Chapter 4, Doldrums

That annoying, disrespectful, ignorant woman! Of all things, why this? Why her of all people! Jareth slammed around his chambers in an angry rant. Cursed woman, how dare she order Me around like some commoner. Ugh, mortal...

After a few minutes, he ceased his onslaught and decided to dress for bed. After changing his clothing to simple black night pants, he pulled the covers of his bed back and paused. His mind was blank, but his hand gripped the comforter as if someone was about to pull it away from him. Shaking himself of his daze, he lowered himself into the bed and sat for a moment.

He took a deep breath and pulled his hands to his face in an exasperated sigh. Sarah, Sarah. What am I going to do with you? His hands plopped into his lap, and he looked around the room one last time. It was quiet. He slumped down into the sheets and let out a low grunt. It felt as though hours had passed in only a few minutes. Sleep wouldn't come easy this night.

He closed his eyes, and tried to relax, letting the warmth and softness of the blankets sooth him. He tossed and turned, trying to keep nagging thoughts of Sarah from his mind. After a while, he gave in, and let the images flow.

And there she was. She wasn't yelling, or crying or fighting. She was just there, smiling at him. She was so beautiful. He finally acknowledged how much she had grown over the years. No longer the curious child he had met over ten years ago. She was glowing, the past decade had only made her more beautiful, more fierce. She was a woman now. Memories from that night played through his mind, the way she stood her ground before him, the way she commanded him. Her will was strong, as strong as his. Unbeknown to him, a smile had creased his lips. How is it a mortal woman is able to turn my world upside down with one look? Such cruelty... Finally, after a few more innocent daydreams, he drifted off to sleep.

The next thing he knew, it was morning. The light of the rising sun stung his eyes. He got up and made himself ready for the day. He was surprisingly cheerful, but thought nothing of it. Just when he was about to exit the room and start his day, it all came back to him. Damn it, I nearly forgot about Sarah. He started to make his way towards her room, but stopped and turned on a dime in the opposite direction. No, I will not subject myself to her beck and call. I have more important things to do than entertain that woman. He stomped into the throne room, kicking a couple Goblins along the way.

He sat in his throne and waited. No. He wasn't waiting. He was doing his daily scans on the Labyrinth, and at any moment he expected Sarah to come bursting through the door cursing at him for one reason or another. To help distract himself, he conjured a crystal and brought the Labyrinth into view. His gaze moved to different sections of his kingdom, making sure everything was as it should be. After what felt like an hour, he smashed the crystal to the ground. He glared at the door, practically tapping his foot in irritation. Damn that woman! Does she expect me to go to her? I am not her babysitter! He jumped out of his seat and stormed through the door.

Sarah woke up more tired than the night before. There were no windows, and no clock, so she had no idea what time it was. She was still alone, no sign of Jareth or any creeping Goblins. Is he really going to leave me alone? She wondered. She got out of the oversized bed and started snooping around the room.

After she'd calmed down, she'd been able to find what she assumed was a nightgown in one of the dressers the night before. She'd been so drained, she hadn't bothered exploring the rest of the room. She noticed a small door in the far corner of the room. When she opened it, she found a quaint little bathroom. She let out a sigh of relief at the thought of taking a bath. Oh, thank God. I hadn't even thought about showering. I wonder how the plumbing in this place works? She wondered. Just as she was about to pull the gown over her head, she heard a knock at the door. Seriously? I guess he's not leaving me alone... Leisurely, she made her way to the door, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of her urgency.

She opened the door to see Jareth looming just overhead.

"What do you want." She asked, acting more annoyed by his presence than she truly was. He cracked a smirk to hide his anger.

"And a good morning to you. Did you sleep well?" He asked. Sarah leaned against the doorframe.

"I slept fine. Mind telling me what it is you want?" She tried to puff out her chest a bit, act tough. Jareth raised an eyebrow at her. Apparently, she'd forgotten she was wearing a thin white night gown, and her display wasn't exactly showing her confidence.

"I came to check on you." He said with some sincerity. She narrowed her eyes in distrust.

"To see if I was still here you mean? Well as you can see, I haven't run off. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to bathe before I leave." She gave him an implying eye. He leaned in a little closer, resting an arm on the top of the doorframe above their heads.

"Yes, I can see. But, you're not leaving quite yet." He purred.

Sarah's face grew hot at his arrogant display. You pompous bastard! Her eyes shot flamming daggers at him.

"What do you mean I'm not leaving yet? I'll leave when ever I damn well choose to!" She hollered. Jareth merely sneered at her.

"I told you, you will not survive the Underground without my protection. And I do not have the time to watch over you every waking minute for the rest of eternity." He said casually. Sarah would have stomped her foot if she hadn't caught herself.

"So what do you expect me to do? Stay here with you for the rest of forever?" She spat. She was burning inside. He wouldn't keep her, she'd find a way to escape. Jareth almost looked hurt, but the look soon turned to icy stone.

"No." He said. There was an awkward pause. Sarah started to grow uncomfortable. His expression, the way his eyes bore into her made her want to cry. There was such hatred, such animosity, and...something else. Before she could process any further, he started to speak again. "I told you, I am on your side. I will find a way to return you Aboveground." He said, just as flatly.

Sarah stood in the doorway, a little uneasy. The fight had left her eyes. She looked sad, like someone had just taken away all of her dreams. Jareth was confused, he hadn't expected this reaction from her. He wasn't yelling, they weren't arguing. So why did she seem so afraid? Wow...He really hates me that much...I can't blame him. Everything I did...I was a stupid girl. But what did he expect? ...It doesn't matter, I want to leave, and he's going to help me. That's that. She thought to herself. I don't understand this...This is what she wants. She can't stand this place. Why is she cowering like a lost child all of the sudden? Gods I wish she'd stop staring at me like that. Jareth's mind raced, and his eyes scanned hers, searching for some answer.

"Alright." Sarah said, her voice was weak and shallow. "I guess I'm stuck here for now. Please leave, I won't bother you." She spoke as if her spirit had crumbled, yet there was no reason for it. Jareth pulled away from the door, sensing the dramatic change in the air. There was another awkward pause.

"I'll send breakfast for you. You're not restricted to this room, but I urge you stay within the castle boundaries." He said, a little wary of their now increasingly uncomfortable situation.

She wasn't looking at him anymore, her gaze was cast to the side as if lost in thought. The truth was, her mind was completely blank. Sarah, why are you acting like this? He wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her until her fight came back. Where was the Sarah he knew? Where was the fearless creature who defied it all? He didn't like what was happening.

"Thank you." She said. He gave her a look of surprise, this was not anything that he had anticipated from her. "I'll find some way to entertain myself. I know how much of an inconvenience I am for you."

She shifted slightly, wanting the conversation to end. Why am I acting like this? Why do I feel so hurt? Of course he doesn't want me here, I defeated him, turned him down at every turn. I don't want this either...I need to get ahold of myself, I should expect nothing less than his rejection. They were both silent. The air was so thick with unspoken thoughts, they might have suffocated. Suddenly, without a word, Sarah moved away, and closed the door in his face.

Jareth stared at the door, completely shocked. He should have been angry. He should have burst down the door for dismissing him in such a way, but he couldn't muster the will. This wasn't the conversation he had expected, and in some ways he felt resentful. What in the hell just happened? Where did all the life, all the cruelty go? He thought. Why...Why can't I just walk away.. He felt his hand reach for the knob, and had to forcefully stop himself from opening the door and pursuing her. He waited, staring at the spot where Sarah had once been standing. A little reluctantly, he turned away and headed back towards the throne room. His head cast low as he walked. Only once had he felt something similar to this; the night in the Escher room. The moment she declared her victory over him. He shook his head, ridding his mind of the memory, forcing it back into the murky depths of what he thought was his heart. He stopped and leaned against a wall, as he tried to compose his emotions. He wasn't used to feeling despair.