The verdict is in

The verdict is in. This seems to be a big hit with all! And I get many requests to finish it quickly. I know it's been a while between chapters and I do apologize. Now that I'm home from school I have a job and it keeps me busy. But on the good side, I now have my own computer. Actually, I'm typing this up on it. I should be getting Internet connection soon too, once I can get a phone line longs enough to reach the jack in the next room. It was mom's suggestion. Anyway, enough of my chatter, on to the story. One note though. This IS the LAST chapter. I am thinking of continuing it. It will be matching up with another fanfic I have in mind (crossover if you will) but I'm not sure if I should just continue with this story first or crossover with the fanfic. Only problem is if I crossover it'll be a while cause the other story isn't ready yet. So here's the poll question: Finish this story first or wait and crossover eventually? Let me know. Ya know I love your responses.

Thanks to Unicorn Lady, Archaic Tear, Usagi Tsukino (I must say, these three have been very faithful J ), Crystal Moon, Sarah Beth, Melissa Davis, Tae (I know, it's been a long wait and I'm very sorry. I don't mean to be cruel. Can you ever forgive me? *bambi eyes*)l, traeumanHerz, Silver Space, Kate, Xelena, Melissa Johnson, and a whole lot more. I'd love to put everyone's name down but there's too many. But isn't that great? Well, you are all appreciated and I love reading your reviews. Most of them are very humorous and get me laughing for a while. Thanks again, all faithful fans. I strive to keep you entertained and hope you'll continue reading. Cha!

*~SFS~*

Disclaimer: Labyrinth is not mine, blah blah. Felara & Dar are mine.

Its Only Forever

Chapter Eleven

Forever

He gave a sweeping bow and laughed, "well it seems not all went as I had planned but this will do just as nicely. It'll make it all the more painful…for you."

"Darren," Sarah whispered, remembering the mad man. Jareth stood in front of her, summoning a crystal to his hand, "Even if I now remember you it will not change anything, Dar."

"Oh dear brother, hath thee still such hate for thine own kind? How much this would have saddened mother."

Jareth's eyes flashed, pointing an angry finger at Dar, "You would have broken her heart! How could you become this?"

"Power!" Dar hissed, "The day you were named ruler of all this my heart envied. Why could it not be mine? You did not even care for it!"

Father named us both…"

"But you would be high ruler. I will rule under no one!"

Jareth's face saddened somewhat, almost like pity, "That day drove us apart. Surely my brother is still in there. You say you will never rule under anyone and yet you did. The evil, so long ago…it ruled you. Darren…"

"That's not my name anymore!" Dar yelled, "That man was weak, pitiful to say the least."

"He was my brother."

"I have no brother!" Dar yelled, anger flowing through his words and face, as if he wasn't even aware of what he had just said.

Jareth looked down and spoke, "Then my brother is truly dead to me." He looked up, his face steely, "Tell me…Dar, how did you manage to enter the Labyrinth without me noticing?"

"Easy enough. My master gave me quite a power for my services before it disappeared forever. I am equal if not stronger then your powers. Unfortunately even I cannot fully grasp them. You still seem to be able to stop me from getting her," he gestured to Sarah, "I wonder how that is? Even a fae cannot have your powers. Perhaps it is because you are king? I don't really think so."

"You say the evil disappeared," Sarah spoke, curious, "That would mean it lost." Her eyes brightened, "My family may yet be living."

Dar gave a mocking laugh, "Haha, your pitiful family died at the hands of my master. The evil disappeared by means I do not even understand. I survived by living in the Black Forest. No human or stranger would dare enter it. It cannot even be found." He laughed again, "Lady Sarah, you are the last of your kind. Your family died fighting a battle they could not win."

Sarah brought her hands to her face, horror and tears threatening, "My aunt, cousin, everyone…dead? She looked at Dar, disbelief written on her face, "No, you lie. You've tricked me before. You're doing it again! Liar!"

Dar looked mocking and yet a steely truth lay in his words, "Why not ask your precious prince?"

Sarah looked at Jareth, fear in her heart. Sadly he nodded. Sarah couldn't breath. She whisper, "No, no!!! I could have saved them. No!!!" She was going crazy, Jareth trying to calm her but she was shaking too much, sobs breaking her breathing as she continually sobbed, "Not them too…not them too…"

Dar seemed very amused, "Yes, this is perfect! She goes mad with memories better then seduction. You wouldn't believe the dreams I gave her of you, Jareth. Such a wolf."

Jareth was growing angrier but before he could do anything, Dar made a motion and Sarah appeared in his arms, twisting about, "Now she is ripe for the picking, is she not Jareth?"

Sarah paled at the comment, trying with all her strength to get away, still overcome with emotion. Jareth remembered the comment well and fresh anger came. He tightened his hold on the crystal in his hand and it glowed, forming a crystal sword in his hand, "I warned you once…"

"Warn me again for all I care! I like mine mad!" At this Dar held Sarah close to him and kissed her passionately. Jareth roared and rushed at Dar who shoved Sarah to the ground and produced a sword of his own, "oh yes, I've been waiting to finish this fight for centuries."

The swords clashed, Jareth seething with his old arrogance, "Let's finish this then already." And the fight of over a thousand years began again as the storm heightened around them. Sarah groaned, leaning against the rain soaked fountain side, trying to rise. She felt she was losing her mind. Her family...dead? No. Even now her true love fought for her. He was not lost to her. Visions of her father, Toby and even Karen floated to her mind. No, she still had her family. She could not go crazy to satisfy this lunatic. She rose, determination in her. But what could she do? She had not powers like Jareth.

'Yes, my dear,' a soft voice spoke to her. Somehow it sounded familiar, 'you do. You just have to find it.' Still Sarah felt helpless.

Jareth slashed at Dar who parried back, getting a cut to his hand, blood dripping. Ignoring it he thrust at Jareth, who jumped clear, twisting in the air and giving a flying kick to Dar's head. He hit the ground, dropping his sword as Jareth landed over it. Dar sat up stiffly, wiping the blood from his jaw, "Think you've won? Who needs a sword?" He gestured to Sarah.

She suddenly felt her chest burn as she fell to her knees. Even through her dress the claw mark glowed a dark red. Sarah coughed and cried out, holding her chest and falling to her hands.

"You forget, Jareth," Dar smirked, "She's already mine. I've marked her…for life!" He drove his hand forward and Sarah suddenly stood straight on her knees, a glow appearing about her. She couldn't move or even blink. She floated into the air and to Dar who stood and grabbed her, the glow about her going out.

"You remember, don't you Jareth?" chuckled Dar, "Once Fae struck there is no cure. That person belongs to the fae who struck them. So you see, I have won. But still you need to be destroyed. And what better way then for you to watch her suffer. Or better yet…"

He moved his hand to the open air beside him and lightening struck the ground as power left Dar's hand and joined with the bolt. The air crackled like fire and the wind began spinning in the air. Suddenly a large blue electric vortex appeared, spinning like a twister and sucking up anything near it. Sarah grew very afraid and struggled again to get free. What power could she possibly have that could combat with that?

'Your love.'

Again she heard the soft voice. She looked frantically at Jareth whose face was filled shock. Dar grinned, "Know what this is? A vortex to nowhere. I could send you to a 'place' where no one will ever find you again. And better yet, you won't even know who you are. What could drive a person madder then this? It's better then just having you dead and it leaves me to this delicious little dish here, and you knowing it."

"You monster!" Sarah screamed, biting and kicking. Dar took hold of her chin fiercely, "I'd watch what I'd say if I were you!" He slapped her hard, sending her to the ground. Sarah hit her head on the stone fountain wall as she fell and was out cold. Blood oozed on the rain soaked ground around her. Jareth rushed in bringing his sword at Dar. Dar's sword again appeared in his hand and he pointed it at Sarah's still form, the rain falling on her, "Care to try it? How much do you really love her? Or do you hate me more? Go ahead, kill me and I swear, she dies too!"

Jareth stepped back. Dar smirked, "Smart move. Now drop the sword. Good. So, to prove how much you actually love this girl, you will go through the vortex, never to return. It's even better then killing you. Eternal madness and suffering. What could be better?"

Jareth glared, "You're mad, Dar."

Dar brought Sarah to him, her body limp in his arms as he pressed the blade to her throat, "And you're suicidal!"

Suddenly through the pouring rain and darkness a blue bolt hit Dar in the chest, sending him flying. Sarah fell to the ground but Jareth quickly caught her up, healing her head wound quickly and praying she would be all right. He glanced about for the source of the bolt and out of the darkness walked the glowing Felara, "Don't you ever lay another filthy finger on my daughter again!"

Surprise filled Jareth. Daughter? Felara was Sarah's mother?

Dar groaned and glared at the lady, "And who might you be?"

"Your worst nightmare," she waved her hands before her and another invisible bolt shot through the air, knocking Dar hard on the ground. She quickly went to Jareth and knelt beside him, checking on Sarah, "She'll awake soon. I could have come sooner but as I had said, I couldn't interfere."

"What changed your mind?"

Felara smiled gently, stroking Sarah's face, "I had to wait till you both remembered on you own and until she called."

"Did she?"

Felara nodded, "Her call for help when she is in danger is something that comes from within. A mother/daughter connection you might say." She rested a hand on Jareth's confused face, "I know, there is much to explain and sometime you shall hear it. Right now, the feud with your brother must be finished."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Dar was standing staggering in front of the vortex, one arm hanging limply, sword in hand and a sneer on his bloodied lips. Jareth was about to stand when he heard a soft groan from Sarah in Felara's arms, "Jareth."

"Sarah," he whispered, "it will be all right." He kissed her forehead gently and stood, facing Dar, "Let's end this, evil one."

"My pleasure." They clashed swords again but Sarah noticed something very wrong, weak as she was, and gasped, "Jareth, look out!"

For Dar had begun to form energy in his limp hand and aimed at Jareth. But at Sarah's warning he was able to escape the worst of it and instead took it in the arm. Jareth fell to the ground, grunting as his sword again clattered away. Sarah wanted to go to him but Felara stopped her, "No child, you are too weak."

Dar chuckled, "Exactly how I like it. Now, time for you, my dear." He pointed a glowing hand at her and Sarah cried out as her chest burned once more, the claw mark appearing again. Dar laughed but stopped as there suddenly appeared a blue haze barrier around Felara and Sarah. Felara held Sarah on her lap and glared at Dar. He grew angrier and his lips twitched, "So it'll be that way. You think you can block her mark? What witch are you? No one can do this!" He raised his hands and energy poured forth at the two. Sarah suddenly cried out, "NOOO!!"

For Jareth at that moment had jumped in the line of fire and was hit hard, falling to the ground. This time Sarah went to him, pain as it was, "No, Jareth!"

Dar seemed between shock and triumph, taking a step back, only to trip too close into range of the vortex. With a cry, he grabbed hold of a tree to keep from being sucked in. "Brother!"

Jareth did rise though badly burned, "I'm all right, Sarah." He slowly made his way to Dar, fighting against the vortex pull. Sarah was completely baffled as Felara held her back.

"Why save me?" Dar asked.

"No man deserves this, especially my brother. Can it be, my brother still lives?"

"Aye, he does still," Dar called out, grunting against the pull.

Jareth grabbed Dar's hand and Dar suddenly sneered, "What a fool you are to save your enemy. The evil one you know will never die!" At this Dar let go of the tree and was pulled along with Jareth closer to the vortex. Jareth grabbed the tree, still gripping Dar's hand. He pulled Dar closer, "I have a request before this death you have planned."

Dar laughed, "What would that be?"

Grunting in pain but anger driven Jareth spoke hoarsely, right into Dar's face, "I want my brother back." He threw a crystal at Dar and it burned into his chest, causing him to let go of Jareth. Anger and terror was Dar's face as he was sucked into the vortex, shrieking madly until nothing of him could be heard or seen.

Jareth slumped weakly against the tree, still hanging on. He was still threatened with being pulled in and with Dar gone the vortex seemed to crackle, getting stronger. Sarah struggled against Felara to go to Jareth, "No, you mustn't."

Tears fell as Sarah cried out, 'I won't lose him again!"

Felara seemed to just let her go as Sarah broke free and ran to Jareth, trying to fight the pull but she was not as strong as Jareth had been, and felt herself suddenly lift as she cried out. Jareth reached out for her and they gripped each other and the tree. Jareth looked to Felara. She seemed unaffected by all these events, neither wet nor fighting the pull. Her face was sad as she looked at Sarah. Even in her present situation Sarah felt she knew Felara from another time. She knew not what Jareth knew.

Jareth was powerless against this force. He called to Felara above the roar, "Felara, you must do something!"

Felara seemed to give a sad nod even as their hold on the tree loosened. Like slow motion they lost their grip even as Felara chanted:

"To nowhere shall thee not go,

But to a place thou did know.

For each other shall thee seek,

To hope perchance again one day meet."

A soft glow surrounded them even as they flew into the vortex, separated from each other. Sarah tried to hold Jareth's hand as did he and cried out as his hand was ripped away, "Jareth!"

"Sarah!"

Tears streamed as Sarah and Jareth vanished and the vortex closed. Felara looked into the sky as the rain finally ceased and the moon peeked through the clouds. A reflection glittered in the fountain pool and a face appeared of the white lady. Felara sat down at the fountain's edge. "I could not stop it."

"It was meant to be, Felara," the lady spoke, "It is for the better."

"There will be no evil this time?"

"That I do not know. But something is to happen. She may meet your brother's family yet."

Felara nodded, "Perhaps. If only… She did not realize it. Even now. I never left her side."

"In time, Felara. You will see her again. But for the problem at hand."

Felara nodded, looking around the dark garden as the stars started to shine, "Underground is without its king and even now Labyrinth weeps her loss." She suddenly smiled softly at a nearby rosebush where two new rose buds, a yellow & dark red one with the weight of the water on them.

"But there will be a king once more." She touched the yellow once gently, speaking thoughtfully, "And perhaps a queen."

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