Disclaimer: The Labyrinth, its characters, songs, and phrases are
unfortunately not mine. They belong to Jim Henson Productions. However,
Ione, Apollo, and Isis are my original characters as well as the story.
Please do not use my characters without my permission.
Chapter 5: Romance Blossoms
She was in the hedge maze when she came upon a beautiful beach. The beach framed a small lake that Sarah would've loved to take a boat out on. The water was clear as crystal, and Sarah could see the sandy bottom. There were schools of fish swimming through the water like tiny flexible clouds, but she looked again and wondered what the fish ate. The lake was completely free of algae or any type of vegetation.
"I wonder how they live?"
"The lake has its own caretakers. One of their responsibilities is taking care of the fish."
Sarah turned expecting Apollo to be standing behind her smiling down at her. But she was surprised instead by Jareth. Her countenance lost its camaraderie teasing expression. She had forgotten what being in the Goblin King's presence was like. The difference between father and son in this respect was tremendous. Apollo was powerful, but he hid this carefully so he seemed more like a doting older brother even though Sarah knew he was really less than half her age. With Jareth, however, it was all power. Power was built into every fiber of Jareth's being. He lived and breathed power. It was one of the many things that made him so very attractive. She opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was a simple thank you.
"You're quite welcome. I've been watching Ione U acquaint you with the Labyrinth. You've done much better than either of us expected."
"Thank you." She bit her lower lip thoughtfully. "Ione U?"
"That is my pet name for Ione. I commented the day I met her that her name could have many such twists. That one just sort of stuck."
"I was beginning to wonder when I would see you."
"I wanted to wait until you were more familiar with your surroundings. I didn't want you to feel like I was using the Labyrinth to imprison you."
Sarah smiled then looked out towards the lake. Jareth watched as her features turned thoughtful.
Then what's Ione's excuse, Jareth?"
Jareth turned his gaze toward the clear waters as well. He had not wished to breach this subject with her so soon.
"Any incident between me and Ione was my fault, Sarah. Of course, were Ione here, she would take all the blame on herself, bless her heart. Neither of us will hide the fact that she does indeed love me, Sarah, but I took advantage of her love. I made her a slave to that love and now she's had three children she should've had with a husband." He was staring quietly at the lake, and Sarah let him gather his thoughts. "I had only just begun to realize how deep her love runs when she brought you here. She began to act on what we both knew. My heart settled on you when we met. You are the chosen one." He had turned to look at her for the last two phrases, and Sarah looked directly into his eyes. The Goblin King gently traced the line of her feminine jaw and tipped her face toward his. She met him in the middle for a tender kiss.
Ione watched from afar. She had known they would eventually meet and that Jareth would see to it that it was romantic, but she hadn't known it would hurt so much. She couldn't help but think back to the kisses Jareth had given her. She had always known, but the facts glared her in the face now. His kisses for her had at best meant next to nothing.
Jareth brushed Sarah's hair back on one side with his fingers hardly believing he could finally touch the girl he'd loved for so long.
Go slowly, Jareth. Ione willed in her heart. Don't make the same mistakes you made with me. Her heart ached as it sobbed the tears she forced down.
Jareth and Sarah were side by side now, and Jareth had slipped an arm around Sara's waist.
"Jareth, have you ever considered marriage someday?" Sarah asked dreamily as she stared up at his profile. Her head had found its way to his shoulder.
"I haven't really thought on it much, but you have sorely tempted me."
"You mean you might one day ask?"
"That's very possible."
"You know the answer, Jareth."
Jareth kissed the top of her head.
"Yes, I know."
Ione left silently. Her heart could bear no more, and she felt as though she were intruding on a private moment. She stopped a few paces away from the lake's entrance and gathered some flowers. Jareth and Sarah came out walking hand in hand a few moments later.
"Ione U!" Jareth called in surprise. Ione rose from where she had just plucked a blood red rose. She preformed a graceful bow, yet Jareth could see she was reserved.
"Jareth," she replied quietly. She nodded to Sarah next. "I had come to find you in case you'd gotten lost for some reason. Of course now I see the reason for your missing our planned diner."
Sarah's hand flew to her mouth. She had completely forgotten her plans!
"Oh, Ione! I'm so sorry I."
Ione looked away shaking her head while holding up her hand to stop Sarah's apologies.
"Think nothing of it," she said softly. "As I said, I understand." She walked away quietly. Jareth and Sarah followed whispering to each other. Although he said nothing to Sarah, Jareth was worried about Ione. He'd never seen her so reserved and standoffish. It was not her nature. He wondered briefly if she'd had a trying day on her patrols, but he immediately dismissed the idea. Bad days had never made such a marked difference. Something was amiss. That he knew!
Chapter 5: Romance Blossoms
She was in the hedge maze when she came upon a beautiful beach. The beach framed a small lake that Sarah would've loved to take a boat out on. The water was clear as crystal, and Sarah could see the sandy bottom. There were schools of fish swimming through the water like tiny flexible clouds, but she looked again and wondered what the fish ate. The lake was completely free of algae or any type of vegetation.
"I wonder how they live?"
"The lake has its own caretakers. One of their responsibilities is taking care of the fish."
Sarah turned expecting Apollo to be standing behind her smiling down at her. But she was surprised instead by Jareth. Her countenance lost its camaraderie teasing expression. She had forgotten what being in the Goblin King's presence was like. The difference between father and son in this respect was tremendous. Apollo was powerful, but he hid this carefully so he seemed more like a doting older brother even though Sarah knew he was really less than half her age. With Jareth, however, it was all power. Power was built into every fiber of Jareth's being. He lived and breathed power. It was one of the many things that made him so very attractive. She opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was a simple thank you.
"You're quite welcome. I've been watching Ione U acquaint you with the Labyrinth. You've done much better than either of us expected."
"Thank you." She bit her lower lip thoughtfully. "Ione U?"
"That is my pet name for Ione. I commented the day I met her that her name could have many such twists. That one just sort of stuck."
"I was beginning to wonder when I would see you."
"I wanted to wait until you were more familiar with your surroundings. I didn't want you to feel like I was using the Labyrinth to imprison you."
Sarah smiled then looked out towards the lake. Jareth watched as her features turned thoughtful.
Then what's Ione's excuse, Jareth?"
Jareth turned his gaze toward the clear waters as well. He had not wished to breach this subject with her so soon.
"Any incident between me and Ione was my fault, Sarah. Of course, were Ione here, she would take all the blame on herself, bless her heart. Neither of us will hide the fact that she does indeed love me, Sarah, but I took advantage of her love. I made her a slave to that love and now she's had three children she should've had with a husband." He was staring quietly at the lake, and Sarah let him gather his thoughts. "I had only just begun to realize how deep her love runs when she brought you here. She began to act on what we both knew. My heart settled on you when we met. You are the chosen one." He had turned to look at her for the last two phrases, and Sarah looked directly into his eyes. The Goblin King gently traced the line of her feminine jaw and tipped her face toward his. She met him in the middle for a tender kiss.
Ione watched from afar. She had known they would eventually meet and that Jareth would see to it that it was romantic, but she hadn't known it would hurt so much. She couldn't help but think back to the kisses Jareth had given her. She had always known, but the facts glared her in the face now. His kisses for her had at best meant next to nothing.
Jareth brushed Sarah's hair back on one side with his fingers hardly believing he could finally touch the girl he'd loved for so long.
Go slowly, Jareth. Ione willed in her heart. Don't make the same mistakes you made with me. Her heart ached as it sobbed the tears she forced down.
Jareth and Sarah were side by side now, and Jareth had slipped an arm around Sara's waist.
"Jareth, have you ever considered marriage someday?" Sarah asked dreamily as she stared up at his profile. Her head had found its way to his shoulder.
"I haven't really thought on it much, but you have sorely tempted me."
"You mean you might one day ask?"
"That's very possible."
"You know the answer, Jareth."
Jareth kissed the top of her head.
"Yes, I know."
Ione left silently. Her heart could bear no more, and she felt as though she were intruding on a private moment. She stopped a few paces away from the lake's entrance and gathered some flowers. Jareth and Sarah came out walking hand in hand a few moments later.
"Ione U!" Jareth called in surprise. Ione rose from where she had just plucked a blood red rose. She preformed a graceful bow, yet Jareth could see she was reserved.
"Jareth," she replied quietly. She nodded to Sarah next. "I had come to find you in case you'd gotten lost for some reason. Of course now I see the reason for your missing our planned diner."
Sarah's hand flew to her mouth. She had completely forgotten her plans!
"Oh, Ione! I'm so sorry I."
Ione looked away shaking her head while holding up her hand to stop Sarah's apologies.
"Think nothing of it," she said softly. "As I said, I understand." She walked away quietly. Jareth and Sarah followed whispering to each other. Although he said nothing to Sarah, Jareth was worried about Ione. He'd never seen her so reserved and standoffish. It was not her nature. He wondered briefly if she'd had a trying day on her patrols, but he immediately dismissed the idea. Bad days had never made such a marked difference. Something was amiss. That he knew!