LABYRINTH THE RETURN PT 7 (END)
Jareth and Sarah walked into the ballroom. The room grew quiet as
the goblins bowed to the King and his Queen.
"Arise goblins. Let's celebrate." he said walking across the room.
Music filled the air as Jareth danced the night away with his wife. He had
imagined what this day would be like for years. Now, here it is, and it was
more wonderful than he could possibly have imagined. He was finally at peace.
The celebration concluded after many hours of dancing. As the goblins
dispersed, Sarah realized that she would be alone with her husband. This
moment scared her more than she knew it would. She didn't know what to expect
now.
Jareth stood at the window thinking about the day. The best day of his life
and still it seemed as though a dark cloud hung over them. Jade still had to
be taken care of before she could do any harm. What should he do? Banishment
doesn't work. He knew he couldn't do anything but try to send her back, but
how?
Sarah softly touched his shoulder. She could see a strain on him and knew it
had to do with Jade. "Are you ok?" she asked.
"Yes." he replied.
Sarah didn't know what to do next. The whole situation made her feel awkward.
She could hardly believe that she had a husband. Even now she didn't feel
married to him. He had given her everything she could want just to make her
happy. She only hoped that he was happy too. She wished he would talk to her
now. She didn't like the silence between them.
Jareth watched the night sky. What now? He had waited a lifetime for this
moment and now he waited more, hoping for a sign from Sarah. He would hold
fast to his promise. He would not push her into anything until she was
certain, even though he wanted her more than ever at this moment.
Sarah sat at the table and smoothed the folds of her gown. What was he
waiting for? She propped her head up with her hands. Exhausted from the day,
she felt as though she could sleep for weeks. Her thoughts shifted to her
family. It made her feel good that her father accepted Jareth. Even her
stepmother had been pleasant. She couldn't have asked for anything more.
Jareth turned to look at Sarah. She was in deep thought and beautiful as
ever. He could stare at her for a thousand years and still would want more.
Sarah met his gaze.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, almost embarrassed.
Jareth walked toward her slowly, smiling faintly. "I am looking at my wife."
he answered, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet.
"Oh." she replied. She felt his arm slide around her waist.
"Is that all you can say?" Jareth asked, his voice soft and calm.
"For now." Sarah said softly, leaning against him. He felt good and safe as
she snuggled within his strong arms.
"Is there anything you want?" he asked, gently stroking her long dark hair.
"Isn't this enough?" she replied. "This is the first time we've been
completely alone since you brought me here.
"Yes, but I thought..." Jareth started.
"Thought I would be to tired too spend time with you?" she said, completing
his sentence.
"Well, yes." he answered reluctantly.
"Jareth, you are my husband now and if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't
be. Don't you realize that you are the reason I stayed here in this world? I
can't think of ever wanting to be anywhere without you."
"Well.." he began.
"This is where I want to be." she said, looking up at him. "Any questions?"
"Just one." he replied.
"Ask away."
"Do you love me?" he asked softly.
"With all my heart." she replied. "Do you love me?" she asked in return.
"As midnight loves the moon. I shall love you forever." he answered, then
kissed her with all the passion he held for her. Then, in one swift movement,
he swooped her up into her arms and carried her toward his room.
Sarah held tight to Jareth, knowing that all her life she had searched for the
one man that she could love. That man had to care for her as she did him.
Also, he would have to be creative, handsome, and someone with authority.
Obviously Jareth was powerful, not to mention incredibly handsome. She had met
others that were too, but Jareth was the only one who thought like her and
understood her. He was the perfect match.
Jareth opened the door and carried her inside, pushing the door closed with
his foot. Gently setting Sarah down on the bed, he kissed her lips one more
time, then walked across the room.
Sarah sat there in disbelief. Her wedding night and he walks away. She
wondered what was wrong now.
Jareth struck a match and came back to Sarah. Taking her hand, he pulled her
to her feet. Her face was faintly illuminated and beautiful as ever.
"What are you doing?" she asked, slightly amused.
"It is the first night of the rest of our lives together. I want it to be
perfect." he answered.
"And?" she questioned.
Jareth took her hand and placed the match in it. Slowly, he moved it to a
candle sitting to the side. "I think we should do everything together from now
on." he said, as he moved the flame over the wick.
The candle came to life and Sarah noticed that he had set many candles about
the room. How romantic, she thought, as Jareth handed her a match.
Within minutes, they lit every candle and was admiring their handy work.
Sarah looked over at Jareth. She walked to his side and grasped his hand.
"It's perfect." she said, looking up at him.
"No. You're perfect." he said, pulling her lips to his. "What would I ever
do without you?" he asked, softly.
"Let's not find out, ok?" she replied.
"Deal." he answered softly.
Sarah looked into his eyes and knew that this was right. She was finally his
wife and sometime in the future will probably be a mother. Not right now, she
thought silently to herself. To think, he would be the father of her children
after he had taken Toby from her just years before.
"What?" Jareth asked, his eyes fixed upon her.
Sarah didn't reply. Instead, she drew his face close to hers and kissed his
lips passionately. Sarah was prepared to give herself to Jareth completely.
Jareth took her offering, and as they became one, Sarah knew her life would
never be the same again. Their passion fueled a fire that burnt all night
long.
Jareth awoke the next morning with Sarah still in his arms. The feel of her
body against his was all that he wanted for the rest of his life.
Sarah stirred in his embrace. Her eyes slowly opened to see Jareth smiling
back. It was a sight she welcomed.
"Sleep well Sarah?" he asked, sweeping the hair from her brow.
"Yes." she replied. She felt incredible. "You?" she asked, knowing that he
rarely ever slept.
"Very well." he replied with a sly smile.
There came a knock on the door that startled them both. Neither of them
moved.
Sarah caught Jareth's glance. "Don't look at me. I'm not answering it." she
said with a smile.
"Just a minute." Jareth called as he pushed the covers back.
Sarah chuckled as he dressed.
"What's so funny?" he asked, a serious tone in his voice.
"Nothing." she replied with a smirk.
Jareth walked around the bed and bent down. "Just you wait Sarah, I'll tend
to you soon enough." he replied seriously.
Sarah stopped her laughter. She couldn't tell if he was joking around with
her or what. Then she noticed a smile creasing the corners of his lips and
pushed him away.
"Oh no you don't." Jareth said, pulling her just close enough for a quick
kiss, then stood up. He went to the door and pulled it open. Hoggle was on
the other side.
"Good morning your highnesses." Hoggle said.
"Morning Hoggle." Sarah called from inside.
"What is it?" Jareth asked.
"Jade."
"What now?" Jareth asked tiredly.
"She got of the oubliette somehow. Nobody knows where she is."
Jareth could scarcely believe it. Nobody had ever escaped the oubliette
without outside help. Not even Sarah. He could hear Sarah walking up behind
him.
"What are we going to do now?" Sarah asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Jareth turned and took her into his arms. "I don't know." he replied sadly.
Hoggle pulled the door closed. They would need to be alone for a while.
Hoggle could see the despair in their faces. His friends were hurting right
now because of that spiteful woman. He had to find her before she caused any
harm. He had to try to put a stop to her madness.
Walking hurriedly down the hall, Hoggle thought of places she might go. He
knew that she had to be found before she could do any harm. He knew that he
had to stop her any way that he could.
Hoggle walked silently though the labyrinth back to his house where Merlin
waited patiently. Turning the knob, he could hear Merlin barking. How nice it
was to have someone waiting for him, he thought. He had missed that and forgot
what it was like.
Walking inside, Merlin ran and knocked him down. "We'll have none of that now
you hear?" he said with a chuckle.
Getting to his feet, he pulled a tablet from his desk and started a list.
Everywhere he could think of was on the list, and he would check them all one
by one until Jade was found.
Back at the castle, goblins ran here and there and everywhere. They weren't
sure what they were doing but they didn't care until the call came from their
king.
Jareth had summoned them to the throne room. Already there, Jareth and Sarah
stood by the window contemplating their next move. They heard the goblins
coming as the came noisily down the hall. They sounded like a herd of wild
elephants. The goblins fell into the room and quickly took up positions around
the king.
"My goblins. Jade has once again created a problem for us that we must
resolve quickly. She has escaped the oubliette and is now unable to be found.
We must therefore search high and low for her before she returns to harm your
Queen. Jade must be found and stopped! Now go! Find her and bring her to me!" he
said, as they rushed about in a frenzy. In and instant they were gone. Jareth
turned to Sarah and extended his hand. "I must also look for her Sarah. I
will not let her harm you."
Sarah took his hand and drew him near. "I know. I want to look to. Please
don't make me stay here alone."
"Of course you can come. I don't want to leave you alone. I promised you
that no harm would ever come to you and I intend to keep my promise."
They left the throne room together, never realizing that Jade was closer than
they had thought. Just outside the window, Jade hid amongst the bushes waiting
for the right time to get into the castle unnoticed. She would stop at nothing
to have what she wanted.
Slipping silently into the castle, she knew exactly what she was doing and
where to go. She made her way to a room Jareth and his goblins never used.
She had already modified it for just such an occasion. She would soon have her
ultimate revenge, and Sarah will be no more.
Hoggle carefully searched his list. There were so many rooms in the castle
that he had been searching with no sign of Jade. The last one on his list was
at the end of the hall and hardly ever used. He slowly moved down the hall
concealed by the darkness of the shadows. Just outside the door, he heard
movement inside. Peering around the corner, he saw her.
He walked back down the hallway to get help. He had to find Jareth and the
others before she had a chance to change locations. Trying to run as fast as
he could, he could hear Jareth's voice up ahead. He pushed on as hard as he
could.
Jareth saw Hoggle approaching and knew something was not right. "What is it
Hoggle?" he asked, as Hoggle bent over from lack of breath.
Gasping for air, Hoggle told them of Jade and the room in which he found her.
He could feel Sarah holding onto him as his legs collapsed.
"Jareth, help me." Sarah said, holding on tightly.
Jareth grabbed Hoggle and gently laid him down on the floor. "Rest Hoggle.
You did a good job, now just rest." Jareth said.
"I can't rest until we have taken care of her your majesty." Hoggle replied.
Helping him to his feet, they followed him back to where Jade had already set
a trap. Hoggle stopped and looked back at Jareth. "In there." he said
quietly, pointing to a door up ahead.
Jareth walked slowly down the dark hall to the doorway. Peering inside, he
saw no sign of anyone. No sign of Jade.
"She is no longer here." he told them. He looked back to see fear in Sarah's
eyes. Walking to her, his voice soothing, "Don't worry Sarah, we shall get
her." he said as he embraced her in comfort.
"How long can we go on like this Jareth? How many times will she escape?"
Sarah asked, afraid of what could happen.
"Don't worry Sarah."
Sarah regained her composure. "What's in the room?" she asked.
"It is just a room that we hardly ever use. That explains why we could not
find her sooner." Jareth replied.
Sarah walked to the doorway and peered inside. It looked harmless enough.
She slowly stepped into the vacant room. Just then, they heard a cracking
noise.
"Sarah!" Jareth yelled as he ran toward the room.
As the floor inside the room began to collapse, Jareth caught hold of Sarah's
arm and held on tight. The floor beneath her feet was gone.
"Don't let go Jareth!" Sarah screamed in fright. Jareth was all that stood
between life and death for her.
Jade quietly walked up behind Jareth. She wasn't about to let Sarah live.
Jareth held firm to his wife. He wasn't about to lose his whole future. A
shuffling noise behind him caught his attention just in time to duck as Jade
swung a torch at him.
"Let her go Jareth!" Jade yelled, a wild look in her eyes.
"Never!" He yelled back at her.
Jade drew back to take another swing but lost her balance. She fell forward,
just missing Jareth, and over the edge revealing Hoggle in her place.
"Jareth! Help me!" Sarah managed to scream.
Jareth looked back to see Jade clinging to Sarah's feet. The added weight was
almost too great until Hoggle rushed to his side.
"You won't have her Jareth! If I can't have you then neither will she!" Jade
yelled.
"Let go!" Sarah screamed, frantically trying to kick Jade's grip off.
"Jareth, help me! Please!"
"Hold on Sarah!" Jareth said, grasping her arms more firmly.
Jade began inching her way up Sarah's back trying to reach Jareth. Clinging
tightly with one arm around Sarah's neck, Jade reached out with her free hand
and grabbed Jareth's left arm. Pulling his arm from Sarah, Jade laughed
wickedly, knowing that she had won.
"Jade, no!" Jareth yelled, feeling his feet losing ground. He knew that she
was going to pull him down with them.
Sarah, with one arm free, did the only thing she could think of. With all the
strength she had left within herself, she jabbed her elbow into Jade's ribs.
Jade winced backward in pain, as Sarah's arm shot up and knocked Jade's grip
from Jareth. Jareth quickly caught Sarah's arm and held tight as Jade
continued to fall backwards. Jade fell from Sarah's back with a scream of
fright. A few seconds later, silence.
Jareth pulled Sarah up and away from the edge. The nightmare was finally
over. He could see her trembling with fear.
Sarah trembled beneath his touch. She couldn't stop shaking. Sarah thought
she was going to die. Never had she been so close to death that it frightened
her beyond all reasonable thought. She was mortified. She began to cry.
Jareth pulled her into his arms trying to comfort her sobs. He couldn't stand
to see her cry. "There, there now." Jareth said softly, then continued, "It is
finally over Sarah." he finished, holding her close to him. He could still
feel her trembling.
"I thought..." Sarah struggled to say.
"I know. But that's all over now. I told you I would let no harm come to
you, didn't I?" Jareth asked.
"Yes but..."
"But nothing. It's over now and we can finally get on with our lives. There
is nothing to be afraid of anymore." he said, looking down into her eyes.
Sarah smiled.
"I love you." he whispered softly. He drew her lips to his and kissed her
tenderly. They would never be apart again. There would never be a need.
Later that evening, Sarah stood at the window. Looking out across the
Labyrinth, she finally felt whole. She heard Jareth walking up behind her and
felt his strong arms wrap around her. It was comforting.
"What are you looking at Sarah?" he whispered.
"Home." she replied.
They stood there together watching the sun slowly fade away beneath
the horizon, knowing they would always be together until the end of time.
THE END