Chapter 3: Hello again
Sarah had been talking with Hoggle for a what seemed like a solid hour, reminiscing and Hugging him silly, although she'd really only spoken to him through the mirror in her college dormitory room last week. Occasional glances to Jareth showed him still in the same position, slightly rigid and even attempts into getting him into their conversation showed he was uncomfortable.
'Must not want to get in-between me and Hoggle.' Sarah thought distantly, turning back to Hoggle and continuing her chat. What she didn't know was that although Jareth didn't want to interrupt them, he was envious of their friendship. Sarah would talk to Hoggle about anything everything, where as sometimes, she'd just like to argue with Jareth and avoid his most honest questions. Secretly, he yearned for their type of friendship and was even jealous of the little dwarf. He decided to up the game and temporarily put a damper on their conversation by adding in more of her friends.
In an instant, Sarah felt another whoosh of air and she turned to see Ludo standing a few feet before her.
"Sawaaaah!" The great red beast bellowed, more than happy to see his little friend. He scooped her up in his arms as if she was a small, precious doll and cuddled her gently.
"Hi Ludo!" She hugged him and pulled back, again starting casual conversation, before suddenly falling silent and darting her head to Jareth.
"Urm, Jareth...Won't my parents be worried at all the noise?" She suddenly whispered, listening intently to see if they might be outside the door.
"Precious have you so little faith in me? There's a spell of sleep outside your room. Toby and you father have fallen asleep on the sofa, whilst Karen sits in the chair next to them. They'll wake up when your asleep and think it was just another Family movie night." He smirked at her bemused expression and tapped her nose playfully with his forefinger twice.
"So where's Didymus, Ludo?" Sarah asked, turning back to her friend and embracing him again. He looked at her and thought for a second.
"Didymus brother. Brother busy. Guarding smell." Ludo said, putting in effort so she could hear how his speech had improved. They talked about everything and anything, Jareth even joining in, perchance only to tease the questioner and some of her fond memories.
Although Sarah did not wish her friends to go, she couldn't stop a yawn appearing when it became later in the night, an act which didn't go unnoticed by the goblin king.
"Come now everyone, we must bid Sarah goodnight, she is tired and we have kept her up long enough." Jareth said with a swish of his cape and playing with his gloves, he ignored any protests and groans and waited patiently while everyone made their goodbyes.
"I'll speak to you soon hopefully, lil' lady." Hoggle said as he reached up for a small hug so she wouldn't have to bend down to far.
"Always Hoggle." She waved as he vanished whilst walking back to the vanity.
"Goodbye Sawah." Ludo instead bent down and petted her head whilst hugging her, sounding like a tired child himself.
"Night Ludo, say Hi to Didymus and Ambrosius for me." She repeated the same action as he too vanished and slowly turned around to Jareth. He looked at her, almost hesitantly, before striding forward and grabbing her hand.
"Sleep well Sarah love, I'll be watching over you." He lifted up her hand and held it between them, and smiled at her with a warm glow that was reserved specifically for her.
"All part of the job I hope?" She winked playfully at him and relaxed fully, loving the warmth he was admitting. She had the strongest urge to reach out and feel his hair and she blushed madly at the thought of such a thing.
"Goodnight, Precious." He planted a small kiss upon the hand he was holding, feeling her small shiver as his lips touched her knuckles. He stepped back and let her hand fall, frowning at the loss of warmth he had felt. He gave a deep bow and smiled as she gave him a smile that warmed his heart as much as holding her hand had. Just as he vanished in a swirl of glitter, she spoke softly, still feeling the tingle where he had kissed her hand.
"Goodnight, Jareth."
She drifted off to sleep that night, happy and content that she seemed to clear the air, purposely forgetting that small bump in the road called her denial towards Jareth. She fell asleep to the sounds of quiet whispers of small voices in dark corners and wings flapping in the distance, bouncing moonlight rays as it assaulted the air.