Disclaimer: I own nothing. I wish I did but that is not a wish that will be granted, I think.
A/N: First of all I want to thank everyone who has read and keeps reading my fic. I am especially grateful for those who have followed and favorited my fic. To those that keep leaving reviews. Thank you it really means a lot to know what you think.
Special shout out to my beta RMBiehl: You are the best for dealing with my own version of grammar rules. Check out her Labrinth fics on AO3 7 Years to Eternity is her latest WIP updated weekly.
This is another chapter that is pretty much focused on Sarah. Jareth makes an appearance at the end so I have not abandoned his royal glitteryness. Sarah is still trying to deal with her life such as it is. Jareth's mom makes an appearance so those of you that have been wanting her to factor in more...you're welcome.
I hope you enjoy it, please leave a review to let me know your thoughts.
The next month came and went, keeping the same pattern. Sarah would get up and move about her day almost mechanically. She found little pleasure in the things of life that she used to enjoy. She ate for fuel alone. She rarely saw friends unless they insisted she go out with them. Staying home gave her time to catch up on her reading, and prepare for her final year at law school, though she could not seem to get excited about it.
She tried therapy, I mean her husband slept with her mother. The problem was while she tried to be as honest with the doctor as she could about things, there were some parts of her situation that she just could not tell him. The doctor knew this and told her that therapy could only work when and if she were completely honest. Both with him and herself.
Right, Sarah thought. Well, I got myself married to a fairy king when I was around eight years old. I travel to his dimension through a magic mirror in my bedroom and pass messages back a forth with the help of goblins. Yeah, that would go over really well. A after a few sessions she just stopped going.
Her family continued to call her, and while she never avoided their calls, she could not say that she looked forward to them either. Her father kept telling her that things could now get back to normal, but Sarah had no idea what normal was anymore. She tried to keep him placated with her answers and talked mostly about her upcoming last year and the bar exam that was to follow.
Karen was full of advice for her. Things like getting a new haircut, or shopping for new clothes were tops on her list. While Sarah always told her she would think about her suggestions, she knew she would take none of them.
Toby was the only one she really liked talking to. He knew that she was hurting, but never tried to force her to feel better. She could not tell him exactly why she was upset with Jareth, except to say that he had done something that made her not trust him. It was Toby that first suggested that she try talking to Jareth.
"When my friends and I have a fight at school, Ms. Manzo makes us sit down and face each other. We have to stay there till we work things out. You know, apologize and stuff," he told her.
Sarah could only imagine, sitting in a chair across from Jareth and trying to make him stay there. A picture of a pouting Jareth with arms crossed came to mind and it started her giggling.
"I'm just not ready to do that yet, Tobes," Sarah told him. His words stayed with her though.
She did manage to talk to Jareth's mother a few times that month. Sarah never saw her come or go, so she did not know how the queen managed it. She did not know if she came to visit when she was not home, but she doubted it since she was almost always home.
They talked over tea, sitting at Sarah's dining table, or she would suggest that they take a walk. The neighborhood where her apartment was located had the perk of being near a few public greenspace areas. Sarah walked with her to one of the small parks nearby. Jareth's mother appreciated that there were these spaces of unspoiled nature in the middle of the steel and concrete jungle of New York City. They meandered along the walking paths and chatted quietly together.
Jareth was not mentioned at first, and Sarah was grateful for it. She did not want to hear that he was feeling miserable like she was, but she also did not want to hear about him moving on either. She did not have to worry about that either. Queen Isla only seemed interested in learning about her.
She asked Sarah about her childhood and her family. Sarah was not sure if she could trust her. First, she was fae after all. That in itself did not promote trust. Second, she was not just related to Jareth she was his mother. Could anyone who raised him be trustworthy? Anyway, she was not convinced that the queen would not go running to Jareth with anything she said. Finally, how did she know that she wasn't working in concert with Jareth being nice to her to get her trust and then take her back to the castle?
The queen was persistent in her own quiet way. When Sarah would shut down one avenue of conversation, she would simply start down another. Little by little, Sarah's defenses began to drop. In just a few visits, Sarah began warming up to her.
She talked about her strained relationship with her mother. Admitting for the first time to another person that her greatest desire was to have her mother's love and acceptance had Sarah close to tears.
With the ability to have children of their own becoming more and more rare in the Underground, Isla could not fathom a mother treating her child with such derision. She remembered Sarah as a bright delightful child. Now, she knew about the sadness that she held inside. Isla felt for that sad child and the closed-off woman she had become. Sarah did not deserve that.
While she one day would hope that Sarah would think of her as a surrogate mother, she would not try to act as one to her now. From what Sarah had told her that is what Karen had tried to do. Eventually, Sarah made an effort and her relationship with her stepmother improved. Deep down though there was a resentment that Karen would try to replace her mother that would always be there. No, Isla just hoped to be someone she could talk to, a friend for lack of a better word.
When Sarah did confide about her feeling of betrayal at the news of Jareth's affair with her mother, Isla simply listened. They were in her apartment and Sarah was not sure what it was about the older woman, maybe she bespelled her, but suddenly the floodgates were opened. Sarah just started babbling until everything she had been holding in was let loose.
"Why did he do it?" she asked, not expecting an answer. "He said it didn't mean anything, but why her? From her journals, she had seemed resigned to living the life she had after she found out she was pregnant. Did meeting Jareth change that? I thought that she just resented me because she wanted to go back to the city. Maybe Jareth gave her a push that she could have more, that she wanted more."
Isla wrapped the near-hysterical girl in a hug. She was not sure if it was something Sarah would want to accept, but right now the mother in her was reacting to a child that needed some comfort. While she held Sarah's shaking form, she considered what action she could or should take if any.
She could tell Sarah what she knew about her and Jareth's past, for she was certain that there were things that Jareth left off. Was this her place though?
She also wanted to tell Sarah about the prophecy. She was more convinced than ever that she was the one foretold so long ago. Would she take comfort in this or would she be more opposed to a union with Jareth? From what she understood, some of her initial reluctance was due to her lack of control or choice in the matter.
Isla was so lost in her own conflicting thoughts that she did not feel Sarah pulling away. Sarah hugged herself and backed up self-conscious that not only did she break down, but whom she broke down in front of. Not to mention the fact that in addition to being the queen of the whole freaking Underground, she was Jareth's mother.
The look of embarrassment that Sarah had at letting her emotions released in front of her made the queen's heart just go out to her, and she had to do something to try to ease her hurt. While an outpouring like this would not have been expected of a fae, they were schooled at a young age to avoid demonstrative displays of emotions. Sarah, however, was a human. Humans felt so deeply, and it was not healthy for her to want to keep them bottled in.
While she would like to think that Sarah was beginning to trust her, and that is why she was able to break down like that, her demeanor now showed that this was not the case. She simply had held it together, kept all of this inside for so long that the minute her guard was down, it all bubbled over. She just happened to be the one there when it did.
There had to be a reason that she was here when Sarah's feelings got the better of her. She put much of her trust in faith, and she was sure that that was what was leading her.
"Sarah," she said quietly. "I know dear that you are feeling a bit overwhelmed. I also know that I am not the one that should be talking to you about this."
"Please…I just can't see him right now!" Sarah suddenly sat ramrod straight, and her eyes were flashing. "Until I come to terms with whatever it is I need to do…I just can't see or talk to him."
"Why?" Isla was very interested in this. Sarah was, quite understandably, upset at Jareth. It seemed that her reaction was a bit strong, even for her what her misguided son had done.
"I don't know," Sarah was wringing her hands. "Ever since I resigned myself to truly give Jareth and this…whatever this was a chance…I don't know…all my emotions…everything just seems to be on overdrive." Sarah looked miserable. "I know I'm not making any sense, but I don't know how else to describe it."
Hearing Sarah, made the decision for Isla regarding what to say or not say. She had told Jareth about the prophecy but he chose to scoff. Shouldn't Sarah have the same information? What she chose to do with it was up to her, but if it could give the girl some peace of mind, or better yet, give her a reason to openly communicate with Jareth again, how could she not try?
"Sarah, I can tell you some things, but I am unsure if you are ready to hear them or believe them," Isla began carefully.
"I find out that somehow I married myself to my childhood villain when I was a kid, and somehow because of him I have magical powers. Powers that I don't know exactly what they are or how to use them if I did. Trust me, I doubt there is anything you can come up with that I won't believe at this point," Sarah said with a snort. "No offense," she added hastily.
"While many would find your impertinence, much less your tone, extremely offensive," she held up a hand when Sarah opened hers as if to argue. "I said many would, I am not one of them. You have met my children. I am not a stranger to a child's biting tongue."
Sarah was chastened and smiled ruefully. She realized that she had just been compared to Jareth, and not for one of his better qualities. She was not sure how she felt about that, being called out for being rude, or being likened to Jareth.
Isla sighed, trying to decide how to start her explanation. She decided to start with the beginning and hoped that Sarah was ready to accept what she believed more than ever was true.
"It is an old tradition with many of the royal lineages that when a child is born they have certain ceremonies. One involves having a…you might call them a mystic…read the child," Isla eyed Sarah, looking for any indication of what she was thinking. When her face gave nothing away, she continued.
"Sometimes it would reveal a talent that the child might have that if cultivated could bring them greatness. Other times it could be a trait that might be the child's salvation or their downfall. The final example is rarer, it gives a glimpse of what fate has been determined for the child. The prophecy that was given to Jareth was one of these, and also why you might be feeling the way that you are." Isla waited for some response from the girl. She had to know if Sarah comprehended any of this.
The reaction that finally came was not one that the queen expected. Sarah started giggling, but the sound was without mirth. It was shrill and almost harsh. "So, you are telling me that fate has decreed what? That Jareth and I are destined to be together? Let me guess? The daughter of a former lover will betroth herself to you and you will live happily ever after. Give me a break." Sarah's voice had taken a deep mocking quality.
"No, not something quite so direct, it is a prophecy after all. But it did speak of a girl who is the only of her race that would be his equal in determination, autonomy, and power. That once they were joined, they would become a force like none had ever seen." The queen regarded Sarah to see if she would continue with her scornful attitude.
"You have to admit that the description fits you, my dear. I saw it long ago, and if my son would have just let fate take its chosen course things might have been so much simpler." The last she said in a sigh.
"So, I need to be with Jareth because the soothsayer gave a vague depiction that could be attributed to anyone given the proper context," Sarah argued, but her heart wasn't in it as much as she would have liked. Her mind slipped back to words she said years ago, 'my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom is as great'. That sounded dangerously close. It came from the book, that's why. It is just a trick to give me a reason to go back to Jareth. But now she had doubts nibbling away at her determination.
"No prophecy is literal, there is interpretation that is true, but I felt it when I first saw you. There was a connection that I did not want to read too much into. As you have grown, and as I have witnessed the way both you and Jareth conduct yourselves, I have become more and more certain that the girl mentioned is you. It would also explain your confusion. You feel drawn to my son, even when all of your human logic tells you not to because you are supposed to be with him. "
"So, I have no choice in the matter, this has all been decided," Sarah was sounding a bit desperate.
"Of course, you have a choice. Everyone has a choice. You can purposely turn your back on fate, or Jareth could. I just think that you will find if you do, you will always sense something is not right, that something is missing." The older woman sighed sadly. "Jareth sensed your magic even before you drew breath. Magic that great is rare, especially here where your kind is not supposed to possess it."
"Your magic, your power caught his attention, drew him to you as young as you were. His fascination did not stop there. He couldn't understand it either, and tried to rationalize it as much as he could." Isla patted her hand. "He is beginning to admit that, while he insisted it was only the magic, he now is aware that it was always about you…not your magic, but you."
Sarah shook her head, not wanting to hear this. It only made things harder for her. "If he had only come to me, I could have helped you both. He would not have been relegated to tricks and subterfuge, and you could have experienced our world in a less stressful way." Sarah could hear the regret in her voice.
"This all just seems so unbelievable." Sarah held her head, it had started pounding a headache born from emotion and stress. "I think I need to lie down."
"Of course, dear," The queen rose. "I am not sure telling you was the right thing, but from what you were saying, I felt that you needed all the facts." She waved Sarah down when she would have stood. "It is fine, dear, you just relax. I will see myself out. Just think about what I said," she said.
Sarah watched as she seemed to breeze out the door. Once she was alone, Sarah laid down on the couch and hugged one of her decorative pillows to her chest. Think about what she said? How could I not, she thought. She was still in that position hugging her pillow when she fell asleep.
In the castle beyond the Goblin City, Jareth was sitting on his throne surrounded by his goblins when the High Queen appeared in front of him. "Mother," Jareth said, not breaking from his position with his leg thrown over the arm of the throne. "What a nice surprise." Sarcasm was heavy in his voice.
"Jareth, dear, how many times have I had to tell you to sit up straight and not to slouch?" It had been an ongoing argument for centuries. She would complain, and he would ignore her.
"Is there a reason that you have decided to grace us with your presence?" Jareth asked, indicating the room full of goblins who were now staring silently. They had seen this scene play out more than once.
"Does a mother have to have a reason to drop in on her eldest child?" the queen asked innocently.
"When it is you, yes," Jareth answered undeterred.
"Now that you mention it, I just came from a visit with Sarah." She averted her eyes from her son as she casually dropped the girl's name with fake innocence.
"Mother," Jareth interrupted her. "If I sent Regina from here and barred her reentry so as not to hear about that girl, why do you think it would be any different for you?" His board tone belied his feelings. Isla knew she had his attention, he was sitting up straight now.
"Jareth, not only am I your mother, but dear, I outrank you," she reminded him. "You could not force me to leave, nor keep me out if I wished to enter. So, stop this foolishness."
Jareth sighed. She was right, and the more he fought it the worse she would get. It would be best just to endure her visit, and then she would leave…he was almost sure of it.
"Well, what is it, mother?" Jareth finally sighed.
"The girl is suffering," Isla stated plainly.
"It is all her own doing, she left." Jareth crossed his arms and glared at his mother.
"Stop being an idiot," she admonished. "I raised you better." Isla ignored the look that came over Jareth's face.
"As I was saying, I have just come from a visit with Sarah, and she is suffering. Since no one else will help the poor dear, I have been doing my best." The queen glared back.
"She left, demanding I leave her alone. I thought that bowing to a female's request was something else you taught me," Jareth smiled smugly.
"I will ignore that," Isla told him. "I just wanted to inform you that I told her all I know." At his shocked look, she continued. "Yes, the prophecy and what it meant, or rather my interpretation of it."
"Wonderful, mother, so you made it seem to her that she has no choice," Jareth growled. "I am sure that that piece of knowledge will cause her to come running back immediately, ready to take her place here as my wife and queen."
"Like you were freely giving her so many options when it came to your bonding?" She countered.
Jareth sighed. He hated when his mother was right. "Again, I ask, mother, why…are…you…here?"
"I just want to inform you that she was made aware. I also wanted to make you aware of the girl's emotional state." She put up a hand when Jareth looked like he was about to interject. "It is up to her now, but Jareth if she does call for you…don't screw it up."
"I resent what you are implying mother." The glare was back.
"I am not implying anything, I am stating rather plainly," she replied. "If the girl contacts you, be smart. As much as you like them, don't play games. Be honest with her. Answer her questions completely. She is your match Jareth. I would hate for you to be forced to live without each other, all because you were impulsive and foolish when you could easily be so happy together."
With that, the queen was gone, leaving Jareth sitting in a stupor.
A/N: So another cat is out of the bag. If Sarah didn't have enough on her mind now she has to deal with this little slice. Thanks for reading please review.