"That wasn't you?" she asked the Goblin King doubtfully.
Jareth frowned as he looked at her. He didn't understand what had her so... frightened, almost. But that she'd mentioned him was what bothered him. Did she dream of my touch? Jareth wondered, hoping that the answer was no, but convincing himself that the answer was the opposite.
"What are you talking about, Sarah?"
She paused before answering, only to pull the sheet that was over her up again, clutching it to shield what was left of the modesty that Jareth had all but stolen away. Her scowl ran deep frown lines into her pale skin, and something hit Jareth then, as if her expression had painted him a picture that he could not ignore. A scowl shows emotion, he thought, realising that whatever Sarah had dreamt, it had seemingly brought her out of herself. Back to him.
"It wasn't you..." she confirmed, convincing herself that the being in her dream was either of her own invention... Or someone else's.
But it wasn't Jareth.
"What did you dream of, love?" Jareth asked softly.
Love. Why does he have to call me that? He doesn't love me; he never has, Sarah thought, his use of the word almost irritating her. She didn't want think about that though, or anything that his love had brought upon her, so she thought of her response to his question. She pushed everything else into the deep recesses of her mind. But as she tried to recall her dream- her nightmare- for the Goblin King, Sarah found that her memories fled from her as the mouse from the owl. Her scowl deepened.
"I... I don't remember..."
Her response frustrated Jareth. Did she not remember? Or was she purposefully refusing to tell him? The former was acceptable; the latter was not. Was she abusing the fact that he had given his vow? If so, he couldn't let her get away with it. Even if he still almost felt bad about what he'd done.
"Sarah," he said, staring at her seriously.
He saw Sarah flinch, even though she knew that he wouldn't- couldn't- touch her. The tone of his voice was one he'd used before. One that meant that he was as serious as his stare, and one that told her that she would regret it if she didn't listen to him.
She flashed her green eyes back up at him, and in them he saw fear. But he also saw the strength- the fire- that had seemingly escaped her since he'd raped her. What did she dream of that made that return? he asked himself, that question bothering him more and more as she refused to answer him. He had an inkling, but that was not for her to know.
"What?" Sarah said, a small strength in her voice.
Jareth was glad that Sarah's fire had returned to her; to him. Of course he was glad. But there was a little too much attitude in her reply for his liking. So Jareth put a hand on the edge of Sarah's bed and leant down to her, his face so close to hers that he could hear her breath catch in her throat. For a moment, Sarah almost thought that he was going to kiss her.
"Y-your vow," she reminded him, her voice wavering with the fear she tried not to show.
Then Jareth smirked that horrible smirk that Sarah hated so much and answered, "There's so much that I can do without touching you, Sarah, dear."
He watched as Sarah's eyes widened and she moved back from him.
"So you should watch your manners."
With that he pulled back, leaving her mind reeling. What happened to the Jareth that was just telling me how sorry he was? How he'd never meant to do to me what he had? Where is he now? Sarah wondered. And why is this evil part of him back?
Jareth watched as her mind thought through his actions and his smirk remained. This is me, he thought. Why had I softened myself for her and let her think that she could take advantage of that?
"Do you understand, Sarah?"
She opened her mouth to respond, but a glare from him stilled her tongue before her words slipped out. She merely gave a nod instead. Even if she was determined not to let herself give up as she almost had before, Sarah was not willing to test the Goblin King. Not when he was looking at her like that.
"Good. Now, tell me what you dreamt of?"
Sarah stared at him. Hadn't she just told him that she didn't remember? She didn't understand the Goblin King at all. She never would. His mood swings confounded her and filled her with a fear that only he was capable of inducing in her. That was what she'd thought before the thing from her nightmare though- the thing that was fast fading the more that she tried to remember it.
"I don't remember. I really don't... All I know was that it scared me," she answered quietly.
"Hm," Jareth said quietly.
What she had dreamt exactly would torment Jareth's mind for a long while, but his suspicions were growing the more she seemed to think and forget about what had happened in her dream. Different things were tormenting Sarah's mind. She felt scared; not quite as scared as she had felt before Jareth had made his vow to her, but she was still scared. Very much so. His threat lay in the forefront of her mind. "There's so much that I can do without touching you, Sarah, dear." She didn't doubt that that was the truth.
As Sarah sat, covered only in that clean, soft sheet, and as the silence grew between them; Sarah realised that she felt extremely uncomfortable. She wanted to be wearing something; being naked in the very same bed that she was raped in only made her feel like crying again. Don't cry, Sarah, she told herself. You have to be strong. Or at least pretend to be.
"Do you..." Sarah started, but she stopped as Jareth looked up.
"Yes?" he asked, his voice making it clear that she'd disturbed him from his deep thoughts.
"Are there any clothes that I can wear?" she asked as she made a point of not looking into his mismatched eyes.
If she had been looking at him, Sarah would have seen Jareth smirk. Here she was, asking him for something. She had just put him was in control once again without really even realising it. As it should be, he thought, not willing to consider what her brief breakdown had done to him. That wasn't me, Jareth added grimly.
"Certainly," he replied.
"They're in the wardrobe."
But Jareth made no move toward the tall wardrobe. Sarah blinked. He doesn't expect... Does he just want to make me to ask?
"Would you mind?" she asked, even though she hated herself for it.
But she knew that Jareth would have remained still had she been stubborn about it. And her alternative option was really no option at all, in Sarah's opinion. Getting up, naked, and walking over to the wardrobe that may or may not open for her was not an idea that she liked. Sarah didn't even know if she even could manage that.
"As you wish," was all that Jareth said in response, though his smirk remained on his face as he stepped over to the wardrobe.
Sarah couldn't see what he was doing, or what he was rifling through once the door had opened so easily for him. She wished that it had done the same for her earlier; but then she caught herself. Don't even think of that word. It's what got you into all of this trouble in the first place, she told herself.
Jareth emerged from the wardrobe carrying something that Sarah thought barely even qualified in being called clothing. It was a nightdress of sorts, though they weren't the words that Sarah would have used to describe it. To her, it was more of a black slip of material, lace rimming the fringes of the soft-looking fabric. It was very short, and all too revealing. Sarah's mouth hung open as he placed that and some rather too risqué underwear before her.
"No... I am not wearing those things," Sarah said in disgust.
Jareth just raised an eyebrow and answered, "So you'd prefer to remain naked?"
"How about you get me some other clothes; preferably something that actually covers my body?" Sarah retorted.
Jareth glared at her, silencing the attitude in her tone.
"It's this or nothing, Sarah."
She shook her head vehemently and refused again to wear something so revealing.
"Pity, I would have liked to have seen you in this. Though if you'd prefer to stay naked, I don't mind. Your body is beautiful."
Sarah blanched; she felt like being sick again at just the sound of him describing how he'd have liked to have seen her wear something that she could never have imagined herself wearing. It was worse that he'd mentioned her body though, and Sarah shivered as a memory of when he'd raped her came shooting back.
But what bothered her the most was how Jareth was acting. Sarah didn't understand why he had been so... almost kind to her before she had fallen asleep, and now he was back to ordering her around. He was an anomaly; a mystery that Sarah yearned for never having found its way into her life. And as much as Jareth seemed to enjoy granting her wishes; Sarah very much doubted that he'd ever grant that wish.
So she took the hardly-there material with a frown that only made the Goblin King smile. But then a staring match began between the two, as both resolutely held their positions. Jareth was determined that he would stay; and Sarah was single-minded in not letting Jareth watch as she dressed herself. Both, however, were two stubborn for their own good.
"Do you mind?" Sarah asked, eventually looking away from those mismatched eyes.
"I'm not leaving, love," he replied calmly.
Sarah's fist clenched around the fabric of the sheet covering her.
"I am not getting changed in front of you then, she snapped back and turned her head completely from the Goblin King.
Jareth's eyebrows rose. Where has this come from? he wondered, pondering on Sarah's attitude and the renewed strength behind it.
"That's fine by me, love. I've already told you how much I love your body."
Sarah grimaced so much so that even with her face turned away from him, Jareth could see how it creased her features. Sure, Sarah thought. I'm not scared that he'll try to do what he did again... he can't... But there was something in her that wanted so desperately to fight back against the way Jareth spoke to her- as if they were lovers or something. As if I would ever consensually stay with Jareth. That thought disgusted her.
But she was stopped from offering up her retort by her stomach, which promptly gave its own, rather loud, growl. Sarah looked down at her stomach through the sheet covering her, and, once again, realised that she was starving.
Seeing the deepening frown on her face, Jareth's eyes flickered to the plate of food he'd brought in before Sarah's... bath incident. But instead of offering her the tray of most-likely stale food, with a wave of his hand, Jareth summoned up a fresh tray.
"You should eat," Jareth suggested, holding out the fresh plate of food.
Though it smelled unbelievably good, Sarah turned her nose up at it. She wasn't going to do anything until he was gone. She refused. She already knew that she was going to end up wearing that thing that he called a nightgown. But she wouldn't put it on until Jareth left. And she wouldn't eat until Jareth left. In fact, she wouldn't do anything until Jareth left.
"Sarah, you haven't eaten since yesterday morning. You need to eat; just something?" he said softly, almost pleadingly.
That confused Sarah. There he was again. Nice Jareth. Is he bi-polar or something? Sarah wondered. She could never predict when he would make the transition between the two and she certainly didn't want to provoke the other side of him. But because Sarah could never predict when his mood would switch, she never knew what would set him off. She took a risk anyway though.
"Fine," she replied eventually.
"But I'd like to eat alone."
Jareth's eyebrows scrunched into a frown, but he was gone, his answer only a simple sigh. All that was left behind of him were the usual sparks and falling glitter. Sarah was left alone with the tray of food that she had wanted to eat since it had first been brought in, but had been too distracted before to actually eat anything.
But first, Sarah pushed her legs from the edge of the bed and let the sheet drop. She tentatively stood up on shaky legs and had to use the bedpost to steady herself as she pulled on the promiscuous underwear and tugged the slip of material over her head. I suppose it's better than nothing, Sarah thought. But really not by much.
She didn't want to think about what Jareth would have said if he'd seen her dressed in such a thing- in fact, she dreaded to think about what he would say when he returned to her room. She pushed those thoughts aside and turned her attentions to the tray of food before her.
Sarah moved it onto the bed and sat down beside it, not really trusting herself to stay standing for too much longer. She stared at the food and realised just how much that she wanted to eat it, all of it. But something about the food in front of her wasn't right. Or perhaps it's me that's not right... she thought for a moment, before dismissing the feeling and picking up an apple from amongst the many varying food items.
She managed about half of the apple before she started to feel sick. And with that feeling, she dropped the apple back onto the tray and ran to the bathroom. She vomited for the third time that day. Sarah grimaced as she stood up straight again, only to slump to the ground. Running hadn't done her any good. Neither had vomiting.
"Is this how it's going to be from now on? With me not being able to keep anything down?" she said aloud, not knowing if the Goblin King was listening or not.
Sarah guessed that he was not when she received no response. It was either that, or he merely had no response to give her. Using the side of the large bath, still full from when she'd almost drowned, Sarah tried to stand. But she felt dizzy and stumbled slightly. She grimaced again.
"What have you done to me, Jareth?" Sarah whispered as she stared into the mirror before her, still holding onto the side of the bath for support.
"Fine," she replied eventually.
"But I'd like to eat alone."
Jareth's eyebrows scrunched into a frown, but with a sigh, he disappeared. He seemingly re-materialised into his study, a room empty of all other creatures- a room never entered by the goblins under his rule. He had a few rooms in the castle like that. Sarah's room was one of them; this was another. As a result, this room was incredibly organised compared to others in the castle.
Running a gloved hand through his long, blond hair, Jareth wandered over to his desk and took a seat behind the carefully stacked papers there. He rested his elbows on the desk and fingered the bridge of his nose. Nothing makes sense anymore, he thought grimly.
Sarah was confusing him again. First, she had fought against him as he'd thought he'd wanted, but after he'd been threatened and had taken her, she had broken. Though now, after waking from a dream that she had soon forgotten, she was defiant once more. She truly made no sense to him.
Of course, he knew by now who had created the dream that had her waking screaming. It was painfully obvious. Who else would tamper with Sarah's dreams other than Tebras? he thought almost angrily. Jareth did not understand why the dark fae had taken such an interest in Sarah; but he had, and for the moment, that was all that mattered.
Summoning a crystal with his left hand, Jareth sent the transparent orb floating through his open window. If Tebras is going to invade her dreams, then he should at least be strong enough to discuss it like the King he is. Instead of using his usual tricks.
Before Jareth could do anything else though, a voice resounded in his mind. The words were said in a whisper, but they sounded more like a shout to the Goblin King. "What have you done to me, Jareth?" Sarah's voice asked him. And, in all honesty, Jareth had no answer for that.
He had done what he wanted, as well as what he'd been forced to do. And he'd created a rift that had widened what was already there. It was up to him to fix what fragile a thing that he had broken; or indeed, what Tebras had forced him to break.
With a long sigh, Jareth thought back to his last meeting with Tebras in an attempt to devise a way to deal with the fae without bringing war upon himself and his kingdom.
Jareth left Sarah unsatisfied in her bathroom, his smirk still wide on his face. He'd written her that small note instructing her on what she should wear, not really knowing whether she'd listen to his instruction. It would be in her best interests to, he thought as he strode down the adjoining corridor. He could have immediately popped into his study, but Jareth felt that he needed the walk to help bring his emotions, and his lust, back under control.
The Goblin King past more and more corridors and the occasional Goblin doing things mischievous that they knew they shouldn't. At the sight of their King, they had skulked off and disappeared, but Jareth was in no mood to follow them. He would set them back in line later- or as in line as Goblins could ever be anyway.
When Jareth finally reached the intricately carved door of his study, his gloved hand paused on the gold handle. The handle was cold; he could feel it even through the leather of his gloves. One of his eyebrows rose. Well, Jareth thought. That's not what I was expecting.
The cold heralded the arrival of a King he did not relish seeing. In fact, a King that he detested meeting even so infrequently as they did. And he knew that the feeling was reciprocated. Jareth pushed down the handle and walked into the room and the shroud of black and purple smoke.
With a sigh, Jareth waved a hand and the Dark King's dark haze began to disperse. He waited where he stood until the smoke was steadily sucked back to the fae creating it. Even then though, the shadows moved around Tebras as if they were a very part of his essence. They were, in fact. What else could be expected of the King of the Darklands?
"Tebras," Jareth said in a toneless voice.
"How very... interesting to see you."
The Dark King gave a small, courteous nod of his head, his curling black tresses swaying slightly as he did. He made no move to stand as he reclined in the formerly red velvet armchair that his shadows were working to pervert, draining all colour from the used-to-be soft material. Tebras' eyes found those of the Goblin King. Mystery and pain met mismatched fae beauty as they stared at each other.
"Indeed. Do take a seat; no, I insist," Jareth said sarcastically, and moving to take his own seat behind his desk.
Tebras took no notice of the comment, but the shadows surrounding his dark form fluctuated slightly. Jareth eyed the Dark King and waited for him to give the reason for his appearance. Tebras shifted, black silk robes rippling in the fluid motion.
When Jareth realised however, that the dark fae refused to speak first, he asked, "And what do I owe the..."
He paused and flashed his eyes up to the grey, misty eyes of the other King, before adding, "pleasure of your company?"
Tebras' head tilted to the side, his strong jaw lifting upward slightly. He ran his tongue over his thin bottom lip as Jareth had so often seen him do. One thick black eyebrow rose though no other expression was visible of the Dark King's face.
"I hear you brought the little human girl back Underground," Tebras said, his voice as spine-tingling and heartless as it always was.
Jareth didn't move. He let no flicker of emotion pass over his face at the mention of Sarah. Of course, he knew how fast news travelled in the Underground, but that Tebras had learned of Sarah and was interested enough to pay Jareth a visit was anything but good. Indeed, with Tebras involved, nothing was ever good. Eventually though, the Goblin King gave a slight inclination of his head to confirm what Tebras had heard.
"I hear that she's quite beautiful... for a human," he added, placing a slight sense of disgust in the emphasis of the final word.
Jareth stared at the King of the Darklands seriously, every moment growing as cold as Tebras usually infused into any room that he was in. Tebras was far too interested in Sarah for Jareth's liking, but since he'd not actually said anything more than mere observation, Jareth could do nothing.
"I also hear that she's quite fiery... That's always something fun in a woman..."
Jareth sighed. He'd had enough of the Dark King for the foreseeable future, and decided to be blunt.
"What is it, exactly, that you want, Tebras?"
"Just to remind you that you might want to watch out with that one. After all, you never know who might want to take her away."
Jareth's glare darkened and he was on his feet before he'd even noticed he was moving. A satisfied smile twisted Tebras' lips as he mimicked the Goblin King. The dark fae stepped towards Jareth, the table now being all that separated them. Jareth's hands had balled into fists as he looked at the slightly taller fae. Not again, he thought grimly.
Though he didn't let that thought become visible in his features as he asked, "Is that supposed to be a threat?"
Tebras laughed a cold, and cruel laugh. One that was much more piercing and evil than Jareth's own could ever be.
"Oh Jareth, I do so enjoy our little games. This is just the beginning of the next one," he replied, flashing white teeth in the direction of the Goblin King.
"Be careful what you're getting yourself into Tebras. This is not a game that you want to play," Jareth said back, his voice laced with suppressed anger.
"But I've already started playing. I've set the game. Your move, Jareth."
Tebras stepped back then, letting his shadows swirl around him until they finally enveloped him. But before he disappeared, Jareth heard that distinctive voice speak once more.
"Now don't go letting your guard down Goblin King; remember what happened last time."
And, with those final words, Tebras was gone. All that was left for Jareth though, was a harsh reminder of the last 'game' that he and Tebras had played. He wouldn't let what had happened before, happen again. Not to Sarah. Jareth knew that he had to stop Tebras before he got in position to repeat what he'd once before done. And the first barrier that Jareth could put in the Dark King's path would be to create the bond between Sarah and himself.
Jareth knew that that alone would not stop Tebras though. But it would slow him down enough so that the Goblin King could put more measures in place to keep Sarah from Tebras' cruel grasp.
It wasn't too long before the shadowy tendrils started to find their way in through the open window. Jareth gave a small sigh. He never understood why Tebras couldn't just appear as other fae did; why he instead chose to slowly seep into the room. But Jareth always ended up putting it down to the dark fae's nature, which was of fear-inducing terror. Supposedly, terrifying things move slowly and unstoppably, he thought, shaking his head slightly.
When the shadows finally formed into the shape that would soon be the Dark King, Jareth sat up straight in his seat and waited. Tebras' face appeared from the shadows before the rest of his black-robed existence became solid once more. He was smiling that same cruel smile that he wore as he'd left their last encounter.
"Tebras," Jareth said in a polite, but low, voice.
"Why Jareth, how kind of you to invite me back to your... charming castle," the dark fae answered, his voice as sneering as Jareth's had been when he'd spoken to Sarah only the previous day.
"Enough pleasantries for today, Tebras," Jareth said, causing the other fae to raise an eyebrow.
"If you wish," Tebras replied, his voice turning colder and sounding far harsher.
Though, the smile remained on his face as he asked, "Why did you call me here?"
"Stay out her dreams."
The way Jareth had said it highlighted that it was not meant as a request, but as a command. But what was one King's command to another? What did what the Goblin King wanted ever really matter to the King of the Darklands? The King who craved war, pain and suffering above all else.
"It's a game, Jareth. Play along. You have your tricks, and I have mine."
"Stay out of her dreams, Tebras," Jareth repeated, sounding all the more serious for it.
"Just because you bonded her, Jareth, doesn't mean that I can't take her from you."
Tebras paused and added with a smirk, "And, as I hear it, she didn't take too well to the bonding process."
I swear I'll strangle whatever creature Tebras is using as a source, Jareth thought irately.
"Stay out of her dreams or I will make you," Jareth replied menacingly.
"Looking forward to it, Goblin King. I shall eagerly await your next move," he replied, a twisted enjoyment evident in his cruel voice.
"Oh, and she is a beauty. A prize well worth playing for- and I know you agree with that," Tebras added, just seeking to provoke Jareth further.
He was far too successful in his attempt though and Jareth's teeth clenched as he bit back an all too angry response. You know what Tebras is like. He's baiting you. Don't bite, he chastised himself. It's all part of the game. A game that you will win no matter the cost. He will not have Sarah, he determined.
"That's the spirit, Jareth," Tebras smirked at the Goblin King's expression.
"This game is already seeming to be far more entertaining than our previous ones. Am I detecting that you actually care for this human?"
With no answer, Tebras' smile grew and a cruel, amused laugh ripped from between those thin lips.
"You had best get back to the little human then... before she has any more... bad dreams."
As Jareth opened his mouth to reply, the wisps of black, purple and deep blue smoke engulfed the dark fae once more. And Jareth growled into the darkness that was left in his wake. Tebras had a knack for twisting emotions, and Jareth had no idea that he was doing it until after it had been done.
With another deep growl, Jareth realised that Tebras might have been playing with both he and Sarah all day, turning their emotions however he liked. He kicked the ruined chair that the Dark King had sat in the previous day, making a mental note to build a magic barrier to stop Tebras manipulating their emotions. Jareth knew that he couldn't stop Tebras from entering Sarah's dreams quite yet though. She'd have to agree for him to be able to do that. And that meant that he had to explain everything to her.
Bringing a hand up to stroke over his face thoughtfully, Jareth once more almost regretted bringing Sarah to the Underground. And he once more regretted that he would have to do more than one thing that he knew he would be hard-pressed to persuade her into.
Author's Note: Hey guys, I hope you're all still enjoying the story. :) Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up; I had some serious writer's block.
And now, more bad news- my A Level exams start on the 4th May, so if another chapter's not done by then, it may be a couple more weeks before another chapter will pop up. :/ So hopefully you guys will still be interested to know what's going to happen and will :stick with me over the break I'm going to have to take for a while. :)
Just to confirm something, because a couple of people have mentioned it: Sarah is NOT pregnant, and this is not going to be one of those stories in which she gets pregnant. :)
Kit xx
