Labyrinth and all that is connected to it belongs to someone other than me!!!
Though the characters of Sally Jendson, Morgan Seliecourt, and other characters not appearing or named in the movie are of my creation.
That is excluding certain characters that old Willie and other writers used before me – well, you all know who I'm talking about! Though I doubt I would be getting a call from a British solicitor saying that a Mr. Shakespeare is suing me for infringement – but you never know. Better safe than sorry.
I don't know who performed or wrote "One More Bridge to Cross". I remember it from my own graduation.
"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye (to Yesterday)" goes to Boyz to Men – and it was my graduating class' song.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wishes and Dreams of Love
Chapter Ten: Graduation Day Arrives
It took every moment they had been given, but Sarah and Karen were finally done planning the largest and most elaborate wedding in the history of the Labyrinth. Looking up at the clock on the wall behind her stepdaughter, Karen saw how late it was … or really how early it was. "Happy graduation day, Sarah. It's two-thirty in the morning."
"Ugh! And Jareth and I are supposed to take Toby to the park at about seven! What I am going to do now?" Sarah groaned as her own eye confirmed Karen's report.
Karen stood Sarah up and walked her up the stairs to her room for one of the last times. "You are going to sleep in. Jareth will understand, and I'll make Toby understand."
"Sarah?" Jareth's worried voice bellowed through the door a split second before he began to charge out of it. "Oh Gods, Sarah you had me worried! I thought something had happened."
"What's wrong Jareth? I've never seen you so frightened!"
Jareth sighed hard as he pulled Sarah into his arms, as if afraid she would vanish before his eyes if he were to let go. "It was so vivid. You were lying in a pool of blood and … and …" He just couldn't finish it.
"Jareth, I'm okay my love. Mom and I were just downstairs in the kitchen finishing up the plans for the wedding."
Karen noted not only Sarah's use of the word 'mom', but also the weariness in her voice. "Why don't you two get in there and go to sleep. You both have a rambunctious four-year-old who will be pounding on this door early this morning if he can get past me. Jareth same rule as on Avalon, you're …"
"… on top of Sarah's covers. I know Mrs. Williams." Jareth yawned as he finally let his nightmare slip into the night thanks to the secure hold he had on his fiancée.
Karen smiled as the pair started to drift off to sleep standing in the hall. "You can call me mom now I think, Jareth. Now the two of you get off to bed before I spank you both."
Without a word the pair did as they were told. Jareth groaned as he laid on top of the blankets and Sarah slowly settled herself under them and then in his arms. Both were out of it before they really knew what had happened. Karen chuckled as she brought a blanket in from the hall for her new son. The pair was clutching one another tight in sleep, each enjoying the feel of the other so close.
Karen chuckled as she covered the Goblin King. "Well no one could rightly say that the two of you aren't in love. Goodnight kids."
As she predicted, Karen barely got up in time to drag Toby away from his sister's door before the boy banged on it. "Toby, Sarah and I were up late last night getting ready for the wedding tonight. And then Jareth had a bad dream that Sarah got hurt, so he is in there holding on to her so he could get some sleep. How about we let the two of them get a little more sleep while we make breakfast? Then they'll not get tired while you guys are at the park, okay?"
"Okay. Want pancakes momma!" The little boy squirmed and raced Karen down the stairs.
The extra time only lasted a little while however. Once the smell of the pancakes, eggs, and sausage wafted up to the room, both Sarah and Jareth were awake with growling bellies. Sarah smiled up at the King that would soon be her husband. "Feel like trying mom's cooking?"
"It would insult my future mother-in-law if I wouldn't. And I don't think I need to make her into an enemy. Did you sleep well beloved?" Jareth pulled her tighter to his chest. A few images from his nightmare still hadn't left him in peace.
Sarah kissed his cheek and smiled. "Yeah. I like waking up to you beside me."
Jareth kissed her forehead softly as the last of his nightmare finally left. Funny how this woman could make his world brighten with only a smile and a kiss. "And starting tonight, you will have me in bed with you every night. I'm going to try to make you happy Sarah, and hear you out when you have an opinion on anything. I love you and will never force you into our bed for anything other than sleep. I want our marriage to be different from my parents'."
When Sarah gave him an odd look, Jareth elaborated. "My father treated my mother like she was his property. She never had a say in anything, she was never allowed to speak unless she was spoken to, and father made her go to his bed whether she willed it or not. My father may have been a fair King, but he failed as a husband and father."
"Well, you've learned from his mistakes. And our marriage will be different my love. You treat me as your equal." Sarah whispered never knowing quite what to really think of her future husband. He had so many different facets to his personality, but that was also what drew her to him. He was a mystery and she couldn't assume anything with him, he was certainly far from boring – and Sarah liked that.
Jareth looked deep into her jewel green eyes and sighed. "Sarah, you are my equal. And I will love you as a woman should be loved by her husband – with devotion and respect."
A low and pounding knock interrupted them. Living in that house with those people for four years, Sarah knew exactly who it was. "Come in Toby."
Karen opened the door, while little Toby carefully carried two wine glasses of orange juice. The second visit to the Labyrinth had left a lasting effect on the little boy. His speech, coordination, and mental capacity were those of a seven-year-old instead of one the age of four. "Morning sissy! Morning bubby! Is it okay to call ya bubby now Jareth?"
"Bubby is just fine, little brother. Good morning to you, and you too mom." Jareth chuckled as he accepted the glass of juice from his fiancée.
Sarah took the other glass and grinned as the little boy jumped into the bed and snuggled between her and Jareth. "Did you help with breakfast this morning?"
"Yup! I turned the sausage and the pancakes!" Toby seemed quite pleased with himself. "But momma had to help me pour the juice."
"Well that's better than most boys your age would be doing. How about you let us get dressed, then we'll eat, and then we'll head for the park?" Sarah beamed as Toby cheered and rushed out of the room with a giggling Karen closing the door behind her as she followed.
Sarah took the glass of juice from Jareth's hand, set it down next to her juice on her side table, and rested back under the warm and very comfortable covers. "Maybe we can swipe a few minutes of the day to cuddle a bit?"
"That, I believe, is and excellent idea my beloved Queen." Jareth grinned as he settled back in his position next to her.
He still couldn't believe that she was his fiancée. In a matter of hours they would be husband and wife. The way she relaxed next to him, and smiled as he brushed his fingers down her cheek. It was as if they had been born for one another.
Jareth softly tasted her sweet lips; easily detecting the juice she had drank only moments before. But there was also that flavor that was simply her, that essence he couldn't describe and never wanted to be without.
"No cuddling you two! Get down here or I come up with ice!" Toby shrieked at the top of his lungs from the bottom of the stairs.
Both Sarah and Jareth chuckled. Sarah smiled as she brushed a few strands of his wild blonde hair back so she could see his mismatched eyes. She loved how they sparkled when he laughed. "Looks like I had better get dressed."
"Perhaps I could help?" Jareth gave a dirty smirk as he winked.
A snap of his fingers later, Sarah peeked under the covers to find an outfit she hadn't put on in three years. "The same outfit I wore the first time we met. Any particular reason for that?"
"Other than I think you look beautiful in it … no. We'd better get to breakfast before we get very cold very fast."
Once they all had ate their fill and helped clear the table, the trio set off for the park. With all of her school work, after school events, the planning of her wedding, and getting ready for graduation, Sarah had very little time with the brother that had become so important to her. She felt so bad that soon she wouldn't be there every day for him, and Jareth understood it.
The couple had planned this little break from the hectic schedule of the double event day for her to have a few hours of quality time with Toby, and for Jareth to get to know his new brother-in-law.
After an hour of chasing the little boy over all of the slides, the various jungle gyms, seesaws, and other equipment, Sarah and Jareth were taking turns spinning him around in the middle of a grassy field used to play ball games on. Suddenly, Jareth stopped and frowned.
"Someone has put a time spell up around this place."
Sarah instinctively grabbed Toby and held him tight to her chest. She knew that Jareth didn't like this by his facial and body language, and that alone made her frightened. Could it be Conal? They hadn't heard from him since Sally's near death, but that didn't mean he'd stay away forever.
Jareth hated how his fiancée and brother-in-law were scared, and how he wasn't sure why he recognized the power that held them away from time. "Who are you? I demand that you show yourself!"
"Such manners, Jareth! Demanding anything of me … your own grandmother! You haven't even given me the pleasure of meeting your well-known fiancée, or invited me to your wedding! Such a shame!" A female's voice came from the trees to their left side.
That last phrase made Sarah chuckle, similar to her husband-to-be's but still different. A woman who seemed slightly older than Jareth stepped forward with a sweet smile on her face. "Ah yes, that infamous line he said to you over and over. As you can tell it is a rewording of the line I have given him since he learned to walk. Well, Jareth … I do believe that you have two ladies waiting for some word from you."
Jareth was still pale with shock. "I thought that you were dead. I mean, you have never contacted me since mother died."
"Because I knew after that you were around your father so much that I didn't know how you would take contact from me. And hearing the tales of your fiancé's victory over the Labyrinth tells me that he rubbed off on you far too much. It's nice to see that this young woman has finally brought back the sweet young man I remember. So …"
Without another word, Jareth smiled as he pulled the older woman into his arms and twirled her in his happiness. Sarah enjoyed seeing him so carefree and loving, knowing that she wouldn't see this side of him as often as she already wished that she could.
Once the revelry was over Jareth looked over at Sarah and reached out his hand to her, which she took once she set Toby on his own feet. "Sarah, I'd like you to meet my grandmother, Queen Anu. Nana, this is my beloved Sarah … the only one to have ever defeated the Labyrinth."
That name struck a cord in Sarah's memory and paled her in shock. "Anu? As in the Irish Goddess of plenty?"
Anu smiled sweetly as she took Sarah into her embrace lovingly. "That very same my sweet child. Oh, but the tales do your beauty no justice at all … nor you intelligence. No wonder you were able to steal my grandson's heart. And you may just call me Nana as well, my granddaughter. But who is this sweet little boy? Not the babe who started the tales … Toby was it?"
"Yup! You're pretty. Too young to be a grandma." Toby said as he wrapped his arms around Anu's waist.
Sarah and Jareth both grinned as Toby worked his charms on Anu. "Well little man, that is one of the sweetest hellos I have ever gotten. Tell you what, you can call me Nana as well."
Toby cheered as the adults all chuckled.
^Sarah, why don't you invite Nana to our wedding? I know she'd adore you for it.^ Jareth softly sent as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
Sarah watched as Toby showed Nana his beloved fairytales book he had gotten from his big sister's personal library as a gift for his last birthday. ^But, shouldn't it come from you my beloved? So far you've had not one say in this wedding.^
Jareth whispered into her ear, "that's because I want you to have your dream wedding. I know that Nana would love to hear it from you."
"Well, it had better come from one of you soon." Anu grinned at the couple, who began to blush as Toby laughed at them getting caught for something.
"Nana will you come to our wedding? In fact, I'd like you to accompany me home from my parents' house this evening as well." Sarah shyly spoke. She knew that she would have to take on bigger tasks than this as Queen, but she was still trying to get comfortable in her new role.
Anu smiled as she motioned for the couple to sit beside her. "I wouldn't miss my grandson's wedding to his only love for both of the worlds. And the honor is mine that you trust me to escort you home tonight. You are going to make quiet the Queen, my granddaughter."
"That Sarah will Nana. I saw that the night she refused to give up her dreams for Toby's safety." Jareth hadn't taken his gaze from his love as he brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear, gaining her head bending into his touch.
Sarah blushed softly before looking up into his eyes. Oh Gods, how she adored his eyes! Tenderly their lips touched and melted into a deep kiss. But they couldn't hold back their giggles as they heard Toby shooting a raspberry at them.
"Yuck! They've been doing that more and more! It's gross!" He tattled to Anu.
Sarah raised an eyebrow at him as she curled back into Jareth's warm embrace. "Just wait until you're older and I catch you doing the same thing! Then I'll ask 'whatever happened to yuck that's gross?' Oh the fun I'll have then!"
"Won't!" Toby pouted as he snuggled deeper into Anu's arms.
But the good times didn't last much after that. They all had to get ready for the graduation ceremony, and Jareth had friends of Sarah's to gather. So, he and Anu left the siblings at what would soon be Sarah's old house.
Two hours later, the 'dressing room' that had been set up for the graduating class was buzzing with activity and nervousness – most of the latter coming from Mrs. Sally Avalon and Ms. Sarah Williams.
"Sarah, my hands won't stop shaking! It's so bad that I cant get this stupid collar set up on my gown!" Sally whimpered from across the table.
Sarah however was having the exact same problem. "I know, I'm nervous too. I'm not sure I'll make it through this."
"What if Conal shows up and causes trouble again?" Sally shot a wide-eyed frightened look at her friend as she whispered.
Sarah's eyes grew wide as well. That was one crisis Sarah hadn't even considered! "Oh Gods no!"
^Girls will you both calm down? Sally stop making your paired fears worse. Conal won't dare show up with as many from the Underground in attendance as there is. And yes Sarah, everyone is here … including Jareth. In fact he and Puck are fighting me for the right to come in to check on the two of you.^ Came from Morgan.
That set both girls in partial ease. It was enough for the pair to finally get their gowns and caps on. Sarah sighed with relief that at least one dilemma was out of the way. Then she softly sent to her teacher and friend. ^Sally and I are ready now. It wouldn't hurt to let them say hi and calm us down a little … right?^
Morgan chuckled as she sensed the hinted idea of calming the men as well. ^Fine, but only for a few minutes. The ceremony is about to start.^
Without missing a beat both men quickly made their way to their beloved ladies and grabbed them both into tight embraces and deep kisses. Each couple quickly pulled into their own little worlds separate from the main of reality, keeping away those eavesdroppers who'd nose into their conversations.
"We're going to have so little time after this ceremony before we're separated again. I just had to hold you once more." Jareth whimpered into Sarah's kisses.
Sarah answered his sensually massaging hands with a deep throaty moan as she tilted her head back and relaxed into his touch. Already she was melting in all of the right places, but their wedding was still hours away! "I needed you more. How are we going to handle the time apart?"
"I just don't know my love. I doubt that I'll take my eyes off of the clock very often, unless I start pacing." Jareth joined in Sarah's chuckled from the image of himself wearing a deep rut into the throne room floor.
Glancing at their married supporters, both had to laugh softly at the sight. Jareth finally caught his breath enough to speak. "It looks like we won't be the only ones suffering from the separation."
"And they won't have the time off from duties that we were lucky to get at their wedding. Oh how I will never hear the end of that from her!" Sarah agreed.
^All right, that will be enough you four. The ceremony is about to start and the girls have to get in their places. Besides, there will be time enough for all of that after the wedding tonight.^ Morgan proclaimed as they all noticed the rest of the students getting into two lines.
All four groaned as they returned to the real world (the guys using a little magic to make sure they and their ladies looked presentable of course). Sarah winked at Sally as the guy started to leave for their 'special' seats. "We have a surprise for you two during the ceremony boys."
"Yeah. Something I'll bet neither of you knew that we could do." Sally blew a kiss towards her husband as she rushed to near the front of the line.
Sarah winked at Jareth and blew him a kiss as well before getting in line near the end.
Both men wondered what their lades had planned.
When she finally got into the auditorium, Sarah was stunned to find that all the creatures of the Underground were seated in the back, from the floor to the ceiling high above and back. It had to be magic to house so many creatures in the tiny space along with humans, who didn't seem to notice the power at all.
Quickly after she found her seat (since she was near the end of the line) the ceremony began. Mr. Kinston walked to the podium.
"I have had four years with this group of students that have been memorable to say that least." That made the students and parents all chuckle at some of the memories. "But through it all, they have shown themselves to be the brightest and the most outstanding of all the graduating classes our school has ever known. We've had two successful writers published this year …"
Sarah glanced over at Morgan (who happened to be one of the teachers assigned to sit on the outside edge of the graduates – and assigned to sit next to Sarah). The Queen gave an innocent smile and gently patted the younger soon-to-be Queen's hand. ^That wasn't my doing Sarah. He was really impressed with you and Sally – especially this year. But I can sense that he isn't the only male in this room awed by the two of you. And that's beyond the obvious choices of Puck and Jareth. He doesn't show it, but King Paralda is impressed by you and the ceremony – not to mention how many are here for it. ^
By that time the entrance of the school chorus told Sarah her and Sally's spotlight was coming up. Out of the gathered Seniors, the girls joined with the rest of the graduating chorus members heading for the stage. Mr. Kinston continued to talk. "Sadly the two lovely ladies who began a tradition we have held since they were Freshmen are graduating today. So joining them today on the stage are the two Freshmen who will next year be standing on this stage alone as we keep the interpretation of the chorus' performance going on another four years. Standing next to Sarah Williams is Jennifer Granton. And next to Sally Avalon is Stephanie Mondol. Ladies and gentlemen, the Drayton High Chorus, led by Mr. Lee Durant."
Mr. Durant looked for a signal that told him the girls were ready, then signaled the piano player to begin. From her position on the stage Sarah could easily see the man of all her sweetest dreams.
Jareth was seated between Puck and King Paralda, all of whom were giving signs of question as to what was happening next. Then Sarah heard her cue in the music to begin.
She and Sally had been interpreting the performance at graduation since Mr. Durant caught them signing near the end of their Freshman year. After that it had almost become an expected part of the program, a tradition that Sarah and Sally had created – leaving their marks on the world in a small way.
The first song was the usual given at this performance. "One More Bridge to Cross"
Here we stand as one
As we have before
Friends we'll always be
Till we meet again
And the words don't come easy
When we say goodbye
No one said it was easy
When it's time to fly
One more bridge to cross
One more road to wander
Everybody has a dream
An island in the sun
We have come this far
We have played the old songs
Everybody needs a dream
A place to call their own
As the hour draws near
I will say to you
Not goodbye … farewell
Let us say adieu
And the words don't come easy
When we say goodbye
No one said it was easy
When it's time to fly
One more bridge to cross
One more road to wander
Everybody has a dream
An island in the sun
We have come this far
We have played the old songs
Everybody needs a dream
A place to call their own
A place to call their own
As the music changed tempo, the audience applauded (with the Underground guests cheering loudly, especially the goblins for their soon to be Queen). Then it changed for the class song. "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday".
How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad.
I thought we'd get to see forever
But forever has gone away
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
I don't know where this road
Is going to lead to.
All I know is where we've been
And what we've been through.
And if we get to see tomorrow
I hope it's worth all the pain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
Once the music ended the room erupted with clapping and cheers from both the humans and the Underground guests. All four interpreters bowed before the two Ladies gave their replacements words of encouragement and farewell. Then the Seniors returned to their places.
Sarah smiled at Jareth, as Sally did to Puck, once more before they followed the other Seniors to their seats. At her chair, Sarah smiled at Morgan. "Do you think that Jareth was surprised by that?"
"I think that is an understatement Lady Sarah. And you've also impressed Paralda more than any other mortal ever has." Morgan chuckled.
Two guest speakers talked on and on about futures. Then came the two Salutatorians with their pretty speeches, which left Sarah slightly bored. Finally, the Valedictorian finished her speech. Sarah knew that soon she would be back in Jareth's arms. Finally, each student crossed the stage as his or her name was called.
When Sally's married name was called, Sarah and Morgan had to fight the urge to shield their ears from the echo that came from the roar of cheers coming from the guests from the Underground. Its only rival was when Sarah's turn came up.
"Sarah Rachel Elisabeth Williams" and with that the roar seemed to double as the Goblins all stood for their Queen (following their King's example). Sarah couldn't hide the blush and the smile she got from the attention. But, she knew that she'd have to get used to it.
Once all of them got their certificates, the principal and the superintendent of schools proclaimed the graduates such, and the graduates threw their caps into the air, the graduates returned to the room they had changed in to get ready to leave.
At first Sarah and Sally couldn't understand why the others were leaving the room so fast, until Morgan appeared with a sneaky grin on her face. Then the pair knew that for some reason, Morgan was influencing the others to leave.
Once the last classmate left, the room quickly filled with all those from the Underground who had witnessed the ceremony. Before anyone could say a word, Puck and Jareth had their Ladies in possessive embraces and deep kisses.
After they were finished, King Paralda stepped up to Sarah and bowed – the first time he had ever done so to her. "My congratulations to you Lady Sarah for you graduation and upcoming marriage. And my congratulations to you as well Princess Sally for your graduation and wedding."
"Thank you King Paralda, and thank you for coming." Sarah smiled and nodded. "I hope we can look forward to seeing you this evening at mine and Jareth's wedding."
Suddenly Sarah was unnerved. Needing his calming, she sent quietly to Jareth. ^Please tell me that I haven't crossed a line or in some other way completely embarrassed you, my love.^
^I will say it again, my Sarah – you are going to make an excellent Queen. Old Paralda has been waiting for an invitation from you, despite my assurances that you would like him to be there tonight. And here you go inviting him before I could tell you about it.^
King Paralda smiled at Sarah as he nodded. "I wouldn't miss this event for all of the Underground. What was that you and Princess Sally were doing on the stage with those two mortals? Casting a spell?"
"No sign language. It is how those who cannot hear or speak communicate. Our teacher caught us having a private conversation near the end of our Freshman year, and it has become a small tradition." Sarah couldn't hold back her blush.
Jareth however was proud that his future wife could communicate with those he could not. "How long have you been able to do this?"
"I think Sally and I were about seven or eight. We learned a song in summer camp, and we never lost interest in the language." Sarah looked to her married friend to see her enjoying her time out of the spotlight.
Paralda grinned as he noticed it as well. "Well I'd say that both kingdoms are going to be richer for the knowledge."
He moved to speak with Sally and Puck as everyone else came forward to congratulated the girls. All of the Goblins formally bowed or curtsied their soon-to-be Queen, which gave Sarah the smallest sense of the respect she held from them.
All of the Willow 'o the Whisps spread blessings and good wishes over the two couples.
In fact by the time the four of them got through all of those present it was time to split up to get ready for the wedding! The two couples shot Morgan a dirty look, they just knew she had planned it out in that way.
Well, on to the wedding in the Labyrinth!
I wonder how much of a difference there will be between it and the one we attended on Avalon.
Well, soon you can read and see.
And whatever happened to Conal?
This fic is far from over everyone.