Realms of Possibility

Sarah found many things more bearable now Jareth had made a welcome return as a recurring character in her life. Stuff that had previously been relegated to things she desperately wanted to throw head first in the bog were suddenly far less annoying.

She'd been ok without him, got on with everything she was expected to get on with, family life, school, magical studies and everything else. But there was now an obvious shine to her demeanour that had been sadly lacking for much of that time.

Her parents were fairly restrained in their teasing, but it was clear they believed Jay to be the reason. It was good, on this occasion, that she was really twenty-four, and not eleven because sometimes even well-meaning gentle teasing can be hard to deal with when you are young.

As it was, she managed by utilising the ever-useful eye-roll, looks of preteen derision and general ignoring tactics. Similarly, ignoring was how she dealt with their deteriorating behaviour toward each other. Disagreements are never very pleasant to observe first hand and Sarah was hyper aware of every look and cross word. The whole stressful environment was painful to endure.

She sighed, it wouldn't be too long now, not if her memories were still accurate, or the timeline intact. She wanted them to get on with it and stop delaying the inevitable. Instead of having to suffer through the damn death throes of their marriage, dragging the whole lot of them down and down, on and on.

But, yes, having Jareth back in her life at this point was a comfort like nothing else. Her lighthouse in the dark, stormy waves that threatened to submerge, taking her and everything else with them.

She treasured her charms and the bracelet he had gifted her, and it became her constant companion. Whereas before it had been a stark and upsetting reminder of the loss she'd experienced when they were forcibly separated. It was now a comfort and reassurance that he was not far away.

Only a word away, he had told her that several years ago now and he kept true to his word.

Jareth couldn't remember the last time he had threatened to bog someone, even longer since he had carried out that menacing promise.

Recently his strangely lightened disposition had resulted in the goblins getting a little too complacent. They were sloppy and ridiculously even messier. And yet Jareth still had no desire to send them away to that disgusting stink hole in the corner of his Kingdom.

It was all Sarah's fault of course but he relished the opportunity to be part of her life again and his slightly better mood was clearly the natural result. Perhaps it was an appropriate time to realise other ways of curtailing their errant behaviour. He knew Sarah would approve of that and smirked at the thought, perhaps she would like to help.

As usual he attempted not to imagine her older, in the position of advisor, a royal by his side, running their Kingdom. Or him no longer the lonely loner king.

Just stop it.

But he couldn't help himself, she was always there at the forefront of his thoughts. And he felt somewhat justified in that now, mostly this wasn't unhealthy obsession or brooding. This was calm, happy thoughts of a close friend. Goodness knows he had needed one.

The few non-goblin creatures at the castle, in the Kingdom and those visiting in some Royal or diplomatic emissary, were always wanting something he was not that enthusiastic to grant them. Loans of resources, of men, support for some military campaign, entreaties to wed a Duchess or some other noblewoman he'd never met from various neighbouring Princedoms. Sometimes not even wed but suggestion from various females that they become more intimate. There were invitations to numerous court events, balls and hunting parties the list went on.

They may have been occasionally diverting many moons ago but now generally of little importance. This was especially true as he did not partake in the sensuous activities and cruel mind games from which his kind often took great pleasure. He had long since moved on.

His personal power and the fact that he had isolated himself from most of them had not improved relations, but it mattered little.

That wasn't to say that he didn't occasionally partake in physical intimacy, but he saw it for what it was, a release from various stresses and frustrations that his position and Kingdom inevitably created. It was a useful tool and he made it plain to them that it was nothing more. His thoughts were never truly focused on those he briefly held in his arms. And those trysts were now so few it barely registered. His focus was placed on the Kingdom, and the future.

It was a great relief that he still took pride in his day to day life and organising of his lands. The advice and information he gave, presence too when needed to mediate or do whatever would help his citizens was something he did, perhaps not with great joy but with a satisfaction that unnecessary and tasteless court appearances did not.

Despite their generally pleasant camaraderie, Jareth and Sarah didn't always agree with the other.

Sarah didn't approve of his rule by intimidation, nor his cruel sense of humour. She especially disliked his tendency to explain things to her as if she was stupid.

He never saw it quite that way of course.

Sarah tried to remind herself that he was fae, and older than she cared to think about too deeply. Both of those things meant he was not like her, had a different outlook, belief system, moral compass (obviously skewed to her way of thinking) but it was simply his nature and the world he had come into and then the kingdom he had inherited.

She often had trouble aligning these things with the other side of him. The one he shared more freely when he was by her side, his generosity, kindness, fierce loyalty, and the care she knew he had for her and his subjects too.

Jareth in turn became visibly more annoyed each time Sarah mentioned Ara. Usually this was involuntary, she simply did it by accident when she was waffling on about something. But because she was hyper aware of his opinion on the matter, or at least the general gist of his feelings she generally tried hard not to utter her name. She wasn't sure if this stemmed from him being jealous or his natural distrust or a justifiable reason to doubt her.

Sarah had grown to like her, she had done much to help her and the progress she'd made in controlling and wielding her power was great. Sarah hadn't felt uneasy in her presence for a long time though admitted that in not knowing much about her, she was still an unknown quantity.

The Council was intimidating, far-reaching and had immense power. That meant a small part of her continued to question everything that they'd experienced. And that included Ara.

And then of course her odd appearance on their walk home that day had set her on edge.

"I'm not stupid Jareth, but she's helped me a lot. I've maintained an appropriate distance and a certain scepticism. I have to, because I'm only human and don't know much about anything right? All this is bigger than me," She huffed, disgruntled.

Instead of cajoling and comforting her, as she kind of expected him to do, he looked away for a second.

"Would you like to know more? Of the Underground, the realms, the Council? And why I do not trust your tutor or the body that sent her?"

He asked plainly, looking at her, his lips pursed, almost an expression of worry. But it was a hopeful look that settled around his eyes.

"Of course I would." She replied without hesitation.

He smiled faintly and began, his voice sounded like he was far away, seeing with more than just memories.

"Long ago when the realms were new, there was no such council, all realms were governed according to area, generally no one person had a monopoly and they governed their people fairly. Some moved between the realms too. Not everyone did, only those with a touch of magic in their veins had the ability. That was just another truth, some did, and some did not, and everyone lived alongside the others. There was trade and commerce and a rough kind of peace between beings and realms."

"It was that way for a long time. But then zealots and conquerors came, industry took over, and with them the emergence of dictators. Brutal leaders who sought places and people whom they had no claim over."

"This was not limited to the human world but was particularly vicious there and so it went on for centuries. They fought and they killed and the life everyone had known ceased to exist. More time passed but it did not improve, the situation only became worse."

"Beings from the Underground and other realms where magic was abundant found themselves under attack. They were treated with suspicion and outrage and they had little choice but to retreat to places they knew were safe. The portals that had remained open for so long were severed, hidden, some destroyed. For many people there was no way back."

"And so, the mortal realm lost a great many practitioners of magic. All of them, whether native or not had gone or hidden themselves away."

"The Council came about at the peak of hostilities and consisted of the most powerful beings from all the realms. These were not necessarily rulers themselves, but those who wielded a lot of magical power. They put themselves on a pedestal to watch and to govern and when they deemed it necessary, to take control. They sought to bring peace again and believed that if they could contain magical energy, restrict its use, they might reduce the antagonism it caused especially among those who did not have any. They considered the travelling and leaking of such elements between the realms too dangerous and that is why they closed the portals."

"They always believed magic to be the problem, and while I don't disagree that it did not help matters it was not the sole cause of the bloody strife that history had witnessed. There were so many other factors involved."

"Since then they have kept a watch over the realms, stepping in when they consider that lives are at risk. Even when some consider the existence of the Council to be well beyond its remit. The portals are closed, there are no longer hostilities between realms because most have forgotten the old ways or that they even exist."

"But while they have no innate authority they continue to monitor, to meddle, to play god. They jump in only when it suits them, they all but refuse to consider other matters, local more trivial hostilities between kingdoms or countries as they see it as beneath them."

"And I don't completely disagree with that, they shouldn't step in there as it is not their mess to fix. Sometimes people need to learn. But some don't see it that way and continue to request their presence. I can see that you're ready for a lively argument. That despite knowing what you already do, you are confused as to how these beings are doing anyone a disservice."

"But think on this Sarah, who is to say what is or isn't a worthy or destructive cause for them to intervene or interfere? Who is to say that your situation will cause more disruption to the timeline than say, a fae king who meddles with time on the small scale? Someone who plays about in his realm or even that of a realm he is visiting, purely for his own benefit or entertainment?"

"They are not an objective body, those, beings, are some of the most powerful in all things. They wield their power however they see fit, but they often interfere in the lives of people they view as beneath them and their magical knowledge. They do not take kindly to someone, who for example, politely declined an offer to join them many moons ago because they see it as nothing but criticism. Or my dear one, of a girl in the mortal realm who has inherited a substantial amount of magic, completely fairly and legally and living amongst a generally ignorant population. It isn't just about how it may affect the timeline; they view you as a potential threat towards the so-called peace that exists here. Remember they are only concerned about those with power, not what they consider to be trivial struggles even if those are worrying and leading towards yet more upheaval and conflict. They are concerned with their ability to keep some beings out of the picture, like humans who have lost a lot of knowledge about all Others."

"Now do you see why it can be difficult to consider them a completely benevolent body? Ara was sent to teach you yes, but also keep you in check, under control, they will not relinquish that position easily,"

Sarah had listened with an objective ear, right up until Jareth had mentioned their role and the implications of their continued interference, her eyes growing wide at the frightening possibilities.

She nodded slowly, her brows drawing in as her mind began to worry anew. They could do anything all in the name of peace-keeping and what, there was no one to stop them? To help her if it came to it?

Terrifying.

But then her eyes lingered on Jareth, she had him, didn't she? Until they came between then again. Oh, good grief, what a horrible truth to be faced with.

"I'm sorry if this adds to your worries, I know it is not easy information to digest," He sounded concerned.

"No, I am glad you told me it's just pretty terrifying," She finished honestly, no point beating around that bush.

He agreed,

"Yes, no point in denying that there is much at stake and we are not out of the woods yet,"

Sarah almost snorted, an irreverent giggle making its way up her throat.

He smiled with a barely contained self-satisfied glee, pleased to have distracted her with some humour for a moment.

"Some phrases are older than the hills, and not necessarily all derived from Olde English either!" He told her, biting back a laugh himself.

Sarah grew still as she mulled over the implications.

"They may never go away?" She asked, her voice wavering,

"They may not, which is why I thought to tell you, make you aware, prepare you in some way,"

His face looked grim again, and Sarah gleaned much from his admittance and the usual stark feelings she easily read from his expression.

Sarah tried not to dwell on the idea that they were continuing to watch her. She worried that they might be lying in wait for her after school each day or on an outing with the family. She tried hard not look over her shoulder or twitch at every odd noise that startled her. It was difficult to differentiate between normal-ish noises or movements in the shadows and any potential Council threat. In time she was able to relax a little bit but never found complete peace, the closest she came was the time she spent with Jay.

The final days of her parent's marriage were not any easier to live through for a second time, though it provided some distraction from worries over the Council. The atmosphere at home changed, it became even cooler than normal and Sarah remembered far too well both the words and the feelings it wrought. The way they spoke to one another, and then the frosty silence when they stopped.

And then it happened, there was crying and hugging and her Mother's empty promises.

"Sarah, your father and I, we are not going to be together now. We want you to be part of a happy family and it hasn't been very happy recently has it? We're sorry sweetheart. It will be better this way."

Her Mother's face was the picture of concern, affection and relief. The wheedling tone of her voice grated on Sarah's nerves, that and her liberal use of the word 'we'.

What a crock.

It was also difficult to determine how real this performance was when it came to representing Linda and her true feelings. Considering her exceptional acting skills, Sarah had good reason to doubt.

As a result, Sarah felt wholly justified when she made the decision to ply her mother with certain questions. She didn't care how hard it might be, this woman owed her and her Dad big time.

"You're splitting up?" Sarah heard her voice ask, wavering in just the right way, heavy with emotion.

"Yes sweetheart, we feel it's for the best," Her mother nodded, stroking Sarah's dark hair.

"Is Daddy leaving?" Sarah asked then, knowing full well that he was not but continuing her air of innocent assumption. After all that's what often happened when parents split up. It was quite masterful, and she realised also quite as cruel as any fae. She could imagine Jay's reaction, perhaps proud of her in a twisted kind of way.

Linda shook her head.

"No honey, I have an exciting new play on Broadway this Winter, I must prepare for that. I'll be flying back to New York in a couple of days. I will be back when I can, and you will come visit me soon."

She nodded, her eyes glistening with too-perfect unshed tears.

"It'll be just like it was with my last play only…"

"You don't love Daddy?" She interrupted in her sweet voice, she was unrepentant.

"We have become different people sweetie," Her mom replied, perfectly sidestepping her question.

"Do you love me?"

"Of course, I do! I will always love you and Daddy loves you, you'll have a good time, he makes the best pancakes remember?"

Yes mother, that makes it all better then.

Sarah resisted the urge to roll her eyes and snort in derision.

Sarah became quiet not long after. It began to hurt too much.

Her mother, obviously full of guilt had taken her shopping and overcompensated via new clothes, shoes and books. There was enough to last a whole year. Sarah knew she'd be seeing her mother rarely from this point onwards and she let her work out her guilt with all those silly material items. Sarah tried to enjoy the attention for the brief time she would hold it.

And then it was the morning of her mother's flight. Her Dad had unsurprisingly opted not to drive her to the airport as he might have done in the past. Sarah didn't blame him one little bit for that and she was thankful that this also kept their finals farewells private.

"I'll send you a ticket once I'm settled sweetheart and we'll paint the town red!"

Her voice tinkled with promises and a forced optimism that didn't quite reach her eyes. Or perhaps it was just Sarah's imagination, perhaps Linda had always thought she'd do all those things with Sarah. Had she really wanted her to visit and to come home, all the while enjoying her glittering career, having her cake and eating it too?

Sarah knew better than to put much weight on these apparently earnest assurances. She could count on a couple of fingers the number of times she'd seen her mother over the next few years. It was sad and had broken her heart at the time, but it just was.

"That would be lovely mother,"

She started, stepping back to stand next to her Dad, threading her fingers through his in solidarity of support. She quirked an eyebrow at her mom in perfect imitation of Jay,

"But you ought not to make promises you cannot guarantee to keep, that's how you end up breaking the heart of your only child."

Sarah winced inwardly and wondered if she'd perhaps gone too far, been too cruel, unfortunately she'd struggled to contain herself. Time had not really healed that wound but at least this time she'd been prepared. And she had her Dad.

And Jay.

Linda looked down her daughter with confusion and hurt in her eyes.

"Where did my little girl go?" She asked almost to no one in particular,

"She grew up Mom," Sarah answered quick as a flash, "I love you, but I had to grow up."

After that the tension eased exponentially. Though the air around them was pervaded by a sad empty feeling. Robert wasn't one for emotional outbursts or overt displays, but he was very attentive of Sarah after that. He made sure she had everything she needed, including company, whether it was his own or Jay's he clearly felt she shouldn't be alone or feel lonely.

And she wasn't, truth be told it had been an alien experience living around her mother again for those years and now everything felt more normal again. If you could call having Jareth as a close friend and burgeoning magical powers perfectly normal. It wasn't but it was good.

Life went on as life tends to do. Jay dropped by when he could, though Sarah didn't see a lot of him for several weeks at a time. But he was a King and no matter how aggrieved the escalating pubescent hormones made her feel, he did have a Kingdom to run and besides it must get a little annoying to constantly babysit her. She hoped he didn't feel like that, but these days her self-esteem was all over the place and she also knew it made her extra sensitive.

He was busy on her 'twelfth' birthday (or was it twenty-five), but she saw him several days later. They saw a movie again and ate pizza which was now a bit of a tradition. Jareth apologised and promised to make it up to her next year.

Sarah had shrugged, she hadn't been that bothered, after all he had celebrated with her eventually. It was far more than her mother had done, she'd sent a card and a cheque.

It must be a strange thing to be as old as he was, and she never dared think on it for too long, but surely birthdays became a little redundant after a certain number? Would it matter when you had forever or near enough? It was a weird thought and Sarah found it only added to her confusion, she set it aside.

The charm he had given her that year had been a little silver castle. It reminded her the castle beyond the goblin city and tried not to wish she could see it again.

The year that followed was more settled at home. Her Dad continued to give her copious amounts of attention. He helped with homework, they ate together most evenings and while he clearly struggled to voice his feelings and was dealing with his own issues, he always showed her that he cared. In fact, at times she rather suspected he was overcompensating.

This was probably partly because Linda had already reneged on her promises of Sarah flying over and she had not yet made it back to visit her.

Sarah had expected this, she suspected her father had as well; but he had probably held out a small sliver of hope that where it concerned their only daughter, his ex-wife would be true to her word.

No matter, it was comforting to know that her Dad loved her. She worried about him, hoped he wasn't too lonely and that he would feel ready to move on sometime soon.

The biggest issue that arose came as she edged into puberty and experienced the surge of what she dubbed 'ridiculous hormone city'. Ugh what a headache, or not a headache, just a lot of pains further south and confusing feelings which left her brain frazzled and her heart all over the place.

She was running the gauntlet of growing and developing and awareness and feelings. There were so many hard feelings; happy, sad, angry, ecstatic. It was a complete pain in the ass to have to go through all this shit again. Ugh.

And her poor Dad, he was somewhat mortified when faced with certain conversations about supplies. Sarah was thankful that this was less embarrassing this time around and simply requested some extra allowance to stock up on the things she would need.

All those changes also meant that her magic was more difficult to access, and she found when she did it was not as reliable or consistent which troubled her. She worried about it.

True to his word, the following year Jareth had clearly planned something big. He seemed particularly pleased with himself when he came around one day and started talking about a 'scout holiday' he was going on and that they were all allowed to take a friend with them.

Robert didn't take much persuasion before he capitulated, even if it did happen to fall on the weekend of Sarah's birthday, he was keen for her to have fun and obviously felt reassured that they would be on a supervised excursion.

It was organised quickly, complete with phone calls to the 'leaders' and Sarah's dad was happy enough when she waved goodbye as they headed off to the meeting hall. Or so he thought.

She experienced a small pang of guilt at the deception, especially since he'd had been so eager to see that she was happy and had been so accommodating.

Once out of view of the house, Jay took her bag and quickly lead her to a secluded wooded area where they would not be seen. Sarah almost giggled, it would look very suspicious if anyone saw them.

Jay saw her smile,

"No one saw us don't worry, I don't intend to break your fathers trust in me, nor yours. I'm here to keep you safe on our little excursion, you trust me don't you Sarah?"

"I do," She smiled and nodded without hesitation.

Jareth smiled back, the true extent of his feeling carefully hidden behind it.

"Take my hand and don't let go," He told her, a vague smirk appearing across his features. He was clearly enjoying holding this small thing over her and that smirk was a little infuriating. Just a small secret but she supposed he took opportunity whenever he could to relish some power. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Her case was still in his other hand and that maddening expression was on his face. Sarah suddenly had an inkling of where they might be going, she had wondered on and off when she might be allowed to visit. He had to know she'd been desperate to see it again.

She held her breath in anticipation.

I was just thinking perhaps I shouldn't have left her holding her breath! ha

Thanks for all the reviews you lovely lot!

Re-edited Feb'19

B x