Disclaimer: The usual.

One true mate

Chapter Two: How fare thee?

Jareth was sitting idly on his throne, looking outside as the noonday sun shone on, twirling three crystal balls in one hand. Suddenly, he nearly falls off his throne in the throes of sneezing violently. He blinked and glared around him to see who had disturbed his peace by talking about him. His throne room was completely empty save for the swooping vulture crossing the room from perch to perch. Damn vultures! He shook a fist as he stood from his throne to gaze directly over his precious Labyrinth. Jareth released a sigh and slumped his shoulders. "I dare not think it would be you, dearest Sarah, who be talking about me, huh?" He said with resignation. "No, you'd need to first even think about me." He snorted and straightened, summoning a new crystal with one hand and resting the other on the small of his back.

He couldn't seem to get her out of his mind.

Jareth's fingers tightened around the crystal in his hand and he let his eyes fall to it's smooth reflection. He sighed again and tried to have it show him a vision of his beautiful queen. As always, since she left, the image was blurry. He could not see her. His fist clenched and he threw the ball at his feet, shattering it instantly.

"I cannot see her!" He growled with vehemence. He glared accusingly at the shattered pieces of the former crystal ball. He rarely had bouts of anger in which he struck out physically. Jareth closed his eyes to regain his composure and they slowly opened to reveal mismatched, longing-filled eyes as he gaze out over his lands. "Sarah...How fare thee?" He asked softly, almost inaudibly. His heart called out to her, coaxing her to answer his desperate call.

He frowned.

But of course, it would not be answered. She had rejected him at every turn, played with his heart continuously. He had been frightening and she had been scared. He had offered her everything, reordered time for her! Her cruel eyes drank in the sight of his lost soul. His eyes turned angry, scorching as the fists at his sides clenched tight. Everything he did, he did for her. He would have given her everything! He would have been her slave. All he wanted in return was her fear, her love and her devotion. He was at her feet. Jareth drew his hand over his eyes warily and rubbed at the migraine forming behind them.

This was turning out to be a terrible day.

He decided he need fresh air and glared at the vulture on his way out. Just to keep the fear in it. He could almost hear it snort and he sighed. Such a pity. As soon as he was outside, Jareth filled his needy lungs with fresh air and looked around blankly. With a flick, he willed his clothes to change to what he liked to call his "traveling attire". He wore and soft cream colored poet's long-sleeved shirt with the cuffs flaring out over his brown gloved hands. He wore a forest green vest that ended just above his hips in the front, and split into two pointed tips down to his knees. He wore mocha colored tights and brown boots that came just below his knees. The heels were about four inch high which brought more attention to his light muscled calves.

He fiddled with the flaring collar of his shirt to make sure they rested over his vest and did not hide his amulet. Finally, he adjusted the strap running from his right shoulder to his left hip, making sure that his cape would not slip down to the floor by tying them tighter. He always looked better with the cape on anyway. It added drama. With a flick of his wrist, a new crystal appeared and he twirled it momentarily before throwing it in the air and teleported in a puff of glitter.

Jareth reappeared at the small cottage house just outside his Labyrinth walls and walked towards the front door. He heard voices inside and his name dropped once or twice and his curiosity was peaked as he pushed the door open. The creaks alerted Hoggle that someone was there just as he was closing a small closet. His hand slipped on the knob clumsily as his eyes stayed glued on Jareth. Slowly, his suprised stare turned into a glare.

"Hello Hogwart." He greeted almost cheerfully, shining him with a smirk.

"Hoggle." He spat. "Gets it right ya rat." He crossed his arms over his chest and stood tall and proud in front of his rival in the game of hearts.

Jareth clucked his tongue disaprovingly. "Now now Higgle,-"

"Hoggle!"

"Yes," He looked at his fingers. "Was that Sarah you were talking to in the mirror?" He asked casually, glancing at the inside of the little house.

"I ain't tellin' yous nothin'!" He spat. "Now go away, you're in my house and I didn't invite yous in, yous tights-wearin' pansy!"

Jareth merely chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes." He brought his gaze back to the goblin and tilted his head to the side in speculation before he asked softly. "How is she in the aboveground?"

Hoggle looked at the Fae with a surprised expression plastered on his face then he retaliated angrily. "What's it to yous? She rejected you, remember?" His hands waved in front of his exasperately. "What the hell is wrong with yous two?" He asked more to himself, a desperate tone in his voice. He still felt hurt that Sarah did not return his feelings, he still felt raw from her admission and now this! Even Jareth wants to know about her now! Like he's loves her too. Hoggle blinked and turned to the side, not wanting Jareth to see the tears shinning in his gaze.

Jareth blinked. "She asked about me?"

Hoggle snapped his head to level him with a glare. "Yeah." He spat venomously. Then a thought struck him and he smiled slowly. "And yous knows that teddy you gave her when she was a kid? The one of yous?" At Jareth's nod, he continued, looking at his nails nonchalantly. "Well she just tolds me she was, and I quote, "Getting Rid Of It.""

Jareth looked down at Hoggle in horror. "WHAT?!" He felt faint for a moment. She's getting rid of the only memento she has of me?! He swallowed bitterly. "What about that little red book she always carried around, quoting it out loud in the park." He asked distantly.

Hoggle looked smugly up at the tall Fae and shrugged non-commitally. "I guess she threws it out." He mused. "Haven't seens her with it for years!" He laughed, holding his belly like a fat man. He sobered and wiped a tear from his eye and looked up.

Oh shit.

No really.

Oh. Fucking. Shit!

Jareth stood in the doorway of the small cottage house, his head bent and his shoulders completely tense. One hand was fisted in his lop-sided cape while the other held his riding crop so tightly, Hoggle could see the veins on his hands even under the tick leather gloves. If that wasn't enough for him to shit his pants, then perhaps the dangerous powers crackling around the very tense form of the king would clear his constipation.

"Now look here I-" He started.

"Shut up." He said tensely, his voice so tight and dark from power that Hoggle winced. Slowly, Jareth raised his head and looked the small groblin directly in the eyes and what he saw was sure to stick with him forever.

And yes, forever was a long time. Not like some people might say. He snorted mentally, eying the goblin king.

Eyes of such sorrow. The hurt was nearly palpable. Whatever Hoggled thought he would see in that pale, haunted face, heartbreak was not it. He really does love her after all. Suddenly, Hoggle felt horrible. "Look," He started. "I don't know really if she got rid of the book and the teddy is going to someone she knows. She always says she's outgrown dolls anyway. I'm sure she means nothing by it." He explained.

Jareth let out a mirthless chuckle. Yeah, right. He straightened his posture and righted his outfit again before he turned around and started walking out the door.

"You gonna win her back now?" Hoggle asked and saw Jareth stop and turn halfway to stare at him contemplatively.

"I doubt it, Hoggle." He sighed. Hoggle blinked when Jareth said his name right this time. The Fae turned around again and said before walking out. "Besides, she will never come with me for it is true that I hold no power over her." He let out a mocking and cruel laugh, feeling more and more resentment towards himself as the minutes ticked by.

Once he was outside, he looked around solemnly then started walking towards the doors. Perhaps a stroll will make me feel a little better. As he walked the treshold, the doors closing behind him, he heard a panting Hoggle call out to him.

"Jareth! She wants to come back! Yous better do something about it ya rat!" Came the harsh words as the doors closed shut behind his tense back. Jareth stared at the brick wall in front of him with surprise.

Slowly, his gaze turned contemplative and he rubbed his chin lightly in thought. She wants to come back underground? His heart pounded at the thought of seeing her again. Of touching her. Slowly, a small grin spread across his face and he walked the halls of his Labyrinth with an extra bounce to his step. Suddenly, it started pouring over the land and Jareth stood under the rain with a dark scowl over his face and his shoulders slumped. His eye twitched momentarily and he glared at the sky, shaking his fist at it.

Terrible, terrible day.



-Yuya-Sama