A/N: I shamelessly stole this idea from a really sappy chick flick and kudos to anyone who actually gets it because even for a chick flick lover like myself, it was definitely overly sappy…
I do not own the Labyrinth or the movie from which I loosely borrowed the idea…
On her thirteen hour (actually ten) trek through the Labyrinth, Sarah found out a random bit of trivia about the Goblin King. He had seven different smiles.
Smile one was actually more of a smirk used when he is humoring someone (Sarah) who just made a relatively stupid remark. He also used it in relative ease during his mischievous encounters with her and his various subjects…
Smile two was almost sympathetic when he seemed to truly feel sorry for the trials she was about to undertake as payment for her careless wish.
Smile three was one that nearly gave away his excitement at finding someone equal to his challenges. He really was a little, competitive boy at heart.
Smile four was thinly veiled disgust at the lies told by treasonous subjects…and their plastic jewelry acquisitions.
Smile five seemed to convey his being absolutely impressed by Sarah's fiery nature and willingness to challenge him…it didn't stop him from sending the Cleaners however, and she still hadn't quite forgiven him for that stunt.
Smile six was contemplative, as if he were trying to gauge her reactions and thoughts to his distractions and advances.
Smile seven was sad, weary, and heartbreaking. As if he were trying to hold together the last of his dignity after her rather abrupt and painful refusal…
Sarah didn't learn about smile number eight until she relinquished the shield she had put up and let him back into her life.
Smile number eight was forgiveness and love and promise all rolled into one and it was her favorite smile.
Her second favorite smile was number nine, which she discovered shortly before the lights went out on her wedding night. It promised a whole lot of things not suitable for public declaration…
Smile number ten came at the first council meeting she attended as the Goblin Queen. Jareth's tight-lipped expression hid the dangerously thin line between calm anger and towering rage at having his authority questioned. It was lucky the council member knew that smile so well, because otherwise Sarah was positive he would have been bogged…
Number eleven was the tolerant smile he gave after spending a week with Sarah's family. It was something between boredom and a desperate desire to be saved from the madness that followed his in-laws. Sarah enjoyed teasing him about his encounter with a rather enamored younger sister of hers. Little Ellie refused to let her "Unca Jeth" go the entire time she was awake.
Number twelve was reassuring and warm; absolute honesty and genuine care radiated from his being and Sarah rarely got to see that anymore. Not many Abovegrounders were wishing their children away anymore…still, he reserved that smile for the wished-aways whose family lives led to the desperation and hopeless wishes.
Number thirteen was the last and quickly tied for her favorite when it happened five times. Each time she brought his son or daughter into the world, she saw that smile – the one that said, "I am in awe of the power you hold and in awe of the new life I am seeing with my own eyes." He used that smile in equal measure for Sarah and their newborn children. She saw that smile used again for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and on down through the ages. This smile above all others, made her love him the most…
A/N: So short and sweet...I was actually contemplating doing the reverse from Jareth's point of view, but it just didn't feel right and I couldn't quite bring myself to mess it up...Maybe sometime down the road if I get the right inspiration...