Chapter 4: Come With Me And Be My Love
Finally! Jareth thought as he landed on a branch outside a hospital in his owl form. He had spent the last three hours tracking Sarah down. The Elites warned him that her condition was poor, but a human medical ward was the last place he expected her to be. His heart raced a little now that he was so close to her. He wondered if ten years had altered her at all. Then he remembered it was only four years for Sarah. She would still be a young woman.
He soared out of the tree and dropped to the ground. As he landed, Jareth transformed to a man. He leaned against the tree and surveyed the grounds. He watched the entrance carefully, wondering which room was hers.
"Mommy, look at that funny man!" a young child yelled, pointing at Jareth. His mother looked at Jareth; her eyes widened. She shushed him. "But Mommy, he's funny!" the little boy wailed.
Jareth made a face. He walked around the other side of the tree, and then cloaked himself from mortal eyes. Presently, his plan did not require any contact with the other mortals. He walked into the hospital. He could sense Sarah above him on a higher floor. Her pulse barely threaded through the building. It unnerved him. She always had an intense pulse before.
Jareth stood outside Sarah's room for a few minutes. He gathered his strength before entering the room. As he saw Sarah's diminished figure, Jareth tensed. She looked like a skeleton with skin loosely sew on. Her skin was yellow and cracked. He moved over to her bedside.
Jareth gently stroked her hair. "You cut it," he lamented. "What a shame." He passed a hand over her face. She did not have much longer.
"Who or what could have possibly done this?" He asked her. Jareth rested his gloved hand over her eyes. He narrowed his own miss-matched eyes in frustration. She was too weak for him to pull the memory from her mind.
A pair of nurses came in and checked her. "This one's a sad case. She's so young. Doctor says she's only gonna live a few days longer." The first nurse said as she took Sarah's vitals.
"I just hope that this isn't some sort of epidemic. I would hate to look like that when I go."
Jareth sneered at the woman and looked at Sarah. She did look haggard, but that would change in a few days. After the nurses left, Jareth pulled a chair next to Sarah. He touched her temple with the point of his finger. "Dream," he whispered.
Sarah stood still on the windswept hill. The landscape hadn't changed in the past four years. The castle beyond the Goblin City stood tall and straight against the pumpkin colored sky. Below her, the Labyrinth spread out in a never-ending, always-changing brain like pattern.
"Well this is a fitting dream." She said to herself. "Of course, I'm going to dream about the place that caused all this mess."
"And what mess would that be?" A deep, English voice said behind her. Sarah closed her eyes and tensed. She gave a deep sigh.
"Jareth," she hissed as she turned around.
"Hello, Sarah," he replied. He still wore that insufferable smirk on his face. "You're looking rather haggard." He said. Sarah regarded him for a few minutes.
"Well, no thanks to you I'm sure." She retorted.
"Why, Sarah, my dear, whatever do you mean?" He chuckled.
"You know what I'm talking about, you jerk." Sarah crossed her arms and cocked her hip.
"I am rather at a loss, my darling?"
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She turned back to look down at the Labyrinth. After a few minutes of silence, Sarah sighed. "What do you want Jareth?"
Suddenly, he was at her elbow whispering in her ear. "What, you mean more than your sparkling conversation?" His breath was hot.
Sarah jerked away. "Yeah, 'more than my sparkling conversation', what do you want Jareth?"
He stood back from her and rested on his cane. "You have become remarkably cynical, my darling, but you have a point. I have a purpose in visiting you."
"Yeah, I figured." She replied.
"You are not well—"
"Well, obviously," she snapped.
He gave her a sharp look for interrupting, but then continued. "You are not doing well, and I have a proposition for you."
Sarah narrowed her eyes at Jareth skeptically. "What kind of proposition?"
He stood back and smirked at her again. He called a crystal to his hands.
"Tell me that crystal will show me my dreams Jareth, and I'll punch you." She snapped. He laughed and tossed the crystal up in the air.
"Hardly, your dreams, Sarah darling, but your life, now that is a different question." He caught the crystal and tossed it to her.
Sarah looked down at the glass orb in her hands. It reflected her face, but then the scene changed. She saw Karen, her father, and Toby. They were all wearing black and crying. Sarah furrowed her brow deeply. The shot widened and showed them hovering over a casket. Then she realized. It was hers. Sarah swallowed deeply. She squared her shoulders and threw the crystal back to him.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Why should you not believe me?"
"That's not answering my question Jareth." She replied.
"Is it not? I am terribly sorry darling. I just thought you would prefer to live."
"And what, get turned into a goblin? Hmmm, tempting offer, but I think I'll pass thanks."
"I would not turn you into a goblin, Sarah. You would become a citizen of the Underground."
"I'm still wondering why you're doing this." She kept her arms folded and raised an eyebrow. "I mean you don't seem like the type to do things for free."
He looked pensively at his cane. "I would be able to say that I brought the mortal who defeated the Labyrinth to her knees." He said finally. "It would be the greatest triumph for me."
Sarah just snorted. "What a sore loser." Sarah muttered under her breath. "Still no reason for me to go down there."
"Well, Sarah, you have three days to make your decision. I mean, that is if you do not want to have your family to have to burry you so very young." He stepped close to her. "Either way, Sarah, you have three days to decide or die." Jareth took her chin in between his forefinger and thumb, "Such a pity," he muttered.
Sarah started awake in her bed. She stared at Karen dumbly, still trying to blink the flashes of glitter from her eyes. "Sarah, honey, are you all right?" Karen gripped Sarah's hand tightly.
"What?" Sarah asked. "Yeah, Karen, I'm fine. Just a strange dream."
"Oh, well do you need anything? Can I get you something?" Karen asked.
"No, no, I'm fine." Sarah sighed. She sat there looking at her hands thinking about Jareth's offer. She wasn't sure that he was even telling the truth. The other question was how much choice did she have? Did she want to live in slavery to the Goblin king? Would she?
"Sarah, do you mind if we have Toby in? He's been asking to see you."
Sarah came of her deep thought. "Oh, yeah, Karen, send him in." Karen looked up to Robert and nodded. Sarah's father left and returned a few minutes later with Toby. Toby ran to Sarah and threw his little arms around her neck.
"Sarah, you gotta get better ok?" He said adamantly.
"Yeah, I know, Toby. I'm trying."
"But you gotta try harder, Sarah! You gotta do whatever it takes!" He said hugging her closer. Sarah hugged him back. She looked out her window and noticed a white barn owl preening. She narrowed her eyes at him, and it took off.
Jareth landed in a park, transforming into a human. He looked around and quickly found Ivory. She was leaning against a tree, her eyes narrowed in permanent annoyance. She hated the Aboveground.
"High General," he called to her. Ivory stood up and stalked over to him.
"Are we quite done here, Jareth?" She snapped. "I hate the Aboveground."
"Yes, I know, Ivory. However, we need to wait three days."
"Three days, Jareth!" She wailed. He gave me a sharp look silencing her instantly. "Yes, my lord." She said grudgingly.
"I want to be on hand when she decides to come with us." Jareth explained. "I am fairly sure she will. I would that I knew who did this to her."
"Does she fair that poorly?"
"Aye, she looks rather like death. Perhaps, Death might even have more bloom in her cheeks."
Ivory arched an eyebrow and flexed her jaw. "I am very sorry for her. She will not refuse you though Jareth, of this I am sure."
"You as well Ivory?"
"If she does, Sire, I will personally take her to the Underground. I will not lose you as my king." Jareth smirked. He patted Ivory's shoulder.
"I am very glad to have you, Ivory. You always give me comfort."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ivory said with a sigh.
Sarah sighed as she watched TV anxiously. Today was the third day and she still hadn't made up her mind. Death or living with the Goblin King, which was worse? Both offered unknown options. Sarah sighed again and dropped her arms in her lap. She groaned in frustration.
"Sarah, are you all right, hon?" Robert asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Dad." She replied. She started chewing her nails. "Dad," she started, but then stopped unsure of how to continue.
"What is it, Sarah?" He replied coming to sit on the edge of her bed.
"Dad, if you knew of a way to save me, would you do it?"
"Yes." He replied.
"Even if it meant I moved really far away. I mean somewhere like, like Japan or something?" She asked.
"What do you mean, Sarah? Have you heard of some new treatment or something?"
"Well, maybe, but it would mean I would have to go very far away. Do you think I—"She asked, still chewing on her nails.
"Yes," He replied immediately. She gave him a quizzical look. Robert took his daughters hands. "Sarah, I don't care if you have to go to the moon and back. As long as I know you're all right. I can't stand the thought of burying my daughter. I want you to be healthy."
Sarah looked into her father's eyes. "Really?"
"Yes, Sarah, if you know of something that could save you, then go for it." He kissed her head and held her close. Sarah closed her eyes and hugged him back. She had made up her mind—to the Underground.
Jareth and Ivory were still in the park. They'd spent the last two days waiting around for Sarah. Jareth paced back and forth in the clearing. His mismatched eyes stared in the direction of the hospital. A turbulent wind blew his feral hair around him, along with his black feather cloak.
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, please sit down. You are making me nervous." Ivory snapped.
"How can I be calm, High General? Everything, my kingdom, your livelihood, everything rides on this one woman's decision."
"Yes, I know it does, Sire." Ivory replied. She reclined back against a tree and watched Jareth pace more. "However, wearing a hole in the ground will not make any difference to her decision."
"Yes, I know, but—" Jareth stopped in midsentence. His eyes went wide as he intently stared at nothing. "She has made her choice. I can hear her calling to me. Ivory, in the event that anything goes," he paused looking for a word. "Awry, please be prepared."
Ivory gave him a low respectful bow. "Yes, Sire." Jareth prepared to transform into an owl, but Ivory grabbed his arm. "Sire," she started.
He looked at her expectantly. "Yes, High General," he said.
"Jareth, I just want you to know that I—I—"
"Ivory, Sarah awaits, please, be brief."
The High General let out a heavy sigh. She let go of his arm. "Know that, no matter what the outcome is, you will always be my king."
Jareth smiled genuinely and clapped her shoulder. "Thank you Ivory, I am extremely happy to know you are always with me." With that, Jareth transformed into an owl and lighted his way to the hospital. He landed on Sarah's windowsill and waited.
On the inside, Sarah was asleep. She had called him to her, most likely from her dream world. Jareth teleported inside and preformed the familiar task of dream walking with her.
This time they were in the ballroom. Sarah was wearing her white dress he created for her and wandering aimlessly through the empty hall. Gentle music tinkled through the air as she made her way towards him. Jareth's chest tightened with anticipation, both of her answer and of the locale. She was steps away from him, and he closed the distance quickly offering her his hand.
Sarah softly placed her hand in his. Jareth did a sweeping bow before closing the small distance between them. He put his hand on her waist and led them out on the floor to sway to the music.
"This is a rather interesting choice." He said finally. Sarah shrugged.
"You're telling me. Why did you pick it?"
"I did nothing to select this place. Perhaps it lends itself to your deeper feelings." He leaned close to her face.
"No, if I were selecting something from deeper feelings, Goblin King, I would have suspended you head first over the bog." She retorted.
"Your subconscious seems to be in a great disagreement with you, Sarah." He smirked.
Infuriated, Sarah jerked away. "No, it isn't. You're just being a pig. Personally, Jareth, I hate you and I hope you choke." Jareth smiled at Sarah and held his arms open for her to continue their dance.
"Come now, Sarah. Let us not quarrel. We have business to discuss."
Sarah glared at him, but then consented to let the music take her away. "Well, ok, so I decided to, well, go with you to the Underground."
"Ah, splendid, I have a room prepared for you." Jareth practically chirped.
"Well, we need to explain where I'm going to my family." The Goblin King raised an eyebrow at Sarah's suggestion. "I don't mean tell them I'm going to live in a magical unicorn land."
"The Underground is hardly a magical unicorn land, Sarah."
"Well, I mean I can't tell them I'm going to the Underground. That's a one way ticket to the loony bin. I'll have to make something up. Like you can be a doctor from Germany and you have this ground breaking treatment for me, but you have to take me to Germany to do it."
"If you wish," Jareth replied. He leaned into Sarah's hair and pulled her a little closer.
"Will I still be able to talk to my family?" She asked removing her head from Jareth's chest.
"Yes, of course. I will be sure to provide you with anything you need. I would not have you cut off from the rest of the world."
"Somehow this all seems too good to be true. What's your angle Jareth?"
"Angle?" He repeated confused.
"Yeah, why are you doing this. You don't need me."
"I have my reasons." He replied.
"Yeah, well that room you have isn't an oubliette is it?"
"Hardly, once you arrive, however, it will fine tune itself to your preferences." Sarah regarded him suspiciously for a few minutes. Jareth only smiled at her. "Fine," she relented. "Let's get this going. You'll have to come in when my parents are here. I need them to see this."
"But of course, darling, I will have the whole thing ready for you." The song ended finally. "Until we meet again, my darling, I bid thee a sweet adieu." Jareth bowed low and kissed Sarah's hand. The room slowly faded black. Only Jareth's smug smile remained in focus until she opened her eyes.
"Dr. House?" Sarah said sitting up a little. He ignored her, engrossed in the soap opera on the television. "Hello," she said. He turned around and looked at her, but then went back to his soap opera. Sarah rolled her eyes. "Well, hello Sarah, how are you?" She asked, mimicking his voice.
"Why I am actually doing a lot better, thank you for asking. How are you?"
She then continued in a low voice. "I am doing fine, but I do seem to have an ego the size of the sun, and someone licked the red off my candy this morning." She snapped.
House continued to ignore her. Sarah rolled her eyes and growled in frustration. She grabbed the cord for the remote and pulled it to her. Once she held the remote in her hands, she shut the TV off.
"Hey, I was watching that!" House exclaimed.
"So, sorry, I thought you were too busy being a jerk." She snapped back. House scowled at her.
"You're rude. Did you know that?" He replied crossing his arms.
"That's the pot calling the kettle black."
The childish argument was about to ensue when Karen and Robert came in. They always visited around lunchtime. Robert would come in the mornings before work, and then Karen would come in the evenings after work. Somehow, they always managed to make lunch together.
"Hello, honey," Karen said as she came to give Sarah a kiss.
"Hi, Karen."
"How is the dearly infirmed?" Robert asked feeling her forehead.
"Fine, Dad." She replied. "Look, guys, I have something to tell you. I found someone who I think can help me."
"What?" The others chorused. "What do you mean 'help you'?"
As if on cue, Jareth entered. He looked perfectly normal wearing nice slacks, and a button up. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail and the feral strands smoothed down against his head. "I would be able to help Sarah heal." He said. Karen whipped around and glared at him.
"And just who are you?" She demanded.
"My name is Dr. Brian Harper." He said. "I am a physician from Germany. I have only seen one other case such as Sarah's, and with her families consent I would like to try a new treatment on her."
"You have an English accent." House pointed out.
Jareth smiled and looked House over. "Yes, and you have a cane, sir. I hardly see how that is a material point." House sneered at Jareth and looked out the window.
"You see, Mrs. Williams," Jareth stepped forward taking Karen's hand. "Sarah and I have been conversing about her condition. I would love the chance to help your daughter become well again. She is such a precious little thing."
Karen stared hypnotized by Jareth's eyes. "Yes," she mumbled. Robert stepped in. Jareth stepped back from Karen.
"Well, how do you we know anything about you? I would like to see some paperwork."
"Of course, Mr. Williams, whatever you desire, I will provide." He replied slowly smiling. "I understand your desire to protect your daughter." Jareth put a hand on Robert's shoulder, and suddenly his demeanor changed. "But with your daughter having so little time, perhaps we should allow the formalities to slide."
Robert knitted his brow. "Yeah, maybe we should."
"I have all of Sarah's paperwork ready to go whenever she is. If you would all like to talk about things, I will leave you." Jareth gave a slight bow of his head and backed out of the room.
Karen looked at Sarah. "Honey, why didn't you tell us?"
Suddenly, finding herself on the spot, Sarah quickly came up with a believable cover story. "I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up, Karen. I didn't want something to go wrong and then everyone be upset."
"But, Germany Sarah? That's so far away." Robert said.
"I'll still be able to call you guys, and we can write all the time."
"I guess." Robert sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Dad, it's my one chance. Dr. Harper is a good doctor. He came with a lot of recommendations." Robert smiled and nodded.
"All right, honey, I guess if it's a chance. We can take it. I just want you to be safe." He kissed her forehead. "Well, kiddo, I guess we better take off. We can't be late back from lunch." Sarah's parents kissed her and left.
"So what's the real story behind you and England?" Dr. House asked leaning on his cane.
"What?"
"This is just too perfect of timing. You dying and don't want your parents to watch? That's kind of selfish."
"You would know Dr. House. If you want the truth, Dr. Harper is really a king from a magical land called the Underground. He lives in the Goblin Castle. He was a jerk and gave me fruit that did this to me, because I spurned him. And now that I'm dying he wants to take advantage of having the upper hand. But I'd rather live with him, than die here."
House blinked a few times. "Ok, so go ahead, lie to me. Everyone else does." He muttered as he walked out of the room. Sarah shook her head and leaned back. For the first time in four years, she had a good amount of hope that things were going to get better.
Ivory waited impatiently in the clearing. She listlessly watched some young children playing on a swing set and sighed. Her mind was not focused on the children, or anything else for that matter. Thoughts of Jareth losing his throne swirled around in her head. If the mortal declined Jareth's offer then Ivory was going have to figure out a plan. Her hand absently wandered to the small dagger she had strapped to her thigh. She fingered the hilt gingerly and smiled at the small comfort. She momentarily wondered how much blood a mortal could spill.
If it was Ivory's fault the mortal was dead, the council would punish her. Mostly likely exile her from the Southern kingdom. That thought didn't bother her, as long as Jareth remained on the throne. The only thing that did bother her was the fact that she would be forced away from Jareth. She had—
"Ivory!" Jareth's voice interrupted her thoughts. Ivory snapped her pale face towards him. His face beamed with joy.
"Yes, Jareth? What news?"
"She accepted."
Ivory sighed in relief, but a new kind of dread washed over her. She hated Sarah with a deep passion. "Very good," she said.
"Yes," Jareth said. He snapped his fingers and a scroll appeared. "Have this delivered to the Elite, and make the final preparations."
"Directly, Sire." Ivory took the scroll and bowed. She went back to the Underground and followed her king's orders, as always.
The next day, Sarah, Karen, Toby, and Robert were all at the airport. Sarah and Jareth checked in for flight reservations. Karen was bawling by the time they got to the gate. "Oh, Sarah, I'm going to miss you. This is worse than when you moved out." She sobbed and held on to her daughter. Even Robert's eyes gathered tears in the corners.
"You'll promise to stay in touch and give us an address when you get there so I can write." She said choking on a sob.
"I will, Karen. I love you guys so much." She hugged her parents. When it came time for Toby's hug, he refused.
"Come on, Toby, please give me a hug."
"No!" He yelled.
"Toby, I have to go, if you don't give me a hug I won't have one from you to take with me."
"I don't want you to go! Why do you have to go?"
"Because Toby, I have to get better. If I don't, then I'll die and you won't even to get to talk to me on the telephone. I'll be gone forever." Sarah explained. Toby blinked a few times and shook his head.
"Don't die Sarah!" He began crying.
"I won't if you give me a hug." The young boy's blue eyes widened. He threw his arms around his sister. Sarah hugged him back and smiled inwardly. She finally released him. "All right guys, wish me luck and hope I get better fast. I'll call you when I get settled in." Everyone crowded in for one last hug as Sarah and Jareth departed through to the checkpoint. With one last look, Sarah waved goodbye and then rounded the corner.
"So what now?" Sarah asked him.
Jareth held out his hand. "We go home."
"The Underground isn't my home Jareth." Sarah retorted.
He just smiled. "Do not worry. It will be. Close your eyes." He said. Sarah did as instructed. She felt a tug and a sudden drop as Jareth teleported them to the Underground. "Welcome home, Sarah," Jareth said after a few minutes. Slowly she cracked open her eyes, terrified of what she might find. When she saw where she was, Sarah gasped.
TBC….
I guess that's not much of cliff hanger. So, this one came a lot more easily than the last one. I didn't feel like I was pulling teeth. I hope Jareth is still all right. He strikes me as a rather bipolar character anyway, very subject to pleasing whomever he chooses. I hope this was an ok chapter. Read and review. If you see anything wrong, please let me know. I really do enjoy reviews of any kind. For those of you who read last chapter, I did do some editing. Nothing major though, so it doesn't change the plot at all. I just edited it so that it wasn't so hard to read.
29: Thanks. I hope you keep enjoying my story.
Roy's Little Girl: No, being a grammar Nazi is perfectly fine. Though I do have a question, what makes your spelling more correct than mine? Part of the reason I spell it "faery" is because that's the way I see it in poetry.
: Here's more. Lol Thanks for reviewing.
Lylabeth1: Thanks for commenting. I'm really glad you enjoy the story. Yeah, I know that this does deviate from the actuality of what real folklore would say, but for the sake of the story, I had to kinda keep in somewhat cannon with the movie. Personally I—well at this juncture, I shall remain silent on my opinion. Lol Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you like the 100 theme challenge. Also, thanks for all the tidbits about folklore. You should put it to some good use.
Notwritten: Thanks for reviewing.
My guest reviewer: I'm sorry I didn't get to the explanation here. I will next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.