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The Same Moon
Chapter 8
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A few hours of thinking later Sarah reached the castle gardens hot, sweaty and tired. The suns rays were boiling now and heat lines blurred everything in the distance. The left sleeve of her shirt was also ripped where she'd caught it climbing over that gate, too angry to be careful. Damn you Jareth, why do you have to complicate everything? She'd had so many things ordered in her head, she was so comfortable with Christian but now....why did he have to send her world spinning again?
Fanning herself with her hand she wiped the sweat from her forehead. Behind her she heard several pairs of hooves cantering towards her. A black mare, a chestnut Arab and a beautiful white Lipazzaner horse rode over to the stables. Upon the black mare she recognised Galen, the chestnut Arab belonged to Christian and the Lipazzaner to Alanna. At the last minute Nathaniel spotted her and smiled and turned trotting his horse over to where Sarah was standing.
He looked her up and down eyebrows raised quizzically. "What happened to you?"
Sarah realised she must look quite a mess; hot and sweaty with torn clothing. "Don't ask." She replied.
Nathaniel nodded and chuckled as he dismounted swiftly. She had a sinking feeling in her gut that he was going to bring up the subject of last night and braced herself.
"Have you seen Jareth?" He asked, squinting in the sunlight the rays highlighting the short hairs of his jet black goatee. Sarah tensed.
"Not for a while, I don't know where he is."
Nathaniel rubbed his hands together, Sarah saw that he wore brown fingerless gloves to match his breeches. "Damn," he muttered. "Never bloody well around when you need him, never bloody well around at all."
"What's wrong?" Sarah asked, trying to get off the subject of Jareth.
He gathered the reins of his horse and began to lead the animal in the direction of the stables, Sarah walking with him. He looked at her cautiously for a second as if deciding whether or not to trust her. After a while he rubbed his lips together before speaking,
"A break in the guards, a village in the I'enti hills has almost been destroyed. We've just been there now trying to salvage what we can but...." he ran his tongue over his bottom lip. A defeated and lost gesture.
Sarah said nothing. What could she say? Christian had said that this had been going on for over six months... Yet Nathaniel's usually smooth expressions looked troubled. Even last night with the Ombre he had looked calm and suave.
"But that's not the problem," He continued, "The guards that we put up there weren't broken from the outside. The break was made from within this realm."
Sarah understood his concern. He continued to shake his head, although still immaculately dressed Nathaniel was worn out.
"By Sirah if we didn't already have enough problems. Now we've got to look for a traitor, damn," he cursed; his face a vision of anger and annoyance. Sarah still said nothing. When they reached the stable doors Alanna and Christian greeted them. They were leant against a fence which outlined the paddock of the stables, their horses grazed in the open grass being tended to by stable hands. Both looked as exhausted as Nathaniel. Christian was perched on a lower part of the fence, elbows on his knees thinking.
The white Lipazzaner trotted over to greet Sarah, snorting through it's nostrils. Sarah smiled, "Hello there beautiful," She greeted as the horse nudged Sarah with it's nose and she stroked it gently, smiling. The horse was so beautiful, it reminded her of the winged horses she had seen before. It's energy contrasted greatly to the weariness of it's rider.
"She hasn't seen him." Nathaniel said leading the black mare to the furthest stable where it was taken by a hand. From his right pocket he drew out something long and white and placed it in his mouth. With a click of his finger it lit, and the cigarette smoke made thick circles which trailed into the distance in the humid air. He took a deep puff and leant against a stable door.
He took the cigarette out of his mouth, balancing it elegantly between two fingers.
"Well we haven't really got a chance of finding out who it is let alone proving it," Nathaniel scoffed, "So the easiest thing to do is set up some traps."
Alanna stretched her arms and breathed deeply, "I'll get on to it now." she said wearily. She had been sitting on the fence next to Christian, but she got up slowly obviously exhausted. Her red hair was limp and straight where it had been wavy and her complexion was pale.
Christian suddenly became animated and stood to pull Alanna back from magicking herself away, a look of tender concern on his face.
"Ali you're sleeping okay and I don't want to hear any arguments. I'll find Arram and send him."
Alanna didn't protest, instead she just massaged a temple, "I'll go find him now."
Nathaniel straightened from his poise and dropped his cigarette on the floor putting it out with a stamp of a heavily booted foot. "No you won't you'll sleep. Christian'll find him," he took the half asleep Alanna by her arm, and lead her towards the castle, "I'll see you at dinner tonight Sarah." he said over his shoulder. Sarah nodded still meeting the affections of the white horse.
"His name's Aramis," Christian gave the horse a pat on it's side and the horse swished it's tail appreciatively.
"He's gorgeous," Sarah said still stroking his nose. At the other end of the paddock a group of horses were being lead in, noticing them Aramis snorted and galloped over to greet them all, soon mixing within the head with neighs of acknowledgement.
"Nice walk?" Christian asked.
Sarah bit her lip, "Great."
He nodded nervously both not sure of what to say. Christian broke the awkwardness, "I better go find Arram, but I'd be honoured if you'd escort me to dinner tonight." he smiled and raised his eyebrows flirtatiously.
Sarah grinned, "Of course I will."
"See you tonight then." He said exhilarated and then whistled sharply, his mount cantered over.
They said their goodbyes and Sarah was once again left alone. Thrusting her hands in her pockets she ambled in the direction of the castle, and couldn't help but smile. The front entrance of the castle was surrounded by guards and Sarah recognised a lot of disproving faces from the banquet so quietly slipped around the back of the building looking for another entrance. Around the corner of a turret she heard the muttering of angry voices, slowly she peered behind it to see Lord Merrin and Arram engaged in what looked to be like very heavy discussion. Merrin was flailing his arms in the air eagerly trying to tell Arram something.
The serious man stood, a thoughtful look on his face. He wore a black jacket, white shirt and grey breeches making him look as moody and sombre as he was when Sarah first met him. He was expressionless as usual, his face impossible to read. Always calculating always thinking, it made her shake.
Intrigued Sarah hid around the other side of the turret bracing her back against the wall out of view and strained her hearing to listen to their discussion. Easing her breathing so that all she could hear were the voices she listened.
"Merrin you truly are stupid if you even contemplate such things." The voice was bland and condoning, sending shivers down her spine.
"Arram my dear boy the King isn't the man he used to be, he is withdrawn and cold, he barely takes part in matters of the realm. The throne is prime for the taking."
That dirty little sneak. Sarah knew he was underhanded and greedy as soon as she met hmi. Even this far away from him he made her flesh crawl.
"And you know this how? Many have tried to reckon with Jareth, Merrin. Most of them now are dead or scurrying around here as mice."
"Yes," Merrin urged greed ringing in his voice, "But the King has a weakness once more, Can't you see how his cold facade has broken once again,"
Arram snorted thinking whilst Merrin pushed on, "We'd be doing him a favour. You know how much the King resents his responsibility."
"Merrin you underestimate Jareth's popularity."
"Popularity won't have anything to do with it Arram all I ask is tha-"
The voices trailed off as Merrin lead Arram away. Damn Sarah cursed. As soon as she thought they were far enough away, she dared to look around but didn't have a clue what they were talking about, eventually they disappeared out of view and Sarah frowned. So Arram was the traitor. But how was she going to prove it? Arram was a powerful sorcerer, it was her word against his, she needed more proof before she said anything and Arram hadn't agreed with Merrin yet, he was just listening. But who else could it be?
Christian would probably believe her and go mad at the man. Afterall it was plausible after his attitude at the banquet. But if she wasn't right...she couldn't take the risk until she had hard evidence. Anyway they were putting up traps and would soon catch him if it was Arram wouldn't they? Maybe she should confide in someone else. Nathaniel maybe, he seemed understanding and trustworthy as well as pretty level headed.
Well who else could she tell? Jareth? She laughed bitterly, Jareth trustworthy? Never she thought with a scowl, never.
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Later that night as Sarah was walking along another castle corridor cursing their similarity, Sarah felt a tap on her shoulder and jumped.
"This area is off limits to guests." the woman drawled. Marie. Sarah scowled, the older woman smiled sweetly. Her black hair was twisted up in an elegant knot and she wore a rose coloured dress which hugged her hips and swept daringly low at the woman's breasts. Although she looked as stunning as ever she looked quite flustered and obviously was annoyed at Sarah's presence. Something within the girls soul began to sink with dread. Marie's hands were covered in elbow length silk gloves and she looked at Sarah with disgust.
When Sarah had dressed she had been pleased with her appearance; a pale yellow cotton dress which flattered her hair and skin tones as well as her figure. Simple but effective she had thought. But compared to Marie she was nothing.
"I was told I could find Nathaniel in his quarters which were in this direction." Sarah replied coolly, not about to let this woman intimidate her.
"Well you were told wrong, dear." Marie fluttered her eyelids in contempt then a cruel smile tainted her features, "Only the King's quarters are found in this direction and he's rather tired after my visit and won't appreciate young girls making a lot of noise. So if you wouldn't mind leaving." Marie almost purred and raised a painted eyebrow waiting for Sarah's reaction.
Sarah swallowed, hard. She wasn't stupid , she knew what Marie meant. Something shattered inside her and she was overcome with rage. It took all of her willpower to stop shaking and keep calm. Marie toyed with the silk gloves on her hands, smiling at her with dark red lips. She continued to look down her nose at Sarah, enjoying the reaction she had provoked.
"Not at all." Sarah said trying to hold back angry tears of betrayal. She didn't know why she was mad. But still she couldn't hold back the rage.
With despising eyes the woman looked her up and down, "Nice meeting you again Serena." Marie said in
mock pleasance.
"It's Sarah." She replied icily and trembling the whole way she walked down the opposite case of stairs, muffling sobs under her hand.
"Sarah!" A concerned voice which she dubbed as Christian called after her. Couldn't she just get some peace? Swallowing her tears and rubbing her face, she tried to compose herself to look as if she hadn't been crying. Raking a hand through her dishevelled curls Sarah attempted to look presentable, she didn't want to fuel Marie's satisfaction anymore. Sniffing a few times and waiting for her heartbeat to slow she turned up the stairs attempting to look aloof and confident.
She gasped and dropped the whole facade when she realised the concerned voice belonged to Jareth. He wore the same clothes as earlier except minus the long silver jacket. Marie stood at his side, her eyes narrowed in spite. But Jareth didn't even acknowledge the scornful woman's presence and stepped towards Sarah his expression soft with something that looked like amusement. Sarah stood expressionless trying to ignore the daggers that Marie shot her.
"I think you'll find the dinner hall is in the opposite direction."
Sarah looked up at the grandfather clock which chimed in the corner of the hallway. It was seven o'clock already. She nodded and tried to keep her face blank. Jareth smiled, his top lip curling to reveal his perfect, almost predator like teeth. She couldn't look at him anymore without wanting to shout or hit him or do something, she wasn't sure what, so dropped her head.
"I could accompany you If you were confused about where you were going?" He raised his arched eyebrows suggestively and seemed to be enjoying her discomfort.
Sarah stuttered before she was able to get her words out, "I'm sorry but I can't," she replied and managed to prevent her voice from breaking, but it was nonetheless quiet. Jareth regarded her suspiciously when he didn't receive a sarcastic remark or pithy comment.
"I've already said I'd meet Christian."
Marie interrupted. Her self assurance had left her and she seemed eager to break the King's attentions from the young girl, "She's got plans Jareth, come on let's go."
But Jareth continued to ignore her, instead his eyes darkened and his expression hardened for a brief moment, before he smiled once more assured and confident as usual. Sarah couldn't work out whether or not he was baiting her or really did want to accompany her.
"I'm sure Christian won't mind."
Sarah bit her bottom lip, was there no way she could escape? She kept on avoiding his eyes which looked at her curiously trying to work out the change in temperament, "I'd better go explain it to him then."
"Don't bother I'm sure you'll go explain for us won't you Marie? As you're so eager to leave."
Marie scowled even more, and stormed past Sarah spite ringing in her eyes. Jareth waited until the angry tap of heels on the staircase disappeared before he moved.
He held out his arm and raised his eyebrows, teasing her again. But Sarah said nothing and merely accepted it, Jareth's expression dropped as he tried to read her face. As they walked she continued to look at the floor, hoping he wouldn't speak. No such luck.
"Where were you running off to in such a hurry?" He asked his cultured tones trying to hide his interest at her strange behaviour.
"I told you. I had to meet Christian." she replied bluntly. For a second he thought he could feel her shaking but the corridors of the castle were draughty as the sun set in the evening and few fires had been lit. The cold probably he thought. He looked at her face again, it was still emotionless. Sarah ached for some distraction but the corridor attaching the King's quarters to the rest of the castle was empty. Jareth flicked his wrist and a controlled fire started burning in the corner, quickly warming them. He waited for a reaction from her. Nothing, not even a flicker from her usually stubborn and strong willed eyes.
"Funny, There was a hint of mockery in his voice, And I always thought his quarters were at the bottom of the stairs?" Undermining her yet again.
"He's not in his quarters at the moment," She replied, not rising to the bait.
"Really?" Jareth said icily, "And how would you know that?" He sneered, "I was always under the impression that Christian went for blondes."
"Well at least he doesn't go for dark haired sluts," Sarah said coolly, trying not to betray what she really felt.
Jareth stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the deserted throne room, and Sarah looked up to see his nostrils flare. Quickly she stepped backwards pulling her arm roughly from his. He raised his defined chin, and finally some emotion appeared on Sarah's face. Anger, pure anger.
"You shouldn't be ashamed Jareth. You and Marie are both made for eachother. You're both cruel, manipulative, underhanded, and you're both complete liars." Her bottom lip trembled and he could see tears start to well in her eyes. Jareth remained surprisingly cool and serious.
"Sarah, after all my lessons and you still haven't learned one of the most important things," He grabbed her arm pulling her roughly towards him till she was forced to look into his hard eyes. She couldn't seem to be able to breathe anymore. Her breasts were squashed against his firm chest and she could feel him breathing heavily before he spoke.
"Things. aren't. always. as they. seem." He spat each word his face filled with fury, eyes narrowed, lips thin, face cold. The material of his shirt was smooth under her palm and she couldn't help but cling onto the cloth and cling onto him. Sarah refused to admit that the feeling washing over her was that of relief.
His hot breath was urgent against her cheek, insistent almost as he again seemed to be searching her eyes looking for a reaction. Pupils darting backwards and forwards as they studied hers. The rest of his face was blank except for his eyes which were filled with something she had glimpsed only once before.
Desperation, she thought with a shock, that same desperation so many years ago it seemed now.
When he had offered her her dreams, her desires.
*Just fear me, love me and I will be your slave.*
And she had refused him, refused everything he had given her.
*I ask for so little.*
And she had said no. In her story he was the villain in the end, always the villain. But this was no story, this was real life.
She remembered his eyes then, they had haunted so many dreams and nightmares since.
His eyes pleading with her, trying to get a selfish fifteen year old teenager to see.
They pleaded with her once again. Tears fell freely now, rolling down her pure white cheeks in slow motion, accompanied by silent, bitter sobs. As they crashed onto the hard stone floor below they were the only sound in the room.
She hadn't even thought about what he had wanted, his dreams his desires. He was right she was a selfish bitch, who cared about no one but herself.
Oh God she thought, I said no.
The realisation was like a dagger in her heart.
Is that what she'd done to him? Is that what it felt like to him when she'd refused him? Nightmares made sense now as the tears continued to fall.
And before she even knew what was happening his lips were pressed against hers like an electric shock and she was rendered helpless in his stifling grip. His fingers were around her back pressed tightly, possessively into her skin.
Paralysed.
Sarah felt an intensity she'd never felt before, an aching longing. A feeling...that was it. Not just sensation, but emotion. Emotion so strong it left her trembling. His fierce kiss began to bruise into her lips so that blood began to pound but not for a second did she want to break the feeling. Sarah wrapped her shaking hands around his neck and clung to him. Then her hands were in his hair, on his cool skin which with it's iciness set her skin on fire, simultaneously his hands smoothed over her back and his tender yet still fiercely possessive caress left her aching for more.
She'd been kissed before, but nothing could compare to this.
He pushed her further into him, his lips still on hers his tongue in her mouth. Every part of Sarah's body seemed to be touching Jareth's. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, threatening to escape at any second and she found herself feeling weak.
And scared but at the same time excited.
In control, but at the same time so utterly....
.....Powerless.
Abruptly Jareth stepped back and Sarah almost fell over. Her heart still pounded in her ears and breaths were still coming up short. With a shaking hand she brushed her brown locks back out of her face. Looking up Sarah wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't this.
Jareth stood regarding her with casual disinterest, leant against a stone column of the throne room, one hand on his chin, the other tapping rhythmically on his elbow. How could he one minute be filled with such emotion, then the next be so cool? Sarah failed to note the fact that Jareth was not toying with her this time, merely, retreating. She suddenly felt really angry, he had managed to manipulate her, again.
She wasn't sure how long they both stood there saying nothing. Sarah spoke in a hushed whisper of indignation, "How dare you?"
Interest suddenly sparkled in his eyes and he smiled, "Sarah," a tongue skimmed across pointed teeth, "I dare...." he leisurely sauntered towards her. "You really are fetching when you're angry." He caressed her cheek with a gloved hand and a thoughtful, intelligent expression, eyes so ageless they could intimidate almost anybody.
Sarah shook, trying to work out if she had glimpsed such vulnerability on such a composed face mere seconds before and familiar hate or some other strong emotion was back. Old habits die hard, she thought. She had spent so many years hating him and wanting him at the same time, and now faced with the truth, who really was the cruel one, she was having trouble trying to remember who exactly was the enemy. Was she meant to hate him or love him? She couldn't remember, maybe both.
Breathing now even and body now still, she looked him straight in the eyes and reached for the hand that held her cheek in it's firm grip. Gently she removed it from her face. The King didn't protest and dropped it to his side.
Suddenly his head darted away, a flicker of movement to focus on a place behind her. Sarah narrowed her eyes and turned, frustrated that she had been so close to reaching something which was now so far from her grasp. She turned to see what had drawn his attention and saw nothing. She studied his face again, he still seemed to see something she couldn't. Nonplussed she frowned,
"Wha-" Abruptly leather covered her mouth before she could speak and almost smothered her. He brought a finger slowly to his thin lips and focused his features as if he was trying to listen to something she couldn't hear, for a second he almost looked scared. In a practiced swift movement he twirled the fingers by his lips producing a crystal ball, then, face still concentrating, he threw it into the air and momentarily Sarah's head ached as a bright light filled her eyes.
Upon opening them she realised they were no longer in the throne room, but instead standing on the middle of marble steps in between rows of shelves which had been knocked over, throwing books about the room. She recognised the room of her earlier exploration, but it was now completely wrecked. As if a hurricane had swept through the castle, she mused....and then frantic eyes suddenly became alert as Sarah noticed the way wispy strands around Jareth's face were blowing wildly and that her dress was whipping in a strong current of wind. Jareth withdrew his hand slowly from her mouth. His face was twisted bitterly but Sarah was still at a loss.
The current of the wind was powerful and whenever Sarah opened her mouth to breathe or speak it stole her breath. A large gust almost knocked her off her feet, before Jareth steadied her and moved her to where she could brace herself against a half standing book case, holding her tightly. He still wasn't looking at her, focused rage was on his face instead as he flared his nostrils. Sarah brushed her hair out of her face and squinted as the wind tried to strip her eyes of any moisture. She finally was able to see and immediately wished she couldn't. The former marbled green floor was cracked in jagged, torn scratches along the shiny surface still shaking angrily like some kind of earthquake. All of the doorways on the crescent curved wall were dark black, as if they had been shut, except for the last. The luminous white beams she remembered no longer barred the door.
Oh crap, Sarah thought.
A wind, like a vacuum seemed to be drawing everything into it's dark clutches. books, chairs, fragments of stone.....people. Some clutched at cases like Sarah, trying to avoid the wind which threatened to drag them into the hole which pulsated in inevitable doom. Sarah watched as the final person, a woman who clutched to the bottom stair lost her grip and was dragged into the murky depths of the ninth realm, screaming from the bottom of her lungs, hands flailing madly. Glassy eyes met Sarah's for a brief second before she was engulfed by the looming darkness. Jareth's arms tightened around Sarah's small frame, his face was still twisted menacingly, the scarce light making him look more terrifying and threatening then usual.
Abruptly the wind stopped and the room calmed, floating objects collapsed to the floor and the screams ceased. The black hole still seemed to loom, jeering at Sarah. Suddenly out of it's darkness somebody stepped. Sarah had thought that once she had been able to put a face to the evil that the Labyrinth faced then it would seem all the more beatable, not as dangerous as the depths of an empty ombre.
She was horribly, horribly wrong.
"Jareth!" A singsong voice, insanely amused called, "Come out, come out wherever you are!"
He was about six foot, a shaved head of black stubble which covered his face as well as his scalp, a face which even when clean would look grubby Sarah thought. High cheekbones of the Fae were evident and a cultured face showed that at one time he had been handsome, but now his face was tainted with malicious intent, so without conscience or care that it scared her. Sarah immediately guessed with a sick feeling in the gut of her stomach who he was.
Rugar.
She thought of so many nightmares with faces and voices she couldn't place. An eerie recognition you get of someone who you remember even though you haven't even met. He was all the faces of all her nightmares. *Only through your dreams* Sarah remembered Christian saying. It comforted her somewhat to think that dream not of her own doing, but scared her deep in her soul to think that he had been in her head.
Black leather boots of silver buckles which thumped and chimed as he walked and black breeches didn't serve to make him devilishly handsome like Jareth, but vile and repulsive. A looming, cackling pit which she could fall into. Unconsciously she clutched Jareth tighter.
A dark red cloak fastened high up his throat lined with gold to match the array of gold rings in his ear and the gold crescent moon shaped medallion around his neck. A medallion very like the silver one close to her face now.
His vulture like eyes scanned the room. Mad black eyes tucked into fleshy folds. Thick cruel lips of a sensualist and a web of broken capillaries spread across his boxer's broad, flattened nose. It was like the devil playing a gentleman. Sarah also noticed that the lobe of his left ear was ragged and discoloured, it appeared to have been bitten off.
Hidden between book cases Sarah and Jareth weren't visible. But not for long, she thought. Jareth was still staring, pure hate on his face, at Rugar. He was so still, so motionless.
"Oh won't you come out Jareth," that malicious hoarse croak of a voice again, "I've got some presents for you."
The anger that she had seen brewing in Jareth, which made his jaw rigid and his face even paler suddenly erupted and he removed his hands from Sarah's arms. Before he left her he spared a fleeting, but serious glare, "Stay here." he warned. And then he was gone to walk slowly and ever so terrifyingly calmly down the marble stairs to where Rugar stood. Completely and utterly satisfied with himself.
The metallic clang of buckles was all that was heard as Rugar tapped his heavily booted foot on the cracked surface of the glassy floor. Sarah crept cautiously along the half fallen bookcase so that she could get a better view, pulling up the pale lemon dress she knelt so that she was masked from view.
Although Jareth looked the epitome of calm and composure Sarah could tell by the tense muscles outlined in his black breeches that he was furious.
"Rugar what a pleasant surprise." His voice dripped with sarcasm and menace. Rugar smiled with jagged teeth.
"Don't be like that Jareth, afterall I brought presents..." He sneered, Jareth remained blank and almost uninterested as he stood in front of Rugar. With Rugar's words dragged kicking and screaming were Alanna, Arram, Nathaniel and Christian.
Sarah gulped in dread, oh please no, not Christian she prayed. Their hands were tied between their backs and they were held ruthlessly by men dressed in dark silver armour, their hair drawn back in long braids down their backs to their waists where daggers were held, but there legs didn't follow. Instead tan and black furred bodies, with four hoofed legs and tails which swished angrily. The bodies of horses. Sarah could smell a stale stench from where she stood and brought her hand to her nose.
Jareth watched, his face still not giving away any emotion as each were brought to Rugar's feet, Arram was merely dragged half unconscious mumbling curses, a dark purple bruise on the right side of his face. Both Christian and Alanna attempted to fight their captors, legs kicking wildly and teeth bared trying to find flesh to bite, and Sarah could see evidence of struggle in their ripped clothing and deep red blotches which soaked their clothing. Nathaniel was dragged, his right leg hanging at an unnatural angle beneath him,
"You son of a bitch you better get them to get their filthy hands off me before I bite the other ear off." he shouted causing his captor to laugh baring jagged yellow teeth, before he threw him roughly to the floor. Alanna, Christian and Arram followed, each grunting with pain as daggers were brought to the back of their necks to prevent them from moving.
Rugar spread his arms wide, smiling wildly, "Ahhhhh here we are! One big happy family all over again, just like the old days isn't it?" He laughed, "The three princes and their best friends," his expression dropped and he feigned puzzlement, "Oh but wait, hang on a second there's someone missing, hmm let me think......" He tapped his fore finger on his lip.
Suddenly Rugar withdrew a dagger from his belt and grabbed Christian's chin forcing the dagger at his
throat to trace the outline of his Adam's apple, Christian flinched. "Now, we have my wimp of a youngest brother, without two brain cells to rub together and an annoyance to whom ever is in his company," roughly he dropped Christian's head and knelt down to poke Nathaniel, unable to move with his broken leg, in the back with his silver dagger, "And we have the brown nosed little bastard scum whose parents couldn't even stand him but luckily he found himself right at home in the court of idiots."
Watching the whole scene with detachment Jareth sighed uninterested, Sarah knew this act well. Rugar stood to look down in disgust at a half conscious Arram, "Never could hack a lot of blood could you Arram," he sneered and strolled leisurely to face Alanna.
The red haired woman strained to be upright on her knees before him, the dagger of her captor still at the back of her neck, "And Alanna, sweet, sweet Alanna, who spent all her life refusing the affections of every boy thinking that maybe for a second the self absorbed, stubborn eldest Prince might allow her to grace his bed." he knelt down to be eye level with Alanna before grabbing her face and kissing her roughly.
"You bastard." She croaked before spitting in his face then dropping exhausted.
Rugar wiped the spittle from his face, "Still not good enough for you am I Alanna? That will change woman." He stood once more and walked to face Jareth who stood looking only slightly perturbed at the whole scene. He regarded Rugar coolly, not moving. The amusement dropped from Rugar's voice and venom filled his face, "And we have the spoilt little prince, now a King, stubborn and spiteful. A selfish little brat who got what ever he wanted, whenever he wanted, who thought that the whole bloody universe revolved around him...."
Jareth still said nothing but beads of sweat trickled from his forehead. Rugar tapped the dagger against his chin thinking, "But no there's still someone missing, let me think," He looked about the room once more at the half conscious figures before returning to face Jareth with a sneer, "That's it I remember now....Poor little Sonya, didn't have a chance did she? What with a father like you of course not, was doomed always to feel the brunt of her father's selfish actions."
Jareth's leather gloved hand flew, a hard punch across Rugar's face with such force he landed in a heap on the marble floor. The centaurs moved towards Jareth but Rugar lifted his hand and they retreated obediently, snorting through their nostrils.
Jareth cocked his head, fury ringing in mismatched eyes, "You were no match for me when we were children Rugar, talentless and stupid," He spat, "I hesitated to kill you once out of pity, don't think I will make the same mistake again."
Rugar chuckled as he stood brushing dirt from his breeches, "Jareth, Jareth, Jareth, always so confident, always so damn superior. But brother where were you when I slit the throat of your beloved daughter? Weren't so in control then were you?" He grinned high Fae cheekbones obtruding almost unnaturally from dark skinned cheeks, "Quite a lot like the position you're in now, so I'd bite that arrogant tongue of yours before I cut it off for you."
Jareth rolled his eyes and sighed uninterested, making Rugar shake angrily. Even though from where Sarah knelt Rugar seemed to hold all the cards it was Jareth with all the power. Jareth who was still composed and in control, Rugar seemed to be a nervous wreck. But whatever he did, no fear, no shock seemed to flicker on Jareth's calm features.
"I'm King now Jareth. The Labyrinth, the ninth realm and soon all the others are my kingdom and I'll have your head above my throne." He pointed his dagger in Jareth's face his hand trembling.
Jareth frowned in mock distaste, "I wish you wouldn't, it really won't go with my decor."
Rugar looked like he was about to explode when suddenly a scream pierced the room from the disarray of shelves and a screaming figure in a pale blonde dress with dark brown hair was dragged roughly down the steps by a centaur. Sarah moved her limbs about frantically, kicking, punching, and scratching but to no avail. Rugar's anger dissolved and he began to smile. A flicker of panic which could have been misinterpreted as annoyance formed on Jareth's features.
"Well, well what have we got here?" Rugar crooned as Sarah was thrown at his feet. Rugar shouted a word she couldn't understand and suddenly she felt something cutting into her wrists, binding her. Jareth folded his arms, breathing heavily, surveying Rugar's actions cautiously.
"Sarah isn't it? I'm surprised you're still alive my sweet, not after my present." He grinned, his breath heavy and stale in her nostrils as he knelt to stroke back some fallen strands of hair from her face and caressed her cheek. Sarah tried to pull back repulsed but he wouldn't let her.
"How have you been sleeping gorgeous? Not very well I'm sure." his hand trailed down to rest on her left breast and Sarah cringed searching her mind of something to say or do to get him to move away.
"Get the hell away from her!" A hoarse shout rang across from the corner and Christian attempted to sit up hands still bound at his back panting heavily, his face laden with sweat. Rugar frowned bemused and obviously intrigued.
"Now then what's this? I thought this pretty little thing belonged to the selfish brat over there, not the village idiot." He chuckled, "Or are we sharing?" He chuckled, stroking the material over her breasts further, pushing his body up against Sarah's, "Well it wouldn't be fair to not let the other brother have a go would it now?" he brought the other hand up onto her other breast, Sarah shook uncontrollably but words refused to form in her mouth.
"Tell me Sarah who's better? Your Knight in shining armour or your evil King?" he sneered hands still running over the whole of her body he leaned closer his lips so close to hers now and Sarah felt like being sick.
"Well no matter," his sneer widened, "I'm sure you'll find they both pale in comparison to me, that will be something I have to look forward to once I've carved my dear brothers into tiny little pieces."
"You'll find it's a very long wait Rugar." Out of nowhere Jareth materialised behind Rugar, face twisted cruelly yet still eerily composed, and smacked him sideways. Rugar grunted as he landed on the floor and with that the tight feeling around Sarah's wrists disappeared as the binds disintegrated. She drooped forward, hair falling, as she attempted to compose herself before she was dragged roughly onto her feet by Jareth.
"Come on they can't hold it open much longer," His voice was low but insistent.
Sarah looked, the centaurs had all dropped to the ground, writhing in balls of fire and the stench of rotting flesh filled the air. Christian was carrying an unconscious Alanna through the fourth doorway as Jareth pulled a still shocked Sarah after them. Alanna had obviously used the last of her magic.
Horrified Sarah realised that the doorway to the fourth realm was closing very quickly after Christian carried Alanna through. Around them the whole of the room seemed to be shattering, pieces of glass and marble falling like icicles at their feet. Jareth was still dragged her relentlessly towards the quickly closing portal as the whole room shook. The doorway was large enough for her to get through if she bent slightly but that was soon to change, for a second she hesitated remembering the last time she had passed to another realm.
"Go," Jareth's urgent voice rang out in her ear as he too paused behind her, "I'll be right behind you," he assured her with a concern that couldn't possibly belong to the King. Ruthlessly she was shoved through the hole and she gasped as she felt herself falling. Now that was the Jareth she knew.
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