JARETH

I still felt the sharp pain inflicted upon me from Sarah's slap. I didn't know whether I should be livid, or if I deserved it. I was a king after all, and anyone who dared such a feat would surely be dead. However, this concerned Sarah, and I decided my words warranted the blow to my face. As soon as I mentioned the intimacy we shared not too long ago in such a careless way, I immediately regretted doing so. I wasn't sure what came over me, since I had promised myself to be patient with her. Clearly old habits die hard. I sighed heavily and looked around Sarah's home contemplating what I should do. My eyes landed on the asinine creature Sarah left behind on her floor.

I walked over to him and scrunched my forehead, trying to get a better look at this simpleton. Furrowing my eyebrows, I noticed a marking on his forearm. It was in black ink, and read the words "Kristy" in cursive writing. This ignorant fool comes over here to claim back Sarah's heart, yet has sworn his love for another? What a complete and utter pinhead. I scoffed at the boy and couldn't quite believe Sarah had been with someone who seemed so... juvenile. Not that you're any better you bloody Fae. I tried to shrug off my feelings of guilt, and continued to deliberate over what I should do next regarding Sarah. Do I leave her here to her own thoughts and give her space? Or is staying here until she's ready to talk the wise and sensible thing to do? I was at an impasse.

I hadn't expected anything to happen this fast with Sarah, and tonight's events had stunned me. Sarah called upon me in her dream again, and I was more than happy to oblige to her wishful desires. I truly was her slave. I will admit, I was mildly surprised when she instantly started asking me questions about the lucid dreams she had been having. She seemed so aware of everything and her belief and trust in me allowed me to sense within her that she was ready to open herself up to everything. Perhaps I pushed her too hard too soon, though. Maybe she wasn't as ready as I wanted to believe. I should have stopped everything the moment she woke up, but once again- I was too weak. She hadn't stopped me from touching her and I didn't want to stop, for every time I was near her I lost control- a feeling I was not used to.

I shook my head, trying to rid myself of my thoughts and I was determined to not let this night ruin anything between us. I decided I should stay, at least for a bit longer to explain myself. I walked over to Sarah's door and put my forehead against the wood. I was hesitant to say anything because I didn't wish to upset her further or cause more friction. I clenched my hand as it was hovering over the door, reluctance still taking over. I then heard a small sniffle emanating from Sarah and this caused me to lightly knock. I hated that she was crying because of me.

"Sarah…" I sighed. "I'm so sorry. For everything. I know this is much to take in, and I do not blame you for feeling disconcerted or vexed with me. I was out of line. You have every right to feel confused...hurt...angry. I plan on leaving soon to leave you to your own thoughts but before I do...I feel there are some things you should know."

I took a deep breath and began my cathartic rant.

"I know deep in your heart you trust me. I know this because it is that same heart that has unknowingly been beating for me for seven years. Your dreams are proof of this. While your mind hadn't a clue as to who I really was for that duration, your heart did. My own heart has irrevocably been beating for you too. Ever since you left the Underground ten years ago.

Before we even met, I would fly between this world and mine. One day, during one of my flights, I saw a young girl playing in the park reciting a play. This girl was of course you; you had to have been at least twelve. When I first saw you… I had never known anyone's soul to be so wholesome, pure, and passionate. I was drawn to your belief in everything, for it is rare for anyone to have such beliefs nowadays. I started watching you recite plays from afar often, but then you grew sad and lonely for a brief period of time, so I created something for you to ignite your passion once again. This creation was a book, which you found in the park one day. In this book, the heroine wished her baby brother away to The Goblin King. You were under the impression that he took wished away babies and turned them into goblins. I'll admit, I had mostly hoped that the book could influence your beliefs and act as a way for us to meet, but I didn't want to be too hopeful.

Then one night, when you were fed up with your step-mother and young Tobias, you wished him away in your act of petulance- to none other than myself. I was thrilled to finally meet you and couldn't have been more amazed that it was actually happening. While you were frightened of the ordeal, you held it together well, and I was impressed by your resilience. Nonetheless, I wanted to live up to your expectations of me, so I played my part well. You ran the Labyrinth to win Toby back, hit a few bumps along away, but came out victorious in the end. Then... you refused me. You do not remember this of course, but I offered you the world, Sarah. You were strong though, and rejected me in order to save your brother. Despite my feelings of contempt towards you over this, I could hardly be cross with you because you were still so young."

I laughed lightly.

"I also feel it is important for you to know that in spite of my feelings of affection for you, I did not plan on acting upon those feelings while you were still an adolescent; I merely wanted to be a part of your life so that someday we might have a chance. That never happened though, as I made several errors."

I let out a flow of oxygen, for I felt I was rambling and then I continued.

"Within that same book, Sarah… there were certain words I created that would end up being the undoing of everything. I didn't quite know the repercussions those words would have when I first formed them, for they simply served as a means to spark your own empowerment when you felt dejected."

I sighed again, debating whether or not I should tell her all of this. I decided I had to, if I wanted us to come out of this in any way.

"'Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered; I have fought my way here to the castle, beyond the Goblin City. To take back the child that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours; and my kingdom is as great; you have no power over me.'"

I closed my eyes, regret taking over me; not due to self-pity, but more so because I felt culpable for Sarah's current state of mind.

"Those were the words you said to me in our final moments together. When you said I had no power over you, you unintentionally made it so that myself and the underground could not live within you in any way. I suppose in my own arrogance, I assumed you'd take my offer and I hadn't counted on you using those words against me. I should have known better, and gone about everything in an entirely different manner and just told you Toby would have been safe regardless of the outcome. I was a fool. Your memories of the Labyrinth and myself were taken away because of my own doing. I fought hard to find ways to undo this, but to no avail. I gave up hope, knowing you'd never remember me ever again."

I smiled, remembering the exact moment I heard Sarah say my name.

"But then, the impossible happened. Two nights ago… you said my name along with my title out loud. You see Sarah, I can only be seen in this form when I am summoned Aboveground- when someone wishes me for me. But being that you had already done this, despite you not knowing it, you saying only my name must have partly voided the memory spell and granted me full consent to come or see you whenever I wanted. I held off on meeting you in person though, for I did not wish to alarm you so soon. I watched you through other means until such time came when and if you were ready to meet in person, and tonight... it seemed like you were. I shouldn't have pushed you earlier though in that dream.

Speaking of dreams...I...regret to say that I tapped into yours shortly after your faux pas of saying my name. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I was completely overwhelmed by everything that was happening and I couldn't resist the temptation. It had been so long since I last saw you Sarah, and I needed to be near you again in some way. And what I saw in your dreams awed me- you had been dreaming about me for seven years. As I was wandering through your dreams, you began dreaming of me and I felt compelled to insert myself within that dream. It would seem that... when I spoke to you, it acted as a trigger of sorts within yourself. I suppose this is why you've been left feeling…perturbed these last few days. You knew you were missing something, but couldn't quite grasp it. Sensing your conflicting emotions in last nights dream, and as I said before, I promised myself I would be patient and would only tell you everything when I felt you were ready. I had no idea everything would be out in the open this soon."

I took another breath, but I couldn't stop there; I needed to finish this.

"The reason you've been able to vaguely remember me Sarah is because...I unexpectedly created a loophole in the memory spell. I…I granted you a certain power; a power that entitled you to be my equal, if and when you proved it. You managed to do just that when you beat the Labyrinth. You further asserted yourself and proclaimed your will was as strong as mine and your kingdom as great, and you meant it. They weren't just words to you. Luckily, those words I've come to hate so much acted as a caveat to the spell, so I suppose they weren't all for nothing.

What I'm trying to say Sarah is...it was and has been by sheer willpower that you were able to remember me, all this time. Granted, your memories of me were taking place deep within your mind and only in dreams, but I suspect the exact reasoning for this is because… my will to remember and be with you never stopped. Being that you truly are my equal, your will was parallel to mine. It was as though your heart was fighting for me all these years as well. I do not want you to think that I placed some curse upon you by damning you to feel and think everything that I do; that isn't how this magic works. I cannot make you do anything you do not wish to do after all, for I still have no power over you. That's how equality works, is it not?"

I closed my eyes and debated what I should say next. I sincerely hoped she was listening.

"We were strangers when we met ten years ago, and I'm resentful that we are practically strangers on this night as well. I swear on my kingdom…my subjects…my own life… that we are not strangers though, Sarah. I am so profusely sorry for everything I have done that has caused this recent turmoil in your life. If you do not wish to ever see me again after this night, I understand. Please know that I never meant for any of this to happen and if I could go back and change certain things, I would. I have no idea what you're thinking of me at this point, and if it is resentment I understand. A part of me wishes you would have just carried on with your life without all this knowledge, but another part of me, the selfish part, couldn't be happier that you somehow held onto a piece of me all these years. Ever since I saw you as a child, I knew your will was strong and determined. Clearly I wasn't wrong. I will leave you alone now, for I know you need time to process everything. Should you need me…I'll be there for you. As the world falls down, Precious."

I backed away from the door and turned to leave. Just as I was about to, I heard the door open. I turned around, and saw a tear-stained face looking at me with what seemed like clemency and acceptance. Sarah walked over to me and grabbed my hand. She smiled at me, and it gave me hope; hope that we could work through this and begin a friendship and eventually, someday, become more. I wasn't sure what time it was, or where exactly we go from here. But knowing she wasn't running away from everything I had just told her spoke volumes.

I pushed her hair behind her ear and her eyes sparkled.

"So, Sarah…what do we do now?"


AN: Sooo... this all makes sense in my own head. But I realize it may come across as confusing to others. So if you need an explanation please feel free to PM me :) Sarah will have further questions for Jareth, of course.