AN: Well, hello all, I'm glad that you are all enjoying this. I'm sorry about the messages some of you were getting, but that was FF.net, not me. Only about five chapters left to this, I can't believe it's coming to a close. Thank you to those of you who gave me your opinion on my other story…though I'm always looking for more! All of the reviews I get mean so much to me, and I wanted to thank each and every one of you!!! I wish I could give you all a big hug and a gift…but I don't have that kind of money! On a side note, someone suggested that I break up the Prologue into several paragraphs. My original intent was to do it as a stream of conscious type of writing, but, if breaking it up would make it easier to digest, then I will do so as soon I as find the time. In the meantime, this chapter also contains stream of conscious writing, but I broke it up. Is this better??
And, on a real side note, you should all go buy the S/T CD from the rock band Beautiful Creatures!! I saw them on Sunday at Irving Plaza along with Oleander and Tantric and they ROCK!! I got Anthony's signature too!! (he plays rhythm guitars) My favorite song is "New Orleans" but the whole album is awesome. Go to http://www.beautifulcreatures.net to check them out and listen to their stuff. Please, if you like rock, check them out, I promise it's worth your time!
Ok, I'll stop now. As always, enjoy this chapter, read and review!!! ~ Saphire
Chapter twenty-one: The Awakening
The first thing that Jareth noticed was the darkness. Everything around him was black, though it seemed that some light tried to crack through. With a delayed reaction, he realized his eyes were closed, however, he found he could do nothing to open them at the moment. Indeed, all of the Goblin King's thoughts and motions were delayed, as if he, himself, was stuck in slow-motion. There was a dull ringing in the back of his head, but it seemed to be slowly fading away. He could tell without moving that his entire body ached. Every muscle, every bone, every nerve ached with an exhaustion he hadn't felt in a long time…since Sarah had…well, that had been a mistake. She had said as much herself.
Mentally, Jareth sighed, though he knew outwardly, his body did nothing. It seemed even in the state he was in, for it was slowly dawning on him he was in a state of semi-consciousness, that Sarah would plague his thoughts. That infuriating, selfish, beautiful, wonderful woman that she was. The one that could drive him to insanity…it seemed she was close to doing just that. The one that knew every way possible to get under his skin and annoy him. The one that held his attention, held his heart, captive. He sighed again. Damn woman. Despite everything he'd told Sarah, he knew that he still loved her, still wanted her. Damn damn damn.
It probably hadn't been the best idea to drag her back Underground, but he had thought she could undo what she had done…and he was wrong. He remembered watching Sarah sleep for a few minutes, etching her features in his memory. He had conjured a crystal to watch her dreams, to try and see how his kingdom was growing. And she had dreamt nothing. She was completely at peace, totally asleep, and yet she had no dreams. It bothered him more than he let on because the Sarah he knew ten years ago would never have a dreamless sleep. The only glimmer of hope was the emotions. Every now and then, he'd catch a feeling, an emotion from her…but it hadn't been enough. Finally, he gave up and woke her. He could almost see his own disappointment reflected back to him in her eyes. He remembered how she softly pointed out her earlier trepidation about his theory and he hadn't been able to stand it, so he left for a walk to calm his nerves. He had felt something in him twist with the realization that the Sarah he brought back was not the Sarah he knew. And yet, he knew somehow he still loved her. Maybe, he pondered, it's because the old Sarah is still alive in her. We both know that. So, why did I walk away? Even as Jareth asked himself, he knew. Procrastination. He had failed, but he didn't want to send Sarah back. Things were more…interesting…with her around.
But, how he had ended up in this state, he didn't know. He wracked his brain, trying to remember what had happened after he walked away. The light around him was getting stronger, and his body was aching even more. Jareth knew he was close to regaining full consciousness and he would rather have his entire memory in tact when he did. Finally, it started coming back in pieces. There was a scream, and terror had shot through him. He remembered catching Sarah…from what? He strained, his mind protesting, before finally giving in. Sarah had fallen…and called out to him. He had used what little magic he had to save her. So, why was he making a recovery so quickly? He couldn't have been out for more than a day or two.
He groaned as the light invaded his senses further and realized he had actually made the sound aloud as well. For a moment, he thought he heard someone whisper his name. His feeling was starting to return. He felt himself wrapped in blankets, lying on a bed. Someone was dabbing at his forehead with a damp cloth…and…wait…a bed? Struggling with himself, the Goblin King finally managed to open his eyes.
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To say that Sarah was surprised when she woke up would have been an understatement. She had barely managed to stifle a scream when she found herself lying in a bed in a large room. The walls of stone were hung with great tapestries and paintings. There was a set of French doors off to her right that appeared to lead onto a balcony and a window to the left of the doors. Currently, the only thing Sarah could see from the window was a sky of…orange. Her gaze continued to travel, coming across a large wardrobe, a chest of drawers about her height, a vanity with an ornate mirror and a plush chair, an over-stuffed bookcase, and a huge fireplace. In front of the fireplace there were two armchairs and a chaise. In one of the armchairs was a body. Sarah was about to scream for real this time when the person stood and faced her.
"D'Vinnian," Sarah let out in a relieved rush of breath.
She sat up in the bed, the silky sheets falling into her lap.
"Good morning, Sarah. I hope you've slept well," D'Vinnian answered.
His whole personage seemed to a have changed. He looked happy now, not just like he was humoring her.
"Where are we? What is this place?" Sarah asked, slowly swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
She gasped when she noticed she was in nightclothes she was certain were not her own.
D'Vinnian chuckled, "You've been here before, Sarah. This is my cousin's castle."
"Your cousin's…wait…this is the Castle Beyond Goblin City?" Sarah asked, disbelievingly.
The Goblin Lord nodded.
"But - but, I thought it was destroyed," Sarah said in an amazed whispered as she looked around once again.
"It was. You rebuilt it."
"I did? How?"
"Remember when I said that dreams weren't the only source of magic you had that the Labyrinth could use to heal?"
Sarah nodded.
"Well, the other was love. By finally admitting that you love my cousin…well…all this is because of you…and him."
Sarah eyes widened, then a blush crept up her cheeks, "So, you know that I love him, then?"
D'Vinnian nodded.
"And? You don't like me, remember? Aren't you going to yell and threaten me?"
D'Vinnian laughed, "I thought we had agreed on friendship, Sarah. Besides, I think you have made up for your past mistakes. Go, look out the window."
And, like a child on Christmas, Sarah did, her entire face lighting up when she saw the Labyrinth spread beneath her.
"Go down the hall to your left and up the flight of stairs. Jareth's bedchambers will be the third door on your right. He's still out cold, but he should be awake soon," D'Vinnian said as Sarah gazed out at the Goblin Kingdom.
When she turned around, he was gone, but she found a change of clothes on her bed. A new pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Nothing fancy, but Sarah didn't mind. She hurriedly put the clothes on and followed the Goblin Lord's directions to Jareth's room.
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Sarah had been sitting by the Goblin King's side for the last three hours. She had a damp cloth in her hand and a basin of cool water by her side. Running the cloth over his forehead gave her the perfect chance to look at him and she found herself amazed by his otherworldly beauty. Such an arrogant, frustrating, manipulative man…and she had somehow fallen in love with him.
She sighed, "Not exactly Prince Charming, are you, Jareth?" Then, she chuckled to herself, "But, then, I'm no Cinderella myself."
She was quiet for another half-hour, totally absorbed in her observation of Jareth.
Then another thought came to her, "What would you say if you knew I loved you in return? All that anger after ten years….would you throw it back at me?" She paused, remembering the look in his eyes before he passed out, "No, I don't think you would."
She dipped the cloth back in the basin of water, taking her eyes off of him for a moment,
"At least, I hope not," she added in a whisper.
Her gazed jerked back up to the Goblin King when she heard him groan.
Sarah sat up a little higher on her knees, "Jareth?" she asked softly.
At first, there was no answer, and Sarah went back to wiping his brow with the cloth. Then, his eyelids began to flutter and, before she knew it, Sarah found herself faced with the intense blues of the Goblin King's gaze.
Jareth found he could finally opened his eyes, and was surprised when he did so. He was met with the hazel of Sarah's gaze, filled with concern…and elation. She held a damp cloth in her hand and there was a small smile on her face.
When he finally felt he could speak, he said the first thing that came to his mind, "You're alright."
Sarah nodded, and blushed, "Thank you."
Not quite knowing how to answer her, Jareth remained silent. The fact that he was laying in his room was slowly creeping into his still exhausted thought process. His eyes widened and he sat up abruptly, pushing Sarah back a few inches from him. His head swam from the sudden movement and he moaned, holding his head.
"Jareth, lay back down," Sarah said, placing a hand on his arm.
"No," he answered, instead using her helping hand to pull himself completely into an upright position. "The castle…" he said, trailing off as his wandering gaze landed on the window.
Sarah followed his gaze and knew what he was about to attempt.
She placed firm hands on his shoulders to keep him in place, "Jareth, no. Let me go get your cousin and - "
"Sarah," he said warningly, "Let me up, now."
She looked at him, narrowing her eyes, "No. You just woke up. I am not -"
"Don't fight with me on this, Sarah. If my kingdom is rebuilt, I would like to see it."
Sarah pursed her lips together, not happy about the idea of letting Jareth walk around, though knowing he had a point. Jareth watched her, wondering for a moment why she seemed so concerned. He let the idea slip out of his mind before he could dwell on it, though.
Finally, Sarah answered, moving her hands to his own, "At least let me help you."
"Fine," Jareth conceded grudgingly.
After he stood from his bed, he finally looked at Sarah. She was in a change of clothes that looked like they came out her own closet at home. She looked fine, except he noticed the edges of a bandage peaking from the edge of her jeans.
Sarah noticed his brow crease in concern and waved him off, "I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
"How did you do that?" he asked flatly as they began to walk to the window, Jareth doing his best not to lean on her now that he knew she had hurt herself.
"I twisted it when I fell," Sarah answered.
They reached the window and Jareth looked out, his gaze unchanging as he saw his kingdom spread below him. He did a mental check and found that everything appeared as it did ten years ago. Finally, he turned back to Sarah to find her watching him.
"Why on earth were you running like that, Sarah?" he asked, letting a touch of concern shade his words this time.
"I - I saw you slip."
"Me?" Jareth asked, confused.
Sarah nodded, "I saw you walking along the edge, and then slip and go over…I ran to catch you, but…" she trailed off.
"Sarah, I never fell."
She shook her head, "No…I saw you."
"I'll bet that my cousin knows more of this than we think."
Sarah stared at the king, not understanding.
Jareth shook his head, "It doesn't matter. I'll deal with D'Vinnian later."
He turned his head back to the window, and, this time, Sarah could see a grin turn the corners of his mouth up.
"How did this happen, Sarah?" he questioned without looking away.
All of a sudden, Sarah felt awkward, and she knew a crimson color was rapidly staining her cheeks. Her silence got Jareth's attention and he was surprised to see her blushing.
"Sarah?" he asked, wondering at the look in her eyes.
Sarah cleared her throat, "I should tell your cousin that you're awake. I'll tell you everything over dinner."
And, before he could question her further, Sarah bolted for the door.
