CHAPTER 21: REST FOR THE WEARY
Exhausted, strained, and overwhelmed she felt as if she were going to pass out. He wanted to support both of them but found himself weaker than he had supposed. Dragging each other they managed to make it to the foot of the throne, where they laid against the seat sitting on the cold floor. She believed that as long as she held him then it was all right. Not to touch him would be to smash the security. "Jareth," she started right before the uncontrollable dizziness and proceeding blackness. She had done what she came to do and now all her energies demanded a rest. She gave into the shut down. His eyes closed as well before he realized that she was unconscious.
That is how Yvonne and Sprout found them- passed out, leaning against the throne with dawn's rays coming in upon them through a window. At first panic struck them both, thinking that they were both dead in each other's embrace. Sprout picked up on their breathing though and sighed in relief. It was when Yvonne gasped and yelped that he made to grab an arrow. Following her stare he turned to find a woman collapsed on the floor, a river of blood quickly making a small lake at her side. Her red hair streaked with gray, cascading down over her face. The weapon of choice, a knife, stuck out from her back. "Ophelia," Yvonne whispered.
"Healer and doctor," continued Sprout. Both stood motionless in a momentary state of shock.
It was at that moment that several goblins attempted to enter the throne room. Kastrel arrived first, bumping into Yvonne. Others began appearing in random entrances; all were silent at the sight of the great occurrence. Sprout made for Sarah, demanding that aid be sought for both the King and the Savior immediately.
"There are chambers, just up those stairs," began Yvonne, then turning to Kastrel she motioned for him to take charge.
"All right then, fetch the lady goblins! Get in here and remove this body. Oh my! It's Ophelia- get her out of here! Prepare some form of wrappings for her. Yvonne,"
"I'll attend to Sarah."
"Alright, and I'll see to our King." Sprout followed Yvonne with Sarah in his arms and Kastrel saw Jareth lifted from the floor.
She was warm. She was going to need several days of rest or this slight fever could develop into something extreme. Yvonne knew she was hardly equipped to properly take care of her if an illness was to take hold of her. Moonlight herbs were requested along with hot water. At least she knew that those herbs could help heal anything. Doors were rushed open and orders were sent for all lady goblins to be ready to give their assistance. As Sprout laid her on the bed, her entire body went limp. The lady goblins insisted that the male elf then leave the room.
He felt himself being lifted and half opened his eyes. Kastrel saw it- that was a fine sign. A couple decent cups of some Moonlight tea and he would feel much better. His body didn't feel completely limp nor was he jerking limbs. Kastrel was fairly confident that his King would recover probably by the day's end. Between himself and the other goblins, the King was laid on his own bed.
She was lost in some fever. She was cold, despite the blankets that she felt covering her. And everything ached terribly- arms, legs, toes, hands, and fingers. In her discomfort though she knew she was safe. There was someone caring for her and they weren't going to let anything happen to her. They had helped change her clothes and put her to bed. She felt their presence at the bedside. Yvonne was there, forcing Moonlight tea down her throat and wiping her forehead with a cool rag. As the brew passed through her, she felt a calming effect rushing through her veins. By noon she had passed into a light sleep, resting instead of struggling against the fever. Yvonne sighed in relief- the mortal woman would be fine.
Outside in the hall, Sprout had sat himself upon the floor and was leaning against the walls. He was incredibly weary, but also immensely satisfied. He had accompanied his companion on her entire mission. He had seen her safely to the Goblin City. Now if someone would just tell him that she was going to be fine, he could fall asleep. He was fighting the urge to doze off, give in to a much needed rest when he felt something shuffling in one of his bags. "What?" he muttered reaching to open the bag. "Hobbes! Gracious Moon- I'm terribly sorry! Huh, you little fuzz ball we made it. Now quit fidgeting! We'll get some sleep soon." He heard the chamber door open and shut. The lady goblin was coming toward him. He struggled to his feet. "Is-is she all right?" he asked her.
"Rest easy elf," replied Yvonne. "She sleeps and will recover fine."
He sighed, thankfully.
"And what of you?" she then asked smiling. "You could use a bed too. Come on, I'll let you in to another chamber."
"Thank you. Please," he continued as she opened another door. "Let me know the moment she's awake. I saw her here and I must see for myself that she is well."
"I think," she started moving aside to let him pass. "You'll have to fight the King for that honor." She smiled at him. Sprout nodded in understanding, and thanking her he turned to the bed. Throwing the bag with Hobbes on one side of the mattress he took to the other and quickly fell asleep.
Dawn had come, breaking through the once foreboding storm. The sun rose behind the castle and stretched out over the Goblin City. All goblins stumbled out from their cottages. Most of them had not slept that night, experiencing the turmoil that had ragged inside the castle. The male goblins ever ready should they be needed to protect their King. The lady goblins ready with any form of nourishment or nursing. As the sun continued its ascent its rays touched the Labyrinth and slowly chased away the shadows in the valley. The gold hues glowed and flowed over the rock walls that held the Labyrinth. Streaming in through the forest, it streaked in landing on two elderly elves who stood holding hands. They too had spent the night in distress, feeling the pull of the entity as It had tried to gain It's victory. Now they looked to each other and thought to themselves that neither one looked a day older.
Jareth was first to speak. As Kastrel had determined it hadn't taken him long to recover. By noon that day his eyes were open and he was making demands. Mostly he asked after Sarah- was she awake yet? Was she hurt? Could he see her? Kastrel argued with him, telling him that Yvonne was not letting either one of them out of their chambers. Jareth argued back that he was King and he had every right to get up and see her. His own body answered him though when he attempted to move- he could barely lift his arms. "Alright! Alright! I'll stay put. But bring me news the moment she wakes up. I must know if she's well. That's my only demand, and you can tell Yvonne that if she wishes to have any honor from her deeds she'll adhere to it." He laid back on the pillows.
Through half-open lids Sarah surveyed her surroundings. She was lying in a huge bed that stood in an even larger room. She blinked and saw shadowed furniture- a dresser, a mirror, a chair. It was dark in the room, save for a little light that came in through a window. Shear red curtains swayed in a light wind. She felt the cool breeze come across her face, and hit her closed eyelids. She inhaled the smells that it brought and was eased to smell nothing threatening. Leisurely she stretched her rested limbs, and fully opened her eyes. The little light that came in was weak- it was night again.
She was glad to find that enough strength had returned for her to move. As soft as the bed was, she had been lying down all day and needed to move about a little. To let the blood move through her and clear her head. Pushing back the covers, she found herself clothed in a simple white night gown. Dropping to her feet, the gown tumbled to touch her toes. The ground was cold and soothing. The stones were smooth and gentle to walk on. Blood rushed to her head and she steadied herself against the mattress. Using various pieces of furniture to support herself she made her way to the window, where she could look out.
Outside was a small balcony, and gripping the railing she took in the whole of the Goblin City, the Labyrinth, and the lands beyond. She was here and all that was stretched out before her was still in existence because of her. It was an immense responsibility she had taken on, and now she could sigh in relief knowing that she had she made it in time. Nothing seemed fantastical any more, but rather it felt right. The thought that she was standing in her night gown on a balcony that was part of a castle, inside the Goblin City, that was at the center of the Labyrinth, and part of the Underground, seemed no more amazing than if she had sprouted wings. No she belonged here. Lost in her thoughts she didn't notice a majestic white bird that landed on a ledge not too far away.
What was even less astonishing was the comfort she took in knowing that Jareth was all right. She laughed to herself at the irony in all that had transpired between the two of them. In the end she did love him. And what kind of love will this be? She asked herself. She remembered the dream she had, had- admittedly she had wanted him. But she had felt that desire because he had felt different. "Has he changed as much I feel him to have?" she then asked out-loud. The white bird fluttered suddenly. She glanced at it, noting its owl shape. Casting one more look over all the Underground she turned to go back inside. She felt that she had used enough of her renewing energy and thought it best to lie back down. Another round of flapping wings though made her stop and turn around. Where she expected the white owl, there stood Jareth leaning against the railing.
Admittedly he had broken his promise to stay put until he was told he could see her. He had waited until Kastrel had left for the night, and then had gone to his own balcony and shifted. He had to at least see her- be reassured of her safety. His plans had been to fly to her window and look in upon her. But then she had been standing on the balcony. He found the closest landing spot and listened and watched her. How beautiful she had looked with the moon, shinning down on her. She seemed like a fragile white flower basking in the moonlight. Then with that question she had asked so innocently out loud, he knew he had to morph and show her just how changed he really was.
Sarah thought for a second she was hallucinating. The tale end of her earlier fever, playing one last trick on her, but she blinked and he was still there. She experienced her first odd moment since she had arrived in the Underground. He stood there, his white night shorts and shirt loosely blowing in the wind. His eyes starring at her- neither stern nor beckoning. It was as if he too were experiencing a moment of uncertainty. It gave him a very attractive air, and she thought for a second that her question had indeed been answered by his vulnerable state. As she met his eyes she became all too aware of the fact that she was standing in her own loose fitting night-gown. Shyly she looked away for a second and then folded her arms across her chest. He smiled at her, only increasing her awkwardness. "I just wanted to see you," he said reassuringly and adding, "And to make sure that you were really here."
She let herself smile back. "Well I am really here."
"Does it all seem fantastical?" he then asked.
"What- that you transformed from a large owl?"
"No! All this…" he motioned at everything beyond the balcony.
"I know!" she laughed. "And no, surprisingly it doesn't seem fantastical. I'm-I'm all most too comfortable here."
That pleased him tremendously. She was going to make a great Fae and a wonderful queen with that disposition.
He ventured forth an open hand toward her. He respected her awkwardness, but he hoped she would not refuse him the pleasure of at least holding her hand. She hesitated for a second- she knew that just a day prior she had collapsed in his arms. That just a day prior she had been kissing him without shame. She felt rather vulnerable though in her nightgown, remembering what sort of passion he had at one point possessed. Slowly she unfolded an arm and slid her fingers into his hand. I just need a moment with you. She looked up into his eyes. Just a moment. Enough to convince myself that you want vanish in the morning. He looked her over, noting the arm that was still folded awkwardly across herself. I would never do anything to harm you.
Just a moment with… she thought. Wait a minute! You're talking to me in my head! She looked at him in disbelief and touched a finger to her temple.
He grinned at her. Yes.
How?
He shrugged a shoulder, still continuing his wide grin. I've always been able to do it. Now we can stand here, side by side on the balcony, and… "Just talk."
Just talk. All right. He gave her a gentle pull, and she stood next to him.
Holding hands in the dark they conversed without making a single sound. Sarah found herself enjoying the mental communication. It was like a regular conversation, no one had the advantage over the other. He wasn't prying into her inner most thoughts and she only heard his responses. It was a comforting closeness. He asked after her well being- had Yvonne been a good nurse? Then small, but genuine comments about the night and the sky were made. Tell me all that happened out there, he suddenly asked.
She sighed. No, not tonight. I'm much too tired to go into all that. Besides I'd rather not conjure up such memories.
He crossed his eyebrows. Sarah had I known that there were going to be such dangers out there…
Don't talk like that! It's all over and done with now, and I'm here where I belong. She wrapped her fingers against the railing. I do have a question though that I'd like answered.
Of course.
That woman in the throne room… is she- is she dead? It was even an uncomfortable question to think, and she bit her lip as she let it flow out. She glanced at him and saw his face tense yet controlled.
Yes, came the reply. He heard her audibly sigh. Don't blame yourself Sarah. As you said, it's all over and done with now. He met her eyes- both looked at each other full of seriousness. Turning away she mentally agreed to let it go. Then she yawned. And I need to go back to bed. She turned and reached out for the wall. Without a word Jareth slipped his arm around her and took on her weight.
"Let me help you," he then said. It was more of a statement than a request, and she found herself leaning against him.
The two shuffled across the floor. He lifted her up in his arms and made to lay her back on the bed. She felt so wonderful to hold that there was a slight look of reluctance in his eyes as he pulled the blankets around her. Sarah saw the look pass over his face, and it touched her to see him be so kind. He had come just to see her, just to make sure that her needs had been met. He had denied himself of any urge he might have had, and relished the mere touch of her hand. Watching him straightening the blankets, she thought yet again that perhaps her question had been answered. Perhaps there was a deeper change that was only visible now. He shot her a glance and half smiled. Suddenly she felt an urge to reach out and throw her arms around his neck. Press him to her heart and hold him tight. Surprised with the sudden urge she shoved the thought back into the depths of her mind. "Thank you" was all that came out from her lips. He had just tucked in the last blanket and was turning to leave when he heard her. He smiled down at her. Bending low he gently kissed her forehead. When she opened her eyes he had vanished, but she was too drowsy to care.