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The Same Moon
Chapter 6
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For the rest of the song they danced, although she tried to avoid his eyes occasionally they would meet and she would be able to distinguish a flicker of something before they departed once more and he looked past her. She bit her lip and tried to rid herself of the feeling of guilt, but nothing seemed to work. Well he had deserved it, she thought, but then why is it that I feel like the enemy?
She wished she could just run away, push his hands from her and retreat to the safety of his brother. But that would just cause controversy. And as much as she hated to admit it to herself she wouldn't be able to. The grip of his leather hand was firm on her waist, almost possessive and Sarah found herself enjoying the feeling of him so close to her. She tried to push those unwelcome thoughts away from her but they came flooding back.
As he avoided her gaze looking past her he seemed to be thinking. Hard. She studied his face, he looked no different than the last time she had seen him. Sarah found it was hard not to feel fifteen again. Her body shivered, that wasn't a welcome feeling, she had put those days behind her. But she couldn't any longer could she? Everything she had convinced herself was behind her, everything that she convinced herself she didn't need and didn't want was here in this room. She had no choice but to accept it. Interrupting her musings the song finished and he abruptly stepped back from her. Sarah fumbled for a second before copying the others and clapping the band. She didn't notice the looks that Jareth stole from her.
Calm background music began to play and serving trays were brought out by maids to the top of the room in front of the stage where the band played. The lights brightened once more and Sarah could see that the tables were filled with food she hadn't set eyes on before, a vast array of colour and design. Steadily people moved towards the cart some serving themselves, others by the maids.
She hadn't noticed but the separate tables now arranged themselves in a U shape around the remaining sides of the room and people made their way to seats.
"Sarah," a concerned voice interrupted her thoughts, how had the tables arranged themselves so silently? So many strange things she thought.
It was Christian, he looked at his brother suspiciously. Jareth chuckled.
"Don't worry yourself Christian, I haven't corrupted her." he jeered.
"I never implied that you did Jareth," Christian said coolly, "I was just coming to collect Sarah so I could take her to her place."
Jareth rolled his eyes seeing through Christian's excuses. "Her knight in shining white armour, how touching. But I think Sarah has the brains enough to find her own seat."
"Even so," Christian replied, "She is my responsibility." he cocked his head at Jareth daring him to reply. Before he had the chance he was interrupted.
"Jareth darling," long elegant hands encircled Jareth's waist, staking her claim. "There you are."
The speaker was a woman in what seemed to be her late twenties. Much older then Sarah yet nonetheless stunning. She had ivory rose skin and large brown eyes with a full mouth. Sophisticated and mature, everything Sarah wasn't. Something tugged at Sarah an emotion which made her eyes grow hard, and face stubborn, she didn't like this woman.
Recognising her Jareth smiled then made a definite show of wrapping his own arm around her waist.
"Marie my dear I would never run from you." Sarah pulled her face, the sight made her want to be sick. Marie wore a gold silk gown which hugged a trim body and narrow waist. Diamonds glittered around her neck, wrists and earlobes against her black hair which was decorated with diamonds itself. She turned and raised her eyes in surprise although Sarah knew that she had seen her and Christian before.
"Christian I didn't see you there," she smiled sweetly and then turned her attentions to Sarah eyeing her up and down like a female lion sizing up her rival for the attentions of the dominant male. Sarah rose her stubborn chin. Marie played with Jareth's collar her other arm still wrapped firmly around his back. "I don't believe we've met." She drawled.
"Sarah, Sarah Williams." She stated firmly, if this woman thought she was going to intimidate her she thought wrong.
Christian caught Jareth smiling in plain amusement at the exchange between the two females who obviously didn't like eachother, but Sarah ignored him. "Not from this realm are you Sarah?" Marie said, her tone cold and accusing.
"No," Sarah replied confidently, "I'm from the fourth."
"Really?" she raised her eyebrows in doubt, "Williams doesn't sound like a Nefarian name."
"You know a lot of people from Nefar then?" Sarah returned the sweet smile, hoping this jibe would pay off.
"Well, no." Marie stammered.
Bullseye, Sarah thought satisfied and allowed a sassy smile to form on her lips.
"Nice meeting you Marie, but I'm rather hungry, you understand." Sarah grabbed Christian's arm and lead him in the direction of the tables. Jareth's thin lips were curled into an amused smile but Marie didn't notice she was too busy scowling at Sarah.
"What?" She looked at Christian indignantly as he chuckled, creases around his vibrant blue eyes. He just continued to laugh.
"What?" She asked again not knowing what was so funny. He wiped his eyes,
"Nothing, nothing." He shook his head and tugged her arm in the opposite direction, "Come on you're going the wrong way we're seated over here." Sarah looked at him doubtfully, he had stopped laughing but he still grinned broadly.
As the King's brother Christian was seated at the top of the table arrangement and Sarah with him as his guest. She guessed that everyone was sat in order of importance. Jareth at the centre looking uninterested in the murmur of conversation that was going on around him, then on his right Marie, Nathaniel, about five people Sarah didn't realise then Christian, Sarah, Alanna and two other people she didn't recognise. At Jareth's otherside sat the man earlier introduced as Arram, than other men she didn't recognise. Lords she thought as Merrin sat amongst them.
"Eastside of the kingdom, Westside of the Kingdom." Christian pointed to the left than to the right as he sat beside her. She noticed that Galen and Rhiannon sat on the Eastside and smiled at them as they saw her. "Associated dignitaries, Nobles, Lords, Mages, Warriors and other important people." Christian sighed, "All just waiting for Jareth to slip up so they have an excuse to send their armies to the ninth realm."
Jareth stood and waited as soon as people noticed they also stood, and Sarah followed suit. For a few seconds he said nothing, and people waited patiently, the only noise the slightest shuffling.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you to my castle, I hope that we can keep any politics out of the conversation until the meal has finished." He said sternly, it wasn't a request Sarah realised, it was a demand.
Jareth picked up his wine glass and lifted it into the air, "May Sirah bless us all," A tradition Sarah thought, as although Jareth said the obligatory blessing for this kingdom his heart didn't seem to be in it. Everyone else picked up their glasses and repeated after him.
"To Sirah." said an army of voices, than everyone seated themselves and the meal began.
After half an hour had passed Sarah felt like she was going to burst, but the courses kept on coming; rich soups and well done meats, sweet sensations quickly replace by sour ones on her tongue almost too quickly for her taste buds to adjust. When finally she ate the last part of her dessert, a mix of creams and fantastically coloured berries which tingled sharply in her mouth she sighed in relief as she drank her water hurriedly and was able to relax.
Christian had been involved in a conversation with a man on his left whom Sarah had learnt was called Jerin. From parts of the conversation Sarah could work out that he had served with Christian in the King's first army and he seemed to be trying to convince him to talk to Jareth about allowing an army into the ninth realm with the passing. Christian merely shook his head and murmured something about it not being his decision and that he was pushing his luck already. Sarah sighed, more things no one had bothered to enlighten her about. Unable to understand the conversation any longer Sarah angled her head past them discretely to where Jareth was sitting, the curved shape of the base of the U allowing her to see him.
He sat leaning back leisurely in his throne, a long slender gloved finger tracing the rim of a wineglass, he doesn't even take off his gloves to eat, Sarah thought. Arram was talking to him seriously, his dark eyes narrowed in concern, Jareth looked to be listening but Sarah knew he had no interest in what Arram was saying. No longer able to take the incessant tones ringing in his ear, Jareth, still not looking at Arram spoke sternly. The older man huffed and brusquely got up from his chair.
Then loud enough for the whole of the row to hear spoke, "Than let it be on your head Jareth." He spat, and stomped out of the banquet hall. A servant reached him with his coat on the way out from whom he grabbed his robe than impetuously pushed the man away.
Jareth shook his head and pinched the bridge of his elegant nose, an action she had seen mirrored by Christian before. Most people continued their conversations, either not wanting to get involved or merely hadn't heard over the murmur of voices. Those who did stare at the King he shot daggers and hastily they turned their attentions elsewhere.
Jareth tapped his leather fingers in motion on the mahogany table, before he realised one pair of eyes were still on him. He removed his hand from his face and looked straight at Sarah, his expression blank and thoughtful. His eyes, slightly widened and fixed upon her, seemed both to menace and offer some type of promise. A thrill passed across the muscles of Sarah's shoulders, and it was if she had grown suddenly small and feeble. She could feel the weight of his many years in his eyes and the chill potential of his power. She was helpless before him, like a bird mesmerised by a serpent. Terrified by his hard eyes and at the same time seduced by them.
Quickly she turned and pretended to be interested in the conversation Alanna was having with the man on her side. After a few moments she sneaked a look at him, only to find his eyes still bore into her, she licked her lips and refused to look away this time. When she thought she could identify the emotions playing on his delicate face his attention was broken as Marie leant forward and took his gloved hand in her own, a sultry look upon her face. She glimpsed at Sarah, a glare upon her face before she turned to face Jareth once more.
Sarah sighed, and twisted a serviette around her fingers agitatedly.
"I wouldn't worry about Marie. It's common knowledge her that she's a complete, if you'll excuse my language, slut."
"Sorry?" Sarah broke out of her spell to find Alanna turned towards her, a smile on her warm features. Unbeknownst to Sarah she had witnessed the whole display with curiosity.
"She's tried to dig her claws into Jareth for years now, but he won't have it."
Sarah frowned at Alanna, "But I thought they were..." Alanna laughed.
"Good God no. She's not Jareth's tastes, she's cheap, but that doesn't seem to have stopped her."
Sarah's features softened and Alanna gave her a curious look.
"Anyway why are you so interested? From what I've heard from Christian Jareth's hardly one of your favourite people."
"He's not, I mean one of my favourite people that is," Sarah stuttered, "I was just intrigued that's all, I mean it seemed like they were together or something."
"Right." Alanna nodded her head but Sarah could tell the older woman didn't believe her by the sparkle in her green eyes.
Suddenly from the corner of the room the double doors burst open sending a maid there flying to her knees. There was a flash of movement, and something, almost like a firefly, darted across the hall to hover at the King's head. The light became whiter as it grew in size and stumps began to protrude from all over the circle as Sarah began to realise that the bright light took on a peculiarly human shape. There was a final burst of whiteness but then it died completely and standing in it's place stood a boy of about fifteen dressed neatly in brown silk tunic and hose, white shirt and polished boots. Some kind of messenger Sarah thought.
Except for a few people around the King no one paid attention to the boy, obviously used to such disturbances. Bending over double the boy panted trying to regain some breath as the King called some water for him. Alanna got up from her seat, somewhat perturbed, Nathaniel and Christian too rose from their places to see what news the boy had to deliver. After he had drank and composed himself he spoke hurriedly and frantically to the King. Sarah couldn't see the reaction on Jareth's face but he suddenly seemed to become tense.
People around the room started to whisper anxiously to each other as they noticed the serious and grievous looks upon anyone within hearing range of the messenger. When the boy stopped and looked up desperately at his King, Jareth shot from his seat changing into owl form as he did and flew out of the double doors. Following him ran Christian whereas Alanna just disappeared, gone in a burst of what Sarah thought was fire.
People now seemed to become worried. Sarah got up from her seat to stand near to where Nathaniel remained giving orders to the Castle guards to keep the people in the banquet hall and than to collect, discretely, he commanded, any people from around the room with talent. The guards nodded and than dispersed around the hall to whisper urgently into the ears of selected individuals, whose smiles soon dropped from their faces as soon as the message was delivered. Quickly they rose from their seats to join Nathaniel leaving confused companions in their wake who were than reassured by guards.
Sarah bit her lip, something was definitely happening and she wasn't about to be left out on the sidelines. Her mouth dropped open as some of the crowd of people around Nathaniel just disappeared leaving a cloud of mist or a spark of light. Luckily the remaining people rushed out of the door and Sarah slipped unnoticed by the guards with them along the candle lit corridor into the castle gardens.
Too preoccupied with getting to their destination and masked by the dark Sarah was able to follow, the heels of her sandals clicking on the gravel path so loudly she was forced to run on the grass. She shivered in the cold of the night sky and wished that the dress wasn't so flimsy. Sarah wondered where the people were going so frantically, running in elegant dinner dresses and suits. Keeping her distance behind the crowd Sarah crept out the iron gates to the castle grounds, earlier masked by the high walls and trees. She could now see that a wooden bridge crossed a river about sixty foot in width. The glowing moon highlighted ripples on the water's surface and she could hear the fast rush of the current in her ears. People ran across the bridge, but Sarah remained at the other end, still gazing in the pool of water so tranquil and calming, in contrast to the mad rush of individuals across it. Suddenly a wave glinting in the moon shine was disturbed as a large ripple distorted the image of the light with a heavy thump, and suddenly the moon was no longer reflected in the river, rendering it a dark, empty shell. Sarah's head shot up in surprise.
Across the bridge, near to the river's edge stood about twenty people, amongst them she could see Alanna's red hair and Christian's midnight blue jacket. Their heads were arched upwards towards the sky, and above them threatening to crash down upon them was blackness. It was the only word Sarah could find to describe the sight. It was not like the dark night sky, but a menacing presence above them it's surface convulsing in such a way that it made Sarah's stomach churn. It was like a great shadow stretching over the heads threatening to engulf them all. Getting closer with each breath, it was if the sky was falling. As it moved forwards it seemed to suck up everything in it's path, trees, plants digesting it with a quiver of it's sickening dark mass. Hungry Sarah thought, it's hungry for us.
But in the repulsive cover of the darkness something drew her eye, a flicker of memory, like the opening of lids over desperate eyes. Memories drew her closer and closer. Memories of the Labyrinth. She could see the oubliette, the hedge mazes, the bog, but as soon as the images wavered in the nauseating ripple of the shadow like presence they were gone. Entranced by it Sarah walked steadily across the bridge.
Those who had reached the other side joined those who stood frozen to the spot, merely staring at the blackness above them which was now dangerously close to all of their heads. It reminded Sarah of a suffocating blanket, like a web ready to trap them all within it's sticky liquid mass. Yet she couldn't help but walk closer, as she neared it she heard screams and cries, distorted as if in a dream but nonetheless identifiable.
"Sarah how could you leave us!" That almost whining yet friendly tone. Hoggle, he sounded so desperate. It broke Sarah's heart and she clenched her fists hard so that her knuckles turned white and her fingernails broke skin, blood flowing freely from her palms.
"Milady where did you go? Why didn't you call?" Didymus's tone was hurt and confused, so confused it brought tears to her eyes.
"Sarah no friend." A gruff almost animal voice.
Ludo, Sarah thought, and she managed a soft, regretful smile as she thought of her beast friend. As his image appeared in her mind. The surface of the blackness which had now formed a dome like cover over them all entrapping all inside contracted and shook, the ink like liquid taking shape. Out of the rippling cover an image pressed forward, it too distorted by the darkness. A large hand, no Sarah thought, a large paw pushed out from it pointing in her direction. Everyone seemed oblivious to the shadow of the creature which had moulded itself on the darkness, still staring blankly at the mass of the quivering shadow.
"Sarah no friend." The notes were strained and fading, but struck deep in her soul. The guilt rose with bile in her throat. Deep regret. She should have never forgotten her friends, never forgotten and refused the magic and now that she realised that, it seemed that it was too late. Sarah didn't notice as a man collapsed and a hand moulded reaching for the limp body and then drew it into the vile spiral of the blackness.
She stared into Ludo's helpless eyes and did all she could. She screamed and as fast as her legs could take her ran straight at the dark convulsing shadow. Her ear piercing scream seemed to break many out of their daze, she saw many including Nathaniel fall backwards onto the floor shaking their heads in disorientation. Others turned alert to face the screaming figure which ran across the bridge intent on pulling her lost friend out of the darkness.
Suddenly bright flashes of light shook the place as the people became alive and suddenly realising the threat infront of them. A stream of fire piercing holes in the mass, that was Alanna, blue balls of light shooting in all directions at the shaking darkness, Christian. Other forms of magic fought the engulfing black shadow. Like a cloud of dense fog which destroyed and absorbed all in it's path leaving behind barren land. Purple beams, lightning bolts, liquid like streams of power fought against it's descent. Others had their hands practically on the mass for a few dangerous sections heating it and trying to implode it, the effort of so much concentration seemed to be pushing the darkness back. But Sarah continued to run at Ludo's still outstretched hand. All logic departed knowing only she had to save her friend. She was so close now.
As she neared him she stretched out her own hand, "Ludo!" She cried. Her small palm was almost in his, she was going to save him. Out of nowhere with furious strength she was slammed back on the floor with a thud, something heavy on top of her. All the breath was swiftly knocked out of her lungs. She desperately struggled to get up but something, someone pinned her down.
"You stupid girl!" She looked up panting heavily. Jareth. His pale face was twisted in rage, his hair more wild then usual and anger seethed from his mismatched eyes. She tried to push him off her but he was too strong and had her arms pinned at her sides.
"Let me go you bastard!" She spat, "I've got to get to Ludo." She turned her anxious eyes behind Jareth to see the beast still reaching for her, saying her name. Jareth followed her stare, eyes narrowed till they came to rest on the beast. Releasing her arms he sat up and opened his now ungloved hands towards the beast. Out of the palms shot a powerful white, crystal light. As it reached Ludo the beast growled in pain, the light pushing him further back into the darkness.
"Ludo!" Sarah screamed and pushed Jareth off her intent on grabbing Ludo's still outstretched hand, the only part which remained after the rest had been beaten back by Jareth's magic. She scrambled onto her feet and ran to the beast, ignoring the blood and pain flowing freely from her palms when she reached for his hand.
"Sarah, No!!" Jareth shouted, the white light was still beaming from his slender white hands, he closed them so that Sarah wouldn't be caught in the blaze. The magic only touched her briefly, but there was enough of the bright light of Jareth's magic coursing through her veins to cause an intense pain which throbbed in her temples. Pushing the dizziness and Jareth's cries aside she grabbed Ludo's hand. But when she placed her bloody palm in his own the large beast growled in intense pain and jolted back in shock, her blood dripping from the black rippling cape that was his paw. With a final roar the large beast shattered into a million shards of black crystal, which grazed Sarah's face. A hole now remained in the oozing blackness, the moonshine piercing through it and for a second the quivering mass remained still until it began to shake violently.
Sarah was pulled back roughly out of harms way and landed sprawled in someone's lap watching as the black mass gave what could only be identified as a defiant scream before shattering into a million pieces. Everybody instinctively covered their faces with their hands. Then there was silence. The only sound being that of the rushing current of the river.
There was a moment's quiet, as everything that had happened reverberated in the air.
Then, out of the shattering silence came whoops and cries of victory. People were shouting and laughing, obviously relieved and elated by their win. Some people remained on their knees or breathing heavily, still in shock from the battle.
"Take that you filthy bugger!" That was Nathaniel, grinning in satisfaction at the clear night sky. His perfect leather tunic was torn and his white shirt was open exposing sweat trailing down his bare chest.
Alanna and Christian remained on the floor, Alanna fighting for breath on her knees with a slight smile on her features. Christian was laying on the floor one arm sprawled over his face. "Phew." Sarah could hear him murmur as he wiped beads of sweat from his brow than sat up, him too grinning at Nathaniel.
Altogether, they looked over to the sight at the end of the bridge on the grassy plain, to the direction from which their enemy had first began to shatter into nothingness and the exhilaration dropped from their faces. Christian said a silent prayer, he hadn't wanted her to find out like this, but lately it seemed like he didn't have much control over anything in the Labyrinth. He turned and walked away solemnly, Alanna and Nathaniel following him.
The King knelt, a figure clutching at his chest, her body raked by sobs. He merely stared into the distance the soft breeze whipping his hair and the moon light highlighting his cheekbones. Slowly he helped the crying girl to her feet, her hands still clinging to his black red shirt. He in turn had one arm wrapped around her back and the other stroked her hair, attempting to calm the girl down. Her body seemed to still and the girl took some deep breaths than froze. Realising her situation, cautiously Sarah stepped back and Jareth released her from his hold. She stared straight at him, her eyes red from crying, streaks on her face from falling tears. But her eyes didn't falter, nor did she at all tremble. The girl was eerily calm.
In the background people still congratulated each other at their victory, they had lost two guards, yes but they had won. Those people had given their lives bravely. Yet none of this mattered to Sarah, her friends hadn't given their lives, they had been taken and she wasn't here.
"They're all dead aren't they?" She said quietly although she already knew the answer.
"I am truly sorry Sarah." She listened for any mockery in his voice, but she could tell by his face that he was actually sincere. She nodded than followed the trail of people across the bridge inside, walking slowly and solemnly. He could criticise her, tell her that maybe if she had not forgotten her friends she wouldn't feel as much grief now, criticise her for foolishly being tricked by the image of Ludo but it didn't really seem to be fitting.
He couldn't admit it to himself but he couldn't bear to see that look in her eyes again, Christian was right, she was no longer the fifteen year old he had known and he sighed as his brother was right in another respect as well. For it wasn't his magic which had defeated the enemy, but the mix of his and Sarah's. Taking a deep breath of regret he wasn't sure why it disappointed him so much that Sarah had the talent. She could help with the passing to the ninth realms to defeat their enemy. Surely he should be elated, now they had a better chance of winning. So then why didn't he felt elated? Why instead did he feel dread? Was it that he was wrong and Christian was right? Was it that he resented Sarah magic? Or was it because he thought that a seventeen year old girl should have no place in the dangerous affairs of his realm?
Cursing something, probably himself, in a swift movement he changed silk for feathers, newly gloved hands for claws and flew into the sky, he had a lot of thinking to do.