Chapter 26: Let the Games Begin...
Sindel has been trying to use magic to search for Sarah, but every time she locked onto her, the girl would move so quickly she couldn't catch up. She kept losing her... Her servant clothes were becoming ragged and worn from the abuse of running the Goblin King's Labyrinth. She rounded a corner just as she caught a glimpse of midnight blue. Finally she caught up to her "friend".
"Get back here!" The servant girl called to her breathlessly, as she grabbed her arm.
"Let me go! What do you care what I do?"
"We are going back to the castle. His Majesty was furious that I let you escape! He is going to have my head for this," There was a whirlwind of sensaation as they were transported to the throne room. "I was supposed to be watching you."
"Back so soon?" Jareth purred from his throne, where he was draped across it, impatiently tapping his cane on the arm of the huge chair. "I would have thought you would have put up more of a fight, Sarah."
"Please let me go, Jareth," So she was begging now, was she? He'd show her no mercy this time, he was sick of her insolence! "I'm very tired, and I just want to lie down."
With a wicked gleam in his eye he responded. "Oh, do you now? That can certainly be arranged. In fact it is very much what I have in mind. So tell me, would you prefer to lie down on top of me, or beneath me?" His intent was obvious, and although it frightened her, Sarah blushed.
"With all due respect, your Majesty," Sindel was talking now without his permission. Were it another servant he'd have them severely chastised. He was not going to be so lenient on her this time. "May I return to my prior duties? I have many chores that still remain undone. And I have missed enough work as it is." She gave a small curtsy which did not make up for the rude manner in which she had adressed him.
"You are suspended from your employment with me for an indefinite period of time without pay."
"Your Majesty, please have mercy," Jareth watched as tears formed in her blue eyes. Good. "I did not mean to be so careless. I will watch her more closely from now on."
"Damn right you will!" He was standing now and shouting at her while Sarah scowled at him wordlessly. "Until I say otherwise, you will be watching Sarah as her personal guard. These services will be performed for free and without question. Should anything else happen, or should she escape again, you will be executed for treason." His eyes held a serious glare now as he got in her face. "You know I will do it Sindel. You've seen how cruel I can be."
"That's enough!" Sarah shouted from across the room. "Leave her alone, Jareth! Your fight is with me, I should be punished, not her!" Her heart sank as she thought she saw his tongue briefly flicker over the blonde's neck and linger there for a moment.
"Oh, jealous, are we?" Sindel whimpered as he bit her ear ferociously. "We'll see to that later." He turned to Sarah. "Once again, you forget your place. You are property, and nothing more. You will return to your new room, I had it suitably remodeled while you were gone. And I trust you will find it most... interesting."
"You have no right to be in my room!" Sarah didn't know what possessed her, but she approached him directly; standing there looking up in his eyes and screaming at the King. One she had been foolish enough to think that he only had eyes for her. How could she allow herself to think that?
His eyes were warm but his voice was cold and arrogant. "I have every right, Sarah. You are in my castle, and you are no longer a guest here. Sindel, get this lowly wench out of my sight! Take her to her room, and do not let her escape again."
"Yes, sire..."
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When they arrived in the hall where Sarah's room had been, she found there was no longer a door. A knot formed in her stomach as she opened the door to Jareth's room. She saw that he had indeed changed her room. He had merged the two bedchambers together! And not only that, their beds were pushed together too. As if that wasn't already bad enough, he'd removed all of the windows from the room. There was only one way in and one way out.
"I hate him!" Sarah shrieked when she saw what he'd done. She heard Sindel click the locks of the door shut behind her. "That bastardized pig! Who does he think he is fusing our rooms together?! This is ridiculous!"
"He is the King, Sarah. Try not to think about it too much. It is best if you don't. He said to keep you here until he returns. I am sorry for your situation, Sarah."
The girl's words were of no comfort to her, especially now. "Easy for you to say! How long has this been going on?!"
"Sarah," Sindel gasped. "What are you talking about? Surely you do not really think..." Her voice trailed off as she reaized it was useless.
"Well it was quite obvious in the throne room that you were no stranger to his touch."
"The past does not matter, Sarah. He has eyes for no one else but you now. I have known the King long enough to know that. And I have no interest in him. I work here to pay the bills, and that is all. I wanted to escape my husband, and Jareth helped me..."
"Don't call him that!" Sarah flung herself down on the bed violently.
"Call him what?"
"Jareth. You shouldn't be so informal with your King. I had wondered about that at first but I thought it was because you were simply on a friendly basis with your employer. But now the truth comes out."
Sindel knew it was pointless trying to reason with her now. She sat in the corner in a porcelain chair he'd had prepared for Sarah back when she was only a guest. They had been friends then, not fighting over a non-existent relaitonship she shared with Jareth! It was insane.
"Please, Sarah," She had to try. "Please believe me that I would never do anything to hurt you. I value your... friendship." Were they ever even friends? "And I have no interest in the King."
"Oh, sure." You could tell from her tone that Sarah was going to be unreasonable. "What kind of self-respecting lowly servant would ever want to marry a King? Oh no, that would be just horrible, wouldn't it?"
"Jareth cannot marry."
This stopped Sarah cold, causing her to sit up on the bed almost instantly. "What do you mean?"
"He cannot marry until the prophecty has been fulfilled. He is searching for a princess that he lost long ago. It is said that she will one day be reincarnated and she will return to challenge the King's Labyrinth. The prophecy says that she will be the only one to ever conquer it."
Emerald eyes widened in sudden understanding. She decided to change tactics, and change the subject. She didn't want Sindel to know that she did best his maze two years ago.
"Let's forget about the past for now," She sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. "It doesn't matter anyway, and this is getting us nowhere. What are we supposed to do for the rest of the day?"
"Jare- I mean his Highness hasn't said anything more than to bring you here to wait for him. I am to stay with you until he says otherwise. And now I don't know how I am going to pay the bills. My landlord will not be happy when he does not recieve the full payment for my rent... I'll be homeless before the month is up!"
That seemed to be all it took to break her. In a flash, Sindel was in a sobbing heap curled up in the chair with her arms hugging her knees close to her chest. Sarah wanted to comfort her, but she couldn't just believe her about Jareth. Could she? In spite of herself, she moved to comfort her small friend. Sindel sniffled as delicate hands moved in slow circles over her back comfortingly.
"It'll be okay," Sarah offered. "You'll see. Jareth wouldn't allow you to go homeless."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I can't," Was all she could say.
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Demona sat on her silver throne, slowly biding her time. She had to wait until just the right moment to strike, and it had not yet arrived. She was watching the Goblin King in her mirror, and smiling at the thought of having him at long last. She wondered where Xander and the little redhead minx were... They were running late, so she decided to check in on them as well.
She saw that they were standing just outside the gate to the Goblin City and preparing themselves for the great act they had to put on soon. Demona was so glad she had thought of this, it did all her best ideas proud.
"What are you doing?" A high-pitched whiny voice pulled her swiftly from her thoughts. Kaitlyn stood before her. "I thought you were keeping an eye on Jareth's human wench for me. Why are you watching Xander?"
"It is none of your concern."
"Like, oh my gods! You don't like him, do you? Of course you do! Demona and Xander... Wow, that is just too cute!" Kaitlyn giggled as she finished her sentence.
"I rather think that Demona and Daemon sounds just fine," Daemon appeared beside her and eyed his Queen with distaste. His face showed hatred, but his words conveyed a very different emotion. "How do you fare today, my love?"
"I am fine," Demona smirked wickedly, and he knew she was up to something. "Just working on some... political maneuvering, if you will."
"And just what are you planning?"
Her heavily painted sister chimed in. "Yeah, sis! Scoop! Give us all the juicy details!"
"I will do no such thing. What I am doing concerns none of you. Be gone from my throne room, for I have much to do and little time to spare. Daemon, you may wait for me in my chambers."
Without a word her mate left her, and strode swifly down the hall. It seemed he did not much care what went on, really. That was unlike, he was always so nosey... Before the Queen could mull it over, Kaitlyn interrupted her thoughts.
"What am I supposed to do? I'm bored..."
"I hear there is a party over in Windthorpe castle. Why don't you attend it?"
"Yes!" She backed away from her sister and ran with joy from the room all the while shouting her response. "This'll be so much fun! I love Hera's parties; they're the best!"
Demona let out a sinister chuckle, before turning back to her mirror once more.
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"Why do you think Jareth is being so cruel to me lately?" Sarah was asking Sindel as the blonde washed her hair for her. She'd been through alot today and badly needed to get herself cleaned up. "I mean, he was such a romantic when I first came here. He was much nicer than I had tought he would be. Something must be going on for him to be treating me this way."
Sindel only smiled and continued her efforts at removing the dandruff from Sarah's hair. "Do not take it to heart. I am certain that he means well. The King is just... confused. He'll snap out of it. You will see."
"I'm not so sure anymore..."
"Nor should you be. At least he manages to keep you on your toes, am I right?" Sarah nodded cautiously and her servant continued. "If you want my advice on the matter, I would not let myself get too attached to him, however. There is always the prophecy, and you mustn't let yourself forget that, not even for a moment..." Suddenly she looked very truly sad. "He will wed his beloved when she returns to him. And you will be tossed aside. Perhaps even before she arrives, if you do not continue to please him."
"Sindel, I don't know how to put this..." Long chocolate strands trailed down her neck and clung to her skin as she climbed out of the oversized tub and reached for a towel. "But Jareth and I have never... been together."
"But you stayed so many nights in his room. I thought-"
"No. We never did anything more than kiss, really," A quick image from last night beckoned at the corner's of her mind. But that wasn't really the same, was it? Of course not! "Well, maybe a few things that were questionable, but... No, we never slept together in that sense."
"Oh, I see." Sarah could tell from Sindel's blush that she was being made to feel embarassed by the conversation.
"For a woman who has already had one child, you sure are modest."
"It comes from being raised that way. My grandmother pretty much raised me when I was youunger. I have no idea what it's like to even have a mother. Well, not a real one... I was so determined to be a good mother to my daughter. But my husband ruined that for me completely. He was abusive, so I don't talk about him much anymore. Wait a minute, how did you know that I had a child? I never told you..."
"When I was being made to stay in Xander's castle," Sarah slipped back into her dress from the previous evening with ease. "There was a servant there called Mallory. She and I used to talk sometimes. She always seemed so guarded about herself, but she loved to gossip."
"And this Mallory person, she wouldn't happen to be an elf, would she?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"She and I had our servant's training together. She was brought to the underground around the same time that I was. But that was centruies ago..." A flicker of relaization showed in Sindel's eyes. "But you cannot trust her. Mallory is scheming and she will do anything necessary for her own personal gain. What did you tell her about yourself?"
"Not much, only a few things about my life before I came here. I told her of the first time that I journeyed through the Labyrinth."
"You've traveled the King's Labyrinth before?"
"Yes, I thought you knew that," Both girls were now sitting on the bed and staring idly at the door, as if wondering when it would open.
"No, no one tells me too much. I'm quiet and shy most of the time, so no one confides in me. Besides that, no one really has much trust for trust servants anyway. So what else did you tell Mallory?"
Sarah proceeded to tell her about all the things she had discussed with the elven lady. By the time she was done, Sindel's eyes were as big as saucers. Did Sarah even have a clue as to what she unknowingly did? She had just told the biggest stool-pigeon in all of the undergound kingdoms aout her and Jareth's relationship!
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Xander led Adeira swiftly through the crowds of the Goblin City, until they had reached a long row of small markets that had been set up. Each booth in the marketplace was covered with a square of white cloth held up by a wooden pole on either side. It seemed the ideal place to conduct their little scheme.
"Over there," Xander pointed to the little Goblin man sitting on a stool near what looked like a fruit stand. "That's him. Just go up to him and announce who you are. He will immediately summon the King's guards to his aide, you have to do nothing more than pluck a simple fruit from his store."
"Thank you for escorting me," She batted pretty eyelashes at him before releasing his hand. "I do so hate to be around these vile little creatures. They disgust me!"
"Farewell, Adeira. Remember to play your part well. If you find yourself in any trouble, all you must do is conjure a crystal to call me to your aide." He kissed her hand swiftly, and vanished from sight.
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Author's Notes: I am SO sorry for not updating this story in such a long time. I had half of it done and it got deleted somehow, but IDK what happened. I saved it, I know I did. But when I turned on my computer this morning, everything I had written was gone, except for the first 3 sentences! I was SO mad! But now it's ok, b/c I think it turned out better this way. Check my profile for further updates and a more in-depth analysis of the next chapter. And just what are Xander and Adeira planning? And why is Demona only watching everyone and not doing anything yet? What is going to happen with Jareth and Sarah?! FInd out the answers to these questions and more in chapter 27! Oh, and I am updating Goblin Planet (my other story) soon too! If you like this one, you will LOVE it! I only two people reviewing that one, and I would really appreciate it if someone else wanted to give it a shot. It's really good! I got an idea for another story I am going to do after I finish Goblin Planet. This one (Dare To Dream) won't be done for a while, so I'm not going to put it off that long. Lol. I feel so bad that I kept you all waiting for so long. I am going to start on chapter 27 tonight!
JARETH: You should be ashamed of yourself, keeping these people waiting this long just for a chapter!
KALINE: I know, but I promised to get the next one up sooner.
JARETH: Hmm, yes well... See that it is not deleted again.
DELETIA: (::enters room::) Greetings from the land of all that is gone! And how are you feeling today, Ms. Reine?
KALINE: You!!! (::points finger::) Did you delete my story?
DELETIA: Why would you think that???
KALINE: (::points to name on screen::) Your name is DELETIA! See?!
SARAH: Now, Kaline... To be fair, you can't go around judging people by just their names...
JARETH: (::leering at Sarah::) Life often isn't fair, little girl.
SARAH: But that's the way it is.
KALINE: Excuse me! Stop stealing my show! I am trying to deal with Deletia!
DELETIA: (::evil laugh::) Muahahahahaha! All your hard work was ruined!
KALINE: I don't like you. (::glares::) You're a bitch.
SARAH: (::gasp::) Kaline! Don't be bitter!
KALINE: I'm not, I'm being honest! She did it! She deleted my work!
DELETIA: Damn right I did.
SARAH: But maybe she didn't. How can you be so sure?
KALINE: Because she just said she did. Look, right there. She SAID it! She ADMITTED it!
SARAH: Well, are you sure? Things are not always what they seem in this place.
DELETIA: But I did delete it! I crept into Kaline's computer, and deleted all of chapter 26! Muahahahaha!!!
JARETH: (::waving his arms about in background and running back and forth silently to get attention from the readers::)
KALINE: Why did you do it, Deletia?
JARETH: (::making faces behing Kaline::)
SARAH: (::snickering at Jareth::) Kaline, stop accusing people of things! You're so mean. (::whispers to Deletia::) Don't worry, I know you didn't do it...
DELETIA: (::blinks blankly at Sarah::) But I DID delete it... (::turns to Kaline::) I did it because... Because... Um, well because I am Deletia! And because I can! And it was complete and utter crap. I knew you could do better than that, so I deleted all of your chapter so you could start over with a clean slate.
KALINE: But I worked so hard on it!
SARAH: (::thinking about what Deletia said::) (::whispering to herself::) She DID it? How can that be??? She seemed so innocent... (::shrugs::) Oh well!
DELETIA: But Kaline, your story turned out so much better than it originally was! I helped you!
JARETH: (::feeling ignored::)
KALINE: (::points accusing finger at Deletia::) You put me through hell! I was so upset! But why did you leave the first three sentences then?
SARAH: (::taps Jareth on shoulder in background and kisses him::)
JARETH: (::NOT COMPLAINING!!!::)
DELETIA: (::smiles knowingly at her::) Because I know how difficult it is for you to begin a chapter or a new story. The beginning has always been the most difficult part for you. Once you get started, the story usually flows nicely from that point. I simply gave you what you needed to begin properly.
KALINE: Well, that clears alot up. Thanks, I think...
JARETH AND SARAH: (::making out fiercely in background::)
DELETIA: Don't mention it. (::smiles::) I have to go now but if you screw up so horribly you have to start all over again, I'll be back!
SARAH: Dammit Jareth!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KALINE AND DELETIA: (::both turn their heads::)
JARETH: (::humping Sarah's leg::) Arf! (::panting::)
KALINE: Stop it! (::walks back and smacks him in the head with a rolled up newspaper::) Down boy! Bad Goblin King! BAD!!!
DELETIA: Is he always like this?
KALINE AND SARAH: Yes!
DELETIA: Then I shall delete him for you, and bring you back a NEW Jareth! Yes, that will work nicely...
SARAH: I always said I needed a new Jareth...
KALINE: Excuse me? YOU need a new Jareth?
SARAH: Sorry... WE need a new one.
DELETIA: (::grabs Jareth by the ear and pulls him with her::) Come on!
JARETH: Ouch! Where are we going! (::Deletia twists his ear::) OwowowowowowowowOW!!!! Stop it, you're gonna hurt somebody! Owies!
--------------------(::Three years go by::)------------------------
KALINE: Ya know what, Sarah?
SARAH: (::annoyed from lack of amazingly hot wicked Goblin sex::) WHAT?! (::snarls::)
KALINE: Easy girl, back off... I was just thinking... I don't think she's going to bring him back...
SARAH: (::still annoyed from lack of amazingly hot wicked Goblin sex::) We need to go get him!
KALINE: Damn straight we do! Come on!
SARAH: (::still annoyed from lack of amazingly hot wicked Goblin sex::) Grrrr... (::follows her::)
KALINE AND SARAH: (::arrive at Deletia's castle::)
JARETH: (::all tied up against the wall in chains::) Help meeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SARAH: (::still annoyed from lack of amazingly hot wicked Goblin sex::) (::staring at his tight pants and drooling::)
KALINE: Deletia, we are here for Jareth.
DELETIA: Um, yes... (::blushing::) Well, I was just about to bring you a new one, but we are having a shortage right now.
KALINE: I don't think so... (::hears chains rattling and turns::)
JARETH AND SARAH: (::making out without bothering to release Jareth fron the chains::)
KALINE: Oh brother... Look, Deletia. We need the old Jareth back so we can continue with the story.
DELETIA: Well, you can't have him. (::makes another Jareth appear::)
COPY JARETH: (::bows to Kaline::) The Goblin King, at your service.
KALINE: (::realizes it is just Xander dressed up like Jareth::) Xander, go away...
XANDER: (::pouts::) Fine! I know when I'm not wanted! Hmmph!
SARAH: (::unties the chains and she and Jareth run off to another room::)
JARETH: (::NOT COMPLAINING!!!::)
KALINE: Well, now that we've got our property back, we'll just be on our way...
DELETIA: Nooooooo!!!!!!!!! I'm melting, melting... MELTING!!! Oh, what a world, what a world...
KALINE: (::perks up::) Really?
DELETIA: Um, no.