Chapter Eighteen, part 2: The Magical Plan
Jareth had been not even thought about coming to see Sarah until he and Toby had walked back into the castle. The idea of her friends loose and more than likely on their way to see her, was worrying him to no end. There was no doubt in his mind that they would find her. That beast seemed to have a sixth sense, or something along those lines. It would be no time before they teamed up with her and then overthrew Jareth's plans. He hated the thought of being beaten, but there was nothing he could do, what with his magic being so disagreeable.
Toby had changed into the goblin clothes he had found in the marketplace. They didn't look half bad and at least they had been properly cleaned. His wet clothes had been disposed of. There were no goblin servants to do the washing and Jareth's magic was running on low. He himself, had thrown several pairs of clothes into the trash rather than attempt to do a wash. There was just so far a king would stoop.
Toby bounded about the room and splashed through the shallow pond in the center of the throne room. He kicked the water about and splattered the draping with perfect little droplets. The ground was coated with the slick water and offered a dangerous walkway for Toby to be playing on. Jareth made an attempt to slow Toby down, but he didn't listen. Jareth decided that it was best to ignore the problem and hope that it would just go away soon.
He placed his head in his hands and tried to think the problem through. He had always been able to come up with a strategy. This time was no different. He would have to think of a way to stop them before they reached her. At the rate Sarah was traveling her friends would reach her in no time.
"Can I go look around?" Toby asked.
Jareth waved his hand though the air without a glance towards Toby. The boy smiled and rushed out of the room. He left behind him a mess of water and dirt from his shoes. The whole place had been sprayed with water. Toby had been lucky that nothing had struck Jareth. He wasn't in the best of moods and getting soaked was not going to improve anything.
"How could I have let them escape? What is the reason for this ignorance?" Jareth asked himself forlornly.
He had always been ready for a plan. Everything that anyone tried would be abruptly stopped by fast thinking on Jareth's part. Only once had he been beaten. That time would linger in his mind forever. For that had been the turning point of his whole life. Sarah had tried to destroy him. She had actually nearly succeeded for she had left his mighty castle in shambles, nothing but scattered dust and rock. The labyrinth had lost some of its previous tricks and magic and Jareth still hadn't been able to restore it entirely. She had stormed through and nearly killed his world and himself. She didn't even have a clue about the destruction she had caused. Now, however, she was here to save the world she had tried to defeat six years ago. Jareth had a feeling that she would have saved the Underground even if her friends hadn't been at stake. Despite herself, Sarah loved this magical place and Jareth knew that. However, he wasn't about to take chances. Now, it didn't matter. He had risked everything and came out with nothing. The prisoners were gone and so was his strong hold on Sarah. It was all very depressing.
Jareth rose from his throne. He had much to do and very little time to complete it all. He dodged a rather large puddle on the way to the doorway. Toby would have to come back and clean everything up. Jareth wasn't about to wipe up the child's mess. He had been immature enough to make it so he would have to be mature enough to fix it.
He gazed over to the picture that stood in the corner. Sarah looked as she had when she had confronted him so long ago. The face was a little more slender, for he had tried to paint her as she aged. It had been impossible. Her eyes caught his gaze and held him captive. Even the painting had power over him. Jareth reached up and pulled some of the curtain over the painting. It drifted over the canvas and floated a little in the cool breeze that had started up just recently. Sarah's form was still easy to see through the clear material, but at least her eyes had lost that hypnotizing hold that they had had over him.
He turned quickly and marched from the room. He could no longer dwell on the picture. Sarah was his main concern at that time. He hoped that his orb would still be agreeable for he needed to find out where the beast and Hoggle had traveled. He also was interested about where Sarah was heading. He didn't want them to happen to meet.
Jareth threw his door open and ignored the mess of his room. Toby would have to clean all of this as well. Jareth could not live with his chamber looking like a dump. For so long it had been the only room in the castle, save his crystallized room, that had remained neat and tidy. Now it just angered him to look at the mess and the clothes strewn across the ground.
Jareth sat in the chair near his orb and gazed into its depths. He had very little hope that it would actually work a second time. However, if the magic had decided to cooperate, he was going to use it as much as possible. Jareth waved a hand over the crystal and waited anxiously to see if anything would happen. The crystal shone weakly and Jareth let out a relieved breath.
"Show me where the prisoners have escaped," Jareth demanded.
The orb's light faded away and the dump came into view. Jareth rolled his blue eyes at the sight of the offensive dump. One thing about goblins, they didn't care where they threw their garbage. That was why they had their trash just outside the city limits. It was quite disgusting and horribly smelly, especially on warm days when the food began to rot a little faster. It wasn't sanitary in the least and Jareth had tried to think of a way to get rid of it many times. However, it never worked and the dump remained to this very day. Without the goblins around, it would probably get a chance to decompose a bit and lesson the amount of trash.
A flash of red fur came into focus behind a garbage heap. Jareth had no idea that the prisoners had only just escaped. They had barely made it beyond the city. If his magic had still been strong, Jareth would have flown to them and recaptured them. However, it was pointless. He was not able to keep them in constraints. The beast was too strong and the dwarf too witty.
Hoggle peered around the edge of a mound of broken furniture and soiled sheets. He looked both ways carefully and then motioned for Ludo to follow him. Jareth only watched them for a short time. He soon lost his interest. They were not a threat yet. Sarah had a good day between her and her friends. He would worry about them meeting another time.
"Show me Sarah," Jareth said as he waved his hand over the smooth surface once again.
The crystal was being very understanding that morning. The dump faded away abruptly and the forest came into focus. A very perplexed Sarah was in the center of the crystal gazing up to a large thorn bush. Jareth chuckled a bit at her problem. He remembered the boundary he had set up after the elves had tried to attack his castle. She would never be able to pass by the shrubbery. He noticed that she was near the lake. The furrygatherers must have told her something helpful.
Jareth waved his hand over the orb one last time and the picture faded away completely. He was overjoyed with the magic. Jareth hadn't really grasped the extent of his yearning to control the crystals once again. Perhaps other magic would work as well. It was an intriguing thought and certainly was worth a try.
If he could transform to his owl shape perhaps he could watch Sarah a bit easier. Yet, she knew about the owl. She would see him and immediately know that it was Jareth who was sitting in the trees near her. Jareth pondered the problem for a while longer. The only solution would be to resort to some other figure that Sarah would never recognize as him. That would be difficult. She seemed to know him better than he realized.
His mind drifted back to the problem with the friends and the tall thorn bush blocking Sarah's path. Maybe there was a way to solve every problem at once. Jareth thought this over a while. There had to be some way to get Sarah over the wall, slow the others down and watch her. Or maybe, he could speed her up. A smile formed on his lips.
"What do you think about a ride, Sarah?" Jareth asked the empty crystal orb.
He had to attempt the transformation before he could allow himself to rejoice in his wonderful plan. If the magic suddenly failed to work, it would be greatly depressing. However, Jareth had been putting up with depression for ages. He could handle one more setback. Yet, he wouldn't let himself think that it wasn't going to work. He was going to be positive about the whole thing. There was no proof that he would fail yet. Jareth nodded in agreement with his optimistic thoughts and walked quickly from the room.
He noticed Toby was rushing down the hall and he didn't look like he was attempting to slow down. Jareth halted in mid stride and waited for the child's arrival. Toby ran straight to the Goblin King and gripped him about his legs. Jareth very nearly lost his balance. His legs buckled and he staggered back into the wall. Still Toby held on tightly. He was shivering in fright and only clutching Jareth stronger. He had a grip like a vice and Jareth could only lean against the wall and look down at the small boy.
"What are you doing, Toby?" Jareth asked, quite fed up with the foolish behavior.
Toby turned his face up to the Goblin King. His eyes were wide and they darted around him. Something had frightened him That was obvious. However, what it was was another question. Toby looked too scared to speak. Jareth was surprised that he hadn't been paralyzed from the fear. He moved his legs a bit, but the boy would not loosen his grip. He was just being stubborn.
"I-I-I," was all Toby could manage to stammer out.
Jareth placed his gloved hands beneath Toby's arms and pried them apart. He slipped his legs away from the boy and quickly bent beside him. Toby only stood by himself for a brief moment. A bird landed on a nearby window and Toby suddenly flew into a very startled Goblin King's arms. He placed his head on Jareth's shoulder and wrapped his arm around his neck.
Jareth knelt there, with his arms at his side. He had no idea what to do. What was this boy attempting by hugging him? Jareth was confused at the blatant show of affection on Toby's part. He brought his arms around Toby carefully and laid them gently on the child's back. Toby only pressed himself closer to the king.
"What happened, Toby?" Jareth asked carefully.
Toby shuddered again. He shook his head and whimpered in fear. He was not going to be able to speak for some time, considering the state he was currently in. Jareth lifted the light boy into his arms and carried him into the throne room. Toby would not remove his head from Jareth's shoulder.
In Toby's opinion, just looking around would bring the scary thing back. He was safer to remain in the darkness and as close to the Goblin King as possible. When scary things were around the best place to be was in an adult's arms. They would protect any child. It was in the job description. Toby had heard of some small children who hadn't had parents and the scary things had gotten them and eaten them. Little boys were the favorite meal for scary things, just like Toby's favorite was chocolate ice cream. Toby shivered again at the thought of being placed on a huge cone and licked to death by a scary thing.
Jareth sat upon his throne and waited for the child to calm himself down. He didn't have much patience at the time, for he really wanted to discover if he could transform into another shape or not. Toby was only complicating things. Jareth made a mental note to send the child home when he returned. It would be the safest thing to do. Toby belonged on Earth. The Underground wasn't his home, just like it wasn't Sarah's either. They belonged elsewhere.
Toby was still and his breathing had slowed down. He actually felt as if he had drifted off to sleep. Jareth checked the child's face and was quite shocked to see that his eyes were closed and his mouth hung slightly open. Jareth stood up again and walked down the hall towards Toby's room. The boy had had a hard day, after all, and he needed his rest. If Jareth was going to return the boy, he needed to be in top form to make it through the transition between worlds.
Jareth laid the boy gently atop the bed and tossed a blanket nearly lovingly over the sleeping child. Toby shifted and cuddled against the feathered pillows. He let out a long sigh and then drifted deeper into sleep. Jareth gazed at him for a moment, wondering why Sarah had ever wished him away. The child was very well behaved and was quite enjoyable to have around.
Jareth pulled his glove from his slender hand. He had surprisingly smooth hands for a man. It was probably due to the gloves that he almost constantly wore. Jareth brushed one long finger across Toby's full cheek. The boy's face twitched a little and then he settled back down.
"Sleep well, Toby," Jareth said gently.
He closed the door as he exited the room. Jareth then turned and hurried the rest of the way down the hall. He had wasted precious time that could have been used finding Sarah in his new form. Jareth walked through his throne room and straight to the large, broken iron doors. He jumped them easily and broke into the afternoon sunlight.
Jareth pulled his glove back on his hand and then motioned for a crystal to form. He felt the familiar weight fall into his hand and he looked in awe at the lovely and perfect sphere. He had formed a crystal. It had nearly been two days since he had been able to call them to listen to him. Jareth held it gently and twisted it about in his lithe hands. All the magic he had ever managed to perform in his long, long, long life was nothing compared to this single crystal ball.
It had been a surprisingly good day. He had yet to have one of his attacks. Losing the agonizing pain was also a plus in his books. The magic had obeyed him and he hadn't had the strange tearing sensation when he lost control of his anger. Perhaps Toby was a good influence. Jareth smiled at the thought. Nothing had happened since Toby had been there. Well, other than the small outburst of anger Jareth had spewed towards the boy when he was discovered spying. That had been tiny compared to the anger he had experienced when Sarah was there. She had a way to make him furious enough to nearly harm her. Jareth knew that he never would, as long as he was still in charge of his functions and not a slave to his anger.
"I am just waiting, Jareth. Do not think that I have left!" the small voice suddenly broke through Jareth's thoughts.
He looked around, hoping beyond hope that someone had spoken to him. However, that was not to be. There was nothing around him, save a few rats scurrying around the barren streets of the goblin city. Jareth nearly collapsed from the disappointment. He was not getting better. It was like he was in the calm at the eye of the storm. Of course, that meant that he was halfway through. However, Jareth was certain that the worst part laid ahead of him and then end would be covered in death and destruction.
"Why must this voice pester me? You have what you want! I am going to die at your vile hands, in your grip. I shall never have what I wish for, because you bring out my evil nature to harm anyone who comes near me. I am alone and bored, and I will greet death with open arms. So you are not the only winner. I am not afraid of death!!" Jareth yelled.
His voice echoed through the city and resounded back to him. He let the noise die down before he would allow himself to return his attention to the lovely crystal. Sure death was upon him, but his magic was working at the time being and he should only think about that. The rest was all too depressing. Jareth twirled the crystal in his hand a bit longer and then threw it into the air.
The crystal balanced among the skies and clouds for a moment and then floated slowly down to Jareth. Its gentle blue glow grew stronger as it descended. It swirled in the air and Jareth could feel the cool breeze it was creating. He watched the magic in awe. It had been a long time since it had worked so very well. Jareth would have to savor it, for he felt that this would be his last truly great magical feat...ever.
The crystal shone with a brilliant white radiance that pulsed all about it. It bathed Jareth in the light and covered the ground around him as well. He felt the magic pulsing through his system and surrounding his very soul with perfect ivory splendor. It felt pure and gentle, different from any magic he had every created before. It covered his senses and he could only feel, taste, smell, hear and see the magic surrounding him entirely.
Jareth threw his hands into the air and the crystal exploded in a brighter flash of light. It bathed Jareth completely and he disappeared in the intense rays for a brief time. The light faded shortly later and Jareth stepped out from the used magic.
He tossed his mighty head, his luxurious white mane slipping around him and spilling before his eyes. Jareth threw the hair back and it floated through the air, riding a new breeze. His long tail flowed like a mysterious ivory liquid through the air. It slipped around him and whipped the ground. He beat his muscular wings and rose a few feet into the air. The feathers glistened in the sun like they had been coated with glitter and his own crushed crystals. All around him was the scent of magic. He could smell flowers and a spring breeze. Jareth lowered himself back to the ground and tapped his golden hooves upon the stone floor. They sparkled fiercely in the sunshine and nearly blinded him when he marveled at their pure nature. His eyes flashed with their normal intensity. That was something that Sarah would recognize. Jareth only hoped that she would be so shocked with the entire sight of him that the eyes would simply be passed by.
"A wonderful ride is what you desire, my dear," Jareth's voice had been lowered considerably and lost the accented nature.
The mighty Pegasus rose into the sky as graceful as a bird riding a springtime breeze. His wings unfurled around him and beat the air furiously to lift his large, muscular body into the awaiting sky above. His hooves pawed through the air as if he were galloping through the breeze. Jareth flew through the vast blue expanse towards Sarah.
So he had come to Sarah and flew her to her doom. This whole memory flashed through Jareth's panicked mind as he banged furiously on the glassy surface of the lake. He had failed her. He had brought her here and so it had been his fault. Jareth clawed frantically on the water, but to no evil. Sarah still sank deeper and deeper into the depths. He was helpless once again.
"Sarah! Please no!" Jareth yelled.
He watched as she slipped out of sight. Jareth laid upon the water and beat his fists upon the surface. There was no way to save her. He had killed her. Jareth looked down into the water and caught a final glimpse of brunette hair. That was when he realized that it was over. He had lost and Sarah had lost. She had died and now he would die.
Jareth rose to his shaky legs, still watching the water as the last bit of hope slipped away. He had never expected it to end like this. Sarah was not the one who was doomed to die, at least not so young. She had barely had time to live her life. Jareth walked to the shore and looked into the perfect blue sky. He raised one fist into the air and shook it aggressively.
"Why not just take me! I have lived too long! Take me now! Destroy me with pain that will drive me from my mind. Force me to watch my kingdom die and torture me with every evil bone in your body. Destroy me! I do no care what you do, but let her live!!! I cannot survive with her death upon my shoulders. I cannot live without her being alive!! I cannot do it! I love her!!" Jareth's voice drifted through the forest, but no one was meant to hear.