The plot thickens! Sure, it is a little late in the story, but I promise that I will wrap it up soon. No song for this one, I can't find anything dark enough. Mwahaha....
Disclaimer: Blah Blah Blah..Jim Hensen....Laby characters. I do, however, own Delon.
Chapter 5
Blame Your Failure on Your Foolish Heart
Jareth looked around the darkened room. A bright light was shining from above, making it hard to see past the circle of light that surrounded him on the floor. He strained his eyes to try and make out Delon's figure, but was only met with dark shadows from all around him. He tried calling upon his magic to sense Delon's presence, but he could not even manage to conjure a spark.
"It really is a pity watching you try and conjure your magic. It is actually funny that you think you still have it. Go on, mighty Goblin King, and free yourself from your restraints." Delon's voice was cold and slithery. Jareth knew that it was futile to try and free himself, so he merely sat and stared at the ground in front of him.
"No? Not even the slightest movement? Such a pity. Well, dear Cousin, now that I have you undivided attention, let's clear up a few things."
"Yes, let's. I would like to know why you have surfaced after all this time. Why are you suddenly laying claims on my kingdom?" Jareth lifted his head to look straight at his cousin, who quickly averted Jareth's stare. "Why can't you look me in the eye and tell me the reason, Delon? Coward?" A smirk played upon Jareth's lips as his cousin bent down and met his gaze.
I hardly think that you are in the position to call anyone a coward. You, the mighty Jareth, who can't even convince his intended that she belongs with him. All this time, and you still don't have your queen. Your father certainly saw this coming." Delon chuckled evilly to himself, echoing throughout the room.
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember us as children, Jareth? We used to share everything. Our fathers are brother, after all, and they did spend a lot of time trying to rule the Underground together. Everything split equally. Too bad my father happened to be the weaker of the two. When he died, your father took care of me and my mother. Oh yes, quite comfortably, I might add. But he must have sensed that I would want more than just to live a life of devotion to his son, my dear cousin, to whom he had just given a kingdom of his very own. I wanted a kingdom, and he had just broken off one of his own for his son. So, wouldn't it be easy for him to do the same for me? Oh no! He couldn't make me equals with my cousin life ha had been with his brother. However, he made me a promise. He told me that you were to rule your goblin kingdom for all time, provided that you find true love within a certain amount of time. If not, then all that was yours would then be transferred to me. So, it looks like we are continuing to share, but don't expect me to let you help me rule. You see, in your quest for the lovely Sarah, you forgot all about this little amendment to the agreement between you and your father. And don't say that you had no idea because I have vivid recollections of that day. I know that you knew. I knew that you would be too spineless and weak to live up to your end of the bargain, so I bided my time. But no longer, cousin. Your time is up. More than up. You were given ten more years to woo your lady love. Gives a whole new meaning to her defeat of your labyrinth, doesn't it?" Delon laughed at Jareth's struggle against the ropes. "Don't bother. Now even your physical strength are enough for you to break free. No, my dear Jareth, you will live out your days in a place where people will forget about you. Too bad you don't have your magic to keep you company."
Delon snapped his fingers and Jareth was transported into another room. It had the same light shining from above, but it was weaker than before. His arms and legs were now free, and Jareth rubbed his wrists as his eyes adjusted to what little light was available. He groaned once he realized where he was. He was in an oubliette, one of his own making.
* * * * * * * *
Sarah wiped the tears away from her face, ready to admit her love to Jareth. She wanted him here with her, so that she could say all the things that she felt, to feel his hands smoothing her hair, to feel her heart skip a beat when she looked into his eyes. Smiling, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and called out to him.
"Jareth, we need to talk."
Silence.
"Jareth, could I please talk to you?"
Nothing
"Please?"
Her smile faded. He had never denied her before, even when they had argued. "He must be so angry with me," Sarah thought. She was anxious to talk to him. She rose from her chair and paced around her room like a caged animal. She didn't want to wait, but Jareth was obviously teaching her a lesson. She was almost positive that he could see everything that was going on, so she smiled as she said, "Okay, if that is they way you want it. I guess that it can wait until morning."
She quickly changed into her pajamas and got into bed, in a hurry to fall asleep so that morning would come.