DISCLAIMER: I do not own Jareth (wish I did sometimes), Sarah, or any of the characters from Labyrinth. They belong to Jim Henson and those responsible for the making of the wonderful masterpiece that is Labyrinth. This was written for fun and I make no profit from it.
A/N: For those that decided to skip chapter 1, This story was partially based on a photo that has been floating around the internet of the Goblin King. The text on it reads "Imagine many years after you stopped believing in magic and fairy tales, after a particularly bad day, you find yourself saying out loud, I wish the Goblin King would take me away right now. Just as you're about to go to bed for the night, you open your bedroom door to find him standing there with a grin, saying You could have asked me a long time ago, you know..." Seeing this image repeatedly near the anniversary of David Bowie's death added to me being an emotional wreck created this story.
Chapter 2: The Agreement
I couldn't believe it. There was a strange man in my room. I stood there frozen in shock as I looked him over. He wore what looked like black armor with a long flowing cloak. Seeming to sparkle in the moonlight, his eyebrows were arched in an inhuman way. His blonde hair was long and wild like an 80's rock star. And then I realized his hair wasn't the only thing that looked like a rock star. "Who are you?"
A voice in my head was screaming that I knew who he was. "Oh come come now. Surely you didn't call for me and expect me not to show up." He smirked.
"Goblin King?" I whispered. He nodded. "But it can't be. You're not real. That was just a story I read as a child."
"Even the best fairy tales are based on a truth." He replied. "Now tell me, just what were you planning to do with that?" He pointed to the knife that was still in my hand.
Looking down at it, my hand began to shake and I dropped it. I couldn't help myself, I collapsed on my bed, crying. A moment later I felt a soothing hand on my back, gently rubbing circles. "Are you going to take me away from here?" I sobbed.
"No, I'm afraid I can not. Only children can be wished away and it must be by someone else. I heard your wish and came to see why an adult would wish herself to me." The Goblin King answered.
Sitting up, I wiped my eyes. "I don't know why I called for you. It was just words from a story book. I never thought you were real or would show up here." Then I realized something. "Wait I called you hours ago."
He chuckled. "Well when I arrived you were in the lavatory. I assumed you didn't wish me to intrude. Although if I thought you were planning to do what I currently believe you were planning to do in there, I would have broke down the door and prevented it." He picked up the knife and placed it on the top of my dresser. "Tell me, were you going to take your own life?"
Staring at the floor, I nodded. "I couldn't go through with it though. I've never been able to."
A gloved hand cupped my chin and made me look up. "Now why would such a beautiful girl like you want to take her own life?" His eyes, which we mismatched with two different sized pupils, were soft and caring.
"I'm not beautiful." I mumbled.
"Calling me a liar little girl?" His voice was stern, but he didn't yell.
"No, you Highness. I would never do that." I knew he was a King and it made me nervous. I'd never been so close to a monarch before, even if he was the ruler of a Kingdom of Goblins.
"Then I would watch your tongue young one. My kind are incapable of lying." The Goblin King informed me.
"Forgive me majesty." I said as I bowed my head to him.
"Forgiven." He smiled and he brushed my hair from my face. "So tell me, what is your name young lady?"
"Elena." I replied softly.
"Well Elena, you've called me all the way here. So why don't you tell me what led to your current state of mind and to calling for me, even if you didn't think I would really appear." He sat on the edge of my bed and I suddenly became very aware of how close he was and how little I was wearing.
"Sure, bit would it be alright if I dressed first?" I asked nervously.
He jumped up. "Oh of course. My apologies Elena. I forgot how modest you humans are. You would think after being married to one for so long I would be used to these things by now."
"You're married to a human?" I watched him carefully.
"Yes." The King grinned. "I'll tell you all about her if you wish, but first you get dressed. I shall wait for you in the living room." He bowed to me and walked out, closing the door behind him.
I quickly went through my closet trying to find something appropriate to wear, but what does one wear when entertaining a magical King in your home? I finally settled for a nice casual looking dress. I gave my hair a quick brushing and hurried to the other room. There I found the Goblin King browsing through my collection of books. "Like what you see Majesty? You're welcome to take any you like. I don't mind."
He turned to face me, chuckling. "I have most of these in my private library, or I should say my wife does. You two have quite a lot in common." He sat on my couch and I could almost feel his eyes travel over me. "You do realize that I didn't expect you to dress up for me right?"
I turned my head from him, trying to hid the blush I felt creeping over me. "I've never been near royalty before. I'm not really sure how I should look or behave."
"Well then let us pretend that I am not a King. Think of me as a new acquaintance. Someone that is hear to listen to you and help if he can." He stood and walked over to me. He held out his hand to me. "Hello Elena. I'm Jareth. I'd like to help you if I can."
I shook his gloved hand and couldn't help but return his smile. Something about it was contagious. "Hi Jareth." We shook hands and sat on the couch together. Slowly I opened up to him. I told him of all the hurt and betrayal I'd dealt with from people I thought I could count on. I told him about feeling so lost and alone that I couldn't see any point to continuing it.
As I told him my life's story, Jareth listening to every word. He didn't interrupt or question, but at certain times I could see his demeanor change. I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but it felt good to have someone to talk to. When I had told him everything I was honestly surprised that I wasn't in tears again. "And what happened after that?" He asked when I didn't say anything for a while.
"I came home and..." I took a deep breath. "I went into the bathroom with the knife. The rest you know."
He nodded. Standing he paced the room, one hand on his chin. "I can see why you would feel desperate." He said after a few moments. "There's no need to kill yourself though. You just need something to work for. I have a little proposition for you." He came back over and sat on the edge of my coffee table, right in front of me.
"What kind of proposition?" I asked quietly.
Suddenly there was a crystal ball in his hand and he juggled it from one hand to the other. "Well you asked me to take you away from all of this and while I technically can't take someone who wishes themselves away, especially not when they are already grown; I did think of a tiny loop hole I can exploit."
"Loop hole?"
He smirked. "There are few humans in the Underground. Most are slaves or breeders." Seeing the confusion on my face he explained. "My kind have a hard time conceiving, therefore humans are often used to produce heirs."
I suddenly got really nervous. "What exactly do you want from me?"
He chuckled. "Fear not. I have no need of a slave and the gods know I don't need a breeder. My dear Sarah is pregnant with our second child at the moment."
"Sarah is your wife?" I asked seeing the huge grin on his face.
"Oh yes, Sarah is my wife and Queen." He stopped juggling the crystal and held it out to me. "Now would you like to go with me to the Goblin City? Start over with a new life and a new job?"
"Yes." I was almost in tears again. "Yes, please take me away from here."
He held his hand up to me. "Then here is my offer. I am need of some assistance at the castle. If you go with me you'll be my adviser. You'll be expected to handle paper work, deal with diplomats from other Kingdoms, and most importantly you'll have to keep me in line." He smirked. "The last part is harder than it seems, according to Sarah."
"I'm up to it." I reached for the crystal but he pulled it away.
"There are a few conditions. First you'll need to undergo the proper training. There are various things you can learn here that will help. I can get a list of classes that you can take at your universities." Jareth stated.
"You want me to go back to school?" I wasn't sure I was believing what I was hearing.
"Its an option, but one condition, which is most important. You will have to be older than you are now. You've never been exposed to our magic and trying to turn you now could be dangerous. I've only seen it done to the very young or those that have reached a certain age."
"Turned into what?"
"A Fae of course. Did you think that you would be of much use to me if you can't work for me more than a normal human's lifespan?" He chuckled. "No I need a permanent assistant, not a temp."
"A Fae?" I couldn't believe it. He wanted to make me like him. "How old are we talking?"
"No younger than 30, but I would wait a year or two more, just to be safe." He replied.
"You want me to live here until I'm what? 32?" I stood and started pacing. "How? How can I survive this hell hole for another 10 years?"
"It won't be easy, but you won't be alone. You will never be alone again." He stood and took my hands in his. "I will be here for you. I will be the friend you need. Now there is one other condition to this agreement."
"Which is?"
"If you find someone you wish to spend your life with, our deal is cancelled. I will not take you away if you make a life and find happiness here." Jareth explained.
I nodded. "I understand. It sounds reasonable to me, but why?"
"Why what?" he asked.
"Why do all this for me? Why do you care?"
He laughed lightly. "Let's just say you remind me of myself. I once felt as alone as you do and I thought I would never find someone to care for me, until I found my Sarah. I want you to have the chance to find your own Sarah. Someone that will complete you. Until you find that person, if you are able to, I will happily lend you my ear. Honestly I could use someone to talk to now and then as well. I learned from Sarah that friends are a good thing. Perhaps its time I found another one. Also you may end this arrangement at any time. Just know if you say its over, there is no going back. What's said is said."
He held the crystal out to me once more. "So all I have to do is live here til I'm 32, learn all I need to be a good assistant, and be your friend?"
"Well the last part is optional, though I think you could use a friend right now, plus I will have to stop by from time to time to see you your education about the Underground." Jareth told me. "So do we have a deal?"
Without hesitation, I took the crystal from his hand. When I did it turned into a small pendant on a black cord. "What is this?"
"The seal of the Goblin Kingdom." He took it from my hand and placed it around my neck. "You are now under the protection of the Goblin Kingdom. Oh and don't be surprised if other members of my Kingdom decide to stop by from time to time." He grinned and sat back on my couch. "So Elena, how does it feel to have a King for a friend?"