Chapter 5: Who are you?

Four words, that was all it took, and the blindfold was removed from Sarah's eyes. The tall man with the brutally angled face was not from the adoption offices. Looking at him again, mouth agape, Sarah could not believe she ever thought it possible.

Who had she invited into her home?

Jareth had not moved. He didn't stand or threaten, and yet she felt a deep foreboding inside. Every nerve within her seemed to awaken at once. She forced her insides to remain calm as she slowly placed her delicate cup on the tray.

"I beg your pardon?" Sarah asked. She willed her back to straightened and her voice to remain steady.

The man did not smile. Sarah was relieved. There was a viciousness beneath his lovely lips and straight white teeth. She had seen it moments before as his expression changed from teasing to that of an avenging angel. Sarah clasped her hands on her lap and waited.

He took his time responding. He seemed abnormally interested in her face. He stared at it with a focus that bordered on rude. The stony purple eyes wandered over her lips, cheeks and her small pert nose before finally coming to rest on her eyes. The intensity of his regard was ill-mannered and crushing. Sarah blinked and leaned back slightly. Violet eyes captured blue and willed her to focus on him.

She felt herself falling into his gaze, tumbling into his thoughts.

Her chest pulled forward and she braced her hands on her knees for support. Her body was her own, but her mind was locked with his.

She became dizzy with the speed of his thoughts. Words popped into her brain, words she didn't understand. Alchenmians, Nascency, Circidella. That last one was laced with a disdain so thick, Sarah felt a bad taste film her mouth.

Then images began to twirl in her brain. A room, dark and cold, with a large bed in the center. Another with red flames dancing on the walls. Sarah felt herself pushed to the edge of the space, almost flying over it. Then she was looking out onto an impossibly enormous maze. She felt her stomach flip at the boundless sight before her. It was impossible that such a thing should exist.

Her attention turned then to a figure on a throne. It was the man himself, leaning casually across the ivory dais. For all respects Jareth seemed at ease, even slightly bored, but Sarah recognized the lie in the image. He was completely alert. Even his reclining body was taut with readiness and strength. As Sarah drew nearer she felt another emotion radiate off of the man in waves. It took a moment for her to place it, then once she had, she felt she must be wrong.

Emptiness.

Sarah tilted her head for a closer look, only to have his eyes turn to her. In the dream, Jareth's eyes were no longer expressionless. On the contrary, they were filled with surprise and wonder. The thick lashes widened and the pointed brows spiked upward, before pulling into a bewildered frown. He swung his feet to the floor and moved to stand. Then Sarah felt herself falling back and away. In the blink of an eye, she was once again herself, sitting on a chair in her prim living room.

Her breathing was rushed as she moved a hand to her heaving breasts. Her mind began to speed quickly, trying to rationalize what just happened. Was it a fainting spell? She knew the answer was no, but the alternative was impossible.

"Impossible." She heard and lifted her head up sharply. The tall man stood before her and stared at Sarah. She turned away, terrified.

"Sarah." He called. His voice was a seductive lullaby. "Look at me, Sarah."

Sarah swallowed hard and shook her head. "I think not, sir." She answered in a small, stubborn voice.

To her surprise, she heard a soft chuckle from the man. Then there was the ruffling of fabric. It was his cloak possibly, but Sarah did not look. The thud of boots scraped the floor. Before she knew it, the man was kneeling before her and turning her face to his. She gasped and pulled back from his grasp. When her eyes met his, she saw humor and curiosity in their depths.

"Forgive me for touching you, but I must have your attention." He smiled slightly and leaned in to look more deeply at her.

Sarah could feel his breath on her face, and the smell of lavender and spice filled her lungs. She blinked quickly. Her skin heated and raised. She shook her head and put a hand on his shoulder to push him back.

"Who are you?" She asked slowly.

"I've already told you." The man answered quietly, indulgently, unmoved by her nudge.

Sarah frowned and pulled her hand back. Her voice came out in a suspicious whisper. "What are you? A witch?"

The man called Jareth laughed roughly and stood again. He crossed his arms over his massive chest and seemed to be debating something in his mind. Then, in an instant, he appeared to come to a conclusion and gave Sarah a dazzling smile.

Sarah witnessed it all and was completely confused. It only got worse with his next words.

"Sarah, an excellent question. I had hoped we could simply resolve this without any difficulty but it appears you are abnormally guarded against my magic."

"Your magic..." Sarah interrupted only to be ignored.

"What am I?" He repeated in his slow drawl. "I am The King."

Sarah was silent. The whole room seemed to freeze as the man waited for her to respond. "A king of what, sir?"

Jareth smirked. "Of everything. Not a king, The King."

Sarah slowly began to rise from her seat. "Is that so?" She asked politely.

"It is."

Sarah stood absolutely still and folded her hands before her. "And where is your kingdom, if I might ask?"

Jareth's brows pulled together and he shook his head with a smile. "Everywhere. I will explain if you wish."

Sarah nodded and remained quiet. The King continued to speak in his hypnotic voice.

"Time is not what you believe it to be, Sarah. It does not pass. It simply changes. For one, it is ever moving, for another, it is as still as stone. There was once a vast and ancient war. It lasted for millennia, I am told. To me, it was," The King paused and smiled with a small shake of his head, "shorter."

The King's eyes glazed over as he recalled the distant memory. "It was man versus goblin, witch versus elf. In the end, only the goblins and witches remained. Then it was I, alone on a battlefield, King of the realms."

"And which are you? Not man." Sarah asked quietly.

The King laughed low and turned his brilliant eyes to the girl. "No. Not man. Not witch. Not elf. Not goblin. I am something else entirely, Sarah. But you may call me Jareth."

His eyes bore into hers. It took all her strength to not look away or shiver under his gaze. Her voice was lost, though she had many questions. He waited for a moment and then the side of his lips twitched and he turned his sparkling eyes away.

After taking a few seconds to collect herself, Sarah wet her lips and asked firmly. "And why are you here?"

The King took a step closer. Sarah felt her heart stop as he turned his long body to the sleeping baby in his bed. "I am here for the child, Sarah."

A.N. I do not own Labyrinth

Hello readers! Ever wonder how you would respond if a gorgeous man showed up and told you he's the king of the world? No? Ahh well, it's just me then. How do you think Sarah handled the crazy situation? Let me know, don't make me use my hypnotic gaze!

I want to thank those of you awesome readers who have written me both by PM and reviews including but not limited to, MyraValhallah, SarahlouisDodge, Honoria Granger, Devilish or Kittenish, Whack-a-beetle, and my new reviewer HachimanKitsune. You guys are amazing! I wish you all good luck for the New Year!

As always, thank you for reading, reviewing, following and/or favoriting! -S.