A/N: Chapter 21, enjoy and review!
Day Thirteen
I felt great. Fantastic, even. My ankle was no longer swollen and I could easily put all my weight on it. My legs felt like I could effortlessly run a marathon and my arms…I stretched my arms above my head and sighed.
I had to thank Jareth. I knew it couldn't have been anyone else who had helped me. There was a sudden knock at my door, breaking me from my reverie.
"Come in." imagine my disappointment when it wasn't Jareth to get me for breakfast. Instead it was Gretel and two other girls.
"The master has requested you get ready immediately."
"Ready for what?"
"The master has also requested that we not tell you. Do you need help bathing?"
"No, I'm fine thank you."
I assumed it was not a regular day if I was being given attendants. I wondered what Jareth was scheming but I did as I was told. Stepping into the hot bath felt wonderful; it felt even better to be clean. I took my time washing, and cleaning my hair. When the water started to turn cold I stepped out.
I towel-dried my hair and wrapped it up. I wrapped another towel around myself and stepped back into my room; immediately I squeaked and turned red. Jareth was lounging on my bed with his eyes closed.
"What are you doing?" I screeched. I'm not even dressed and he just shows up in my room?
"Over-seeing the transformation." He answered cryptically.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"It's going to stay that way for quite awhile; I'm going to blind you?"
"What?" I backed up a few steps, suddenly frightened.
"Only temporarily of course; I don't want you peeking."
"So you have to blind me?"
"I'll put it right back, I promise."
What a trickster! Now this was a trust issue; if I didn't let him blind me then he'd think I didn't trust him.
"Fine."
He led me to the chair in front of my vanity and made sure I was comfortably seated. After a few moments of listening to his soft voice, it was like someone had turned the lights off.
Immediately I reached out for his hand. I was relived when his gloved one grabbed it. I felt the towel around my head removed and fingers running through my hair.
"I don't like this one bit."
"They're just doing your hair."
"I still don't like it."
He chuckled but gripped my hand a little tighter. The girls were drying and brushing my hair, trying to be gentle. They must have done about ten different things with my hair before settling on something Jareth approved of. They finished with my hair an moved onto my face.
Jareth let go of my hand for a moment and began whispering with Gretel.
"That's how you want it?" Gretel must have been asking Jareth.
"Yes, exactly."
He took my hand again as Gretel started on my makeup. She was like an artist as she moved her brushes across my eyelids and lips. I desperately wanted to see myself.
"I have to go now darling."
"What?"
"Would you like me to stay while you get dressed? Besides I have to get ready myself."
His hand left mine and I knew when he left the room; I could tell when his presence was gone.
"Alright let's get you dressed."
I was led up from the chair and made to stand. The towel was removed and a soft fabric was placed over my head and brought down. Soft shoes were placed on my feet and a necklace was clasped around my neck.
"My God…" I heard Gretel whisper.
This only made me want to see myself more.
"Sarah…"
Jareth spoke from behind me.
"I will refrain from telling you how beautiful you look until you can see yourself and appreciate the comment."
He took my arm and led me out of the room. We walked for quite awhile before stopping.
"I believe that Aboveground it is Christmas today?"
"Yes, I completely forgot!"
"I got you something; merry Christmas Sarah."
I was still blind however so I could see nothing.
"What is it?"
"A do-over." He whispered in my ear.
I gasped and turned around but he wasn't there. I could see again and found myself in an empty hall with wide double-doors in front of me. Looking around I spotted a floor-length mirror; I gasped. I didn't recognize myself.
My hair was curled, half of it up and half of it down, hanging around my shoulders. Blue gem encrusted combs shaped like butterfly's held my hair in place. My makeup made me look almost ethereal. My eyelids had been powdered with a light-pearl color and my eyeliner was thin and black along my lid; my eyelashes were thick and full with mascara. My lips had been lightly rouged and my cheeks held a slight pink blush.
The dress was another story. It was the same white as my peach dress but the similarities ended there. It was a plunging v-neck with the split ending just above my belly button. The necklace I was wearing was a long chain ending in a tear-shaped diamond, just below my breast. The sleeves were long and widened to flow at the wrists. It was fitted to my body perfectly. Around my waist was a loose chain 'belt' held together by a blue gem butterfly at the left hip.
I looked gorgeous. There was no other way to put it. I faced the doors and stepped forward. Opening them I gasped again. It was the ballroom from my dream, perfectly recreated. I walked inside, looking around in awe. How had Jareth done this? I had to find him to thank him. This was better than anything I would've been able to come up with.
The dancers were engrossed in each other, but did turn to stare as I passed. They were all wearing the same goblin masks but I wasn't frightened by them anymore; this was where I belonged, this fantasy world. I graciously smiled as I passed but did not linger near them. I wanted to find Jareth.
I paused as I heard music start up. It was the song that Jareth had sung to me the last time. I looked around, wanting to find him even more now. I looked at the top of the stairs and saw a familiar mask. It lowered and I saw the smiling face of my Goblin King behind it. He was dressed the same as the last time, in that wonderfully blue jacket. Even his makeup was the same and I was glad; I would have missed it.
He walked down the stairs and held his hand out to me. I took it and he led me to the center of the ballroom.
"You look…I can't find the words to describe your beauty. No other creature can compare to you Sarah."
I blushed at his words.
"I like the jacket."
"Oh this old thing? I found it buried somewhere."
"I missed it."
"You missed a jacket?"
"It was one of my favorite things from the Labyrinth."
"Really Sarah, a jacket?"
"That and the man who was wearing it."
"That's much better."
He whirled us around the ballroom, never taking his eyes off mine.
"Do you like your dress?"
"I love it! It's so beautiful Jareth, thank you. And thank you for the ballroom. I did love dancing with you the last time."
"This time don't break my crystal."
"I'll try very hard not to, though if I'm given good reason I just might have to."
"I'll make sure no one gives you a good reason."
He pulled me flush against him and smiled.
"I like dancing close, like this." He whispered.
I punched his shoulder and he winced, not in a mocking way.
"Jareth are you OK?"
"I'm fine; you're just very strong."
"You couldn't convince me of that even if I was drunk."
"Sarah…have I told you that you look ravishing today?"
"Jareth…"
He bent his head down closer while I stood on tiptoes to be able to reach him. He winced and I pulled away.
"Jareth what's wrong?"
"I promise it's nothing."
He held onto my hands and started us dancing again.
"Sarah, I love you. I just want you to know that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'll lay my love between the stars."
"Quoting yourself?"
"Would you rather I sing it?"
"Please."
He stared at me in surprise before kissing my forehead and starting. He danced around the ballroom, holding me close while he serenaded me.
"I'll paint you mornings of gold. I'll spin you Valentine evenings. Though we're strangers 'til now, We're choosing the path between the stars. I'll leave my love between the stars."
I closed my eyes and listened to his hauntingly romantic melody as he led me around the ballroom.
"You must be starving; shall we stop for a moment so you can eat?"
"I would like that yes."
He led me to a table filled with treats. We sat at a circular table with a crystal vase with filled calla lilies, my favorite flower.
"I'm not even going to ask how you knew." I said, pointing to the flowers.
"A man has his secrets."
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes while I sat eating. The treats were delicious, and long overdue in my opinion. I was starting to have become almost incapacitated by my hunger. I took a small sip of champagne and looked over at Jareth. He seemed almost pale, and looked like he might have been having trouble taking in breath.
"Jareth…"
His head snapped up.
"Ready to dance?"
"Are you sure you're OK?"
He flashed a grin, showing his pointy teeth.
"Let's dance."
He took me back out onto the floor, holding me closely. I circled my arms around him and held his shoulders while his arms circled my waist. I rested my head on his chest while his chin lay on top of my head.
We swayed to the music, not really dancing. I was content to remain this way forever; just the two of us. I turned my head to look again at all the people. They never really paid us any attention but were instead staring at their partner. I thought it was very romantic, until I saw one of them shimmer and then fade out of existence.
A few more started blinking out as well until it was only Jareth and I in the ballroom. But that soon started to fade as well. Where was it going? I heard the sound of shattered crystal as the whole ballroom disappeared and we stood in the throne room. Thankfully it was devoid of goblins, and for once actually clean.
My relief only lasted for a moment however as Jareth collapsed in my arms.
"Jareth?"
He sank to his knees, clutching my dress.
"I'm sorry Sarah. I created the ballroom from your memories but it requires magic to keep it sustained."
"Jareth…you've been taking the magic from your body just so we could dance?"
"Forgive me…I just wanted to hold you one last time."
"You could've lived longer you idiot!"
Coughs racked his body and I was frightened when I saw blood on the floor at my feet.
"Jareth!"
I sank to my knees in front of him, unsure of what to do. Blood fell from his open mouth.
"Sarah I'm sorry. I just wanted to make our last day, something special."
"Jareth don't talk like that." I whispered.
He clutched at his heart and his grip on my shoulder tightened. He coughed again, spitting blood on the front of my dress.
"Sarah…"
He fell forward against me. I lay him down on the floor, his head resting in my lap. I clutched his hand in both of mine, tears falling from my eyes. He was becoming paler by the second.
"Jareth you can't leave. The goblins, they need you. I need you."
His other hand came up to cup my cheek. His ungloved fingers brushed across my lips and he smiled.
"I love you Sarah…I love you."
His hand fell back to his side and the hand I was holding…the grip slackened. His breathing slowed until it was almost imperceptible. Then…it stopped. A last trickle of blood found its way down to his white shirt and his eyes closed.
"Jareth! Jareth wake up!"
I flung myself down on his body, sobbing. He couldn't leave! He couldn't leave not when…not when I needed him! Not when I wanted him.
I kissed the bottom of his chin, the corners of his bloody mouth and his closed eyelids. I stayed there snuggled next to him waiting for the crying to stop; it never did.
"Jareth…I love you."
But of course I was too late.
A/N: Before you all grab your pitchforks and try to find me, it's not over yet so calm down.
