Chapter VII
Christmas Eve had arrived in the Labyrinth without
herald. It was a season the goblins could not understand, so Jareth had
never bothered with it. However, it was something that Sarah was accustomed
to celebrating, and for that reason, Jareth had a present for her.
The earlier snowstorm had ceased all activity in
Goblin City, and the palace was quiet. Jareth had sent many of the goblins
away to allow himself time alone with Sarah.
Sarah, at that very moment, was absolutely crazed
with boredom. She wondered where Jareth was, and was now growing impatient.
She'd been waiting for him in the drawing room for half an hour. They had
made it a habit to meet every night after dinner to sit together and talk
or read. Tonight, however, he'd said he'd be a few minutes late. She was
growing more annoyed with every minute.
"If he's not here in the next five minutes, I'm
going to--"
"What?"
She spun on her heel, glaring at him. "Finally!
Where have you been?"
"I was retrieving something from my room."
"What?"
"Now, Sarah--if I told you, it would no longer be
a surprise." He smiled as he crossed the room where she stood. Taking her
hand, he led her to a chair by the fire. "Please--sit." She did so, and
Jareth sat in a chair directly across from her. "I know what this time
of year means to you, Sarah, so I took the liberty..." His words died on
his lips as he held out a small, foil-wrapped gift.
"Jareth! I didn't..." She fumbled for words. "I'm
sorry--I didn't know you were planning this."
"I never expected anything, Sarah. I only wanted
to do this for you." He gestured towards the gift. "Please, Sarah...open
it."
She pulled the silver ribbon that bound the wrapping
and it fell open in her hand. Inside was a small box, and within the box
was a small gold ring set with garnets. *The ring I gave to the Wiseman...*
She lifted her eyes to Jareth's. "How did you get this?"
Jareth sat back in the chair. "I spoke with the
Wiseman--he and I made an arrangement, so to speak. I've had it for years."
"Years? Why?"
His eyes bored into hers. "It was yours."
She wrestled with the knowledge for a moment, then
rose from her seat. Crossing the short distance between them, she knelt
at his feet. Reaching for his hand, she spoke very softly. "You have done
so much for me, Jareth--protected me, sheltered me, given me a beautiful
place in which to live...and I've given you nothing. Please. Tell me what
you want. I'll give it to you. Anything you ask..."
His gaze wavered for only a second, then he turned
from her entirely. "There is nothing that I want."
Sarah was speechless, her mind whirling. *nothing...he
wants nothing...* She faltered. "You can't be serious. Surely, there's--there's
something."
"No. There isn't anything. I have all that I want.
There is nothing else."
Jareth did not see the tear sliding down her cheek,
but he could not miss the rage that followed it. "I refuse to believe that!"
She was shouting at him, demanding his attention, demanding answers. "I
know you want something, Jareth. Tell me. Just tell me."
He glared at her as she stood. "I told you, Sarah--I
want nothing."
"Liar!"
"How dare you--"
"I'll do and say whatever the hell I want! You are
a liar, Jareth. I know it. I know it because I've seen it. Every time I
look at you, I see how much you want me." She shuddered. "All you had to
do was ask." She fled from the room, leaving him to shout her name as she
disappeared down the corridor.
********************************************************************
Sarah did not leave her room for days, shutting herself
off completely. While she remained locked away, Jareth was but a shadow
of himself. His waking hours were spent in a silent melancholy. He would
be seen standing in the ballroom, or sitting on the steps of the Escher
room--but usually he was found in his chamber, staring at his bed.
Imagining Sarah in it.
Eventually, Talius had seen enough. He confronted
the King one afternoon in his bedroom. "Your Highness?"
Jareth looked up wearily. "Yes, Talius?"
"May I ask what happened? Did she not like your
gift?"
"Quite the contrary, Talius. She was very pleased."
"Then why are you both unhappy?"
Jareth sighed. "She offered herself to me."
Talius inhaled sharply. "...And?..."
"And I refused her."
Talius was aghast. "Why? Pardon me, your Highness--but
it is obvious you care for the girl..."
"Yes, Talius...but I could not. Not unless she cares
for me as well."
"And you believe she does not?"
"No."
"Then you are a fool, your Highness." And Talius
abruptly left.
*******************************************************************
There was a light rapping at the door, followed by
Talius' small head peering in. "My lady?"
Sarah lifted her head from the pillow. "Yes, Talius?"
"My lady--you must go to the King."
"Why should I?" Her words were venomous.
"He needs you..."
"No he doesn't--ask him yourself." She turned away
from the doctor.
"My lady..." Talius' voice was soft. "He thinks
you do not care for him."
Her eyes grew wide and she turned to look at him
again. "What? He thinks I don't care for him?" She laughed coldly. "Of
course--how could I be so blind. I choose to stay in the Labyrinth, accept
his gifts, and strive to be with him at every moment...how is he supposed
to know that I lo--care for him?"
"My lady, he sees that--but he is a frightened and
worried man. Perhaps you should remind him?" Talius sounded hopeful.
Sarah exhaled slowly, gathering her thoughts. *Perhaps...perhaps
he really doesn't know...* She threw back the covers and went to the bureau.
She turned to Talius. "Thank you. I guess the rest is up to me."
*********************************************************************