To Serve a King in Need
By: Tal J. Smith
I do not own the Labyrinth or its characters from the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth or the Manga!
Chapter 4 : Abbey the LabyrinthThey got back to Sarah's house and he and she both bent to say hello to an overly excited Oberon. The dog jumped on each of them at the same time. "Hey, get down you. I know, I know ya missed us. What have you been up to boy, huh Obie, you wanna treat?" she scratched his neck and headed for the kitchen to the treat jar. The dog seemed decide now that they were "properly" greeted, a treat sounded nice. He followed Sarah into the kitchen. Jareth was still silent and followed Sarah into the house.
Sarah felt Jareth was still deep in thought, so she gave him his space. She was not one of those women who had to fill the silences. Living alone for years taught her that. Silence can be just what you needed.
Jareth pulled up a barstool at the kitchen bar while Sarah gave the dog a treat and started cleaning up some of their dishes from breakfast. Jareth just watched distantly, and started rubbing his temples. He was developing quite the headache, worse than yesterday. He lazily watched as Sarah opened a decorative tin, poured some herbs into a diffuser, and then poured him a cup of tea. He took it mechanically, smelled it, and finally came out of his daze.
"Thank you so much Sarah," and it seemed to her he meant the thank you for more then the tea. "This smells wonderful, what is it?" Jareth took in the scent his headache easing a little as he sipped it.
"It's a Jasmine Lotus tea I picked up in Japan. It's for special occasions. You seemed to need it." Sarah poured herself a cup and led him to the couch. Jareth gracelessly slumped onto the couch. Sarah knew she wanted to help him relax in her presence, but this lack of formality and energy was completely unlike him. He was actually slouching.
Sarah touched Jareth's hand, he just looked at her quizzically, "Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap for a bit, you look a little tired. We did have a long day." Sarah said with concern. He seemed to be getting paler while she watched.
Jareth's head started pounding again. "I think I will do that, please wake me if I sleep too long. I wish to spend more time with you. I enjoy your company Sarah." Jareth put down the tea, and Sarah nodded with a concerned look on her face. Jareth knew it was starting. He did not think he would weaken so fast. He thought he had at least a week aboveground before the last of his power left him. Jareth did a quick bowing head nod to Sarah, gently squeezed her hand back, and gave her a small smile before heading up the stairs.
Sarah knew Jareth did not look good.
Sarah took Oberon out for a nice long walk hoping the rain would stay away. She was deep in thought. No one, not even those she dated, had ever stated they'd enjoyed her company. She found it hard to keep her thoughts straight. One on hand, here is a King whose last chance to save his kingdom is with her, on the other hand, here is a man who is swallowing his pride to ask for her help. He could have seduced her to get what he wanted; lord knows she would have fallen for him hook, line, and sinker.
But he has not made any romantic advances. Well at least he's getting over the shock of being touched by her. She was beginning to think she wanted to be seduced. Maybe she was already being seduced but didn't know it. Isn't that the nature of a seduction? She found herself wanting to touch him more and more.
What happened when he got his power back? Would he leave her here? Would he miss her, would he keep in contact with her though the mirror if she still wanted speak with him? Would she go with him bank to the Labyrinth if he asked? Would he ask? What would she do in the Underground if it were only to be his guest? Would the Labyrinth let here stay with Jareth, would it like her? Sarah got back to the door of her house just before it started pouring. She unhooked the dog's leash and continued to question herself. She noticed the floors could use a little cleaning; Oberon's hair was getting everywhere; besides, cleaning had always been a therapeutic activity for her.
She turned on some nice soothing music to a low setting so it would not wake Jareth, and she started to sweep and mop the floors. She was almost done when Jareth showed up behind her.
Jareth awoke to soft music playing in the background. He felt a little better, but still weak. Something must be happening to the Labyrinth to be affecting him like this. He walked downstairs towards the music and stopped at the base of the stairs to watch Sarah.
He stayed partly in the shadow and watched Sarah mop on the far side of the living room and hum to the music looking deep in thought. Her hair back up in the pony tail, with several strands coming loose in her face. She tucked them behind her ears and kept mopping. A nice slow waltz came over the speakers and Sarah smiled and turned it a bit louder. Jareth's heart was leaping out of his chest. His only coherent thought running through his head while looking at Sarah was "Mine!" He wanted her, and badly, his chest was tight with his need for her. That's all he knew at that moment. He felt himself dying, he felt the Labyrinth weakening. He suddenly entertained the notion of Sarah being his queen. She would rule well with her quick smile, viper wit, and fierce beauty. But he would certainly be destroyed if she denied him a second time. Although she did apologize, she did not say she had changed her mind. Swaying as she mopped, she did a dancing turn and suddenly Jareth was there.
Without speaking he took the mop and propped it up against a wall. Staring into her eyes intensely, he took her hand in his, and placed her other hand on his shoulder. He put a hand on her small waist and started a waltz. Sarah continued to stare at Jareth confused, but remained silent, her face remained serious for the first few bars of the song. Jareth seemed to be very serious as well. As they danced around the living room she smiled and started enjoying the dance. Jareth pulled her closer and smiled as well. She laughed, and said "Well in sneakers I'm not as tall as I was in your ballroom, but at least I haven't stepped on your feet yet!" She laughed again. "I haven't done this in years." He twirled Sarah away from him and pulled her back close to his body again.
Jareth's smile faded but continued dancing, "You remember my ballroom?" He twirled her around again and she closed the distance between them.
"Of course, I remember every dream I have about you." Sarah started blushing. Jareth regarded her with astonishment but continued dancing. "Was the ballroom real? Did you give me that dream?" Sarah questioned. Jareth was not sure what to tell her.
"I gave you the basis of the dream, but you chose the setting and how it proceeded." Jareth did not want her to pull away, but refused to lie to her.
Sarah frowned, "So if was that you? Do you really sing? Did you want to dance with me? Or did I force you too?" Jareth laughed.
"Yes, I was there, and I would be lying to say I did not enjoy myself in that ballroom….. and yes, I do sing, though not many know of it." Jareth continued. "I am a creature of dreams Sarah, it is sometimes a blessing and a curse. I can dream of things that may never come true, and they are as real to me as breathing. Sometimes I do not wish to wake, for life can be a bitter experience." Jareth pulled her a bit closer as if remembering some nightmare. Sarah didn't mind in the least.
"Maybe you're being here is why my dreams have been really vivid lately too. I mean I swear I could feel myself under a waterfall last night, even after I woke up I could still feel the water." The song ended. Jareth stiffened as he held onto her, and cocked his head to one side staring at her.
Jareth just looked at Sarah closely. Had she and he shared the same dream? He had not consciously given her that dream! Jareth's blue mismatched eye bored into her becoming a little darker. Sarah could feel her heart pounding. "And did you enjoy this dream with the waterfall Sarah?" Jareth asked slowly, not letting her back up one inch.
Sarah looked back at Jareth with some fear, and yes he could see it, lust. He pulled her tighter to him. Both his arms were around her waist now. She slowly put both her arms around his neck, one hand went into the silk of his hair, and one was resting gently on the back of his neck. He stiffened slightly, but closed his eyes briefly as if enjoying the feel of her hands caress in his hair, a slight half smile playing on his lips. He resisted the urge to shiver.
"I loved it. Did you…." She smiled still staring back at him, daring him to make a move. He smiled and gave a low chuckle showing his teeth, and crushed her body tight against feeling the length of her. He went in low for a kiss as Sarah pulled his head down to meet hers, and then Jareth collapsed.
Jareth's full weight fell on Sarah as he lost consciousness. Sarah yelled, "Jareth, what's wrong? Jareth, answer me?" She struggled with his weight, and managed to get him over to the couch and laid him down.
He was breathing, but barely. His face looked pale and drawn. Sarah didn't know what to do. She looked at his face, "I wish Jareth had all his power back!" Nothing. "Shit. Shit. Shit. Labyrinth! Please help him!"
She put a blanket on him. Should I call an ambulance? She heard the conversation in her head. "Um yeah Mr. Paramedic, my friend here is a fae king whose brother is stealing his power and his throne, is there anything you can do for him?" She wondered if the mirror would work. Would someone from the Underground be able to help him? Should she try and wish him back to the Underground, or would his brother find him first?
She kept a vigil by Jareth's side until it grew dark. He looked like he was sleeping, but still didn't wake. She went up to her bedroom to change for bed. Oberon was whining but followed Sarah.
Sarah pulled on a pair of flannel pants and a long baggy shirt. Staring into the dresser mirror she sighed. "I wish there was a way I could talk to the Labyrinth. It might know how I can help Jareth." Sarah looked at herself in the mirror and wondered if she was as pretty as all of Jareth's acquaintances. Her stomach twisted from what she thought was worry for Jareth. She thought back to how he almost kissed her. She thought to herself out loud.
"If I married Jareth, we could, I mean he did almost kiss me…... maybe he's only interested in a fling with me, maybe I'm not pretty enough for him, or maybe he has no romantic interest in a non-fae, what he thinks I wouldn't be a good queen. He had to have given me that waterfall dream, how else would he know to ask me if I enjoyed it? I guess I'm just a stupid mortal that will grow old and die. Heck I wouldn't even last a century, and he's been around for six? What if he doesn't last the night? What will happen to the Labyrinth."
She turned away from the mirror and almost yelped. A small blonde little girl in a flowing white Victorian gown was sitting on her bed. Her large dark brown eyes shown with centuries of wisdom. They way she tilted her head and looked at Sarah was very very creepy.
"Um, Hi there." Sarah shivered involuntarily at the way the girl was just staring calmly at her. "Did you come through the mirror? Are you a friend of Jareth's?" Sarah stood stock still wondering what was going on. The little girl smiled and nodded.
"Is that a yes?" Sarah asked still confused but feeling a little better. The little girl's smile seemed so genuine. The girl nodded again.
"Um, can you speak?" The little girl looked like she was concentrating.
"Yes." The girl said very softly, almost inaudibly.
"What's your name?" Sarah went over to her bed and sat next to the girl.
"I have many." The little looked at Sarah confused.
"Oh ok, well what does Jareth call you?" Sarah was trying not to scare the little girl. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she doubted this was just a little girl.
"He calls me Labyrinth." Sarah stiffened and her eyebrows shot up. The wish. God, I made another wish didn't I? I should really pay more attention to what I say! The feeling in her stomach before was the magic, not worry!
"You're here because of the wish I made." Sarah asked quickly, "Can you help Jareth? He's downstairs and very sick!" The little girl just shook her head no.
"I don't know what to do. Is there anything you can tell me that will help him? I told Jareth you may know of a way to defeat Jacent or who he should marry, but he was not sure how to ask you. Do you have any advice? What should we do?!" Sarah's eyes pleaded with the Labyrinth.
"He must return to the Underground and face Jacent with your help." Labyrinth reached toward Sarah and took her hand. "That is all I can say. Our strength is fading as Jacent draws near." The girl got up from the bed and walked slowly toward the mirror, her corn silk blonde hair falling straight past her waist. She stopped and turned to Sarah, "You are welcome in my Labyrinth anytime. Tell Jareth I approve of you, and please, call me Abbey….the Labyrinth is a place after all?" Then the girl disappeared with a smile.
Sarah sat there shocked and let out the breath she was holding. "Holy cow."
She went downstairs to check on Jareth. He was still pale, but breathing lightly as if sleeping. Sarah brushed some pale blonde hair away from Jareth's face. She had come to a decision and was determined to help Jearth, wishing his powers back to him was obviously not working, but all other wishes were. Maybe there was a way around that. She had an idea.
She quickly left a message to her boss saying she needed to go out of town on an emergency, packed a bag with several jeans and T Shirts, and led Oberon to where Jareth was still laying. She grabbed Oberon and Jareth at the same time and closed her eyes.
"I wish we all were in Jareth's bedchamber in the castle at the center of the Labyrinth." Sarah felt her stomach flip.
She opened her eyes and found herself in dark bedroom. Moonlight from a balcony showed Sarah there was a king sized bed in the center of this room with a large marble fireplace several feet away. Her wish had deposited Jareth in the large bad as she wanted. Oberon jumped onto the bed and curled up beside Jareth. Sarah looked around the room and shivered a bit.
I wish the fireplace was lit. Sarah stared as the fireplace burst with flames. I didn't even say my wish, I only thought it! I guess wishes are wishes even thought they are not verbalized. That could really come in handy!
Sarah saw the bedroom was decorated with purple and blue tapestries, plush rugs, and silk curtains. Upon exploring she saw the bathing room had a toilet, stone sink, and large stone carved bathtub. The floors were a light travertine stone. She was still in her night clothes and barefoot on the cold tile floor, unsure of what she should do now.
She went back to look at the sleeping figure of Jareth, and figured he would not mind if she shared a bed with him, just for the night. She noticed he still wore the jeans she bought him. I wish Jareth clean and dressed in something for sleeping. Heck it's been along day and an even longer night. I'll figure things out in the morning. Sarah, fell asleep petting Oberon in between her and Jareth, and listening to the sound of Jareth's labored breathing. The bed was so soft and warm, the fire's crackling putting her to sleep instantly.