Shorter than the rest, I know. I have writer's block. If someone has a cure for this (practical or otherwise) please feel free to suggest it before I go insane.

Disclaimer: The tree is mine. So there.





Putting An End To Fear



Perched high in a tree on the other side of town, Jareth fought desperately to calm his nerves. He'd just seen her in person. She'd looked up at him and he had seen the wonder in her eyes. She was definitely happy that he was there. Ruffling his feathers, he let out a sound of utter joy. The look on her face in that one moment had made the whole trip Aboveground worthwhile.

But the day was not yet over, and he vowed to appear to her once again before the next morning broke. She knew it, too. It was almost as if it were an unspoken promise between them. She knew that he would not appear to her otherwise. Why else would he come here and allow her to see him? It had to have been because of her.

Suddenly a darker thought settled over him and some of the joy he had felt escaped him. How far would she be willing for this to go? His heart sank. He loved her with all of his heart and, judging by her words the night before, she loved him too. But she was still young and she had a life to live here. Could he ask her to come back to the Labyrinth with him and leave everyone she knew and loved? It would be selfish of him to assume that she would, especially without asking her first. But did she really love him enough?

Ever since Sarah had left the Labyrinth months ago, Jareth had wanted her back. He had furnished a room for her in case she ever returned. His minions had joked about it; 'the King had fallen in love with a girl', they'd say. 'And a mortal one at that! Was he out of his mind?' This had lasted almost a month until Jareth had caught wind of it and put a stop to the public gossiping, though he had no doubts at all that they still talked about it, only silently. Still, he would sit in her room for hours on end, staring out the window and out onto the vast land before him. It was his. He had created this beautiful place all for himself. Still his life was not complete. She was the missing piece to all that would make him happy. Without her in his life he would be forever lonely.

But now he knew that she loved him. She'd said so herself and Sarah was not one to lie about things of such proportion, even in a tearful moment. A new wave of confidence swept over him and all negative thoughts flew from his mind. He would go to her tonight. He would be there with her, show her how deep his feelings were. If possible he would find out how she felt, how much she really loved him. And if she were willing, he would take her home with him. By his side, where he knew she belonged.