Disclaimer: Still moping cause I don't own it...

Warning: Jareth and Sarah may be a little out of character.

So Simple, So Strong

Ch.25:The Cure

Jareth managed to summon a crystal to find Elron. He feared he would be somewhere where Jareth couldn't reach him. But he found him in the forest close to the Dwarf Lands. He sent out a crystal so he could communicat with him. Elron looked up as the crystal floated towards his head. He gave Jareth a tight smile. "Hello Jareth. I've had a hard time finding some of these ingredients, but I should be back tonight. Then it will only take aa few hours to brew the potion."

Jareth nodded his head. "Thank you. But she's getting worse. I walked in earlier and she was having some kind of seizure. Her fevers been getting higher and I can do nothing to stop it. I've tried cooling spells, but they only work for a few minutes and then the fever goes right back up."

Elron nodded gravely. "That is expected. Her symptoms were documented in some of the worst cases. That's why they stopped using the magic to bring people back. The chance that they would suffer sickness and possibly death again." Jareth was silent for a moment. "I thank you. I just hope this potion will work. I-I couldn't bare to lose her again."

"I understand my friend. I will do what I can." With a nod from both men, the crystals popped. Jareth went back to Sarah. She was still sleeping peacfully. He was glad. Her sleep had been feverish and fitful lately and the dark circles under her eyes were becoming more pronounced. He feared for her. Feared for her life. He knew that if she died a second time, it would brreak him. He loved her more than he could ever explain, more than he ever thought he could love anyone. And it hurt him to see her in this condition.

So weak and vulnerable and in constant pain. He went over to the bed and kissed her forehead gently, careful not to wake her. He grabbed the cold washcloth from the table next to the bed and gently bathed her face with cool water. Her fever had gone back up. He just hoped Elron would hurry. He wasn't sure how much longer her weak body could take this almost constant high fever.

She sighed, but didn't wake. 'Good,' he thought. 'She needs all the rest she can get.'

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Jareth wasn't sure if she would make it through the night. He hadn't left her side in hours and he didn't dare. Her breathing was shallow and her fever so high, she couldn't tell who or where she was. Nothing he did would bring the fever down and he was frightened at this point.

Every once in awhile, she would cough up blood and this scared him more than anything. Just then, a coughing fit seized her. Jareth rushed to the bed and rolled her over on her side. Soon, the pillow was stained with blood and Sarah was gasping for air. When the coughing finally calmed down, her eyes fluttered opened. "Dad?" she whispered. He didn't have the heart to tell her no, so he just nodded his head.

He grabbed a glass of water from the nightstand and put it to her lips. "Here love, drink this." She slowly sipped the water. When she was finished, Jareth took the bloody pillow and replaced it with a fresh clean one. He brushed the hair out of her face.

"Sarah love," he whispered. "I just need you to hold on for one more night. Just one more. Elron will be back tomorrow and you will be alright. I promise." He kissed her burning forehead. "I promise." Sarah whimpered and twisted around in the sheets. Jareth grabbed her up in his arms. The pain was evident in her unfocused eyes. He took the cool washcloth and pressed it to her face. She calmed down immediantly at the cool touch. Finally, her breathing evened out again and he knew she was asleep.

"Please Elron," he pleaded into the air. "Please hurry." He held her for quite awhile before finally deciding he better get a quick dinner before she woke up. He laid her gently on the bed and tucked her in. Then, he made a made a mad dash for the kitchen, hoping to kiss his daughter good night. He arrived in the kitchen and questioed the whereabouts of Lina and had them prepare him a quick dinner.

He found Lina and Dominique. "Hello little love!" he cried, before swining her up in his arms. She giggled her little giggle that always made his heart warm and fuzzy. He looked over. "Hello Lina. Thank you again for watching Dominique." "No problem," she replied. "I only want Sarah to get better." Jareth nodded his head. "We all do."

He gave Dominique another quick kiss before saying his farewells and eating a quick dinner and heading back up to Sarah.

When he got back to the room, it looked like Sarah was barely breathing and he panicked this time. He rushed to the bed and scooped her up. "Sarah! Sarah wake up love! Wake up!" She mumbled something he couldn't understand and her eyes slowly rolled open.

"Jareth, is that you? I can't see anything." "Yes love, it's me." He was alarmed that she couldn't see, but didn't want the fear to show in his voice.

She shivered. "I'm scared Jareth. I-I can't see and it's getting harder to breath...And everything hurts. It all hurts so bad." She started to breath heavily. Jareth shushed her. "It's all right love, it's all right. Elron is coming. It will all be good again."

Sarah tried to nod her head, but the pain of moving was to much. "How's Niqui?" she asked instead. "She's fine. I just went down to see her." She gave a weak smile. "Good." Sarah shuddered and focused on Jareth's face. "I want you to promise me...that if I do die...You'll take good care of her." This short sentance left her tired and out of breath.

"Sarah love, don't talk like that. Of course you'll make it."

"Jareth," She grabbed the front of his shirt. "I need you to promise me...I know you will, but promise me. I need to hear you say it." He nodded his head. "I promise." Sarah gave a faint nod before falling back asleep. Jareth just watched his ill wife for a long time. Finally, he laid her back down on the bed and curled up beside her. A tear rolled down his cheek as he stroked her warm face. He knew if he lost her again, it would be the end of him. He didn't even know if his beautiful baby girl could bring him out of a depression this time.

So he laid thee without a care in the world except for his dying wife, fearing this would be the last time he slept beside his beloved Sarah.

END CHAPTER

I am so sorry for the long delay. I don't even have a good excuse. Well, mabey. I started another fan fiction. It's under Clare B. Dunkle for her book In the coils of the snake. Sorry if I put that title wrong. I'm already on ch.3 of that story. So if you like Clare B. Dunkle and the Hollow Kingdom Triliogy, pretty please read my story...It's called 'To Make Me Happy'

And only two chapters after this one. Then my stoery is over...That makes me kinda sad. But I want to thank all my reviewers. You guys are great. So sorry for the short chapter and long delay.