Disclaimer: See Chapter One
No One Can Blame You
Chapter Nine "It's Only Forever"
Veronica awoke to sunshine streaming through the French doors. She blinked sleepily then yawned and stretched, and was surprised to feel her hand lightly hit something solid next to her. Slightly startled, she turned to see Jareth sleeping on his side, facing her. Without opening his eyes, he lightly rubbed his shoulder where Veronica's hand had touched it, then he was still again, sleeping deeply.
She glanced at the small thirteen-hour clock on the nightstand. It was after eight in the morning, and Veronica found herself absently wondering what time it was back home. She looked through the French doors to see the sun shining brightly.
**The day before yesterday, Jareth was up long before I was. Yesterday, we were both up late and slept later. I didn't sleep well, which explains why I'm up now, but Jareth...** Veronica turned in time to see Jareth with a small smile on his face, obviously dreaming. She smiled softly down at him. **I wonder if he's... No, he's probably dreaming about Sarah.**
Her smile gone, Veronica rose and walked into the bathroom to start the day with a shower.
As Jareth awakened, the last words from his dream echoed in his mind.
**"I love you, Jareth..." Veronica... Why did I have such a romantic dream about her, and why did I enjoy it so? I love Sarah. Are you sure of that, Jareth?** a voice inside him asked. **Sarah is not the person you have been thinking of nonstop for days.** His thoughts turned to last night. **I should not have stayed in my study for so long, hiding like a coward. Veronica must be absolutely miserable. Perhaps I should try to make it up to her.** "Veronica, are..." His words trailed off as he saw that his wife was no longer lying beside him. Alarmed, Jareth sat up quickly. "Veronica?" he called out.
"In here," her voice echoed from the bathroom.
The sense of relief Jareth felt was almost overwhelming, but he managed to pull himself together and stand then approach the bathroom door and open it slowly. Veronica's resulting shriek was enough to make him nearly jump out of his skin. While he tried to compose himself, Veronica hastily pulled on her robe.
"Don't you know how to knock?" she asked, shaken. **Oh God, he saw me...**
**I never dreamed anyone could be so beautiful...** Jareth gave himself a mental shake. "Forgive me," he said roughly. "I wanted to know where you were, and when you said you were in here, I assumed..."
Veronica sighed, her irritation slowly melting away. "Jareth, if there's one thing you need to know about me, it's never assume. I'm not a typical anything, so I seriously doubt I will be a typical wife." She combed through her still-wet hair once more and left the bathroom, Jareth following.
Picking out a pair of walking shorts and a flower-print campshirt from her clothes in the dresser, Veronica walked behind the mahogany privacy screen and dressed. Walking back over to the bed, she laid her robe on it then turned back to Jareth, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "Do you ... have something planned for us? Like a..."
"Honeymoon?" Jareth asked. "No, I did not feel it was necessary." **Liar, you are simply scared about how you would react to being in a romantic setting with her.** An image from his dream filled his mind -- Veronica laying on his bed, wearing nothing but a soft smile, and holding her arms up to him. Jareth could feel himself responding to the image, then quickly clamped down on his rampaging emotions. "You, however, are more than welcome to go. I will arrange for a two-week stay anywhere you want."
**Anywhere I want, as long as I go alone. God, could anything be worse?** "Thank you for the offer, Jareth," Veronica said quietly, "but I would rather stay here."
"As you wish," Jareth replied.
The first month of their marriage passed slowly, seemingly endlessly for Jareth and Veronica. Jareth spent the entire time avoiding his wife, thinking that the strange emotions he felt would dissipate then he could think of her as simply his business partner. Veronica became more and more convinced that Jareth did not love her, would never love her, and there was nothing she could do to change that.
The final straw came five weeks after the wedding. Jareth and Veronica were invited to Oberon's birthday ball. Veronica was reluctant to go, but Jareth insisted.
"It would be considered bad form if you do not attend," he said. **Though, it would be better for me. Perhaps time in a separate kingdom would help me get her off my mind.**
Veronica sighed resignedly. "Alright, I'll go. It'll be good to see Titania again."
"I will inform them of our decision." **With any luck, I will be able to avoid her all night.**
The night of the ball, Veronica watched from the sidelines as Jareth flirted with every woman present. Every woman, that is, except her.
**Why is he doing this?** she thought. **It's like he's forgotten I even exist.**
Jareth danced every dance, though none with his wife. The only time he saw her was at dinner, where he was required to sit next to her. **I have managed to keep her out of my thoughts for nearly two minutes.** Jareth sighed. **This plan is not working at all. I must find another way.**
Afterwards, Veronica went straight to her room as soon as they came back to the castle. Jareth was relieved, and decided to try to walk off his confusion and frustration in the Escher Room.
The next morning, the sound of several fists pounding on his bedchamber door was enough to wake Jareth from a wine-induced stupor. He slowly rose and donned his royal blue silk robe. Walking to the door, he cursed the goblins who woke him and the empty goblet he tripped over before he opened the door. "And what are you doing?"
The cold, calm tone of his voice made the goblins cower in fear, for they knew it well. Only one was brave enough to speak up.
"Yer ... Yer Majesty," he stuttered, "da queen..."
"She is not my queen," Jareth said icily.
"Yer wife, den... She's..."
"She's leavin'," another one put in.
"Leaving?" Jareth echoed, shocked. "Why?"
"She won' say, Yer Majesty," the first goblin said. "She jus' said she was leavin'. She's packin' right now."
**I have to stop her.** Without another word, Jareth vanished and reappeared in Veronica's room, his clothes changing immediately.
Veronica was slowly and methodically packing a suitcase, tears running down her cheeks. She didn't even see her husband until he spoke up.
"My dear, you realize that this is not part of our contract," Jareth said as calmly as he could. Inside, his mind and heart were racing. **She cannot leave. Not now, not when I...**
"The deal is off," Veronica said quietly, keeping her eyes on her clothes. "I married you to help you keep your kingdom, but also because I ... love you." She looked up at him finally, not even acknowledging the shock and surprise on his face. "And it's obvious that you will never love me, so I see no reason for us to continue this charade." Veronica turned back to her suitcase, closed it, then picked it up by the handle and faced Jareth again. "This is the last time you'll be seeing me, Jareth. Goodbye, Goblin King." With that, Veronica left the room.
It took a full minute for Jareth to get over his shock, then realization and agony hit him like a ton of bricks. **I love her, and I will never see her again. God, how could I go so long without telling her? I must be insane! I love her more than I have ever loved anyone, more than any person could love someone, and she's gone!**
Jareth rushed to the window and watched as she walked through the castle courtyard. Veronica never once turned back. She walked through the Goblin City then the gates, where she was soon out of sight.
Feeling like the weight of both their worlds was on his shoulders, Jareth slowly walked to the throne room and sank into his throne. Fortunately for them, the goblins had already left, knowing that their king needed to be alone.
Jareth's mind replayed everything that had happened since the day he met Veronica. The events that he lingered over were her offer of being his wife and their wedding day. **I was such a fool. I kept wanting something I would never have, and never realized the treasure I already possessed.** Jareth sighed heavily. **Perhaps this is not the end of the world. Perhaps I am better off.
And perhaps one of the goblins will become a nuclear physicist.**
Veronica walked until she came to the forest, then realized that she did not have to walk to get to Fey. She pulled the crystal Jareth had given her out of her suitcase then held it up. "I wish to go to the Fey Castle." An instant later, she appeared in the throne room, before a very surprised Oberon and Titania.
"Ronni, what are you doing here?" Titania asked, immediately concerned. "Has something happened to Jareth?"
"Oh, Jareth is the same, as dense and stupid as ever," Veronica muttered. She took a deep breath. "I've left him, Titania. He doesn't love me, and I was a fool to think that he would. I need someplace to stay while I decide what to do next. Can I stay here?"
"Of course you can," Titania said warmly. "A servant will show you to a guestroom." She rang a little silver bell, and a fairy flew into the room. "Show Lady Veronica to the Peach Room." To a surprised Veronica, she said, "That is Jareth's favorite room, so I am certain you will like it too."
"Couldn't I..." Veronica started to protest.
"You must be tired," Titania said, not accepting any argument. "Go on, we will send for you when it is time for dinner."
Knowing she wasn't going to convince Titania to change her mind, Veronica followed the fairy out of the throne room.
The Fey Queen turned to her husband, concern and confusion in her eyes. "What has happened? I thought Jareth did love her."
"He does, he just has not realized it yet," Oberon muttered.
"If he has not realized it by now, he is the greatest idiot in the Underground," Titania declared sadly.
"If I know my brother, he has full knowledge of everything he has done. I believe all my chances of ruling the Labyrinth have run out." Oberon sighed heavily.
"They ran out when Jareth first laid eyes on Veronica, my love," Titania said, hope welling within her once more.
The throne room of the Goblin Castle was dark, cold, and empty, a perfect match for Jareth's mood. He walked into the room, after spending countless hours pacing the Escher Room's many staircases, and slumped into his throne, not bothering to light the torches.
**What have I done? I had the greatest gift anyone could receive here in my hands, and I threw it away. I threw it away!** In a fit of rage, Jareth formed a crystal and hurled it at a far wall, where it shattered. The destruction did nothing to help his hurricane of emotions.
Another emotion, despair, swept over him again. **I will never see her again. The only light in my world has gone out, never to return.** Jareth glanced at the pieces of shattered crystal on the stone floor. Rising from his throne, he slowly walked over to the mess, then picked up a large, razor-sharp shard. Pushing back one of his long sleeves, Jareth contemplated slashing his wrists and letting oblivion take him.
"It would be so easy," he murmured.
"Yer Majesty?" a voice asked quietly.
Jareth's head jerked up and he saw Hoggle standing in the doorway. The dwarf was practically shaking with fear from his monarch's icy glare.
"What is it, Hogwash?" Jareth asked quietly.
"Why dontcha go after 'er?" Hoggle asked, his eyes never leaving the floor. He knew Veronica loved Jareth, though Hoggle had no idea why, and he knew that Jareth truly loved Veronica. It only made sense for them to get back together.
"It is not that simple," Jareth murmured.
"Jus' tell 'er ya love 'er. Wha' could be simpler?"
**What could be simpler? Nothing, truly. Hedgehog is right, I have to tell her. First, I have to find her.** Jareth glanced at the dwarf. "I am going to get her back." Reluctantly, he added, "Thank you, Hoggle." **The best person to ask would be Titania. She is closest to Veronica.** With that, Jareth vanished.
He reappeared in the Fey Castle throne room. Oberon was there, but Titania was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Titania?" Jareth asked, near desperate.
"She is indisposed," Oberon said, seemingly unconcerned. Truthfully, he knew exactly why Jareth needed to speak to his wife.
"I must speak with her. It is of utmost importance," Jareth said. "Where is she?"
"She is visiting a friend."
Meanwhile, Titania was with Veronica in the Peach Room, trying to convince her to go back to Jareth.
"I am sure Jareth realizes how much you mean to him, Ronni," she said. "He has had several hours to think about it."
"If he truly loves me, let him come to me," Veronica muttered. She laid down on the bed and buried her head in one of the pillows, trying hard not to cry.
Jareth paced back and forth before an amused Oberon. The older king was trying hard not to laugh at the situation.
"You know you forfeit your kingdom if you do not produce an heir, Jareth," Oberon said, grinning slightly.
Jareth glared at his brother. "To the bog with my kingdom, I have lost Ronni."
"I think you are finally ready to see her." Oberon grinned widely at his brother's confused expression. "She is in the Peach Room with Titania."
Jareth was gone before Oberon was done speaking. He appeared in the Peach Room, and his heart broke at the sight of Veronica sobbing on the bed. Titania was trying to comfort her, but was having no luck at all. When she looked up and saw her brother-in-law, Titania smiled softly.
"It is about time, Jareth," she whispered, then vanished, leaving Jareth alone with his wife.
Veronica slowly raised her head, wondering where Titania had gone. When she saw her husband, she glared at him. "Get out, Jareth."
Jareth ignored her order, but could not ignore the pain in her eyes or the tears rolling down her cheeks. "How can I leave," he asked softly, "when I have finally realized what you mean to me?"
Swallowing hard, Veronica sat up slowly and faced Jareth. "What do I mean to you?" she asked cautiously.
"You mean everything to me," Jareth said, the softest of smiles on his lips. "I love you, Ronni."
Veronica stared at him saucer-eyed. "How ... how can I believe you? How do I know you're not just saying that to make me come back? You need me to have an heir, so how do I know you're not just trying to keep your kingdom still?"
Jareth knelt down in front of her, gazing into her eyes with total love and devotion. "I do not care about my kingdom. The moment you left, everything else was meaningless. All I could think about was you and how much I loved you."
Once again, there were tears in Veronica's eyes, but these were tears of happiness. "Jareth, I've loved you since almost the first moment I met you. Your devotion to Sarah was obvious, and I hoped that you would one day feel the same for me."
"But now I feel more for you than I ever felt for Sarah," Jareth said. "You are my wife, my love, and my best friend. You are my world, Ronni."
Veronica slowly wrapped her arms around him. Softly, she said, "And you are my universe, Jareth. Let's go home."
"As you wish, my darling," Jareth murmured before returning her embrace and kissing Veronica deeply.
They left the Fey Castle and returned to their own, ready to start their new life as the Goblin King and Queen.
The End
No One Can Blame You
Chapter Nine "It's Only Forever"
Veronica awoke to sunshine streaming through the French doors. She blinked sleepily then yawned and stretched, and was surprised to feel her hand lightly hit something solid next to her. Slightly startled, she turned to see Jareth sleeping on his side, facing her. Without opening his eyes, he lightly rubbed his shoulder where Veronica's hand had touched it, then he was still again, sleeping deeply.
She glanced at the small thirteen-hour clock on the nightstand. It was after eight in the morning, and Veronica found herself absently wondering what time it was back home. She looked through the French doors to see the sun shining brightly.
**The day before yesterday, Jareth was up long before I was. Yesterday, we were both up late and slept later. I didn't sleep well, which explains why I'm up now, but Jareth...** Veronica turned in time to see Jareth with a small smile on his face, obviously dreaming. She smiled softly down at him. **I wonder if he's... No, he's probably dreaming about Sarah.**
Her smile gone, Veronica rose and walked into the bathroom to start the day with a shower.
As Jareth awakened, the last words from his dream echoed in his mind.
**"I love you, Jareth..." Veronica... Why did I have such a romantic dream about her, and why did I enjoy it so? I love Sarah. Are you sure of that, Jareth?** a voice inside him asked. **Sarah is not the person you have been thinking of nonstop for days.** His thoughts turned to last night. **I should not have stayed in my study for so long, hiding like a coward. Veronica must be absolutely miserable. Perhaps I should try to make it up to her.** "Veronica, are..." His words trailed off as he saw that his wife was no longer lying beside him. Alarmed, Jareth sat up quickly. "Veronica?" he called out.
"In here," her voice echoed from the bathroom.
The sense of relief Jareth felt was almost overwhelming, but he managed to pull himself together and stand then approach the bathroom door and open it slowly. Veronica's resulting shriek was enough to make him nearly jump out of his skin. While he tried to compose himself, Veronica hastily pulled on her robe.
"Don't you know how to knock?" she asked, shaken. **Oh God, he saw me...**
**I never dreamed anyone could be so beautiful...** Jareth gave himself a mental shake. "Forgive me," he said roughly. "I wanted to know where you were, and when you said you were in here, I assumed..."
Veronica sighed, her irritation slowly melting away. "Jareth, if there's one thing you need to know about me, it's never assume. I'm not a typical anything, so I seriously doubt I will be a typical wife." She combed through her still-wet hair once more and left the bathroom, Jareth following.
Picking out a pair of walking shorts and a flower-print campshirt from her clothes in the dresser, Veronica walked behind the mahogany privacy screen and dressed. Walking back over to the bed, she laid her robe on it then turned back to Jareth, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "Do you ... have something planned for us? Like a..."
"Honeymoon?" Jareth asked. "No, I did not feel it was necessary." **Liar, you are simply scared about how you would react to being in a romantic setting with her.** An image from his dream filled his mind -- Veronica laying on his bed, wearing nothing but a soft smile, and holding her arms up to him. Jareth could feel himself responding to the image, then quickly clamped down on his rampaging emotions. "You, however, are more than welcome to go. I will arrange for a two-week stay anywhere you want."
**Anywhere I want, as long as I go alone. God, could anything be worse?** "Thank you for the offer, Jareth," Veronica said quietly, "but I would rather stay here."
"As you wish," Jareth replied.
The first month of their marriage passed slowly, seemingly endlessly for Jareth and Veronica. Jareth spent the entire time avoiding his wife, thinking that the strange emotions he felt would dissipate then he could think of her as simply his business partner. Veronica became more and more convinced that Jareth did not love her, would never love her, and there was nothing she could do to change that.
The final straw came five weeks after the wedding. Jareth and Veronica were invited to Oberon's birthday ball. Veronica was reluctant to go, but Jareth insisted.
"It would be considered bad form if you do not attend," he said. **Though, it would be better for me. Perhaps time in a separate kingdom would help me get her off my mind.**
Veronica sighed resignedly. "Alright, I'll go. It'll be good to see Titania again."
"I will inform them of our decision." **With any luck, I will be able to avoid her all night.**
The night of the ball, Veronica watched from the sidelines as Jareth flirted with every woman present. Every woman, that is, except her.
**Why is he doing this?** she thought. **It's like he's forgotten I even exist.**
Jareth danced every dance, though none with his wife. The only time he saw her was at dinner, where he was required to sit next to her. **I have managed to keep her out of my thoughts for nearly two minutes.** Jareth sighed. **This plan is not working at all. I must find another way.**
Afterwards, Veronica went straight to her room as soon as they came back to the castle. Jareth was relieved, and decided to try to walk off his confusion and frustration in the Escher Room.
The next morning, the sound of several fists pounding on his bedchamber door was enough to wake Jareth from a wine-induced stupor. He slowly rose and donned his royal blue silk robe. Walking to the door, he cursed the goblins who woke him and the empty goblet he tripped over before he opened the door. "And what are you doing?"
The cold, calm tone of his voice made the goblins cower in fear, for they knew it well. Only one was brave enough to speak up.
"Yer ... Yer Majesty," he stuttered, "da queen..."
"She is not my queen," Jareth said icily.
"Yer wife, den... She's..."
"She's leavin'," another one put in.
"Leaving?" Jareth echoed, shocked. "Why?"
"She won' say, Yer Majesty," the first goblin said. "She jus' said she was leavin'. She's packin' right now."
**I have to stop her.** Without another word, Jareth vanished and reappeared in Veronica's room, his clothes changing immediately.
Veronica was slowly and methodically packing a suitcase, tears running down her cheeks. She didn't even see her husband until he spoke up.
"My dear, you realize that this is not part of our contract," Jareth said as calmly as he could. Inside, his mind and heart were racing. **She cannot leave. Not now, not when I...**
"The deal is off," Veronica said quietly, keeping her eyes on her clothes. "I married you to help you keep your kingdom, but also because I ... love you." She looked up at him finally, not even acknowledging the shock and surprise on his face. "And it's obvious that you will never love me, so I see no reason for us to continue this charade." Veronica turned back to her suitcase, closed it, then picked it up by the handle and faced Jareth again. "This is the last time you'll be seeing me, Jareth. Goodbye, Goblin King." With that, Veronica left the room.
It took a full minute for Jareth to get over his shock, then realization and agony hit him like a ton of bricks. **I love her, and I will never see her again. God, how could I go so long without telling her? I must be insane! I love her more than I have ever loved anyone, more than any person could love someone, and she's gone!**
Jareth rushed to the window and watched as she walked through the castle courtyard. Veronica never once turned back. She walked through the Goblin City then the gates, where she was soon out of sight.
Feeling like the weight of both their worlds was on his shoulders, Jareth slowly walked to the throne room and sank into his throne. Fortunately for them, the goblins had already left, knowing that their king needed to be alone.
Jareth's mind replayed everything that had happened since the day he met Veronica. The events that he lingered over were her offer of being his wife and their wedding day. **I was such a fool. I kept wanting something I would never have, and never realized the treasure I already possessed.** Jareth sighed heavily. **Perhaps this is not the end of the world. Perhaps I am better off.
And perhaps one of the goblins will become a nuclear physicist.**
Veronica walked until she came to the forest, then realized that she did not have to walk to get to Fey. She pulled the crystal Jareth had given her out of her suitcase then held it up. "I wish to go to the Fey Castle." An instant later, she appeared in the throne room, before a very surprised Oberon and Titania.
"Ronni, what are you doing here?" Titania asked, immediately concerned. "Has something happened to Jareth?"
"Oh, Jareth is the same, as dense and stupid as ever," Veronica muttered. She took a deep breath. "I've left him, Titania. He doesn't love me, and I was a fool to think that he would. I need someplace to stay while I decide what to do next. Can I stay here?"
"Of course you can," Titania said warmly. "A servant will show you to a guestroom." She rang a little silver bell, and a fairy flew into the room. "Show Lady Veronica to the Peach Room." To a surprised Veronica, she said, "That is Jareth's favorite room, so I am certain you will like it too."
"Couldn't I..." Veronica started to protest.
"You must be tired," Titania said, not accepting any argument. "Go on, we will send for you when it is time for dinner."
Knowing she wasn't going to convince Titania to change her mind, Veronica followed the fairy out of the throne room.
The Fey Queen turned to her husband, concern and confusion in her eyes. "What has happened? I thought Jareth did love her."
"He does, he just has not realized it yet," Oberon muttered.
"If he has not realized it by now, he is the greatest idiot in the Underground," Titania declared sadly.
"If I know my brother, he has full knowledge of everything he has done. I believe all my chances of ruling the Labyrinth have run out." Oberon sighed heavily.
"They ran out when Jareth first laid eyes on Veronica, my love," Titania said, hope welling within her once more.
The throne room of the Goblin Castle was dark, cold, and empty, a perfect match for Jareth's mood. He walked into the room, after spending countless hours pacing the Escher Room's many staircases, and slumped into his throne, not bothering to light the torches.
**What have I done? I had the greatest gift anyone could receive here in my hands, and I threw it away. I threw it away!** In a fit of rage, Jareth formed a crystal and hurled it at a far wall, where it shattered. The destruction did nothing to help his hurricane of emotions.
Another emotion, despair, swept over him again. **I will never see her again. The only light in my world has gone out, never to return.** Jareth glanced at the pieces of shattered crystal on the stone floor. Rising from his throne, he slowly walked over to the mess, then picked up a large, razor-sharp shard. Pushing back one of his long sleeves, Jareth contemplated slashing his wrists and letting oblivion take him.
"It would be so easy," he murmured.
"Yer Majesty?" a voice asked quietly.
Jareth's head jerked up and he saw Hoggle standing in the doorway. The dwarf was practically shaking with fear from his monarch's icy glare.
"What is it, Hogwash?" Jareth asked quietly.
"Why dontcha go after 'er?" Hoggle asked, his eyes never leaving the floor. He knew Veronica loved Jareth, though Hoggle had no idea why, and he knew that Jareth truly loved Veronica. It only made sense for them to get back together.
"It is not that simple," Jareth murmured.
"Jus' tell 'er ya love 'er. Wha' could be simpler?"
**What could be simpler? Nothing, truly. Hedgehog is right, I have to tell her. First, I have to find her.** Jareth glanced at the dwarf. "I am going to get her back." Reluctantly, he added, "Thank you, Hoggle." **The best person to ask would be Titania. She is closest to Veronica.** With that, Jareth vanished.
He reappeared in the Fey Castle throne room. Oberon was there, but Titania was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Titania?" Jareth asked, near desperate.
"She is indisposed," Oberon said, seemingly unconcerned. Truthfully, he knew exactly why Jareth needed to speak to his wife.
"I must speak with her. It is of utmost importance," Jareth said. "Where is she?"
"She is visiting a friend."
Meanwhile, Titania was with Veronica in the Peach Room, trying to convince her to go back to Jareth.
"I am sure Jareth realizes how much you mean to him, Ronni," she said. "He has had several hours to think about it."
"If he truly loves me, let him come to me," Veronica muttered. She laid down on the bed and buried her head in one of the pillows, trying hard not to cry.
Jareth paced back and forth before an amused Oberon. The older king was trying hard not to laugh at the situation.
"You know you forfeit your kingdom if you do not produce an heir, Jareth," Oberon said, grinning slightly.
Jareth glared at his brother. "To the bog with my kingdom, I have lost Ronni."
"I think you are finally ready to see her." Oberon grinned widely at his brother's confused expression. "She is in the Peach Room with Titania."
Jareth was gone before Oberon was done speaking. He appeared in the Peach Room, and his heart broke at the sight of Veronica sobbing on the bed. Titania was trying to comfort her, but was having no luck at all. When she looked up and saw her brother-in-law, Titania smiled softly.
"It is about time, Jareth," she whispered, then vanished, leaving Jareth alone with his wife.
Veronica slowly raised her head, wondering where Titania had gone. When she saw her husband, she glared at him. "Get out, Jareth."
Jareth ignored her order, but could not ignore the pain in her eyes or the tears rolling down her cheeks. "How can I leave," he asked softly, "when I have finally realized what you mean to me?"
Swallowing hard, Veronica sat up slowly and faced Jareth. "What do I mean to you?" she asked cautiously.
"You mean everything to me," Jareth said, the softest of smiles on his lips. "I love you, Ronni."
Veronica stared at him saucer-eyed. "How ... how can I believe you? How do I know you're not just saying that to make me come back? You need me to have an heir, so how do I know you're not just trying to keep your kingdom still?"
Jareth knelt down in front of her, gazing into her eyes with total love and devotion. "I do not care about my kingdom. The moment you left, everything else was meaningless. All I could think about was you and how much I loved you."
Once again, there were tears in Veronica's eyes, but these were tears of happiness. "Jareth, I've loved you since almost the first moment I met you. Your devotion to Sarah was obvious, and I hoped that you would one day feel the same for me."
"But now I feel more for you than I ever felt for Sarah," Jareth said. "You are my wife, my love, and my best friend. You are my world, Ronni."
Veronica slowly wrapped her arms around him. Softly, she said, "And you are my universe, Jareth. Let's go home."
"As you wish, my darling," Jareth murmured before returning her embrace and kissing Veronica deeply.
They left the Fey Castle and returned to their own, ready to start their new life as the Goblin King and Queen.
The End
