MORTAL BELOVED
(Chapter 12)
Something in the air.
DISCLAIMERS: NO, I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS WITHIN OR PERTAINING TO THE LABYRINTH!
TO ALL MY REVIEWERS, YOU'VE BEEN GREAT PLEASE KEEP READING AND REVIEWING. ^_^
Sarah, smiled and fingered the blade before her lovingly. Ever since the night of the ball, two days ago. She had felt an odd affinity with the metal blade. It was Jareth's own sword, she didn't know how she knew this, but she did.
She ran an elegant finger up the shaft of the blade and smiled deliciously as a thin red welt appeared and tiny dew drops of blood cascaded over her palm.
She noted the superb craftsmanship and the intricate mottled gold designs on the scabbard. It was truly a beautiful instrument, A beautiful, deadly instrument. It was only a normal sword, with no specific power, but it was truly stunning.
As Sarah continued to admire the blade, locked away for safety in a display case she felt the urge to pick it up and wield the heavy blade, to strike, thrust and parry, defeating her enemy in a blaze of sweaty glory that only the most thrilling and dangerous of fights could bring.
Snapping momentarily out of her daze, Sarah brought the afflicted finger to her lips and sucked the blood from the raw wound. Turning swiftly, she exited the room that she should not have been in, and returned once again to her own chambers.
* * *
Jareth stepped back into the shadows and watched Sarah depart from the room that he thought he had kept so well hidden. More than anything he was curious about her actions and wondered why she liked the blade so much.
Jareth remembered the many discussions he had had with Findlay regarding what had happened at the ball. They were no closer to determining the cause of Sarah's increasingly odd actions and reflected that they had indeed been growing in intensity. This worried him greatly and he hoped that Sarah's fascination with the blade would progress no further. She had already cut her finger, and he knew somehow that she hadn't felt the pain of the welt.
Jareth disappeared down the hall after Sarah and went to see Findlay.
Finding him, in his normal form just outside the castle, Jareth called him over.
Findlay had reassumed his own form after the ball because the threat had seemed to be temporarily nullified and Findlay had gotten incredibly cranky and had demanded to be allowed to return to his old post. Jareth had acquiesced and now as Findlay approached, he knew that it had been the right move.
"What's up?" asked Findlay, a frown knitting his tanned features.
Jareth grimaced. "It's Sarah, she returned to the blade like a moth to the flame, and this time she cut herself with it" he stated somberly. Findlay shuddered,
"Is she all right? Whatever would possess her to do such a thing?" Jareth smiled half-heartedly.
"She's fine Findlay, it was only a scratch but the problem is that I don't know what is making her act this way, She barely recognizes me now, let alone acknowledges me" he stated stiltedly. Findlay placed a comforting arm around his shoulders.
"Jareth, whatever it is that is doing this to her, we will find it" he stated with fierce conviction. Jareth nodded, more to himself than anyone else and teleported back to his tower, leaving Findlay to resume what he was doing.
He hoped god he hoped that he would be able to solve this mystery, before it was too late. Teleporting once more, Jareth retrieved the blade from where he had hidden it, and encased it firmly within the stonewall of his tower, muttering a few words, the words grinded shut around the ebony case that surrounded the blade and prayed that Sarah would be unable to locate or retrieve it.
Unsure, Jareth conjured a crystal and cloaked the tower room, then even more determined, placed an impenetrable field around the cloak. There was no way in the seven hells that odd shell that used to be Sarah, would find the blade, no way.
* * *
Sarah lay on her bed and felt her nerve endings tingling. She closed her eyes momentarily and almost welcomed the lapse of consciousness that accompanied her vision. This time she saw an unfamiliar yet strikingly handsome face and beside him she saw the woman warrior from her previous vision, they looked as though they had just married and were locked in a passionate embrace. There was a flash of white light and Sarah saw the woman scream soundlessly as her face tensed and her striking red hair matted her forehead. Seconds later a child, a girl was placed to her breast and the woman smiled down at her. Sarah saw the man kiss his wife and kneel beside the bed eyes on his small family. The vision clouded and then dissipated, Sarah lay back against the bed and screamed. "JARETH!!" sweat ran down into her eyes and blurred her vision.
Jareth appeared instantly by her side, a guarded expression on his face.
"What is it Sarah?" he asked, concerned, yet there was a slight edge to his voice that she couldn't quite place.
She sat up and grasped his shirt.
"What's happening to me?!" she demanded hysterically and felt tears flow.
Jareth gasped slightly and took her frail form in his arms.
* * *
Jareth looked down at Sarah's hands still gripping his shirt. She was back, this was the real her, he could tell. She was frightened and nervous and disillusioned.
Jareth knew that she had fought her way back up to the surface and for now at least, she was in control and was the dominant power in her conflicted body.
"Sarah, I promise I will find out what's doing this to you, I will" he stated and looked into her eyes.
"The ball, The singing, I did sing didn't I..You weren't making it up" she whispered in a strained voice.
Jareth shook his head, platinum locks flying, "That wasn't you Sarah, I don't know what it was, but it wasn't you" he amended hurriedly. Sarah nodded and leaned into him.
"Jareth, I don't know what's happening to me, and I don't know if I will come out of it, but know this.. If I don't. I love you Jareth, I always have" she whispered and fell back into the void of unconsciousness, eyes slipping closed beneath the weight of her body's exhaustion.
Jareth frowned and lay down beside her,
"You will make it through this Sarah, you're a fey, immortal" he stated determinedly and Sarah's eyes fluttered open.
"I don't feel immortal right now Jareth…" she whispered, falling back down into her dreamless slumber.
Jareth closed his eyes and stroked Sarah's hair, attempting in what meager way he could, to soothe her.
* * *
Alanya stood on the balcony with Findlay and leaned back against him. She sighed and turned around, her arms encircling his neck and placing a kiss on his chin.
"I don't know what I am going to do my love" she stated softly, looking down at the ground and grimacing.
Findlay placed a finger underneath her chin and inclined her face up towards his.
"Sarah's strong Alanya, and Jareth and I won't stop until we find out what is doing this to her" he stated comfortingly, tightening his hold around her.
Alanya smiled back at him, yet the smile didn't reach her eyes, she thought of what Findlay had told her only moments before. How her daughter had developed an unnatural fascination for weapons, and had taken to frequently looking at, touching the many swords and other such weapons that were held at the castle. But of all these, how the ornate gold encased sword of the Goblin King fascinated her most and how she would spend hours looking at it, and had even cut herself with it. She thought over how Jareth had been forced into extreme measures and had hidden the sword away from Sarah and had placed the castles weaponry under Findlay's protection down in the Goblin city.
Alanya knew that Sarah was a peace loving person much like herself, she possessed strength, and courage yes, but she would never deliberately desire an encounter of physical violence.
She didn't know what was happening, and who was taking over her daughters actions and mind. She just hoped it would end soon.
* * *
Toran watched as always from his tower, he had not dared come into contact with Findlay, not that he felt he wanted to, he wasn't ready yet. But he did not want Ragan to suspect that he indeed knew the truth.
Toran took the fey blade dagger out of its sheath and turned it over studying it. He wondered what he would do with it now and decided that he would need to put it away for safe keeping so that it did not fall into the wrong hands.
He smiled to himself as an image of Sarah flitted across his vision, then stared, mouth open as he saw her eyes roll back in her head and her mouth form a silent scream.
She appeared to be having some form of vision. He sat back after the image had faded and wondered, he didn't think that Sarah had the prolific ability of hindsight. He knew that if she did, she would have known what was going to happen before he had forced her over the cliff. Something wasn't right about this. Something definitely wasn't right.
But he knew that if something was afflicting the Lady Sarah then Findlay and Jareth wouldn't rest until they had found out what. Momentarily satisfied, he closed his eyes and mentally wished the dagger to his own secret place, knowing that no one knew of it's existence.
Although he was still confused about well, almost everything, Toran knew that he had to play his cards right if he eventually wanted to defeat Ragan and maybe, be reunited with his …Father.
* * *
Sarah awoke and felt the familiar tremble of her body. Suddenly she rose above the bed and was propelled out of the door. She floated along the corridor and entered the throne room. She floated up to the throne, and withdrew one of the spears that lay, crisscrossed, mounted on the wall behind the throne.
Smiling she inspected its lethally sharp blade.
Suddenly her senses pricked up. There was someone in the room with her, she knew not who, but it seemed hostile.
* * *
Jareth crept stealthily up behind Sarah and raised his fist. The idea had occurred to him earlier, after he had left her comatose form still on the bed. He had waited for the being to awaken and had followed her in here. He had a sneaking suspicion that Sarah was being possessed or used as a conduit by a creature or a spirit of some form and although he was unsure what being it was, he did know that the being seemed to have a passion for weapons, if his theory was correct and Sarah responded to his blow then he would know for sure that the being was a warrior and that would narrow the field of possibilities down considerably.
Jareth poised his arm and brought it down hard and fast to strike her across the side of the head.
* * *
Sarah whirled and as the blow came towards her, ducked in a flash and deflected the blow with ease. She rose back up, and not recognizing her attacker she began to fight, completely ignoring the voice within her that screamed out that she did know this being and he wasn't someone that she should harm.
Sarah struck out with both palms and the voice subsided, completely dominated by the being that was controlling her.
She sent her opponent flying through the air and watched as her quarry impacted the wall with a thunk, She smirked but then tensed again as he recovered quickly but maintained his distance. Watching him like a hawk Sarah noted the tensing of his muscles and saw that he was poised to attack, three steps ahead, she quickly retrieved the spear that she had dropped and launched it at her attacker.
"Sarah! Come back to me, you can fight it! I know you can" yelled her opponent and she frowned.
"I know not who you are talking to sir!" she yelled and held up a hand. The spear dislodged itself from the wall and flew into her hand. She snapped it in half across her knee and held a half in each hand constantly maintaining eye contact with the creature before her.
"Release Sarah!" he yelled and Sarah shook her head,
"I told you, I know not who this Sarah is!" she yelled and with a fierce war cry launched the two spear pieces at him. Her enemy dodged them with ease and launched himself at her, eyes widening, she launched herself as well, kicking him midair and causing him to fall down to the ground, flat on his back and winded.
She flipped down and landed, straddling his chest.
She withdrew a dagger a began to bring it down to his throat ready to demand information, when suddenly her back arched and her eyes rolled back in her head and she fell forward against him.
Sarah felt that she was once again in control of her body and lay her head against Jareth, sweating and panting loudly.
"What have I done?" she wailed, and stroked Jareth's face.
His eyes reopened and he placed his strong arms around her.
"Shh.. It's ok" he stated softly. And Sarah looked into his eyes, she felt confusion and pain and fear was over her in enormous waves.
"I'm sorry," she whispered against his neck, "I'm so sorry"
* * *
Findlay Jareth and Alanya all sat in Jareths quarters, Findlay grimaced, he was troubled by what he just heard. Jareth had told them of his encounter with
"Sarah" and they all knew that if they didn't find a solution and soon, then there would be disasterous consequences.
"How did you know she would be able to dodge the blow?" he asked Jareth and The Goblin King looked forlorn.
"I didn't I had a suspicion, that whatever it is that is controlling her was a warrior because of the connection to weapons that it is displaying" he explained and Findlay nodded grasping Alanyas hand as a silent offer of support.
"Ok, so we know that there is definitely something taking control of Sarah's body" stated Findlay matter-of-factly, the other two nodded.
"And we know it is warrior" he continued. The other two nodded again and Jareth spoke up.
"But it's weak, it can only take hold of Sarah for a certain amount of time before it releases her" he exclaimed and Findlay nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, so all we have to do is find out exactly who it is and what they want" he finished and Jareth smiled.
"It's not going to be easy" inserted Alanya,
And Findlay smiled and placed a protective arm around her shoulders.
"Nothing eve is my love, nothing ever is" he intoned.
With that, Jareth and Findlay disappeared and Alanya went back to her room.
* * *
That evening, Sarah lay in her bed, tossing and turning wildly. She saw a castle, a beautiful majestic castle and it seemed to call to her, but it wasn't her name that she could hear, Sarah couldn't make it out. "Ser…" was all that she caught and she didn't know who that was, but felt that the Castle was indeed calling, beckoning her to return and.. return and do what? She did not know. But she felt that she had to get closer and felt herself moving toward the castle as if she were being pulled by ropes she couldn't see and all she could do was comply.
She felt the wet ground under her feet but when she tried to look down, she couldn't her dream wouldn't let her take her eyes off the castle. She kept on going and going forever closer, but as she arrived at the castles gate, Sarah felt the pull growing stronger and stronger. As Sarah entered the city, she made her way to the castle doors and tried to open them. The pull was thudding and throbbing in her ears, urging her to tear open the doors, yet in her dream, as she tried, the doors were too large, too steadfast and she could not bend them to her will and get them to open.
Sarah, still in her dream slumped down against the door and curled up, leaning her head against her knees.
* * *
Jareth sat in his room worrying about Sarah, finding that he was not able to sleep with such a distraction on his mind, he quickly rose and slipped on his robe. He exited his room, and padded softly down the halls to Sarah's quarters, he didn't want to awaken her, fearing what he would find but merely wanted to see that she was sleeping peacefully.
Jareth opened the door almost silently and crept over to the bed. He saw the ruffled sheets and twisted blankets, then looked further, Suddenly he felt alarmed. Sarah wasn't there.
* * *
Sarah peeked open an eye and hugged herself, shuddering against the cold. She wondered what had caused her to awaken and then she felt it again. A short, blunt object poked her in the rib.
"What?" she exclaimed and opened both of her eyes. There, standing before her was a small creature that looked friendly but Sarah couldn't be sure.
She took in her surroundings and as she saw a city, the beautiful castle, the door behind her and the mud on her bare feet, her dream flashed before her.
"I must have really been acting out my dream in my sleep!" she exclaimed and the little creature jumped back, scared.
"Hey little one, It's ok, I won't hurt you" She said softly, reaching out a hand to the creature that looked very similar to a small mortal child.
The creature poked her again and then said something that she didn't quite catch.
The creature squealed suddenly and two older, male creatures came rushing out of a nearby house.
They went to the little creature and spoke to it, then they looked at her as the child creature pointed towards her, but did not speak to her.
Sarah held up her hands.
"I don't want to hurt you" she exclaimed. But the two male creatures each seized an arm and dragged her off down the road.
"Let go of me!" she yelled and kicked the creature nearest to her. The creature merely grunted, picked Sarah up and swung her none too gently over his shoulder. Sarah drummed her fists against his back but it was to no avail.
* * *
Jareth rushed around the Castle, as he had been doing for the past hour, he was sure that there was no rock that had been left unturned and now conjuring a crystal he commanded "Show me Sarah!"
The crystal obliged and displayed the brief exchange between the creatures and then the two older creatures dragging Sarah off.
Jareth frowned, that place looked kind of familiar. Then he realized that it was the Castle of the Mortal King, bordered all around by the elven city
"What in the seven hells would she be doing there?" he demanded of no one imparticular. ::Especially in her night gown!:: he thought to himself, tossing up between going there to bring her back or letting Sarah, or the being that took possession of her, finish whatever odd business they might have there.
* * *
Sarah was ushered into the Castle and moments later, a young King appeared.
"What are you doing here? You were found outside at my castles entrance in the state you are now" demanded the man.
Sarah whimpered slightly.
"I'm sorry your majesty, I have no idea where I am, What I am doing here, or even who you are" she stated humbly.
The kings face melted into a mask of concern "Have you lost your memory?" he asked kindly and Sarah shook her head puzzled.
"No, well I don't think so…I know my name, It's Sarah and I am staying with Jareth, King of the Goblins and the Labyrinth" she stated respectfully.
The King's eyes widened in comprehension and he hurried over to her, supporting her and helping her stand.
"Then you are Lady Sarah, Jareth's love" he stated questioningly. And Sarah nodded.
The king helped her out of the room and down the hall.
"I am sorry for our rudeness Lady Sarah, For Jareth is our greatest ally and friend to the Mortal Kingdom and Elven city" he explained hastily.
Sarah turned, "This is the mortal Kingdom?" she asked and the King nodded.
"Do you know it my lady?" he asked and Sarah shook her head.
"Only by reputation" she explained and the King nodded.
"I am King Dranion, by the way" he bowed and Sarah smiled. He stopped at a door and opened it.
"Please feel free to freshen up and I shall contact Jareth for you" he stated,
"Thank you, you are very kind" she replied but Dranion waved it away and smiled, heading back to his throne room.
* * *
Jareth conjured yet another crystal, impatient to check on Sarah when an image of The mortal King Dranion came onto the crystal.
"Jareth" he stated and Jareth instantly gave him his undivided attention.
"What can I do for you Dranion?" inquired Jareth politely.
Dranion hesitated.
"Jareth, Lady Sarah is here at my castle, She doesn't seem to know why or how, but she is. I think you should come straightaway so you can escort her home" he stated carefully.
Jareth smiled. "Thanks, I'll be there soon" he replied and the crystal returned to its normal clear hue.
Jareth teleported into the throne room of the mortal King and was met by an anxious Dranion.
"Jareth, she was found on my doorstep this morning" he said hurriedly but Jareth merely waved it away.
"It's ok, as long as she's all right" he stated and at that moment, Sarah entered the room, wearing a light satin emerald gown with only a small volume skirt that ran the length of her legs.
* * *
Sarah went with Jareth and thanked King Dranion for his hospitality. Yet as they were about to depart, Dranion insisted on escorting them out of his land in safety.
Sarah opted to walk back and Jareth readily complied. Sarah marveled at the fact that she was still in control and the entity hadn't taken over in a little while.
Jareth, Sarah and Dranion walked through the flowery meadows of the borders of Dranion's land and Sarah was momentarily stunned as a group of four demonic attackers appeared out of no where.
Jareth and Dranion both reached for their swords but Sarah instinctively yelled at them to get back.
She felt the familiar tremble and felt her head throw itself back. Her eyes flashed green and a shrill war cry pealed from her lips.
She closed her eyes and a long glimmering sword appeared in her hand, a quiver and bow appeared across her back. Looking down at her dress, a disgusted look flashed across her features.
She reached down and tore the sides of her dress, exposing her thighs.
The soldiers launched themselves at her and Sarah took them on sending them flying in various directions. She fielded a blow across her left cheek.
Sarah concentrated, set her mouth and spun her hands around in a tight circle. An energy orb appeared within the circle glowing with bright green light.
From within the circle, Sarah pulled two translucent daggers. She hurled the mystical daggers at the final opponent left standing.
The enemy exploded into a cacophony of flame as the daggers impacted.
Sarah shuddered once more and felt herself return. This time was different though, she looked around, she remembered what she had done.
* * *
Dranion and Jareth stood well off to the side and watched as Sarah finished off the four enemies single handedly.
Dranion had wanted to intervene, but Jareth had restrained him, curious to see what would come of the encounter.
As Jareth watched now he felt a shock upon seeing that this being was a much better fighter than he had seen in his entire existence.
Dranion gasped softly from behind him.
"There is only one being I have ever heard of that could fight like that" exclaimed the mortal King. Jareth knew, before Dranion even said it,
"Seran" finished the mortal King. A look of awe crossing his features.
EVERYONE, I AM BEGGING YOU TO KEEP ON REVIEWING THIS STORY!!!
THANKS!!
EVE.
(Chapter 12)
Something in the air.
DISCLAIMERS: NO, I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS WITHIN OR PERTAINING TO THE LABYRINTH!
TO ALL MY REVIEWERS, YOU'VE BEEN GREAT PLEASE KEEP READING AND REVIEWING. ^_^
Sarah, smiled and fingered the blade before her lovingly. Ever since the night of the ball, two days ago. She had felt an odd affinity with the metal blade. It was Jareth's own sword, she didn't know how she knew this, but she did.
She ran an elegant finger up the shaft of the blade and smiled deliciously as a thin red welt appeared and tiny dew drops of blood cascaded over her palm.
She noted the superb craftsmanship and the intricate mottled gold designs on the scabbard. It was truly a beautiful instrument, A beautiful, deadly instrument. It was only a normal sword, with no specific power, but it was truly stunning.
As Sarah continued to admire the blade, locked away for safety in a display case she felt the urge to pick it up and wield the heavy blade, to strike, thrust and parry, defeating her enemy in a blaze of sweaty glory that only the most thrilling and dangerous of fights could bring.
Snapping momentarily out of her daze, Sarah brought the afflicted finger to her lips and sucked the blood from the raw wound. Turning swiftly, she exited the room that she should not have been in, and returned once again to her own chambers.
* * *
Jareth stepped back into the shadows and watched Sarah depart from the room that he thought he had kept so well hidden. More than anything he was curious about her actions and wondered why she liked the blade so much.
Jareth remembered the many discussions he had had with Findlay regarding what had happened at the ball. They were no closer to determining the cause of Sarah's increasingly odd actions and reflected that they had indeed been growing in intensity. This worried him greatly and he hoped that Sarah's fascination with the blade would progress no further. She had already cut her finger, and he knew somehow that she hadn't felt the pain of the welt.
Jareth disappeared down the hall after Sarah and went to see Findlay.
Finding him, in his normal form just outside the castle, Jareth called him over.
Findlay had reassumed his own form after the ball because the threat had seemed to be temporarily nullified and Findlay had gotten incredibly cranky and had demanded to be allowed to return to his old post. Jareth had acquiesced and now as Findlay approached, he knew that it had been the right move.
"What's up?" asked Findlay, a frown knitting his tanned features.
Jareth grimaced. "It's Sarah, she returned to the blade like a moth to the flame, and this time she cut herself with it" he stated somberly. Findlay shuddered,
"Is she all right? Whatever would possess her to do such a thing?" Jareth smiled half-heartedly.
"She's fine Findlay, it was only a scratch but the problem is that I don't know what is making her act this way, She barely recognizes me now, let alone acknowledges me" he stated stiltedly. Findlay placed a comforting arm around his shoulders.
"Jareth, whatever it is that is doing this to her, we will find it" he stated with fierce conviction. Jareth nodded, more to himself than anyone else and teleported back to his tower, leaving Findlay to resume what he was doing.
He hoped god he hoped that he would be able to solve this mystery, before it was too late. Teleporting once more, Jareth retrieved the blade from where he had hidden it, and encased it firmly within the stonewall of his tower, muttering a few words, the words grinded shut around the ebony case that surrounded the blade and prayed that Sarah would be unable to locate or retrieve it.
Unsure, Jareth conjured a crystal and cloaked the tower room, then even more determined, placed an impenetrable field around the cloak. There was no way in the seven hells that odd shell that used to be Sarah, would find the blade, no way.
* * *
Sarah lay on her bed and felt her nerve endings tingling. She closed her eyes momentarily and almost welcomed the lapse of consciousness that accompanied her vision. This time she saw an unfamiliar yet strikingly handsome face and beside him she saw the woman warrior from her previous vision, they looked as though they had just married and were locked in a passionate embrace. There was a flash of white light and Sarah saw the woman scream soundlessly as her face tensed and her striking red hair matted her forehead. Seconds later a child, a girl was placed to her breast and the woman smiled down at her. Sarah saw the man kiss his wife and kneel beside the bed eyes on his small family. The vision clouded and then dissipated, Sarah lay back against the bed and screamed. "JARETH!!" sweat ran down into her eyes and blurred her vision.
Jareth appeared instantly by her side, a guarded expression on his face.
"What is it Sarah?" he asked, concerned, yet there was a slight edge to his voice that she couldn't quite place.
She sat up and grasped his shirt.
"What's happening to me?!" she demanded hysterically and felt tears flow.
Jareth gasped slightly and took her frail form in his arms.
* * *
Jareth looked down at Sarah's hands still gripping his shirt. She was back, this was the real her, he could tell. She was frightened and nervous and disillusioned.
Jareth knew that she had fought her way back up to the surface and for now at least, she was in control and was the dominant power in her conflicted body.
"Sarah, I promise I will find out what's doing this to you, I will" he stated and looked into her eyes.
"The ball, The singing, I did sing didn't I..You weren't making it up" she whispered in a strained voice.
Jareth shook his head, platinum locks flying, "That wasn't you Sarah, I don't know what it was, but it wasn't you" he amended hurriedly. Sarah nodded and leaned into him.
"Jareth, I don't know what's happening to me, and I don't know if I will come out of it, but know this.. If I don't. I love you Jareth, I always have" she whispered and fell back into the void of unconsciousness, eyes slipping closed beneath the weight of her body's exhaustion.
Jareth frowned and lay down beside her,
"You will make it through this Sarah, you're a fey, immortal" he stated determinedly and Sarah's eyes fluttered open.
"I don't feel immortal right now Jareth…" she whispered, falling back down into her dreamless slumber.
Jareth closed his eyes and stroked Sarah's hair, attempting in what meager way he could, to soothe her.
* * *
Alanya stood on the balcony with Findlay and leaned back against him. She sighed and turned around, her arms encircling his neck and placing a kiss on his chin.
"I don't know what I am going to do my love" she stated softly, looking down at the ground and grimacing.
Findlay placed a finger underneath her chin and inclined her face up towards his.
"Sarah's strong Alanya, and Jareth and I won't stop until we find out what is doing this to her" he stated comfortingly, tightening his hold around her.
Alanya smiled back at him, yet the smile didn't reach her eyes, she thought of what Findlay had told her only moments before. How her daughter had developed an unnatural fascination for weapons, and had taken to frequently looking at, touching the many swords and other such weapons that were held at the castle. But of all these, how the ornate gold encased sword of the Goblin King fascinated her most and how she would spend hours looking at it, and had even cut herself with it. She thought over how Jareth had been forced into extreme measures and had hidden the sword away from Sarah and had placed the castles weaponry under Findlay's protection down in the Goblin city.
Alanya knew that Sarah was a peace loving person much like herself, she possessed strength, and courage yes, but she would never deliberately desire an encounter of physical violence.
She didn't know what was happening, and who was taking over her daughters actions and mind. She just hoped it would end soon.
* * *
Toran watched as always from his tower, he had not dared come into contact with Findlay, not that he felt he wanted to, he wasn't ready yet. But he did not want Ragan to suspect that he indeed knew the truth.
Toran took the fey blade dagger out of its sheath and turned it over studying it. He wondered what he would do with it now and decided that he would need to put it away for safe keeping so that it did not fall into the wrong hands.
He smiled to himself as an image of Sarah flitted across his vision, then stared, mouth open as he saw her eyes roll back in her head and her mouth form a silent scream.
She appeared to be having some form of vision. He sat back after the image had faded and wondered, he didn't think that Sarah had the prolific ability of hindsight. He knew that if she did, she would have known what was going to happen before he had forced her over the cliff. Something wasn't right about this. Something definitely wasn't right.
But he knew that if something was afflicting the Lady Sarah then Findlay and Jareth wouldn't rest until they had found out what. Momentarily satisfied, he closed his eyes and mentally wished the dagger to his own secret place, knowing that no one knew of it's existence.
Although he was still confused about well, almost everything, Toran knew that he had to play his cards right if he eventually wanted to defeat Ragan and maybe, be reunited with his …Father.
* * *
Sarah awoke and felt the familiar tremble of her body. Suddenly she rose above the bed and was propelled out of the door. She floated along the corridor and entered the throne room. She floated up to the throne, and withdrew one of the spears that lay, crisscrossed, mounted on the wall behind the throne.
Smiling she inspected its lethally sharp blade.
Suddenly her senses pricked up. There was someone in the room with her, she knew not who, but it seemed hostile.
* * *
Jareth crept stealthily up behind Sarah and raised his fist. The idea had occurred to him earlier, after he had left her comatose form still on the bed. He had waited for the being to awaken and had followed her in here. He had a sneaking suspicion that Sarah was being possessed or used as a conduit by a creature or a spirit of some form and although he was unsure what being it was, he did know that the being seemed to have a passion for weapons, if his theory was correct and Sarah responded to his blow then he would know for sure that the being was a warrior and that would narrow the field of possibilities down considerably.
Jareth poised his arm and brought it down hard and fast to strike her across the side of the head.
* * *
Sarah whirled and as the blow came towards her, ducked in a flash and deflected the blow with ease. She rose back up, and not recognizing her attacker she began to fight, completely ignoring the voice within her that screamed out that she did know this being and he wasn't someone that she should harm.
Sarah struck out with both palms and the voice subsided, completely dominated by the being that was controlling her.
She sent her opponent flying through the air and watched as her quarry impacted the wall with a thunk, She smirked but then tensed again as he recovered quickly but maintained his distance. Watching him like a hawk Sarah noted the tensing of his muscles and saw that he was poised to attack, three steps ahead, she quickly retrieved the spear that she had dropped and launched it at her attacker.
"Sarah! Come back to me, you can fight it! I know you can" yelled her opponent and she frowned.
"I know not who you are talking to sir!" she yelled and held up a hand. The spear dislodged itself from the wall and flew into her hand. She snapped it in half across her knee and held a half in each hand constantly maintaining eye contact with the creature before her.
"Release Sarah!" he yelled and Sarah shook her head,
"I told you, I know not who this Sarah is!" she yelled and with a fierce war cry launched the two spear pieces at him. Her enemy dodged them with ease and launched himself at her, eyes widening, she launched herself as well, kicking him midair and causing him to fall down to the ground, flat on his back and winded.
She flipped down and landed, straddling his chest.
She withdrew a dagger a began to bring it down to his throat ready to demand information, when suddenly her back arched and her eyes rolled back in her head and she fell forward against him.
Sarah felt that she was once again in control of her body and lay her head against Jareth, sweating and panting loudly.
"What have I done?" she wailed, and stroked Jareth's face.
His eyes reopened and he placed his strong arms around her.
"Shh.. It's ok" he stated softly. And Sarah looked into his eyes, she felt confusion and pain and fear was over her in enormous waves.
"I'm sorry," she whispered against his neck, "I'm so sorry"
* * *
Findlay Jareth and Alanya all sat in Jareths quarters, Findlay grimaced, he was troubled by what he just heard. Jareth had told them of his encounter with
"Sarah" and they all knew that if they didn't find a solution and soon, then there would be disasterous consequences.
"How did you know she would be able to dodge the blow?" he asked Jareth and The Goblin King looked forlorn.
"I didn't I had a suspicion, that whatever it is that is controlling her was a warrior because of the connection to weapons that it is displaying" he explained and Findlay nodded grasping Alanyas hand as a silent offer of support.
"Ok, so we know that there is definitely something taking control of Sarah's body" stated Findlay matter-of-factly, the other two nodded.
"And we know it is warrior" he continued. The other two nodded again and Jareth spoke up.
"But it's weak, it can only take hold of Sarah for a certain amount of time before it releases her" he exclaimed and Findlay nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, so all we have to do is find out exactly who it is and what they want" he finished and Jareth smiled.
"It's not going to be easy" inserted Alanya,
And Findlay smiled and placed a protective arm around her shoulders.
"Nothing eve is my love, nothing ever is" he intoned.
With that, Jareth and Findlay disappeared and Alanya went back to her room.
* * *
That evening, Sarah lay in her bed, tossing and turning wildly. She saw a castle, a beautiful majestic castle and it seemed to call to her, but it wasn't her name that she could hear, Sarah couldn't make it out. "Ser…" was all that she caught and she didn't know who that was, but felt that the Castle was indeed calling, beckoning her to return and.. return and do what? She did not know. But she felt that she had to get closer and felt herself moving toward the castle as if she were being pulled by ropes she couldn't see and all she could do was comply.
She felt the wet ground under her feet but when she tried to look down, she couldn't her dream wouldn't let her take her eyes off the castle. She kept on going and going forever closer, but as she arrived at the castles gate, Sarah felt the pull growing stronger and stronger. As Sarah entered the city, she made her way to the castle doors and tried to open them. The pull was thudding and throbbing in her ears, urging her to tear open the doors, yet in her dream, as she tried, the doors were too large, too steadfast and she could not bend them to her will and get them to open.
Sarah, still in her dream slumped down against the door and curled up, leaning her head against her knees.
* * *
Jareth sat in his room worrying about Sarah, finding that he was not able to sleep with such a distraction on his mind, he quickly rose and slipped on his robe. He exited his room, and padded softly down the halls to Sarah's quarters, he didn't want to awaken her, fearing what he would find but merely wanted to see that she was sleeping peacefully.
Jareth opened the door almost silently and crept over to the bed. He saw the ruffled sheets and twisted blankets, then looked further, Suddenly he felt alarmed. Sarah wasn't there.
* * *
Sarah peeked open an eye and hugged herself, shuddering against the cold. She wondered what had caused her to awaken and then she felt it again. A short, blunt object poked her in the rib.
"What?" she exclaimed and opened both of her eyes. There, standing before her was a small creature that looked friendly but Sarah couldn't be sure.
She took in her surroundings and as she saw a city, the beautiful castle, the door behind her and the mud on her bare feet, her dream flashed before her.
"I must have really been acting out my dream in my sleep!" she exclaimed and the little creature jumped back, scared.
"Hey little one, It's ok, I won't hurt you" She said softly, reaching out a hand to the creature that looked very similar to a small mortal child.
The creature poked her again and then said something that she didn't quite catch.
The creature squealed suddenly and two older, male creatures came rushing out of a nearby house.
They went to the little creature and spoke to it, then they looked at her as the child creature pointed towards her, but did not speak to her.
Sarah held up her hands.
"I don't want to hurt you" she exclaimed. But the two male creatures each seized an arm and dragged her off down the road.
"Let go of me!" she yelled and kicked the creature nearest to her. The creature merely grunted, picked Sarah up and swung her none too gently over his shoulder. Sarah drummed her fists against his back but it was to no avail.
* * *
Jareth rushed around the Castle, as he had been doing for the past hour, he was sure that there was no rock that had been left unturned and now conjuring a crystal he commanded "Show me Sarah!"
The crystal obliged and displayed the brief exchange between the creatures and then the two older creatures dragging Sarah off.
Jareth frowned, that place looked kind of familiar. Then he realized that it was the Castle of the Mortal King, bordered all around by the elven city
"What in the seven hells would she be doing there?" he demanded of no one imparticular. ::Especially in her night gown!:: he thought to himself, tossing up between going there to bring her back or letting Sarah, or the being that took possession of her, finish whatever odd business they might have there.
* * *
Sarah was ushered into the Castle and moments later, a young King appeared.
"What are you doing here? You were found outside at my castles entrance in the state you are now" demanded the man.
Sarah whimpered slightly.
"I'm sorry your majesty, I have no idea where I am, What I am doing here, or even who you are" she stated humbly.
The kings face melted into a mask of concern "Have you lost your memory?" he asked kindly and Sarah shook her head puzzled.
"No, well I don't think so…I know my name, It's Sarah and I am staying with Jareth, King of the Goblins and the Labyrinth" she stated respectfully.
The King's eyes widened in comprehension and he hurried over to her, supporting her and helping her stand.
"Then you are Lady Sarah, Jareth's love" he stated questioningly. And Sarah nodded.
The king helped her out of the room and down the hall.
"I am sorry for our rudeness Lady Sarah, For Jareth is our greatest ally and friend to the Mortal Kingdom and Elven city" he explained hastily.
Sarah turned, "This is the mortal Kingdom?" she asked and the King nodded.
"Do you know it my lady?" he asked and Sarah shook her head.
"Only by reputation" she explained and the King nodded.
"I am King Dranion, by the way" he bowed and Sarah smiled. He stopped at a door and opened it.
"Please feel free to freshen up and I shall contact Jareth for you" he stated,
"Thank you, you are very kind" she replied but Dranion waved it away and smiled, heading back to his throne room.
* * *
Jareth conjured yet another crystal, impatient to check on Sarah when an image of The mortal King Dranion came onto the crystal.
"Jareth" he stated and Jareth instantly gave him his undivided attention.
"What can I do for you Dranion?" inquired Jareth politely.
Dranion hesitated.
"Jareth, Lady Sarah is here at my castle, She doesn't seem to know why or how, but she is. I think you should come straightaway so you can escort her home" he stated carefully.
Jareth smiled. "Thanks, I'll be there soon" he replied and the crystal returned to its normal clear hue.
Jareth teleported into the throne room of the mortal King and was met by an anxious Dranion.
"Jareth, she was found on my doorstep this morning" he said hurriedly but Jareth merely waved it away.
"It's ok, as long as she's all right" he stated and at that moment, Sarah entered the room, wearing a light satin emerald gown with only a small volume skirt that ran the length of her legs.
* * *
Sarah went with Jareth and thanked King Dranion for his hospitality. Yet as they were about to depart, Dranion insisted on escorting them out of his land in safety.
Sarah opted to walk back and Jareth readily complied. Sarah marveled at the fact that she was still in control and the entity hadn't taken over in a little while.
Jareth, Sarah and Dranion walked through the flowery meadows of the borders of Dranion's land and Sarah was momentarily stunned as a group of four demonic attackers appeared out of no where.
Jareth and Dranion both reached for their swords but Sarah instinctively yelled at them to get back.
She felt the familiar tremble and felt her head throw itself back. Her eyes flashed green and a shrill war cry pealed from her lips.
She closed her eyes and a long glimmering sword appeared in her hand, a quiver and bow appeared across her back. Looking down at her dress, a disgusted look flashed across her features.
She reached down and tore the sides of her dress, exposing her thighs.
The soldiers launched themselves at her and Sarah took them on sending them flying in various directions. She fielded a blow across her left cheek.
Sarah concentrated, set her mouth and spun her hands around in a tight circle. An energy orb appeared within the circle glowing with bright green light.
From within the circle, Sarah pulled two translucent daggers. She hurled the mystical daggers at the final opponent left standing.
The enemy exploded into a cacophony of flame as the daggers impacted.
Sarah shuddered once more and felt herself return. This time was different though, she looked around, she remembered what she had done.
* * *
Dranion and Jareth stood well off to the side and watched as Sarah finished off the four enemies single handedly.
Dranion had wanted to intervene, but Jareth had restrained him, curious to see what would come of the encounter.
As Jareth watched now he felt a shock upon seeing that this being was a much better fighter than he had seen in his entire existence.
Dranion gasped softly from behind him.
"There is only one being I have ever heard of that could fight like that" exclaimed the mortal King. Jareth knew, before Dranion even said it,
"Seran" finished the mortal King. A look of awe crossing his features.
EVERYONE, I AM BEGGING YOU TO KEEP ON REVIEWING THIS STORY!!!
THANKS!!
EVE.