A/N: Sorry, sorry, I know it's
Tuesday *bows regretfully* I was
writing last night around midnightish, so I could post kind of on time, and my
computer sporatically crashed. I'm
temporarily without one, so posting could be a little random. A thousand appologies!
Disclaimer: If I owned
Labyrinth, would I be hanging out on ffn writing fluffy romance stories? Actually, yes. Nevermind…
For You
Part Fifteen
Sarah yawned and stretched sleepily. A disappointed sigh slipped through her lips when she found herself alone, and in her own bed in the palace. She almost would have thought that last night had been a dream, were it not for the red rose and note on her bedside table.
I love you (remember that.) Meet me in the entry hall when you awaken. We'll take a tour of the Underground countryside.
Forever Yours,
~ Jareth
Sarah couldn't help but smile to herself as she got ready that morning. Any day away from those obnoxious lords and ladies had to be an enjoyable day.
And it was indeed. Although it was probably for the best that the two lovebirds were left alone, because their conversations would have gotten quite sickening to the casual observer.
"What's that?" Sarah would ask, pointing to some ornate building.
"That's one of our schools and I love you."
"Did you attend there? You have beautiful eyes."
"No, I had a private tutor, and your hair looks ravishing today."
And the like. They probably would have continued in this way for a few days straight, if it weren't for the highly prestigious, social-event-of-the-century ball that was being held in Jareth's honor that night. Before going their separate ways to prepare, Sarah asked the one thing that had been bothering her all day.
"Did they catch anyone in the palace last night?"
"Sorry love, but no. I've heard there was a very rigorous chase, before Abien vanished." What Jareth failed to mention was that he had also heard that the last thing Abien had said, before disappearing into a cloud of black smoke, was that he "would be certain to make an appearance at your little celebration." Jareth, however, brushed the comment aside. What was the point in worrying Sarah, when he would be at her side all night? Abien wouldn't have a chance.
***
"If you don't mind me asking –?"
"I do, but get on with it." Abien interrupted with a wave of his hand. He had just returned from the Elysian Palace and had much on his mind.
"What was yer reason behind jest sneekin' around in the shadows at Elysian?" Hoggle asked timidly, knowing how easy it was to incur Abien's wrath.
"I wasn't sneaking." Abien replied coolly. "I was gathering information. I expect you don't remember what the fae court looks like?"
"No. I was only a little 'un when I came 'ere." Hoggle replied, not liking the direction this conversation was taking.
"A pity. It's quite lovely. Well, you'll get your chance to see it soon enough."
"What do you mean?"
"You're coming with me tonight, of course. I can't very well make my flashy entrance without my right hand man. Or goblinish dwarf, or whatever you may be." Hoggle made no attempts to clear that matter up. He was too busy wincing at the thought of being Abien's right hand anything.
***
Sarah sat staring absently into her vanity mirror. She gingerly ran her fingers over her pure white gown. It's thread-thin silver straps clung to her shoulders, as did the tight, snowy bodice, which was embedded with several small crystals. The skirt spread out at her hips, intricately embroidered with shimmering silver, puffing slightly and swirling at her every move. Her hair was swept up from her face, except for a few stubborn tendrils, which no amount of magic could keep up. A dainty circlet of crystals was set in her hair, and Jareth's pendant weighed heavily against her chest. A pair of glass, Cinderella-esque slippers completed the production. Now all I need is a ring, Sarah thought wistfully. Oh well. That would have to wait.
It felt like the minutes were dragging by in hours. As much as Sarah was looking forward to the ball, she was still quite uneasy. What Sarah really wanted to do was talk to Jen. He was one of the few agreeable fae she had met in the court, and was eager to hear more about "Jareth the Prince." Jen had told her some very…interesting stories, some of which involved fishnet tights and teacups….
Of course, Kira was bound to show up. Even though Sarah felt a little sorry for her, loosing first the Labyrinth and then her firstborn, but Kira's overwhelmingly obnoxious personality made sure that outright annoyance overtook sympathy.
Also on Sarah's agenda was a little chat with Dantriven. He was quite nice, to be sure, and Sarah got a sense that he was wiser than he let on, but he also seemed rather reluctant to talk to her about Abien. The entire court in general took the opinion that women could not understand politics, but Sarah refused to let that stand in her way.
There was one tiny snag, however, one miniscule obstacle that would have to be overcome before Sarah could start campaigning for women's rights. It was a masked ball.
The thought terrified Sarah. She knew all too well what masked balls in the Underground could mean. Ugly faces leering, couples with their hands all over each other, and Jareth constantly out of reach… But this was no drug-induced illusion, and Sarah didn't have any family members to save. And Jareth would always be by her side.
Picking up her silver mask, Sarah positioned it over her eyes. It stayed up by itself, without any strings to support it. It only covered her eyes and a part of her cheeks, as minimal as she could go while still following "etiquette" rules. Apparently fae prided themselves in being mysterious. Well I'm not going to hide behind a different face, Sarah thought resolutely.
"You look blindingly beautiful." Said a cultured voice from behind her. Sarah turned in her vanity seat, smiling up at Jareth.
"As do you." She replied. Dressed in tights of a deep, navy blue, and a very elegant silver embroidered shirt of the same color, Jareth's hair looked like a soft pool of moonlight, for it was much tamer than usual. A silvery cloak was draped around his shoulders. Sarah stopped smiling for a moment to frown at his mask. It was silver, like hers, and also rather small, like hers. But the brow bone and such were contorted into gruesome, ghoulish features that made Sarah shudder.
"It's just a mask." Jareth said gently, pulling it back so Sarah could see his face clearly. "I'm still me." Sarah took his proffered hand and stood, kissing him softly on the nose before he covered it up again.
"Ready?" He asked, his arm snaking around her waist.
"Ready." She replied firmly.
***
"So Jareth comes running in, clutching a stitch in his side, trying not to laugh, and he says, "don't worry father, I have the elephant under control." And Dantriven looks at him, and he looks at me, and says --."
"Excuse me Jen, but have you seen Jareth anywhere?" Jen and Sarah glared up at the interruption. Sure enough, it was Kira. Sarah glanced around the table. Jareth had been their a second ago, trying to tell more outrageous stories, but failing quite wonderfully because he was laughing so hard.
"He probably saw her coming." Jen whispered to Sarah. Then, turning to Kira he said brightly, "I think I saw him heading in the direction of the meeting hall." As Kira flounced off in search of Jareth, Jen added, "That should keep her out of the way for awhile."
"You would think she'd get the hint." Sarah sighed, fingering her necklace and peering out into the masked crowd, a little disappointed that Jareth would take such a quick exit.
"Kira's too obsessed to notice anything else. There was this other fae who liked her once, though I can't remember who…" Sarah had stopped listening. It didn't seem right for Jareth to just leave like that, not after he had promised her he would stay with her.
"I think I need some fresh air." Sarah said suddenly. Jen smiled knowingly.
"There's a balcony on the other side of the ballroom." He said, pointing. "It has a very beautiful view. And I'll send Jareth your way if I see him."
Sarah nodded her thanks, and pushed her way through the crowd. It was all too familiar, with dozens of masked faces staring at her, and wondering where her escort had gotten to. Honestly, Sarah thought furiously, can't these people mind their own business? And their dresses are certainly…interesting. Nearly all of them were strapless, and showing far to much cleavage for even the cover of a playboy. Kira's fascinating little crimson number had featured a low neckline and high slit that practically met.
"Lady Sarah, right?" Came a sophisticated voice from behind her. Sarah turned to find a tall fae in blood red attire, with a rather frightening black demonic mask and shining black boots. Sarah pulled a quick curtsey, eager to get away. "What's happened to your King?"
"I don't know. He just sort of, disappeared." Sarah said, waving her hand.
"King Dantriven probably pulled him away. I can take you to his throne room, if you like."
"Thank you." Sarah replied. Maybe this fae wasn't as scary as his appearance. He held out his arm and Sarah took it.
***
"No, no, no! It wasn't like that at all Jen, you're exaggerating!" Jareth had exclaimed, beating his fist on the table. "If you're going to tell the story, then tell it right."
Jen was laughing so hard he was almost crying, and Sarah was giggling as she looked back and forth between the two friends. Jen began the story again, this time in an even greater embellishment, when someone tapped Jareth on the shoulder.
"King Dantriven needs a word with you, Prince." Said a small elf with a high, squeaky voice. "This way, if you please." Jareth looked back at Sarah. She was sitting, spellbound by Jen's story. She would be quite safe with him. Jen wouldn't let her leave, not when he knew about Abien's threatened appearance…
Jareth got up and followed the elf out of the dining hall and into the abandoned entryway. They went up the stairs, to a hall containing mostly guestrooms and broom closets.
"Where are we going?" Jareth asked irritably, wanting to get back to his Sarah as soon as he could. He was getting a nasty feeling crawling up his spine.
"This closet will do." The elf said suddenly, in a low and velvety voice. The elf lurched, and he transformed into a fae. A fae wearing maroon robes and shiny, black boots. He grabbed at Jareth, and after grappling with him for a moment, shoved him into the nearby closet, and sealed the door with a magical lock.
"ABIEN!!" Jareth roared. "I WILL GET OUT OF HERE AND I WILL KILL YOU!!!"
"Well of course you'll get out of there." Abien replied simply. "But not before I've had some fun."
***
Fancy a cliffhanger?
I thought not.
"I don't mean to pry," The fae began as they wandered through the ballroom, "but the entire court has been talking about your little…argument with Jareth the other day. Is everything all right?"
"Actually, yes. Jareth just, well, he can be kind of domineering at times, but I still love him." They left the ballroom and he led her down one hall and another, till they were away from the chattering crowd. "Do you know him very well?" Sarah asked.
"I used to
know him quite well. We used to be
fairly competitive over a certain girl, if you know what I mean." There's something kind of familiar about
his voice. Sarah thought
suddenly. Where could I have heard
him before?
Music from the ballroom could still be faintly heard. "Would you mind favoring me with a dance, Lady Sarah?" Asked the fae.
"Here?" They were standing in the middle of a small and semi-dark hallway.
"Why not? Away from the rest of the nosy court." Sarah had to agree with him there, and placed her hand on his shoulder as he led her into a waltz.
Click, click, click, went the fae's black boots. Sarah looked down at them…something was not quite right here….
"Jen's probably wondering where I've gotten to." Sarah blurted out, pulling away. The fae still held onto her.
"Let's just finish the dance and then I'll take you to see Jareth. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"No." Sarah said bluntly, withdrawing her hand from his. "I just want to go back to the ballroom."
"Don't you hate it in there? Everyone staring, whispering…" He took a step forward, and Sarah took two steps back, until she was cornered up against a wall. Click, click, click, went his boots as he strode up to her…she had seen those boots before, she had heard his voice before….
Sarah's eyes lit up in sudden recognition. "Get away from me." She said, her voice quivering a little as she realized she was trapped, alone, with the fae from the secret society.
The fae looked at her, confused. "Shhh." He whispered. "It's all right. No need to make a scene."
"Stay away!" Sarah cried a little clearer.
"Everything is okay. Calm down." The fae said softly, while grabbing her wrists and pinning them up above her head.
"Jareth!" Sarah screamed, before Abien's lips crashed down on her own.
***
The moment Sarah left; Jen realized that he had made a mistake. But he couldn't see her anywhere. And Jareth's sudden disappearance was rather strange too….
It has to be Abien. Jen thought suddenly. Damn! I've been a fool! And he leapt up and raced out of the room, trying to get a feel for Jareth's energy. He'd done it a hundred times when they were kids, playing hide and seek. He could sense Jareth's magic –
Upstairs! Jen vanished from the entry hall, only to appear in front of the broom closet door, just in time to see Jareth bash it open.
"Where's Sarah?" Jareth cried breathlessly. Sarah answered that question herself as her cries rang up and down the halls.
***
Sarah was about to cry, she was about to suffocate, this monster of a fae would kill her if he didn't get his tongue out of her mouth.
Abruptly Abien was ripped off of her, and Sarah could see Jen get in one good punch before he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. But that wasn't important, all that was important was Jareth, Jareth who was here with her now, wrapping her up in his arms and crying into her hair.
Sarah was shaking, but was too relieved to care. "Are you all right?" Jareth managed to ask. Sarah brushed a few stray tears off his cheek.
"I'm okay. Scared, but okay."
"I am so sorry Sarah." Jareth whispered, softly kissing her bruised lips. Jen could be heard, shouting to no end back in the ballroom.
"Don't leave me." Sarah begged in a tiny voice.
"Never." Jareth said, taking her up in his arms, and transporting them both back to his chambers.
***
There. A nice ending to a not so nice chapter. Don't worry, the next bit should be a lot happier…though I'm not promising anything. Happy reviewing!