Chapter 2: Let in


It was Saturday yet again. A week since her trip to the Labyrinth and yet again Karen and her dad were going out, leaving Sarah yet again alone with Toby. It didn't bother Sarah this time.

She checked in on Toby before she went to her room. Sure enough he was asleep. Good. I can read the book I got out at the library.

Sarah went to her room and unconsciously looked out her window to the branch. It was becoming quite a habit. This time she saw the white owl sitting on the branch. She quickly hid her smile. Guess not on that book.

Sarah opened the window, and with her hands on her hips said, "So you still want to talk?"

The owl hooted gently. Guess that means yes…

Sarah sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. Better just get it done and over with. "Well come in."

The owl looked at her surprised and hesitated thinking it was some type of trick.

Sarah smiled and laughed, "Are you going to come in or not? It's kind of cold out there." Jareth looked at her trying to figure what she was up to.

Is that concern on your voice?

NO! It really is cold out there and I don't want to make my room cold.

The owl blinked and flew carefully in. As she closed the window the owl flew in a circle around her room and finally landed on the bottom edge of her bed.

Sarah looked at the owl intensely. Why doesn't he change back?

Sarah slowly when over to her bed and sat down. She sat on the far side with her back against her many pillows and her knees bent. She heard a rushing of feathers from the far end of the bed. Then owl-Jareth gently landed on the top of her knees.

Sarah looked at his feathers remembering how soft they were. Sarah felt an urge to stroke them like she did with feather she had found. Ever so slowly she reached out her hand, all while eyeing the owl.

He looks tired. She finally touched his side. His eyes carefully watching her hand pet his wing. She could feel his tension. Is he scared of me?

Jareth couldn't help feeling tense. He was afraid that she might hurt him. But when she gently touch his wing and stoke it that tension and fear melted away. I wish this would last forever.

Slowly and softly she made her way up to the back of his head. He let out a little cooing sound and closed his eyes. Sarah smiled. He looks so peaceful.

She yawned, while doing so the owl shifted and flew off her knees. "I'm sorry. I'm just getting tired."

He landed on top of the chair that way by her vanity. Sarah got up from the bed slowly. "I'm going to check on Toby really quick. I'll be right back."

She left the room and made her way to Toby's crib in her parents' room. She stroked his soft cheek. He was still sleeping with one arm around Lancelot. Sarah bent over to kiss his forehead gently and then left the room.

I wonder if it will be owl-Jareth or Jareth-Jareth when I enter the room.

Sarah slowly entered the room looking at the chair. Owl-Jareth. She smiled. He's sweeter in this form and not as annoying. She chuckled at herself, which caused the owl to look at her in surprised.

'What are you laughing at?' was what she thought he would have said.

"Nothing," Sarah said to the owl, turning off the light. Thank goodness I still have a night light!

Who in reply hooted at her 'Why not tell me?'

Sarah shrugged. Jareth let out another hoot. He couldn't believe that Sarah could understand him when he was in owl form. He didn't want her to go to bed yet but knew she needed sleep. Jareth looked up at Sarah. She was lightly petting him again.

"I thought you wanted to talk to about something but all you have done is let me pet you. Though I will say, you keep very good care of your feathers." She yawned again. Her eyes were really heavy. "I would never expect to see that you had this kind of side to you."

Jareth lightly hooted and lightly pushed her hand way. She smiled down at him, "Bed time, huh?" letting out yet another yawn. To Jareth's surprise she bent down and lightly kissed him on the forehead. "Good night, Jareth."

He hooted at her. She smiled. He looked at her laying her bed still with a smile on her face. He couldn't believe what had just happen. She said my name, not Goblin King but my name! She kissed me gently. He looked over at her. How could this be the girl that only a while ago he was so afraid of? He had treated him with kindness that he didn't expect.

Sarah had quickly fallen asleep. When Jareth realized she was asleep he turned into himself. He slowly reached out his hand carefully to the sleeping girl and ever so lightly touched her hair. His smile was warm and content. It's so soft. He then ever so carefully, so not to wake her up kissed her forehead.

He whispered in her ear softly, "You are so beautiful."

He turned around and walked to the window. He looked back at his sleeping Sarah and smiled. So perfect. He opened the window and flew out in such a way that the window would close when his wings brushed against them.

xoxoxo

Sarah woke up the next morning expecting to see the owl on her night stand still but instead was a piece of parchment.

A note.

She picked it up and read it:

Sarah,

Thank you for the wonderful night. I wish you a wonderful day. I'll see you again.

~Jareth

That's it! Some note!

I had a wonderful night.

He didn't say why he came or why he was an owl.

Her eyes kept looking at 'I'll see you again.' She couldn't help but smile.

She looked at the clock on her nightstand. She signed it was time to get up and get ready for church.