Love is Just a Fantasy

Chapter 14

Jareth stood there for a while after Leah had gone. He couldn't be any luckier even if he wanted to be. "Uh Sarah…I understand you were on your way to the gardens, please allow me to escort you there." Jareth extended his arm towards Sarah, and she ever so lightly took it. As the walked, Jareth tried to figure out how to start up a conversation with Sarah. Little did he know, she was trying to figure out the same thing. Both were equally relieved to arrive at the gardens.

"Oh Jareth…" Sarah murmured when she saw the garden. "They are beautiful!" With that, Sarah took off running from flower to flower to smell each exotic scent. She sat by the fountain giggling, and didn't notice that Jareth came up behind her. Sarah sighed, "This garden is…magical…amazing…beautiful!"

"Yes, I know you are," Jareth whispered into Sarah's ear. He watched her as she shuddered at the sudden closeness the two shared. She turned ever so slowly and gave Jareth a look he couldn't read.

"What did you say?" Sarah asked, fully aware of what he had said.

Jareth looked at her and replied, "I said…you had better watch out!" With that, he reached into the fountain and splashed her with a handful of water. Sarah shrieked in reply and splashed him back. The game was on. Sarah and Jareth ran from fountain to fountain splashing each other as they went. Sara started sprinting towards a fountain. She was laughing and taunting Jareth, telling him she was going to beat him. When she looked behind to see him, she was shocked to find that he wasn't there. She turned to face forward and was surprised to find him in front of her. Sarah screamed in surprise, and her feet faltered slightly. That was all it took for her to slip on one of the wet rocks and loose her balance.

She reached out to grab onto anything to stop her fall, and just happened to grab Jareth's arm. Jareth, who was caught off guard, lost his balance, and fell into the fountain with Sarah.

Sarah gasped and looked at her dress. Jareth just stood there laughing. "Oh Sarah, you make me laugh. You fall into a fountain and what do you do first? You check to make sure the dress is ok."

Sarah looked at Jareth and said, "I'm so sorry. I bet the dress is ruined from the water."

"Sarah, don't worry, all we have to do is dry it out. Plus, if that doesn't work, I can just have another one made for you. How do you like your other dresses?"

"Those are all for me?" Sarah said slightly surprised.

"Well of course," Jareth said, "After all, if you are here, you will need something to wear."

"If I lose, is that what you mean?" Sarah said.

"Something like that, yes," Jareth said mysteriously.

"Jareth, I was wondering…well…actually…I was wondering a few things."

"Sarah, just ask…" Jareth said, sounding concerned.

"Ok…um, you wouldn't happen to be tricking me by keeping me here all day while my ten hours run out?" Sarah asked, fearing the worst.

Jareth sighed, "Sarah, do you really think so little of me? I know you probably see me as the villain who took your brother when you were younger, but I'm not evil. I asked you to stay because it was the nice thing to do. I invited you to dinner because I enjoy your company." Jareth said the last part with his face turned away from Sarah.

Sarah realized that he was embarrassed. She reached for his hand and said, "Jareth, I forgive you for what you did, but only if you can forgive me for assuming you meant to do me wrong."

Jareth turned to her, and while still holding onto Sarah's hand, lifted his hand to his lips and lightly kissed her hand. "Agreed," he said.

Sarah blushed and smiled. Suddenly she sneezed. Jareth looked at her and said, "Look at you. You are soaked and outside. It isn't that warm out. You are probably going to get sick."

Sarah looked at Jareth and said, "I'm not going to get…ah-choo!...sick."

Jareth gave her a disbelieving look and noticed she was shivering. He wrapped his arms around her, and magicked them to the castle.

End of Chapter