* * * * *
The Same Moon
Chapter 7
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Later that night Jareth flew into an open window of the east wing of his castle and regained his human shape. A few hours of contemplation made him no clearer on matters than before. With keen senses he could distinguish the murmur of movement and conversation and, although it was the early hours of the morning, few people slept.
A muttering of anxious voices got closer with matching hurried footsteps. Not wanting to talk to anyone when he was in the best of moods let alone now, Jareth gestured with a flick of his hand across his face and for a moment gold light with flickers of black specks hovered all over his body than faded, rendering him invisible. But he stood back in the shadows cast by the walls anyway. Maybe it was just force of habit.
"I've told you Lord Merrin, Jareth is not in the castle." Alanna's weary voice pleaded with the doubtful Lord who scoured the castle a number of hand soldiers in tow. Always the same Merrin, Jareth thought, those precious soldiers following him everywhere, making him feel important. Jareth evoked more respect in his little finger than this blundering fool and scowled at the presence of the prying Lord.
Inheritance had made Merrin a wealthy man in the East region of the Kingdom. However Jareth had been quick to turn down his request for Lord of all the east side at the last choosing. The man was incompetent, greedy, and a letch, needless to say he was just one of the many bains of Jareth's life. Jareth was well aware of the fact that Merrin was just looking for an opportunity to deem him an incompetent King,
however he would sooner die before giving him the opportunity.
The King contemplated strangling him right here right now, that would definitely lift his spirits, but Alanna probably wouldn't approve. If it was up to him he would have Merrin thrown in his dungeon but the law of the land meant that he had a place in the Circle from his father, a much more respectful man. Jareth snorted, and the Lord looked in his direction, brows twitching ungainly on his forehead. Merrin was half the man his father was.
The Lord dismissed the sound from the shadows as his mind playing tricks on him, "Well then where is he?" The Lord demanded.
I suspect he's checking the other spell guards in the more deserted realms of the Kingdom, afterall Lord Merrin we can't afford to let in the enemy in any part of the Kingdom now can we?"
Merrin couldn't criticise the King in that respect and frowned, his face scrunched up sourly creating a more vile expression for Merrin than usual.
"Isn't it best that you stay at the east side in case the guards are broken there?" Alanna suggested, trying not to seem too eager.
"Yes, well, I suppose." The Lord admitted reluctantly still suspiciously eyeing the shadows where Jareth stood. Merrin waved one pudgy arm in the air, "Men!" He commanded than stomped back down the stone corridor, his guards following behind.
Alanna rolled her eyes and with them the sleeves of the blue dress shirt she wore.
"I can see right through that spell Jareth." The King smiled and flicked his wrists, the spell broken.
"I know you can." He stated matter of factly.
"I can can I? So why didn't I tell Merrin that we haven't seen you since the guards broke? Why didn't I tell him that in fact Nathaniel has been the one checking the far reaches of the kingdom and me and Christian have been organising the army and making up cover stories for the guests? The King no where to be seen." She folded her arms, and the King noticed weary creases around her usually sparkling green eyes, now dull. He didn't realise his own eyes wore the same tired lines.
"Well?"
"Because you want to get rid of that sneaky little idiot just as much as I do."
She sighed and flung her arms in the air, "I give up Jareth, you can't pick and choose your duties as King you know and I can't keep on covering for you. Sooner or later one of those greedy power snatching idiots is going to find out and then you'll lose the throne and God knows what'll happen."
The King shrugged his shoulders indifferently, "Would it be such a bad thing? I'm sure my brother would do the nation proud."
"You know Christian can't take the crown if his brother's overthrown or abdicated." Her tone was stern,
"The Kingdom needs you Jareth, and as much as you hate to admit it you need it too."
Jareth rolled his eyes, "Where are Christian and the girl now?" He asked dismissively, Alanna shook her head exasperated but knew when not to press the subject further.
"Christian is in talks with the other Mages planning some new strategies after our "unexpected" visitor tonight, and Sarah....." Alanna emphasized the name and Jareth grunted, "....is sleeping, she got back to the castle and almost collapsed from the shock of it all."
Her green eyes studied Jareth, waiting for some critical comment at the issue of the girl's presence. Afterall he had been moaning about it consistently for the last few days, but he refused to meet her eyes instead dropping them to the floor. An intense, angry look marring his handsome face. Alanna looked at him curiously, than began to smile her mouth open in shock.
"It wasn't you was it?" She remarked incredulous. Jareth just scowled further. "It was her wasn't it? Christian was right all along. She's got it and it must be strong to have..." She trailed off into her own thoughts which raced around her head with the possibility of it all. Hope glimmered once more in forest green eyes and in the light her red hair shimmered.
"But how? Christian hasn't even begun to train her I didn't even think she knew what that thing was." She laughed as she tried to get her head round it all. But Jareth remained uncomfortably silent gazing out of the open window.
"She didn't mean to use it." He said soberly, "She had blood on her hands so when she touched the ombre her gift reacted and destroyed it."
Still almost deliriously happy Alanna continued, "But still imagine the possibilities, Jareth. We've actually got a good chance of beating Rugar."
"No we haven't!" Jareth said abruptly, "She may have the gift but she hasn't got the slightest idea of how to use it or of what we're up against. God she almost walked straight into that thing, completely helpless to it. Sarah was here once but that wasn't enough to teach her about the dangers of this world let alone of another!" He spat at her; his tone harsh and soon breaking Alanna's joy. Alanna stared at the twisted expression on his cold face and licked her lips.
"You know Jareth you actually say that like you care." Her eyes mirrored his cruelty. Everyone else was willing to accept the hope that the stranger brought. To have some faith in her. Why couldn't he? It wasn't like Jareth to step down from a challenge, he was the one always telling them that with magic anything was possible. She took a deep breath.
"Why are you so against this girl Jareth?"
"When have I ever needed to explain my reasons to you Alanna, I am King afterall I needn't answer to anybody." Sarcasm rang from his voice and he flailed his gloved hands manically. She was taken aback at the cruelty in his voice. Alanna held herself as one of Jareth's closest friends and advisors. She had known him since she was a small girl, a slave in a workhouse in the Eastern villages of I'enti, where he had rescued her from a beating and turned her persecutor into a mouse. He had been her teacher, her friend and rarely raised his voice to her.
"No one except yourself." She said under her breath, although he didn't show it she knew he heard the comment by the way his eyes regarded her accusingly.
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Jareth turned sighing heavily.
"You said the mages were talking, I should be there." He was calm now but couldn't look Alanna in the face.
"There you go, running again." Alanna knew that only she could get away with such a comment, anyone else would end up backhanded or imprisoned in a crystal for all eternity. But Jareth said nothing and in a gust of wind he was gone.
The breeze had blown out the candles in the deserted hallway and Alanna moved to the window edge, gazing out into the gloom of the night sky. The moon didn't seem that bright tonight, it seemed to have lost it's life. It looked sad, Alanna thought and breathed a sigh of regret.
And so there she sat a dull ache in her head and the back of her throat as she thought of the teacher and friend who she had no way to help, who wouldn't let anyone help him. The King who for one of the rare times in his life refused to believe that he may no longer have control. Stubborn until the end, his fatal flaw, she mused. Her heart sank as she realised that his stubbornness would probably be his downfall.
* * * * *
The stone wall was cool against Sarah's heavy head. She closed her eyes for a second. Her sleep had been restless and full of fitful dreams and random screaming as she tried to struggle back to reality. If you could call this reality she mused.
After a while she couldn't take the guilty silence of her room anymore or the battles in her mind. She needed some distraction, she needed to talk to Christian about what had happened. When she opened her curtains dawn was breaking over the Labyrinth, the sun had not yet filled all the darkness of the sky and when her eyes rested upon the gloom of the night that remained she couldn't help but shiver in memory.
Upon investigating the drawers and cupboards in her chambers she had discovered breeches, shirts, dresses and other garments. Finally deciding on a pale blue fitted shirt rolled up to the elbows and tight charcoal grey breeches she emerged from the room.
To her surprise the castle was already busy with life, but as of yet Christian was no where to be seen. Even still she wasn't sure where to find him if she did know. The whole place seemed to be even larger than she had ever imagined. Her chambers were situated in the west, the guest wing. Most of the east wing she was told was not used, save for a few rooms. The servants were forbidden to step foot there. At the centre of the castle was the throne room and banquet hall, which were both being swept and cleaned as she passed through them and to the top of the castle she had learnt the King's chambers were situated.
As she walked and encountered people she was taken aback when maids curtsied and even all the cooks stopped when she walked through the kitchens. Not used to such formality and thoroughly embarrassed Sarah soon convinced them that she wasn't anyone important and they should carry on their work. Confused the people continued about their business, talking and laughing as they worked. Familiar sounds of human emotion filled her and the tense muscles in Sarah's shoulders relaxed.
After about half an hour she found herself in an empty room that she had happened upon at the bottom of the west wing, and she leant wearily against the cool stone of the wall. The room was filled only with chairs and a table, and she still hadn't found Christian. After asking an elderly maid she was told that he wasn't in his chambers and none of the servants had seen him this morning. Sarah sighed and attempted to push away unwelcome thoughts that filled her once again in the silence. That left only the stables and castle grounds. She knew that if Jareth ever caught her he would be furious at how she so freely explored his castle.
But why did it matter? He already thought her a nuisance as it was and what with last night....Why was she always at his mercy? Why did he always have to be in control? He made her feel like a little girl, a stupid little girl and she had proved him right by almost killing herself, running into whatever that thing was. And then having to be saved by him, thinking for a moment that it was because he cared about her not just because he wanted to criticise her. After he had...Sarah thumped her head against the stone. He has no power over you Sarah, no power.
Turning to leave the room she discovered that where a door had been was now cool stone wall. She looked round perplexed, maybe she had gotten confused, maybe it was on the otherside of the room. No just stone wall. Suddenly feeling some panic she scoured the whole of the circular room. Nothing.
Hang on a second, she thought, where did that come from? The wall that Sarah had originally thought just wall actually masked a spiral staircase which was camouflaged by a similar stone pattern. It reached upwards winding around the wall of the circular room till it reached the very top. Only a few shadows actually hinted at the fact that it was there. Curious, Sarah followed it's steps looking downwards as she climbed, looking at the tables and chairs below which got smaller the further up she reached. Funny, she thought, I could have sworn the ceiling was lower when I first came in here.
At the top was a simple wooden door. Well it's not like there's any other way out, she decided and slowly Sarah turned the handle.
She was greeted by blue light like spider webs which stretched over the whole of the door frame in an intricate maze of threads distorting whatever was past it, merging colours and peculiar shapes. Without even realising what she was doing her hand reached out to touch it. Nothing just a tingle, kind of like a small electric shock. She could put her whole hand through the light, she drew it back.
"Well here goes nothing,"
Holding her breath and closing her eyes she quickly stepped through the blue web. When she reached the otherside suddenly the distorted shapes and colours made some sense. The whole of the room was shaped like a crescent moon, a staircase lead from her feet down to a green blue marble floor. Even from here Sarah could make out the clear reflection of herself. To either side of her leading down the six wide steps to the bottom of the room were large mahogany cases of books, their shelves stretching into the sky. But these weren't the shapes that she had seen distorted before. Slowly, uncertain limbs shaking in awe Sarah descended to the bottom of the room.
The curved crescent side of the room was, for lack of a better word, alive. It felt as if the room was floating in space.
The curve of the wall was separated into roughly eight segments, each like a doorway to places she couldn't even begin to describe, scenes she had never seen, not even in her imagination. Doorways, she thought, doorways.... and things began to fall into place.
Doorways to other worlds. The openings seemed to waver and although the images seemed real, real enough to touch, Sarah got the feeling that the scenes were located far away to where she was now.
The first doorway lead merely to clouds and a sky of so many colours she couldn't even begin to count them, as she neared it she could almost feel a calm breeze blowing, brushing a fallen brown curl from her face. For a second she could smell something that lingered on the breeze which tantalised all her senses. As she followed the delicate tapestry of colour she realised that each doorway reached high up into the wall of the room till they all curved to meet at the top of the dome like structure.
The second scene contrasted greatly to that of before. It was a beach. Pure white sand like small fragments of crystal which was touched everynow and then by an aqua green tide. In the water she could see a glimpse of something. Fins maybe or scales but she couldn't work out what it was. Around the beach were stretches of exotic plantlife, flowers which seemed to have nectar of gold, petals of silver, stems of bronze. Leaves of so many shades of green earth's rainforests couldn't compare with the exquisite blooms. Shielding them were towering palm trees except without green leaves and coconuts instead palms of all tints of blue. Hues of the darkest, crimson reds to the creamiest of yellows graced Sarah's eyes and she could almost taste the perfumes that mixed together creating a sweet, wonderful aroma.
A gushing water fall of purple crashed into the aqua green ocean from rocky mountain coves to the left of the scene, rocky mountains like jagged needles of glassy rock reaching out to the heavens. At the foaming water of the bottom of the waterfall was a burst of colour, pale purple seeped into the aqua as if it were alive gradually fading to merge with the colour of the ocean, adding a lilac tint.
From the bottom of the cliffs she could make out creatures. She looked closer, horses, the lilac of the fountain reflected on what would be a dazzling white mane and body. They drank calmly from the water there, about ten of them. As soon as Sarah began to watch them they abruptly ceased, and looked to the sky obviously spooked. Sarah expected them to run, but instead from their backs large white wings spread and gracefully they flew into the sky till the doorway could no longer show where they went. In the distance Sarah could make out what had spooked them, silver and blue scales shone blinding in the pale sun as it soared through the air. A creature which must have been about forty feet long, not even including the tail that was carried by the currents behind it as it flew. Reptile like, yet too majestic, too elegant, too magnificent, Sarah admitted, to ever be associated with snakes and lizards. A dragon Sarah thought and she surged with emotion, she had never seen anything so beautiful in her life. No fantasy novel she had read could ever prepare her for the sight.
Tearing her eyes away she focused on the third doorway into a forest of weeping willows and glistening dew on bluebells. Ice frosted the leaves of the odd flower on the other wise dusty floor. Sarah could see the signs of winter snow in the forest. The scene was misty and only a few shady patches of light pierced through the dense cover of trees from above. In the hazy scene below the tree cover she saw through the giant trunks of the trees a small village. Nefar maybe? Sarah contemplated.
As she stared at the wavering image she was reminded of the forest in the Labyrinth, where she had almost had her limbs ripped off by Fierys, until she was saved by.... she caught herself. She couldn't bear to think of her lost friend. Sarah's grief was broken rudely by a scream and her attention was brought to the doorway at the end of the crescent shaped wall. Edging over cautiously she soon regretted breaking her stare.
All the other doorways had provided no sound, but from the last that piercing scream still emanated like a waking nightmare. This door was different to the others, it was completely dark, like an engulfing blanket mirrored only by sleep. The only colour was three white beams of light which ran across it's width like prison bars, preventing anyone from getting in, or out, she thought. The blackness seemed familiar, familiar like nightmares, nightmares of killing and hurting, familiar like a dark cloud, familiar like guilt and regret. She turned from it quickly. Four to go.
The door next to it was nearly as gloomy, nearly. A barren wasteland stared out at her. It seemed to go on for ever, filled with bones and rocks on the grey sand. It was like a deserted war ground. In the sky above it vulture like creatures seemed to circle. Except these creatures in the distance sometimes looked oddly, human. Unconsciously she trembled.
Although the next door again provided no sound, the scene was nonetheless alive with movement. The image burned red, everything seemed to be on fire. It was so hot, so hot, Sarah could feel her own skin start to burn as waves of warmth blasted at her. She stepped backwards.
To her relief through the next door the images were more tranquil, and Sarah was provided a glimpse of a lake. Deer with dappled backs on their honey fur, drank from it along with rabbits and Sarah felt calm return. Skimming across the surface Sarah thought at first were dragonflies but as one hovered by the doorway she realised they were in fact fairies. Beautiful miniature people, but Sarah had learnt long ago that appearances can deceive. Past the fairies Sarah saw a large fox emerge from the woods, moving towards the oblivious rabbits. Sarah felt her stomach lurch as she realised it's intentions, but before the fox could move again a rabbit leapt at it, tearing at it's throat. The fox was immediately killed, blood spreading from it's limp neck and as calmly as before the rabbits began to drink from the blood. Sarah was shocked, but her attention was drawn back to a fairy which was teasing a deer by flying around it's head, silently laughing at it's distress. Sarah clicked.
The last door.
Her jaw dropped open slightly and her soft brown eyes began to water. She saw a busy city, filled with traffic jams and the hustle and bustle of people. Office blocks and the silent drill of roadworks. She recognised Central Park and normality. At least what she had come to think of as normality. She remembered last fall when she had taken Toby to the park and they'd had a picnic.
Toby.
She hadn't even thought about him, or the life she had left behind. Her scholarship, her parents' arguments, the life she had created for herself just didn't seem that important anymore. Standing here Sarah realised she wasn't quite sure where she belonged anymore, maybe she didn't belong anywhere. She'd thought of earth as her home but she never really believed it.
Suddenly she sensed a presence behind her, before she could greet it the figure spoke,
"Of all the places on your world New York City is the link. Pretty ironic don't you think?"
Sarah sighed but didn't look away from the image in front of her trying to work out if she could see herself in that place anymore. "You know you and your brother have a really frustrating habit of sneaking up on people." She murmured.
Christian chuckled, "Sorry, but you've been standing here staring for so long I wondered whether or not you were going to run through back to that," His face was full of distaste as he stood next to her and gestured at Earth. He obviously wasn't fond of the place.
"I never even knew," Sarah murmured glancing at the images in awe once more, "They're all so different."
"That they are, the only thing they share is the same moon."
"No one on Earth has a clue, God if they knew," She laughed in wonder at it all. But then quietened as she compared all the doorways in front of her to that of her own world's and spoke to no one in particular, "No, it's probably better they don't know."
"Do you miss it?" Christian asked, all character dropped from his voice, replaced with caution. She could see him eyeing her hesitantly from the corner of her eye.
Sarah swallowed, "It wouldn't matter if I did would it? You can't send me back can you?" That at least she'd figured out a while ago.
He shook his head in regret, "We just can't take the risk travelling to other realms,"
"God," he groaned irritated, "I always seem to be having to apologise to you, but," the annoyance in his voice dropped, "I really am sorry."
Sarah turned from her world and walked determinedly away from it turning at the bottom of the staircase to face him. "Don't be," She said a new strength in her voice. "Because I'm staying and I'm helping you."
Christian grinned broadly, "Even after everything that happened, even after..." he trailed off.
"Yes," Sarah enforced, "And even if I don't have this magic..." He went to protest but she silenced him with a glare, "...I'm still helping. My friends are dead and I owe it to them, to myself to avenge their deaths."
She strode over to the last doorway, even though it made her stomach lurch and her heart thump in fear she stood in front of the door, the white of the beams playing fondly on her rich brown hair and making her face seem all the more pale and beautiful in it's moonlight caress. Her eyes were narrowed in hate, "It came from there didn't it? The thing that killed my friends? The thing from last night."
"An Ombre," He corrected her. "I believe on your world the word is French for shadow or nightmare."
Sarah nodded. "When I looked into it, it was like some kind of a nightmare, and they...my friends, they were trapped in there I had to get to them, I had to..." she realised she couldn't explain the panic that had filled her but Christian seemed to understand.
"An ombre is a nightmare cloud, the whole ninth realm is full of them." He thought for a second, "It is I suppose a nightmare itself." He walked to join her staring into the darkness through the doorway and Sarah thought she could see him shake, "For centuries the ninth realm has been cut off from all the others. When there were no barriers horrors which killed races and almost destroyed worlds emerged from that world, either of their own will or by Mages who stupidly thought they could use the magic to defeat their enemies," He shook his head, "After too many had been killed and too much lost it was finally decided that the black magic was too evil, too powerful, too chaotic to ever be wielded or fought. So instead it was trapped by strong guards put up by the ancients, the most powerful of mages." he took a breath, "And so the guards stayed, none of the magic able to penetrate the shields to do any damage. The only time the magic could ever escape was whilst people slept, in their dreams, but dreams weren't reality so it held no threat." He exhaled bitterly.
Sarah struggled to order her thoughts as he continued, "After a few hundred years a few races, the Nefarian and Fae to name but a few, became inventive in their punishments for traitors and criminals. Death being too easy a punishment and no other torture awful enough it was decided that the most evil of individuals should be imprisoned in the ninth realm to be subjected to the horrors and hell there."
Christian's handsome face held traces of regret of foolish decisions and too late realised ignorance.
"But?" Sarah egged him on to continue his story.
"Many years ago there was a Fae Lord, who attempted to other throw the Fae King and sacrifice him to the Gods so that he could take his place. He almost succeeded, kiilling many who opposed him and enslaving others in the process. The King decided that his fate would be to be imprisoned in the ninth realm for all eternity." He sighed, "But then about fifty earth years later Fae all over this realm received harrowing nightmares which felt real until the sufferer awoke. Somehow the Fae Lord had learnt how to use the magic of the black Kingdom and was visiting the Fae through nightmares." the bitterness returned to Christian's voice, "Again it was thought that these were dreams, they posed no real danger, they weren't real."
His hands spoke as well now so he could enhance the importance of his words, "But the emotion was real, the fear people felt was real, very real. That was enough for the Fae Lord to materialise the black magic in our realm to seek his revenge. All Fae were turned into Goblins, except the present King. All links were broken off with this realm to the others. Trolls, fairies, beasts became stranded here to wander the Labyrinth the only link still alive was to the fifth realm but all magic was 'supposedly' dead there anyway."
Everything clicked into place for Sarah as she remembered what Nathaniel had told her, "So Jareth used magic from my world so that he could break the links and free the Labyrinth,"
He looked at her curiously, "Nathaniel." She explained and he grinned. Sarah realised now hearing Christian speak that he too respected Jareth for what he had done, admired him for it even. I wonder if they knew how much fun he had doing it? She scowled. How much fun he had torturing people, scaring the inhabitants of his Kingdom. Surely there was a better way than taking innocent children and laying the blame on their guardians? He could have just asked, she thought, instead of trying to convince her that he was going to turn her baby brother into a Goblin.
"I take it that this Lord is trying again then, to destroy your Kingdom I mean?"
Christian nodded solemnly.
"Can't you just put up guards again? Wouldn't that keep this guy in?" She suggested hopefully,
"Rugar, his name's Rugar," Disgust filled Christian's face , "And no we can't, It's not that easy. This time he's broken into other realms possessing any magical being he can get his hands on so that all they want to do is destroy the Fae. Not just the predators like the basilisks, sepelions and centaurs, but griffins, dragons and winged horses too. We've put up guards but sometimes even they're not strong enough to keep them in. And the Ombres, they've been coming for half a year now, taking people's souls. About a thousand Fae have been taken now."
"Can't you go there?" Sarah interrupted, "To the ninth realm and kill this Rugar?"
Christian shook his head profusely, "All we can do is defend ourselves. He's put up stronger guards than we could have ever imagined, things can get out but nothing can get in. We lost five of our best Mages trying to get through." He sighed exasperated, "But Rugar knows our magic too well, God he is Fae for crying out loud. Before we can attempt another passing we need more people with talent, and something new, a new type of magic, which could be more powerful than Fae. All the other magics will be too weak, too easy to predict, save one,"
As he looked at her, hope on his face she finally understood, and her stomach sank as Sarah realised what he was asking of her. But what if his faith was misplaced? It was such a responsibility. "I want to help you
Christian I really do, but what if I can't?"
"Sarah!" There was bafflement in his voice, "Don't you know what you did last night, you destroyed that Ombre without even trying. You just walked through some of my most powerful guards to get into here. I don't know why you won't believe me Sarah but you've got magic, it may be wild and chaotic but hell you've got it and you can help us Sarah. You can avenge your friends' deaths."
Christian moved towards her, his blue eyes wide with energy, a broad smile on his face. He took her hands in his and lead her away. "Come on we better go, Jareth'll go crazy if he discovers you in here. Hell he'll go crazy if he discovers me, his own brother, in here without his permission."
Sarah laughed, then bit her lip timidly, his face was so warm, so inviting. A full, generous mouth, warm ivory skin and his eyes were just stunning especially when they sparkled with hope like they did now. Sarah felt so full with energy and goals, her senses seem to flow after they had been cold and hard for so many years. She remembered who she was now. She was Sarah Williams and in the wake of such tragedy she felt like she belonged, she felt like her life had meaning, purpose. Her brown eyes regarded Christian's inquisitively and he met her stare his grin softening as he looked at her. His hands were tight around hers as she gazed up at him, she felt so comfortable in his arms.
"Thank you." She said quietly.
"For what?" he asked puzzled.
"I don't think I could tell you why, I just feel I have to." That same adorable, lop sided grin returned to his face.
When he finally reluctantly let her hands go she realised he had transported them to the castle grounds by the stables.
"Sorry," he apologised, "Duty calls." and he mounted a chestnut Arab that had just been lead out to him by a young girl, a stable hand. "Feel free to explore the gardens," He said once he had positioned himself on his mount. Sarah stepped back as he coaxed the Arab away from her. After a few paces he turned to look at her grinning, "And I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning,"
Sarah frowned, "What on earth for?"
"Lessons of course." then before she had a chance to reply he kicked his heels into the horse's side and raced off into the distance, leaving a bewildered Sarah to stare after him.
* * * * *
Sarah was glad she had taken up Christian's suggestion to explore the castle grounds. Deceptive, like many things in the Labyrinth, they were much larger than the eye assumed. The gardens which immediately surrounded the castle were bordered by well kept plants and flowers, but she discovered that amidst that were several gates. Intrigued by a gate covered in ivy and white blossoms Sarah tried the lock but it wouldn't open. Glad she had worn boots and breeches rather than a dress she clambered inelegantly over it.
Jumping down the otherside the ground beneath her feet was soft with pale green glass covered in snowdrops and daisies. A tree with a thick trunk covered in pale green moss dropped white petals from the flowers in it's leaves. The petals came to glide on a small pond below covered in lily pads. The water sparkled as it reflected the sun's rays. The air was sharp and fragrant and Sarah inhaled deeply her senses reeling. Several trees like that overhanging the pond, but not as big, were growing from the ground around the pond masking all that was behind it, rendering the spot around the pond secluded.
A secret paradise, she decided.
The suns rays were hot and relaxing and Sarah sighed contentedly. She spied a clear spot of flat grass near to the pond where the rays shone. Settling down in it she lay back, basking in the golden sunlight.
Closing her eyes she tried to doze for a bit and succeeded until something landed on her chest, flicking her eyes open abruptly she found herself face to face with glowing emerald irises.
She sat up in shock and the thing on her chest landed on the grass flapping wings to descend gently. Her intruder was no bigger then her hand and shone a sparkling white silver in the light, fur glistening. It was the weirdest mix of creatures she had seen.
The small animal sat looking at her, a small snout with short whiskers and large emerald eyes covered in snow white fur, it was almost like a miniature cat except that from it's back spread wings as thin as lace, pale emerald green glittering and where a fluffy white tail should be was a long thin green one, almost reptilian with a pointed arrowed end.
The creature couldn't seem to decide if it's was feline or cold blooded, like it was stuck between worlds never really belonging, her expression softened fondly.
It sat on it's hindquarters and looked somewhat miffed as to why it had been so abruptly thrown off. Giving out something between a mewl and a squeak it bounded towards Sarah who sat up and it rubbed it's head against her arm. The creature seemed to be purring.
"I'm sorry," Sarah said her voice gentle, "You just scared me that's all."
The cat/dragon squeaked in agreement. Using her freehand she stroked it's soft fur and it purred louder in agreement. Chuckling to herself she lay back resting on her elbows looking out over the pond, expecting the cat/dragon to run off, but instead the creature jumped, or flew rather onto her lap.
"All alone are you?" Sarah sighed, "I wouldn't worry about it I'm pretty much alone here too," The creature nestled into her lap curling into a ball, it's arrow tail resting on it's pale fur. "I think I'll call you Snowdrop," Sarah said as she stroked it's chin, Snowdrop squeaked, "Sorry," Sarah said, "I never was that good at thinking of names." But Snowdrop had already fallen asleep.
Sarah sat there thinking for a while, the only noise being Snowdrop's soft purr. Interrupting the peace her stomach growled loudly, the animal woke with a start, perturbed disturbed from it's slumber.
"Sorry, I guess I haven't eaten in a while, but I really would hate to leave here..." She said regretfully.
Sarah looked up, at the white blossom tree thoughtfully. In between the white flowers she could make out something red. Moving a reluctant Snowdrop she investigated further and discovered that within the blossom of the tree were bright, red shining apples. She looked down Snowdrop was at her feet grumbling disagreeably as Sarah studied the fruit to check it was all right.
"Okay I know I didn't have much luck the last time I ate something here, but Christian would have warned me if there was anything I needed to watch out for."
Snowdrop still grumbled. Dismissing the creature's protests Sarah opened her mouth and took a bite. But when she brought her jaw together she tasted only air. The apple had crumbled into dust which slipped through the gaps in her fingers.
"Sarah, Sarah, Sarah." A voice tutted, "You really should take some lessons in manners." The voice was cold yet aloof, only one person who could master that. She wiped her hands together so that the remaining bits of dust fell to her feet. Hearing the voice Snowdrop shot away from her feet and out of sight. Sarah didn't blame the creature.
She took a deep breath and told Jareth what she had told his brother, but with much more venom in her voice this time.
"You're the one who should learn some manners and stop sneaking up on people."
"Really?" He said, sardonic amusement in his voice, and Sarah looked up at him. Mistake. She caught her breath in her throat. Why did he always have this affect on her? She thought with frustration. A long silver/grey embroidered jacket stretched to his feet and underneath that he wore a white shirt and black breeches with knee boots. Peculiarly his hair was not wild and free this time, instead it was tied back, only a few wisps allowed freedom at the front, serving to enhance his sculpted face and the mismatched eyes that danced in the sunlight.
Sarah struggled to continue to act as aloof as him,and prayed he didn't notice the effect he had on her.
He cocked his head like he always did when he was going to be sarcastic and undermine her, "I didn't know saving someone's life was called sneaking up on someone."
Sarah frowned, "What?"
He sighed and rolled his eyes, she found herself growing red. Jareth clicked his fingers. A red apple appeared in his right palm, reaching to the left side of his belt with his other hand he brought out a dagger and promptly slit the apple in two. Inside, it was rotten and foul, Sarah pulled a face completely disgusted.
"You'd be dead before you'd even swallowed," He stated, contempt for her foolishness ringing in his voice as he closed his palm crushing the two apple halves into dust, then replaced the dagger at his side. "I think that's the third time I've saved your life, am I not mistaken?" He sneered, obviously satisfied. Sarah huffed and shook her head completely baffled. For a second last night she thought she'd glimpsed...No he was as cold and cruel as ever, but by God she could be cruel too.
"Why exactly did you bother saving me if you detest me so much? If I'm such a nuisance? It doesn't make sense," She raised her eyebrows questioningly trying to mimic his amused self assurance. The King's eyes narrowed, "I remember you telling me that you were cruel. But you know what Jareth, you don't seem half as in control as you were two years ago, you seem almost..." Sarah moistened her lips, "Powerless."
Jareth smiled, the left half of his thin lips curved into a sneer, "Don't try my patience Sarah, You're no match for me."
Sarah crossed her arms, "I don't intend on being a match for you, because this time we're on the same team, this time you need me."
His face dropped, and she could see him start to shake ever so slightly in barely contained rage.
"Christian told me, not just about what's happening now, and not just why your kingdom needs me." Her features narrowed and she lost her composure, "You lied to me, the whole time I was here. I can't understand how a King, how someone that people need to rely on could ever be so cruel, so conceited. Who could torture innocent people and...."
He interrupted her laughing insanely, "Innocent!" he cried, "Please Sarah you are hardly innocent. You are just as cruel as me," He spat with fury, "You were the one who called for your own baby brother to be taken away. You were the spoilt little child who argued constantly with her parents." Each time he spoke it was like a dagger in he heart, "You were the one who forgot about the friends who helped you, I reordered time Sarah but it still didn't meet your expectations. Because nothing's ever good enough for Sarah Williams is it? You hurt all those around you and throw everything back in their faces." Jareth's outburst left Sarah standing there stunned, she'd never seen him lose so control like this before. So much passion, so much hate, she tried to still her thumping heart.
Holding back tears which ached in the back of her throat she spoke quietly but still pointedly. "Why does it matter if I'm cruel to you Jareth. Why should you care?"
He sighed and spoke coolly now hands resting comfortably as he folded them behind his back, "You may have grown older Sarah but not wiser."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" she cried. "Why can't you just admit that you might just need my help? Or does it hurt your pride too much?"
"Stop acting like a spoilt brat and calm down," He pinched the bridge of his aquiline nose, his tone patronising. It was as if he was speaking to a small child, Sarah finally lost it.
"
Calm down?" She shouted, "Calm down? You treat me like a child yo-"
He moved forward quickly and grabbed her by her arms, his leather gloved fingers pinching in at her skin. She gasped.
"You assume too much," His pale face was dangerously close to hers and he spoke in harsh whisper, "I never once told you that I was going to turn your baby brother into a goblin, I have never attempted to hurt you or kill you, and I've never said that I didn't need your help." He never once tore his eyes from her. He seemed to be searching her eyes for something.
"You are a child Sarah, still a child and the only reason I don't want you here is that children shouldn't be involved in the wars of adults. I couldn't care what your opinion is of me. If my kingdom can be saved by using your magic than I don't' care that it came from a spoilt child." He gritted his teeth, "I will use, exploit and manipulate anything I can as long as I win. So don't think for a second that I am not as cruel as I seemed to you once." He shook her as he spoke and she was powerless.
Sarah huffed in disbelief and wrenched herself free from his grip and massaged where his hands had been.
"How can I believe anything you tell me? You might like intimidating people and making them cower before you Jareth but it's all just a lie. You only frightened me because I was taken in by your tricks. You made me think you were turning my baby brother into a goblin. You made me think I destroyed the Labyrinth, when really you were just trying to save your kingdom and serve your own needs."
"Sarah how easily you forget," he raised elegant brows, "I was only frightening because you wished me to be, only dashing because you required me to be. I always put your needs, your desires before my own."
The tension was almost electric between them now, so alive, so on fire that Sarah feared it would burn her.
He moved closer to her now and she was frozen to the spot as he circled her like a lion did his prey, his silver coat flowing behind him, hands crossed behind his back. "You are just as cruel as me Sarah, but you can also be just as generous. That's why you help my brother, not just out of guilt." He snorted amused, "You've convinced yourself for so long now little girl that you don't need your dreams and that you're old and wise," He paused, "But you have a long way to go yet."
Sarah lifted her stubborn chin, "Well what about everyone else who travelled through the Labyrinth? Did you give them all their dreams?"
"No other human ever wished anyone away, you were the only one. I had never expected a human to, elves and sprites on the other hand maybe...." he shrugged.
She wasn't sure if that was a criticism of her or not, but still what was he saying, was he saying that...
Sarah stood dumbfounded, "But then how...."
He moved to whisper in her left ear, "Human imagination. Their fantasies, their desires, their dreams rescued my Kingdom." His breath tickled her neck as he sighed and she shivered, "Your dreams used to be so bright Sarah so full of life. All that's left is the shell of the girl who solved my Labyrinth." His hand moved to her left hip and she felt her senses come alive, her heart thumped and her breaths were short. "I watched you for so long but you never saw me, so wrapped up in your own world," There was fond recollection in his voice, "But you disappointed me Sarah," he quickly moved away from her, his hand dropping from her side and Sarah's body ached to feel him again, she couldn't seem to think straight. What was he trying to tell her? God how could she have been so blind?
He moved to lean against the large trunk of the white blossom tree, Sarah's eyes followed him. "But what's done is done."
He sighed. "You're right Sarah I am cruel and self serving, not good traits for a King but I am King and I have a responsibility. A duty that I will always fulfil. And I am always fair and I always play by the rules."
Sarah tensed, sensing the ulterior meaning in his voice.
"And I believe in an eye for an eye. Rugar needs to be killed soon otherwise not just my world but yours too will be destroyed. Think what you will, that I do it for my pride or that I do this out of care for my subjects, the fact is your opinion of me doesn't matter," he crossed his arms across his chest, "You'll need to put aside your problems with me because," He smiled satisfied, "You need me too."
Sarah laughed, "How did you work that out?"
Jareth sneered knowingly his face narrowed in resentment, "I know you'll sooner give up everything then see my dear brother die and my Kingdom destroyed. You want to save it just as much as I do, maybe more," he scoffed, "Afterall I am, what was it you said," He cocked his head, "Cruel and selfish."
He shrugged again, his silver jacket glinting in the sunlight, "I might as well live up to your expectations."
Shadows deepened over the whole of the willow tree obscuring him from view as he stepped backwards and disappeared.
Sarah couldn't find anything to say.