Disclaimer: I do not, nor most likely will ever own Labyrinth. It belongs to Jim, rest his soul.
The Goblin King
I dressed quickly in quiet blues…coincidently, Emily's favorite color among them, and whisked out a sundress and shoes for her when she came back. My shirt for once wasn't down to my waist, but modestly open at my neck. I touched the crystal and closed my eyes, imagining Emily….
I could see her in the kitchen, helping the goblins get their food while Dance prepared it, sitting on his haunches and happily letting his finger-claws fly across the cutting boards…I watched as she fed a few baby goblins, their squalls quieting as she shushed them and sang….I felt her happiness just soar as she handed them back and got a smile and a kind pat on the hand for her work. Emily curled up when they were done, and I laughed to myself as she lazily stared out the window, finally coming round when Dance touched her shoulder.
I put the crystal away when she came up, and laid out a tablecloth for her with a flick of my wrist. Taking the platter from her, I put it on the table and served her first, taking my drink and food last. As we settled into a companionable silence, I glanced over at her and startled to see that her gazing out the window, not even eating.
"Emily?" She started, but smiled and turned back to me. "Are you alright?" She nodded and started eating again. I watched her discreetly, taking in every detail as she moved, as she ate. Someone had braided her hair back from her face, tying it with a faded ribbon. I moved my right hand just a smidge, and it became a satin bow. She still wore her night gown, her feet clad in wooden shoes that had to have been a little uncomfortable. I traded them carefully for a pair of fuzzy slippers. She noticed my attention drifting, and point-blank asked me a rather startling question.
"Jareth, why did you transform?" I forced myself to avoid snorting my tea, and choked it down with a few coughs. She sat there, patient as I composed myself again.
"I….Well, it's something of a long story…but the basic idea happens to be that when I'm angry, the magic of this land turns me into a true goblin."
"Ah…making you into a real goblin King, then?"
"Unfortunately, yes…This has been the second time it's
happened, and the only time where I could not control my actions."
I sighed and linked my hands, pressing the bridge of my nose into the
support of my thumbs. "Honestly, it scared the hell out of me. I
faintly remember Dance's shock…and I was absolutely terrified
when I realized what was happening….I was afraid that I would hurt
him or the goblins…and I would have died had I hurt you…." I
sighed and shook my head a little. "I'm sorry, this must be
somewhat depressing for you, my dear Emily.."
"Not at all."
I looked, and was surprised to see her smiling, the kind of smile
she'd given the roses the other day, the smile I'd have died to
see turned on me. To my credit, I didn't keel over, but I did spend
the next few moments entirely speechless. She started laughing, her
bright eyes flashing with a very obvious joy, and I started laughing
too, and before long we both were doubled over. She stopped first,
grinning as she danced out onto the balcony. I followed her, wiping a
few tears of laughter from my eyes, and caught her as she twirled
back to me.
The Underground's sun shimmered down to bathe us in warmth and light, and as she nestled under my chin that morning, I wondered if this is what peace feels like. Was it this utter completeness, where nothing can go wrong, despite what may have once been? Was it this joy, this understanding, this….love? Was I for once doing the right thing?
If so…then I need nothing more, as I hold my beloved and watch my kingdom blossom…
How you turned my world, you precious thing
You starve and near
exhaust me
Everything I've done, I've done for you
I move the
stars for no one
You've run so long
You've run so far
Your
eyes can be so cruel
Just as I can be so cruel
Though I do
believe in you
Yes I do
Live without the sunlight
Love
without your heartbeat
I, I can't live within you
I can't live
within you
I, I can't live within you
Emily felt the last tinges of her anxiety fade away as Jareth pulled her gently into his lap after he'd conjured a chair. She tucked her legs up on top of his, and he let one of his hands trail down the bare skin, wrapping her knee in those pale fingers and cradling her. He pulled his right leg up, hooking the boot's heel against the chair's arm and letting her lean against it's strong embrace. His other arm still ringed her waist, and she put one hand against his heart, the other against his shaven chin.
"I wish that time would stop right here, right now….I never want this moment to end…" Jareth's gentle voice held a touch of sorrow as it became muffled in her hair, and she fought back tears. She took his face in her hands and looked up at him, his mismatched eyes looking so downcast. She just had to smile.
"Whoever said that we couldn't be like this anytime we wanted?" His eyes widened, but she wasn't done. "Jareth…I've been thinking…and I was especially startled when Dance told me about some of the things you and he had done as children; helping out the goblins, befriending lonely creatures, enjoying life. And then he told me about Sarah, about how she selfishly wished away her brother, then acted as though you ought to do everything for her, rather than receive her love in return." She kissed him lightly on the lips and she pulled back just enough to finish her speech.
"I, on the other hand…I love you, and want to be by your side for as long as I can." Jareth was surprised, but his dumbfounded expression turned into one of joy and understanding. He freed one hand and touched her face, laughing a little.
"You are, without a doubt, the most amazing woman I've ever met." He brushed her lips with a kiss, then smiled so charmingly that she wanted to melt in his arms. "And I will always be by your side as well." She kissed him suddenly, so hard that he rocked back in the chair, but by the way his body was reacting to hers, he'd regained his balance and his wits quite easily. Long fingers traced her back and neck under her robe, sliding over smooth skin. He nibbled her neck, tracing her jaw line with the kind of delicacy she'd never expected to be given by a lover. She felt him stand, and a moment later, felt the soft covers of Jareth's bed against her bare back, with him on his hands and knees over her.
She pulled his head down to hers, kissing him deeply even as she shyly pulled away his clothing, tossing it all to the ground. At last, she could pull away and admire him in all his handsome beauty. His left hand supported himself above her; the right had cradled her head from the moment she'd landed on his bed. She could feel the heat of his eyes burning into hers, the want and the need, and also the fear that he would hurt her. She smiled, and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulled her thin body up to meet his, love and lust blending into a sightless sensation of pleasure, their hearts beating as one at last…
Something of a rating change, since they actually do make love. I'm not one to go into details beyond the beginning parts, so I'll leave it all to your imaginations!
Laters,
KD
