Chapter 6: Propositions
Sarah's muscles ached and her body was stiff from sleeping on the ground. The upper muscles of her arms smarted from lifting the heavy sword while fighting. She twisted and stretched, trying to work out the kinks. Tiptoeing, she worked her way over to Yetzel and shook her awake. "No, mommy, I don't wanna wake up," Yetzel protested groggily. Sarah stifled a giggle, and said, "Good morning sunshine." Yetzel sat up and gave Sarah a warning look. She guessed Yetzel wasn't a morning person. While packing, Jareth poked his head in their tent. "Just making sure you're awake. Oh, and we'll be riding back to the fairy kingdom where Yetzel will be returned to her former size and you, Sarah, will be sent back home," he explained. Despite her better judgment, Sarah took this time to argue. "No, I'm not going home. Screw that, I came here to help not be some pansy and go home. What if the city get attacks again, what then?" Jareth sighed and entered the tent the rest of the way. Yetzel, sensing a verbal storm approaching, backed slowly towards the opening of the tent and exited quietly. "Sarah, the only reason why you were involved today was because against my judgment I couldn't send you home from the battlefield. If I had there would've a good chance that you would've been followed. Once we get back to Ishtar's kingdom where it's safe can I then send you home, regardless of whether you want to go home or not." A stubborn reply escaped her lips, "But, Jareth, I want to help. I can't sit at home on my bum while there's a chance that people are dying." "Do you really think that you'll be of much help if you die? Sarah, I won't take the chance on your life. Now, I didn't come here to argue, I have to finish packing, so if you'll excuse me," Jareth said, turning to leave. As he pulled back the gray tarpaulin flap, an outraged Sarah yelled at him. "It's not like you'd care whether I died or not. No one does, so why does it matter. I might as well at least try to help!" Jareth turned at her outburst and stepped menacingly towards her backing her against the other side of the tent. Her green eyes met his mismatched ones once again. What she found there startled her more than his intimidating behavior. They were filled with anger, sadness, and something close to concern. "Believe what you will, but I do care whether or not you die. I care if anyone dies. Regardless of what you think about me, I am not a monster." Sarah gulped and looked away. Sorrow was emanating from him like smoke from a burning building. "That's nice of you to say I guess. I suppose I was just having a pity party for myself. All this hasn't been easy on me, or anyone else I know. I suggest that we compromise then. I will return home, but if trouble arises again you have to let me come back to help, OK?" she asked. Jareth snorted and opened the flap to the tent and practically flew out of it in a rage. Of course he would give in to what she wanted, but it still troubled him that she chose to defy him at every moment. While packing, Sarah thought about Jareth and earth, and the choice she had to make. Earth was beginning to feel less like home, even though she had only been in the underground a whole day. She was fairly certain the only person who would feel the loss of her being gone was Toby, but even he could get on with his life. She had to blink back the tears at the thought that her home would still go on even without her there. As soon as Sarah stepped outside the soldiers immediately began to take down the tent that she and Yetzel had shared. She noticed that everyone seemed to be waiting on her. Everyone had already saddled their horses and was sitting atop them as she walked over. The black horse that she and Jareth shared was waiting for them, and Jareth sat at the front of the saddle, looking impatient. "I see you decided to join us," he said. Resisting the urge to hurl a snide reply at him, Sarah sighed and rolled her eyes. Once she had taken her place behind him, and the soldiers finished taking down her tent, Ishtar gave the signal to start out by taking the lead. Jareth reigned the horse at a trot behind the elf and fairy king. The dawn was still chilly, and Sarah only had on a T-shirt and jeans, causing little bumps of flesh to form on her exposed arms. She shivered and involuntary leaned a little closer to Jareth and his warm body heat. There wasn't really much to look at as they road on to the kingdom, Ishtar was quiet and pensive, and Yetzel seemed chipper, but not very talkative, so they rode on in silence. Sarah shivered again, but was relieved as she saw the sun peeking its golden head up from the hills in the distance. "How much longer is it?" Sarah asked in a tired voice. "About an hour," Jareth replied. Subdued, Sarah grimaced as her sore behind was starting to rub against the saddle again. Just when she thought she wasn't going to be able to ride any longer, an hour later she could make out the colored lights being sparkling in the distance. Coming upon the city, lines of fairies and elves greeted them, all cheering and running alongside their horses. It continued like this until they reached the castle, and the people dispersed a little to let them dismount their horses. Jareth swung down from the saddle, straightened his doublet, and then held out a hand to Sarah. She took it, and hopped down. Ishtar was already walking up the castle steps and then turned to address his people. He held up a hand to signal that he wanted silence. A hush came upon the crowd and the king began to speak to the people including Sarah, Jareth, and Yetzel listened intensely. "My people, we have pushed back the enemy from our lands," that's as far as he got before people began to cheer again prematurely, then he signaled for silence once more. "But, there are still many of them still alive who can come back and threaten us again. Because of this, I'm afraid I'm going to have to start drafting men to fight. All of our soldiers have perished nobly fighting for their kingdom. King Jareth lost goblins in this war, helping to fight on our side. At this time we're enlisting the aide of the Pixies, Good Sprites, and the Gnome and Dwarf kingdoms. Thank you, that is all," he finished, walking inside of his castle hurriedly, Yetzel and Sarah stepping inside lively after him, with Jareth close behind. The crystal castle seemed eerily quiet once they all made it to the throne room, and Ishtar took his place in it. "So, Jareth, have you yet told Sarah what her payment is to be?" Ishtar inquired. Jareth thought about it for awhile, he had forgotten that she had owed him something, and from the look on her face, she had, too. "She must return home for a while until we need help again, but after that she must marry me," he replied solemnly. Sarah gasped in shock, followed by a now small sized happy looking Yetzel, who had been returned to her former stature.
"Now, wait just a minute," Sarah said in disbelief. "Just because I asked for your help, I have to marry you? That doesn't seem just." "It's true," Yetzel spoke, "it may not seem fair but because you agreed you must do it. If you don't then he can go back on his promise and refuse to help us further. Please, Sarah, you must do it," she pleaded. Sarah rubbed her forehead in agitation. "OK, if it means that much to you, Yetzel, I'll do it," Sarah said in defeat. Jareth tried not to look happy that she had agreed, but couldn't help himself a small smile. "Sarah and I must be going then, there's something I want to show her before she leaves," Jareth said to Ishtar, turning to Sarah and taking her hand. Reluctantly she let him hold it as he transported them back to his castle in the labyrinth. "That was certainly interesting," Ishtar said to Yetzel. She nodded her head absently in agreement, still staring at the spot where the couple once stood. Back in his own castle, Jareth took Sarah to his favorite room in the castle, his old study. The room was small but cozy. A skylight was embedded into the ceiling, the glass letting a multitude of light through. In the corner was a bookshelf, and on the wall opposite that a big old- fashioned fireplace. In the center of the room were many desks and chairs, all comfortable. Adorning the walls were many tapestries and paintings. Sarah liked the room instantly, but said nothing. "Sarah, I know I was sort of abrupt about the whole thing, but I want you to know it's not just a political marriage," he said, sitting sideways on the arm of a chair. Sarah stood awkwardly before him, nervously playing with a costume ring on her finger. Jareth took notice of this action, and stood to walk stand closer to her. Gently he took her hand away from the ring, and pulled it off her finger. Reaching into his pocket her brought out a small golden box, and opened it to reveal the most beautiful ring Sarah had ever seen. Her breath caught in her throat as he slid the new dazzling ring on her ring finger of her left hand. He brought her soft hand up to his lips and pressed them lovingly on her skin. Her hand tingled, sending shivers up and down her spine. "Jareth," she said in a throaty whisper, "I don't want to go back home." Jareth was startled at this and pulled her to him in a hug that was very intimate, and stroked her hair. "I don't want you to go back home either, but you must at least to say goodbye." Sarah pressed her cheek into his chest, but nodded her head in understanding. They stood there, holding one another, her arms about his neck, and his around her waist, neither one wanting to let go.
Sarah's muscles ached and her body was stiff from sleeping on the ground. The upper muscles of her arms smarted from lifting the heavy sword while fighting. She twisted and stretched, trying to work out the kinks. Tiptoeing, she worked her way over to Yetzel and shook her awake. "No, mommy, I don't wanna wake up," Yetzel protested groggily. Sarah stifled a giggle, and said, "Good morning sunshine." Yetzel sat up and gave Sarah a warning look. She guessed Yetzel wasn't a morning person. While packing, Jareth poked his head in their tent. "Just making sure you're awake. Oh, and we'll be riding back to the fairy kingdom where Yetzel will be returned to her former size and you, Sarah, will be sent back home," he explained. Despite her better judgment, Sarah took this time to argue. "No, I'm not going home. Screw that, I came here to help not be some pansy and go home. What if the city get attacks again, what then?" Jareth sighed and entered the tent the rest of the way. Yetzel, sensing a verbal storm approaching, backed slowly towards the opening of the tent and exited quietly. "Sarah, the only reason why you were involved today was because against my judgment I couldn't send you home from the battlefield. If I had there would've a good chance that you would've been followed. Once we get back to Ishtar's kingdom where it's safe can I then send you home, regardless of whether you want to go home or not." A stubborn reply escaped her lips, "But, Jareth, I want to help. I can't sit at home on my bum while there's a chance that people are dying." "Do you really think that you'll be of much help if you die? Sarah, I won't take the chance on your life. Now, I didn't come here to argue, I have to finish packing, so if you'll excuse me," Jareth said, turning to leave. As he pulled back the gray tarpaulin flap, an outraged Sarah yelled at him. "It's not like you'd care whether I died or not. No one does, so why does it matter. I might as well at least try to help!" Jareth turned at her outburst and stepped menacingly towards her backing her against the other side of the tent. Her green eyes met his mismatched ones once again. What she found there startled her more than his intimidating behavior. They were filled with anger, sadness, and something close to concern. "Believe what you will, but I do care whether or not you die. I care if anyone dies. Regardless of what you think about me, I am not a monster." Sarah gulped and looked away. Sorrow was emanating from him like smoke from a burning building. "That's nice of you to say I guess. I suppose I was just having a pity party for myself. All this hasn't been easy on me, or anyone else I know. I suggest that we compromise then. I will return home, but if trouble arises again you have to let me come back to help, OK?" she asked. Jareth snorted and opened the flap to the tent and practically flew out of it in a rage. Of course he would give in to what she wanted, but it still troubled him that she chose to defy him at every moment. While packing, Sarah thought about Jareth and earth, and the choice she had to make. Earth was beginning to feel less like home, even though she had only been in the underground a whole day. She was fairly certain the only person who would feel the loss of her being gone was Toby, but even he could get on with his life. She had to blink back the tears at the thought that her home would still go on even without her there. As soon as Sarah stepped outside the soldiers immediately began to take down the tent that she and Yetzel had shared. She noticed that everyone seemed to be waiting on her. Everyone had already saddled their horses and was sitting atop them as she walked over. The black horse that she and Jareth shared was waiting for them, and Jareth sat at the front of the saddle, looking impatient. "I see you decided to join us," he said. Resisting the urge to hurl a snide reply at him, Sarah sighed and rolled her eyes. Once she had taken her place behind him, and the soldiers finished taking down her tent, Ishtar gave the signal to start out by taking the lead. Jareth reigned the horse at a trot behind the elf and fairy king. The dawn was still chilly, and Sarah only had on a T-shirt and jeans, causing little bumps of flesh to form on her exposed arms. She shivered and involuntary leaned a little closer to Jareth and his warm body heat. There wasn't really much to look at as they road on to the kingdom, Ishtar was quiet and pensive, and Yetzel seemed chipper, but not very talkative, so they rode on in silence. Sarah shivered again, but was relieved as she saw the sun peeking its golden head up from the hills in the distance. "How much longer is it?" Sarah asked in a tired voice. "About an hour," Jareth replied. Subdued, Sarah grimaced as her sore behind was starting to rub against the saddle again. Just when she thought she wasn't going to be able to ride any longer, an hour later she could make out the colored lights being sparkling in the distance. Coming upon the city, lines of fairies and elves greeted them, all cheering and running alongside their horses. It continued like this until they reached the castle, and the people dispersed a little to let them dismount their horses. Jareth swung down from the saddle, straightened his doublet, and then held out a hand to Sarah. She took it, and hopped down. Ishtar was already walking up the castle steps and then turned to address his people. He held up a hand to signal that he wanted silence. A hush came upon the crowd and the king began to speak to the people including Sarah, Jareth, and Yetzel listened intensely. "My people, we have pushed back the enemy from our lands," that's as far as he got before people began to cheer again prematurely, then he signaled for silence once more. "But, there are still many of them still alive who can come back and threaten us again. Because of this, I'm afraid I'm going to have to start drafting men to fight. All of our soldiers have perished nobly fighting for their kingdom. King Jareth lost goblins in this war, helping to fight on our side. At this time we're enlisting the aide of the Pixies, Good Sprites, and the Gnome and Dwarf kingdoms. Thank you, that is all," he finished, walking inside of his castle hurriedly, Yetzel and Sarah stepping inside lively after him, with Jareth close behind. The crystal castle seemed eerily quiet once they all made it to the throne room, and Ishtar took his place in it. "So, Jareth, have you yet told Sarah what her payment is to be?" Ishtar inquired. Jareth thought about it for awhile, he had forgotten that she had owed him something, and from the look on her face, she had, too. "She must return home for a while until we need help again, but after that she must marry me," he replied solemnly. Sarah gasped in shock, followed by a now small sized happy looking Yetzel, who had been returned to her former stature.
"Now, wait just a minute," Sarah said in disbelief. "Just because I asked for your help, I have to marry you? That doesn't seem just." "It's true," Yetzel spoke, "it may not seem fair but because you agreed you must do it. If you don't then he can go back on his promise and refuse to help us further. Please, Sarah, you must do it," she pleaded. Sarah rubbed her forehead in agitation. "OK, if it means that much to you, Yetzel, I'll do it," Sarah said in defeat. Jareth tried not to look happy that she had agreed, but couldn't help himself a small smile. "Sarah and I must be going then, there's something I want to show her before she leaves," Jareth said to Ishtar, turning to Sarah and taking her hand. Reluctantly she let him hold it as he transported them back to his castle in the labyrinth. "That was certainly interesting," Ishtar said to Yetzel. She nodded her head absently in agreement, still staring at the spot where the couple once stood. Back in his own castle, Jareth took Sarah to his favorite room in the castle, his old study. The room was small but cozy. A skylight was embedded into the ceiling, the glass letting a multitude of light through. In the corner was a bookshelf, and on the wall opposite that a big old- fashioned fireplace. In the center of the room were many desks and chairs, all comfortable. Adorning the walls were many tapestries and paintings. Sarah liked the room instantly, but said nothing. "Sarah, I know I was sort of abrupt about the whole thing, but I want you to know it's not just a political marriage," he said, sitting sideways on the arm of a chair. Sarah stood awkwardly before him, nervously playing with a costume ring on her finger. Jareth took notice of this action, and stood to walk stand closer to her. Gently he took her hand away from the ring, and pulled it off her finger. Reaching into his pocket her brought out a small golden box, and opened it to reveal the most beautiful ring Sarah had ever seen. Her breath caught in her throat as he slid the new dazzling ring on her ring finger of her left hand. He brought her soft hand up to his lips and pressed them lovingly on her skin. Her hand tingled, sending shivers up and down her spine. "Jareth," she said in a throaty whisper, "I don't want to go back home." Jareth was startled at this and pulled her to him in a hug that was very intimate, and stroked her hair. "I don't want you to go back home either, but you must at least to say goodbye." Sarah pressed her cheek into his chest, but nodded her head in understanding. They stood there, holding one another, her arms about his neck, and his around her waist, neither one wanting to let go.