. He was irrevocable in love with Sarah Williams, but he couldn't bring himself to say it…
"Good, I'm glad. Excuse me," Sarah nodded and walked away. His words rattled around in his head like a steel edged boomerang that sliced his heart to shreds, driving him to the verge of tears. He cursed his stubborn pride as he let Sarah go.
Watching Sarah retreat Jareth felt like dying. 'Will she ever know?' He wandered on into the night, unable to take the merriment any longer. Transforming into a barn owl Jareth flew to his castle.
Arriving at his castle Jareth silently padded into his study, mind and body numb. With tears clouding his vision he took up his quill pen and sat at his desk, a piece of parchment ready. Without thought he began to write:
Sarah,
I really meant to say that I'm not as strong as I was. Mourning for you had drained me of my will to live. No matter how I try I'll always love you.
Jareth
Picking up a small vial beside his inkwell Jareth sighed, hoping Sarah would be happy after he was gone. Quickly Jareth unstopped the vial and downed it's contents, gagging at the foul flavor. Weakly he stood, muscles becoming unresponsive and dull. Staggering over to a nearby couch he collapsed onto it, his head spinning.
'I will always love you Sarah Williams. You'll always be my Sarah.' Jareth's vision darkened as the world slipped away.
"Forever, my love." He whispered with his last breath, the poison finishing it's job.