It'sOnlyForever10 Ooh, are you guys in for a treat. This chapter is promised to be a good one and I want you all on the edge of your seats. After a long time of thinking and creating, this story is nearly finished. Well, at least this series. Or should it be? Haha, I love suspense and if you guys think it should be continued once the final chapter is in, let me know. This isn't the final chapter yet so don't worry. I like trying out different endings so once I'm finished, let me know if it needs more added. I sure hope you guys like this after all your great patience. Sorry for it taking so long. Both stories are keeping busy and soon I'll start working at my new job this summer so please continue with your patience and support. I'm trying my best to entertain you the best I know how. So, here we go.

Thanks Silver Surfer, Aurora, Usagi-chan, Jordan, Unicorn Lady (Still wanting to hear more of Searcher), Melissa Davis and all my wonderful reviewers. Sorry, I'm not on the net right now so I can't check out all the names right now but you are all important to me. It's a great honor to write for such an appreciate audience. I'm still looking for a Beta Reader and if any want to volunteer, email me. The perks? Ah come one, think about. You get to read what everyone else wants to before they do. Appealing? Let me know. I might just have to ask my sister but I know that would ruin it for her and she is busy too. Haha, she always says, "If I don't read it, I won't get anxious to read more when its done." She always does.

Disclaimer: I don't own Jim Henson's wonderful production of Labyrinth or the characters. Felara, Dar, the mysterious lady and others are mine. Titania and Oberon are borrow from Shakespeare. Cha!

*>~SFS~*

It's Only Forever

Chapter Ten
Loved

Sarah wandered the castle glancing at a portrait here, a statue there but really not paying attention. It had been about two weeks since the incident and as Felara had promised, she never saw Jareth alone. But something became evident during that time as well. Jareth seemed preoccupied, either pacing, searching the library or suddenly leaving the castle quite quickly. He no longer seemed to pay her any attention.

She sighed. But wasn't this what she wanted? Sarah shook her head. She no longer knew what she wanted. She thought of the times they had spent together and she did miss those times. Had she been to quick to judge him? All because of some silly dream.

Dreams. Hadn't Felara told Sarah that she should speak to Jareth about her dreams? Why hadn't she? It always seemed to slip her mind. Perhaps now would be the time. But that meant... alone. No, she needed to understand herself before telling of them. Perhaps the books in the library. They might give insight to these people she always saw in her dreams. Maybe they really existed. Only one way to find out.

She entered the library, finding it empty and walked by shelves, glancing at titles. Quite suddenly she saw a very old looking book in a forgotten corner, covered in dust with a few finger prints of recent use. History of The Fae the title read. For some reason Sarah felt drawn to take it down and carefully she brought it to a nearby armchair by the fireplace. She lifted each page gently until she suddenly stopped two thirds through the book and came across the heading The Tragic End of the Fae Court. Sarah read of betrayal, an unknown force that took the earth and destroyed through trickery and a power unknown. No one knew of its coming except for those who joined it and one other.

A prince. Sarah let out a small gasp as something flashed before her, a man, too quick to see his face. She shook her head and continued reading. What followed that history was the story of that prince. His mother died when he was a child, he had a younger brother... Sarah shivered involuntarily, not knowing why... his father had declared him heir to an unknown kingdom and... he had had a true love. For some reason Sarah felt as if she could hear the soft melody of a flute playing. Still she kept reading.

She had been from another kingdom, the relative of its rulers. The kingdom's origins were blurred on the page as if not to be known. Sarah squinted bu still could not make the words out.

"It's no good," a voice spoke, "I've tried already." Sarah looked up and Jareth was standing nearby. She glanced about nervously for Hoggle but he was no where to be found. She looked uneasily at Jareth whose face betrayed the pain he felt at her nervous nature, "Would you rather I leave?"

Sarah relaxed somewhat, saddened by the pain she had caused him, "No. You can stay."

He smiled a little and gestured for another chair, taking a seat, "I've been reading from that book as well, though I don't understand why, and always I stop there, trying to decipher those words. But it's no use."

Sarah nodded, "i'm curious to know where she's from but why should I be? It just doesn't make sense." She began reading aloud, not really knowing why, "'Queen Titania wished the prince to show the princess the kingdom and during her stay, a love was born betwixt them.'"

Jareth's face seemed to take on a curious look as she read on, "'His brother, a disturbed man, who did seem to hate his brother, seemed unhappy by this for he too was taken by this princess' beauty and lusted to make her his."" Sarah's face screwed up in disgust, "Sick man."

Jareth chuckled at her expression, still feeling a nagging in his mind about what she read. She continued, "'A time came after she had left where a threat appeared before both kingdoms. the prince insisted on traitors in the court and amongst the humans they shared a peace with. In disgrace he was banished from the court, called a fool for such thoughts. He did not believe the other kingdom could carry the threat but rather the humans were and a force he didn't understand. Already he suspected his own brother who had vanished weeks before.'"

"'Though the kingdoms entries had been sealed shut, the two lovers still met in secret. She worried for her cousin whose love was to a human and her prince assured her all would be right for them. They met often in a secret glen, no one knows where, but always she was guided by the melody of his flute.'" Sarah's breath quickened. It was so familiar, this story... its description. Jareth's face also seemed haunted or was that just the shadows cast by the fire?

Rain began to patter on the large windows, a low rumble of thunder sounding as Sarah read on, "'After his banishment from the court, the prince once again met with his love, telling her of the growing danger and promising never to leave her and to meet with him again after that, where they were to marry. It was the last time they met.'" Sarah grew very pale, visibly shaking. She couldn't breath, "This is too spooky," she whispered.

"Sarah," Jareth, his own voice shaken, took her hand, leaning forward, "What is it?"

Sarah swallowed hard, knowing she had to tell him. Tell him everything about her dreams, "Jareth, I've seen this." She spoke of her dreams and as she did a dawning of shock came over Jareth's face. He told her of his similar dreams as well and Sarah grew more shaken.

"But why do we dream of them? Who are they?"

Jareth looked at the book, 'Read on. Perhaps we may find out what became of them."

Swallowing, she did, holding dearly to his hand, her voice somewhat still shaking, "'Return she did but could not find her prince's glen. Instead she found the burning remains of a fae village...'" Sarah choked a bit and Jareth gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Smiling weakling she continued, "'Searching for the home of her love she was found by a dark man, seen by no one. She was told of her prince's betrayal of her, that he had left a coward, abandoning his people. Unbelieving she was shown a vision of his running and death by the hand of humans,'" again Sarah choked back a sob, her eyes watering in remembrance of that dream, the emotions.

"Do you want to stop?" Jareth asked gently.

She shook her head, "No, I have to know what happened." She read on, "'The princess was taken by this dark man, broken in the knowledge of her love's apparent betrayal of her and of his death. She was taken to this dark man's manor, her will broken and let it be known, this man was the prince's very own brother. He had what he wanted even as the fae kingdom burned around him, but still his wishes were not fulfilled for he lusted for his brother's kingdom as well and knew his brother must die ere it be his. Yes, his brother still lived and did make his way to the manor.'" Here the words blurred in places again. Sarah made out what she could, "'Fight insued... fire took the house... left his... love... to die.'" Sarah stared at the page in sadness, looking at Jareth, tears filling her eyes, "He left her to die. He didn't even try to save her. She died, thinking him dead."

Jareth was still, amazement on his face and yet unbelief filled his mind. No, that was not it. But how would he know? "Are there any pictures of them?"

Carefully, Sarah turned the page and slowly lifted the gauze that covered the pages. Utter shock and horror covered her face and the book fell to the floor with crash as she rose quickly, steeping away, hands to her mouth. Jareth got up, going to her, "What? What is it, Sarah?"

With a shaky finger she pointed to the book on the floor. Jareth looked and in the firelight two faces were portrayed on each page. Lightening flashed from outside on the faces as Jareth was filled with utter shock.

The faces were of him and Sarah.

Sarah suddenly jerked as if hit and fell to the floor in a dead faint.

"Sarah? Sarah!" Jareth knelt beside her, grasping her head and shaking her gently, worry written all over his face. "Please," he whispered, "Wake up."

Sarah remained still. Yet it was evident that her eyes did move about quickly behind her lids.

* * *

"My dear," the voice slithered behind her ear. She spun around from looking out the window. It seemed the world did burn all around her. She paled at the dark haired man who grinned wickedly, "What would you have of me, Darren?" she whispered.

"Oh, that I could have thee," he spoke, "But still thou doth resist me."

"Drop the formality, Darren," she spoke disdainfully as she again looked out the tall window, "You are not even of the royal court yet you think yourself their equal."

He grabbed her arm, spinning her to face him closely, "I am more then they ever were!" he roared in her face, anger twitching in his eye. Trembling inside, she held strong not to show it, looking him in the eye. He calmed down, lessening his grip and with his other hand, stroking her face and pressing his lips hard to hers. The feeling burned into her and she turned away in disgust and he smirked, "Resisting will help you nothing. Sooner or later you will yield."

"You disgrace your brother's memory! But then I suppose you never had any honor. How easy it was for you to join this evil and become powerful, getting what you want. Why can you not leave me to my grief and take your winnings? The fae are dead and you are to blame and yet it is not enough, is it?"

"No," he hissed, pressing closer that she was pressed against the wall near the window, "I still have you and you will be mine!"

Angrily she spat in his face. Slowly, he swiped at his face, gripping her tighter that she winced in pain. His eyes seemed to swirl like a dark mist and she felt paralyzed. "Yes," he whispered, "You will. Not much longer. You will." He turned and left, leaving her as she sank to the floor, choking back sobs, scrubbing her lips with her hand and holding herself close. Tears falling down her face, she laid a hand on the cool window pain and looked to the sky. The moon shone full yet dark clouds seemed to clasp it as if death itself was coming to claim it. Hot tears spilt again as she whispered names dear to her. Would she ever see her family again? She had to warn them but was it already too late?

"My love," she whispered, "Why did you leave? Please, come back to me." She lent against the window, wishing the coolness to soothe her. She knew nothing could bring him back. She was alone with a mad man. Nothing could save her.

A cat came and rubbed against her, purring. Absently she stroked it, all a while thinking of her lost love.

'I am not lost to you.' It was a whisper that startled her as she glanced at the cat. It seemed to glow and grow until there sat man, smiling.

She felt as if her breath had been sucked out of her, tears of happiness flowing, "Jareth! Y-you're alive!" she whispered. His grin broadened and they embraced, running his hands through her hair, "I was never dead," he whispered.

She looked in his eyes, "I thought I had lost you forever."

"You never will." Gently they kissed, his hand touching her face and wiping away her tears. Regretfully he pulled away, "I must leave. I cannot be seen here and I must face off my brother. Stay here until I return."

"No," she whispered, "I will never leave your side again."

He looked sadly at her, "I need to go alone." He could see the fear in her eyes, thinking him to leave her again. He held her face gently, "I will return," he embraced her, "I swear it."

He kissed her again as she regretfully let him leave, new tears forming. As he left through a door he glanced back to her, "I love you Sarah." and he was gone.

Once again alone, Sarah wept, whispering, "I love you too, Jareth."

* * *

The room felt hot. She found herself running out of the room, searching. She could hear cries of anger, somewhere, the sounds of breaking glass and the sudden heat and smoke that began to form. Coughing she ran down halls, up and down stairs, looking through doors, all the while the smoke growing thicker. Suddenly she came to a room engulfed in flames. Backing away quickly she searched for a door out of the manor. Running upstairs she came to another room with a large window. Quickly she went to it but found it locked. She was about to leave when flames took over the doorway. She was trapped as the room soon filled with flames, licking up the furniture and curtains, cornering her at the window. Coughing hard and filled with terror, she tried to break the window but was not strong enough.

Suddenly she noticed a fleeing figure down on the ground below. Could it be? No, and yet it looked to be...

"Jareth!" Frantically she looked for something to break the window. Taking a heavy fire poker she hit the glass but the iron panes held, leaving only small spaces where the glass broke. "Jareth, help me!" she cried but he did not turn or respond but disappeared into the woods.

"Don't leave me!!" tears fell as the flames came closer. She choked and coughed, falling to her knees, "Nooo!" she cried as she grew weaker, "Jareth, no..." she fell to the floor, her vision blurring. The last she heard was the shattering of glass and wood splintering as the fire claimed the room. Her face grew still, eyes looking at the window as a tear fell and the world went dark.

* * *

Sarah awoke with a gasp and saw Jareth's concerned face over her. She sat up pulling away and rising quickly, a hand to her mouth, "You... you left," she gasped, "You left me to die."

Jareth was confused and yet memories came to him as if a dam had been released, "No, I would never leave you."
Sarah choked back tears, "I saw you run. You left me without even trying to save me." Her face twisted in agony, "I begged you not to leave and you did!"

"Sarah, no..." but she ran from the library, ran from the castle and stumbled through the gardens, sobs escaping her, the rain mingling with her tears, soaking her through as lightening and thunder crashed in the night about her. She could hear Jareth calling after her but she continued to run. Emotions rushed through her, memories of another life and it choked her, leaving little breath in her. Somehow she found herself in her garden and she collapsed at the fountain, trying with all her might to keep the sickening feeling her stomach from rising. She rose again as Jareth ran to her. "Stay away!"

"Sarah, please," he pleaded, "You must come back."

"No, you betrayed me. You let me die! So many years ago, I don't know how I am here today but I will not be tricked again!"

Jareth felt helpless. Even as he felt the storm crash about him, memories of a forgotten past came. He recalled a fight, a sword fight with a dark man, an oil lamp crashing to the floor, fire growing as the fight ensued, a hit to the dark man, a knock to the head as he fell and the dark man ran. Waking minutes later, dazed and rushing through the house, finding her room empty, frantically searching for her, hearing his name screamed from above, rushing through the smoke and fire, finding a room engulfed in flames and sarah laying on the floor. He cried out to her, trying to get through but the heat was intense. He couldn't reach her. He saw a window near by and throwing a chair through it, made his way through and onto a thin ledge to the window of the burning room. With a word he caused the window to shatter, pane and all and leapt into the room, picking up Sarah's limp body in his arms and leeping to the ground two stories below, the soft ground breaking his fall. Two thirds of the manor was engulfed in flames as rain began to fall.

He tried to wake her but she was so pale, badly burned and the breath gone out of her. He tried to heal her and still nothing. dark smudges were on her face and hands, her dress burned in different places and a tear trail was evident on her smudged face. He cried out, holding her close to his breast and shaking as he ran his hands through her dark hair, tears falling like the rain. He could do nothing and agony tore through his heart like knives driven through him.

He had lost her.

And here, in this storm he was losing her again, "No Sarah," he caled out, 'i searched you out. But I was too late. I tried and tried," he choked back, "But you were gone."

"How can I believe you?" she cried in sorrow. Her emotions were in turmoil, some wanting to believe him but still...

"Here," he thrust out an arm, bringing up his sleeve and she saw a deep scar along his forearm, "I was cut when I went through the window to save you. I never healed it. It was a reminder of my failure." He went to her, kneeling, 'I swore once I would never leave you, that I would protect you and I failed. I will not leave you again, not now, not ever."

Sarah choked on her tears, both of happiness and surprise. Yes, he loved her and she him. It could be denied no longer as he knelt there before her.

"Sarah, I tell you now, I have loved you more then life itself and have lived in the knowledge that I failed you. I will not let that happen again."

Sarah took his hands, "I have loved you as well, I just never saw it. We were forever meant to be together."

Jareth was filled with joy as he heard those words and held her hands. He looked into her eyes, tears and rain falling on both their faces. "Once, long ago, I asked you something and I ask once again. Lady Sarah, wouldest thou be my wife?"

Sarah wept for happiness as he looked at her with such love, "Yes, I will."

His smile widened and he rose, embracing her, "My Sarah, how I've missed you." He looked in her eyes, "Never again shall we be parted."

"Never," she whispered as they came closer and a soft and gentle kiss was made. Like a clear bell, a 'yes' was heard but the two did not seem to notice. They were in their own little heaven as the kiss deepened and they held each other close. Nothing would pull them apart.

A slow clapping was heard and both turned suddenly to the source as a man walked towards them through the darkness and rain. "How touching," he spoke sarcastically, "A happy reunion and happily ever after. But I think not. I always hated happy endings."

Sarah gasped, holding tighter to Jareth as Jareth's face darkened and anger filled him. A single word left him like lightening.

"Dar."

~@%~@%~@%~

So I believe this will be eye candy for all you impatient readers. Hope you enjoyed. In the words of a fellow writer and that cute little hat,

"Please, leave a contribution in the little box."