I don't own the labyrinth.


The middle years

Age 11-15


Jareth knocked on the door in front of him. "Sarah?" He called out after a moment of silence, only to be greeted by silence. Sighing, he backed away from the door, hanging her insignia on her door. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry." He spoke loudly before heading down the hall.

They didn't have much a make up, she spent days avoiding him or barely speaking when they were in the same room. It was like all the previous years just washed away and they were back to being strangers. It was a strange position to be someone's guardian and at the same time also be their betrothed. The months ticked by her eleventh birthday came and went. He ended up giving her a bouquet of flowers with a set of simple gold earrings that he placed in her seat at the breakfast table before she arrived. She thanked him politely with a small smile and gave him a small hug as he drank his morning coffee before eating her bowl of berries and cream.

She kept away from the courtyard and the training. Keeping with what was deemed more lady skills, occasionally she could be found out in the garden sketching and painting. Though Jareth had a surprise after securing a small bow that would fit her frame, it was carved intricately with vines and leaves. It was a summer day when he brought with him to breakfast one week. She looked at it curiously and then at him.

"Many young ladies and women take up archery as a sport." Jareth spoke answering her unasked questions. "I thought it would be a good compromise for the time being, We can begin lessons as soon as you're ready." Jareth told her. "When you are older we can discuss more swordsmanship training in a more ladylike way." He spoke cautiously, not sure how she would react.

"Can we start tomorrow?" Sarah looked up at him brightly, he sighed in relief this was going better than he thought it would go."

"Of course, but after your lessons. You cannot skip or fall behind in your lessons." Jareth warned her.

"I will do my utmost best." Sarah chirped and attacked him with a hug, which made he slightly awkward as he felt her changing body press against him. She must haves caught his awkwardness as she stepped away from him with an off hand apology for invading his privacy.

He watched her bound down the stairs the next day in a pair of tall boots much like his own, which confused him at first till he saw her dressed in a pair of leggings and a long sleeveless tunic with long leather fingerless gloves.

"Thora told me it would be less cumbersome if I wore something with better movement." He heard Sarah explain her outfit. "I must say trousers are much comfier to wear, it's sad I can't wear them more often."

'Come along," Jareth ignored her Ramblings. "I don't have all day." He watched her nood and walk quickly matching his steps.

While she was a natural with a sword it seemed archery was not going to come easily to her. Her aim wasn't the best, which he already knew since she threw things when she got mad and they never once hit the target which was usually him. They fought a lot, like any child vs adult relationship with a growing child who liked to explore the world around her and test her limits. It was just the added dynamic that she would be his wife one day that made things tricky. Sometimes he had to act like a father, a teacher, but in other circumstances be a man, a man she would marry one day, and have a some sort of friendship would be beneficial for them.

Then one day he received a note from his general asking for his leadership on the front lines. Leaving immediately he barely, had time to find Sarah for a quick goodbye on the cold fall day. He saw the fear in her eyes, and begged him not to go. Though it was long ago her mind brought forth her father, he assured he would be safe and away from the actual battle. It was the first time he saw her cry. He brushed away her tears, promising her he would come back. He didn't know when but he would come back. He kissed his mother's forehead goodbye and grabbed his bag and disappeared. His mother was acting at Regent when he was away, she told him the kingdom would be fine while he away and it would give Sarah some good practice for the future when she was queen.

The camp was decent, but nothing elaborate or over the top, sometimes he would lay in his camp cot, a glass of whiskey by his side, every once in a while he would feel this twinge in his mind, a beginning of a headache so he poured himself another drink hoping to sleep it off. His presence was needed more than he thought when he got there, what should have been a week or two turned into a month, then two months before he received a messy letter, with loopy cursive writing with a pair of badly knitted socks.

Dear Jareth

I asked the Dowager if I may write to you, since you have not returned home yet. She told me I can write if I wish. I am quite angry that you took off the way you did, some warning would have been nice, maybe even a farewell meal, but no you had to leave right away. It was quite rude of you.

Jareth chuckled and rolled his eyes, of course she would blame him. But he continued on with the letter wondering what else she would ramble on to would tell him.

Life is pretty dull here without my extra lessons since you're away, The dowager has been keeping me busy, she's been letting me sit in audiences and some council meetings. Did you know that people give us chickens and things when they can't pay their taxes. I asked them why we collect taxes in the first place from people who are so poor. The Sheriff man just looked at me and told me to mind my own business, but is it not my business if I will be queen one day? he has money, could he not pay extra taxes and let the poor have a chance of survival. It's only compassion and charity that ensures a happy kingdom is it not? Even your mother was shocked that he took their lively hood. She only found out because she asked to see the books, he tried to tell her that you never ask to see the books and trusted him. Well, I don't think you should trust him. I found a few chickens running about the courtyard and asked the goblins if they were needed. I had Galahan take me to the farm, not on horseback mind you, but he escorted me and carried the cage of chickens. They were quite surprised and refused at first, but I told them they could not refuse. Then I played with the children and helped the mother mend some clothing, not that I am very good but she praised my efforts either way.

Jareth brow furrowed at the mentions of his sheriff, but pride welled up in him as he read about her own generosity toward the tenants of his kingdom. He would have to write to his sheriff, he always looked at the books and nothing ever seemed amiss, but It seemed that his sheriff was trying to line his pockets while he was away which he found out of character and shady.

The dowager won't tell me where exactly you want, or your position. Says she doesn't want to upset me knowing how I reacted when you left. So I assume you are close to the battle. I also sent you some socks, you can never have too many socks! It's getting cooler here, it already snowed twice. I do love snow! but the Dowager says you're in the south so it will still be warm for a while yet. I had to get new winter boots as last years were too small, and my cloaks had to be lengthened.

I've been practicing my projection skills, mostly at night when I'm bored. But I think you're too far away to reach It fizzles out before I can make a real connection. Then of course I get a headache from trying to search so far. My archery is a far better, but still a far from being good, but I can hit the target most of the time which is an improvement from before!

I guess I should let you get back to your day. Also, be safe please.

Sarah.

Jareth shook his head and laughed softly at the end be safe, that was an understatement. He got up and walked to his makeshift desk and grabbed a sheet of parchment

Sarah

Thank you for the socks, they are much appreciated and needed, your knitting has come a long way since you've begun learning. You have come a long way, in many ways your insight to the sheriff made me decide to consult and investigate the situation. I applaud your generous attitude and heart, because I definitely do not need more chickens running around the courtyard and goblin areas giving them to the family was a kind gesture.

You were too my shoulders when I left so lengthening your cloaks was inevitable I suppose. You are correct when it is still warm here, though nights are getting cooler. But it does not generally snow where I am, mostly just the northern kingdoms where it snows. Goblin kingdom is one of those kingdoms as I'm sure you know, your familiar Kingdom was in the middle where snow common, but without having the long winters of the Goblin kingdom.

I want you to keep practicing, since you told me you have been trying project your thoughts to me it explains the twinges I felt at night time. Now that I know it's you trying to reach out to me, I will try to focus and help you connect. The fact I can feel you shows me how much power you have within you. Just learning how to harness it, is the trying and difficult part.

I may have been a touch overzealous with my demands, but it still remains the fact that there are more useful things to learn than swordsmanship. Maybe in the future, I will give you your own lessons but at the age you are now, you still you are too little to handle a true sword.

Keep up with your lessons and behave yourself

Jareth.

The letters, went back and forth for months which lead to almost three years. Occasional visits to the palace were made, but they were rare and far and few. They never did manage to make a full connection over their minds, but he felt her try every night, before she gave up. She was already fifteen when he got to head back to the palace for good after his long absence. He was just glad a treaty was in the works and things seemed to be looking on the bright side.

It was supposed to be a surprise that he was back, so he came through the way of the courtyard to tell his men the good news when he found them gathered around watching two men spar, or what looked like two men in a sparring. It wasn't till he noticed the curves of the one man legs, the shapely derrière in the tight fitting pants that were tucked into leather boots. Whoever she was, she had talent, he threw on a helmet with a grin, stepping forward as the other opponent bowed out as she defeated him. He spanned his feet ready for his attack, and away they went. She was good, he noted as he took in what she was wearing: a billowing blouse, with a waist drawn in with a large belt instead of a corset so she could move freely. She was a good fight, and had decent talent and quick, almost dance like movements as her boots clicked against the stone floor. The bladed clamked against each other, with each lunge and attack

She fought well, but he was better as he knocked her down, his sword jabbing her slightly. 'Give?" He held out his hand towards her.

He received no response, but she accepted his hand, but half way up he noticed, a long black braid falling out the back of her shirt , while the glint of gold falling out of the front, his own insignia falling out giving her away. He almost didn't recognize her at first as she took off her helmet, the years had changed her. Her figure developed, the shadow of her breasts that lay beneath her shirt that were larger than he had imagined, she was almost as tall as he was, which terrified him as she wasn't a small child who was terrified of him. It was the opposite, that being away for three years he realized he left a child and came back to a woman. A woman he didn't expect because she was only fifteen.

"Well, well it seems you have been disobeying your King Sarah." Jareth tutted as he pulled off his helmet making his presence known. Her green eyes going wide with fear, knowing he wouldn't be pleased knowing she had gone behind his back when he had been away. "What do you have to say for yourself."

Sarah looked at him. "Welcome home?" She smiled anxiously shifting on her feet. "It's not what it looks like?"


So Miss Sarah had been going behind Jareth back while he was away. I wonder how he's going to react to the news?

The story will progress more slowly now, as Sarah is older and almost marrying age.

Let me know what you all think and thank you for all the reviews and follows it means the world to me! I thrive on reviews it keeps me going!

Tina