PART II Chapter 37
A/N- Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I updated, but I'm just so busy during the holidays. I am a Christian, and I do celebrate Christmas. Also, I have so much family I had 5 Christmas dinners this year starting three days before the 25th, lol. Well, I'd just like to say I hope you had a great Christmas/whichever holiday you do or don't celebrate. Either way I hope you enjoyed the season. Also, like to say HAPPY NEW YEAR. It's my junior year of high school, and I'm glad I only have one more year after this until college. (no idea what I'm gonna do)
Anywho, you guys mainly said you wanted a part two. I'm partial to this one as well since I hate searching for second parts/sequels. :P
At this point we have 498 reviews. That's amazing guys, I can't thank you enough. I'm pretty sure the second part of this is going to be a bit smaller than the first part, but it should be pretty epic ;) I have some cool stuff that's gonna happen soon too.
(AT THE GOBLIN CASTLE)
Sarah sighed as she answered the same question for what seemed like the millionth time. "I've already told you guys. I don't know what I do. I honestly just think it and it happens!"
They (Aubernon, Helen, and Jareth) were in one of the larger studies of the Goblin Castle for the third day in a row. After "The Voice of Reason" had insisted they figure out what was happening with Sarah, they all had agreed to stay at the Goblin Castle after Jasper was stable. It had taken two weeks but the prince was much stronger now, and very glad to be out of the bed. Although Aubernon was technically banished, they had all agreed on putting it off until they at least had an idea of what was going on with Sarah and Jasper. The council had been lenient and allowed Aubernon the power to stay king until his son was completely healed.
Toby was quite happy to have his daddy and Sarah (who he was starting to call mom) back, and every day the two would try to spend as much time as they could with the boy despite all the confusion going on. They ate breakfast with him, and tucked him in at night before they went off to bed as well. The Goblin Prince was growing to be quite a fine lad, and very funny too. In fact, Sarah was just taking this moment of non-questioning to remember a particularly funny thing the young prince had said about goblins…
Suddenly snapping Sarah back to the present, Aubernon growled an exclamation. The old king was in another yelling match with his youngest son, "I tell you boy she WOULD HAVE TO BE USING MAGIC!"
Before Jareth could say anything else, the girl in question stood and gave the two a hard glare. This had happened four times today already and it was only 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Both of the men looked a little ashamed.
Directing her gaze specifically to Aubernon she said lowly, "I promise you. I am not using magic." Then, after taking a calming breath and calming considerably, she continued, "However, on the off chance that I am, I have no control over it and it works without even giving me a single tale-tell sign or feeling." Sighing softly, the girl sunk into the chair she had been sitting in. Then, she buried her face in her hands as she spoke. "I'm just so tired of all this! I don't know why I can do it…"
Jareth walked over to her and crouched down to be eye level with her. Then softly he tilted her head up with two ungloved hands and smiled understandingly. "I know, Love" he stated softly. Then he delicately placed a soft kiss upon her brow.
She smiled at her king and kissed him playfully on the lips. It was very chaste but still lovingly done. "Thank you, Jareth."
Sadly, the moment was interrupted when Helen suddenly exclaimed, "Ah-HA!" She and her mother (Arianna came every once and a while when the Above aloud her) had been reading through the old texts about the labyrinth.
All eyes turned towards the woman, but Jareth was the first to speak. "What? What did you find?"
Helen smiled triumphantly. "You have to ask the Labyrinth!" Everyone was confused- except for Jareth that is. Pointing to a passage in the book she continued, "It says here, that the Labyrinth has been known to bestow gifts upon those who defeat it." She grinned, "So we just have to figure out if it really did bestow a gift!"
As soon as Helen was done, all the eyes simultaneously shifted from her to Jareth. Feeling slightly unsure about calling the Labyrinth in front of everyone, Jareth put on his "Goblin King" face. Seeing the change come over him, Sarah sighed internally. Then she softly put her hand in his and channeled all of her love for him into his mind. The sudden contact and warmth flooding in his head caused him to quickly come out of his glare and look at Sarah softly. Pleading with her eyes, she begged him to try and sent the small message: Please…
Jareth was defenseless against her plea and huffed before addressing everyone in the room. "May I at least have some privacy please? I do not want to call the Labyrinth's presence with all of you in the room. It's quite difficult enough to talk with it alone…" then under his breath he added, "especially considering the form…"
Aubernon rolled his eyes, and led everyone out of the room. However, when Sarah moved to leave, Jareth stopped her. Stay, please. The look in his eyes hinted it was important. The emotion that spread over with his words told her it was. Helen, being the last one to leave, smiled slightly and closed the door leaving the two behind without being told.
Once alone, Jareth motioned for Sarah to stand as he spoke, "Sarah, the Labyrinth, as you've probably already figured out, is alive." Sarah nodded. "But…" he looked hesitant, "it can also take a physical form when I- or any past monarch- would need to talk to it." Again she nodded understand. Jareth let out a sigh, "It would –usually- take my form since I am the King." Here he looked slightly worried. "However…I'm honestly not sure how you will affect it and I want to make sure you understand…it might take on your form."
Sarah did indeed look surprised, and honestly a little creeped out. But, she smiled and took it in stride, "Well… I guess we'll just have to see." Trying to lighten the mood she also added, "I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad having another beautiful woman walking around here." She winked cheekily at Jareth. They had slowly gotten used to each other's company and even started teasing each other more and more as their love grew.
Surprised, the King laughed and swooped down to steal a kiss from Sarah. His lips moved over hers teasingly, letting her enjoy his ministrations before he cruelly pulled away. The kiss left her wanting more, but knowing she deserved that she only said with a smile, "You can be so cruel"
He winked in response, stealing her mischievous move and retorted, "Just as you can be."
Then, with a smile still lingering on his lips, he held out his hand causing a crystal to appear. He closed his eyes trying to focus, and then dropped the crystal. It sank soundlessly into the floor. "There are many ways to get to the heart of the Labyrinth," Jareth spoke softly, "but this way is one of the quieter ones."
Suddenly the floor started to open up, and Sarah had to stop herself from taking an involuntary step back. Smiling, the Goblin King hooked her arm in his and strode purposely towards the gaping hole. "Jareth!?" Sarah said worriedly as he pulled her closer.
"Shh, Love. Trust me." Then turning he smiled, grabbed her hand quickly, and tugged her with him as he fell backwards into the darkness.
As soon as the woman disappeared through the floor, the hole closed back up as if nothing had happened at all.
BREAK- ZARK'S CASTLE
Pacing, the formerly pink Dian simmered. It had been TWO WEEKS and still her brother had done nothing but fight with that stupid little kingdom in the rainforest. Huffing, her foul mood caused her dress to turn an even darker shade of purple- causing her to look like a rotting plum.
"OHHH" She stomped her foot and willed herself to appear next to her brother.
The room she found herself in happened to be his bathroom. "Really sister?" she heard from behind. "Could you not wait until after my bath to throw your little fits?"
Turning she found her brother in his black robe about to step into a midnight back marble tub in the ground. "No!" the woman screeched. "Not when you've done NOTHING but play war with the STUPID little Kingdom of Exotics." She strode over to the imposing man and poked him forcibly with her finger. "When are you going to get a MOVE on with things?!"
A dark shadow passed over Lord Zark's face as she touched him. Then he sinisterly whispered for only her to hear, "When, dear sister, you learn to KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"
He sent her flying into a nearby wall, busting the stone a little. Dian looked up, quite humbled. "I... am very sorry Lord." She bowed her spinning head, but grimaced at having to take orders from him. She would take care of him…yes, very soon. She couldn't have this imbecilic man fooling around instead of helping her seek vengeance on her poor-poor Jarykins.
"Now…get out." the man pointed toward the door, but insolently, Dian poofed away, leaving an explosion of dust and grime in her place spitefully.
BREAK- BACK TO Sarah AND Jareth
I'm falling! My eyes are closed, I'm falling, and screaming. I'm going to die. I'm going to crash. I'm going down. I'm dead. I'm dead-I'm dead-I've died- I'm dead. These were the only thoughts that ran through her head.
Then…all of a sudden she was being caught in two warm muscular arms. "Tut-tut, Sarah darling. You know I wouldn't let you fall." She could hear the smile in his voice before she opened her eyes…She must have unconsciously sent those thoughts to him as well.
She opened her eyes suddenly and on impulse, stuck her tongue out at him. Jareth was unable to contain his laughter and set her down easily while he chuckled. "Oh dearest, was it really that bad?"
Sarah tried to hold her grimace, but was unable to with Jareth's infectious laughter nudging her to join in. Defeated, she smiled a little, "No…I suppose not."
Then for the first time, Sarah took the time to look around her. She was in a large square with hedge walls. Flowers were blooming from each shrub and there were butterflies everywhere. Then, her eye caught sight of the great crystal fountain in the center and she gasped. "It- It's so beautiful here…this is the heart of the Labyrinth?"
Smiling softly Jareth came behind her and whisper, "Yes it is." he nuzzled her neck lightly from behind and was thrilled by Sarah's soft sigh. He was so happy she was enjoying him and his Labyrinth….their Labyrinth. They may not be wed, but it was as much her as it was his. Coming beside her, Jareth took her hand once more and slowly led her to the fountain.
Slowly the young king placed her hands on the fountain. Then he placed his own there beside hers. "Sarah," he spoke softly to her and waited until she looked at him to continue, "I do not know if the Labyrinth will take your form or not. In past time, it would always take on the form of its King (or Queen in my mother's case). However… you are mortal, and you are also bound to the Labyrinth. I honestly don't know what will happen here." He let the unease he felt flood her mind, but was eased when he felt her calming essence seep back into his in response.
Sarah smiled at him when she saw his face relax. "Don't worry" she told him steadily. "Let's just summon it. I'm sure it'll work out no matter what."
Jareth grinned and spoke through his mind, Just call it forth, like you were calling for me, but direct it towards the Labyrinth itself. On the count of three we'll do it together 1…2…3!
Closing her eyes, Sarah mentally called the Labyrinth forth. Sure enough, a few seconds later a murky looking substance started to flow out of the crystal clear water from the fountain. At first it was completely midnight blue, however, once it touched the ground it started to turn into a forest green. It flickered from these two colors until it suddenly split and two figures started to form.
Looking to Jareth she mentally whispered. I'm going to assume this has never happened before.
Nope… Was the reply she got.
After a few moments, the two forms had taken on exact replicas of both Sarah and Jareth. Staring at her doppelganger Sarah decided to break the ice. "Jareth! Why didn't you tell me I had my hair tangled there?" Huffing she quickly untangled the knot she knew had been there and stuck out her hand to her second self. "Pleasure to meet you, Labyrinth." Grinning widely, the Labyrinth Sarah shook her hand. She then moved her hand to shake Jareth Labyrinth's hand. This time the Labyrinth raised a regal eyebrow before shaking it quickly.
I think I upset your labyrinth self…
Smiling Jareth answered. No don't worry. He's always a stick in the mud.
"Yes he is!" the SL (Sarah Labyrinth) said and laughed. Her chuckle seemed to cause the butterflies to flutter around more and the blossoms to grow brighter. Rolling his eyes JL (Jareth Labyrinth) sighed, which made the butterflies calm and the flowers control themselves.
"You can hear our thoughts?" Sarah asked. SL smiled towards her counterpart as if asking permission. JL seemed to ease a little when the smile was directed at him.
Neither Sarah nor Jareth missed this. However, before Sarah could ask anything more, the King spoke, "Sorry…but we don't have time to discuss this. We've come here on busyness, I'm afraid." He squeezed his love's hand, assuring her that the Labyrinth could indeed hear their thoughts…evidently.
JL, taking the lead, spoke in response. "I suppose you're here about the mental telepathy?" He smiled a bit when SL leaned into him.
Jareth nodded, and smiled himself when he realized Sarah was leaning into him as well. "Is it your doing?"
JL nodded- mimicking Jareth. "Indeed. I'm surprised it hasn't come out sooner, but I suppose your bonding gave it that little extra push it needed to arrive."
"And me!" SL exclaimed, making flowers bloom around them.
JL smiled at her but made a motion with his hand that made the flowers sink away. "Yes, and you."
"Cool…you guys are like counterparts." Sarah grinned at them. "The Wild and The Tamer." She looked up at Jareth when she said this. Interesting.
Both couples smiled at their likeness. Jareth shook hands with his double, and the Sarahs hugged. They knew this was going to be a good time for the Labyrinth. Only a second later, Jareth sighed. "Come Sarah. My father wants us to return."
Huffing she nodded and took his hand. "It was great meeting you Labyrinth!" she shouted before disappearing with Jareth.
Now that the Labyrinth was left alone…together they smiled at each other. "Do you think they know yet?" SL asked.
"No, and I'm not sure if they'll find out for a while to come." was the steady reply of JL.
Shrugging the woman likeness skipped her way back to the crystal fountain and smiled as she let herself fall backwards into the crystal water. JL soon followed, chuckling softly and happy to take his fae emotion with him when he dissolved from his physical form.
A/N- I know, a little shorter than it could have been, but it's a good place to leave off. This Labyrinth encounter was kind of hard to write. :P If it's lacking I might try and vamp it up or smooth it over later on, but I think I'm happy with it. If it's at all confusing or I made some major error somewhere don't hesitate to ask me
Also, this is kind of a lighter chapter. Very important, but I can also get away with some fluff :D Yay Fluff! Tell me if you guys liked it. I always love a little Review!
First day of school today, and I stayed up until midnight to finish this. I hope the Goblins please leave me alone and give me a smooth day today…