Chapter 11 : She lacerated me

Jareth's castle wasn't like in the fairy tales. It was run down and poorly kept, but it seemed that goblins were busying themselves with tidying up the place for Persephone's parents. It seemed that the castle was frantic over preparing for Jareth's wedding. Jareth didn't really seem to talk much about his wedding.

When I saw the goblins I was scared at first. After all, they aren't the most attractive and behaved creatures, but I got over the initial shock.

I ran into a rude goblin who had pulled me by my pant leg. "Naughty girl, run'n 'way from yer duties!" she had said to me. Jareth nudged her off me and scolded the goblin named Hulla for being rude. Hulla gave a confused look and trotted off after that. She seemed to know who I was and yet I couldn't remember her. I felt bad about that.

I was given a lovely room with a view. It was across from Jareth's room, so if I needed help with anything he was close by. That was very thoughtful considering I am terrified over the fact that I can't remember a single thing. I'm haunted by the images of blood and I want to know what happened that night Jareth found me. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, my memory just won't come back.

"I know you don't like wearing the frilly dresses I pick out for you, but in order to not disrespect Persephone's parents even more than I already have, I will need you to play the part of a lady for me today." Jareth opened a wardrobe of party dresses with a sigh. "I'd greatly appreciate your cooperation."

"Ok. Sounds like fun, I like to dress up on occasion. I used to be an aspiring actress when I was younger." I went to the wardrobe and started looking through the clothes. I felt Jareth's eyes bare into the back of me so I turned to find him dumbstruck and confused. "What is it?"

He flinched and then responded, "You didn't fight me on my request. Usually you would whine about having to dress up and play by my rules."

Damn, I wish I knew why I was so cruel to this man in my previous state. I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf?"

He gave a soft chuckle. "Maybe so, but don't give me too much hope. Your memory will return to you soon enough and I am prepared to get a scolding for when that happens."

I smirked at that. "Don't worry, I don't think that day is any time soon." That statement made me sad and I wished I hadn't said it. I quickly changed the subject. "Now, for tonight, how will I be presented to your in-laws? Am I a friend of the groom?"

He noted to me that he didn't understand the term 'in-laws,' but he understood the gist of what I was asking him. "You will be presented as an acquaintance, but I'm afraid once I mention your name and from Perspehone's protests of your presence, they will know who you are without even a word from you."

"How is that? I have not met them before. Well, at least I don't think I have."

He sighed. "There is a lot that you don't remember. You have created an imprint in my land. One not so easily erased. I can't explain to you what that history is just yet. I'm afraid I don't like to speak of that time and the time that followed thereafter. Just promise me you won't seek any answers from anyone. I don't know what you may think of me if you do." He was sad now and that hurt my heart to see this gorgeous man with a pained expression, one that I seem to cause every time he talks to me.

I went up to him and grabbed his face with my hands. This startled him thoroughly. "I don't know what I've done to you in the past, Jareth, but if you show any more pained expressions like this then I don't know if I can forgive myself for my past. It's a past I don't even remember, so I want you to forget it. Forget anything I've ever done to you and just live in this moment!" Wow, I am really starting to sound cheesy.

The tension in his face left as he allowed my hands to hold him. "If you only knew how much I wish I could forget. How close I had nearly forgotten everything before you called out to me again. I just can't forget you."

My heart skipped a beat at his words and I quickly removed my hands. He was a dangerous man. I could feel my skin tingle with a sensation foreign to me. No man had ever been so serious when saying such words to me and I don't know how to respond to them. I was developing feelings for a man I have forgotten. Surely there was a good reason I have lost my memories of him and this place. Surely, he had done something unforgiveable. However, the way he regards me and treats me just doesn't reflect that of a man who dislikes me or wants to hurt me.

I turned back to the open wardrobe and spoke while facing away from him. "I see. Well, let me get dressed up and I'll be sure to be a proper lady for your fiancé's family." I stressed the word fiancé.

He didn't say anything and I turned around to find him gone. I hadn't heard the door, so he must have used his powers he had briefly described to me.

I was shaking. I am always left shaking after those intense conversations with Jareth. My mind always tingles whenever I try to think of him. What was that suppose to mean? I wish I knew.

I chose a dark red dress that had a corset top attached to a flowing skirt of the same color. Matching gloves that hugged just above my elbows came with the dress and they were silky smooth. The tulle under the skirt was puffed enough to make the shape of the dress into an elegant bell. My shoes were boot styled pumps that ran up my thigh. Of course the boots were hidden by the floor length dress, however, I felt great in them. They make me feel as if I have a high authoritive power. Must be the reason Jareth is so fond of them.

Jareth came to get me when I was done.

"They are just coming through to the goblin city. Are you ready?"

I patted down my dress and did a once over in the mirror. "Yes, I believe so. The only thing that I couldn't really do was my hair. I don't think curling irons exist down here."

Jareth smirked as he waved his hand in the air. Suddenly a curl caressed my face and I turned to the mirror again. My hair was up on the top of my head and spiraled down in a waterfall of curls. I gasped, still amazed by Jareth's parlor tricks. "You have good taste."

"Well it's easy with you as the model, my dear. Now I must congratulate you on looking exquisite. Job well done. You will fit in well tonight."

I blushed at that and then allowed him to lead me to the main hall of the castle. This is where we would meet Persephone's parents.

Speaking of Persephone, she had clattered into the hallway just after we had gotten there. She was in a golden dress suitable for a bubblegum princess. It accented her long, blonde hair.

"Step away from my husband, you wench. I still have not forgiven you for the bewitchery you have befallen on my brother. He still has not come back here." She was a snob to me, as usual. I wish I knew who her brother was and what I had done to him. Apparently I had seen him right before I lost my memory. Maybe he could explain to me what happened?

"Persephone, calm yourself. Your parents will arrive in a moment and I don't believe they would want to see you acting so disrespectfully. I have my best goblins out searching for your brother, so do not fret."

She gave a distasteful snort. "Those nasty goblins couldn't find their own overgrown noses if asked to. They are worthless creatures. Once I move here I will turn the whole lot of them out and replace them with some servants from home. Trust me; you'll thank me once you see how clean and functional this place can look with the correct help."

Jareth's face was pinched. I could tell he was holding back some undesirable comments toward her. He definitely took offense to her denouncement of his goblins.

The front door opened and goblins in knight attire clanked in, followed by giant bird-like people in their own armor. Then in came the overly decorated duo who could only be Persephone's parents. The woman had a cold look to her with golden-gray hair curling around her crown. Her husband was a lean man with silver hair cut sharply around his ears. Regardless of their graying hair, they still looked young as can be. Maybe a wrinkle was seen in the right light, but otherwise they looked just as old as Jareth.

"Mother! Father! So good of you to come. I've missed you both dearly!" Persephone's voice was utterly annoying. She bumbled over to her parents and bowed respectfully before embracing them in a frantic hug.

"King Jareth, thank you for inviting us to your – humble land." The man's hesitation was palpable.

Jareth gave a curt bow. "King Jerral, it is my pleasure to have you and your lovely wife Vivienta here. I hope you will find my castle most accommodating."

I felt very awkward just standing there, twiddling my thumbs.

"I see you brought some of your own people. They are the Aves people, are they not?"

"You are correct. Our Aves are beautiful creatures and follow orders accordingly. Very capable creatures indeed." The Aves, I assume, are the bird like creatures that had human features. They were very pretty to look at, but I wasn't about to get close to one of them.

Persephone interrupted them. "Such a dull conversation. Why not gather in the dining area and we shall feast a bit. You must be famished from the journey over here."

"Indeed," King Jerral said, "the infamous Labyrinth is no joking matter. The goblins you sent to guide us through nearly landed us in one of those dreadful oubliettes."

Jareth gave an apologetic nod. "Yes, sometimes my Labyrinth can even fool those who dwell here."

Now I was really starting to feel extremely awkward. I felt like a porcelain doll and no one seemed to notice that I was standing right beside Jareth.

Suddenly Queen Vivienta's gaze fell upon me and I jerked from her cold eyesight. "Dear Jareth, who is this young lady you have beside you? Surely you have not taken a mistress so close to the wedding date?"

I was offended a bit from that statement. Jareth didn't look at me or regard me with much interest when he spoke. "This is an acquaintance that will be staying here for the wedding."

Persephone spoke up, her voice anxious, "Tell them her name. Don't be rude, tell them her name." Her voice startled her parents and Jareth gave her a look that you could tell he was holding back scathing words.

"Sarah. This woman's name is Sarah."

Queen Vivienta gasped. "Surely you can't mean THE Sarah. Why would she be here?"

King Jerral looked me over real well. His eyes oozed authority and it caused goose bumps to spread on my bare skin. "I do hope her presence hasn't changed your mind on the wedding."

"Of course not, your highness." Jareth was stilt straight.

"Very well, I will not oppose to her presence as long as it does not pose a problem to the marriage."

Persephone started to whine while Jareth thanked King Jerral for his kind understanding.

Queen Vivienta started looking about the hall. "Persephone, where is your brother? How disrespectful of him not to greet his parents."

"Ask that wretched thing! She has done away with him, I know it. He has not come back here since her little mishap!" Persephone's hands were on her hips as she continued to lash out at me.

Jareth held up a hand to silence his babbling fiancé. "Eros left the castle and has yet to return. I'm positive there is a grand explanation for his absence today."

Persephone wanted to continue her accusations but her father silenced her. "You must trust that your betrothed is doing all in his power in this situation. Now, please show us to our rooms. I believe my wife would like to freshen up before the meal."

Jareth personally led the King and Queen away. Persephone stayed behind and glared at me.

"You can't fool me. Jareth only pities you, you are aware of that? He is going to marry me and this whole memory loss game you are playing isn't going to stop him one bit. Do you understand me?"

Well, that was it. "Look, Barbie doll, I don't know exactly what you think is going on between Jareth and me, but it is nothing. Nothing…at all." I bit nails into my palms and stormed away from the pampered princess. She made a loud snobby sigh as I left.

I skipped dinner. I wasn't about to expose myself to any more lewd comments or accusations. Besides, I was still confused as to why Queen Vivienta had referred to me as "the" Sarah. Did that mean that people know me without me having to meet them? What the hell was that crap about?

A knock came to my door and Jareth came in without my permission. That was annoying, but his outfit made him look gorgeous. The tights were OH so tight with thigh boots that curved around his strong thigh. He was a vision in gold and silver, up to his mismatched eyes. I could forgive him this one time.

"Hulla told me you weren't feeling well. I do hope you will be able to attend the ball tonight."

I was curled up in my bed, still in my red gown. "Oh, I'm not so sure."

He looked me over and then started to chuckle. "You're not really sick, are you, Sarah."

Oops, the gig is up! I gave him a sly smile. "Caught onto that, didn't you?"

He sighed and came over to the bed, bringing his hands to his hips. "And why, may I ask, have you locked yourself up in this room all night?"

"Well, for one, I didn't like the idea of being looked upon as your skanky mistress and second, Persephone looks like she might feed me to the goblins if I even so much as glanced at you."

"Well that's preposterous," he paused, "Goblins don't eat human girls. Well, not in general anyways." I laughed at his jest. "However, I can understand how you feel."

"Gaaah…" I sighed and stretched my arms. "Why are you even having a stupid engagement ball? That's soo old fashion."

"Still a child deep down inside?" He sat on the edge of the bed and I wanted to jump out of my skin. When did he become so close? "Royalty from other lands are coming here to witness my commitment to Persephone and her family. The wedding is two days from now. It is an important time. Now, I won't force you to come to the ball tonight, but I would think it would do you some good to mingle amongst other people that Persephone and myself." He had a point there.

"I'll think about it," I said with a childish tone.

He gave me a thin smile. "Well, then I'll leave you to yourself. Choose a dress from the wardrobe. It is a masquerade, so be sure to choose a mask. There are plenty in the drawer in the wardrobe. Do help yourself." He left, using the door this time.

I stared at the door for minutes after his departure. Why was I finding this man so attractive? Well, for one he was gorgeous, powerful, and he actually seemed to care for me in his own way. He was like Josh, minus the powers. What had Josh done to me? I don't know. I never know answers to my own damn questions.

The sun sunk and the sky was quickly absorbed by darkness.

I could hear guests arrive from outside and I felt really guilty. Shouldn't I take advantage of this experience? After all, how often does a girl get to go to a ball filled with people of another realm? Give up? Not often!

I shrugged out of the corset dress and started thumbing through the wardrobe. I found a light blue halter dress that had a white petticoat beneath it. There was always a pair of shoes to match, of course. I opened the mask drawer and found a white porcelain face with a cornflower blue streak across the eyes. It was simple and matched. I snatched it right up.

I held the stick that was attached to the mask at my side as I went down the dizzy arrangement of staircases. My heels clacked on the stone steps as I hurried down to the ballroom. I quickly put up the mask to my face as I saw people entering the ballroom. Ok, so I'm a bit shy.

I slowly stepped towards the open doors, trying to look elegant as I walked.

"Sarah…"

I whipped behind me. No one was there. The room was empty as the last guests went into the ballroom. Who had said my name?

"Saraaaah…."

Again, my name was whispered in the room by a hidden entity.

Goosebumps rose along my bare back. "Who's there?"

"Come, Sarah….come."

I lowered the mask so I could see better. What the hell is going on?

A breeze drifted across my arms and I turned to the open window across the hall. Curtains billowed around the gaping hole and again my name was whispered in the breeze, "Sarraaah…come…"

Now that was freaky. I went to the window and saw no one. "Am I freaking out or what?"

I turned from the window, shaking off the eerie feeling. "Saraaah…." the voice was patient and so persistent.

I turned again towards the dark night and saw a glimpse of something in the forest. Jareth had told me that the forest backed up to his castle during the night time because when the sun goes down, the trees have a mind of their own. It was really too Harry Potter for me to believe at the time, but now I was thinking about whether or not those trees had been there before.

"Coome…Sarah…come…" the voice continued to beckon. I saw the trees rustle and a glint of light. Something was definitely out there.

The window was wide enough for me to climb out of, but did I dare dirty this gorgeous dress? I looked back at the ballroom doors, biting my lip as I chose to decide. Again my name rode on the wind, scaring me. I dropped my mask on the stone floor, shattering it. That startled me and I felt immensely guilty. It was beautiful. Was.

"Aye, what was that noise?" I could hear Hulla come down the hallway. Like hell I was about to get caught with this mess.

With some difficulty from the dress, I climbed through the window onto cold grass. I looked into the forest and saw the glint of light again and started going towards it. Not too fast – I don't want to scare it.

"Who's there?" I whispered towards the light as I got to the first tree. The light went farther away from me and I followed it.

"Come…Saraaah."

"You seem to know my name. Who are you?" Silence greeted my answer, but the light kept going.

The light led me to a small circular opening clear of trees. I could see the light anymore and there was no sign of anything. "Hello? You still there?"

Suddenly I felt like I had stepped into a horror movie. Shouldn't I have learned by all the foolish examples of those dimwitted girls in those films? I really might have just done something really stupid.

"Forget it! I'm being so stupid." I turned to go back to the castle and suddenly I was standing in front of the princess of sour bubblegum.

"Silly Sarah. You truly are too naïve."

"Persephone, what are you trying to do? Scare me out of my wits? Hardy-har, you are sooo clever. Now move so I can attend your engagement ball."

She didn't move. I kind of figured she would do that. "Want to know something fun?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not really, but I think you are going to tell me anyways."

She glared at me. "Stop trying to be clever. You are going to be in for a treat when I tell you this! I found my brother."

"Oh goody, go you! Now are you going to move or do I need to pull those extensions out of your head?"

"That's right, you don't remember him, do you? Why don't you two get reacquainted?" She rushed me and pushed me down to the ground. However, there was no ground that met me. I was suddenly falling through a vertical tunnel. I tried to grab the wall to slow my descent, which helped very little. Suddenly I met dirt and my ass hurt like hell. "Fuuuck…."

I could hear Persephone cackle above me as I heard a latch go on top of the tunnel. "Have fun," she cooed from above and then she was gone.

I stood up to hit my head on the dirt ceiling. "Ouch…" I rubbed my head. It seemed I might be in a hole in the ground. Lovely.

"Saraaah…" hissed a voice. It was the voice that had called me from the castle.

"Who's there?" I said with apprehension. The voice was close and very masculine.

"Do you not remember me? Persephone says you do not."

I started to walk away from the voice in a hunched position, to give myself distance. "What she told you is correct. She said you were her brother. Apparently I did something to you before I lost my memory…" My back hit a dirt wall. This dress was not going to be the same after this, if there was an after.

"Oh, well, you certainly have done something to me. Would you like to see your handy work?" Before I could respond the area lit up with a bright light. The light was coming from a small bird that sat on the shoulder of a man who would have been more gorgeous that Jareth, had it not been for the bloody scars searing across his face. I gasped at the condition of his skin. He had no shirt to speak of and the scars trailed down his sculpted chest. Tattered slacks hung on his frame, hiding what scars were promising to be there.

"Do you like what you see?" He said with a low tone.

"Are you saying that I gave you all those marks?"

He gave an unmissed grin. "I would love to say that you got very passionate during some rowdy love making, but that was not the reason you chose to do this to me. Can you not remember why you did this?"

I shook my head, unsure of how to respond. The only reason I would attack a guy like this is if he tried to force himself on me. If he backed me into a corner and tried to get violent with me.

"Sarah, do tell me why you called out to Jareth so vehemently that night. I have been curious. Your voice was rather angry before I showed up."

My head began to hurt.

"Do you not remember me coming in his stead? You ran from me, so I ran after you. It was only logical. You weren't very pleased by my presence, as you can tell." He gave a lofty sigh.

I was scared of this guy and my head was pounding even worse as he spoke. I noticed that he was chained to the wall, which explained why he was sitting against the other wall.

"Who would have known that you hid a knife under one of those pillows. Smart girl, I'll give you that. It was even a special made steel that wouldn't allow me to be to able to heal those silly lashes you gave me."

"Shut up!" I shouted at him and I pushed the palm of my hands to my pounding temples. I was starting to get confused and the dirt hole began to swim around me. I slid to my knees.

"Sarah, are you starting to remember? Please tell me you are. I so want you to remember how you viciously attacked me. Such a delicate creature like you can't possibly live with herself after what you did to me."

Suddenly my mind took me back to that cottage. It was dark in the room and Eros was there, standing in front of me, perfect as a picture. I remember my mind going blank as he leaned me onto the bed. I was frozen and then I regained my senses after the initial shock. I pushed away from him. I wasn't sure how I knew, but there was a voice in my head that told me to look under my pillow. The knife glinted and I grabbed it in a second. I returned to look at Eros and just started swinging my arm. He stood there, laughing as I sliced into him. He let me keep going till he realized what the knife was made of. He grabbed my wrist and the knife fell.

I had started to kick him aimlessly until I connected to his nether regions. He winced enough for me to wrench him off of me. I dove for the knife and sliced into his pants, real close to where I had kicked him. He groaned in agony as he fell to the ground. I got on top of him and slashed at his chest, over and over and over again. Everywhere the knife touched made me feel empowered. Thoughts of Eros, Josh, and Jareth went through my mind as I ruined the god-like body of this creature. All my anger that I had kept just ran through me and tears began to splash onto his bloodied chest. He stopped moving.

I threw the knife and started just pounding my fists into Eros. I heard Tessabeth scream as she came into the room and started yelling for Jareth. I was numb. I didn't care was going on around me.

Jareth abruptly was pulling me off of Eros and brought me into his arms trying to calm me down, but I would not be consoled. "It's all your fault, this is all your fault! I hate you! I don't ever want to remember you!"

Jareth brought me to the bed and sat me on it. "You don't mean these words."

I glared at him. "If you don't believe me, then I will show you!" I dashed at the gorun dnad picked up the knife and turned towards Jareth. I sliced into his left forearm and he hissed and magically knocked the knife far away from me.

"What are you trying to prove, Sarah? Do you not see what you have done to Eros? You have exacted revenge, is that not enough?" He wiped at his arm and frowned.

I didn't feel like myself. "None of this had to happen. I wish you would have left me with Josh. He would have put me out of my misery!"

Jareth slapped me across the face. It was the first time he had ever done such a thing. "You listen to me real well now. Dying is easy, but living is the hard part. If you want to die then never call me again."

My face stung, but I didn't dare touch it. I heard Eros moan on the ground and I jumped. "Why isn't he dead!?"

Jareth sighed and leaned down to Eros. "The knife I planted did obviously protect you, but it isn't strong enough to kill a person of his kind."

"Shit, he's going to kill me for sure now." I sat back on the bed, feeling myself calm down a bit, but still on edge from Eros being alive. I had been sure I had killed him.

"I said I would protect you, didn't I? He will go into an oubliette."

"I don't need you to do me any favors, Jareth," I growled while looking at the blood I was coated in. This wasn't going to come out.

Jareth looked at me and then started to pick up Eros. "I'll be back after I deal with him. Don't go anywhere." He was gone without another word.

"Yeah, like I have anywhere else to go," I muttered under my breath. I swung my legs against the side of the bed, ignoring the fact that I had just killed a guy, or well, would have if he was human.

Jareth was back without a moment. "I need to go help Tessabeth prepare to clean up this mess."

"Fine, whatever."

Tessabeth came in with tears in her eyes. "Miss Sarah, I feel terrible that I couldn't help you."

She looked thouroughly apologetic. "I know, you shouldn't feel bad."

She handed me a piece of bread and water. "You should get something in your stomach."

"I think if I eat anything I will just throw it up. So, no thanks."

She insisted on me eating the bread and I was afraid she was going to break down crying if I didn't. "Ok, Ok, I'll eat it. Calm down."

I took one bite and it tasted awful. It wasn't until Tessabeth started crying and repeating "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" over and over, that I realized what had happened.

Jareth came into the room, a grim look on his face.

My head was light and I started cursing at him. "You fucking poisoned me again! What the hell are you thinking you bastard!"

He kneeled down to me as my body started to return to a numb state. "This is for the best. I have allowed physical and mental harm to befall you. I need to fix everything, but right now I can't. I promise, I will make things better. In a minute you won't remember a thing.

That was when everything went blank and I had woken up not knowing anything.

Suddenly I was back in the oubliette with Eros. I remembered. I remembered Eros, what I did, and the fact that this dirt hole was an oubliette! I was happy for a split second before anger rushed over me. Jareth had made me forget my memory and played as if it was my fault for forgetting.

"Do you remember, my little bird, about what happened?"

I stared at him. "Just be happy I didn't sever your little bird all the way through."

He grinned at me. "That's the Sarah I remember. I'm guessing you are fully aware of what you did now. I'm glad. I didn't want that special night to go to waste."

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up. You do realize that we can't get out of here without a key?"

"Well, of course. Persephone had tried to get off my chains, but it is locked with Jareth's magic. If I had not chains I would be able to get out of here without delay. You are stuck here with me. Shall we do something to waste time?"

Wow, this guy's libido was never going to die down, even after I had scarred his body for life, or so much as I know.

"Mish Saraah, are you down thur?" I could hear Izzie's broken voice. Hoggle's child was there.

"Izzie! Yes, can you get down here? I need to get out. Eros is down here!"

Eros gave me a bemused look and I stuck my tongue at him. "You are so going to stay down here." He simply shrugged.

Izzie threw a rope down through the oubliette and I grabbed onto it. "Can you pull me up?"

"I sir can try Mish Saraah!"

Surprisingly he was strong as I could start to feel myself lifting off the ground.

"I'll see you soon, Sarah," Eros called out.

"Like hell," I muttered as I started going up the tunnel. I started using my feet to help propel myself up.

Finally I was at the top and quickly made sure the oubliette was recovered.

I grabbed Izzie in a hug and started thanking him. "You are amazing, Izzie."

He blushed and I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Definitely reminded me of when Hoggle had saved me so many times last time I was here, when he was still alive. Speaking of which, I had my full memory back. Jareth had poisoned me, loved my MOTHER, and betrayed me in every possible way. What really made me want to retch was that during my temporary amnesia I had actually started to develop feeling for him. Real, heart-felt feeling for this man who has done nothing but play tricks on me. I should hurt him more than I did Eros.

"Izzie, let's go back to the castle."

I made my way straight to the ballroom doors. I could hear the ball in full swing. I banged open the door and the room fell instantly silent.

I saw Persephone with her mother and father. Her face was completely shocked. She must not have thought that I could have gotten out of the oubliette so fast. I would deal with her wickedness later.

"Jareth!" I shouted my fists balled up in anger.

I saw Jareth peak out from behind a crowd and he looked confused. He had a wine glass in hand as he walked up to me. "What is it, Sarah?" The room busted out in whispers and I was annoyed by that, but disregarded it.

"Like you don't know! You fucking poisoned me again!" The room was dead silent once more and Jareth looked like he just found out that Santa Claus wasn't real.

"Sarah, I had to." His eyes were filled with weariness, like he wasn't sure what I was going to do. To be honest, I wasn't even sure what I was going to do.

I charged up to him. "Like hell! Even if I could get over that little tidbit, there is still the matter of your journal." I paused, mostly for dramatic effect. "My mother? Are you crazy? Are you stalking me because I look like her? Are you that sick in the head, oh mighty king of goblins!" I could feel tears swell in my eyes. I hate to cry in such crowded areas. "I remember what I did to Eros and I am not sure I will ever recover from that emotional damage. Had you just never come to rescue me, had you never shown up before me…I would not be facing such hardships…"

Jareth looked like I had stabbed him in the heart. "Sarah.."

"What did she do to my son?" Queen Vivienta shouted as she came into the conversation. Just what I needed.

Persephone skipped over and glared at me. "She cut him up, mother! That wicked girl scarred him and Jareth locked him up in an oubliette."

King Jerral approached Jareth. "Is this true?"

Jareth turned to him. "Yes, but he attacked her and she defended herself. You should teach your son some manners before unleashing him on the opposite gender." His voice was annoyed, proving his patience was running thin.

"The wedding is off!" Queen Vivienta shouted in a shrill voice.

"No!" King Jerral said forcefully, silencing his wife. "The wedding will still go on. No war needs to befall anymore lands and I'm sure everyone in this room will agree." A few murmurs of agreement followed his speech. "Now, King Jareth, you will release our son to our care. We will make sure he stays in line. Sarah will be returned to her own land. She doesn't belong here. You will marry Persephone tomorrow. I will not have any more delays to this wedding.

"I agree to everything, but Sarah will be returned based on her decision. If she wishes to leave, I will send her back to her world."

I crossed my arms and cocked my hip. "What would make me want to stay in this world, you fucking bastard?"

Jareth had a stone face on. "I did everything in your best interest."

"Your fiancé is right here, hello." Persephone whined getting closer to us.

"That's it." I grabbed the win out of Jareth's hand and poured it onto Persephone's curly, blonde head. "Shut up."

Persephone gasped and started at me, but her father jerked her back. "I will take her to her room for the night. You fix this mess, King Jareth."

Jareth looked at the ballroom full of people and sighed. "Everything, thank you for attending, but I would appreciate it if you return here tomorrow for my wedding. There are matters that need to be tended to." The matters in question were already shared with the room. Nonetheless, the room emptied quite quickly.

Jareth looked at me once it was just him and I. "Well, are you happy? You caused more problems for me."

"Really? You dare say such a selfish thing to me?"

Jareth's eyes narrowed. "I was fine. Perfectly fine until you called me to save you."

"I didn't think you were real, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember everything. Do you know what it is like to remember every single thing through my whole lifetime? All those that have passed in my lifetime and the ones that will soon follow? Do you think I wanted you to get hurt, to become so primitive that you were willing to kill someone? I have had nothing but good intentions towards you, but somehow things turn into this mess."

I ignored his words. He was trying to spin it around and make me the bad guy. Like hell.

"Why did you act like you didn't poison me? You made me believe I had lost my memory because of some tragic event, but really you put some magic mojo into the bread. This is just like that damn peach! By the way, if you want to poison me so bad, then why not do it yourself instead of sending messengers. Grow some fucking balls if they haven't already been diminished by those tights of yours!"

Jareth sighed again. "I can't bear to hurt you directly. I knew if you remained in that state that you might have done something unforeseeable. I was afraid you might have hurt yourself."

"I would never hurt myself." He gave me a blank stare, telling me he didn't believe me. I was going to protest that, but then thought about it. In the state of mind that I was in, would I really have hurt myself. It was always a possibility.

"Sarah, I can't explain anything to you since you don't even know anything about the past."

"Do you mean my mother?"

He had no emotion in his face. "That among other things."

I gave a big sigh and calmed myself down a tad. "Then explain. Explain everything to me."

He stood there, thinking deeply until he softly agreed. "Alright,as you wish.

A/N:

I know it was a long wait for this update, so I made it extra long so you could get a good dose of it. Yes, some of you might be pissed at this development, but never give up until the end! You never know what angle I'm going to go with, so don't write off anything because a chapter is filled with some things you don't agree with! Thanks for everyone's support and I promise that I will do my best to update as soon as possible!