"Am I hideous, Jane?"
"Very, Sir: you always were, you know."
"How is it?" Sarah smiled in excitement.
"Mmm!" Hoggle's eyes rolled into the back of his head. "That is the damn best pie I ever had! Ya know, ya can stay here forever if ya want!"
Sarah laughed. "You really like it, huh?"
"Yup!" He scarfed it down. "Well, tomorrow I gotta get up early and work. I don't really need ya ta do anythin' here, so maybe you can help me out with me job."
"Sure." Sarah said as she did the dishes. "What do you do?"
"I'm the royal gardener. Among other things." He rolled his eyes. "Depends on what that rat of a king wants."
"A rat?" This was the first time Sarah heard anything negative about Jareth as the Goblin King. "You don't like the king?"
"Well…" Hoggle rubbed the back of his neck. "He ain't a bad king. He takes care of us well. We gots food, can do whatever we wants for the most part. He just has a temper. Does whatever he wants which may not be good. Me parents say that he's better than his predecessors, but he's always in such a bad mood. Especially as of late. I haven't seen him in a month or so though, so that's good."
"Does he treat you badly?" Sarah snorted a bit, doing a terrible job at hiding her amusement.
"Not too bad, but he ain't that nice either. He's fair, but like I said, he's spoiled and thinks he can do whatever he wants. He also forgets that some of us aren't goblins and don't actually enjoy getting bossed and bullied around."
"Ah." Sarah smiled a little. That sounded a lot like the Jareth that she knew and loved.
Hoggle raised his eyebrow.
"Nothing, that just reminds me of a lot of people I know from my life." She dried her hands off. "Thank you again for letting me stay here."
"Aww, don't you worry." Hoggle promised her. "Now, let's go to sleep and we will go to me job tomorrow on the castle grounds."
Sarah had gardened in the past, but was no expert by any means. She mostly just did whatever Hoggle told her to do, watering things and pulling out weeds.
She was an expert at pulling out weeds though. She weeded for Aunt Vicky and her daughters, doing the hard work and often without any protective gloves.
"Ya know, maybe we can hire ya ta work here." Hoggle was impressed with how many weeds she pulled out. "We need a new person to do the weeding and stuff anyway."
"I don't know, I'm not much of a gardener…" Sarah contemplated. If she didn't know Jareth, the offer might be tempting.
"RAAAAAWWR!"
Both she and Hoggle jumped at the roar. It sounded like a wild animal, like a bear perhaps? Definitely not one that she wanted to be stuck with.
"What was that?" Sarah asked.
There were goblins giggling in the distance, the creature roaring again.
"It sounds like a Rock Caller being stuck! I'm leaving!" Hoggle yelled.
"You coward!" Sarah grabbed him. "What if they need help?"
"I ain't messing with those goblins! They're loyal to the rat!"
And with that, he took off.
Sarah had no idea why she felt the need to see what was happening, especially when all reason told her that she really should take shelter as Hoggle did. Her instincts just told her to go.
After that heinous fire battle, she felt even more ready to help whoever was in need.
"Well, I'm not afraid." She said with more conviction than how she really felt. "Things aren't always what they seem in this place."
Peeking around the corner, she saw a giant, furry creature with horns and two large fangs roaring upside down. Goblins were using some weird sticks with strange, small creatures that were nipping at the large creature.
Poor thing.
Sarah grabbed a few rocks that somehow rolled near her feet and aimed it at the goblins' helmets. "Cut it out!" She threw another.
Each goblin became disoriented or scared of her. "Hey, it's the Pretty Lady!"
"What are you doing? Let him go!" She held up another rock, knowing that it wouldn't hurt these goblins, just annoy them. "I won't hesitate to throw this at the rest of you too!"
At her threat, they ran away.
"AHHH!"
"SCARY LADY!"
"NO NO NO NO!"
Huh, she didn't realize that's what all it would take to scare them away. When they were all gone, Sarah went to untie the creature.
"Oh you poor thing." She looked at him, turning her face upside down. "Don't worry, I'm here to help."
He landed with a thud, making Sarah apologize profusely, but it didn't seem to bother him. In fact, he was more than grateful.
"I'm Sarah." She smiled, but still a little unsure of him.
"Ludo." He said in a deep voice. "Sarah friend."
"Nice to meet you, Ludo." She greeted him formally.
She looked at his arms. "Oh no, they bit you pretty badly, didn't they?"
Indeed, he was a bit red and bleeding in some areas.
"Ludo sad." He whined a little.
"That's alright, I got you." Sarah took his hand gently. "Let's get out of here and maybe we can find some help."
Walking in the gardens, they found one lone creature. A little fox the size of a small dog, practicing what looked to be sword fights, similar to Terrance and Jonathan at the lake so many moons ago.
"Excuse me?" Sarah approached him.
"HI-YA!" The little guy swung his staff, nearly hitting Ludo in the shins. "I am Sir Didymus, and you have interrupted my training!"
He went to swat Ludo, the gentle monster wailing. Sarah interfered, standing in front of her new friend. "That's not very kind! We just came here for some help."
"Oh?" The fox stopped swinging. "Dear me, please forgive my rudeness." He bowed swiftly. "I am Sir Didymus, always here to help any person in distress! It is my duty and my honor to serve the creatures the Goblin Kingdom! Now, how may I assist you?"
Sarah softened. He was a funny little creature, and probably didn't mean any harm. "I'm Sarah. My friend here, Ludo," She put her hand on his arm. "Has a few bite marks. Do you know where we can possibly find a place to clean and maybe bandage him up?"
Sir Didymus looked around for a moment. "Well, it would be best to probably come to my home. I live very near here, My Lady."
"Oh, I am no Lady-" Sarah started.
"Nonsense!" He waved his staff again. "You are a woman, are you not?"
"Well, yes."
"Then you are a Lady to me."
They walked the distance of about a block, reaching his house. It was small and cozy, much like Hoggle's. Unfortunately, Ludo wasn't able to go inside because of how big he was.
Sarah helped to first clean Ludo's fur ready for the administration of healing ointments. He didn't need very much, it would mostly heal on its own. "There. How is it?"
"Good." Ludo looked at his patched fur. "Thank you, Sarah."
"That's what friends are for." She beamed. "And thank you, Sir Didymus, for your help."
"It is my honor and duty to serve those who are in need of me, My Lady." He bowed.
"Speaking of that, can you help me get back to the castle garden? I am not familiar with the area." She asked.
Sir Didymus was happy to oblige. On the way, he entertained them with stories of bravery and perseverance, excited to share all he knew with them. Ludo was quiet and Sarah laughed at the fun tales.
Just as they were about to reach the gardens, they saw a group of children running and smelling the flowers, enchanted by butterflies.
"Do be careful, children, for the Royal Gardener won't be pleased if you trample the seeds." An amused voice echoed.
Sarah's heart stopped, seeing a very blond mane shining in the sun. Holding his hand out, the Goblin King held a butterfly in his hand to show to a small child.
"You must be careful with them." He said in soft voice.
Immediately, Sarah went to go hide behind the brick wall, observing him. Ludo and Sir Didymus gave her strange looks but shrugged and let her be.
He was so close, yet so far. Her heart ached at the sight of his face, burned and scarred.
"That is the Goblin King." Sir Didymus said quietly to her. "No need to be shy, Lady Sarah. You may approach him."
"I will see him in a few days, no need to rush it." She said back. "Plus, I want to observe him. See what he's really like."
"Interesting reasoning." Sir Didymus mused, but did not push her. "He is kind to children, but often forgets to be the same with adults because of his proximity to goblins. Goblins love being kicked around, they find it humorous."
"Do you know why his face is so… scarred?" Sarah squinted. Why did his left eye look so much darker than his right?
"Ah." Sir Didymus's voice got soft. "See these children?"
They all followed Jareth around the garden, some dancing, some singing, some just drawn to his side. He gave each one of them attention or left them alone if they wished it to be.
The gentleness made Sarah fall in love with him even more. He had always been wonderful and kind. She had seen it most in how he treated Adelaide, and it pleased her to see that his kindness was real and consistent to his character and not just because he was in love with her. "Yes." She answered Sir Didymus.
"They are Wished Aways from Estella. There was a war there, but luckily very short compared to most. He saved many of them from terrible fires. These are the ones who do not yet have a home, so they are staying at the castle until there is a place for them, and can receive more resources for their health, both mental and physical, to be looked after."
"So many wonderful programs here to take care of the subjects of this kingdom." Sarah sighed wistfully.
"Yes. His Majesty must have gotten hurt quite badly while saving someone. We don't know exactly what happened, but he is a strong person. Nothing gives him more grief than unwanted children."
Jareth created a crystal, blowing at it, bubbles floating out towards the excited children.
"He cares for them a lot, I see." Sarah said out loud, although she was mostly talking to herself.
"Very much so, My Lady."
With one child holding each hand, the Goblin King walked away from them, taking Sarah's heart with him.
Sarah eventually found Hoggle and introduced him to Sir Didymus and Ludo. She learned that Ludo as a Rock Caller, could control rocks by making them roll.
"That could really help with some construction." Hoggle stroked his chin. "If ya don't have a job, ya can help us out with that."
He and Sir Didymus had never met, but had seen each other in certain formal situations. Sir Didymus was a sort of knight in a way, mostly guarding areas and alerting others to help, although he was a bit too overconfident about his abilities to guard so the latter didn't really happen.
They had food together at Hoggle's house, the four deciding to be friends and to spend more time together.
"Once I have my own place, I will be sure to visit." Sarah promised them.
Sarah tried to mend her clothes as nicely as possible, but it was near impossible when she had such little options. "I suppose I'll just have to see the King looking like this." She sighed. She wished she had a mirror, but Hoggle did not have one, not needing or wanting one.
"Ya look fine." He grumbled and placed a bowl of oatmeal on her place at the table. "Human women and their looks."
Sarah rolled her eyes, but not truly bothered by his attitude. In fact, she found him amusing once she got used to his rough exterior.
He didn't say so, but he was going to miss her. He was used to living in isolation, and it was so nice to make new friends. He really hoped that she would be nearby after her refugee status being granted. At least, Ludo and Sir Didymus would be around.
All three told her good luck, telling her that she knew where to find them if she ever needed anything.
"I have to face the King alone." She smiled bravely.
"Why?" Sir Didymus asked, not understanding the refugee process.
"Yes." Hoggle echoed the same sentiment.
"That's the way it's done." Sarah had no real explanation, but this was what she understood to be true.
"If that's the way it's done," Sir Didymus nodded. "Then that is the way you must do it. But should you need us…"
"Needs us." Ludo repeated.
"Should you need us…" Hoggle nudged her.
"I'll call." Sarah hugged each of them. "Thank you, all of you."
Sarah purposefully signed her name last on the list of people in line. She felt wrong going first or even in the middle when so many lost their homes and were so unsure of their future. She met friends already, and always Aster Hall as a home to fall back on if needed.
As she was waiting outside, she made friendly conversation with some of the people there. Some recognized her as their rescuer, thanking her for her help. She felt a bit fearful of being identified as a soldier or being thanked, but they told her that they wanted to thank her for her help, that it couldn't have been easy for her to go out of her way.
During her wait, some goblins came to serve food to her, gathering by her and showing off their talents, chickens, spiders, whatever they wanted. She couldn't believe that not so long ago, she was friendless living in Estella. Once she became Adelaide's governess, she made so many friends and even formed a sort of familial bond.
In just the space of over a year, she went from lonely and friendless to having the best of friends who cared deeply for her. She would never take that for granted.
If only Toby was with her.
"Sarah Williams."
Finally, it was her turn. Putting her cloak over her head, she walked into the castle, her heart pounding as she thought of Jareth.
"Who is this new refugee?" The King asked Theoden.
"She says that she would like to thank you, Sire, for helping her with the fire. That is all she left for me to read to you." His advisor answered, reading the woman's writing on the piece of parchment.
"That's it?" He was surprised to not hear about how their house had burned down or a parent missing their Wished Away child. Unfortunately, once wished away, a child cannot come into contact with the parents until they are of age. It was not his wish for this to happen, but the magic that existed long before he became King. "Interesting."
He did not ask for a name, he preferred for them to tell him themselves. He found that when they told him their names, they felt more accountable for their actions for names held psychological power, feeling more personal and specific. They were more likely to be truthful too.
And, as a bonus, they could build trust with him and feel more welcomes into their new home.
"Indeed, this person, I'm told, is quite friendly with the goblins, the creatures drawing near to her. Almost as much as they draw near to you." He teased Jareth. "She also has been making friends with the other refugees quite easily, from what I understand. It is rumored that she saved a lot of people from the fire, this one."
"Send her in."
A cloaked figure walked in. He could not tell if this person was human or fae, but he knew they were most likely human as every person he received today was from Estella.
The figure sank into a deep curtsy and rose elegantly.
"Please show me your face and tell me your name." Jareth commanded.
The hands came up and pulled the cloak back, dark hair tumbling down around her shoulders.
Sarah.
Jareth shuddered, his breath knocked out of him completely. Here she was, her face just as clear and beautiful as always. For the first time, he felt plain in comparison to her, with his scars and his lost hair.
Not that he minded. His heart rejoiced in seeing her look so healthy.
"Your Majesty." She lowered her head slightly. "My name is Sarah Lynn Williams."
He could listen to her speak forever.
"I come here to thank you for your help with the bordering villages. Without your help, many more lives would have been lost, including my own. I was an Estellan soldier, but I did not want to fight anymore, leaving when I could. I want to let you know, that the same time you came to save the Wished Aways, I disobeyed my unit and left to save the villagers. There were Thalassan soldiers who tried to kidnap children, and I tried my best to save that child. Your kindness and the kindness of those in this kingdom have granted me and my people have allowed us a second chance at life. We are forever indebted to you."
She curtsied again. "Because of this, I seek to be granted the status of a refugee as I am branded a traitor for disobeying my unit."
Jareth was touched. So, that's what she was doing. That was why she ran to the side of Thalassa, to save a lost child.
"You risked your life to save a child who was almost kidnapped?" He asked quietly. "Among many others who could have died by the fire?"
"Why be ready to die in a war if you are not ready to die for the people that you have sworn to protect?" Her eyes met his.
With a pang, Jareth realized that he couldn't see the beautiful jade hue anymore. They were beautiful as always, but the lack of color was a stark reminder of what he had lost in the fire.
He turned to see Theoden with tears in his advisor's eyes. Anyone who was a savior of children was a friend of theirs.
"Come here, Miss Williams." He said formally. It felt so odd to address her in such a way, as if there was a wall between them and not the treasured memories of love and secret kisses under the stars that they once shared.
Sarah walked to him, hands clasped reverently in front.
"You seek the status of a refugee, correct?"
"Yes, Sir. I mean, Sire." She corrected herself.
"Do you know what it means to be granted that status?"
"It means that I am free to be a resident here, but now I am protected and will not be thrown back to my home country unless you send me away. It means that I can live here, can be employed, among other things."
"Yes." He took a blank certificate from Theoden and signed his name on it. "Sarah Williams, you are officially a refugee of the Goblin Kingdom, protected under my name, King Jareth O'Brien."
He held his hand out to her. Sarah put her hand in his. The King bowed his head down to kiss her knuckles. "Welcome home, Sarah."
Sarah breathed longingly at the touch of his lips to her hand. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He turned to Theoden. "There are no more refugees, correct?"
"Correct, Sire."
"Then will you make sure that there is no one to interrupt us unless there is an emergency. I would like to speak to Miss Williams in my study." He stood and held his arm to Sarah. "If that is alright with you?"
He didn't have to ask for her permission, he could just do whatever he wanted as she was technically at his mercy, but Jareth promised himself that he would treat her as an equal and be respectful of her.
"I would like that a lot." She said to him, gratefully taking his arm.
The walk to his study was filled with him telling her about the castle. It almost felt like old times when he would walk her around town, telling her about the artwork or statues here and there. Amazing how easy it was to slip back into their habits, being comfortable around each other.
Once they reached his study, Jareth gestured for her to sit down. He moved his table to the side so that there wasn't a barrier between them.
He stared at her for a good moment, not saying anything. Sarah stared at him too, her eyes conveying her nervousness but also her bravery.
"I suppose, I should ask with how are you?" He started.
"I am well, thanks to you." She smiled widely. "You saved me, Your Majesty."
"Stop." He held his hand up. "You never called me Master, I will not have you call me by my title when we are alone."
She nodded, relaxing some more. "Yes, Jareth." She continued on. "You saved me. I can't ever repay you."
His heart swelled with love and appreciation. "You already have, by just being alive and well. Are you fully recovered?"
"For the most part." She wiggled her foot a little. "I sprained my ankle quite badly. I can run and jump, do all that I can do but it will never be the same. I am technically still healing, the fae, human, and elven healthcare workers warned me against anything too strenuous. What about you?" She changed the subject.
He touched the scarred half of his face. "I'll be alright. I can walk, kick goblins, all those things." He really did not want to tell her the full extend of his injuries. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel guilty. "How is Toby?"
At this, Sarah's eyes were downcast, her small hands gripping her skirt. "I've no idea. I haven't been able to contact him, as I hardly had a penny of my own and I feared of being taken by Estellan soldiers."
"That is my bad, I didn't think of leaving you money at the hospital." Jareth apologized then sat in thought for a moment. "If you'd like, I can ask Agatha to help with contacting him."
Agatha. Oh, that name. How she missed everyone in Aster Hall. "I would like that." She said quietly. "And how is everyone? How is Adelaide?"
"They are all well. Adelaide was attending a school, but is back now at Aster Hall for summer break, though I am unsure of how long that will be for." He contemplated on what he was to do with his niece. Now that Sarah was back, he was even less inclined to marry someone to keep his crown. But, if he didn't, then Adelaide would have to argue with the same stupid High Council about her own marriage in the future.
"I do miss her." Sarah still felt awful leaving without saying goodbye to her. "I care very dearly for her."
"I know you do. And I thank you for that." He smiled sadly. "From what I understand, Aster Hall is a much quieter place without you there. Much less bright too."
"You give me too much credit." Sarah's cheeks darkened in what he assumed was a blush.
"No, it is you who hasn't given herself the credit that you deserve." He poured her some water. "Water?"
"Yes please." She took the cup from him and drank.
Seeing as she was averting his eyes, he asked "Why didn't you go to Aster Hall after you left the hospital?"
"Why didn't you stay to see me when I woke up?" She asked in return.
The two held each other's gaze, the emotions welling up with fierce intensity in both of them. Being less experienced in needing to keep her face straight, Sarah looked away first, answering first. "I don't want to be charity."
"And yet, you accepted help from the hosts that have accompanied you until you got to my castle. Why not accept it from people who know and love you?" Jareth implored her.
The word obviously slipped out of his lips before he thought of what it meant. But it didn't change the fact that he meant it.
"Love?" Sarah tilted her chin to look up at his face, her voice small but still so brave. "Who loves me, Jareth?"
The King, after closing his heart when Sarah left, was still hesitant to share his heart to anyone, even her.
Would she break him again? Would she run away?
But, just as he thought when saved her from the fire, it didn't matter. He would indulge her, would move the stars for her, would place the moon in her heart, lay his love between the stars, and lose his wings all over again.
Just for her.
"Everyone." He whispered.
"Everyone?" Sarah clarified.
"Is there a specific person that you are inquiring of, Sarah?" His eyes begged her. Begged her to understand that he needed her to ask him. Needed her to be the one to ask the question because his self-preserving ego was going to be too much for him to handle.
Sarah saw the desperation in his eyes, registering the self preservation inside herself. In her nervousness in asking him, she forgot that she knew Jareth like the back of her hand. She recognized when something was wrong, when he was hurt, when he needed her. Even on their almost-wedding-day, she could sense something wrong, she just ignored it.
No more. She was going to see him as she saw him before. Not of his title or his position. Not his scars. But rather for who he was: as Jareth.
"Yes." She answered. "You, Jareth. Do you love me?"
His lower lip trembled, his tears gathering in his eyes. "Sarah, I never stopped loving you. If anything, my love for you has increased."
She rose from her chair and settled into his lap, pulling his face to her for a kiss.
Unsure of whether he was still in pain, she was gentle with his skin, but without lowering the vigor. Jareth, on the other hand, was holding her as tightly as he could without suffocating her. His right hand steadying her hip and the other sliding against her neck as she plundered his lips.
It was like they had never parted. Their lips found solace in the other's, tasting, probing, loving. No amount of space or time could dim the feelings the they had for each other, no matter how much they tried to convince themselves that it did.
Little by little, their hearts were healing. Their souls made whole. Their happiness rebuild in the arms of the other.
Jareth felt her smile into their kiss, making him smile too. Now that she was in his arms once more, he refused to let anything stand in the way of their love. He would not betray her trust again.
"I'm sorry." He said when they pulled apart. "I'm sorry that I deceived you. I'm sorry I had planned to make you queen without your consent. I wanted to say that the moment I saw you and would have if it weren't for Theoden being present. You don't have to stay with me, you don't even have to forgive me or say anything back, but I want you to know that." He rested his head under her chin. "It was why I left the hospital before seeing to you. I didn't think that you wanted to see me and preferred for you to approach me when you felt like it was time. I wanted to leave that up to you. My mind has punished me over and over for my sins against you."
"Shh." She held his face. Just as she expected, the time apart made them both stronger, better, and more in tune with each other. "Jareth, you don't have to punish yourself anymore." She put her forehead to his. "Just, please. No more secrets. No more deception. No more thinking that you can make decisions on my behalf."
"On my life." He kissed her hand.
"Don't say that." She warned him, her hand beating against the back of his chair, anger in her whole body. "You almost died! I don't want you to die."
She sobbed into him, his hands consoling her. He let her scream and cry, really processing her grief since her departure from Aster Hall. She held in her emotions for so long that it was a wonder she didn't explode beforehand.
"I love you." She laid her body against his. "I'm sorry that you got hurt because of me."
"Never apologize for my actions, Precious." He kissed her hair. "I would do anything for you, even burn the world just to get one last kiss from you."
"Jareth-"
"I know." He put a finger to her lips. "Such a wicked thought, but I mean it. I am not some angel, Sarah. I am not deeply moral as you are. I have my dark side, Love. I shouldn't take joy in the suffering of those who deserve to be punished or be so willing to sacrifice everything for you, but that is how I am. I am not evil, but to call me good would be wrong, especially all that I have done to hurt you."
"That's not true." She stroked his jaw. "You are good. You're not perfect, but you are so, so good. You are kind and compassionate. It seems that I am not the only one who sells themselves short. Your beauty draws me in as it always had."
She nuzzled into him, smiling at the familiar cinnamon and peach scent on his collar.
Jareth smiled at her hand resting on his scarred cheek. "You don't find me hideous, Sarah?"
The insecurity was so clear in his eyes. Sarah didn't find that in and of itself charming, but rather, the vulnerability.
Their relationship was, in many ways, the same as it had been. But also different. More mature. More transparent. More respect.
After all, like Hope told her, she was to approach him as his equal. It made them better for each other.
Sarah pulled away and stroked his hair gently. "I've always found you hideous, didn't you know?"
"You are a wicked tease, Love." He desperately wished that he could see the color of her eyes. "You don't find me revolting?"
"Never." She kissed his lips. "To me, you are still beautiful and will always be. And even if your whole body was burnt, you are still Jareth. Besides," She fluffed his hair a little. "I prefer this shorter hair. You styled it nicely."
"You really like it?" He grinned. "After cutting the burnt part off, I modeled it after a famous Aboveground singer."
His golden hair was swept up and back to the side, still looking very fluffy and feathery.
"I do." She kissed the scarred side of his face and down to his shoulder slowly, the feel of her soft lips making Jareth even more emotional.
"You are beautiful." She rubbed her nose to his. "Don't you know that ladies find scars attractive?"
"That must be a human thing, because fae women don't find them attractive in the least bit." He snorted. "Not that I care, I only care about your opinion of me."
"Good." She hugged him even closer.
Jareth turned his head to kiss her hand. "Sarah, every single time I see you, you surpass the memories I have of you. How lucky I am to be loved by you, to be given a second chance by you. I swear that I will not break that promise to do better, to be better, to be transparent with you."
Sarah nodded, understanding what he meant. "Then we have much to discuss, don't we?"
"That we do, Love."
They had dinner in Jareth's private library, the place nice and cozy, not to mention beautiful.
"You can stay here, with me." He said to her.
"But, I need a job." She insisted. "You paid me back in Aster Hall. I don't want to be some sort of freeloader, Jareth."
"I know." He said to her. "But it may be safer for you. If you wish to have an occupation, I will find something for you to do, unless you have something in mind already."
She did, in fact, have something in mind. "I met the Royal Gardener. I've been helping a little, actually. I'm not too experienced but he mentioned that he wanted to hire someone who could pull weeds and do other gardening work for him."
"Ah, so you've met Hedgewart." He looked a tad annoyed.
"Hoggle."
"Higspit."
She realized what he was doing. "Are you jealous?"
He tried not to pout, but it was too obvious that he was.
"You are awful, Jareth!" She laughed.
The King laughed too, for how could he not when Sarah was so happy. "It's how I show my affection to him, Love."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "No wonder he calls you a spoiled brat and a bully."
"It is one of my more endearing qualities, wouldn't you agree?" He interlocked his fingers and rested his chin on his hands, smirking. "Anyway, that position would be temporary as the person who has that job is taking a maternity leave. If you'd like that position, you can have it."
"And where would I live?"
"Here, of course."
"In this fancy castle?"
"It would be cheaper to put you up in a guest room for now than to find you a place to stay for a position that may not be long term."
That bit was true, but the truth was, he wanted her close to him. He couldn't bear for her to be far away again.
"I could stay at Hoggle's house again." She offered. "I don't want to bother you."
"Sarah." He looked at her, forcing her to look at him too. "I am your love, and you worry about bothering me but not Hogbrain?"
Sarah wasn't sure how to express her concern. "I mean, it just feels like, nepotism, a little?"
"Are you worried about being in a position where you are once again, my employee and having a relationship with me?"
"Yes!" She put her head in her hands. "I am! In Aster Hall, I did not start off as your friend or love, but just an employee. Here, we already have an established relationship. Jareth, you are now my sovereign. And if we want this relationship to continue and for both of us to have a peace of mind, I need to be an independent woman. To be your equal."
"But you are my equal."
"Not in this situation." She pleaded with him. "Not when you are the one who is controlling the money."
"Fine." He waved his hand, annoyed with her. "Why did you suggest working in the gardens anyway?"
"I don't know." She shrugged. "That was the first thing that came to mind. And close enough to here that I can be with you."
She gripped her spoon harder than she meant to. "I don't want to be away from you again."
Jareth put everything down and walked to her, taking her hand and walking to the couch. "Thank you for being honest with me."
"You told me once that I didn't have to hide my feelings for you." She sniffed. "So I'm just holding you to that promise."
"As you should." He wrapped a blanket around them both. "Stay with me for a week, at least, as my most honored guest. You can find employment as you wish. Meanwhile, you can explore all that my castle has to offer you."
He didn't say it, but Sarah wondered if he meant for or when they married.
Speaking of his castle, there was someone on her mind that she wanted to ask about. "Jareth?"
"Yes?"
"I believe it's time we talked about Miread."
Jareth told her all about how Miread treated him and how angry she was along with the High Council for him ripping the marriage contract. He told her of what he saw when he was in Estella, how so very lucky they were that he caught Sarah just before they executed her.
"So you think that the reason that she is even sleeping with Dominic, is to take revenge on us?" Sarah found it insane that someone would go through that great of lengths for revenge.
"Not think, I know, Sarah. Evil, disgusting excuse of a person." Jareth drank some hot cocoa.
"And what is that supposed to do to you?"
"Teach me a lesson, I suppose." Jareth shrugged. "She knows that if she married some other powerful person with magic, it would do nothing for me. But, if she hurt you, then that is a lesson for this kingdom to never cross with her again. It makes me look weak to them if I rescue you. Which I did."
He told her the consequences of that. He paid for that through his health and the difficult decision of marriage or abdicating so Adelaide would be Goblin Queen.
The whole time he told her this, Sarah was silent.
"Sarah?" He asked her softly. "You always have something to say."
"I do, I just was thinking." She shook her head. "You lost your wings. And your eyesight. Is that why your left eye is so dilated now? It certainly wasn't like that before."
"Yes. I can still sense light, but can't see it. It's often painful in the sun. So the worst of both worlds for that eye." He smirked. "And why I can no longer see the green of your eyes." He looked at her sadly. "It could have been worse, but it does make me sad."
"You lost your wings. For me." She sobbed. "You shouldn't have done that."
"And risk losing you?" He pulled her close. "I would do it a hundred times over, losing more of my limbs and my life just for you. I do not regret saving you, not for a moment. I love you, Sarah. Remember that."
He flicked his wrist and there was a crystal in his hand. The crystal transformed into a necklace.
"What's this?" Sarah looked at it.
Jareth showed her a beautiful silver chain with a crystal charm at the end. Inside the crystal was a single feather.
"One of my feathers that the doctors were able to recover." He unclasped the lock. "I want you to have this. As a reminder of what I would do for you."
Sarah looked at it, her emotions still running high. "I feel wrong taking it."
"It would make me feel better if you wore it." He smiled. "So you can have a part of me with you."
That last comment made her feel better. Turning around, she felt him clasp it around her neck. "Thank you, Jareth."
"No, thank you, Love." He kissed her. "Thank you for accepting my love for you."
They spent another few minutes kissing, stopping only when things were heating up a little too quickly.
"So, what is the plan for the end of the year?" She twiddled her thumbs. "You have to get married."
"No." He stopped her. "I will not unless it's you. And I will not take you as my side lover."
"Good. Because, I'm afraid even I would say no to that." Sarah said with an apologetic smile. "I love you, Jareth, but I have to respect myself first. I have been through too much to be second class to anyone."
"I know." He nodded. "I understand that. After all, if the roles were reversed, I wouldn't like the idea of being your lover either while you are married to another man. Your integrity and your standards have existed long before we met, so they are most important."
"But Adelaide…" Sarah kept thinking about her poor pupil.
"Don't worry, I have a plan." He promised her. "I will look for potential successors that I approve that I feel The Chins will too. Maybe they will allow whoever I choose to rule."
"Will that work?" Sarah asked, unsure.
"I have to try." He held her hand. "I will not sacrifice my integrity to marry someone I don't love, or to be with someone who won't treat our subjects well. If Adelaide must be queen, then I will advocate to be her regent and to teach her."
"You won't consider marrying at all?"
"If it's not you, I don't want to marry." He said with violence laced in his voice. "I told you, I would burn the world down for one last kiss goodbye from you. I am not giving you up. The only person who can tear you from me is yourself. And I will be damned if I do some stupid thing to let you go again. If only you could rule by my side, Sarah, you would be the perfect queen."
They kissed again, Sarah's mind filled with worry.
The next day, Sarah approached the beginning of the Labyrinth.
On their first date, Jareth told her the story of the First and only Champion of the Labyrinth who ran it for her love for the Goblin King.
If Jareth was willing to do so much to save her, then she would prove to him that she was strong enough to do the same.
She placed her hand on the stone wall, feeling scared but more sure of her decision the longer she stood there. "I have to do this. For Jareth."
High above her, she heard a screech of some kind. A beautiful barn owl flew to her and landed on the ground, its wings wrapped around its body as it grew into her Jareth.
She had never seen such anger in his eyes directed at her before, but she held her ground. She knew that he would respond this way. He was much larger than her, able to break her body in two if he wanted, but she would not let him intimidate her.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was hard and his eyes intense.
"You can fly." Sarah said in awe. "How?"
"Don't change the subject." He snapped. But of course, he couldn't help but explain to her. "As the Goblin King, my power to transform into an owl does not change with my physical state as a fae. If I were to abdicate, that power would be gone from me. My fae wings were always mine when I had them. Now, tell me why you are here."
Sarah took his hands in hers, knowing that he was going to hate this. "I wasn't deciding on anything, just to be clear. Just contemplating."
That was true, although she was about 95% ready to say yes to said decision.
"Contemplating what?" He looked at the gates of his Labyrinth, already knowing what she was going to say.
"I want to run the Labyrinth. To gain power over it, just as that princess did."
She was ready for his outburst.
"No." His face twisted into anger. "How dare you even suggest that?!"
"I dare because I love you!" She put her hands on his face. "Imagine when I win-"
"You seem so sure."
"When I win," she repeated. "I will be queen. We can rule together for a long, long time. Long enough that we may even get a new High Council who are more fair and more just. Both of us would gain influence over the courts. By then, our children will be able to marry someone who loves them, someone who will be judged by the content of their character rather than for their riches. Or, we could even fight to remove ourselves from the influence of the High Court."
The High Council only has direct influence over marriages between ruling monarchs. If Jareth were to have children who marry while he was on the throne, they only needed his approval to marry, and even then, only the heir needed permission from the King or Queen.
"That is risky, Sarah." He warned her.
"No riskier than letting them take Adelaide from you to shape and mold to be a queen, a puppet." Sarah reminded him. "This way, we can have more control. You didn't have that buffer because your parents selfishly passed the crown to you."
He shook his head. "But I risk losing you. I just got you back, I don't want you to be torn from me again."
"And I risk wondering what would happen if I never try." She tip toed, pressing her forehead to his, calming both of them. "I love you, Jareth. This is me choosing my destiny. Please, please let me make my choice. And let me do it now, before my nerves get the better of me. The sooner we get this over with, the better."
He didn't want to. He wanted to command her no. That the stakes were too high.
But, if he didn't let her, she would never forgive him.
He put his hand on the Labyrinth. "Labyrinth, please, take care of my beloved."
They kissed fervently, as if it would be the last time they would ever kiss.
This chapter is the biggest takeaway that I got from Jane Eyre. Jane approached Rochester as an equal and with love. In fact, he's the one who relies on her in the end. I just thought that between Jareth and Sarah, that should have been spelled out more.
Even without the war, I feel like Sarah would have gone to see Jareth eventually, assuming he isn't married (and he wouldn't have, as we know). The war was just an interesting background to add Miread into lol. Otherwise, she may have taken more time to go back to him.
Jareth's shorter hair is inspired by Bowie's 1987 hair, where it's super fluffy lol. I love that look on him and thought that it would fit. I just had to add that Jane Eyre quote in the beginning lol, it's too funny to not have Sarah say it to him!
Sarah is going to run the Labyrinth! Of course, it wouldn't be a Labyrinth fanfiction without a labyrinth, wouldn't it? I know it was pretty predictable back when I mentioned the story of the First Champion back in what I think was chapter 7? When Jareth and Sarah went on their first date.
I'm pleased to see that so many feel that this story is very much its own even as an AU and inspired by two stories of strong young women who don't take crap from the men that they love. See you guys tomorrow for the Labyrinth chapter!